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Sony DT 35mm F 1 8 Review | 54 Data compared

Avg. price in UK: ~£80
Avg. price in US: ~$110
Lens mount: Sony A
Maximum focal length: 35 mm
Maximum aperture (telephoto end): 1.8
Optical image stabilization: no
Maximum angle of view: 44 °

Sony DT 35mm F 1 8 review. Compare 54 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among camera lenses and if it is worth buying.

6.5

Good

5.9

Good

9.3

Exceptional

7.2
Low-light photography
Score components:
70.0%
9.9
Maximum aperture (telephoto end)
30.0%
1.0
Optical image stabilization
5.3
Travel
Score components:
30.0%
9.3
Lens length
25.0%
8.2
Lens diameter
25.0%
1.0
Weather sealing (splashproof)
20.0%
1.0
Optical image stabilization

Best prices in UK

Best rankings

#87 in Best Sony Lenses
#788 in Best Camera Lenses

Verdict

The Sony DT 35mm f/1.8 SAMGo to product viewer dialog for this item. is an APS-C format A-mount prime lens offering a 52.5mm equivalent focal length and a bright f/1.8 maximum aperture, making it ideal for low-light photography and achieving a shallow depth of field. Key technical specifications include a 7-blade circular diaphragm for smooth bokeh, a Smooth Autofocus Motor (SAM) for responsive internal AF drive, and a minimum focusing distance of approximately 23 cm (9 inches) with a 0.25x maximum magnification. Its primary advantages are its extremely lightweight (170g) and compact design, excellent center sharpness, and affordability as part of the 'Easy Choice' series. However, notable drawbacks include an all-plastic construction (including the mount), lack of weather sealing, significant vignetting and coma at f/1.8, and a somewhat noisy autofocus motor.

Technical Specifications of Sony DT 35mm F 1 8

Overall score

6.5

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Popularity

What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the camera lens.

When it matters: When you want to see which camera lenses attract the most buyer attention and review activity.

Mount & Format

1.0

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Lens type

What it is: The optical category that indicates whether the lens is a prime, zoom, macro, fisheye, or another design.

When it matters: When you are choosing between a prime, zoom, macro, or specialty lens for the kind of subjects you shoot.

Importance: LOW

prime

Lens mount

What it is: The mechanical and electronic interface that determines which cameras the lens can be attached to.

When it matters: When camera compatibility and access to the right lens ecosystem are central to your buying decision.

Importance: LOW

Sony A

Sensor format coverage

What it is: The largest sensor size the lens is designed to cover without severe vignetting.

When it matters: When you need the lens to fully cover your camera sensor without heavy corner darkening.

Importance: LOW

APS-C

Filter thread size

What it is: The diameter of the front filter thread used for screw-in filters and compatible accessories.

When it matters: When you plan to use screw-in filters such as polarizers, ND filters, or protective glass.

Importance: LOW

55 mm

Teleconverter compatibility

What it is: Whether the lens can be used with compatible teleconverters to extend focal length.

When it matters: When you want to extend reach for wildlife or sports without changing to a different long lens.

Importance: HIGH

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Optics & Aperture

8.0

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Minimum focal length

What it is: The shortest focal length the lens can provide, which determines its widest framing.

When it matters: When wide framing matters for landscapes, interiors, architecture, or travel shots.

Importance: LOW

35 mm

Maximum focal length

What it is: The longest focal length the lens can reach, which determines its telephoto reach.

When it matters: When you need more reach for wildlife, sports, stage events, or distant details.

Importance: LOW

35 mm

Optical zoom

What it is: The ratio between the longest and shortest focal lengths available in the lens zoom range.

When it matters: When you want one lens to cover a broader range of compositions without swapping glass.

Importance: LOW

?

Maximum angle of view

What it is: The widest scene the lens can capture at its shortest focal length.

When it matters: When you need to fit more of a room, skyline, or landscape into the frame.

Importance: LOW

44 °

Minimum angle of view

What it is: The narrowest scene the lens captures at its longest focal length.

When it matters: When you want tighter framing on faraway subjects without moving closer.

Importance: LOW

44 °

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Focus & Controls

2.0

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Focus motor

What it is: The autofocus drive system responsible for moving lens elements into focus.

When it matters: When fast, quiet autofocus matters for video, wildlife, street shots, or moving subjects.

