Sony
Sony E 55-210mm OSS Lens (SEL55210) with Filter Kit (Renewed)
★★★★★
f/4.5f/22
Reach out to 315mm equivalent focal length and pull sharp, stabilized wildlife and sports frames from your Sony APS-C kit.
$309.95*
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated:Jul 15, 2026.Price and availability are subject to change.
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Overview
Key Features
Items Include: 1 x Sony E 55-210mm f/4.5-6.3 OSS Lens (Silver), 1 x 49mm 3 Piece Filter Kit, 1 x Lens Cap Keeper, 1 x Cleaning Kit
An ideal complement to many kit zooms, the silver E 55-210mm f/4.5-6.3 OSS Lens from Sony opens the door to many telephoto perspectives with its 82.5-315mm equivalent focal length range on APS-C-format E-mount cameras. With an optical design using two extra-low dispersion elements and two aspherical elements users will enjoy images with minimal aberrations.
Designed for APS-C-format cameras, this 55-210mm lens perfectly complements many kit zooms by providing an 82.5-315mm equivalent focal length range for telephoto applications. A variable f/4.5-6.3 maximum aperture helps keep overall lens size and weight to a minimum. Two extra-low dispersion glass elements are featured in the lens design to help reduce chromatic aberrations and color fringing for improved clarity and color neutrality.
Optical SteadyShot image stabilization helps to minimize the appearance of camera shake for sharper imagery when shooting handheld with slower shutter speeds. This stabilization system can be combined with select cameras sensor-shift type image stabilization for more effective control of camera blur. An internal focus mechanism contributes to faster, more responsive autofocus, the minimum focus distance of 3.3, and easier handling as the lens does not change in length during use.
Key Features: E-Mount Lens/APS-C Format - 82.5-315mm (35mm Equivalent) - Aperture Range: f/4.5-6.3 to f/22-32 - Two ED Elements; Two Aspherical Elements - Optical SteadyShot Image Stabilization - Internal Focus - Minimum Focus Distance: 3.3' - Seven-Blade Circular Diaphragm.
Specifications
Mount
Sony E-mount (APS-C format)
Focal Length
55–210mm (82.5–315mm equivalent on APS-C)
Maximum Aperture
f/4.5 (at 55mm) – f/6.3 (at 210mm)
Minimum Aperture
f/22–f/32
Optical Elements
Two ED elements, two aspherical elements
Image Stabilization
Optical SteadyShot (OSS)
Focus System
Internal focus
Minimum Focus Distance
3.3 feet
Diaphragm Blades
7 (circular)
Filter Thread
49mm
Color
Silver
Bundle Includes
Lens, 49mm 3-piece filter kit, lens cap keeper, cleaning kit
Pros & Cons
👍 Pros
- 82.5–315mm equivalent focal range covers wildlife, sports, and compressed portrait distances that a kit zoom can't reach
- Optical SteadyShot stabilization allows handheld telephoto shots at 1–3 stops below the reciprocal shutter speed limit
- Two extra-low dispersion elements control chromatic aberration at telephoto focal lengths where color fringing is most visible
- Internal focus mechanism keeps lens length constant during focus pull, improving handling balance during longer shoots
- Compact size and weight make full-day shooting sessions with this lens attached less fatiguing than comparable third-party telephoto zooms
👎 Cons
- Maximum aperture of f/6.3 at 210mm is narrow — autofocus slows and exposure flexibility shrinks significantly in overcast or indoor conditions
- The variable aperture (f/4.5–6.3) means exposure changes as you zoom, requiring compensation adjustments during continuous shooting sequences
- No weather sealing on this lens makes it a liability in light rain or dusty outdoor environments where other telephoto options offer gaskets
- Bokeh rendering at this aperture range is functional rather than creamy — subject separation in close-range portraits is modest
- This is an APS-C-only lens; if you later upgrade to a full-frame Sony body it will not deliver a full-frame image without cropping
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Sony cameras is this lens compatible with?
The SEL55210 is an E-mount lens designed for APS-C-format Sony cameras — the a6000, a6100, a6300, a6400, a6500, a6600, a6700, and older NEX series bodies. It will physically mount on full-frame Sony E-mount bodies (a7/a9 series) but will only cover the APS-C image circle, forcing crop mode and reducing the effective resolution of those sensors.
How effective is the Optical SteadyShot (OSS) stabilization when shooting at the 210mm end handheld?
OSS provides meaningful shake reduction at telephoto focal lengths where camera movement is amplified. At 210mm (315mm equivalent on APS-C), you can reliably shoot at shutter speeds 2–3 stops slower than the reciprocal rule would suggest — around 1/80s rather than 1/320s — for static subjects. On Sony bodies with in-body stabilization (IBIS), OSS and IBIS combine for additional compensation.
Does this lens use an internal zoom or does it extend during zooming?
The focus mechanism is internal (the lens barrel does not change length during focusing), but the zoom barrel does extend physically as you zoom from 55mm to 210mm. This is normal for this lens design and does not affect optical performance.
What filter thread size does the SEL55210 use?
The 49mm filter thread accepts the 49mm 3-piece filter kit included in this bundle — UV, CPL, and ND filters. At 49mm, filter options are widely available and affordable.
Is autofocus speed sufficient for moving subjects like birds or sports?
Autofocus is capable for moderately paced subjects in good light — wildlife at a distance, sports with predictable movement. Tracking fast, erratic subjects (birds in flight, indoor sports) will show the limits of this entry-level telephoto's AF motor, particularly in lower light where contrast-detect systems slow down.
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