Dynamic perspectives in an ultra wide-angle zoom

With a zoom range extending from 12mm to 24mm, the ultra wide-angle FE 12-24mm F4 G zoom offers the widest perspectives in the full-frame E-mount lens lineup. Optical aberrations that commonly detract from the performance of wide-angle designs have been effectively controlled, achieving excellent resolution throughout the image area. Despite its impressive performance, this lens is remarkably lightweight, compact, and mobile, offering quality and capabilities that will satisfy professionals' and enthusiasts’ needs for wider fields of view when photographing landscapes, architecture, and more.

Aspherical lens elements

Four aspherical elements in a new optical design effectively suppress aberrations that commonly occur in wide-angle lenses, achieving impressively high resolution that fully satisfies expectations for the G Lens brand. Spherical aberration is a slight misalignment of the light rays projected on the image plane. This is caused by differences in refraction at different points on conventional spherical lenses which degrade image quality in large-aperture lenses. Specially shaped “aspherical” elements restore alignment of light rays at the image plane, maintaining high sharpness and contrast even at maximum aperture and ultra-wide angles, and can also be used at other points in the optical path to reduce distortion. Well-designed aspherical elements can reduce the total number of elements required in the lens, thus reducing overall size and weight.

Constant F4 max aperture

Constant F4 max aperture maintains exposure and depth of field regardless of the focal range to which you zoom. When changing your aperture to defocus the background, the areas out of the focal plane appear blurred. This ‘bokeh’ effect of the blurred background is enhanced with circular aperture blades used in this lens.

7-blade circular aperture contributes to gorgeous bokeh

When changing your aperture to defocus the background, light sources appear blurred. This ‘bokeh’ effect of the blurred background is enhanced with the 7-blade circular aperture used in this lens. Conventional aperture blades have flat sides creating unappealing, polygonal-shaped defocused points of light. α lenses overcome this problem through a design that keeps the aperture almost perfectly circular from its wide-open setting to when it is closed by 2 stops. Smoother, more natural defocusing can be obtained as a result.

Direct Drive Supersonic Wave Motor (DDSSM)

High-resolution cameras demand absolute focus precision. A floating mechanism driven by a DDSSM (Direct Drive Super Sonic Wave Motor) actuator maintains outstanding resolution from infinity to close focus for both stills and movies. DDSSM has the capability to position the large, heavy optical assemblies required by large-aperture lenses with pinpoint precision, offering accurate, fast and quiet autofocus. Manual focus response is natural and intuitive with the DDSSM system.

Nano AR Coating

Sony’s original Nano AR Coating technology minimizes flare and ghosting by suppressing internal reflections and maintaining clarity, even in difficult outdoor lighting conditions, for dynamic range that achieves lifelike detail and gradation with advanced camera sensors. This precisely defined regular nano-structure allows accurate light transmission, contributing to high-quality images, more so than with lenses that use coatings with an irregular nano-structure. The reflection suppression characteristic of the Nano AR Coating is superior to conventional anti-reflective coatings, providing a notable improvement in clarity, contrast, and overall image quality.

Dust and moisture resistant1 for robust reliability

Sony’s standard lens sealing is augmented by a lens mount seal that maximizes resistance to dust and moisture for reliable operation in challenging environmental conditions1. Additional details, like rubberized rings that are easy to operate in low temperatures, a customizable focus hold button and a hood lock button, all add up to professional control and convenience.

Super ED and ED glass minimize chromatic aberration

One Super ED (Extra-low Dispersion) and three ED glass elements control chromatic aberration for excellent sharpness from image center to periphery. Both Super ED and ED glass elements correct for axial chromatic aberration and chromatic aberration, which affect resolution and bokeh, while leaving precisely rendered edges with no fringing or unnatural coloration.

Instant auto/manual focus selection

Instantly switch between auto and manual focus via an AF/MF switch on the side of the lens. This makes operation faster and easier as you let the camera and lens focus for you, or decide to take control and manually focus on the precise point you chose.

Focus hold button

The focus hold button not only performs its primary function to lock focus when recomposing, but can be customized to a number of other functions depending on your needs. In addition to Focus Hold, custom functions include: Grid Lines, Eye AF, AF On, Aperture Preview, Shot Result Preview or Bright Monitoring.

Internal Focus maintains lens dimensions

Only the middle groups of the optical system move to achieve focus, so the overall length of the lens does not change while focusing. This is especially useful when using the lens for video with a matte box.

Fluorine front-element coating

The front lens element features a fluorine coating that helps to prevent dirt and fingerprints from sticking, and makes it easier to wipe dirt and fingerprints away if they become attached to the lens surface. This is a lens that can be used with confidence in a variety of challenging outdoor conditions.

Footnotes:

1 Although the design is dust and moisture resistant, absolute protection from dust and moisture is not guaranteed.

Legal:

2017 Sony Electronics Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Sony is not responsible for typographical and photographic errors. Features and specifications are subject to change without notice. Sony, the G logo, the Alpha logo and the Sony logo are trademark of Sony Corporation. All other trademarks are trademarks of their respective owners.