Importance: LOW

DC motor, SAM

Minimum focus distance

What it is: The shortest distance at which the lens can focus on a subject.

When it matters: When you like shooting details, food, flowers, or products from a very short distance.

Importance: MEDIUM

Maximum reproduction ratio

What it is: The highest magnification the lens can achieve when focusing at its closest distance.

When it matters: When close-up magnification matters for macro work, textures, or small product details.

Importance: MEDIUM

Full-time manual focus

What it is: The ability to adjust focus manually without leaving autofocus mode.

When it matters: When you want to fine-tune focus instantly without switching out of autofocus.

Importance: HIGH

Internal focusing

What it is: A focusing design in which internal elements move while the outer barrel length stays unchanged.

When it matters: When you use polarizers, gimbals, or close-up setups that benefit from a lens that does not extend while focusing.

Importance: HIGH

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Stabilization

4.2

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Optical image stabilization

What it is: A hardware system that shifts optical elements to counteract camera shake and reduce blur.

When it matters: When you want steadier handheld shots and less blur, especially in low light or at longer focal lengths.

Importance: HIGH

Stabilization effectiveness (CIPA stops)

What it is: The rated stabilizer benefit, measured in stops, under CIPA testing standards.

When it matters: When you are comparing stabilized lenses and want to know how much handheld shutter-speed advantage they offer.

Importance: HIGH

?

Build & Handling

6.3

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Weight

What it is: The total mass of the lens, affecting portability and handling balance on the camera body.

When it matters: When you carry a lens all day for travel, hiking, or event coverage and want to keep your kit manageable.

Importance: HIGH

Lens length

What it is: The physical length of the lens body from mount to front edge.

When it matters: When bag space, balance, or front clearance matters in a compact travel or video setup.

Importance: HIGH

Lens diameter

What it is: The widest outer diameter of the lens barrel.

When it matters: When grip comfort, filter size, or fit inside a tight camera bag matters to you.

Importance: MEDIUM

Weather sealing (splashproof)

What it is: Protective sealing intended to resist splashes, dust, and light environmental exposure.

When it matters: When you often shoot outdoors in light rain, dust, or changing conditions.

Importance: HIGH

Metal mount

What it is: A lens mount made of metal rather than plastic for greater durability at the camera connection point.

When it matters: When durability matters because you change lenses often or use heavier gear for work.

Importance: HIGH

?

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Lab Scores

8.0

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DxOMark overall score

What it is: The combined DxOMark lens rating based on lab-tested optical performance.

When it matters: When you want a quick lab-based summary of overall optical performance before comparing lenses in detail.

Importance: HIGH

?

DxOMark sharpness score

What it is: The DxOMark subscore that reflects how much detail the lens can resolve across the frame.

When it matters: When fine detail matters for landscapes, product work, or high-resolution cameras.

Importance: HIGH

DxOMark transmission

What it is: The measured light transmission of the lens, expressed as T-stop rather than nominal f-number.

When it matters: When real light loss matters for exposure consistency in studio, cinema, or mixed-lens shoots.

Importance: MEDIUM

?

DxOMark distortion

What it is: The DxOMark metric that measures how much the lens bends straight lines away from their true shape.

When it matters: When straight lines matter in architecture, interiors, copy work, or product photography.

Importance: MEDIUM

DxOMark vignetting

What it is: The DxOMark measurement of corner darkening relative to the center of the image.

When it matters: When even corner brightness matters for skies, studio backdrops, or clean product shots.

Importance: MEDIUM

?

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Sony DT 35mm F 1 8 vs the average camera lens

Why is Sony DT 35mm F 1 8 better than the average camera lens?

