OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Camera lenses Methodology v1.0
Camera lenses Methodology v1.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are evaluated mathematically under Frontumo Camera lenses Methodology v1.0 using verified laboratory benchmarks, technical specifications, and authentic consumer ratings with 0% commercial bias.
Explore Camera lenses Methodology v1.0

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

Avg. price:~£80Lens mount:Sony AMaximum focal length:35 mmMaximum aperture (telephoto end):1.8Optical image stabilization:noMaximum angle of view:44 °

Sony DT 35mm F 1 8 Review: Compare 54 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Camera lenses category and whether it is worth buying.

6.0

Overall score

Score
6.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the camera lens's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best camera lenses on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 80% of models
Score components

80%

5.3

Technical score

20%

8.9

User score

â–¼Worse than 80% of camera-lenses
5.3

Technical score

Technical score
5.3/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Camera lenses category across these key areas: Mount & Format, Optics & Aperture, Focus & Controls, Stabilization, Build & Handling, Lab Scores.
When it matters
When you want to compare camera lenses based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 85% of models
Score components

35%

7.7

Optics & Aperture

24%

5.2

Build & Handling

20%

2.3

Focus & Controls

10%

?

Lab Scores

8%

1.0

Stabilization

3%

1.0

Mount & Format

â–¼Worse than 85% of camera-lenses
8.9

User score

User score
8.9/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the camera lens.
When it matters
When real-world owner satisfaction and review volume matter to your decision.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 75% of models
Score components

70%

8.9

User ratings

30%

8.9

Number of reviews

Based on 836 buyer reviews from online shops.
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →
How we calculate this
User ratings – average star rating across all shop listings, weighted by how many reviews each has, on a 1–10 scale.
Number of reviews – how many buyer reviews the product has, on a logarithmic scale; the 8% most-reviewed models in the category get 10.
â–²Better than 75% of camera-lenses
  • sony-dt-35mm-f-1-8
  • sony-dt-35mm-f-1-8
  • sony-dt-35mm-f-1-8
  • sony-dt-35mm-f-1-8
sony-dt-35mm-f-1-8
sony-dt-35mm-f-1-8
sony-dt-35mm-f-1-8
sony-dt-35mm-f-1-8

Best prices

*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Best rankings

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
Loading category ranking...

Technical Specifications of camera lens Sony DT 35mm F 1 8

Technical score
Technical score
5.3/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Camera lenses category across these key areas: Mount & Format, Optics & Aperture, Focus & Controls, Stabilization, Build & Handling, Lab Scores.
When it matters
When you want to compare camera lenses based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 85% of models
Score components:

35%

7.7

Optics & Aperture

24%

5.2

Build & Handling

20%

2.3

Focus & Controls

10%

?

Lab Scores

8%

1.0

Stabilization

3%

1.0

Mount & Format

5.3
User score
User score
8.9/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the camera lens.
When it matters
When real-world owner satisfaction and review volume matter to your decision.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 75% of models
Score components

70%

8.9

User ratings

30%

8.9

Number of reviews

Based on 836 buyer reviews from online shops.
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →
How we calculate this
User ratings – average star rating across all shop listings, weighted by how many reviews each has, on a 1–10 scale.
Number of reviews – how many buyer reviews the product has, on a logarithmic scale; the 8% most-reviewed models in the category get 10.
8.9
Popularity
Popularity
8.9/ 10
✕
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.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 77% of models
Popularity:
Sony DT 35mm F 1 8 has a popularity score of 8.9 points, which is higher than 77.2% of camera lenses.
8.9
Value for money
Value for money
7.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the camera lens's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you want to know how much overall quality you get for the price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 65% of models
Score components:

