Sony finally breaks its silence on which third-party lenses work best with E-Mount – and dishes on the potential purchase of Tamron

Sony has finally disclosed which third-party lens manufacturers can create optics compatible with their E-Mount system, providing valuable insight into the potential performance of these lenses. The list of permitted manufacturers includes well-known names like Carl Zeiss, Cooke Optics, Cosina, Fujifilm, Kenko, Tokina, LK Samyang, Sigma, Tamron, and Thales Las France. This licensing agreement suggests that these brands have met Sony's quality standards for E-Mount lenses, particularly in terms of autofocus performance.

The inclusion of Tamron on the list is unsurprising, as Sony is a partial shareholder in the company. Sony has also confirmed plans to make Tamron a wholly-owned subsidiary, as announced during a recent investor meeting. This potential acquisition is still in the proposal stage and aims to create optimal value for both companies while leveraging their respective strengths.

Other noteworthy names on the list include popular budget brands such as Samyang, Tokina, and Cosina. Fujifilm's presence on the list is unexpected, as the company is typically known more for its first-party cameras and lenses. However, Fujifilm's cinema line includes a few special-order lenses compatible with E-Mount. Notably, no China-based optic companies are listed, including popular brands like Venus Optics (Laowa), Viltrox, TTArtisans, 7Artisans, Meike, Sirui, and Thypoch.