Review of Sony FE 3.5-6.3 / 24-240 OSS (SEL24240)

According provided by Sony FE 3.5-6.3 / 24-240 OSS lens (SEL24240) many thanks Sony official representative in Ukraine.

Sony FE 3.5-6.3 / 24-240 OSS (SEL24240)

Sony FE 3.5-6.3 / 24-240 OSS (SEL24240), near the camera Sony a6500


Browse Navigation:

  1. Browse Navigation
  2. In short
  3. History
  4. Main Specifications
  5. Assembly
  6. Stabilizer
  7. Focusing
  8. Image quality
  9. Sample Photos
  10. Prices / where to buy
  11. My personal experience with the lens
  12. Results
  13. User Comments
  14. Add your review or question on the lens
Sony FE 3.5-6.3 / 24-240 OSS (SEL24240)

Sony FE 3.5-6.3 / 24-240 OSS (SEL24240)

In short

Sony FE 3.5-6.3 / 24-240 OSS is the fastest zoom lens for full frame cameras that can be used 24 mm focal length at its short end.

Before the Sony FE 3.5-6.3 / 24-240 OSS, there was only one such lens - Tokina AT-X AF Aspherical 24-200 1: 3.5-5.6 (AT-X 242 AF). Other record holders such as Nikon 28-300, Canon 28-300, Tamron 28-300, Sigma 28-300 etc. use already 28mm focal length at their short end. Only in the summer of 2019 appeared an analogue Canon Lens RF 24-240mm F4-6.3 IS USMbut the latter is still a little bit darker by 24 mm.

Sony FE 3.5-6.3 / 24-240 OSS - lens highest zoom ratio among all lenses for full-frame Sony cameras. At the same time, the Sony FE 3.5-6.3 / 24-240 OSS is also the darkest lens in Sony's entire line of full-frame mirrorless lenses.

In general, the Sony FE 3.5-6.3 / 24-240 OSS is for its class good lens, with good build and image quality. It attracts with its versatility and built-in image stabilization. Of the main disadvantages is low aperture, great weight and cost.

Sony FE 3.5-6.3 / 24-240 OSS (SEL24240)

Sony FE 3.5-6.3 / 24-240 OSS (SEL24240) on the camera Sony a6500

History

The Sony FE 3.5-6.3 / 24-240 OSS was introduced on March 4, 2015.

In line universal full-length mirrorless lenses Sony The following models are included:

Sony FE 3.5-6.3 / 24-240 OSS (SEL24240)

Sony FE 3.5-6.3 / 24-240 OSS (SEL24240) on the camera Sony a6500

Main technical characteristics of Sony FE 3.5-6.3 / 24-240 OSS (SEL24240):

Review Instance Name Near the front lens 'FE 3.5-6.3 / 24-240 OSS 0.5m / 1.64ft-0.8m / 2.63ft Ø72'. On 'Sony FE 3.5-6.3 / 24-240 Optical Steady Shot E-mount' body. The identification plate 'Model SEL24240 SONY CORP. Interchangeable Lens Made in China '
Basic properties
  • FE (Full-frame E-mount) - the lens is designed for use on full-format mirrorless cameras with an 'E' mount. On the lens is duplicated with the inscription 'E mount'and'SEL'
  • OSS (Optical Steady Shot) - built-in image stabilizer
  • Quiet linear focus motor
  • Electronic focus ring
  • Internal focus
  • DMF (DDirectly Mannual Focus) - direct manual focus
  • Aspherical elements in the optical circuit
  • Low dispersion elements in the optical circuit
  • Rounded petals aperture
  • Dust and moisture protection
  • Record Zoom
Front Filter Diameter 72 mm
Focal length 24-240 mm EGF for Sony cameras with an APS-C sensor is 36-360 mm.
Zoom ratio 10 x
Designed by for digital mirrorless full-length cameras Sony ILCE
Number of aperture blades 9 rounded petals
Tags bayonet mount mark, hood mount mark, focal lengths for 24, 35, 50, 70, 100, 150, 240 mm
Diaphragm
  • 24 mm: F / 3.5-F / 22
  • 35 mm: F / 4.0-F / 25
  • 50 mm: F / 4.5-F / 32
  • 70 mm: F / 5.6-F / 36
  • 100 mm: F / 6.3-F / 36
  • 150 mm: F / 6.3-F / 40
  • 240 mm: F / 6.3-F / 40
MDF (minimum focusing distance) Depending on the focal length:

  • 0.5 m by 24 mm
  • 0.8 m by 240 mm

the maximum magnification ratio is reached by 240 mm and is 1: 3.7

The weight 780 g
Optical design 17 elements in 12 groups. The scheme includes:

  • 1 low dispersion element (shown in green on the optical diagram). The presence of such elements in the name of the lens is not indicated.
  • 5 aspherical elements (shown in purple on the optical diagram). The presence of such elements in the name of the lens is not indicated.

Optical design Sony 24-240
The image of the optical circuit is clickable.

Lens hood plastic, bayonet type, Sony ALC-SH136
Manufacturer country Made in China (Made in China)
Instructions See
Period From March 4, 2015
Price
  • The real cost of this lens can be seen, for example, here.

For mirrorless Sony cameras with an APS-C sensor, lenses can be considered an analog of Sony FE 3.5-6.3 / 24-240 OSS Sony SEL-18200LE 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS LE, Sony SEL-18200 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS, Sony SEL-P18200 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS and Hasselblad LF 18-200mm f / 3.5-6.3 OSS.

Sony FE 3.5-6.3 / 24-240 OSS (SEL24240)

Sony FE 3.5-6.3 / 24-240 OSS (SEL24240) on the camera Sony a6500

Assembly

Sony FE 3.5-6.3 / 24-240 OSS assembled very well... Almost the entire outer part of the lens barrel is made of metal. The zoom ring is rubberized, the focus ring is plastic with a grooved surface.

Zoom ring rotates a little tight. The frame of the body (trunk) spontaneously not put forward and does not move, most likely, even with time this problem is not scary to this lens. The retractable frame of the case consists of two sections, there are no backlashes between them and the body of the lens. During a change in focal length, the front of the housing, together with the front lens, does not rotate.

While changing the focal length, the rear lens moves, but there is a slight effect of the 'air pump' (better known as'vacuum cleaner effect').

On the bayonet side, the frame rim forms a 'film hood'- a rectangular hole to cut off the light flux and reduce parasitic flare. Of course, the mount of the mount is made of metal.

The thread for the filters is metal, with a diameter of 72 mm. Very small comes with the lens plastic lens hood, which can be installed in the opposite direction for transportation, in this position, access to the zoom ring is not difficult. The lens hood is installed in special grooves near the front lens, while changing the focal length, the lens hood moves with the retractable frame of the case. Due to the huge variation in focal lengths, the lens hood is maximally effective at 24 mm.

Sony FE 3.5-6.3 / 24-240 OSS has dust and moisture protection. Unlike Canon and Nikon lens mounts, the Sony SEL2470Z does not have an 'O'-shaped rubber seal near his mount. Unlike the lens Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar FE 4 / 24-70 ZA OSS T *, I did not find a mention of the Sony FE 3.5-6.3 / 24-240 OSS security in its instructions.

The lens itself is quite large and weighty. Work with small cameras, like Sony a6500not comfortable enough.

Like most modern universal (standard) lenses, the Sony FE 3.5-6.3 / 24-240 OSS lacks all sorts of tags and switches. On the body, you can find only the values ​​of the focal length and mount marks of the lens and lens hood.

Produce Sony FE 3.5-6.3 / 24-240 OSS in China.

Sony FE 3.5-6.3 / 24-240 OSS (SEL24240)

Sony FE 3.5-6.3 / 24-240 OSS (SEL24240) on the camera Sony a6500

Stabilizer

Sony FE 3.5-6.3 / 24-240 OSS uses the built-in image stabilizer OSS (Optical Steady Shot).

