Thypoch Reveals Its First-Ever AF Zoom Lens: A 24-50mm f/2.8 for Sony E-Mount

Key Takeaways

• Thypoch showed a working 24-50mm f/2.8 AF zoom lens for Sony E-mount at The Photography & Video Show 2026 — its first-ever autofocus and first zoom lens.
• The Chinese brand has built its reputation on premium manual-focus primes across its Simera, Eureka, and Ksana lines for Leica M and Nikon Z mounts.
• No official release date or price yet, but the lens will compete against established options like the Sony FE 24-50mm f/2.8 G and Samyang 24-60mm f/2.8.

Thypoch, the Chinese lens maker known for its beautifully crafted manual-focus primes, has revealed a major strategic shift. At The Photography & Video Show 2026 in Birmingham, UK, the company showed a working prototype of a 24-50mm f/2.8 AF zoom lens for Sony E-mount — marking its first autofocus lens and first zoom lens simultaneously.

The lens was spotted and briefly tested by Digital Camera World’s team at the show, which ran March 14–17. While Thypoch staff reportedly remained tight-lipped about specifications, pricing, and a release timeline, the physical prototype was functional and available for hands-on use.

From Manual-Focus Purist to AF Contender

Thypoch — a name combining “Thy” (your) and “Epoch” (era) — has carved out a niche since its founding as a maker of vintage-inspired, manual-focus lenses with modern optical designs. The company’s current lineup spans three distinct series:

• Simera Series — Fast f/1.4 primes at 21mm, 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, and 75mm focal lengths for Leica M-mount (plus a Nikon Z-mount 50mm), plus a Simera-C cine prime line for Sony E-mount
• Eureka Series — More compact primes including a 28mm f/2.8 and 50mm f/2
• Ksana Series — Character-driven lenses starting with the 21mm f/3.5, which features coatings reminiscent of vintage Canon FD glass from the 1970s

Every single one of these lenses is manual focus. The jump to autofocus — and zoom at that — represents a fundamentally different engineering challenge, requiring AF motor integration, electronic communication with the camera body, and the complex optical design of a variable focal length system.

What We Know So Far

Based on hands-on impressions from the show floor, the Thypoch 24-50mm f/2.8 features:

• Full-frame Sony E-mount compatibility
• Constant f/2.8 maximum aperture
• Dedicated aperture and manual focus rings with smooth resistance
• An MF/AF switch on the lens barrel
• Plastic construction that still feels solid in hand
• A modern, sleek design — a departure from Thypoch’s typical retro aesthetic

Digital Camera World’s reporter noted the AF locked on in “respectable time” when testing the lens on a Sony A7 III, though the prototype nature of the unit makes it premature to judge final AF performance.

A Crowded but Growing Segment

The compact standard zoom market for Sony E-mount has heated up considerably. If Thypoch can deliver on price — which its manual-focus lenses suggest could undercut the bigger brands — it could carve out a compelling position. Here’s what it’s up against:

• Sony FE 24-50mm f/2.8 G — Sony’s own compact f/2.8 zoom with dual linear motors and G Lens optics. The benchmark for this focal range, with a premium price to match.
• Samyang/Rokinon AF 24-60mm f/2.8 FE — A slightly wider zoom range at a lower price, well-reviewed for its balance of portability, optical quality, and affordability.
• Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN — An APS-C option that’s extremely compact and affordable, though not full-frame.
• Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 — A wider range f/2.8 zoom that’s been a popular budget-friendly choice for Sony shooters.

Thypoch’s track record with affordable, well-built optics suggests the 24-50mm could land at a competitive price point. If the AF performance holds up and the optics match the quality of its manual-focus siblings, Sony shooters may soon have another compelling option for an everyday carry zoom.

Also Spotted: Ksana 35mm f/2 ASPH for Leica M

Thypoch was also showing an unreleased Ksana 35mm f/2 ASPH lens for Leica M-mount at the same show. Leaked images of this lens have since surfaced online, confirming Thypoch’s continued investment in expanding its manual-focus prime lineup alongside this new AF zoom direction.

The Bottom Line

No release date or pricing has been announced. Thypoch’s move into autofocus zoom territory signals a company ready to grow beyond its manual-focus niche — but whether the execution matches the ambition remains to be seen. We’ll be watching for an official announcement and full specifications.