Sony opens the E-mount interchangeable lens door

Manufacturers to get in on the lens action

Sony opens the E-mount interchangeable lens door. cameras, sony, Sony NEX-3, Sony NEX-5, Lenses, sony nex-vg10e, Sony Alpha NEX-3, Sony alpha NEX-5, 0

8 February 2011 11:40 GMT / By Paul Lamkin

Sony has announced that it is going to give up the spec details of its E-mount interchangeable lens setup, so as other manufacturers can get to work on producing new lenses for its NEX range of cameras.

The electronics giant stated that Carl Zeiss, Cosina Co, Sigma and Tamron are all already on board, with each of these lens specialists offering their backing to Sony's plan.

"Sony believes the growth of digital imaging products employing the E-mount will further increase the enjoyment of photography and video shooting among an even wider range of users," read the official statement.

"These basic specifications will be disclosed to manufactures of lenses and mount adaptors following a predefined process of approval and the signing of a license agreement with Sony."

We were very excited when we first laid our eyes on the NEX-3 and NEX-5 cameras back in May (both of which scored highly in Pocket-lint's reviews) and also the NEX-VG10E (the world's first interchangeable lens HD camcorder) in July, and this move from Sony can only be a good thing.

It'll be interesting to see which lens maker is first out of the blocks and what they'll bring to the E-mount party.

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Sony Alpha NEX-5 review

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Sony NEX-3, Sony NEX-5, Lenses, sony nex-vg10e, Sony Alpha NEX-3, Sony alpha NEX-5, Cameras, Sony