Sony Sonnar T* FE 55mm f/1.8 ZA review

The Sony Sonnar T* FE 55mm f/1.8 ZA works well for portraiture on both full-frame and APS-C format bodies

Sony Sonnar T* FE 55mm f/1.8 ZA
(Image: © Sony)

Digital Camera World Verdict

The focal length and aperture rating of this lens makes it ideal for general and environmental portraiture on full-frame cameras, and for tighter portraits on APS-C format bodies, where it has an effective focal length of 82.5mm. Based on classic Zeiss Sonnar design principles and featuring Zeiss’s legendary T* coating, image quality is gorgeous but the lens is pricey for an f/1.8 standard prime.

Pros

  • +

    Good sharpness and contrast

  • +

    Smooth bokeh

  • +

    Weather-sealed

Cons

  • -

    Pricey for an f/1.8 standard prime

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The Sony Sonnar T* FE 55mm f/1.8 ZA has a fairly modest aperture rating compared with f/1.4 and f/1.2 standard primes. Even so, it has pro-grade build quality and excellent all-round performance, as reflected in the up-market purchase price. It’s also surprisingly lightweight at just 281g, making it a good match for both full-frame and APS-C format Sony mirrorless cameras.

Specifications

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Matthew Richards

Matthew Richards is a photographer and journalist who has spent years using and reviewing all manner of photo gear. He is Digital Camera World's principal lens reviewer – and has tested more primes and zooms than most people have had hot dinners! 

His expertise with equipment doesn’t end there, though. He is also an encyclopedia  when it comes to all manner of cameras, camera holsters and bags, flashguns, tripods and heads, printers, papers and inks, and just about anything imaging-related. 

In an earlier life he was a broadcast engineer at the BBC, as well as a former editor of PC Guide.