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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.
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Sony E 30mm F3 5 Macro Review | 54 Data compared

Avg. price:~£190Lens mount:Sony EMaximum focal length:30 mmMaximum aperture (telephoto end):3.5Optical image stabilization:noMaximum angle of view:50 °

Sony E 30mm F3 5 Macro 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.

6.5

Overall score

Score
6.5/ 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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

80%

5.9

Technical score

20%

8.9

User score

▼Worse than 64% of camera-lenses
5.9

Technical score

Technical score
5.9/ 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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

35%

6.5

Optics & Aperture

24%

6.6

Build & Handling

20%

6.0

Focus & Controls

10%

7.4

Lab Scores

8%

1.0

Stabilization

3%

1.0

Mount & Format

▼Worse than 70% 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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

70%

8.9

User ratings

30%

9.0

Number of reviews

Based on 1,390 buyer reviews from online shops.
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.
▲Better than 76% of camera-lenses
  • sony-e-30mm-f3-5-macro
  • sony-e-30mm-f3-5-macro
  • sony-e-30mm-f3-5-macro
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sony-e-30mm-f3-5-macro
sony-e-30mm-f3-5-macro
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sony-e-30mm-f3-5-macro

Best prices

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Best rankings

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of camera lens Sony E 30mm F3 5 Macro

Technical score
Technical score
5.9/ 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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components:

35%

6.5

Optics & Aperture

24%

6.6

Build & Handling

20%

6.0

Focus & Controls

10%

7.4

Lab Scores

8%

1.0

Stabilization

3%

1.0

Mount & Format

5.9
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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

70%

8.9

User ratings

30%

9.0

Number of reviews

Based on 1,390 buyer reviews from online shops.
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
9.0/ 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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Popularity:
Sony E 30mm F3 5 Macro has a popularity score of 9 points, which is higher than 78.9% of camera lenses.
9.0
Value for money
Value for money
7.4/ 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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components:

60%

6.5

Overall score

40%

9.5

Price

7.4
Lens type
macro
Lens mount
Sony E
Sensor format coverage
APS-C
Filter thread size
49 mm
Teleconverter compatibility
no
Teleconverter compatibility
no
This camera lens does not support teleconverters. 15.3% of camera lenses support teleconverters.
Show more
Minimum focal length
30 mm
Maximum focal length
30 mm
Optical zoom
N/A
Maximum angle of view
50 °
Minimum angle of view
50 °
Show more
Focus motor
STM
Minimum focus distance
0.095 m
Minimum focus distance
0.095 m
This camera lens focuses as close as 0.095 m, which is closer than 99% of camera lenses and equal to 0.4% of camera lenses.
Maximum reproduction ratio
1xx
Maximum reproduction ratio
1x
This camera lens reaches a reproduction ratio of 1x, which is higher than 94.6% of camera lenses and equal to 4.5% of camera lenses.
Full-time manual focus
yes
Full-time manual focus
yes
This camera lens supports full-time manual focus. 68.3% of camera lenses support full-time manual focus.
Override via DMF mode.
Internal focusing
yes
Internal focusing
yes
This camera lens supports internal focusing. 83.6% of camera lenses support internal focusing.
Show more
Optical image stabilization
no
Optical image stabilization
no
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
138 g
Weight
138 g
This camera lens weighs 138 g, which is lighter than 93.5% of camera lenses.
Lens length
55.5 mm
Lens length
55.5 mm
This camera lens is 55.5 mm long, which is shorter than 84.8% of camera lenses.
Lens diameter
62 mm
Lens diameter
62 mm
This camera lens has a diameter of 62 mm, which is slimmer than 90.2% of camera lenses and equal to that of 0.8% of camera lenses.
Weather sealing (splashproof)
no
Weather sealing (splashproof)
no
This camera lens does not support weather sealing. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
Metal mount
yes
Metal mount
yes
This camera lens uses a metal lens mount. 93.6% of camera lenses use a metal lens mount.
Show more
DxOMark overall score
?
DxOMark sharpness score
?
DxOMark transmission
?
DxOMark distortion
?
DxOMark vignetting
1.7 EV
DxOMark vignetting
1.7 EV
This camera lens has DxOMark vignetting of 1.7 EV, which is higher than that of 82.4% of camera lenses and equal to that of 2.5% of camera lenses.
Show more

