The Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* E 24mm f1.8 ZA is a high quality prime lens for Sony’s cropped-frame / APSC mirrorless cameras, including the NEX, A5000 and A6000 series. Announced in August 2011 alongside the E 55-210mm f4.5-6.6 OSS and E 50mm f1.8 OSS, it’s a high quality lens ideal for walk-around use.

Mounted on a cropped-frame body, the E 24mm f1.8 ZA delivers 36mm equivalent coverage, a mild wide-angle that’s perfect for general-purpose or street photography. The bright f1.8 focal ratio allows you to keep shooting in lower light without compromising ISO, while also allowing shallow depth-of-field effects.

The optical design is a collaboration between Sony and Carl Zeiss and features the latter’s T* coatings. It employs eight elements in seven groups, seven aperture blades and a minimum focusing distance of 16cm for a maximum magnification of 0.25x. The barrel measures 63x66mm, weighs 225g and has a 49mm filter thread. For my review-in-progress I shot a variety of images with the lens mounted on a number of Sony bodies, new and old.

Above: Model:NEX-7, Model:NEX-7, Shutter speed:1/800, Aperture:5.6, ISO Sensitivity:100, Focal length:24.0 mm

Above: Model:NEX-7, Model:NEX-7, Shutter speed:1/25, Aperture:1.8, ISO Sensitivity:100, Focal length:24.0 mm

Above: Model:NEX-7, Model:NEX-7, Shutter speed:1/20, Aperture:2.0, ISO Sensitivity:100, Focal length:24.0 mm

Above: Model:NEX-7, Model:NEX-7, Shutter speed:1/13, Aperture:2.8, ISO Sensitivity:100, Focal length:24.0 mm

Above: Model:NEX-7, Model:NEX-7, Shutter speed:0.3, Aperture:5.6, ISO Sensitivity:100, Focal length:24.0 mm

Above: Model:NEX-7, Model:NEX-7, Shutter speed:0.6, Aperture:8.0, ISO Sensitivity:100, Focal length:24.0 mm

Above: Model:NEX-7, Model:NEX-7, Shutter speed:1.3, Aperture:11.0, ISO Sensitivity:100, Focal length:24.0 mm

Above: Model:NEX-7, Model:NEX-7, Shutter speed:3.2, Aperture:16.0, ISO Sensitivity:100, Focal length:24.0 mm

Above: Model:NEX-7, Model:NEX-7, Shutter speed:5, Aperture:22.0, ISO Sensitivity:100, Focal length:24.0 mm

Above: Model:NEX-7, Model:NEX-7, Shutter speed:1/160, Aperture:1.8, ISO Sensitivity:800, Focal length:24.0 mm

Above: Model:NEX-7, Model:NEX-7, Shutter speed:1/160, Aperture:1.8, ISO Sensitivity:800, Focal length:24.0 mm

Above: Model:NEX-7, Model:NEX-7, Shutter speed:1/400, Aperture:8.0, ISO Sensitivity:100, Focal length:24.0 mm

Above: Model:NEX-7, Model:NEX-7, Shutter speed:1/640, Aperture:1.8, ISO Sensitivity:100, Focal length:24.0 mm

Above: Model:NEX-7, Model:NEX-7, Shutter speed:1/640, Aperture:1.8, ISO Sensitivity:100, Focal length:24.0 mm

Above: Model:NEX-7, Model:NEX-7, Shutter speed:1/6, Aperture:4.0, ISO Sensitivity:100, Focal length:24.0 mm

Above: Model:ILCE-6500, Model:ILCE-6500, Shutter speed:1/250, Aperture:1.8, ISO Sensitivity:250, Focal length:24.0 mm

Above: Model:ILCE-6500, Model:ILCE-6500, Shutter speed:1/200, Aperture:1.8, ISO Sensitivity:400, Focal length:24.0 mm

Above: Model:ILCE-6500, Model:ILCE-6500, Shutter speed:1/250, Aperture:1.8, ISO Sensitivity:400, Focal length:24.0 mm

Above: Model:ILCE-6500, Model:ILCE-6500, Shutter speed:1/250, Aperture:1.8, ISO Sensitivity:400, Focal length:24.0 mm

Above: Model:ILCE-6500, Model:ILCE-6500, Shutter speed:1/250, Aperture:1.8, ISO Sensitivity:400, Focal length:24.0 mm

Above: Model:ILCE-6500, Model:ILCE-6500, Shutter speed:1/125, Aperture:2.8, ISO Sensitivity:3200, Focal length:24.0 mm

Above: Model:ILCE-6500, Model:ILCE-6500, Shutter speed:1/250, Aperture:1.8, ISO Sensitivity:1600, Focal length:24.0 mm

Above: Model:ILCE-6500, Model:ILCE-6500, Shutter speed:1/250, Aperture:1.8, ISO Sensitivity:1000, Focal length:24.0 mm

Above: Model:ILCE-6500, Model:ILCE-6500, Shutter speed:1/800, Aperture:5.6, ISO Sensitivity:100, Focal length:24.0 mm

Above: Model:ILCE-6500, Model:ILCE-6500, Shutter speed:1/500, Aperture:5.6, ISO Sensitivity:100, Focal length:24.0 mm

Above: Model:ILCE-6500, Model:ILCE-6500, Shutter speed:1/125, Aperture:8.0, ISO Sensitivity:100, Focal length:24.0 mm

Above: Model:ILCE-6500, Model:ILCE-6500, Shutter speed:1/60, Aperture:4.0, ISO Sensitivity:1600, Focal length:24.0 mm

Above: Model:ILCE-6500, Model:ILCE-6500, Shutter speed:1/5, Aperture:4.0, ISO Sensitivity:800, Focal length:24.0 mm

Above: Model:ILCE-6500, Model:ILCE-6500, Shutter speed:1/100, Aperture:1.8, ISO Sensitivity:1600, Focal length:24.0 mm

Above: Model:ILCE-6500, Model:ILCE-6500, Shutter speed:20, Aperture:5.6, ISO Sensitivity:100, Focal length:24.0 mm