What Is The Difference Between Sony E-Mount and FE Mount?

by
What is the difference between Sony E-mount and FE mount?

It’s no secret that Sony mirrorless cameras have one mount type!

Yes, there is only one mount type for the Sony mirrorless camera body, regardless if it is for APS-C or a FULL-FRAME system… which is known as E-mount.

If that’s the case, then what is an FE mount… is there such a thing as Sony FE mount?

And what is the difference between Sony E-mount and FE mount formats?

In this article, I will help you discover and know their difference.

I’ll try to explain it in simple terms to get rid of the confusion surrounding these terms and ensure that we understand the whole point with clarity.

So, without further ado, let’s dive in.

Table of Contents show

Difference between Sony E-Mount and FE Mount

There’s only one mount for the Sony mirrorless camera body and that is E-mount. While there are two types of Sony lenses that are compatible with the E-mount system and are interchangeable. They are, Sony E lenses that were originally designed for APS-C format, and the later FE lenses were developed for the FULL-FRAME format!

Therefore, the correct term associated with Sony lenses should be E lens types (for APS-C) and FE lens types (for Full-frame). And remember that both types of lenses can be mounted on E-mount mirrorless camera body.

To further elaborate, below are the two types of lenses for the Sony’s E-mount:

  • E lens
    • denotes that these lenses are APS-C format
    • originally designed for APS-C system mirrorless camera body
What is the difference between Sony E-mount and FE mount - E type lens

  • FE lens
    • denotes that these lenses are Full-Frame format
    • developed for Full-Frame system mirrorless camera body
What is the difference between Sony E-mount and FE mount - FE type lens

Are all Sony Mirrorless Cameras E-Mount?

As I have pointed out, for Sony mirrorless cameras (i.e. NEX, Sony Alpha’s)… there is only one camera mount that is being utilized, the Sony E-mount.

So, the answer is YES…

In the below photo, this is a Sony α6000 body (E-mount) for the APS-C format.

What is the difference between Sony E-mount and FE mount - Sony E mount

While for the Full-frame mirrorless camera body, the E-mount outer ring is color-coded (as observed on Sony α7 model/series).

Click here to know more about Full-Frame mirrorless cameras.

What Lenses Fit Sony E-Mount?

First and foremost, the Sony mirrorless camera’s native lenses can fit or are compatible with Sony E-mount!

Sony native lenses for E-mount:

  • E lenses (APS-C)
  • FE lenses (Full-Frame)

Remember, both E and FE lenses are interchangeable… meaning an APS-C body can use the FE lens. Similarly, a Full-Frame camera body can also utilize the E lens. However, make sure to adjust the mirrorless camera settings to adapt APS-C and or Full-Frame lens.

Moreover, there are third-party lenses that are specifically designed for the Sony E-mount system.

I will highlight the four most popular brands, although there are other third-party lenses available for the E-mount system.

Most popular third-party lenses for Sony E-mount:

  • Zeiss lenses
  • Sigma lenses
  • Tamron lenses
  • Samyang Optics

Besides, lenses of other mirrorless camera brands (i.e. Canon, Nikon) can also be adopted on E-mount with the aid of a lens mount adapter (I have tackled this in my previous article about Mirrorless Camera Lens Mount Types).

Now, let’s find out the available lenses that are compatible with the Sony E-mount system.

Let’s start with the Sony native lenses:

Sony E lenses (APS-C format)

Ultra-Wide Prime Lenses

  • E 20 mm F2.8 (SEL20F28) / APS-C Ultra-wide Prime Lens
  • E 16 mm F2.8 (SEL16F28) / APS-C Ultra-wide Prime Lens

Wide Angle Zoom Lenses

  • E 16–55mm F2.8 G (SEL1655G) / APS-C Wide-angle Zoom G Lens
  • E PZ 16–50 mm F3.5–5.6 OSS (SELP1650) / APS-C Wide-angle Power Zoom Lens with Optical SteadyShot