Sony E 30mm F3 5 Macro vs the average camera lens

246810TotalMount & FormatOptics & ApertureFocus & ControlsStabilizationBuild & HandlingLab Scores
  • 372 g lighter
    Weight
    138 g
    This camera lens is lighter than the average camera lens (138 g vs 510 g). The average lens weighs 510 g.
    138 g vs 510 g
  • 36.75 mm shorter lens
    Lens length
    55.5 mm
    This camera lens is shorter than the average camera lens (55.5 mm vs 92.25 mm). The average lens has a length of 92.25 mm.
    55.5 mm vs 92.25 mm
  • 0.81 x higher maximum reproduction ratio
    Maximum reproduction ratio
    1 x
    This camera lens has a higher maximum reproduction ratio than the average camera lens (1 x vs 0.2 x). The average lens has a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.192 x.
    1 x vs 0.192 x
  • 15 mm narrower lens barrel
    Lens diameter
    62 mm
    This camera lens is slimmer than the average camera lens (62 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.
    62 mm vs 77 mm
  • 0.21 m shorter minimum focus distance
    Minimum focus distance
    0.095 m
    This camera lens has a lower minimum focus distance than the average camera lens (0.1 m vs 0.3 m). The average lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.3 m.
    0.095 m vs 0.3 m
  • 1 more aspherical elements
    Aspherical elements
    3
    This camera lens has more aspherical elements than the average camera lens (3 vs 2). The average lens has 2 aspherical elements.
    3 vs 2
  • 2.79x cheaper
    Sony E 30mm F3 5 Macro is cheaper than the average camera lens (£190 vs £530).
    £190 vs £530
  • 2.79x cheaper
    Sony E 30mm F3 5 Macro is cheaper than the average camera lens (£190 vs £530).
    £190 vs £530
  • 1 more aspherical elements
    Aspherical elements
    3
    This camera lens has more aspherical elements than the average camera lens (3 vs 2). The average lens has 2 aspherical elements.
    3 vs 2
  • 0.81 x higher maximum reproduction ratio
    Maximum reproduction ratio
    1 x
    This camera lens has a higher maximum reproduction ratio than the average camera lens (1 x vs 0.2 x). The average lens has a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.192 x.
    1 x vs 0.192 x
  • 0.21 m shorter minimum focus distance
    Minimum focus distance
    0.095 m
    This camera lens has a lower minimum focus distance than the average camera lens (0.1 m vs 0.3 m). The average lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.3 m.
    0.095 m vs 0.3 m
  • 372 g lighter
    Weight
    138 g
    This camera lens is lighter than the average camera lens (138 g vs 510 g). The average lens weighs 510 g.
    138 g vs 510 g
  • 36.75 mm shorter lens
    Lens length
    55.5 mm
    This camera lens is shorter than the average camera lens (55.5 mm vs 92.25 mm). The average lens has a length of 92.25 mm.
    55.5 mm vs 92.25 mm
  • 15 mm narrower lens barrel
    Lens diameter
    62 mm
    This camera lens is slimmer than the average camera lens (62 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.
    62 mm vs 77 mm
  • Not weather-sealed
    Weather sealing (splashproof)
    no
    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
    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
  • 0.7 higher f-number at telephoto end
    Maximum aperture (telephoto end)
    3.5
    This camera lens has a dimmer maximum telephoto aperture than the average camera lens (f/3.5 vs f/2.8). The average lens has a maximum telephoto aperture of f/2.8.
    3.5 vs 2.8
  • 0.5 EV more vignetting
    DxOMark vignetting
    1.700 EV
    This camera lens has more vignetting than the average camera lens (1.7 EV vs 1.2 EV). The average lens has vignetting of 1.2 EV.
    1.700 EV vs 1.2 EV
  • 1 fewer low-dispersion elements
    Low-dispersion elements
    1
    This camera lens has fewer low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (1 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.
    1 vs 2
  • Older release date
    Release date
    2011
    This camera lens was released earlier than the average camera lens.
    June 2011
    2011 vs 2016
  • 2 fewer aperture blades
    Aperture blades
    7
    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
  • 0.7 higher f-number at telephoto end
    Maximum aperture (telephoto end)
    3.5
    This camera lens has a dimmer maximum telephoto aperture than the average camera lens (f/3.5 vs f/2.8). The average lens has a maximum telephoto aperture of f/2.8.
    3.5 vs 2.8
  • 1 fewer low-dispersion elements
    Low-dispersion elements
    1
    This camera lens has fewer low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (1 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.
    1 vs 2
  • Not weather-sealed
    Weather sealing (splashproof)
    no
    This camera lens does not support weather sealing, the average camera lens does. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
  • Older release date
    Release date
    2011
    This camera lens was released earlier than the average camera lens.
    June 2011
    2011 vs 2016
  • 0.5 EV more vignetting
    DxOMark vignetting
    1.700 EV
    This camera lens has more vignetting than the average camera lens (1.7 EV vs 1.2 EV). The average lens has vignetting of 1.2 EV.
    1.700 EV vs 1.2 EV