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1 lower f-number at telephoto end
Sony DT 35mm F 1 8 has a brighter maximum telephoto aperture than the average camera lens (f/1.8 vs f/2.8). The average lens has a maximum telephoto aperture of f/2.8.
What it is: The widest aperture available at the long end of the zoom range, affecting light intake and background blur.
When it matters: When you shoot at the long end in low light or want stronger background blur for portraits and sports.
Importance: HIGH
Sony DT 35mm F 1 8 has a brighter maximum telephoto aperture than the average camera lens (f/1.8 vs f/2.8). The average lens has a maximum telephoto aperture of f/2.8.1.8 vs 2.8
311.4 g lighter
Sony DT 35mm F 1 8 is lighter than the average camera lens (214 g vs 525.4 g). The average lens weighs 525.4 g.
What it is: The total mass of the lens, affecting portability and handling balance on the camera body.
When it matters: When you carry a lens all day for travel, hiking, or event coverage and want to keep your kit manageable.
Importance: HIGH
Sony DT 35mm F 1 8 is lighter than the average camera lens (214 g vs 525.4 g). The average lens weighs 525.4 g.214 g vs 525.4 g
40 mm shorter lens
Sony DT 35mm F 1 8 is shorter than the average camera lens (52 mm vs 92 mm). The average lens has a length of 92 mm.
What it is: The physical length of the lens body from mount to front edge.
When it matters: When bag space, balance, or front clearance matters in a compact travel or video setup.
Importance: HIGH
Sony DT 35mm F 1 8 is shorter than the average camera lens (52 mm vs 92 mm). The average lens has a length of 92 mm.52 mm vs 92 mm
0.07 m shorter minimum focus distance
Sony DT 35mm F 1 8 has a lower minimum focus distance than the average camera lens (0.2 m vs 0.3 m). The average lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.3 m.
What it is: The shortest distance at which the lens can focus on a subject.
When it matters: When you like shooting details, food, flowers, or products from a very short distance.
Importance: MEDIUM
Sony DT 35mm F 1 8 has a lower minimum focus distance than the average camera lens (0.2 m vs 0.3 m). The average lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.3 m.0.23 m vs 0.3 m
7 mm narrower lens barrel
Sony DT 35mm F 1 8 is slimmer than the average camera lens (70 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.
What it is: The widest outer diameter of the lens barrel.
When it matters: When grip comfort, filter size, or fit inside a tight camera bag matters to you.
Importance: MEDIUM
Sony DT 35mm F 1 8 is slimmer than the average camera lens (70 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.70 mm vs 77 mm
6.63x cheaper
Sony DT 35mm F 1 8 is cheaper than the average camera lens (£80 vs £530).
Sony DT 35mm F 1 8 is cheaper than the average camera lens (£80 vs £530).£80 vs £530
4 points higher DxOMark sharpness
Sony DT 35mm F 1 8 has a higher DxOMark sharpness score than the average camera lens (20 vs 16). The average lens has a DxOMark sharpness score of 16.
What it is: The DxOMark subscore that reflects how much detail the lens can resolve across the frame.
When it matters: When fine detail matters for landscapes, product work, or high-resolution cameras.
Importance: HIGH
Sony DT 35mm F 1 8 has a higher DxOMark sharpness score than the average camera lens (20 vs 16). The average lens has a DxOMark sharpness score of 16.20 vs 16
1.5 µm lower chromatic aberration
Sony DT 35mm F 1 8 has a lower chromatic aberration than the average camera lens (7 µm vs 8.5 µm). The average lens has chromatic aberration of 8.5 µm.
What it is: The DxOMark metric that quantifies unwanted color fringing caused by different wavelengths focusing unevenly.
When it matters: When you want to avoid color fringing on high-contrast edges in backlit scenes or detailed subjects.
Importance: MEDIUM
Sony DT 35mm F 1 8 has a lower chromatic aberration than the average camera lens (7 µm vs 8.5 µm). The average lens has chromatic aberration of 8.5 µm.7 µm vs 8.5 µm
1 lower f-number at telephoto end
Sony DT 35mm F 1 8 has a brighter maximum telephoto aperture than the average camera lens (f/1.8 vs f/2.8). The average lens has a maximum telephoto aperture of f/2.8.
0.07 m shorter minimum focus distance
Sony DT 35mm F 1 8 has a lower minimum focus distance than the average camera lens (0.2 m vs 0.3 m). The average lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.3 m.
311.4 g lighter
Sony DT 35mm F 1 8 is lighter than the average camera lens (214 g vs 525.4 g). The average lens weighs 525.4 g.
40 mm shorter lens
Sony DT 35mm F 1 8 is shorter than the average camera lens (52 mm vs 92 mm). The average lens has a length of 92 mm.
7 mm narrower lens barrel
Sony DT 35mm F 1 8 is slimmer than the average camera lens (70 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.
4 points higher DxOMark sharpness
Sony DT 35mm F 1 8 has a higher DxOMark sharpness score than the average camera lens (20 vs 16). The average lens has a DxOMark sharpness score of 16.
1.5 µm lower chromatic aberration
Sony DT 35mm F 1 8 has a lower chromatic aberration than the average camera lens (7 µm vs 8.5 µm). The average lens has chromatic aberration of 8.5 µm.

