Sony 20mm f/2.8 and 28mm f/2.8 lenses patented in the US

Sony has patented two new lenses with fixed focal lengths. The 20mm and 28mm optics are offering a maximum aperture of f/2.8 and have been designed for E-mount cameras with APS-C image sensors.

Photographers using A-mount lenses and cameras have not received very much support from Sony during the past couple of years. Most of the company’s attention has been directed towards E-mount users, even more so after the introduction of the mirrorless cameras with full frame sensors.

Although the A7, A7R, and A7S cameras seem to be getting all the company’s love, Sony will not abandon the E-mount devices with APS-C sensors. In order to prove this, the Japan-based company has patented the 20mm f/2.8 and 28mm f/2.8 lenses at the US Patent and Trademark Office.

This is the optical design of the Sony 20mm f/2.8 lens, as seen in the patent number 20140204265.

Sony 20mm f/2.8 and 28mm f/2.8 E-mount lenses spotted at the USPTO

Sony is patenting numerous products, but not all of them enter mass production. However, the designs of these units seem feasible enough and they would also fit into the company’s lens line-up.

Recently, there has been a shortage of very fast optics in Sony’s backyard and the photographers have condemned the company for this fact. Judging by these two new patents, the PlayStation maker will not re-think its strategy.

Nevertheless, the Sony 20mm f/2.8 and 28mm f/2.8 lenses will have a major advantage: they are very compact. Small optics are very lightweight and they will fit nicely with the tiny E-mount cameras with APS-C-sized sensors.

Sony is already offering a 20mm f/2.8 prime lens for E-mount cameras. The optic is available at Amazon for around $350. If the new model gets released, then it would be interesting to see how it compares to the current version.

Sony’s new prime lenses to be aimed at both videographers and photographers

Both the 20mm and 28mm versions will come packed with inner focusing. It appears that they will support quick autofocusing, which will definitely be welcomed by the photographers.

As cameras will be able to focus faster and faster, it is good to know that their speeds will not be limited by slow optics.

The patent description is mentioning that the optics will be good for video recording as well, not just for still photography.

As usual, it is worth reminding that patenting a product does not mean that the product in question will ever be released on the market, so take the information with a pinch of salt.

What to expect from Sony before Photokina 2014

With the Photokina 2014 approaching, it appears that Sony will reveal a bunch of new devices. The list includes a QX30 lens-style camera with 30x optical zoom, A5100 E-mount camera, Zeiss 16-35mm f/4 lens, and a low-end FE-mount camera among others.

The world’s largest digital imaging event will open its doors to visitors as of September 16. However, the company is expected to reveal its products before the beginning of the show, so stay tuned!