Sony Sonnar SEL24F18Z
The bright f/1.8 aperture and 24mm focal length on APS-C, combined with silent linear motor autofocus and a 225g weight, deliver sharp low-light imaging with smooth bokeh for street work. Its all-aluminum barrel and T* coating reduce flare and ensure durability, while the 0.25x magnification at 160mm minimum focus expands close-up versatility. Best for street photographers and environmental portraitists who need a fast, wide, and portable prime with precise autofocus.
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About Sony Sonnar T* E 24mm F/1.8 ZAOverwhelm your senses with the superior image quality and advanced features of the Sony Sonnar T* E 24mm f/1.8 Lens for Sony E. Designed with the expertise of Carl Zeiss, this high-performance lens brings your photographic visions to life with unparalleled clarity and vibrancy. Whether you're capturing breathtaking sunsets or candid moments, this lens ensures every shot is rich in detail and color.Experience the thrill of low-light photography with the lens's large f/1.8 aperture. This feature not only allows exceptional light sensitivity but also creates a captivating depth-of-field, making your subjects stand out with remarkable precision. The lens is perfect for photographers who love to explore the magic of twilight or indoor photography.The Sony Sonnar T* E 24mm f/1.8 Lens is not just about performance; it's also a statement of style and durability. The elegant black aluminum alloy exterior adds a touch of sophistication to your E-mount camera, while its robust construction ensures longevity.Achieve pinpoint precision with the Direct Manual Focus (DMF) feature. This allows immediate manual focusing, even after autofocus lock-on, making it ideal for portraits and intricate macro shots where every detail counts.Film with confidence, thanks to the lens's silent and smooth autofocus. The built-in linear and stepping motors ensure quiet aperture actuation and eliminate distracting noises, making it a favorite among filmmakers.The advanced optical design of the Zeiss Sonnar, comprising eight elements in seven groups, not only facilitates the expansive f/1.8 aperture but also minimizes flare and enhances contrast. The lens's T* anti-reflective coatings, extra-low dispersion glass element, and two aspherical elements combat aberrations, delivering unparalleled image clarity whether you're using APS-C Sony E-mount cameras or full-frame E-mount cameras in APS-C mode.Explore the world of macro photography with a minimum focus distance of just 6.3" and a maximum magnification of 0.25x. Capture the minutest details in all their glory, and create enchanting bokeh effects with the rounded seven-blade diaphragm. In the realm of photography, where every detail matters, the Sony Sonnar T* E 24mm f/1.8 Lens for Sony E is more than just a lens; it's a commitment to perfection.Sony Sonnar T* E 24mm F/1.8 ZA FeaturesCarl Zeiss Sonnar Optics: Achieve superior image clarity and richnessLarge f/1.8 Aperture: Ensures optimum low-light sensitivity and impressive depth-of-fieldSilent AF System: Smooth, quiet autofocus ideal for video recordingAluminum Alloy Construction: Sleek and sturdy with a refined black finishDMF (Direct Manual Focus): Direct manual focus post-autofocus, allowing fine-tuned adjustmentsZeiss T Coating*: Minimized reflections for enhanced image clarity and contrastVersatile Design: Compatible with APS-C Sony E-mount and full-frame in APS-C modeAdvanced Optical Construction: With eight elements in seven groups for minimal flare and maximal contrastExtra-low Dispersion Glass Element: Combat chromatic aberrations and maintain color integrityTwo Aspherical Elements: Limit astigmatism and other monochromatic aberrationsQuick & Silent Autofocus: Using a linear autofocus motor and internal focus designClose Focus Capability: Minimum focus distance of 6.3" for detailed macro shotsRounded Seven-blade Diaphragm: Delivering aesthetically pleasing bokeh effectsWarranty InformationThis product has a limited warranty of 12 months for parts and 3 months for labor.https://www.sony.com/electronics800-942-7669
Product Information provided by the Manufacturer
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Sonnar® T* E 24 mm F1.8 ZA
This first-class 24 mm (35 mm full frame equivalent) prime lens features a large F1.8 maximum aperture and is capable of outstanding sharpness and contrast throughout the frame plus beautiful "bokeh" in out-of-focus areas. Maximum magnification is 0.25x for dramatic 1:4 close-up capability, and an internal drive motor offers smooth, quiet autofocus operation that moviemakers will appreciate.
Extra speed and wide-angle appealThis compact, lightweight 24mm ZEISS® Sonnar® design features an F1.8 maximum aperture plus outstanding frame-wide sharpness and contrast. It can also produce beautifully smooth "bokeh" when required. This lens is an outstanding choice for a wide range of subjects, from landscapes to low-light indoor shots and even 1:4 close-ups.
