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Sony Planar T* FE 50mm F1.4 ZA 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

SonyPlanar T* FE 50mm F1.4 ZASonySonnar T* FE 55mm F1.8 ZA
Overview
ReleasedJuly 2016December 2013
Optics
Lens typePrimePrime
Focal length50 mm55 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 groupSeven elements in five groups; Sonnar design
Special elementsTwo aspherical elements in total including one AA advanced aspherical element; one ED glass elementThree aspherical elements, including two with both surfaces aspherical
CoatingsZeiss T* coatingZEISS T* coating
DiaphragmEleven 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 Sony E-mount teleconvertersNot compatible with SEL14TC or SEL20TC
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance0.45 m0.5 m
Maximum magnification0.15×0.14×
Optical stabilisationNoNo
Autofocus detailRing-drive SSM (Super Sonic wave Motor)Linear motor; internal focusing
Focus distance detail0.45 m minimum focus distanceMinimum focus 0.5 m; electronic manual-focus ring
Magnification detail0.15× maximum magnification–
Stabilisation detailNo optical stabilisation; compatible camera body stabilisation can be usedNo lens stabilisation; compatible bodies provide stabilisation
Video featuresAperture click switch permits continuous adjustment without click sound–
Design
Dust and moisture resistantYesYes
Filter diameter72 mm49 mm
Maximum diameter83.5 mm64.4 mm
Length108 mm70.5 mm
Weight778 g281 g
ControlsManual-focus ring, AF/MF switch and aperture ring with click on/off switchManual-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 to prevent all ingressDust- and moisture-resistant design; not guaranteed completely dust- or moisture-proof
Dimensions detail83.5 mm maximum diameter × 108 mm lengthAluminium exterior; internal focusing preserves overall length
Weight detailApproximately 778 g lens; separate hood and caps excludedApproximately 281 g lens; separate hood, caps and case excluded
Lens hoodALC-SH143 petal bayonet hood, suppliedALC-SH131 petal bayonet hood
In the boxALC-SH143 hood, ALC-F72S front cap, ALC-R1EM rear cap and soft caseALC-SH131 hood, front cap, rear cap and soft case
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 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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