Sony 50mm F1.4

Sony

50mm F1.4

Released July 2006

A compact full-frame A-mount F1.4 standard prime with camera-driven autofocus.

Mount
Sony A
Focal length
50 mm
Max aperture
f/1.4
Stabilisation
No
Weight
220 g

What reviewers say

Both find strong stopped-down detail, fast but audible autofocus, and weak wide-open corners with colour fringing and harsher blur. OpticalLimits advises avoiding F1.4 on Alpha700; DPReview sees useful central sharpness on APS-C, but weaker full-frame results. DPReview’s sample back-focused on multiple bodies and needed Alpha900 microadjustment, a sample-specific issue.

From photozone.de, photozone.de, photozone.de and dpreview.com

Optics

Lens type
Prime
Focal length
50 mm
Maximum aperture
f/1.4
Minimum aperture
f/22
Optical construction
Seven elements in six groups
Diaphragm
Seven rounded blades
Angle of view
47° full-frame; 32° APS-C

Mount and compatibility

Mounts
Sony A
Image circle
Full frame
Image circle detail
Full-frame A-mount coverage; 75 mm equivalent field of view on APS-C
Teleconverter support
Sony 1.4× and 2× teleconverters unsupported

Focus and stabilisation

Autofocus
Yes
Minimum focus distance
0.45 m
Maximum magnification
0.15×
Optical stabilisation
No
Autofocus detail
Camera-body screw-drive autofocus (DPReview and OpticalLimits); no in-lens SSM motor
Focus distance detail
0.45 m minimum focus; distance and depth-of-field scales. Whole optical assembly extends during focusing (DPReview)
Stabilisation detail
No lens optical stabilisation (DPReview); maker notes compatible Alpha bodies provide in-body stabilisation

Design

Filter diameter
55 mm
Maximum diameter
65.5 mm
Length
43 mm
Weight
220 g
Filter detail
55 mm front filter thread
Lens hood
Bayonet hood supplied; SH0011 identification in DPReview
In the box
Lens hood; DPReview lists front and rear caps, with regional accessory differences possible
Release detail
Sony 6 June 2006 Alpha lens announcement, revised 12 July, specifies 21 July sale in Japan. Sony archive labels production completed; no current-range claim.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • F1.4 maximum aperture
  • 220 g weight
  • Distance and depth-of-field scales

Cons

  • No optical stabilisation
  • Autofocus requires camera screw drive

Closest rivals

Model
MountFocal lengthMax apertureStabilisationWeightReleased
Sony A50 mmf/1.4No518 gMay 2013
Sony A50 mmf/2.8–295 gJul 2006
Sony A85 mmf/1.4–640 gOct 2006

Sources

  1. sony.jp/ichigan/products/archive/SAL50F14/spec.html
  2. sony.jp/ichigan/products/archive/SAL50F14/feature_1.html
  3. sony.jp/CorporateCruise/Press/200606/06-0606/lens.html
  4. dpreview.com/reviews/8156927476/sony-50-1p4-m15
  5. photozone.de/sony-alpha-aps-c-lens-tests/373-sony-50-f14

Photo: sony.jp

Spot a mistake? Tell us