Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM Review: Sony's Fastest Autofocus 50mm
The Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM arrived in March 2021 as Sony’s 60th E-mount lens, priced at $1,999. It was Sony’s first f/1.2 autofocus lens, and it’s still the brightest 50mm in Sony’s own lineup. It weighs 778 grams, about as much as the camera you’ll put it on.
A 50mm f/1.2 is a specialist’s standard lens. It gives you very thin depth of field at a natural viewing angle, so you can blur a background while keeping the scene recognizable. It also gathers a lot of light, which matters at receptions, concerts and anywhere after dark.
Many working photographers carry two bodies, one with a fast prime and one with a zoom, so they never miss a frame changing lenses.
Photo: Pixel Effects
Gordon Laing’s review compares it with other fast 50mm lenses.
Video review: Gordon Laing
Design
The optical formula is 14 elements in 10 groups, including three XA (extreme aspherical) elements, with Nano AR Coating II and a fluorine-coated front element. The aperture has 11 rounded blades. The filter thread is 72mm.
Four XD linear motors drive two floating focus groups. That’s a lot of motor for a 50mm, and it’s how Sony gets fast autofocus out of heavy f/1.2 glass. Close focus is 40cm, for 0.17x magnification.
There’s an aperture ring with a switch to turn the clicks off for video, two customizable focus-hold buttons and an AF/MF switch. The lens is sealed against dust and moisture. There’s no optical stabilization, so it relies on the camera’s IBIS.
How it performs
Camera Labs, Photography Blog and TechRadar all found it sharp wide open, especially in the center. The bokeh is smooth, and autofocus was fast, quiet and reliable with eye detection in Camera Labs’ and TechRadar’s tests. Camera Labs also noted it’s compact for an f/1.2 when compared with Nikon’s Z 50mm f/1.2, which weighs 1,084 grams.
The weaknesses: strong vignetting at f/1.2, edges that lag the center, and noticeable focus breathing, which Camera Labs flagged for video. PhotoReview found autofocus only moderately quick in very dim, low-contrast light. And the price, mentioned by every review.
Who should buy it
Portrait, wedding and event photographers who want the most light and the shallowest focus Sony makes at 50mm, and who’ll use f/1.2 often. On an A7 IV, A1 II or A7R V it’s a superb low-light lens.
Most people will be better served by the Sony FE 50mm F1.4 GM, which came later, is smaller and lighter, and costs much less. The difference between f/1.2 and f/1.4 is about half a stop. Sigma’s 50mm f/1.2 DG DN is the main third-party rival. For portraits at a longer focal length, the FE 85mm F1.4 GM II is the more natural choice.