Sony FE Vs E Lenses-The Difference You Need to Know

Oliver January 17, 2023

Sony cameras have a great reputation as being one of the best mirrorless manufacturers on the market.

They are incredibly innovative with their camera technology, and this is backed up by their superb lenses.

Modern Sony cameras also have the best sensors in the world. Their cameras are always listed by experts as having the best autofocus performance and highest resolution viewfinder, which is fantastic for all types of photography.

If you have a Sony camera, or if you are considering owning one in the near future, you will need a good lens to match the quality produced by Sony’s sensor and software.

In this post, I’m going to compare the Sony FE with Sony E. If you’re looking for a deep comparison of these two Sony lenses, you’ve come to the right place. Now. I’m going to compare Sony FE lens with Sony E lens in terms of:

What type of lens do you need?
What is an E-mount?
What is FE-mount?
What is the full camera?
What is the APS-C camera?
What is the difference between Sony FE mount and Sony E mount lenses?
Can you use Sony E-mount lenses on other cameras?
Some lens examples
Which is the best lens?

Let’s do this.

What Type of Lens Do You Need?

For many beginners, they may have no idea how many type of Sony lenses are there?

In fact, there are two types of lenses that fit the newest Sony cameras. They are designed for cameras that have an E-mount.

They are FE lenses which are specifically designed for full-frame cameras, and E lenses which are made for APS-C cameras.

Sony FE lenses can be used on full-frame and APS-C cameras, but Sony E lenses can only be used on APS-C cameras.

There was quite a bit of jargon mentioned in this paragraph, so let’s break it down into sections.

What is an E-Mount?

Before the invention of mirrorless cameras, Sony used the ‘A’ mount to attach lenses to their SLR and DSLR range. The mount is what makes the lens and the camera body recognize each other.

The ‘E’ mount was developed to cope with the technological advances that came about with camcorders and mirrorless cameras.

It has a shorter flange distance to suit cameras that don’t have a mirror or prism.

The E-mount allowed Sony to develop a wider range of compact cameras while maintaining compatibility with 35mm sensors.

What is an FE-Mount?

‘FE’ stands for ‘Full E-mount’ and is used to describe Sony lenses specifically designed for Sony full-frame sensor cameras, such as the a7 and a9 series. These FE lenses can also be used on APS-C sensor bodies, including the a6000 series, with a 1.5x multiplication factor applied to the focal length.

What is a Full Frame Camera?

A full-frame camera has a digital sensor that is equivalent in size to a traditional 35mm film size.

Full-frame sensors are most often found in professional cameras. Owning a full-frame camera takes you to a new level of photography.

It offers wider fields of view for landscape and architecture photography, better low light performance, and finer detail in your photos.

You’ll also create better bokeh with a full-frame camera. Because a full-frame camera uses longer focal lengths to get the same focal length as an APS-C camera, you end up with a shallow depth of field, which makes soft, blurred backgrounds filled with beautiful bokeh.

What is an APS-C Camera?

The sensor in an APS-C camera is smaller than a full-frame sensor and it is most often found in entry to mid-level digital cameras.

If you take a photo using an APS-C camera, then switch the same lens to a full-frame camera, you’ll end up with a zoomed-in image from the APS-C camera, and a wider field of view on the full-frame camera.

This is because the APS-C sensor is smaller than the one in a full-frame camera which crops part of the image coming through the lens.

What is the Difference Between Sony FE mount and Sony E mount Lenses?

If you own a Sony E-mount full-frame camera, only an FE lens will work on it without any issues. FE lenses provide an image circle large enough to cover full-frame sensors. ‘FE’ stands for ‘Full-frame E-mount’ lens.

And an ‘E’ lens means that it’s designed for Sony’s E-mount system. The type of lens (FE or E) is marked on the lens itself, and it refers to whether it can be used on a full-frame sensor, or if it works best with an APS-C sensor.

You can use an FE lens on an E-mount camera that has an APS-C sensor because the image from the center of the lens simply becomes cropped to the APS-C size. The image circle of the FE lens is larger than the APS-C sensor, so only the centre of the lens is used to capture the image.

This means the image will look larger since it is cropped to a smaller area. The crop factor on Sony APS-C cameras is 1.5x, so an 80mm FE lens will have an equivalent focal length of 120mm instead.

E lenses are not designed for full-frame cameras. Technically speaking, you can put an E lens on a full-frame camera because E and FE lenses fit the E-mount, but it doesn’t work properly because the image circle will be smaller, leading to vignetting (darkened corners) of the image.

Another major difference between E and FE mount lenses is the price. Full-frame FE lenses are much more expensive. They cost more because FE lenses are built with higher quality materials, and most Sony FE lenses are weather-sealed.

FE lenses are considered to be part of the professional range of lenses, and their high price reflects the extra production costs and high-quality standards set by Sony. E lenses are thought of as consumer-grade equipment, which is mostly assembled by machines.

