Sony Lens Terminology Guide

Unlock the secrets of Sony lens terminology with our quick key. For a deeper dive, explore our comprehensive guide to Sony and Zeiss lens terminology. Familiarize yourself with essential acronyms, from E and FE mounts to Gold Master and Cinema lenses.

1. E – E-mount lens for APS-C and Super 35 cameras.
2. FE – Full-frame E-Mount lens.
3. G – Gold Series lens. Sony’s second-highest lens tier.
4. C – Cinema lens with geared focus and aperture ring.
5. GM – Gold Master, or more commonly, "G-Master" lens. Sony’s highest-tier lens.
6. LE – Light Edition. Used only once in 2012 to designate a particularly lightweight lens design.
7. OSS – Optical SteadyShot, Sony’s in-lens image stabilization.
8. PZ – Power Zoom lens with a motorized zoom control.
9. SEL – Official product codes, standing for Sony E-Mount Lens.
10. TC – Teleconverter.
11. ECU – E-Mount Converter Ultra-wide.
12. ECF – E-Mount Converter Fisheye.
13. T – A lens equipped with Zeiss’ optical T coating.*
14. ZA – Zeiss approved “Zeiss Alpha” lenses built by Sony in Japan.

Sony Lens Annual Release Rate

Wondering how many lenses Sony releases annually for its mirrorless system? Our chart provides historical context, showcasing the yearly split between Sony’s full-frame FE and APS-C E lenses. Please note that development-announced lenses are not included in the totals.

Sony Lens Release Dates

Stay up-to-date with our chronological list of Sony mirrorless lens release dates. This section features all Sony E-mount lenses, organized with the newest releases at the top. In cases of "development announcements," where basic information is released alongside a few photos, you’ll find two dates in the second column. The first is the development announcement date, and the second is the official announcement date.