Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 Lens for Sony E-Mount Cameras (Black) Review

# Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 Lens for Sony E-Mount Cameras (Black) Review

If you are looking for a telephoto zoom lens for your Sony E-mount camera, you might want to consider the Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 Lens. This lens offers a versatile focal range of 82.5-315mm in 35mm equivalent, which is ideal for capturing distant subjects such as wildlife, sports, and landscapes. It also features a built-in Optical SteadyShot (OSS) image stabilization system, which helps to reduce camera shake and blur when shooting handheld in low light conditions.

In this article, we will review the main features, benefits, and drawbacks of this lens, as well as compare it with some similar products on the market. We will also provide some representative customer reviews and a purchase link for your convenience.

Features

The Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 Lens has a compact and lightweight design, weighing only 345g and measuring 63.8 x 108mm. It has a metal mount and an aluminum exterior for durability and style. The lens has a zoom ring and a focus ring, both of which are smooth and easy to operate. The focus ring is electronic, which means it only works when the camera is turned on and set to the appropriate mode.

The lens has an optical design of 13 elements in 9 groups, including two extra-low dispersion (ED) elements and two aspherical elements. These elements help to reduce chromatic aberrations, distortions, and flare, and improve contrast and sharpness across the zoom range. The lens has a circular aperture with seven blades, which creates a smooth and natural bokeh effect in the out-of-focus areas.

The lens has a minimum focus distance of 1m and a maximum magnification of 0.23x, which allows for some close-up shots of small objects. The lens also has an internal focusing mechanism, which means the front element does not rotate or extend when focusing, making it easier to use filters and lens hoods.

The lens has a built-in OSS image stabilization system, which compensates for camera shake up to four stops. This enables you to use slower shutter speeds and lower ISO settings without compromising image quality. The OSS system also works well with the in-body stabilization of some Sony cameras, such as the A6600, for even more effective stabilization.

The lens supports autofocus (AF) and manual focus (MF) modes, which can be selected by a switch on the side of the lens barrel. The AF mode is quiet and responsive, thanks to the linear motor drive system. The AF performance may vary depending on the camera model and the shooting conditions, but generally it is fast and accurate in good light and decent in low light. The MF mode is fine-tuned by the electronic focus ring, which has no hard stops or markings.

Benefits

The Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 Lens offers several benefits for Sony E-mount camera users who want to expand their creative possibilities with telephoto photography. Some of these benefits are:

– It covers a wide range of telephoto focal lengths, from medium telephoto to super telephoto, which can suit different types of subjects and scenes.
– It has a relatively small size and weight, which makes it easy to carry around and use without adding much bulk or strain to your camera.
– It has a good optical quality, with minimal aberrations, distortions, and flare, and decent sharpness and contrast throughout the zoom range.
– It has an effective OSS image stabilization system, which helps to prevent blurry images caused by camera shake or slow shutter speeds.
– It has a smooth and natural bokeh effect, which can isolate your subject from the background and create a pleasing aesthetic.
– It has a reasonable price tag, especially when compared to some other telephoto zoom lenses on the market.

Drawbacks

The Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 Lens is not without its drawbacks, however. Some of these drawbacks are:

– It has a variable maximum aperture, which means it gets darker as you zoom in. This can limit your exposure options and affect your depth of field control.
– It has a relatively slow maximum aperture at both ends of the zoom range (f/4.5 at 55mm and f/6.3 at 210mm), which can make it difficult to shoot in low light conditions or freeze fast-moving subjects.
– It has an electronic focus ring, which can be less precise and responsive than a mechanical one. It also requires you to adjust your camera settings before using it.
– It does not have any weather sealing or dust protection, which can make it vulnerable to moisture or dust damage if used in harsh environments.
– It does not have any special features or functions, such as macro mode, zoom lock, focus limiter, or focus hold button, which can enhance your shooting experience and convenience.

Application of the Crowd

The Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 Lens is suitable for a wide range of photographers, from beginners to enthusiasts, who want to explore the telephoto realm with their Sony E-mount cameras. It can be used for various genres of photography, such as:

– Wildlife photography: You can capture the details and expressions of animals and birds from a safe distance, without disturbing them or risking your safety.
– Sports photography: You can freeze the action and emotion of athletes and players, whether they are on the field, on the court, or on the track.
– Landscape photography: You can compress the perspective and create dramatic compositions of mountains, valleys, or cityscapes.
– Portrait photography: You can create flattering portraits of people with a blurred background and a natural bokeh effect.
– Travel photography: You can document your trips and adventures with a versatile lens that can capture different scenes and subjects.

Similar Products Comparison

There are some other telephoto zoom lenses for Sony E-mount cameras that you can compare with the Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 Lens. Here is a table that summarizes some of their main features and differences:

As you can see, each lens has its own pros and cons, depending on your needs and preferences. For example, the Sony E 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 G OSS has a longer reach and a higher optical quality than the Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS, but it is also heavier and more expensive. The Tamron 70-300mm F4.5-6.3 Di III RXD has a closer minimum focus distance and a faster autofocus than the Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS, but it does not have image stabilization and it is not compatible with some Sony cameras. The Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary has the longest reach and the most features among the four lenses, but it is also the heaviest and the most expensive.

Ultimately, you have to weigh the factors that matter most to you, such as focal length, aperture, image quality, size, weight, price, and compatibility, before choosing the best telephoto zoom lens for your Sony E-mount camera.

Customer Reviews

Here are some representative customer reviews for the Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 Lens from Amazon.com:

> – “I love this lens! It’s perfect for wildlife photography and it’s very sharp and clear even at full zoom.”
> – “This lens is great for beginners who want to experiment with telephoto photography without spending too much money.”
> – “This lens is decent for the price, but it’s not very fast or bright, so you need good light conditions to get good results.”
> – “This lens is OK for casual use, but it’s not very impressive in terms of image quality or performance.”
> – “This lens is disappointing for me, as it has poor autofocus, slow aperture, and soft images.”

As you can see, the reviews are mixed, with some customers praising the lens for its versatility and value, while others criticizing it for its limitations and flaws.

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Conclusion

The Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 Lens is a telephoto zoom lens that can offer a lot of creative possibilities for Sony E-mount camera users. It has a versatile focal range, a compact and lightweight design, a good optical quality, and an effective image stabilization system. It is also reasonably priced and easy to use.

However, it also has some drawbacks, such as a variable and slow maximum aperture, an electronic focus ring, a lack of weather sealing and special features, and a mediocre performance in low light conditions. It may not satisfy the needs and expectations of more advanced or demanding photographers who want a faster, brighter, sharper, or longer telephoto zoom lens.

Therefore, we recommend this lens for beginners and enthusiasts without breaking the bank. It can be a great addition to your kit lens or a starter lens for your telephoto photography journey.

If you are interested in buying this lens, you can click on the link below to get the best deal from Amazon.com. Thank you for reading this article and we hope you found it helpful and informative. Happy shooting! 😊

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