Optics & Aperture

Focus & Controls

Build & Handling

Why is Sony DT 35mm F 1 8 worse than the average camera lens?

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2 fewer aperture blades
Sony DT 35mm F 1 8 has fewer aperture blades than the average camera lens (7 vs 9). The average lens has 9 aperture blades.
2 fewer aspherical elements
Sony DT 35mm F 1 8 has fewer aspherical elements than the average camera lens (0 vs 2). The average lens has 2 aspherical elements.
2 fewer low-dispersion elements
Sony DT 35mm F 1 8 has fewer low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (0 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.
No full-time manual focus
Sony DT 35mm F 1 8 does not support full-time manual focus, the average camera lens does. 68.4% of camera lenses support full-time manual focus.
No internal focusing
Sony DT 35mm F 1 8 does not support internal focusing, the average camera lens does. 83.7% of camera lenses support internal focusing.
Barrel extends during focusing.
Not weather-sealed
Sony DT 35mm F 1 8 does not support weather sealing, the average camera lens does. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
Older release date
Sony DT 35mm F 1 8 was released earlier than the average camera lens.
July 2010
0.1 % higher optical distortion
Sony DT 35mm F 1 8 has a higher optical distortion than the average camera lens (0.4% vs 0.3%). The average lens has optical distortion of 0.3%.
Not weather-sealed
Sony DT 35mm F 1 8 does not support weather sealing, the average camera lens does. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
What it is: Protective sealing intended to resist splashes, dust, and light environmental exposure.
When it matters: When you often shoot outdoors in light rain, dust, or changing conditions.
Importance: HIGH
Sony DT 35mm F 1 8 does not support weather sealing, the average camera lens does. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
No full-time manual focus
Sony DT 35mm F 1 8 does not support full-time manual focus, the average camera lens does. 68.4% of camera lenses support full-time manual focus.
What it is: The ability to adjust focus manually without leaving autofocus mode.
When it matters: When you want to fine-tune focus instantly without switching out of autofocus.
Importance: HIGH
Sony DT 35mm F 1 8 does not support full-time manual focus, the average camera lens does. 68.4% of camera lenses support full-time manual focus.
No internal focusing
Sony DT 35mm F 1 8 does not support internal focusing, the average camera lens does. 83.7% of camera lenses support internal focusing.
Barrel extends during focusing.
What it is: A focusing design in which internal elements move while the outer barrel length stays unchanged.
When it matters: When you use polarizers, gimbals, or close-up setups that benefit from a lens that does not extend while focusing.
Importance: HIGH
Sony DT 35mm F 1 8 does not support internal focusing, the average camera lens does. 83.7% of camera lenses support internal focusing.
2 fewer aperture blades
Sony DT 35mm F 1 8 has fewer aperture blades than the average camera lens (7 vs 9). The average lens has 9 aperture blades.
What it is: The number of diaphragm blades that shape the aperture opening and influence blur rendering.
When it matters: When the look of out-of-focus highlights matters in portraits, close-ups, or cinematic video.
Importance: HIGH
Sony DT 35mm F 1 8 has fewer aperture blades than the average camera lens (7 vs 9). The average lens has 9 aperture blades.7 vs 9
2 fewer aspherical elements
Sony DT 35mm F 1 8 has fewer aspherical elements than the average camera lens (0 vs 2). The average lens has 2 aspherical elements.
What it is: Specially shaped lens elements used to reduce distortion and improve sharpness with fewer optical compromises.
When it matters: When edge sharpness and lower distortion matter in wide-angle, travel, or everyday shooting.
Importance: MEDIUM
Sony DT 35mm F 1 8 has fewer aspherical elements than the average camera lens (0 vs 2). The average lens has 2 aspherical elements.0 vs 2
2 fewer low-dispersion elements
Sony DT 35mm F 1 8 has fewer low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (0 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.
What it is: Optical elements designed to reduce color fringing by controlling how different wavelengths focus.
When it matters: When you want cleaner edges and less color fringing in high-contrast scenes.
Importance: MEDIUM
Sony DT 35mm F 1 8 has fewer low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (0 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.0 vs 2
Older release date
Sony DT 35mm F 1 8 was released earlier than the average camera lens.
July 2010
What it is: The date when the lens model was first officially introduced.
When it matters: When you prefer a newer optical design with more modern autofocus, coatings, or stabilization features.
Importance: LOW
Sony DT 35mm F 1 8 was released earlier than the average camera lens.2010 vs 2016
0.1 % higher optical distortion
Sony DT 35mm F 1 8 has a higher optical distortion than the average camera lens (0.4% vs 0.3%). The average lens has optical distortion of 0.3%.
What it is: The DxOMark metric that measures how much the lens bends straight lines away from their true shape.
When it matters: When straight lines matter in architecture, interiors, copy work, or product photography.
Importance: MEDIUM
Sony DT 35mm F 1 8 has a higher optical distortion than the average camera lens (0.4% vs 0.3%). The average lens has optical distortion of 0.3%.0.4 % vs 0.3 %

