Zeiss has a new lineup of autofocus lenses for Sony full-frame E-mount cameras, starting with a Distagon 25mm F2.0 and a Sonnar 85mm F1.8. You might be thinking “Doesn’t Zeiss already have a line-up of autofocus lenses for Sony full-frame E-mount cameras?” and yes, you’d be right but the Batis lenses, according to Zeiss, “are ZEISS through and through — in other words exclusively developed and distributed by us,”.

The Zeiss Batis 25mm F2.0 has 10 elements in 8 groups, four elements of which are aspherical on both sides, and has a minimum focusing distance of 0.2 meters. Zeiss says it’s perfect for architecture and landscape photography although the close minimum focus distance and large aperture are great for close-up photography with a shallow depth of field.

A moderate telephoto lens, the Zeiss Batis 85mm F1.8 works best as a portrait lens and has 11 lens elements in 8 groups as well as optical image stabilization to keep all your shots tack sharp.

The Batis lineup looks like it has the Zeiss build quality we’ve come to expect as well as features like dust and weather seals as well as a fast, quiet autofocus drive. However, the Batis lenses also have something entirely new: a OLED display showing focus distance where the distance scale usually is.  I don’t know of another lens with an electronic display on it so this is an unprecedented move from Zeiss.

Both lenses are expected to start shipping in July with a price of $1629 for the 2/25mm and $1499 for the 1.8/85mm. Both are available for pre-order from Broadway Camera today!