Ultra-Wide Zoom Lenses

  • E 10-18 mm F4 OSS (SEL1018) / Ultra-wide Zoom Lens with Optical SteadyShot
  • E 10–18 mm F4 OSS (SEL1018) / APS-C Ultra-wide Zoom Lens with Optical SteadyShot

Standard Prime Lenses

  • E 35mm F1.8 OSS (SEL35F18) / APS-C Standard Prime Lens with Optical SteadyShot
  • E 50 mm F1.8 OSS (SEL50F18) / APS-C Standard Prime Lens with Optical SteadyShot

Telephoto Lenses

  • E 70–350 mm F4.5–6.3 G OSS (SEL70350G) / APS-C Telephoto Zoom G Lens with Optical SteadyShot
  • E PZ 18–105 mm F4 G OSS (SELP18105G) / APS-C Standard Power Zoom G Lens with Optical SteadyShot
  • E 18–200 mm F3.5-6.3 OSS (SEL18200) / APS-C Telephoto Zoom Lens with Optical SteadyShot
  • E 18–200 mm F3.5–6.3 OSS LE (SEL18200LE) / APS-C Telephoto Zoom Lens with Optical SteadyShot
  • E 55–210 mm F4.5-6.3 OSS (SEL55210) / APS-C Telephoto Zoom Lens with Optical SteadyShot
  • E PZ 18–200 mm F3.5-6.3 OSS (SELP18200) / APS-C Telephoto Power Zoom Lens with Optical SteadyShot
  • E 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS (SEL18135) / APS-C Telephoto Zoom Lens with Optical SteadyShot
  • E PZ 18–110 mm F4 G OSS (SELP18110G) / APS-C Standard Power Zoom G Lens with Optical SteadyShot

Macro Lenses

  • E 30 mm F3.5 Macro (SEL30M35) / APS-C Standard Macro Prime Lens

Sony FE lenses (Full-Frame format)

Standard Prime Lenses

  • FE 35 mm F1.8 (SEL35F18F) / Full-frame Standard Prime Lens
  • FE 35mm F1.4 GM (SEL35F14GM) / Full-frame Standard Prime G Master Lens
  • FE 40mm F2.5 G (SEL40F25G) / Full-frame Standard Prime G Master Lens
  • FE 50mm F2.5 G (SEL50F25G) / Full-frame Standard Prime G Lens
  • FE 50mm F1.2 GM (SEL50F12GM) / Full-frame Standard Prime G Master Lens
  • FE 50mm F1.8 (SEL50F18/2) / Full-frame Standard Prime Lens

Wide Angle Prime Lenses

  • FE 20mm F1.8 G (SEL20F18G) / Full-frame Ultra-wide Prime G Lens
  • FE 24mm F2.8 G (SEL24F28G) / Full-frame Wide-angle Prime G Lens
  • FE 24mm F1.4 GM (SEL24F14GM) / Full-frame Wide-angle Prime G Master Lens
  • FE 28 mm F2 (SEL28F20) / Full-frame Wide-angle Prime Lens

Ultra-wide Angle Zoom Lenses

  • FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM (SEL1224GM) / Full-frame Ultra-wide Zoom G Master Lens
  • FE 12-24mm F4 G (SEL1224G) / Full-frame Ultra-wide G Lens
  • FE 14mm F1.8 GM (SEL14F18GM) / Full-frame Ultra-wide Prime G Master Lens

Wide Angle Zoom Lenses

  • FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM (SEL1635GM) / Full-frame Wide-angle Zoom G Master Lens
  • FE C 16-35mm T3.1 G (SELC1635) / Full-frame Wide-angle Power Zoom Cinema Lens

Constant Aperture Wide Angle Zoom Lenses

  • FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G (SELP1635G) / Full-frame Constant-Aperture Wide-angle Power Zoom G Lens

Constant Aperture Standard Zoom Lenses

  • FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II (SEL2470GM2) / Full-frame constant-aperture standard zoom G Master lens

