Lenses

Tomorrow's lenses today, from Sony

Lens standards are changing

Advances in camera performance and soaring creative ideals demand a new approach to lens technology.

Lenses must evolve to remain ahead of the curve.

With a clear vision of cameras of the future, Sony has redefined the lens.

High resolution and appealing bokeh together at last, from the leader in imaging innovation.

Resolution x Bokeh
Speed x Accuracy
Light Weight x Reliability
Compactness x Operability

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Product image of the full G Master lens lineup

Sony supports and listens closely to creators to realize new imaging experiences together. Tackling many challenges with the very latest technologies, to deliver high-level solutions in this ultimate range of lenses. There is a whole world out there that can only be captured by G Master.

Sample Movie

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Four example images shot with G Master lenses

Sample Pictures

Photo Gallery

Solving technical challenges to deliver creative expression

G Master delivers stunning resolution with beautifully melting bokeh. Focus control is both ultra-fast and precise, with easy carrying and stress-free shooting realized by compactness, light weight, high reliability and intuitive operability.

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Example image showing close-up facial shot of fox, with eye in focus, and bokeh in foreground and background

Stunning resolution with beautiful bokeh

Stunning resolution right where you want it

Maximally exploiting the increasing pixel counts of the latest full-frame camera bodies requires constant improvements in lens resolution. The G Master range delivers the difficult combination of high resolution and soft bokeh.

G Master features cutting-edge XA (extreme aspherical) lens elements that correct various geometric and chromatic aberrations. Sony continues to improve our precision manufacturing and simulation to deliver ever more beautiful images and functional lens designs.

Product image of an XA (extreme aspherical) lens element

The XA lens surface is crafted with extraordinary 0.01 micron precision, to achieve both stunning resolution from the centre to the periphery, and beautiful soft bokeh that transcends the conventional and G Lens.

[1] Conventional lens surface

[2] XA lens surface

Illustrations of the surface roughness of a conventional lens and a G Master lens

High resolution

Since the introduction of the G Master brand, XA lens manufacturing technology has evolved to develop ultra-wide-angle and large-diameter lenses with small F-number aperture.

[1] Extreme aspherical lens (XA lens)

Illustrations of the XA (extreme aspherical) elements in the FE 24–70 mm F2.8 GM and FE 12–24 mm F2.8 GM lenses

In addition to larger diameters, XA elements have evolved into more complex shapes like FE 16–35 mm F2.8 GM II. This has made it possible to further improve image quality while maintaining a compact size.

(1) Lens Configuration [1] Extreme aspherical lens (XA lens)

(2) MTF Chart [1] Contrast (%) [2] Distance from optical centre of lens (mm) [3] At 16 mm/Max. aperture [4] At 16 mm/F8 aperture [5] At 35 mm/Max. aperture [6] At 35 mm/F8 aperture [7] Spatial frequency [8] 10 line pairs/mm [9] 30 line pairs/mm [10] Radial values [11] Tangential values

Illustration of the XA (extreme aspherical) elements in the FE 16–35 mm F2.8 GM II lens

Example image (L) with cut-out and expanded region (R) from periphery showing high lens resolution, captioned “SEL1635GM2”

G Master delivers stunning resolution performance, from the centre of the image right out to the periphery.

Beautiful bokeh

Sony uses simulations along with empirical rules and accumulated know-how, to optimize bokeh quality while suppressing aberrations and ensuring high MTF (resolution) performance.

Each lens is also individually calibrated during manufacturing process to optimize bokeh quality.

[1] Hard [2] Soft

Illustration of bokeh simulation — Bokeh simulation images

FE 100mm F2.8 STF GM OSS

Example image showing frontal portrait of a woman

FE 50mm F1.2 GM

Example image of competition motorcycle rider in motion, in focus against woodland in background bokeh

High-speed, high-accuracy focus lens drive

Creators commonly upgrade camera bodies several times through the usable life of their favourite lenses. Sony’s innovative lens actuators achieve high-speed focus drive with high accuracy, continuing to deliver your aspirational creative vision even as camera bodies evolve.

High speed

Sony’s proprietary focus actuators are under continuous development in pursuit of ever higher thrust and improved dynamic tracking performance. The latest G Master series is equipped with the XD (extreme dynamic) linear motor providing superior control technology.

Illustration of actuator locations within the barrel of the FE 100–400 mm G Master super-telephoto zoom lens

Illustration of actuator locations within the barrel of the FE 400 mm F2.8 GM OSS lens

Illustration of actuator locations within the barrel of the FE 24–70 mm F2.8 GM II lens

High-precision focus lens drive control

To achieve high-speed and high-precision focus drive, Sony has developed the XD linear motor. This actuator is small but provides large thrust, enabling high-speed drive for focus groups in even large-aperture lenses.

Close-up of a woman’s face

Clip of XD linear motor moving as the operating point on the graph of lens position versus time also moves, and the sample picture comes into sharp focus

High accuracy

The XD linear motor controls even a heavy focus lens group in micron increments for high speed and precision. The trajectory is quiet and smooth with no vibration or noise, so creators can concentrate on their shooting.

Close-up of a woman’s eye

Clip of XD linear motor slightly moving as the graph operating point slightly moves to adjust focus.

Sony’s lenses can extract maximum performance from cameras because they’re designed with a clear vision of cameras of the future, handling advanced body features like AF/AE tracking high-speed 120fps continuous shooting.

Combination image of a woman doing gymnastics and an image of a camera taking high-speed continuous shots

Product image showing close-up of user’s hands operating camera with telephoto lens mounted

Light weight and reliability

The use of magnesium alloy, and high-strength engineering plastics blended with carbon and glass fibre, achieves both rigidity and reliability alongside substantial weight reduction, especially for large-aperture super-telephoto lenses.

Light weight

Illustration of lens made from magnesium alloy

Magnesium alloy is extensively used for parts that are difficult to mould but require light weight and rigidity, for enhanced usability over both long shooting sessions and years of dependable performance.

Illustration of lens made from engineering plastic

High-strength engineering plastics containing carbon and glass fibre contribute to making lenses lighter and high strength.

Reliability

The lightweight design achieves reliability for worry-free use in harsh or low/high-temperature environments worldwide, and is dust- and moisture-resistant.

(1) * Not guaranteed to be 100% dust- and moisture-proof.

(2) *Image shows test environment, not guaranteed operating environment.

Illustration of dust- and moisture-resistant design

Illustration of lens tested in low- and high-temperature environments

Usage image of a woman looking through the camera viewfinder

Compactness and operability

The various control rings, buttons and switches are carefully designed and laid out for compactness and ease of operation, with a satisfying click and operating feel.

Compactness

To reduce the size and weight of the lens, the lens configuration and shape, mechanical components, and the actuators that drive the focus, aperture actuator, and anti-vibration mechanisms, are all optimized for each lens.

Illustration of the internal structure of the SEL70200GM2 showing actuator locations

Operability

Product image showing locations of the focus, zoom and aperture rings

To provide excellent operability for both still images and movies, focus, zoom⁰ and aperture rings¹ are provided, and located in the same order on all lenses. This allows users to operate intuitively and concentrate on shooting, regardless of which lens is mounted.

[1] Focus ring [2] Zoom ring [3] Aperture ring

Product image of side view of lens showing buttons and switches

The torque and smoothness of each ring, the click texture, and the shape and ease of pressing buttons and switches have all been designed to provide high operability with a satisfying feel appropriate for the G Master series, based on feedback from many professionals.