Video reviews

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

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

P
pcmag.com
02/08/2019
Summary of the review
E
ephotozine.com
09/11/2015
Summary of the review
S
sonyalphalab.com
08/08/2012
Summary of the review
I
imaging-resource.com
17/01/2012
Summary of the review
C
conveyorofrandomness.medium.com
12/07/2023
Summary of the review
P
photozone.de
Early 2012
Summary of the review
S
systemkamera-forum.de
29/09/2012
Summary of the review
D
dslr-forum.de
14/10/2011
Summary of the review
S
sony.at
05/03/2020
Summary of the review
B
backgreenz.com
21/11/2025
Summary of the review
R
radojuva.com
01/02/2022
Summary of the review
R
rcefoto.com
25/10/2026
Summary of the review

Third-party reviews

Based on 1,390 buyer reviews from online shops.
Reviews last updated: July 2026 · How we calculate this

What we like about Sony E 30mm F3 5 Macro

  • Affordable and excellent value for money
  • Lightweight and compact design, making it highly portable
  • True 1:1 macro magnification for life-size close-up shots
  • Excellent center sharpness, especially when stopped down to f/8
  • Silent and relatively quick autofocus, suitable for video
  • Versatile enough to double as a 'normal' prime lens for street and portraits

What we don't like about Sony E 30mm F3 5 Macro

  • Short working distance at 1:1 magnification can block light and cast shadows on subjects
  • Disappointing edge and corner resolution, particularly at wide apertures
  • Lacks built-in image stabilization (OSS)
  • No weather sealing or dust/splash protection
  • Moderate vignetting and color fringing at f/3.5
  • Slow f/3.5 maximum aperture is not ideal for low-light situations

Verdict

The Sony E 30mm F3.5 Macro is a compact, lightweight lens specifically designed for APS-C mirrorless cameras, offering a 45mm equivalent focal length and a true 1:1 magnification ratio for life-size close-ups. Key specifications include a minimum focusing distance of 9.5cm, a minimum working distance of just 2.4cm from the front element, and an internal focusing mechanism driven by a quiet linear motor. Main pros include its highly portable 138g build, excellent central sharpness, and budget-friendly price point, making it a versatile option for both macro and everyday photography. However, it lacks optical image stabilization, features a somewhat slow f/3.5 maximum aperture for low light, and its very short working distance can lead to the lens casting shadows on the subject.

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