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Zeiss ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8 vs Sony FE 35mm F2.8 ZA Carl Zeiss Sonnar T

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ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8

Wideangle Prime | Sony E

ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8
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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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BUY from B&H PHOTO

ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8 vs Sony FE 35mm F2.8 ZA CZ Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing the ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8 for the E Mount and the Sony FE 35mm F2.8 ZA CZ for the E Mount, two Wideangle Prime lenses from Zeiss and Sony.

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.

ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8 Key Specs

  • 21mm Focal Range
  • F2.8 Max Aperture
  • Weather-sealed
  • Filter Thread: 52mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Sony E Mount
  • Weight: 394g.
  • Diameter: 62mm
  • Length: 72mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 0.25m
  • Max Magnification: 0.13x

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 ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8 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 ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8 and the Sony FE 35mm F2.8 ZA CZ for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8 Sony FE 35mm F2.8 ZA CZ
Bird/WildlifePoorPoor
SportsPoorPoor
PortraitFairAverage
TravelAverageAverage
StreetExcellentExcellent
WeddingFairAverage
Walk AroundAverageAverage
VloggingVery GoodGood
LandscapeGoodVery Good
MacroPoorPoor

Size and Weight Comparison

The size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses. ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8 is the longer of the two lenses at 72mm. The Sony FE 35mm F2.8 ZA CZ with a length of 37mm, is 35mm shorter. On the other hand, there is no difference between the max diameters of these lenses, both coming at 62mm.

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, 69% (274g) lighter than the ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8's weight of 394g.


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
Sony FE 35mm F1.8 Lens Sony FE 35mm F1.8
73mm
66mm 280g Amazon B&H Photo
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

Lens Mounts

Both the ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8 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

ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8 is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 21mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides a 35mm (FF) equivalent of 31.5mm.
Sony FE 35mm F2.8 ZA CZ is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 35mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides a 35mm (FF) equivalent of 52.5mm.

Reasons to choose ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8 over Sony FE 35mm F2.8 ZA Carl Zeiss Sonnar T

Focal Length - Wide 21mm vs 35mm 14mm Wider coverage
Distance Scale Yes vs No Distance Scale to assist focusing
Aperture Ring Yes vs No able to adjust the aperture on the lens
Minimum Focus Distance 0.25m vs 0.35m can focus closer to the subject
Max Magnification 0.13x vs 0.12x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Reasons to choose Sony FE 35mm F2.8 ZA Carl Zeiss Sonnar T over ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8

Focal Length - Tele 35mm vs 21mm 14mm more Tele coverage
Diaphgragm Blades 7 vs Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Autofocus Yes vs No Easier, faster and more accurate focusing
Weight 120g vs 394g 274g lighter
Length 37mm vs 72mm 35mm shorter
Filter Thread 49mm vs 52mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find

Common Strengths of ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8 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 ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8 and Sony FE 35mm F2.8 ZA Carl Zeiss Sonnar T
Image Stabilization No vs No Reliant on in-body Image Stabilization


**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.

ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8 vs Sony FE 35mm F2.8 ZA CZ Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Zeiss 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 21mm 35mm
Image Stabilization No 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 F2.8 F2.8
Min Aperture F22.0
Aperture Ring Yes No
Diaphragm Blades - 7
Optics
Optical Elements 11 7
Optical Groups 9 5
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.25m 0.35m
Max Magnification 0.13X 0.12X
Autofocus No Yes
AF Motor Type No AF Stepper motor
Full Time Manual Yes
Focus Method Internal Internal
Distance Scale Yes No
DoF Scale No No
Distance Scale Yes No
Focus Distance Limiter No No
Physical Specs
Weight 394g 120g
Diameter 62mm 62mm
Length 72mm 37mm
Materials Metal Metal barrel, metal mount
Weather Sealing Yes Yes
Filter Thread 52mm 49mm
Filter Notes - Lens hood accepts 40.5mm filters
Hood Supplied - Yes
Hood Code - ALC-SH129
Tripod Collar No No
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