The high-grade optics used in FE lenses are hand-pressed and shaped before going through many tests and inspections, whereas E lenses are made more quickly and from cheaper materials.

FE lenses also include aspherical and Fluorite lens elements which cost more to make than standard ones, and these professional lenses often have special coatings that decrease internal reflections and reduce ghosting and flare.

The smaller sensors on APS-C cameras only use the center portion of the lens, so manufacturers often make these lenses with smaller image circles because the corners are not used anyway. All of this means Sony can reduce the cost and size of their E lenses.

If you intend to buy a new lens soon, think carefully about which style of lens you should purchase. Consider the FE range so that regardless of whether you end up owning a full-frame or an APS-C camera you will be able to use those lenses.

Buying the Sony E lenses means you have to stick to an APS-C camera or sell off your lenses when you upgrade to a full-frame camera. Or, if you decide to have an APS-C and full-frame camera, you can use those FE lenses between both of them.

Can You Use Sony E-Mount Lenses on Other Cameras?

E-mount lenses can only be used on Sony cameras that have an E-mount base. But you can use lenses from other camera manufacturers on a Sony camera if you buy an adapter that makes them suitable for E-mount cameras.

Without a suitable adapter, other lenses won’t fit the mount and the electrical contacts won’t connect, so the camera and lens can’t relay focus and exposure information.

Within the Sony system, you can purchase lens mount adapters that make A mount lenses suitable for E-mount cameras.

This is ideal if you have lenses from an old Sony SLR camera and want to use them on a new Sony mirrorless camera. It maintains full lens performance, including autofocus.

Some Lens Examples

We have compiled a selection of lenses to assist you in determining which lens is suitable for your camera while also minimizing costs.

FE-Mount Lenses

Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM –Buy Now

The Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM is a highly regarded wide-angle lens that is well-suited for landscape and travel photography. With its focal length range of 16-35mm and a wide aperture of F2.8, it allows for capturing expansive views and provides versatility in various shooting situations.

This lens is constructed with 16 elements arranged in 13 groups, ensuring high optical performance and image quality. The weather-sealed design adds durability and allows for shooting in challenging weather conditions without worry.

One notable feature of the Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM is its 11 circular aperture blades, which contribute to the creation of beautiful sunstars when shooting with a smaller aperture.

Sony FE 24mm F1.4 GM –Buy Now

The Sony FE 24mm F1.4 GM lens has received high praise for its exceptional quality while maintaining a compact and lightweight design.

Constructed with 13 elements arranged in 10 groups, this lens showcases Sony’s commitment to producing high-quality optics. As part of the G Master (GM) lens series, it meets the highest standards in terms of image quality and performance.

Despite its compact size, the Sony FE 24mm F1.4 GM lens is robustly built and features weather sealing, providing protection against dust and moisture. This durability ensures that the lens can withstand various shooting conditions.

The lens weighs just 15.7 oz (445 g), making it highly portable and suitable for travel or extended shooting sessions without causing excessive strain.

Additionally, the lens comes with several convenient features. It includes a customizable focus hold button, an AF on/off switch, an aperture selection ring, and a click on/off switch for the aperture ring. These features enhance the user experience and allow for greater control and customization while shooting.

Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II –Buy Now

The Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II lens stands out as one of the few zoom lenses that can rival the optical performance of prime lenses.

With a construction of 20 elements in 15 groups, this lens is not only well-built but also weather-sealed, ensuring its durability and suitability for various shooting conditions. The 11-bladed circular aperture contributes to a smooth and pleasing bokeh, allowing your subjects to stand out.

One notable improvement in the Mark II version is the inclusion of four XD (extreme dynamic) Linear Motors, which enable highly precise autofocus and approximately 2x better tracking performance while zooming compared to the previous Mark I lens.

In terms of weight, the updated Mark II lens weighs just 24.6 oz (695 g), making it an impressive 6.74 oz (191 g) lighter than its predecessor, the Mark I.

The lens features several convenient controls on its body, including a customizable focus hold button, separate focus, zoom, and de-clickable aperture rings, an iris lock switch, an AF/MF switch, and a zoom smoothness switch. These features enhance the user experience and provide greater control over various aspects of your photography.

Sony FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS –Buy Now

If you’re in search of a versatile lens, the Sony FE 24-105mm f/4 G OSS is an excellent choice that caters to various photography genres.

Whether you’re traveling, capturing landscapes, or shooting events, this lens delivers outstanding performance. It maintains sharpness throughout its focal range, from 24mm to 105mm, even when shooting wide open at f/4.

Constructed with 17 elements arranged in 14 groups, the lens boasts a robust build quality. The 9-bladed circular aperture aids in producing smooth and visually pleasing backgrounds, allowing your subjects to stand out.

The autofocus of the Sony FE 24-105mm f/4 G OSS lens is fast, accurate, and operates silently. Additionally, it incorporates optical stabilization, providing image stabilization to counteract camera shake.

Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM –Buy Now

When it comes to 35mm lenses in Sony’s E-mount lineup, the Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM stands out as the top choice.

Designed for both stills and video shooters, this lens offers features such as a de-clickable aperture ring and a programmable focus hold button that can be customized for various functions.

Constructed with 10 groups and 14 elements, the lens exhibits a high level of build quality. The 11 circular aperture blades contribute to creating a beautifully soft bokeh, while the lens is also weather-sealed at crucial points, protecting against dust and moisture.

Equipped with two XD (Extreme Dynamic) Linear motors, the Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM delivers fast, quiet, and highly precise subject tracking, ensuring smooth and accurate autofocus performance.

This lens excels in delivering excellent sharpness even at its maximum aperture of f/1.4 across the entire frame. It also demonstrates good resistance to flare and handles coma and chromatic aberrations well.

E-Mount Lenses

Sony E 15mm F1.4 G – Buy Now

The Sony E 15mm F1.4 G is a recently introduced ultra-wide-angle lens designed specifically for Sony’s APS-C mirrorless cameras like the Sony Alpha A6600. It provides a field of view equivalent to 22.5mm on a full-frame camera. With a bright maximum aperture of f/1.4, it offers excellent low-light performance and the ability to create a shallow depth of field for blurred backgrounds.

This lens also features a close focus distance, allowing you to achieve a greater sense of depth and separation between your subject and the background. Additionally, it includes an aperture ring, which enhances the overall quality feel of the lens. Despite its impressive capabilities, the Sony E 15mm F1.4 G remains incredibly compact and lightweight, weighing just 219g.

Whether you’re engaged in still photography or videography, this lens serves as an excellent choice for wide-angle shots.

Sony E 11mm F1.8 – Buy Now

The Sony E 11mm F1.8 lens is a versatile option suitable for both still photography and video shooting. While it may be priced on the higher side, it’s worth considering if you’re willing to invest in its capabilities. With a crop factor, it provides an equivalent focal length of 16.5mm, making it ideal for capturing wide-angle shots.

One of the lens’s notable features is its close focusing distance. With autofocus, it can focus as close as 0.15m, while manual focus allows for even closer focusing at 0.12m. This makes it a solid choice for close-up photography, enabling you to capture subjects with great detail.

The generous f/1.8 aperture of the lens allows for excellent low-light performance and the ability to achieve shallow depth of field. During testing, the lens demonstrated consistent sharpness across various shooting situations, indicating its overall reliability and image quality.

Samyang 12mm f/2 –Buy Now

If you’re in search of a fast wide-angle lens but find the Tamron 11-20mm f/2.8 to be outside your budget, the Samyang 12mm f/2 is worth considering. It offers a slightly faster aperture than the Tamron zoom and currently holds the title of the widest autofocusing prime lens available for Sony APS-C cameras. The best part is that it comes at half the cost of the Tamron lens.

With a focal length equivalent to 18mm on a full-frame camera, the Samyang 12mm f/2 allows you to capture beautiful, wide-angle shots of the sky or landscapes. The lens produces sharp images, particularly in the center, with pleasing colors and ample contrast.

In terms of build quality, the Samyang 12mm f/2 is lightweight and compact. It also features weather sealing, ensuring its durability in various shooting conditions. The lens comes with a lens hood and a case for added convenience and protection.

Which is the Best Lens?

The fight between Sony’s FE Vs E lenses isn’t really a battle since they are two different styles of glass doing a particular job for a specific camera.

Sony offers a wide choice of more than twenty dedicated FE lenses for their full-frame cameras and more than a dozen E lenses for the APS-C format.

Both of these lenses are built and designed by Zeiss who are world leaders in precision optics, so you’ll get great photos from either one. Both use the E-mount system, but that’s where the similarity ends.

Let’s look at the FE lens first. Even though the FE lens was designed for a full-frame camera, it works just as well on APS-C cameras, as long as you don’t mind a cropped image.

The E lenses were designed for the smaller APS-C crop sensor cameras. Sony’s E lenses are great for beginners because they are smaller, lighter, and more affordable.

If you have to choose between buying the FE lens or Sony’s E lens, you are probably better off with the FE lens as long as you are willing to spend the extra money.

FE lenses are made for professionals, so they are more rugged, built with superior materials, and give higher quality results.

And if you have an APS-C camera stored away, it can become a suitable backup camera at important events because your FE lenses will work just as well on that crop sensor device.

If you use an APS-C camera now but plan to buy a full-frame camera in the near future, then purchasing that top-quality FE lens means you won’t have to upgrade lenses at the same time.

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Oliver

My name is Oliver, and I am an amateur street and architecture photographer who loves to capture the essence of travel through my lens. I use iPhone 14 and Sony 6400 camera paired with the versatile Tamron 18mm-300mm f/3.5-f/6.3 lens to bring my vision to life.

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