Sony released the following SAL (for: Sony A-mount Lens) lenses for Sony A-mount cameras since 2006. 18 of the original designs are based on Minolta A-mount technology it acquired f
rom Konica Minolta. Of those, most lenses are optically, mechanically and electrically identical to their Minolta predecessors and differ only in their outer appearance. However, three of them have also seen subtle changes in the optics and electro-mechanics (as indicated). Some of the new lenses introduced into the line have been developed in cooperation with Carl Zeiss (as indicated).
All Sony A-mount lenses are fully compatible with Konica Minolta A-mount cameras. All full-frame Sony A-mount lenses are also compatible with Minolta A-mount cameras, with the exception that SSM and SAM lenses can only be used with manual focusing (with electronic focus assist) on camera bodies not supporting SSM already. All Minolta A-mount lenses are also compatible with all Sony A-mount cameras, but features like electronic first curtain shutter (EFCS) and AF-D provided by newer cameras are not officially supported in conjunction with these lenses and may work unreliable or not at all. The same holds true for Konica Minolta A-mount lenses, however, they can be used on APS-C/Super-35mm format Sony A-mount cameras only (using them on Sony full-frame cameras will cause the image to be auto-cropped).
Using the Sony lens adapters LA-EA1, LA-EA2, LA-EA3 or LA-EA4, A-mount lenses can also be used seamlessly on E-mount cameras, however, various format and autofocus restrictions apply depending on the adapter and camera used. LA-EA1 and LA-EA2 only support APS-C/Super-35mm format cameras, if you use them on full-frame cameras they will switch to APS-C mode by default. LA-EA1 and LA-EA3 support autofocus only with SSM and SAM lenses, whereas LA-EA2 and LA-EA4 utilize SLT technology to support autofocus with the other lenses as well.
List of Sony A-mount lenses:
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