Sony is debuting the E-mount system’s first-ever fisheye zoom lens, the FE 8-14mm f/3.5 G lens. By rectifying an existing gap in their lineup, Sony aims to provide hybrid content creators with a compact full-frame optic that captures the fisheye’s unique perspective without sacrificing image quality.
Landing amongst Sony’s G series lenses, the new fisheye zoom combines optical performance, high-speed autofocus, hybrid versatility, and compact mobility. The 8-14mm zoom boasts 16 elements in 13 groups, with both internal focusing and zoom mechanisms to keep the build compact and balanced. The fisheye image moves from an equisolid circular fisheye to an equidistant diagonal fisheye as the lens zooms from wide to tele.
The optical design—which features extra-low dispersion, aspherical, and extra-low dispersion aspherical glass—controls color fringing across the frame and enables a minimum focus distance of just 8.7”.
The FE 8-14mm f/3.5 G achieves its high-performance autofocus through two linear motors primed for both stills and video. The lens can accommodate the high-speed, 120 fps tracking available on Sony’s advanced camera bodies, as well as achieving reliable tracking when shooting with high-frame rates.
Other video benefits include minimized focus breathing and Linear Response manual focus, which ensures predictable and controlled focus pulling.
Additionally, Sony has optimized the new lens for professional 3D VR capture when used with compatible cameras.
Sony’s sophisticated optical design yields one of the lightest fisheye zooms on the market, landing at 11.1 oz and 3.3” in length. Its size does not concede durability: dust- and weather-resistance, a fluorine front element coating, and a bespoke lens hood all prove the lens can work in the elements.
A rear filter holder allows for the application of light-modifying filters, while the aperture ring, aperture click switch, focus mode switch, focus hold button, and zoom lock switch all offer precision on-body control.
For more information about the new lens, including additional features, specs, and highlights, be sure to check out the detailed product page for the FE 8-14mm f/3.5 G.
