A Guide to Minolta and Sony A-mount Lenses

Minolta launched the A-mount in 1985, with 12 lenses. Over time, more were added and the A-mount was eventually used on DSLRs.

The Sony A99 II, released in 2016, was the last A-mount camera.

Sony bought Minolta’s camera division in 2006. At that point lenses were either discontinued, updated to have Sony branding, or new versions were released.

Prior to the release of the A-mount, Minolta used the SR/MC/MD mount for manual focus SLRs.

Sony Lens Abbreviations

• SAL - Sony Autofocus Lens. This will be seen in the product number.
• DT - Digital Technology. These lenses have been designed for cameras with an APS-C sized sensor.
• SSM - SuperSonic Motor. Sony’s version of an ultrasonic motor that provides fast and quite autofocus.
• SAM - Smooth Autofocus Motor. Used in lower end lenses.
• OSS - Optical Steady Shot. Sony’s version of optical image stabilization. Will help get sharper images.
• ED - Extra-low Dispersion. The lens has glass elements designed to reduce chromatic aberrations.
• G - Gold. Reserved for Sony’s highest end lenses.
• ZA - Zeiss Alpha. These lenses were developed with Carl Zeiss.
• APO - Apochromatic. Designed to reduce distortion and chromatic aberration.
• IF - Internal focus. The lens will not extend when focusing.
• SEL - Sony E-mount Lens. These will not work on cameras with A-mounts.

Sony DT Lenses (APS-C)

• Sony DT 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 SAM

• Sony DT 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 SAM II

• Sony DT 16-50mm f2.8 SSM

• Sony DT 11-18mm f4.5-5.6

• Sony DT 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 SAM

• Sony DT 18-250mm f3.5-6.3

• Sony DT 55-300mm f4.5-5.6 SAM

• Konica Minolta AF Zoom DT 11-18mm f/4.5-5.6 (D)

• Konica Minolta AF Zoom DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 (D)

• Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 ZA

Minolta Full Frame Lenses

Primes:

• AF Fish-Eye 16mm f2.8
• AF 20mm f2.8
• AF 24mm f2.8
• AF 28mm f2
• AF 28mm f2.8
• AF 35mm f1.4
• AF 35mm f2
• AF 50mm f1.4
• AF 50mm f1.7
• AF Macro 50mm f2.8
• AF Macro 50mm f3.5
• AF 85mm f1.4
• AF 100mm f2
• AF 100mm f2.8
• AF Soft Focus 100mm f2.8
• AF 135mm f2.8
• STF 135mm f2.8 (Smooth Trans Focus)
• AF APO Tele 200mm f2.8
• High Speed AF APO Tele 200mm f2.8 G
• AF APO Tele macro 200mm f4 G
• AF APO Tele 300mm f2.8 G
• High Speed AF APO Tele 300mm f2.8 G
• High Speed AF APO Tele 300mm f4 G
• High Speed AF APO Tele 400mm f4.5 G
• AF Reflex 500mm f8
• AF APO Tele 600mm f4 G
• High Speed AF APO Tele 600mm f4 G

Sony Full Frame Lenses

• Sony α DT 11-18mm f/4.5-5.6

• Sony α Fish-Eye 16mm f/2.8

• Sony α Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 ZA

• Sony α DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6

• Sony α 20mm f/2.8

• Sony α Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 24-70mm f/2.8 ZA SSM

• Sony α Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 24-70mm f/2.8 ZA SSM II

• Sony α 24-105mm f/3.5-4.5

• Sony α 28mm f/2.8

• Sony α 35mm f/1.4 G

• Sony α Macro 50mm f/2.8

• Sony α 50mm f/1.4

• Sony α 70-200mm f/2.8 G SSM

• Sony α 70-200mm f/2.8 G SSM II

• Sony α 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6

• Sony α Macro 100mm f/2.8

• Sony α Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 135mm f/1.8 ZA

• Sony α STF 135mm f/2.8 T4.5

• Sony α 300mm f/2.8 G SSM

• Sony α 300mm f/2.8 G SSM II

• Sony α Reflex 500mm f/8

• Sony SAL-135F18Z

• Sony SAL-500F80

• Sony SAL-1680Z

• Sony SAL-2470Z

• Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 24-70mm f/2.8 ZA SSM

A-mount to E-mount Adapters

These are the official Sony adapters to be able to use A-mount lenses on mirrorless, E-mount bodies.

This is possible because the 44.50mm flange focal distance of the A-mount is larger than the 18mm the Sony E-mount uses.

• Sony LA-100W
• Sony LA-EA1
• Sony LA-EA2
• Sony LA-EA3
• Sony LA-EA4

Sony Bought Minolta’s Camera Division

The A-mount was first used by Minolta in 1985. It was the first successful autofocus lens mount.

Minolta had to recall almost all of their first 2 DSLRs due to the “first black frame” problem. The result was Sony buying Konica Minolta’s imaging division in 2006.

A-mount lenses can be used on mirrorless E-mount cameras with an adapter, like the Sony LA-EA5.