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Lensbaby Sol 45 Mirrorless vs Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA Carl Zeiss Sonnar T

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Lens to replace
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Lensbaby Sol 45 Mirrorless

Perspective Control Prime | Sony E

Lensbaby Sol 45 Mirrorless
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Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA CZ

Standard Prime | Sony E

Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA Carl Zeiss Sonnar T
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Lensbaby Sol 45 Mirrorless vs Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA CZ Comparison Overview

Here we are comparing two lenses with different focal types: Lensbaby Sol 45 Mirrorless is a Perspective Control Prime lens with a 45mm focal range and a max aperture of F3.5 whereas Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA CZ is a Standard Prime lens with a 55mm focal range and max aperture of F1.8.

We will start with briefly looking and the main specs of these two lenses and in the section, we will start analyzing in more detail and list the pros and cons of each lenses.

Lensbaby Sol 45 Mirrorless Key Specs

  • 45mm Focal Range
  • F3.5 Max Aperture
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Sony E Mount
  • Weight: 272g.
  • Diameter: 73mm
  • Length: 65mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.36m
  • Max Magnification:0.17x

Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA CZ Key Specs

  • 55mm Focal Range
  • F1.8 Max Aperture
  • Weather Sealed
  • Filter Thread: 49mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Sony E Mount
  • Weight: 281g.
  • Diameter: 64mm
  • Length: 71mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.5m
  • Max Magnification:0.14x

What type of photography are the Lensbaby Sol 45 Mirrorless and Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA CZ lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Lensbaby Sol 45 Mirrorless and the Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA CZ for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Lensbaby Sol 45 Mirrorless Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA CZ
Bird/WildlifeFairFair
SportsFairAverage
PortraitFairExcellent
TravelFairGood
StreetFairVery Good
WeddingFairExcellent
Walk AroundPoorGood
VloggingPoorGood
LandscapeGoodGood
MacroPoorPoor

Size and Weight Comparison

Size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses.Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA CZ is the longer of the two lenses at 71mm. The Lensbaby Sol 45 Mirrorless with a length of 65mm is 6mm shorter. On the other hand, the Lensbaby Sol 45 Mirrorless has a larger diameter of 73mm compared to Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA CZ's 64mm diameter.

Weight of a lens is as important as its external dimensions, especially if you are planning to hand hold your camera and lens combination for longer periods. Lensbaby Sol 45 Mirrorless weighs 272g, which means it is 9g (3%) lighter than the Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA CZ which has a weight of 281g.


Lens Mounts

Both Lensbaby Sol 45 Mirrorless and Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA CZ has the same Sony E lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Sony E lenses are Sony A7R V, Sony FX30 and Sony A7 IV.

Lensbaby Sol 45 Mirrorless is also available in Fujifilm X mount.

Focal Range

Lensbaby Sol 45 Mirrorless is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 45mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 67.5mm.
Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA CZ is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 55mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 82.5mm.

Reasons to choose Lensbaby Sol 45 Mirrorless over Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA Carl Zeiss Sonnar T

Focal Length - Wide 45mm vs 55mm 10mm Wider coverage
Weight 272g vs 281g 9g lighter
Length 65mm vs 71mm 6mm shorter
Minimum Focus Distance 0.36m vs 0.5m can focus closer to the subject
Max Magnification 0.17x vs 0.14x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Reasons to choose Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA Carl Zeiss Sonnar T over Lensbaby Sol 45 Mirrorless

Focal Length - Tele 55mm vs 45mm 10mm more Tele coverage
Max Aperture - Wide 1.8 vs 3.5 Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele 1.8 vs 3.5 Wider aperture at tele end
Diaphgragm Blades 9 vs Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Autofocus Yes vs No Easier, faster and more accurate focusing
Diameter 64mm vs 73mm 9mm smaller in diameter
Weather Sealing Yes vs No safer to use under rain and dust
Common Weaknesses of Lensbaby Sol 45 Mirrorless and Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA Carl Zeiss Sonnar T
Image Stabilization No vs No Reliant on in-body Image Stabilization
Distance Scale No vs No No Distance Scale assist



**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Lensbaby Sol 45 Mirrorless vs Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA CZ Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Lensbaby Sony
Lens Type Prime Prime
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Lens Type Perspective Control Prime Standard Prime
Lens Mount Sony E Sony E
Max Format 35mm FF 35mm FF
Focal Range 45mm 55mm
Image Stabilization No
Colour Unknown Black
Zoom Method No Zoom Rotary (internal)
Power Zoom No No
Zoom Lock No No
Zoom Ratio 1.0X 1.0X
Aperture
Max Aperture F3.5 F1.8
Min Aperture F22.0
Aperture Ring No No
Diaphragm Blades unknown 9
Optics
Optical Elements 3 7
Optical Groups 2 5
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.36m 0.5m
Max Magnification 0.17X 0.14X
Autofocus No Yes
AF Motor Type No AF Stepper motor
Full Time Manual Yes
Focus Method Unknown Internal
Distance Scale No No
DoF Scale No No
Distance Scale No No
Focus Distance Limiter Unknown Unknown
Physical Specs
Weight 272g 281g
Diameter 73mm 64mm
Length 65mm 71mm
Materials Unknown All-metal construction
Weather Sealing No Yes
Filter Thread Unknown 49mm
Filter Notes - -
Hood Supplied No Yes
Hood Code Unknown ALC-SH131
Tripod Collar No No
Optional Accessories - -
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