If you are looking for a professional-level 50mm prime lens for your Sony full-frame camera, you might be interested in the new Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM lens. This lens is part of Sony's G Master series, which promises excellent image quality, fast autofocus, and smooth bokeh.
But is it worth the high price tag? Let's take a look at some of the pros and cons of this lens based on some online reviews.
Pros and Cons of the New Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM Lens
Pros
- Very sharp results in the center: According to Digital Camera World¹, the Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM delivers super sharp optics, especially in the center of the frame, even at wide apertures. TechRadar² also praises the lens for its excellent sharpness and contrast across the frame.
- Ridiculously fast and quiet autofocus: The lens has two XD linear motors that produce very quiet and smooth focusing, making it well-suited to shooting video. Photography Blog³ reports that the lens is an almost silent and very quick performer on the Sony Alpha 7R IV camera.
- Compact and light compared to rivals: The lens measures 3.25 x 3.9 inches and weighs 18.3 oz, which is smaller and lighter than its predecessor, the Zeiss Planar T* FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA lens, and also than its main competitor, the Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM lens. Digital Camera World¹ notes that the lens is well balanced with A series full-frame bodies in terms of both size and weight.
- Water and dust-resistant lens construction: The lens has a sealed dust and moisture resistant design, which allows it to be used in a range of weather conditions and locations without fear of damage. TechRadar² also mentions that the lens has a fluorine coating on the front element to repel dust, water, oil, and fingerprints.
Cons
- Expensive: The lens is a bit pricey for a 50mm prime lens, even if it is a G Master lens. TechRadar² points out that there are similar high-quality alternatives that are available for much less, such as the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art or the Sony FE 55mm f/1.8 ZA.
- No optical image stabilization: The lens does not have any built-in optical image stabilization, which means that you will have to rely on your camera's in-body image stabilization or use a tripod to avoid camera shake at slower shutter speeds or lower light conditions.
- Some vignetting on wider apertures: The lens suffers from some noticeable vignetting or darkening of the corners when shooting at f/1.4 or f/1.6, which can be corrected in post-processing or by stopping down the aperture.
Conclusion
The Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM is a fantastic lens that offers a versatile focal length that can be used to shoot almost any subject, from portraits to landscapes to street photography. It has superb image quality, fast and quiet autofocus, and a compact and weather-resistant design.
However, it is also very expensive and lacks optical image stabilization, which might make some photographers think twice before buying it.
If you are interested in this lens, you can pre-order it now at Best Buy, B&H, or Adorama. Or you can check out some sample images taken with this lens at Photography Blog³.
Further Reading
(1) Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM review | Digital Camera World