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Sony FE 50mm F1.8 vs Sony FE 50mm F2.8 Macro

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

SonyFE 50mm F1.8SonyFE 50mm F2.8 Macro
Overview
ReleasedApril 2016September 2016
Optics
Lens typePrimePrime
Focal length50 mm50 mm
Maximum aperturef/1.8f/2.8
Minimum aperturef/22f/16
Macro lens–Yes
Optical constructionSix elements in five groups; double-Gauss designEight elements in seven groups
Special elementsOne aspherical elementED glass and aspherical elements; counts not specified in the cited maker feature text
DiaphragmSeven 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 support–Not compatible with Sony E-mount teleconverters
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance0.45 m0.16 m
Maximum magnification0.14×1×
Optical stabilisationNoNo
Focus distance detail0.45 m minimum focus distance0.16 m minimum from the image sensor; working distance approximately 50 mm or less at closest focus
Magnification detail0.14× maximum magnification1.0× life-size maximum magnification
Stabilisation detailNo optical stabilisation; compatible camera body stabilisation can be usedNo optical stabilisation; compatible body stabilisation can be used
Design
Dust and moisture resistant–Yes
Filter diameter49 mm55 mm
Maximum diameter68.6 mm70.8 mm
Length59.5 mm71 mm
Weight186 g236 g
ControlsManual-focus ring; focus mode selected on camera; metal lens mountManual-focus ring, AF/MF switch, focus-range limiter and focus-hold button; magnification and distance markings
Weather resistance–Dust and moisture resistant design; not guaranteed to prevent all ingress
Dimensions detail68.6 mm maximum diameter × 59.5 mm length70.8 mm maximum diameter × 71 mm length
Weight detailApproximately 186 g lens; separate hood and caps excluded. Sony Netherlands launch release states 192 g, superseded here by exact-model Sony Japan technical specificationsApproximately 236 g lens; separate caps excluded
Lens hoodALC-SH146 round bayonet hood, suppliedNo hood listed by Sony
In the boxALC-SH146 hood, ALC-F49S front cap and ALC-R1EM rear cap; no case listedALC-F55S front cap and ALC-R1EM rear cap; no case listed
Release detailSony 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 firmwareSony Canada announcement dated 30 August 2016 gives September availability; Sony Japan specifies 24 September 2016. Main release retains September precision because exact first global day is not established. Two independent full reviews retained: Photography Blog credited Mark Goldstein on Alpha 7S and Sony Alpha Blog Marc Alhadeff on Alpha 7R II. Amateur Photographer Richard Sibley was also read but closely overlaps Photography Blog wording, so it is not counted as an independent second review. Reviews disagree on detected colour fringing and barrel material; maker does not specify barrel material here, so it is omitted

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