Optics & Aperture

Focus & Controls

Build & Handling

Graphic comparison of Sony DT 35mm F 1 8 and

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Third-party reviews

United Kingdom

United States

(Reviews last updated: July 2026)

What customers like about Sony DT 35mm F 1 8?

High center sharpness even at f/1.8
Extremely lightweight and compact for portability
Excellent value for the price (budget-friendly)
Fast and quiet autofocus with the SAM motor
Short minimum focus distance (around 9 inches) for close-ups
Smooth and pleasing bokeh rendering
Effective performance in low-light conditions

What customers dislike about Sony DT 35mm F 1 8?

Cheap plastic build quality, including the lens mount
Noisy autofocus motor compared to higher-end ultrasonic drives
Softness in the corners, especially at wider apertures
Significant vignetting and chromatic aberration (purple fringing)
Visible barrel distortion when shooting in RAW without corrections
Lack of weather sealing makes it vulnerable to the elements

Expert reviews

dxomark.com

11/11/2011

Summary of the review

Sony DT 35mm F1.8 SAM: Test and review of an inexpensive Sony prime lens

The Sony DT 35mm F1.8 SAM lens delivers a globally strong performance on APS-C camera bodies like the Sony A580, especially when shooting between f/1.8 and f/5.6. It achieves highly homogeneous and satisfactory resolution across the entire field of view at f/5.6 and f/8. A major advantage of this lens is its negligible amount of distortion and chromatic aberration, outperforming rival budget glass like the Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G in controlling color fringing. However, the lens suffers from heavy vignetting at wide-open apertures of f/1.8 and f/2, though this issue disappears entirely between f/2.8 and f/22. Photographers may also be deterred by its physical build, which features an entirely plastic construction that extends even to the lens mount. Additionally, it lacks direct manual focusing capabilities. Despite these construction flaws, it remains a highly capable, lightweight, and budget-friendly prime option. 📸 Want to see how it compares to modern mirrorless lenses or need filters for this focal length? Let me know!

photoreview.com.au

04/01/2011

Summary of the review

Sony DT 35mm f/1.8 SAM Lens - Photo Review

The Photo Review analysis of the Sony DT 35mm f/1.8 SAM lens highlights its value as a lightweight, budget-friendly option for APS-C cameras, boasting good build quality, low chromatic aberration, and effective autofocus. Performance highlights include minimal distortion and practical daily use, though the lens is made of plastic and lacks a metal mount. Optical limitations include lower resolution at the widest f/1.8 aperture and a lack of specialized glass, requiring users to stop down for maximum sharpness. Additionally, the autofocus system is noted to be slower and louder than premium alternatives.

photozone.de

2011 (Approx)

Summary of the review

Sony 35mm f/1.8 DT SAM ( SAL-35F18 ) - Review / Test Report

The Sony 35mm f/1.8 DT SAM (SAL-35F18) is a budget-oriented prime lens designed specifically for APS-C Sony Alpha cameras, offering a full-frame equivalent focal length of 52.5mm and a fast f/1.8 maximum aperture suitable for low-light situations, portraits, and street photography. A major technical highlight of the lens is its surprisingly short minimum focusing distance of just 0.23m, which provides a maximum magnification ratio of 1:4. Structurally, it features a non-rotating 55mm filter ring, a rounded 7-blade aperture design, and an optical construction consisting of 6 elements arranged in 5 groups without any specialized lens elements. The review highlights several critical pros and cons regarding the lens's design and overall performance. On the positive side, its primary advantages are its affordable price point, lightweight build at just 170g, a fast maximum aperture, and a very short minimum focus distance. However, the cons center around its subpar, average-at-best build quality, which features a completely plastic lens barrel and plastic lens mount. Furthermore, the inner lens tube is slightly wobbly when extending, the tiny front focus ring rotates during autofocus operations, Direct...