60%

6.0

Overall score

40%

10

Price

7.2
Lens type
prime
Lens mount
Sony A
Sensor format coverage
APS-C
Filter thread size
55 mm
Teleconverter compatibility
no
Teleconverter compatibility
no
â–¼ Worse than 15% of models
This camera lens does not support teleconverters. 15.3% of camera lenses support teleconverters.
Show more
Minimum focal length
35 mm
Maximum focal length
35 mm
Optical zoom
N/A
Maximum angle of view
44 °
Minimum angle of view
44 °
Show more
Focus motor
DC motor, SAM
Minimum focus distance
0.23 m
Minimum focus distance
0.23 m
â–² Better than 77% of models
Market range: <0.18 m – >1.1 m
This camera lens focuses as close as 0.23 m, which is closer than 76.7% of camera lenses and equal to 0.9% of camera lenses.
Maximum reproduction ratio
0.25xx
Maximum reproduction ratio
0.25x
â–² Better than 70% of models
Market range: <0.11 x – >0.39 x
This camera lens reaches a reproduction ratio of 0.25x, which is higher than 70% of camera lenses and equal to 4.5% of camera lenses.
Full-time manual focus
no
Full-time manual focus
no
â–¼ Worse than 68% of models
This camera lens does not support full-time manual focus. 68.4% of camera lenses support full-time manual focus.
Internal focusing
no
Internal focusing
no
â–¼ Worse than 84% of models
This camera lens does not support internal focusing. 83.7% of camera lenses support internal focusing.
Barrel extends during focusing.
Show more
Optical image stabilization
no
Optical image stabilization
no
â–¼ Worse than 29% of models
This camera lens does not support optical image stabilization. 29.1% of camera lenses include optical image stabilization.
Stabilization effectiveness (CIPA stops)
N/A
Weight
214 g
Weight
214 g
â–² Better than 85% of models
Market range: <171 g – >1.3k g
This camera lens weighs 214 g, which is lighter than 84.9% of camera lenses and equal to the weight of 0.3% of camera lenses.
Lens length
52 mm
Lens length
52 mm
â–² Better than 87% of models
Market range: <46 mm – >189 mm
This camera lens is 52 mm long, which is shorter than 86.5% of camera lenses and equal to the length of 0.6% of camera lenses.
Lens diameter
70 mm
Lens diameter
70 mm
â–² Better than 70% of models
Market range: <62.4 mm – >94.7 mm
This camera lens has a diameter of 70 mm, which is slimmer than 69.9% of camera lenses and equal to that of 3.5% of camera lenses.
Weather sealing (splashproof)
no
Weather sealing (splashproof)
no
â–¼ Worse than 50% of models
This camera lens does not support weather sealing. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
Metal mount
no
Metal mount
no
â–¼ Worse than 94% of models
This camera lens does not use a metal lens mount. 93.7% of camera lenses use a metal lens mount.
Show more
DxOMark overall score
?
DxOMark sharpness score
?
DxOMark transmission
?
DxOMark distortion
?
DxOMark vignetting
?
Show more

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

246810TotalMount & FormatOptics & ApertureFocus & ControlsStabilizationBuild & HandlingLab Scores
  • 1 lower f-number at telephoto end
    Maximum aperture (telephoto end)
    1.8
    â–² Better than 73% of models
    Market range: <1.4 – >5.6
    This camera lens 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
  • 296 g lighter
    Weight
    214 g
    â–² Better than 85% of models
    Market range: <171 g – >1.3k g
    This camera lens is lighter than the average camera lens (214 g vs 510 g). The average lens weighs 510 g.
    214 g vs 510 g
  • 40.25 mm shorter lens
    Lens length
    52 mm
    â–² Better than 87% of models
    Market range: <46 mm – >189 mm
    This camera lens is shorter than the average camera lens (52 mm vs 92.25 mm). The average lens has a length of 92.25 mm.
    52 mm vs 92.25 mm
  • 7 mm narrower lens barrel
    Lens diameter
    70 mm
    â–² Better than 70% of models
    Market range: <62.4 mm – >94.7 mm
    This camera lens 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
  • 0.07 m shorter minimum focus distance
    Minimum focus distance
    0.23 m
    â–² Better than 77% of models
    Market range: <0.18 m – >1.1 m
    This camera lens 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
  • 0.06 x higher maximum reproduction ratio
    Maximum reproduction ratio
    0.25 x
    â–² Better than 70% of models
    Market range: <0.11 x – >0.39 x
    This camera lens has a higher maximum reproduction ratio than the average camera lens (0.3 x vs 0.2 x). The average lens has a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.192 x.
    0.25 x vs 0.192 x
  • 6.63x cheaper
    Sony DT 35mm F 1 8 is cheaper than the average camera lens (£80 vs £530).
    £80 vs £530
  • 6.63x cheaper
    Sony DT 35mm F 1 8 is cheaper than the average camera lens (£80 vs £530).
    £80 vs £530
  • 1 lower f-number at telephoto end
    Maximum aperture (telephoto end)
    1.8
    â–² Better than 73% of models
    Market range: <1.4 – >5.6
    This camera lens 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
  • 0.07 m shorter minimum focus distance
    Minimum focus distance
    0.23 m
    â–² Better than 77% of models
    Market range: <0.18 m – >1.1 m
    This camera lens 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
  • 0.06 x higher maximum reproduction ratio
    Maximum reproduction ratio
    0.25 x
    â–² Better than 70% of models
    Market range: <0.11 x – >0.39 x
    This camera lens has a higher maximum reproduction ratio than the average camera lens (0.3 x vs 0.2 x). The average lens has a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.192 x.
    0.25 x vs 0.192 x
  • 296 g lighter
    Weight
    214 g
    â–² Better than 85% of models
    Market range: <171 g – >1.3k g
    This camera lens is lighter than the average camera lens (214 g vs 510 g). The average lens weighs 510 g.
    214 g vs 510 g
  • 40.25 mm shorter lens
    Lens length
    52 mm
    â–² Better than 87% of models
    Market range: <46 mm – >189 mm
    This camera lens is shorter than the average camera lens (52 mm vs 92.25 mm). The average lens has a length of 92.25 mm.
    52 mm vs 92.25 mm
  • 7 mm narrower lens barrel
    Lens diameter
    70 mm
    â–² Better than 70% of models
    Market range: <62.4 mm – >94.7 mm
    This camera lens 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
  • Not weather-sealed
    Weather sealing (splashproof)
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 50% of models
    This camera lens does not support weather sealing, the average camera lens does. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
  • 2 fewer aperture blades
    Aperture blades
    7
    â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
    Market range: <7 – >9
    This camera lens has fewer aperture blades than the average camera lens (7 vs 9). The average lens has 9 aperture blades.
    7 vs 9
  • No full-time manual focus
    Full-time manual focus
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 68% of models
    This camera lens 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
    Internal focusing
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 84% of models
    This camera lens does not support internal focusing, the average camera lens does. 83.7% of camera lenses support internal focusing.
    Barrel extends during focusing.
  • No metal mount
    Metal mount
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 94% of models
    This camera lens does not use a metal lens mount, the average camera lens does. 93.6% of camera lenses use a metal lens mount.
  • 2 fewer aspherical elements
    Aspherical elements
    0
    â–¼ Worse than 70% of models
    Market range: <0 – >3
    This camera lens 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
    Low-dispersion elements
    0
    â–¼ Worse than 76% of models
    Market range: <0 – >4
    This camera lens 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
    Release date
    2010
    â–¼ Worse than 78% of models
    Market range: <2k – >2k
    This camera lens was released earlier than the average camera lens.
    July 2010
    2010 vs 2016
  • 2 fewer aperture blades
    Aperture blades
    7
    â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
    Market range: <7 – >9
    This camera lens 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
    Aspherical elements
    0
    â–¼ Worse than 70% of models
    Market range: <0 – >3
    This camera lens 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
    Low-dispersion elements
    0
    â–¼ Worse than 76% of models
    Market range: <0 – >4
    This camera lens has fewer low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (0 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.
    0 vs 2
  • No full-time manual focus
    Full-time manual focus
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 68% of models
    This camera lens 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
    Internal focusing
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 84% of models
    This camera lens 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
    Weather sealing (splashproof)
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 50% of models
    This camera lens does not support weather sealing, the average camera lens does. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
  • No metal mount
    Metal mount
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 94% of models
    This camera lens does not use a metal lens mount, the average camera lens does. 93.6% of camera lenses use a metal lens mount.
  • Older release date
    Release date
    2010
    â–¼ Worse than 78% of models
    Market range: <2k – >2k
    This camera lens was released earlier than the average camera lens.
    July 2010
    2010 vs 2016

