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Sony FE 50mm F1.4 GM vs Sony Sonnar T* FE 55mm F1.8 ZA

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

SonyFE 50mm F1.4 GMSonySonnar T* FE 55mm F1.8 ZA
Overview
ReleasedMarch 2023December 2013
Optics
Lens typePrimePrime
Focal length50 mm55 mm
Maximum aperturef/1.4f/1.8
Minimum aperturef/16f/22
Optical construction14 elements in 11 groupsSeven elements in five groups; Sonnar design
Special elementsTwo XA extreme-aspherical elements and one ED glass elementThree aspherical elements, including two with both surfaces aspherical
CoatingsNano AR Coating II; fluorine coating on front elementZEISS T* coating
Diaphragm11 rounded bladesNine rounded blades; maker specifies circular opening through two stops below maximum aperture
Angle of view47° full frame; 32° APS-C43° full frame; 29° APS-C
Mount and compatibility
MountsSony ESony E
Image circleFull frameFull frame
Image circle detailFull-frame coverage; 75 mm equivalent field of view on APS-CFull-frame coverage; 82.5 mm equivalent field of view on APS-C
Teleconverter supportNot compatible with SEL14TC or SEL20TCNot compatible with SEL14TC or SEL20TC
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance0.38 m (manual focus)0.5 m
Maximum magnification0.18× (manual focus)0.14×
Optical stabilisationNoNo
Autofocus detailXD linear motorsLinear motor; internal focusing
Focus distance detailMinimum focus 0.41 m with autofocus or 0.38 m with manual focus; Linear Response MFMinimum focus 0.5 m; electronic manual-focus ring
Magnification detailMaximum magnification 0.16× with autofocus or 0.18× with manual focus–
Stabilisation detailNo lens stabilisation; compatible bodies provide stabilisationNo lens stabilisation; compatible bodies provide stabilisation
Video featuresFocus-breathing reduction and breathing compensation with compatible cameras; compensation operates in movie mode and may slightly change field of view and image quality–
Design
Dust and moisture resistantYesYes
Filter diameter67 mm49 mm
Maximum diameter80.6 mm64.4 mm
Length96 mm70.5 mm
Weight516 g281 g
ControlsAperture ring with click on/off and iris lock, AF/MF switch and two customisable focus-hold buttonsManual-focus ring; focus mode selected on the camera; no aperture ring
Filter detail–49 mm front filter thread
Weather resistanceDust- and moisture-resistant design; not guaranteed completely dust- or moisture-proofDust- and moisture-resistant design; not guaranteed completely dust- or moisture-proof
Dimensions detail–Aluminium exterior; internal focusing preserves overall length
Weight detailApproximately 516 g lens; separate hood and caps excludedApproximately 281 g lens; separate hood, caps and case excluded
Lens hoodALC-SH173 round bayonet hoodALC-SH131 petal bayonet hood
In the boxALC-SH173 hood, ALC-F67S front cap, ALC-R1EM rear cap and soft caseALC-SH131 hood, front cap, rear cap and soft case
Release detailSony UK announced on 21 February 2023 and specified March 2023 availability. Photography Blog gives April 2023; the maker's earlier month is retained. UK launch price omitted because the actual Sony UK press page lists only a euro priceSony Japan revised its initial January 2014 launch to 20 December 2013 on 2 December 2013; main date retains month precision for regional release. Photography Blog Mark Goldstein tested an Alpha 7R in 2013; Digital Camera World Matthew Richards published in 2022. Their wide-open sharpness judgments differ. Maker lists a soft case despite Photography Blog saying no case was supplied

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