digicam-beratung.de

01/10/2011

Summary of the review

Review of the Sony SAL-35F18 DT 35mm F1.8 SAM Lens

The Sony SAL-35F18 DT 35 mm F1.8 SAM is an exceptionally lightweight and compact prime lens designed for APS-C crop sensor cameras, delivering a versatile 53mm full-frame equivalent focal length. Its standout pros include a very fast f/1.8 maximum aperture that makes it ideal for indoor photography, portraits, and low-light environments. The reviewer highly praises its beautiful, soft bokeh and its surprisingly strong performance in close-up photography, supported by a short minimum focus distance of 23 cm. Additionally, its rotating front element design ensures that filters do not spin during focusing, which is a major convenience for filter users. On the downside, the lens exhibits clear cons related to its budget-friendly construction and optical quirks. To maintain its featherlight 170g weight, it utilizes a plastic lens mount, sacrificing overall structural durability. Optically, there is a minor drop in edge sharpness and a very noticeable vignetting (light falloff up to one full stop) when shooting wide open at f/1.8, which can inadvertently cause the camera's multi-segment metering to underexpose images. Mild chromatic aberrations (purple fringing) are also visible at f/1.8. Finally,...

photozone.de

01/04/2011

Summary of the review

Sony 35mm f/1.8 DT SAM (SAL-35F18) - Review / Test Report

The Sony 35mm f/1.8 DT SAM (SAL-35F18) is a budget-oriented prime lens designed specifically for APS-C Sony Alpha DSLR cameras, providing a standard 52.5mm full-frame equivalent field of view. Ideal for street photography, portraits, and low-light shooting, its primary strengths lie in its fast f/1.8 maximum aperture and an impressively short minimum focusing distance of just 0.23 metres, which yields a 1:4 maximum magnification ratio. Additionally, it features a non-rotating 55mm filter ring and comes supplied with a barrel-shaped bayonet lens hood. Conversely, the lens exhibits several drawbacks regarding its overall build quality and mechanical operation. The lens barrel and lens mount are constructed entirely of average-quality plastic, featuring a slightly wobbly inner tube that extends during focusing. Mechanically, the tiny focus ring is difficult to use precisely due to a short 60-degree focus path, lacks Direct Manual Focusing (DMF) support, and remains coupled to the SAM motor, causing it to rotate during autofocus operations.

dxomark.fr

01/07/2010

Summary of the review

Sony DT 35mm F1.8 SAM - DXOMARK Review

The Sony DT 35mm F1.8 SAM is an inexpensive APS-C prime lens that delivers globally strong performance, particularly when paired with compatible Sony Alpha camera bodies. Laboratory testing reveals several notable optical strengths, including a highly homogenous resolution across the entire field of view when stopped down to f/5.6 and f/8. Additionally, photographers will benefit from clean images with minimal distortion and negligible amounts of chromatic aberration, making it a reliable budget option for everyday shooting. However, the lens does exhibit distinct optical drawbacks when shooting wide open. Heavily pronounced vignetting presents a significant problem at wide apertures of f/1.8 and f/2. While this dark corner shading effectively disappears between f/2.8 and f/22, users must be prepared to compromise on corner brightness if they intend to shoot at maximum aperture settings.

dxomark.com

01/11/2011

Summary of the review

Sony DT 35mm F1.8 SAM review

in english language, be very specific, mention pros and cons inside You sent: 1 tab and said: 2 paragraphs summary of this review in english language, be very specific, mention pros and cons inside Sony DT 35mm F1.8 SAM - DXOMARK 2 paragraphs summary of this review in english language, be very specific, mention pros and cons inside