Get close for impressive detail and impactAn advanced optical design ensures that maximum performance is achieved right down to 1:4 macro focusing distances, making it possible to shoot small subjects and details with dramatic clarity and a wide-angle perspective. The lens's large F1.8 maximum aperture is an advantage for close-ups, too.
Smooth and quiet for quality moviesSmooth, quiet operation is essential for moviemaking. An internal drive motor that achieves fluent, low-noise focus operation makes this lens a good choice for movies as well as stills, keeping imagery solid and noise out of the soundtrack.
Refined exterior finish and feelThe black-finished aluminum alloy exterior of this lens affords an appearance that is eminently suitable for the distinguished ZEISS® name, and of course it blends beautifully with the graceful design of E-mount bodies. The engraved focus ring offers sophisticated appearance as well as superior grip and operating feel.
Outstanding color and contrastThe ZEISS® T* coating is an important contributing factor, effectively suppressing spurious reflections that can degrade overall image quality. Flare and ghosting are reduced for enhanced color and contrast that give images a deep, three-dimensional feel.
What's in the Box
Lens hood (ALC-SH114: petal shape, bayonet type)
Lens front cap
Lens rear cap
Case
Footnotes
© 2013 Sony Electronics Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Sony is not responsible for typographical and photographic errors. Features and specifications are subject to change without notice. All rights reserved. Sony, the Sony logo, Alpha, (a) and Super SteadyShot are trademarks of Sony. All other trademarks are trademarks of their respective owners
Join VIP PROEarn 2X Points + Exclusive Perks!Request a CallbackChat one-on-one with an expertSell or Trade your GearGet started in 3 easy stepsKey FeaturesCapture stunning detail with the Sony 24mm lens' exceptional image quality.Enjoy the bright f/1.8 aperture, perfect for low light and beautiful bokeh shots.Experience fast, precise autofocus, ensuring you never miss a key moment.The wide angle 24mm focal length is ideal for landscapes and street photography.Compact and lightweight design makes this Sony E-mount lens great for travel.Durable build quality ensures reliable performance, shot after shot, year after year.What's in the box:Sony Sonnar T* E 24mm F/1.8 E-Mount LensFront Lens CapRear Lens CapLens HoodSony 1 Year WarrantyArticles & VideosFisheye Lens vs Wide Angle Lens [Buying Guide]Lenses for All Photographers at Every Price
- Capture stunning detail with the Sony 24mm lens' exceptional image quality.
- Enjoy the bright f/1.8 aperture, perfect for low light and beautiful bokeh shots.
- Experience fast, precise autofocus, ensuring you never miss a key moment.
- The wide angle 24mm focal length is ideal for landscapes and street photography.
- Compact and lightweight design makes this Sony E-mount lens great for travel.
- Durable build quality ensures reliable performance, shot after shot, year after year.
The 30-Second Version
An aging legend that's still the king of APS-C autofocus, but you'll pay a premium for an eight-year-old design that skips stabilization and weather sealing. If you can find it used, it's pure street photography magic; if not, there are smarter ways to spend your money.
Overview
The Sony Sonnar SEL24F18Z is one of those lenses that earned its cult status fair and square. It's tiny, it's fast, and on an APS-C body it delivers a near-perfect 36mm equivalent field of view that just feels right for street work and everyday shooting. The one thing to know? Autofocus is still absurdly fast, almost telepathic, even by today's standards, and that alone keeps it relevant despite its age.
Performance
What surprised us most, after digging through our database, is just how dominant the AF motor still is. This lens ranked in the top 2% of every lens we've tested, and it shows in real life. It snaps into focus with zero drama, even in dim light at f/1.8, which itself sits in the top 12% for brightness among primes. Optically it's good, but not class-leading. Wide open it's sharp in the center with characterful bokeh (thanks to that 7-blade aperture), but edges lag a bit until you stop down. It's a street and portrait monster, not a landscape champ, and our scores back that up with a mediocre 43.2 for landscapes.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Possibly the fastest AF we've tested on an APS-C prime 98th
- Compact 225g build that disappears in a jacket pocket 90th
- Gorgeous bokeh with a real Zeiss look 86th
- 49mm filter thread shared across many Sony lenses 80th
Cons
- No optical stabilization and no weather sealing 34th
- Price hovers between $780 and $898, which is steep for its age 35th
- Mediocre macro performance and minimum focus distance
- Optical quality is middle-of-the-pack compared to newer glass
The Word on the Street
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | prime |
| Focal Length Min | 24 |
| Focal Length Max | 24 |
| Elements | 8 |
| Groups | 7 |
| Aspherical Elements | 2 |
| ED Elements | 1 |
| Coating | T* coating |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | 1.8 |
| Min Aperture | 1.8 |
| Constant | Yes |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 |
Build
| Mount | Sony E |
| Format | APS-C |
| Weight | 0.2 kg / 0.5 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 49 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | Linear motor |
| Stabilization | No |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 160 |
| Max Magnification | 0.25x |
Value & Pricing
You're looking at a lens that sells for as much as $898 at some retailers, but you can find it closer to $780 if you shop around. At that price, it's a tough sell when you could grab a Viltrox 15mm f/1.7 with modern coatings and similar speed for less than half the cash. The Sony's build and AF still justify a premium, sure, but unless you find a clean used copy around $500, the value proposition is shaky in 2025.
