Tamron has announced the creation of a new 20-40mm f/2.8 Di III VXD Lens for Sony E-Mount cameras. According to the company, it will be the smallest and lightest in its class, and it will support both photo and video applications. The company describes the lens, which is set to be released in the fall of 2022, as an unparalleled new fast aperture standard zoom lens that is also small enough to be easily carried around to capture both photos and video. Tamron goes so far as to say that the lens design was “aggressively pursuing” portability to make it ideal for everyday use.

The lens will have a constant f/2.8 aperture throughout the zoom range, as well as a “class-leading” compact and lightweight design, measuring 3.4-inches long and weighing 12.9 ounces.

“At the longest zoom end, the lens offers a standard focal range of 40mm, handy for the everyday shooting of snaps, portraits, and food photos,” Tamron says. “Meanwhile, at the wide end, the ultra-wide 20mm focal length lets users enjoy a broad range of photography, including stunning and powerful natural landscapes that make use of the unique ultra-wide-angle perspective, something that cannot be expressed as readily with a fast-aperture standard zoom lens that starts at 24mm.”

Tamron’s VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive) will power the autofocus, which the company claims has “superior” quiet operation and high-speed and high-precision capabilities. Tamron claims that the lens will have a minimum focusing distance of 6.7-inches and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:3.8 at the wide end, providing exceptional close-range shooting capability with the added feature of wide-angle macro photography. Tamron claims that the 20-40mm f/2.8 Di III VXD has improved texture and scratch resistance, a 67mm front filter size (the same as other Tamron mirrorless lenses), moisture-resistant construction, and rapid zooming capability thanks to the zoom ring’s short 65-degree rotation arc.

According to Tamron, the new lens will be compatible with many Sony camera-specific features, including Fast Hybrid autofocus and Eye-autofocus. The company did not provide pricing information or an exact release date for the lens. More information will be released later this year.