These two lenses are 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 Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM, based on various sources¹²³⁴.
These lenses offer a bright maximum aperture 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 compact and affordable option than the Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM, which offers a wider aperture and better image quality.
Best For: Professionals and enthusiasts seeking exceptional image quality, sharpness, and bokeh for portrait photography.
- Compact and lightweight design suitable for full-frame and APS-C setups.
- Fast and accurate autofocus for sharp images in stills and videos.
- Excellent performance in low-light conditions with superior image quality.
- Some users find the lens heavy despite its compact design.
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 Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM was announced in March 2021 as a standard prime lens for Sony E-mount cameras with full-frame or APS-C sensors. It is also part of Sony's G Master series of lenses, which are designed to deliver high image quality and performance.
It has a superior optical design that delivers exceptional sharpness, contrast, color and minimal aberrations across the frame. It also has a smoother and more circular bokeh that creates a more natural and pleasing background blur. It is one of the few lenses that can achieve an f/1.2 aperture for Sony E-mount cameras.
Features
| Feature | Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM | Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM |
| 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 | 14 elements in 10 groups |
| Special Elements | Two XA (eXtreme Aspherical) elements, one ED (Extra-low Dispersion) element, one Super ED element, Nano AR II coating | Three XA (eXtreme Aspherical) elements, one ED (Extra-low Dispersion) element, Nano AR II coating |
| Angle of View | 47 degrees | 47 degrees |
| Diaphragm Blades | 11 | 11 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/16 | f/16 |
| Minimum Focusing Distance | 0.4m | 0.45m |
| Maximum Magnification Ratio | 0.17x | 0.18x |
| Filter Size | 72mm | 72mm |
| Dimensions | 83 x 108mm | 87 x 108mm |
| Weight | 778g | 778g |
| Weather Sealing | Yes | Yes |
| Lens Hood Included | Yes | Yes |
Pros and Cons of Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM vs Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM
Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM
| 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 on wider apertures |
| Smooth and circular bokeh | Limited macro capability |
| Bright maximum aperture | Not as wide or sharp as the Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM |
| Fast and quiet autofocus system | |
| Weather-sealed construction | |
| Robust on-barrel controls | |
| Supports 30fps drive with select cameras | |
| More compact and affordable than the Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM |
Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM
| Pros | Cons |
| Exceptional image quality for a standard prime lens | No optical image stabilization |
| Superior sharpness, contrast, color and minimal aberrations across the frame | Some vignetting on wider apertures |
| Smoother and more circular bokeh | Limited macro capability |
| Wider maximum aperture | More expensive and heavier than the Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM |
| Fast and quiet autofocus system | |
| Weather-sealed construction | |
| Robust on-barrel controls | |
| Supports 30fps drive with select cameras |
Conclusion
The Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM and the Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM 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 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 compact and affordable option than the Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM, which offers a wider aperture and better image quality. The Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM has a slightly lower image quality and performance than the Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM, especially in terms of sharpness and bokeh. It also has some vignetting on wider apertures that may require some correction in post-processing.
The Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM is an older lens that offers a wider aperture and better image quality than the Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM, but at a higher cost and weight. The Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM has a superior optical design that delivers exceptional sharpness, contrast, color and minimal aberrations across the frame. It also has a smoother and more circular bokeh that creates a more natural and pleasing background blur. It also has some vignetting 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 either of these lenses may be a good choice for you.
Specifically, if you are looking for a standard prime lens that offers a more compact and affordable option, then the Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM may be the better choice for you.
On the other hand, the Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM may be the better choice for you if you are looking for a standard prime lens that offers a wider aperture and better image quality.
Further Reading
(1) Sony 50 1.2 vs 1.4 GM : r/SonyAlpha – Reddit
(2) Sony 50mm f/1.4 GM Review: Another Excellent Addition to E-Mount
(3) Sony FE 50mm F1.2 G Master Review – DustinAbbott.net
(4) How Does the New Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art Compare to the Sony 50mm f/1.2 GM?