Standard Zoom Lenses

  • FE 24-70 mm F2.8 GM (SEL2470GM) / Full-frame Standard Zoom G Master Lens
  • FE 28-60mm F4-5.6 (SEL2860) / Full-frame Standard Zoom Lens
  • FE 28-70mm F3.5-5.6 OSS (SEL2870) / Full-frame Standard Zoom Lens with Optical SteadyShot
  • FE 24–105 mm F4 G OSS (SEL24105G/2) / Full-frame Standard Zoom G Lens with Optical SteadyShot

Telephoto Prime Lenses

  • FE 85 mm F1.4 GM (SEL85F14GM) / Full-frame Telephoto Prime G Master Lens
  • FE 100mm F2.8 STF GM OSS (SEL100F28GM) / Full-frame Telephoto Smooth Trans-focus Prime G Master Lens with Optical SteadyShot
  • FE 135mm F1.8 GM (SEL135F18GM) / Full-frame Telephoto Prime G Master Lens
  • FE 400 mm F2.8 GM OSS (SEL400F28GM) / Full-frame Super-telephoto Prime G Master Lens with Optical SteadyShot
  • FE 600 mm F4 GM OSS (SEL600F40GM) / Full-frame Super-telephoto Prime G Master Lens with Optical SteadyShot

Telephoto Lenses

  • FE 24-240mm F3.5-6.3 OSS (SEL24240) / Full-frame Telephoto Zoom Lens with Optical SteadyShot
  • FE PZ 28-135mm F4 G OSS (SELP28135G) / Full-frame Telephoto Power Zoom Lens with Optical SteadyShot
  • FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS (SEL70300G) / Full-frame Telephoto Zoom G Lens with Optical SteadyShot
  • FE 70-200 mm F2.8 GM OSS (SEL70200GM) / Full-frame Telephoto Zoom G Master Lens with Optical SteadyShot
  • FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II (SEL70200GM2) / Full-frame Telephoto Zoom G Master Lens with Optical SteadyShot
  • FE 70-200mm F2.8 G OSS (SEL70200) / Full-frame Telephoto Zoom G Lens with Optical SteadyShot
  • FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS (SEL100400GM) / Full-frame Telephoto Zoom G Master Lens with Optical SteadyShot
  • FE 200–600 mm F5.6–6.3 G OSS (SEL200600GM) / Full-frame Telephoto Zoom G Master Lens with Optical SteadyShot

Macro Lenses

  • FE 50 mm F2.8 Macro (SEL50M28) / Full-frame Standard Macro Prime Lens
  • FE 90 mm F2.8 Macro G OSS (SEL90M28G) / Full-frame Telephoto Macro Prime G Lens with Optical SteadyShot

Sony Lens Codes:
1. SEL - denotes that the lens is for the E-mount system
2. OSS - Optical SteadyShot (this is basically for image stabilization)
3. PZ - Power Zoom (telephoto and zoom lens with built-in motors for controlling optical zoom)
4. G - Original Sony lenses developed and manufactured at the highest standards
5. GM - stands for "G Master" (these are Sony's high-end lenses)

So, now for the third-party lenses…

Let’s examine what are the well-known lenses for the E-mount system.

Zeiss lenses for Sony E-Mount (APS-C format)

  • Sonnar E 24mm F1.8 ZA (SEL24F18Z) / APS-C Wide-angle Prime ZEISS Lens
  • Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70 mm F4 ZA OSS (SEL1670Z) / APS-C Standard Zoom ZEISS Lens with Optical SteadyShot
  • Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70 mm F4 ZA OSS (SEL1670Z) / APS-C Standard Zoom ZEISS Lens with Optical SteadyShot

Zeiss lenses for Sony E-Mount (Full-Frame format)

  • Distagon FE 35mm F1.4 ZA (SEL35F14Z) / Full-frame Standard Prime ZEISS Lens
  • Sonnar FE 35mm F2.8 ZA (SEL35F28Z) / Full-frame Standard Prime ZEISS Lens
  • Sonnar FE 55mm F1.8 ZA (SEL55F18Z) / Full-frame Standard Prime ZEISS Lens
  • Planar FE 50mm F1.4 ZA (SEL50F14Z) / Full-frame Standard Prime ZEISS Lens
  • Vario-Tessar T* FE 16–35 mm F4 ZA OSS (SEL1635Z) / Full-frame Wide-angle Zoom ZEISS Lens with Optical SteadyShot
  • Vario-Tessar T* FE 24-70 mm F4 ZA OSS (SEL2470Z) / Full-frame Standard Zoom ZEISS Lens with Optical SteadyShot