Unfortunately, the instructions, as well as official sources, do not indicate the effectiveness of the stabilizer in the compensation levels excerpts... Everything that is stated in the instructions regarding the stabilizer: 'Jitter compensation function - Yes'.

I could not check the effectiveness of the stabilizer, because I could not find it in the camera menu Sony a6500 how to simultaneously turn off the matrix stabilizer and turn on the lens stabilizer. Also, in the instructions to Sony a6500 I did not find any data at all about using, turning on or off the stabilizer built into the lens.

If in the camera menu Sony a6500 turn on the SteadyShot function, both the camera stabilizer and the lens stabilizer will work simultaneously. At the same time, the built-in stabilizer in the camera’s matrix compensates for rotational movements and movements in the horizontal and vertical planes, and the stabilizer built into the lens compensates oblique movements. Most likely, such a partition to compensate for certain movements is associated with focusing accuracy, because the slopes of the matrix can affect the focusing accuracy and the depth of field of the generated image.

At 240 mm of focal length, I was able to take pictures of stationary objects for 1/30 second without any problems.

The stabilizer is very quiet.

Sony FE 3.5-6.3 / 24-240 OSS (SEL24240)

Sony FE 3.5-6.3 / 24-240 OSS (SEL24240)

Focusing

Focus speed for Sony FE 3.5-6.3 / 24-240 OSS - average.

It's important: Maybe focusing speed is slightly dependent on the camera used.

The lens uses focus quiet linear focus motor. I noticed almost no noise from the autofocus system.

When used on a camera Sony a6500 I did not find any special problems with focusing, but I want to note that the focusing tenacity of the Sony FE 3.5-6.3 / 24-240 OSS with this camera is weak (most likely this is more of a focusing system problem Sony a6500).

Sony FE 3.5-6.3 / 24-240 OSS uses internal focus.

The minimum focusing distance is 50 cm by 24 mm and 80 cm by 240 mm (the distance from the camera’s matrix to the subject). With such an MDF, the maximum magnification factor is 1:3.5 (very good indicator for a universal lens).

Sony FE 3.5-6.3 / 24-240 OSS does not have a focus mode switch, to change the focus mode to manual / automatic / automatic with manual control, use the camera menu.

Sony FE 3.5-6.3 / 24-240 OSS uses electronic focus ring. During auto focus, the focus ring remains stationary. In manual active focus mode, the focus ring rotates approximately 540 degrees (One and a half full turns, out of habit, such a long stroke of the focus ring may seem uncomfortable). When extreme positions are reached, the focus ring does not rest, but continues to rotate. The ring is plastic, with a characteristic corrugation, the rotation is smooth, Pancake week, handle it very nice, and the focusing is very convenient.

Other features:

  • Permanent manual focus control only works in the DMF focus mode (or by manipulating the switch and the AF / MF button on the camera). Each camera and its settings have their own peculiarities.
  • The lens has a very weak effect of 'Focus Breathing' (changes in viewing angle during focusing).
  • Lens has no scales or useful tags. The focus distance scale can be displayed in EVI or on the camera display.
  • Unknown compatibility with teleconverters.
  • Sony FE 3.5-6.3 / 24-240 OSS does not have hard stop (hard infinity mechanical stop) which allows you to accurately and quickly focus the lens at infinity under any external conditions.
  • During testing, focus-shift was not noticed (even on MDF)
  • When changing the focal length, focusing is lost (the lens is not parfocal)
  • On camera Sony a6500 sometimes a sound confirmation of focus is triggered before the lens finally focuses. The focus motor adjusts focus for a few milliseconds after the signal sounds.
  • Sony a6500 camera has low limits aperture no lens. Sony a6500 can use phase focus sensors built into the matrix, in lenses no darker than F / 11.
  • Focus speed does not depend on the set focal length.
Sony FE 3.5-6.3 / 24-240 OSS (SEL24240)

Sony FE 3.5-6.3 / 24-240 OSS (SEL24240)

Image quality

The optical circuit was stuffed with a large number of aspherical elements and one low dispersion element. With image quality the Sony FE 3.5-6.3 / 24-240 OSS all right okay, even despite a tenfold zoom.

