Sony has announced two new A-mount lenses. The Sony Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 24-70mm f/2.8 ZA SSM II (SAL2470Z2) lens and Sony Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 16-35mm f/2.8 ZA SSM II (SAL1635Z2) lens becomes official with improved AF and image quality.
According to Sony, both feature an improved Zeiss T* coating to further reduce ghosting, 4x faster AF tracking performance and a super sonic wave motor. Both lenses are also dust and moisture resistant, plus Sony says significant improvements have been made in the image quality of both lenses.
Both lenses will be available in June. The 16-35 will be priced at $2250, while the 24-70 will sell for $2100.
Sony Introduces Two Premium ZEISS® Lenses for α A-mount Camera System
Newly Refined Vario-Sonnar T* 24-70mm F2.8 and 16-35mm F2.8 Zoom Lenses
SAN DIEGO, Apr. 23, 2015 – Sony today has announced two new high-performance ZEISS® lenses zoom lenses – a standard zoom and a wide-angle zoom – for its α A-mount system.
Designed for professionals and high-end photo enthusiasts, the new Vario-Sonnar T* 24-70mm F2.8 ZA SSM II (model SAL2470Z2) standard zoom and Vario-Sonnar T* 16-35mm F2.8 ZA SSM II (model SAL1635Z2) wide angle zoom lenses deliver significant improvements in image quality, ghost reduction and AF performance over their predecessors and add a rugged dust- and moisture-resistant design.
The new zoom lenses are ideal partners to Sony’s α A-mount family of interchangeable lens cameras, including the highly acclaimed α99 and α77 II models. With the addition of an optional mount adaptor, they’re also compatible with α E-mount cameras such as the α7 series.
The new Vario-Sonnar T* 24-70mm F2.8 ZA SSM II and Vario-Sonnar T* 16-35mm F2.8 ZA SSM II models achieve legendary ZEISS image quality thanks to ZEISS T* coating on their optical surfaces that minimizes ghosting and flare plus aspherical and ED (extra-low dispersion) glass elements that suppress aberration and minimize distortion.
Additionally, the new models feature enhanced AF capabilities compared to their predecessors, delivering approximately 4x the subject tracking speed thanks to their SSM (Super Sonic wave Motor) system and faster, more powerful processing in the lens LSI. This advanced AF performance makes the new lenses an ideal complement to the impressive 4D focus system on select α camera bodies like the α77 II model, and a great choice for shooting fast moving subjects like sports, wildlife or young children.
Pricing and Availability
The new Vario-Sonnar T* 24-70mm F2.8 ZA SSM II (model SAL2470Z2) standard zoom and Vario-Sonnar T* 16-35mm F2.8 ZA SSM II (model SAL1635Z2) wide angle zoom lenses will be available this June for about $2100 and $2250, respectively.
Technical specifications
| Vario-Sonnar T* 24-70mm F2.8 ZA SSM II | Vario-Sonnar T* 16-35mm F2.8 ZA SSM II | |
| Format | 35mm full frame (A-mount) | 35mm full frame (A-mount) |
| Lens configuration (group/element) | 13/17 | 13/17 |
| Aspherical lens | 2 | 3 |
| Super ED glass | 0 | 1 |
| ED glass | 2 | 1 |
| No. of aperture blades | 9 | 9 |
| Min. focus distance | 0.34 m | 0.28 m |
| Max. magnification ratio | 0.25 | 0.24 |
| Image stabilisation | supported in body | supported in body |
| Filter diameter | 77 mm | 77 mm |
| Dimensions D x L (approx.) | 83 x 111 mm | 83 x 114 mm |
| Weight (approx.) | 974g | 872g |
| Dust & moisture resistant | YES | YES |
