Sony E 30mm f/3.5 Macro Autofocus APS-C Lens for E-Mount, Silver {49} SEL30M35

Sony's 30mm f/3.5 macro prime built for E-mount APS-C shooters.

At 138 grams and 55.5mm long, this lens barely registers in a bag or on a camera body, and that's part of the point. The 30mm focal length gives you a 45mm full-frame equivalent, meaning it pulls double duty as a walkabout normal lens and a dedicated macro. True 1:1 magnification is available at all apertures, so you're not forced into stopping down just to get to life-size reproduction. The 0.10m minimum focus distance is the real number to know: at closest focus, you'll be working within inches of your subject.

The optical formula runs 7 elements in 6 groups, with 3 aspherical elements and 1 ED glass element backed by multi-coating to keep chromatic aberration and color bleeding in check. The stepper motor drives autofocus quietly and smoothly, which matters for video work where a noisy focus drive shows up on the audio track. Direct Manual Focus lets you pull from AF to MF at any point without mode-switching. The metal barrel and mount keep the build solid for a lens this compact, and the included hood doubles as a 49mm filter thread extender, so you can leave it mounted full-time.

For a lens that's been in the E-mount lineup since 2011, the value proposition is straightforward: no other native E-mount option gives you a true 1:1 macro at this size and weight.

Who It's For

Product and still-life photographers working with Sony APS-C bodies get genuine 1:1 magnification and a stepper motor AF that won't interfere with ambient audio. Travel shooters benefit from the 138g weight and 55.5mm length, letting this serve as a sole carry lens covering normal and close-up work. Video creators recording macro sequences will rely on the quiet internal focus drive. Hobbyist macro photographers moving from kit lenses gain a dedicated optical formula with ED glass and aspherical elements without committing to a larger, heavier dedicated macro system.

Key Features

• 30mm f/3.5 prime with 45mm full-frame equivalent on APS-C
• 1:1 macro magnification available at all apertures
• 0.10m minimum focus distance for extreme close-up work
• 7 elements in 6 groups with 3 aspherical and 1 ED element
• Stepper motor drives autofocus silently for video work
• Direct Manual Focus for instant AF to MF switching without mode selection
• 138 grams and 55.5mm long for pocket-sized portability
• Metal barrel and mount with included hood that accepts 49mm filters

FAQ

What's the effective focal length on an APS-C Sony camera?

45mm equivalent, so it works as both a normal lens and macro setup without switching glass.

Can you shoot 1:1 macro at f/3.5, or do you need to stop down?

True 1:1 magnification is available at all apertures, including wide open at f/3.5.

How close can you focus?

0.10m (3.74 inches) minimum focus distance, which means you'll be inches from your subject at life-size.

Is autofocus quiet enough for video?

Yes. The stepper motor is designed for silent operation, and the rear-focusing design keeps lens extension minimal.

Can you switch between autofocus and manual focus without mode changes?

Yes. Direct Manual Focus (DMF) lets you pull focus by hand anytime without toggling a switch.

What's included in the box?

The lens, a metal hood that doubles as a 49mm filter thread extender, and a lens cap.

Does this lens have image stabilization?

No. At 45mm equivalent on APS-C, you're typically fast enough for handheld work, and macro shooting is usually tripod-based anyway.