vs Competition
The most direct rivals on E-Mount are the Viltrox Air 15mm F1.7 and the Sigma 10-18mm F2.8 DC DN. The Viltrox is wider, cheaper, and nearly as fast, though it lacks the Sony's refined bokeh and silent linear motor. The Sigma is a zoom that gives you way more flexibility for about the same price, and it's also weather-sealed. If you're shooting Canon RF, the RF 28-70mm F2.8 is a different beast entirely (a standard zoom), but it'll set you back over $1,000. For Sony APS-C shooters, the choice comes down to this: can you live with a single focal length in exchange for the best AF money can buy at 24mm?
| Spec | Sony Sonnar SEL24F18Z | Sigma Sports 70-200mm f/2.8 DG DN OS | Tamron Di III 28-75mm F/2.8 Di III VXD G2 | Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S | Panasonic LUMIX S S-R28200 | Canon RF RF 15-35mm F2.8 L IS USM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 24mm | 70-200mm | 28-75mm | 14-24mm | 28-200mm | 15-35mm |
| Max Aperture | 1.8 | 2.8 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/4 | f/15 |
| Mount | Sony E | Sony E | Nikon Z | Nikon Z | L-Mount | Canon RF |
| Stabilization | false | true | false | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weight (g) | 225 | 176 | 550 | 649 | 413 | 840 |
| AF Type | Linear motor | HLA | VXD linear motor | stepping motor | Autofocus | Nano USM |
| Lens Type | prime | telephoto | zoom | wide-angle | macro | zoom |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Af | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony Sonnar SEL24F18Z | 98 | 86.1 | 79.8 | 46.3 | 57.3 | 90 | 34 | 54.8 | 34.7 |
| Sigma Sports 70-200mm f/2.8 DG DN OS Compare | 53.5 | 87 | 93.1 | 46 | 99.7 | 78.7 | 79.6 | 89.9 | 99.9 |
| Tamron Di III 28-75mm F/2.8 Di III VXD G2 Compare | 98 | 80.8 | 63 | 84 | 87.9 | 78.7 | 78.6 | 89.9 | 34.7 |
| Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S Compare | 85.8 | 80.8 | 55.5 | 97.6 | 82.6 | 78.7 | 69.2 | 89.9 | 80 |
| Panasonic LUMIX S S-R28200 Compare | 53.5 | 71.2 | 73.4 | 87.8 | 91.3 | 65 | 95.9 | 89.9 | 99.5 |
| Canon RF RF 15-35mm F2.8 L IS USM Compare | 94 | 41.4 | 42.9 | 70.2 | 90.2 | 50.4 | 76.3 | 89.9 | 96.3 |
Common Questions
Q: Will this lens work on a full-frame Sony like the A7 III?
It will mount and function, but it's designed for APS-C sensors. You'll either have to shoot in crop mode (losing resolution) or deal with heavy vignetting and a black ring around the edges. It's usable in a pinch, but not ideal.
Q: Can I use a fisheye adapter on this lens?
Nope. Sony's fisheye and wide-angle converters were made specifically for the 16mm f/2.8 and 20mm f/2.8 pancakes. They won't fit this one.
Q: Is this lens good for shooting video?
The autofocus is whisper-quiet and smooth, so from a noise perspective it's great. But there's zero optical stabilization, so unless you're using a gimbal or a tripod, expect some shake. For run-and-gun video, you might want something with OSS.
Who Should Skip This
If you're hunting for a budget wide-angle prime or you need weather sealing, this isn't it. Save your cash and grab a Viltrox 15mm f/1.7 instead, it's wider, cheaper, and just as fun. Landscape shooters should steer clear entirely; the Sigma 10-18mm f/2.8 will serve you far better with its zoom range and sealing.
Verdict
If you shoot Sony APS-C and you're willing to pay for a premium prime that just gets out of your way, the SEL24F18Z is still a joy to use. The AF is in a league of its own, and that alone will make you forgive many of its shortcomings. But if you're on a budget, or you want something more versatile, skip it. The Viltrox 15mm and Sigma 10-18mm deliver more for less. Our recommendation: buy it if you find a great deal, but don't pay full retail unless that autofocus speed is non-negotiable.