Zeiss Lens Codes:
1. ZA - stands for "Zeiss Alpha" (high-end Zeiss branded lenses designed for Sony cameras)
2. T* - denotes that the front element of the lens has an anti-reflective coating developed by Zeiss

Sigma lenses for Sony E-Mount (APS-C format)

  • SIGMA 16mm F1.4 DC DN (Contemporary) / Wide-angle Prime Lens
  • SIGMA 30mm F1.4 DC DN (Contemporary) / Standard Prime Lens
  • SIGMA 56mm F1.4 DC DN (Contemporary) / Mid-Tele Lens
  • SIGMA 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN (Contemporary) / Zoom Lens (*New)

Sigma lenses for Sony E-Mount (Full-Frame format)

  • SIGMA 14-24mm F2.8 DG DN (Art) / Wide-angle Zoom Lens
  • SIGMA 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN (Art) / Standard Zoom Lens
  • SIGMA 35mm F1.2 DG DN (Art) / Wide-angle AF Lens
  • SIGMA 35mm F1.4 DG DN (Art) / Wide-angle Ultra-fast AF Lens
  • SIGMA 85mm F1.4 DG DN (Art) / Ultimate Portrait Lens
  • SIGMA 105mm F2.8 DG DN MACRO (Art) / Mid-Telephoto Macro Lens
  • SIGMA 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN (Contemporary) / Standard Zoom Lens
  • SIGMA 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS (Contemporary) / Ultra-Telephoto Zoom Lens
  • SIGMA 20mm F2 DG DN (Contemporary) / Ultra-Wide Angle Lens (*New)
  • SIGMA 24mm F2 DG DN (Contemporary) / Wide-angle Prime Lens
  • SIGMA 24mm F3.5 DG DN (Contemporary) / Wide-angle Prime Lens
  • SIGMA 35mm F2 DG DN (Contemporary) / Wide-angle Prime Lens
  • SIGMA 45mm F2.8 DG DN (Contemporary) / Regular Prime Lens
  • SIGMA 65mm F2 DG DN (Contemporary) / Short Telephoto Prime Lens
  • SIGMA 90mm F2.8 DG DN (Contemporary) / Mid-Telephoto Prime Lens
  • SIGMA 150–600mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS (Sports) / Ultra-Telephoto Zoom Lens

Sigma Lens Codes:
1. DN - lenses designed especially for mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras (MILC)
2. DC - lenses designed especially for cameras with APS-C sensors
3. DG - lenses designed for cameras with Full-Frame sensors
4. Art - lenses designed with a focus on sophisticated optical performance
5. Contemporary - features the latest technology, combining optical performance and compactness
6. Sports - offering sophisticated optical performance and delivering high action capture performance

Tamron lenses for Sony E-Mount (APS-C format)

  • Tamron 18-300mm F/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD (Model B061) / All-in-One Zoom Lens
  • Tamron 11-20mm F/2.8 Di III-A RXD (Model B060) / Ultra-wide angle Zoom Lens
  • Tamron 17-70mm F/2.8 Di III-A2 VC RXD (Model B070) / Standard Zoom Lens

Tamron lenses for Sony E-Mount (Full-Frame format)

