Request a product

Sony Planar T* FE 50mm F1.4 ZA vs Sony FE 50mm F1.8

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

SonyPlanar T* FE 50mm F1.4 ZASonyFE 50mm F1.8
Overview
ReleasedJuly 2016April 2016
Optics
Lens typePrimePrime
Focal length50 mm50 mm
Maximum aperturef/1.4f/1.8
Minimum aperturef/16f/22
Optical constructionTwelve elements in nine groups; double-Gauss design combined with a rear internal-focusing groupSix elements in five groups; double-Gauss design
Special elementsTwo aspherical elements in total including one AA advanced aspherical element; one ED glass elementOne aspherical element
CoatingsZeiss T* coating–
DiaphragmEleven rounded bladesSeven rounded blades
Angle of view47° full frame; 32° APS-C47° full frame; 32° 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; 75 mm equivalent field of view on APS-C
Teleconverter supportNot compatible with Sony E-mount teleconverters–
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance0.45 m0.45 m
Maximum magnification0.15×0.14×
Optical stabilisationNoNo
Autofocus detailRing-drive SSM (Super Sonic wave Motor)–
Focus distance detail0.45 m minimum focus distance0.45 m minimum focus distance
Magnification detail0.15× maximum magnification0.14× maximum magnification
Stabilisation detailNo optical stabilisation; compatible camera body stabilisation can be usedNo optical stabilisation; compatible camera body stabilisation can be used
Video featuresAperture click switch permits continuous adjustment without click sound–
Design
Dust and moisture resistantYes–
Filter diameter72 mm49 mm
Maximum diameter83.5 mm68.6 mm
Length108 mm59.5 mm
Weight778 g186 g
ControlsManual-focus ring, AF/MF switch and aperture ring with click on/off switchManual-focus ring; focus mode selected on camera; metal lens mount
Weather resistanceDust and moisture resistant design; not guaranteed to prevent all ingress–
Dimensions detail83.5 mm maximum diameter × 108 mm length68.6 mm maximum diameter × 59.5 mm length
Weight detailApproximately 778 g lens; separate hood and caps excludedApproximately 186 g lens; separate hood and caps excluded. Sony Netherlands launch release states 192 g, superseded here by exact-model Sony Japan technical specifications
Lens hoodALC-SH143 petal bayonet hood, suppliedALC-SH146 round bayonet hood, supplied
In the boxALC-SH143 hood, ALC-F72S front cap, ALC-R1EM rear cap and soft caseALC-SH146 hood, ALC-F49S front cap and ALC-R1EM rear cap; no case listed
Release detailSony US announcement dated 11 July 2016 on PRNewswire gives shipping in July; Sony Japan specifies 29 July. Main release retains month precision because exact global first day is not established. Two independent full reviews read: Photography Blog Mark Goldstein and Amateur Photographer Andy Westlake, both using Alpha 7R II. Their wide-open sharpness and focus-speed disagreement retained; AP page refreshed in 2023 includes later GM context. Blog focus paragraph incorrectly says 71 mm filter; maker 72 mm used. No inferred predecessor linkSony Netherlands announcement dated 29 March 2016 states availability from April 2016; exact first on-sale day not established. Main release retains month precision. Full independent exact-model reviews read: Photography Blog on Alpha 7S and Amateur Photographer Andy Westlake with Alpha 7R II autofocus experience. Review differences in corner sharpness and longitudinal fringing are preserved; the Blog explicitly qualifies its 12-megapixel test body. Reviews assess original launch-era focus behaviour, not subsequent firmware

More comparisons