  • a fairly low level of chromatic aberration in the sharpness zone and the central region of the frame
  • confident sharpness in the center of the frame at open apertures over the entire range of focal lengths
  • in the center of the frame, a slight increase in detail during aperture
  • slight subsidence of sharpness with increasing focal length
  • low level vignetting on APS-C cameras
  • low distortion in camera JPEG
  • fairly even circles in the blur zone
  • good contrast
  • bright, slight glare in strong backlight, however, the lens tolerates backlight well
  • confident lateral operation using a hood
  • neutral / correct color rendition
  • unpretentious hipsonion bokeh

Modern cameras eliminate some distortion automatically. With all the enhancement options turned on, the Sony a6500 camera in on-camera JPEG produced a decent result using Sony FE 3.5-6.3 / 24-240 OSS. To see the true operation of the lens, third-party RAW converters should be used.

Sony FE 3.5-6.3 / 24-240 OSS (SEL24240)

Sony FE 3.5-6.3 / 24-240 OSS (SEL24240)

Sample Photos

Photos without processing, on-camera JPEG  from the Sony a6500 camera, the lens hood was not used during shooting.

Download source files in format JPEG can at this link (89 files in the '.JPG' format, 900 MB). One photo in processing here.

Sony FE 3.5-6.3 / 24-240 OSS (SEL24240)

Sony FE 3.5-6.3 / 24-240 OSS (SEL24240)

My experience

Having worked with Sony FE 3.5-6.3 / 24-240 OSS, I concluded for myself that the 28-300 range that other super-hyper-zooms have is much more convenient due to the 300 mm focal length. With 300 / 6.3 snapshots even from poor Quantaray 28-300 may seem more interesting than with 240 / 6.3.

All in all, the Sony FE 3.5-6.3 / 24-240 OSS is a gaudy all-rounder, but I like versatile lenses and the Sony FE 3.5-6.3 / 24-240 OSS can be a great solution for many amateur photography tasks.

Sony FE 3.5-6.3 / 24-240 OSS (SEL24240)

Sony FE 3.5-6.3 / 24-240 OSS (SEL24240)

Prices

The real cost of this lens can be seen, for example, here.

Comments on this post do not require registration. Anyone can leave a comment. Many different photographic equipment can be found on AliExpress.

Sony FE 3.5-6.3 / 24-240 OSS (SEL24240)

Sony FE 3.5-6.3 / 24-240 OSS (SEL24240)

Results

I used a Sony FE 3.5-6.3 / 24-240 OSS lens together with a cropped Sony a6500 camera (they were provided to me together), so I cannot judge some of the capabilities of this lens in full, first of all it is not clear what is the image quality at the edges and the corners of the frame when using it on full-frame cameras. On the other hand, the 24 MP Sony a6500 (and this, in terms of a full frame, the same pixel density as 54 MP), the lens proved to be worthy.

