Sony NEX lens line-up revealed

Sony NEX-7
Sony has revealed its plans for more E-mount lenses for its NEX cameras

Sony has revealed its plans for the development of eight new lenses for its E-mount NEX range of cameras, with several zooms coming in the next 12 months.

Unveiling the road-map at the CP+ photography show in Japan, few details were given about the new optics, but it will be encouraging news for current NEX users or those looking to invest into the system.

Currently, Sony's offering isn't as wide as rivals from Panasonic and Olympus, although of course Sony DSLR lenses are compatible with NEX cameras via a specialist adapter.

New zooms

According to a graphic shown by Sony at the show, users can expect a high magnification zoom, a standard zoom, a wide angle zoom, all in 2012. A fast standard prime lens is also expected this year.

2013 should see a mid-magnification zoom, a middle telephoto prime and a "snap" pancake lens. Interestingly, the map also shows a "high performance standard zoom" that will slot into the company's G series of premium lenses.

Rumours recently suggested that Sony will be announcing a full-frame NEX camera in 2012, and that it will feature both an A-mount (for DSLR lenses) and an E-mount in one, without need for an adapter.

The addition of a G-series lens in 2013 would lead credence to these rumours, as Sony would likely want to offer a higher quality lens for the new camera.

Amy Davies

Amy has been writing about cameras, photography and associated tech since 2009. Amy was once part of the photography testing team for Future Publishing working across TechRadar, Digital Camera, PhotoPlus, N Photo and Photography Week. For her photography, she has won awards and has been exhibited. She often partakes in unusual projects - including one intense year where she used a different camera every single day. Amy is currently the Features Editor at Amateur Photographer magazine, and in her increasingly little spare time works across a number of high-profile publications including Wired, Stuff, Digital Camera World, Expert Reviews, and just a little off-tangent, PetsRadar.