dxomark.com

01/07/2010

Summary of the review

Sony SLT Alpha 77 - DXOMARK Review

The Sony SLT Alpha 77 is a semi-professional camera launched in August 2011 that achieved an overall sensor score of 78 on DXOMARK. Built with an innovative 24-megapixel APS-C sensor and Translucent Mirror Technology, its primary pros include an exceptionally high resolution for its class, full-time phase-detect autofocusing, and rapid continuous shooting speeds. DXOMARK measurements also highlight its excellent color depth (scoring 24 bits) and robust landscape dynamic range of 13.2 Evs, ensuring vivid detail and high-fidelity contrast under ideal lighting conditions. However, the camera's unique translucent mirror system introduces notable cons regarding light efficiency and low-light performance. Because the fixed pellicle mirror constantly redirects a fraction of the incoming light away from the sensor, it suffers a light loss penalty of roughly one-third to one-half of a stop. This directly affects its low-light capability, resulting in a modest sports score of 801 ISO on DXOMARK and faster-declining dynamic range at higher ISO brackets compared to traditional, non-SLT rival DSLRs. 35

dxomark.fr

Juillet 2010

Summary of the review

Sony DT 35mm F1.8 SAM Review

The Sony DT 35mm F1.8 SAM is an inexpensive prime lens designed for APS-C format Sony Alpha DT mount cameras. Announced in July 2010 with an indicative price of $325, this lightweight 170-gram lens features a bright f/1.8 maximum aperture, 9 diaphragm blades, and a 55mm filter diameter. It is built with 6 lens elements arranged in 5 groups and utilizes a Smooth Autofocus Motor (SAM) for focusing, though it lacks built-in optical image stabilisation. In terms of optical performance, DXOMARK's testing on camera bodies like the Sony A580 reveals a mixture of distinct strengths and weaknesses. The primary pros of the lens include a globally good performance when shooting between f/1.8 and f/5.6, alongside a highly homogeneous resolution across the field of view at f/5.6 and f/8. Furthermore, it suffers from only a negligible amount of distortion and chromatic aberration. On the downside, the lens exhibits a significant con with heavy vignetting when shooting wide open at f/1.8 and f/2, though this dark corners issue completely disappears between f/2.8 and f/22.

alphadxd.fr

20/03/2026

Summary of the review

Sony SAL DT 35mm 1.8? Average? - AlphaDxD Forum

This AlphaDxD forum thread features a user review and community discussion regarding the Sony SAL DT 35mm f/1.8 SAM lens mounted on an Alpha 57 (A57) camera. The reviewer initially bought the prime lens for mountain hiking and panorama photography, hoping to outclass their existing Sony DT 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 SAM zoom lens. However, the initial tests yielded highly disappointing, blurry, and noisy results. The community stepped in to diagnose the issue, suggesting that the poor image quality was likely user error caused by leaving SteadyShot inside (SSS) image stabilization turned on while using a tripod, or potential focus alignment issues. Subsequent controlled testing by the reviewer confirmed that when properly configured at an aperture of f/4.5, the 35mm prime does deliver sharper center details and fewer corner distortions than the 18-135mm zoom lens. The discussion highlights clear pros and cons for the Sony SAL DT 35mm f/1.8 lens based on real-world landscape use: Pros: It is highly compact and lightweight, making it an ideal companion for hiking or skiing. Optically, it offers superior corner sharpness, better overall definition, and significantly...

raulgorta.com

02/11/2013

Summary of the review

Sony DT 35mm f1.8 SAM Review: Raulgorta in Burst Mode

The Sony DT 35mm f1.8 SAM is a highly recommended prime lens for Sony APS-C format DSLR and SLT Alpha cameras, providing a versatile 52.5mm equivalent focal length and a bright f/1.8 maximum aperture. On the plus side, the reviewer praises its exceptional optical quality, noting an impressive level of sharpness that easily outperforms standard kit zooms. Vignetting is minimal and disappears almost entirely by f/2.8, while color reproduction remains very natural. Furthermore, its compact, 170-gram construction features a 7-blade circular diaphragm that produces a smooth background bokeh. Combined with its affordable retail price of around 180 euros, it serves as an excellent, budget-friendly option for street photography, reportage, and low-light environments. However, the lens has several noticeable drawbacks regarding its build and physical handling. Its body and bayonet mount are entirely constructed of plastic, giving it a cheap feel and causing internal play that makes it rattle like a rattle when shaken. Optically, it exhibits visible barrel distortion and minor chromatic aberrations under strict observation. While the Smooth Autofocus Motor (SAM) is generally quick, it is noticeably louder than...

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