Advantages

  1. huge zoom ratio (as for a full-format lens)
  2. built-in image stabilizer
  3. good build quality: metal body, included hood, wide rubberized zoom ring, cinematic light-cutting hood on the rear lens side
  4. dust and moisture protection
  5. nine rounded aperture blades
  6. internal focus
  7. lack of spontaneous lengthening of the frame of the case (maybe this will start over time)
  8. many special optical elements in the optical scheme
  9. the possibility of constant manual focus control (but only in DMF mode, or by manipulating the switch and the AF / MF button on the camera), the lack of rotation of the focus ring during auto focus
  10. long stroke of the focus ring during manual focusing (approximately 540 degrees during slow rotation), smooth focusing
  11. confident sharpness at open apertures in the center of the frame
  12. fairly low chromatic aberration in the center of the frame
  13. low level vignetting on APS-C cameras
  14. low distortion in standard and TV ranges
  15. lack of focus-shift during iris
  16. normal side light
  17. good contrast, good color rendering (the color will very much depend on the set parameters of each individual camera and / or post-processing)
  18. some of the optical defects of the lens can be corrected automatically using special functions of the camera and / or original software (distortionaberration vignetting)
  19. focus distance is displayed in EVI (All such Sony lenses lack the focus scale and the depth of field zoom, so this is not a drawback)
  20. good maximum magnification ratio for macro shooting, which is 1: 3.5
  21. weak effect of 'Focus Breathing' (changes in viewing angle during focusing)

Disadvantages

  1. low aperture. The maximum relative aperture in the range of 100-240 mm is only 1: 6.3
  2. insufficient auto focus speed
  3. manual focus electronic ring (reduces battery level), focus ring plastic, grooved but not rubberized
  4. different MDF at different focal lengths
  5. focusing falters while changing the focal length
  6. large enough size and weight (as an example: a similar mirror lens Tamron a010 weighs 240 grams less, uses a smaller diameter filter, while having a larger zoom ratio)
  7. movement of the rear lens while changing the focal length, the effect of a vacuum cleaner / air pump
  8. there is no focus mode switch; to switch to manual focus mode, it is necessary to turn on the MF or DMF mode in the camera menu. In modes AF-A (auto), AF-S (single) and AF-C (continuous) lens does not respond to the focus ring, which destroys all the charm of constant manual focus control
  9. bulbous hips (circles on blur discs due to special optical elements)
  10. the lens can create slight glare in strong backlight (see sample photos)
  11. 24 mm perceptible distortion when shooting in RAW
  12. drop in sharpness with increasing focal length

Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram

Add a comment: blind

 

 

Comments: 21, on the topic: Review of Sony FE 3.5-6.3 / 24-240 OSS (SEL24240)

  • Skai

    Sonya has a strange policy, gave two full-frame lenses and clamped a full-frame carcass ...

    • Alexander

      No wonder, Arkady loves full-frame crop lenses)))

  • Molchanov Yuri

    Bokeh is unpleasant, but the sharpness for super zoom is quite good. Thanks to Arkady for the review!

  • anonym

    Hmm, something about the photo shoot in this review there is no koteg. I thought - now all will be.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      take a look in the archive

    • Bright

      But the model is super!

      • Jury

        model Arkady pleased). And in general, he is a fine fellow - he writes reviews, takes photographs, it is always pleasant to read and see, thanks to him for that. And the model can be taken for permanent work in Radozhiva)

  • Alexey

    And IF YOU REMOVE SHYLDIK SONIA HIM PRICE 15tr

  • Alexander

    And where did Sonya A7 go, which were dumped on? Sold or broken?

  • Vyacheslav

    Thanks for the nice review.

  • Onotole

    Unclear:
    - in the Sony system, optical distortions of lenses are successfully squeezed to an acceptable level in the camera, but at the same time they are quite strong in themselves (i.e. it turns out that the lens is of low optical quality, and even darkens)
    - image stabilization is only half dependent on the lens, which simplifies this knot. The camera takes over the other half.
    - there are no different tricks on the lens barrel (distance scale, focus mode switch, stabilization switch) - everything is in the camera.
    - other parameters are +/- the same as those of competitors