  • Tamron 28-75mm F/2.8 Di III VXD G2 (Model A056) / 2nd-generation High-speed Zoom Lens
  • Tamron 35-150mm F/2-2.8 Di III VXD (Model A058) / Fast-aperture Zoom Lens
  • Tamron 150-500mm F/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD (Model A057) / Ultra-Telephoto Zoom Lens
  • Tamron 70-300mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD (Model A047) / Telephoto Zoom Lens
  • Tamron 28-200mm F/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD (Model A071) / All-in-One Zoom Lens
  • Tamron 70-180mm F/2.8 Di III VXD (Model A056) / Large Aperture Telephoto Zoom Lens
  • Tamron 20mm F/2.8 Di III OSD M1:2 (Model F050) / Ultra-wide angle Fixed Focal Lens
  • Tamron 24mm F/2.8 Di III OSD M1:2 (Model F051) / Wide-angle Fixed Focal Lens
  • Tamron 35mm F/2.8 Di III OSD M1:2 (F053) / Wide-angle Fixed Focal Lens
  • Tamron 17-28mm F/2.8 Di III RXD (Model A046) / Ultra-Wide angle Zoom Lens

Tamron Lens Codes:
1. Di - denotes "Digitally Integrated Design" lenses developed for APS-C and Full-Frame format
2. OSD - stands for "Optimized Silent Drive" (refers to the AF motor to have less driving noise)
3. VXD - stands for "Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive" (refers to the motor focus mechanism to be quiet and fast autofocus drive)
4. RXD - means "Rapid eXtra-silent stepping Drive" (refers to the AF drive motor unit that will keep you stay focused on your subject)
5. VC - stands for "Vibration Compensation" (feature to lessen the effect of camera shake)

Samyang lenses for Sony E-Mount (APS-C format)

  • Samyang AF 12mm F2 E / Ultra-Wide-Angle Autofocus Prime Lens

Samyang lenses for Sony E-Mount (Full-Frame format)

  • Samyang AF 35mm F1.4 FE II / 2nd Generation Wide-angle Prime Lens
  • Samyang AF 135mm F1.8 FE / Telephoto Prime Lens
  • Samyang AF 50mm F1.4 FE II / Large-Aperture Standard Lens
  • Samyang AF 24-70mm F2.8 FE / All-in-One Zoom Lens
  • Samyang AF 24mm F1.8 FE / Wide-angle Lens (Optimized Function for Astrophotography)
  • Samyang AF 14mm F2.8 FE / Wide-angle Lens
  • Samyang AF 18mm F2.8 FE / Wide-angle Lens (Tiny series)
  • Samyang AF 24mm F2.8 FE / Wide-angle Lens (Tiny series)
  • Samyang AF 35mm F1.4 FE / Wide-angle Lens (features DLSM motor)
  • Samyang AF 35mm F1.8 FE / All-around Prime Lens (Tiny series)
  • Samyang AF 45mm F1.8 FE / Tiny but Premium Lens
  • Samyang AF 50mm F1.4 FE / Standard Prime Lens
  • Samyang AF 75mm F1.8 FE / Optimized for Portraits (Tiny series)
  • Samyang AF 85mm F1.4 FE / Short Telephoto Prime Lens (features DLSM motor)

Samyang Lens Codes:
1. AF - stands for "AutoFocus" lenses developed for APS-C and Full-Frame format
2. FE - denotes the "Full-Frame" lens format developed for Sony E-mount mirrorless cameras
3. E - denotes the "APS-C" lens format developed for Sony E-mount mirrorless cameras

As you have observed, there are a lot of lenses that are compatible with the Sony E-mount system.

And as I have also mentioned, other third-party lenses were not included here.

Final Thoughts

By now, you should know or already have a better understanding that for the Sony mirrorless cameras, there’s only one mount that’s being used.

… that is the E-mount system.

E and FE were designated to identify and differentiate Sony’s APS-C lenses from Full-frame types of lenses.

Likewise, we’re also able to determine the vast selections of available lenses that are compatible with the Sony E-mount system.

So there you have it, folks, once again thank you for reading. If you find this article helpful, or if you have some questions, please leave a comment, and I will try to answer them to the best of my knowledge.

About Author - My Mirrorless Cameras

About Rowe Medialdea:

Hi, I’m Rowe, a mirrorless camera and photography enthusiast. We have created this site to be of help (especially to beginners) by producing easy-to-understand content about mirrorless cameras! Welcome to our website!

Leave a Comment