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

D
dxomark.com
11/11/2011
Summary of the review
Sony DT 35mm F1.8 SAM: Test and review of an inexpensive Sony prime lens
P
photoreview.com.au
04/01/2011
Summary of the review
Sony DT 35mm f/1.8 SAM Lens - Photo Review
P
photozone.de
2011 (Approx)
Summary of the review
Sony 35mm f/1.8 DT SAM ( SAL-35F18 ) - Review / Test Report
D
digicam-beratung.de
01/10/2011
Summary of the review
Review of the Sony SAL-35F18 DT 35mm F1.8 SAM Lens
(Translated)Show original
P
photozone.de
01/04/2011
Summary of the review
Sony 35mm f/1.8 DT SAM (SAL-35F18) - Review / Test Report
(Translated)Show original
D
dxomark.fr
01/07/2010
Summary of the review
Sony DT 35mm F1.8 SAM - DXOMARK Review
(Translated)Show original
D
dxomark.com
01/11/2011
Summary of the review
Sony DT 35mm F1.8 SAM review
(Translated)Show original
D
dxomark.com
01/07/2010
Summary of the review
Sony SLT Alpha 77 - DXOMARK Review
(Translated)Show original
D
dxomark.fr
01/07/2010
Summary of the review
Sony DT 35mm F1.8 SAM Review
(Translated)Show original
A
alphadxd.fr
20/03/2015
Summary of the review
Sony SAL DT 35mm 1.8? Average? - AlphaDxD Forum
(Translated)Show original
R
raulgorta.com
02/11/2013
Summary of the review
Sony DT 35mm f1.8 SAM Review: Raulgorta in Burst Mode
(Translated)Show original

Third-party reviews

Based on 836 buyer reviews from online shops.
Reviews last updated: July 2026 · How we calculate this
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →

What we 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 we don't like 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

Verdict

The Sony DT 35mm f/1.8 SAM 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.

Compare Sony DT 35mm F 1 8 with other products in the Camera lenses category

1Product to compare no. 1
VS
2Product to compare no. 2
VS
3Product to compare no. 3 (optional)

Graphic comparison of Sony DT 35mm F 1 8 and other products in the Camera lenses category

No results found