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Sony FE 35mm F1.8 vs Sony FE 35mm F2.8 ZA Carl Zeiss Sonnar T

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Sony FE 35mm F1.8

Wideangle Prime | Sony E

Sony FE 35mm F1.8
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Sony FE 35mm F2.8 ZA CZ

Wideangle Prime | Sony E

Sony FE 35mm F2.8 ZA Carl Zeiss Sonnar T
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Sony FE 35mm F1.8 vs Sony FE 35mm F2.8 ZA CZ Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing the Sony FE 35mm F1.8 for the E Mount and the Sony FE 35mm F2.8 ZA CZ for the E Mount, two Wideangle Prime lenses by Sony. Both lenses have the same focal range of 35mm but different max apertures: Sony FE 35mm F1.8 has a max aperture of F1.8 while the Sony FE 35mm F2.8 ZA CZ has a max aperture of F2.8.

We will start by looking briefly at the main specs of these two lenses, and in the next section, we will start analyzing them in more detail and listing the pros and cons of each lens.

Sony FE 35mm F1.8 Key Specs

  • 35mm Focal Range
  • F1.8 Max Aperture
  • Weather-sealed
  • Filter Thread: 55mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Sony E Mount
  • Weight: 280g.
  • Diameter: 66mm
  • Length: 73mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 0.22m
  • Max Magnification: 0.24x

Sony FE 35mm F2.8 ZA CZ Key Specs

  • 35mm Focal Range
  • F2.8 Max Aperture
  • Weather-sealed
  • Filter Thread: 49mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Sony E Mount
  • Weight: 120g.
  • Diameter: 62mm
  • Length: 37mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 0.35m
  • Max Magnification: 0.12x

What type of photography are the Sony FE 35mm F1.8 and Sony FE 35mm F2.8 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 Sony FE 35mm F1.8 and the Sony FE 35mm F2.8 ZA CZ for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Sony FE 35mm F1.8 Sony FE 35mm F2.8 ZA CZ
Bird/WildlifePoorPoor
SportsPoorPoor
PortraitAverageAverage
TravelAverageAverage
StreetExcellentExcellent
WeddingAverageAverage
Walk AroundAverageAverage
VloggingGoodGood
LandscapeVery GoodVery Good
MacroFairPoor


Size and Weight Comparison

The size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses. Sony FE 35mm F1.8 is the longer of the two lenses at 73mm. The Sony FE 35mm F2.8 ZA CZ with a length of 37mm, is 36mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Sony FE 35mm F1.8 also has a larger diameter of 66mm compared to the Sony FE 35mm F2.8 ZA CZ's 62mm diameter.

Below you can find a scaled side-by-side image of Sony FE 35mm F1.8 and Sony FE 35mm F2.8 ZA CZ to get a better idea of how their sizes compare in real life.

Sony FE 35mm F1.8 vs Sony FE 35mm F2.8 ZA CZ Lens Size Comparison
Comparison image of the Sony FE 35mm F1.8 and the Sony FE 35mm F2.8 ZA CZ Size and Weight

The 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. Sony FE 35mm F2.8 ZA CZ weighs 120g, 57% (160g) lighter than the Sony FE 35mm F1.8's weight of 280g.


Below you can find the dimension and weight table of the Wideangle Prime Lenses in Sony E Mount for size comparison purposes.

Wideangle Prime Lenses in Sony E Mount for Size Comparison
Model Length Diameter Weight Street Price
Sigma 16mm F1.4 DC DN Sony E-mount Lens Sigma 16mm F1.4 DC DN E
92mm
72mm 405g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM Lens Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM
96mm
76mm 524g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G Lens Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G
85mm
74mm 373g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony E 35mm F1.8 OSS Lens Sony E 35mm F1.8 OSS
45mm
63mm 155g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony FE 24mm F1.4 GM Lens Sony FE 24mm F1.4 GM
92mm
75mm 445g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony FE 14mm F1.8 GM Lens Sony FE 14mm F1.8 GM
100mm
83mm 460g Amazon B&H Photo
Samyang AF 18mm F2.8 FE Lens Samyang AF 18mm F2.8 FE
61mm
64mm 145g Amazon B&H Photo
7artisans 12mm F2.8 Lens 7artisans 12mm F2.8
66mm
63mm 295g Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mounts

Both the Sony FE 35mm F1.8 and the Sony FE 35mm F2.8 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 ZV-E1, Sony A7R V and Sony FX30.

Focal Range

Both lenses have the same focal range of 35mm but while Sony FE 35mm F1.8 has the fastest aperture of F1.8, the Sony FE 35mm F2.8 ZA CZ's widest aperture value is F2.8.

Reasons to choose Sony FE 35mm F1.8 over Sony FE 35mm F2.8 ZA Carl Zeiss Sonnar T

Max Aperture - Wide 1.8 vs 2.8 Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele 1.8 vs 2.8 Wider aperture at tele end
Diaphragm Blades 9 vs 7 Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Minimum Focus Distance 0.22m vs 0.35m can focus closer to the subject
Max Magnification 0.24x vs 0.12x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Reasons to choose Sony FE 35mm F2.8 ZA Carl Zeiss Sonnar T over Sony FE 35mm F1.8

Weight 120g vs 280g 160g lighter
Diameter 62mm vs 66mm 4mm smaller in diameter
Length 37mm vs 73mm 36mm shorter
Filter Thread 49mm vs 55mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find

Common Strengths of Sony FE 35mm F1.8 and Sony FE 35mm F2.8 ZA Carl Zeiss Sonnar T
Internal Focusing Yes vs Yes Length of the lens doesn't change during focusing
Weather Sealing Yes vs Yes safer to use under rain and dust
Common Weaknesses of Sony FE 35mm F1.8 and Sony FE 35mm F2.8 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.

Sony FE 35mm F1.8 vs Sony FE 35mm F2.8 ZA CZ Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Sony Sony
Lens Type Prime Prime
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type Wideangle Prime Wideangle Prime
Lens Mount Sony E Sony E
Max Format 35mm FF 35mm FF
Focal Range 35mm 35mm
Image Stabilization No
Colour Black Black
Zoom Method No Zoom No Zoom
Power Zoom No No
Zoom Lock No No
Zoom Ratio 1.0X 1.0X
Aperture
Max Aperture F1.8 F2.8
Min Aperture F22 F22.0
Aperture Ring No No
Diaphragm Blades 9 7
Optics
Optical Elements 11 7
Optical Groups 9 5
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.22m 0.35m
Max Magnification 0.24X 0.12X
Autofocus Yes Yes
AF Motor Type Linear Motor Stepper motor
Full Time Manual Yes
Focus Method Internal Internal
Distance Scale No No
DoF Scale No No
Distance Scale No No
Focus Distance Limiter No No
Physical Specs
Weight 280g 120g
Diameter 66mm 62mm
Length 73mm 37mm
Materials Aluminum, composite Metal barrel, metal mount
Weather Sealing Yes Yes
Filter Thread 55mm 49mm
Filter Notes - Lens hood accepts 40.5mm filters
Hood Supplied Yes Yes
Hood Code - ALC-SH129
Tripod Collar No No
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