These lenses are two standard prime lenses for Sony E-mount mirrorless cameras with full-frame coverage. In this comparison, we will look at the main features, and pros and cons of Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM vs Samyang AF 50mm f/1.4 FE II, based on various sources¹²³.
Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM and Samyang AF 50mm f/1.4 FE II offer a bright maximum aperture of f/1.4 that provides excellent low-light performance and bokeh quality.
They also have a fast and quiet autofocus system that works well with Sony's eye AF and tracking modes. However, they have different optical designs, features and prices that may affect their performance and suitability for different needs and preferences.
The Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM is a newer lens that offers a more refined and robust option than the Samyang AF 50mm f/1.4 FE II, which offers a more affordable and compact option.
Introduction
The Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM was announced in January 2023 as a standard prime lens for Sony E-mount cameras with full-frame or APS-C sensors. It is part of Sony's G Master series of lenses, which are designed to deliver high image quality and performance.
It has a mixture of sharpness, contrast, color and minimal aberrations across the frame. It also has a smooth and circular bokeh that enhances the subject isolation and background blur. It is a replacement for the older Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA lens, which was made in collaboration with Zeiss.
The Samyang AF 50mm f/1.4 FE II was announced in April 2022 as a standard prime lens for Sony E-mount cameras with full-frame or APS-C sensors. It is an updated version of the original Samyang AF 50mm f/1.4 FE lens, which was Samyang's first ever autofocus lens launched in 2016.
It has a similar image quality and bokeh to the Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM, but it is cheaper and lighter. It also has a new linear stepping motor-based autofocus system that is faster and more accurate than the previous version.
Features
| Features | Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM | Samyang AF 50mm f/1.4 FE II |
| Mount | Sony E (FE) | Sony E (FE) |
| Full Frame | Yes | Yes |
| Autofocus | Yes | Yes |
| Image Stabilization | No | No |
| Lens Construction | 14 elements in 10 groups | 11 elements in 8 groups |
| Special Elements | Two XA (eXtreme Aspherical) elements, one ED (Extra-low Dispersion) element, one Super ED element, Nano AR II coating | Two U-ASP (Ultra-precision Aspherical) elements, three HR (High Refractive index) elements and one ED (Extra-low Dispersion) element |
| Angle of View | 47 degrees | 45.7 degrees |
| Diaphragm Blades | 11 | 9 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/16 | f/16 |
| Minimum Focusing Distance | 0.4m | 0.4m |
| Maximum Magnification Ratio | 0.17x | 0.16x |
| Filter Size | 72mm | 72mm |
| Dimensions | 83 x 108mm | 80 x 89mm |
| Weight | 778g | 420g |
| Weather Sealing | Yes | Yes |
| Lens Hood Included | Yes | Yes |
Pros and Cons of Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM vs Samyang AF 50mm f/1.4 FE II
Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM
| Pros | Cons |
| Excellent image quality for a standard prime lens | Expensive |
| High sharpness, contrast, color and minimal aberrations across the frame | No optical image stabilization |
| Smooth and circular bokeh | Some vignetting on wider apertures |
| Bright maximum aperture | Limited macro capability |
| Fast and quiet autofocus system | |
| Weather-sealed construction | |
| Robust on-barrel controls | |
| Supports 30fps drive with select cameras |
Samyang AF 50mm f/1.4 FE II
| Pros | Cons |
| Excellent image quality for a standard prime lens | No optical image stabilization |
| High sharpness, contrast, color and minimal aberrations across the frame | Some vignetting and distortion on wider apertures |
| Smooth and circular bokeh | Fewer diaphragm blades than the Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM |
| Bright maximum aperture | Limited macro capability |
| Fast and quiet autofocus system | |
| Weather-sealed construction | |
| Affordable price | |
| Lighter than the Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM |
Conclusion
The Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM and the Samyang AF 50mm f/1.4 FE II are both superb standard prime lenses for Sony E-mount photographers who need a high-quality and versatile lens for various situations and subjects. They both offer excellent image quality and performance, with high sharpness, contrast, color and minimal aberrations across the frame.
They also have a smooth and circular bokeh that enhances the subject isolation and background blur. They have a bright maximum aperture of f/1.4 that provides excellent low-light performance and bokeh quality. They also have a fast and quiet autofocus system that works well with Sony's eye AF and tracking modes.
However, they also have some differences that may make one more suitable than the other for different needs and preferences. The Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM is a newer lens that offers a more refined and robust option than the Samyang AF 50mm f/1.4 FE II, which offers a more affordable and compact option.
The Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM has a slightly better image quality and performance than the Samyang AF 50mm f/1.4 FE II, especially in terms of aberrations and vignetting. It also has robust on-barrel controls, including an aperture ring, an AF/MF switch, an AF hold button and a focus mode switch. It also supports 30fps drive with select cameras, such as the Sony Alpha 1.
The Samyang AF 50mm f/1.4 FE II is an updated version of the original Samyang AF 50mm f/1.4 FE lens, which was Samyang's first ever autofocus lens launched in 2016. The Samyang AF 50mm f/1.4 FE II has a similar image quality and performance to the Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM, but it is cheaper and lighter.
It also has a new linear stepping motor-based autofocus system that is faster and more accurate than the previous version. It also has some vignetting and distortion on wider apertures that may require some correction in post-processing.
If you are looking for a standard prime lens that offers excellent image quality and performance, a bright maximum aperture, a fast and quiet autofocus system, and robust on-barrel controls, then the Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM may be the better choice for you.
On the other hand, if you are looking for a standard prime lens that offers excellent image quality and performance, a bright maximum aperture, a fast and quiet autofocus system, and an affordable price, then the Samyang AF 50mm f/1.4 FE II may be the better choice for you.
Further Reading
(1) Samyang AF 50mm F1.4 FE II review | Digital Camera World
(2) Samyang 50mm 1.4 II vs Sony 50 1.4 – Digital Photography Review