Sony FE 28-60mm F4-5.6
Launch MSRP
$500- Weight
- 167g
- Filter
- ⌀40.5mm
- Min focus
- 0.30m
- Max mag.
- 0.16×
- Formula
- 8E / 7G
- Released
- 2020
Specification sheet
Optical construction
- 3x Aspherical
- Aperture range
- f/4–5.6 — f/22
Physical & ergonomics
- Weight
- 167g
- ⌀ × length
- 66.6 × 45.0mm
- Filter
- ⌀40.5mm
- Weather sealed
- Yes
- Aperture ring
- No
Autofocus actuator
- Stabilisation
- Body IBIS
- Teleconverter
- Not supported
- AF speed score
- 7.9 / 10
Close-up performance
- Min focus distance
- 0.30m
- Max magnification
- 0.16× (1:6.3)
Optical character
Sony designed this retracting zoom as the kit lens for the A7C, and at 167g and 45mm long it is the smallest full-frame zoom Sony makes. It collapses for carrying and extends to shoot, and it keeps a compact body pocketable in a jacket.
Three aspherical elements keep it sharp for its size, and a linear motor gives quiet, quick AF that works with real-time tracking. It is dust and moisture resistant. There is no optical stabilisation (it relies on IBIS), the 40.5mm filter thread is unusual, and the 28-60mm range is short at both ends.
Reviewer consensus
Reviewers were surprised by how sharp it is in the centre, and it is generally rated better than the older FE 28-70mm kit zoom. Corners at 28mm need stopping down. The lens leans on in-camera correction for strong uncorrected barrel distortion and vignetting at 28mm.
AF is quick and quiet for a kit lens. Testers note that the need to extend the lens before shooting slows down quick grabs, and that the slow aperture and 60mm long end limit portraits.
Owner sentiment
Owners of A7C, A7C II and A7CR bodies like that the camera fits in a small bag, and many use it as a walkaround or travel lens. It sells cheaply on the used market because so many come from kits.
Complaints focus on the extend-to-shoot step, the short 60mm end, and the 40.5mm filter size. Some say it feels plasticky compared with the camera bodies.
Strengths, weaknesses & performance
Strengths
- +167g, 45mm long when retracted
- +Sharp centre for a kit zoom
- +Quiet linear-motor AF
- +Dust and moisture resistant
Weaknesses
- −Must be extended before shooting
- −Short 28-60mm range and slow aperture
- −No OSS; 40.5mm filters
Six-axis rating
- Sharpness
- 7.6
- Bokeh Rendering
- 6.5
- Autofocus Speed
- 7.9
- Flare Resistance
- 7.5
- Build / Sealing
- 7.3
- Value / Size
- 8.4
Editorial 0–10 ratings synthesised from published reviews.
Technical specifications
| Mount | Sony E (FE) · full frame |
|---|---|
| Focal length | 28–60mm |
| Category | Standard |
| Maximum aperture | f/4–5.6 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 |
| Construction | 8 elements in 7 groups |
| Special elements | 3x Aspherical |
| Aperture blades | 7 |
| Focus type | Autofocus |
|---|---|
| Drive | Linear Motor |
| Minimum focus | 0.30m |
| Max magnification | 0.16× |
| Stabilisation | None (uses body IBIS) |
| Teleconverters | Not supported |
| Weight | 167g |
|---|---|
| Diameter × length | 66.6 × 45.0mm |
| Filter thread | ⌀40.5mm |
| Weather sealing | Yes |
| Aperture ring | No |
| De-clickable aperture | No |
| Release year | 2020 |
| Launch MSRP | $500 USD |
Sources
Specifications
- sony.jp/ichigan/products/SEL2860/spec.html
- glazerscamera.com/products/fe-28-60mm-f-4-5-6
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- VSFE 28-60mm F4-5.6 vs AF 24-70mm F2.8 FE
- VSFE 28-60mm F4-5.6 vs 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II | Art
- VSFE 28-60mm F4-5.6 vs 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Art
- Samyang/RokinonAF
AF 24-70mm F2.8 FE
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- FLT
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- MFD
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AFWR - SigmaArt
24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II | Art
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- MFD
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- MSRP
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AFWRRING·DC - SigmaArt
24-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Art
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- FLT
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AFWR
