What are the differences between A-mount and E-mount lenses?
There are two types of lens mounts for Sony interchangeable lens cameras: A-mount and E-mount.
NOTE: The mount is part where the camera's body and the lens connects. To start shooting images, attach the lens to the camera's lens mount and the units will electronically sync.
- The mount on an A-mount body.
- The mount on an E-mount body.
A-mount Lenses |
E-mount Lenses |
A-mount lenses can be used on camera models with a mirror or a translucent mirror (ILCA-xx, DSLR-Axx, SLT-Axx). | E-mount lenses are the standard lenses used on mirrorless camera models (ILCE-xx, NEX-xx). |
The model name of an A-mount lens starts with SAL, e.g., SAL1650. | The model name of an E-mount lens starts with SEL, e.g., SEL16F28. |
A-mount lenses can be used on an E-mount body by using a Lens Mount Adaptor. Note: There may be some differences between lens mount adapters such as unavailability of the autofocus function or the SteadyShot® function.
| E-mount lenses cannot be used on an A-mount body. |
Notes: :
- Sony provides A-mount lenses and E-mount lenses to meet each mount standard for camera bodies.
Please contact a local or online authorized retailer to purchase a Sony product.
For customers in the United States: https://www.sony.com/retailers
- The A-mount standard and the E-mount standard have different diameters.