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Head-to-head · Sony A → Sony E

Sony LA-EA4 vs LA-EA5 — SLT mirror or modern PDAF A-mount adapter

Both drive screw-drive A-mount lenses on E-mount bodies — but the older LA-EA4 (2014) uses an internal SLT mirror and 15-point AF sensor (works on any E body), while the newer LA-EA5 (2020) relies on the E-mount body's own on-sensor PDAF (a7 III and later).

Side-by-side specifications

SpecSony LA-EA4
Sony · 2014
Sony LA-EA5
Sony · 2020
Lens sideSony ASony A
Body sideSony ESony E
Release year20142020
Body-side contacts9 pins9 pins
Firmware-updatableNoNo
Weather-sealedNoNo
Has glass (focal reducer)NoNo

Differences that matter

AF system architecture is the headline split. LA-EA4 carries an internal SLT (Single-Lens Translucent) mirror module + a dedicated 15-point AF sensor, giving phase-detect AF on every E-mount body regardless of body AF capability. LA-EA5 has no AF sensor — it pipes the A-mount lens's information to the body and relies entirely on the body's on-sensor PDAF for focus.

SLT mirror cost: ~⅓ stop of light loss on the LA-EA4 — the translucent mirror splits incoming light between the imaging sensor and the in-adapter AF sensor. The LA-EA5 passes 100% of light to the sensor; no light cost.

AF coverage: LA-EA4's 15-point pattern is the old 15-point pattern shared with Sony's A-mount DSLRs. LA-EA5 inherits the full sensor-wide PDAF coverage of modern E-mount bodies (~700 points on a7R V / a1) — a vastly larger and denser AF area when on a current body.

Body compatibility: LA-EA4 works the same on every E body (a6000, a7 original, NEX, a7 III, a7R V) because its AF is self-contained. LA-EA5 needs on-sensor PDAF on the body — usable AF requires an a7 III or later (a7 IV, a7R V, a1, a9 II, FX30, FX3, a6700, ZV-E10 II). On older E bodies the LA-EA5 falls back to contrast-detect or manual.

Both have internal screw-drive motors, so legacy Minolta and Sony A-mount screw-drive lenses retain AF on either adapter.

When to pick which

Pick the

Sony LA-EA4 when

  • You shoot on an older E-mount body without on-sensor PDAF (a6000, a7 original, a7 II, a7S original, NEX) — the LA-EA4's self-contained AF is the only adapter that delivers reliable AF here.
  • You need predictable, deterministic 15-point AF behaviour regardless of body firmware — useful in studio or controlled-lighting work where AF point selection is fixed.
  • Your A-mount workflow predates the a7 III and you're not planning to upgrade the body immediately.

Pick the

Sony LA-EA5 when

  • You shoot on a modern PDAF E-mount body (a7 III and later) and want full sensor-wide AF coverage on your A-mount lenses.
  • Light loss matters — the LA-EA5's ⅓-stop saving over the LA-EA4 is meaningful for low-light or fast-aperture work.
  • You want the smaller / lighter adapter — the LA-EA5 is slimmer than the LA-EA4 (no SLT mirror box).

Common questions

Does the LA-EA4 still make sense in 2026?
Only if you're on an E-mount body without on-sensor PDAF (a6000 / a7 original / NEX), or you specifically need the deterministic 15-point AF pattern. Otherwise the LA-EA5's sensor-wide PDAF and ⅓-stop light advantage make it the better pick.
How much light does the SLT mirror cost?
About one-third of a stop — the translucent mirror splits incoming light between the imaging sensor and the in-adapter AF sensor. The LA-EA5 has no mirror and no light cost.
Do both adapters drive screw-drive Minolta A-mount lenses?
Yes — both LA-EA4 and LA-EA5 have internal screw-drive motors. The LA-EA3 is the only Sony A→E adapter without one.
Is the LA-EA4 discontinued?
Sony has been quietly winding down LA-EA4 production since the LA-EA5's 2020 launch; stock is dwindling at retail. Second-hand market remains active for users on older E bodies.

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