    So how can they be so expensive ?? Almost like a prof. zoom 2.8 ?? And this despite the fact that for mirrorless lenses there are no number of limitations inherent in SLRs, like Nikon's?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      1. Optical distortion is not only removed from Sony cameras. Only 24 mm distortion is strong enough. In fact, it is optically, as for a hyperzoom with 10X, good / above average.
      2. The lens has a full-fledged stabilizer, which on another camera that does not have a built-in stabilizer will work like stubs on other lenses. What I personally don't like is the lack of any setting in the menu. You can only enable or disable the OSS function at the same time for the camera and lens.
      3. The switches are all in the chamber. On the one hand, there is a plus (a more knocked down lens body, wider possibilities to configure through the camera menu), on the other hand, a minus (it's terribly inconvenient, and excuses - reprogram the function button to what I need - don't roll)
      4. there are no competitors in fact. Nobody makes lenses like this for full frame mirrorless cameras. In general, there are no other similar lenses, the focal length of which would start at 24 mm and end after 200 mm (in the review I indicated one similar one - this is the old Tokina 24-200).
      5. I assume that the cost of Sony lenses is such a maneuver, expensive means high quality.

  • blind

    (quite large sizes and weight (as an example: a similar Tamron A010 SLR lens weighs 240 grams less, uses a smaller filter diameter, and has a larger zoom ratio)) COMPARED TO THE SAME TAMRON. IS THE QUALITY DIFFERENCE INTERESTING? AND CAN IT - (bulbous bokeh (circles on blur discs due to special optical elements)) - DECREASE OPTICAL QUALITY AS SOAP AT DISTANCES. DOES THOUGHT MEAN TO DECREASE QUALITY SHARPNESS FOR BOKE?

  • Vadim

    So, considering the crookedness of the matrix, the zoom for APS-C is obtained in the range 38-380. I’m thinking whether this lens is better at aperture ratio than SEL18200?

  • anonym

    This is a full-frame lens and testing it on a crop and comparing it with lenses for a crop is INCORRECT.

    • Igor

      Oh yes, thanks for the enlightenment. Here no one knew about it. You will now find the full frame with this lens and add your thoughts on its performance and quality. It is very interesting to all of us, thank you.

  • Slamus

    All health! I have a Sonya A7R2 and this lens is 24-240. I took them at the same time because there was a huge discount on glass when buying a carcass. With a choice between 24-70 and 24-240, I chose the latter and never regretted it. Yes, the glass is darkish, but a back-illuminated matrix is ​​installed on my carcass and I was able to take photos in complete darkness without believing in it myself. The lens is of very high quality both in terms of assembly and design. Stab. works 100% when shooting video even in dark rooms, the output is an acceptable result, and for indoor photos I bought a flash and everything played as it should. In terms of sharpness, I did not test it on purpose, but the picture is decent given the 42 m pixel of the matrix, the resolution of the glass is decent. Unfortunately, it was possible to compare only with manual glasses M42 from Soviet manufacturers. In general, the lens as a universal is very decent, all the necessary focal lengths are always at hand, the background is cleaned decently and beautifully in portraits. In conclusion, let me remind you that on the camera for $ 10000 with a lens and $ 100000 there is no button “Capture masterpiece”! Everything depends on the hands!

    • Gost

      Why did you buy such a decent carcass and this stuff? You rightly said about the “masterpiece” button, but why then do you need such an expensive high-quality carcass? there is no this button !!!

      • Igor S

        Each has its own tasks. This is a travel zoom. I've been shooting a lot of successful shots on such super-zooms while traveling. There is often no way to change lenses.

      • Baton64

        Trash?! Sooo categorically. I would say: perfect travel.

  • R'RёS,R ° F "RёR№

    Good afternoon,

    Tell me, how does the 24-240 behave in comparison with the Sony 24-105 f4?
    Interested in sharpness and autofocus
    Now I’m shooting reports on 24-240, I rarely use the range 105-240,
    Will the benefits of 24-105 be noticeable compared to 24-240 in the range of 24-105 mm?
    and what? what to count on?

    Thank you

Add a comment

Copyright © Radojuva.com. Blog author - Photographer in Kiev Arkady Shapoval. 2009-2023

English-version of this article https://radojuva.com/en/2017/07/sony-fe-24-240-oss-sel24240/?replytocom=181059

Versión en español de este artículo https://radojuva.com/es/2017/07/sony-fe-24-240-oss-sel24240/?replytocom=181059