Hot on the heels of its premium FE 35mm F1.4 GM, Sony has introduced another high-end prime lens. The FE 50mm F1.2 GM is clearly something of a statement optic which rebuts the notion that Sony’s relatively narrow-diameter E-mount might be limited in its ability to support large-aperture primes. The lens is also smaller, lighter and less expensive than its Canon and Nikon equivalents.
Sony’s FE 50mm F1.4 GM on the Alpha 7R IV
Indeed at 87mm in diameter, 108mm in length and 778g, the 50mm f/1.2 is only slightly larger than Sony’s existing Zeiss-badged FE 50mm F1.4 ZA, while weighing exactly the same. Optically it employs 14 elements in 10 groups, including 3 advanced aspherical (AA) elements that aim to deliver high cross-frame resolution even at maximum aperture, while suppressing chromatic aberration and producing attractive background blur free of unsightly ‘onion ring’ effects. Sony’s Nano AR Coating 2 is applied to combat flare and ghosting.
This switch selects between clicked and clickless aperture ring operation
Operationally, the lens features an aperture ring marked in 1/3 stop increments that can be switched between clicked and clickless operation. It also sports dual AF stop buttons for both portrait and landscape format shooting, along with an AF/MF switch. Four XD linear motors drive the internal focusing mechanism, while Sony’s Linear Response MF should deliver a tactile and intuitive manual focusing experience. As expected, the barrel benefits from dust- and splash-resistant construction. A robust bowl-shaped lens hood is supplied, and the lens accepts 72mm filters.
A deep bowl-shaped lens hood is included in the box
Due to hit the shops in April, the lens will cost £2,100. You can read our full, in-depth review of the Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM here
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