If you don't have a telephoto zoom lens in your arsenal, this is a great place to start. The superb multi-purpose SAL-DT55200 55-200mm f4-5.6 telephoto zoom lens is an excellent all-around value, covering the medium to long-distance telephoto range you will use most. It also provides close minimum focusing distance of about 3 feet (.95m), for tight shots of people, natural subjects and close-up details. Its compact, lightweight design makes it easy to carry as your standard or accessory lens-and all your shots will benefit from the Sony Super SteadyShot® image stabilization system built into every Sony a system DSLR. (35mm equivalent: 82.5-300mm).

Compact Design, All-Around Versatility
This high-value 55-200mm zoom lens covers a wide range of medium to long-distance telephoto applications -- and its lightweight design lets you leave it on-camera or carry it easily as an accessory lens for special purposes (35mm equivalent: 82.5-300mm).

DT Lens Design
The SAL-DT55200 is specially designed for the APS-size CCD imager used in Sony a (alpha) DSLR cameras. APS-size sensors are smaller than a 35mm-format film frame, so the focal distance to cover the same field of view can be about 2/3 shorter -- allowing a more compact lens design.

Short Minimum Focusing Distance
With the ability to focus as closely as 3 feet (.95m), this telephoto lens also lets you move in for dramatic shots of people, natural subjects and close-up details.

In-Camera Image Stabilization
A major reason for its compact, lightweight design is the benefit of Super SteadyShot® in-camera image stabilization, built into every Sony a system DSLR -- and enabling accessory lenses to eliminate the extra weight and expense of in-lens stabilization mechanisms.

Multi-Element Design
The SAL-DT55200 is designed with 13 lens elements in 9 groups, with precision focusing performance and smooth zoom operation.

ED (Extra-low Dispersion) Glass
Because light of different wavelength (or color) bends at different angles when it passes through a lens, ED (Extra-low Dispersion) Glass is used to eliminate chromatic aberration by correcting certain wavelengths of light for sharp, clear images with well defined colors.