50mm f/1.4 Zeiss still marked as “Under Development”.

Sony will display the Zeiss 50mmf /1.4 SSM A-mount lens at the upcoming CP+ show in Japan (start January 31). But it will be again displayed as “prototype” and not as final lens. Final lens specs and price will be announced in Spring.

That said let’s go back on the 20mm pancake news. As I told you I got the info about the lens weeks ago but I didn’t have the exact launch date and was waiting to get more bits about that. And with all that far more interesting rumors I am getting in these days (Zeiss FF, A78, new sensor tech) I somewhat missed to inform you about it, again sorry!

My sources told me Sony decided to make this lens because they wanted to achieve a higher image quality compared to the sub par performance of the existing 16mm lens. Yep, I do agree with most of you saying this isn’t really a big deal of a lens and many may prefer the bigger but better and cheaper Sigma 19mm f/2.8 lens which by the way you get for $99 if bought as double Sigma lens package at BHphoto (Click here). And in Europe for 99 Euro at Technikdirekt.

But I want to remind you…Sony’s path this year is to start from the very low end product release up to the Sony FF NEX in one year. So it will go better and better believe me :)  Also the 85mm f/1.8 E-mount lens will be in Stock by the second half of the year and so the new high quality E-mount zoom lens. Same product announcement philosophy goes for the cameras. NEX-3n and A38 are coming as first. Than new NEX-7 and A57/A77 successors later. I like that kind of product roadmap :)

New lens preorders at BHphoto: 20mm pancake (Click here) and powerzoom (Click here).