A high-performance standard zoom for crop cameras /
Small but perfectly formed, the 18-50mm F2.8 is the ultimate portable standard zoom for crop-sensor mirror-less cameras. With an equivalent focal length of 27-75mm on an APS-C camera the lens is well-suited to a wide range of photo and video applications, including landscape, portrait, street and architectural photography. It can also be used for macro-style photography owing to its impressive maximum magnification ratio of 1:2.8.
A constant F2.8 aperture makes it easy to achieve blurry backgrounds, which is ideal for shooting attractive portraits and close-ups. Auto-focus is exceptionally fast and quiet thanks to the lens’ stepping motor, which can be particularly useful for shooting video or for capturing fast-moving subjects.
Weighing less than 300g, the 18-50mm is easily portable enough to be carried around for casual day-to-day shooting, but thanks to its outstanding optics, fast AF and wide aperture, it is more than capable of delivering professional-quality results.
Features and build /
The external barrel of the 18-50mm F2.8 is constructed using a polymer called Thermally Stable Composite (TSC). This has a similar thermal expansion rate to aluminium, meaning that the metal interior of the lens and the TSC exterior behave in the same way as temperatures change. TSC is also light and strong, and has a sleek finish.
Ultra-sharp optics /
Despite being extremely small and light at under 300g, the 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN | C delivers outstanding optical quality at all aperture settings. Optical performance is maintained across the whole frame, meaning fine detail is rendered perfectly right into the corners.
The lens has an advanced optical design made up of 13 elements in 10 groups, including 3 aspherical elements and 1 SLD element. These ensure razor-sharp results and work with in-camera digital corrections to eliminate chromatic aberration, flare, distortion and vignetting.
The lens has advanced optical coatings which reduce flare and ghosting when working in bright direct sunlight – especially important at the wider end of the zoom range.
The lens has an internal focus mechanism, so the lens always remains the same length when the subject distance changes. This makes it well suited to gimbal use due to a relatively constant centre of gravity, and it also means the end of the lens doesn’t rotate when focusing – important when using filters.
The lens has a stepping motor that delivers smooth, fast and accurate AF for both stills and video. It has been designed with lighter glass elements in the focus lens group, which ensures responsive auto-focus that is fully compatible with all the latest AF camera technology.
The durable brass mount is surrounded by a rubber seal to help keep out dust and moisture.
| Lens construction |
13 elements in 10 groups |
| Angle of view |
76.5°-31.7° |
| Number of diaphragm blades |
7 (rounded diaphragm) |
| Minimum aperture |
F22 |
| Minimum focusing distance |
12.1cm-30cm |
| Maximum magnification ratio |
1:2.8 |
| Filter thread |
55mm |
| Dimensions (diameter x length) |
ø65.4mm × 74.5mm
|
| Weight |
290g |
| Corresponding AF mounts |
L-Mount | Sony E | FUJIFILM X | Canon RF Mount |
Specifications are for L-Mount
