Home Lenses Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS Sony
Released December 2011
An APS-C E-mount portrait prime with an F1.8 aperture, Optical SteadyShot and an aluminium-alloy exterior.
Compare with another lens Compare with… Sony Sonnar T* FE 55mm F1.8 ZA (2013) Sony E 35mm F1.8 OSS (2012) Sony Sonnar T* E 24mm F1.8 ZA (2011) RF 20-50mm F4L IS USM PZ (2026) RF 14mm F1.4L VCM (2026) RF 7-14mm F2.8-3.5L FISHEYE STM (2026) RF 45mm F1.2 STM (2025) RF 85mm F1.4L VCM (2025) RF 75–300mm F4–5.6 (2025) RF 20mm F1.4 L VCM (2025) RF-S 14–30mm F4–6.3 IS STM PZ (2025) RF 16–28mm F2.8 IS STM (2025) RF 24mm F1.4 L VCM (2024) RF 50mm F1.4 L VCM (2024) RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM Z (2024) RF 28–70mm F2.8 IS STM (2024) RF 35mm F1.4 L VCM (2024) RF 200–800mm F6.3–9 IS USM (2023) RF 24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z (2023) RF-S 10–18mm F4.5–6.3 IS STM (2023) RF 10–20mm F4 L IS STM (2023) RF 28mm F2.8 STM (2023) RF 100–300mm F2.8L IS USM (2023) RF 24–50mm F4.5–6.3 IS STM (2023) RF-S 55–210mm F5–7.1 IS STM (2023) RF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM (2023) RF 15–30mm F4.5–6.3 IS STM (2022) RF 24mm F1.8 MACRO IS STM (2022) RF-S 18–150mm F3.5–6.3 IS STM (2022) RF-S 18–45mm F4.5–6.3 IS STM (2022) RF 1200mm F8L IS USM (2022) RF 800mm F5.6L IS USM (2022) RF 100–400mm F5.6–8 IS USM (2021) RF 16mm F2.8 STM (2021) RF 14–35mm F4 L IS USM (2021) RF 100mm F2.8 L Macro IS USM (2021) RF 400mm F2.8L IS USM (2021) RF 600mm F4L IS USM (2021) RF 70–200mm F4 L IS USM (2021) RF 50mm F1.8 STM (2020) RF 85mm F2 MACRO IS STM (2020) RF 100–500mm F4.5–7.1L IS USM (2020) RF 600mm F11 IS STM (2020) RF 800mm F11 IS STM (2020) RF 24–105mm F4–7.1 IS STM (2020) RF 85mm F1.2 L USM DS (2019) RF 70–200mm F2.8 L IS USM (2019) RF 15–35mm F2.8 L IS USM (2019) RF 24–240mm F4–6.3 IS USM (2019) RF 24–70mm F2.8L IS USM (2019) RF 85mm F1.2 L USM (2019) RF 28–70mm F2 L USM (2018) RF 35mm F1.8 MACRO IS STM (2018) RF 24–105mm F4L IS USM (2018) RF 50mm F1.2 L USM (2018) EF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS III USM (2018) EF 70–200mm f/4L IS II USM (2018) EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM (2017) EF-S 35mm f/2.8 Macro IS STM (2017) EF-S 18–55mm f/4–5.6 IS STM (2017) EF 16–35mm f/2.8L III USM (2016) EF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS USM (2016) EF 24–105mm f/4L IS II USM (2016) EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM (2015) EF 50mm f/1.8 STM (2015) EF 24–105mm f/3.5–5.6 IS STM (2014) EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM (2014) EF-S 10–18mm f/4.5–5.6 IS STM (2014) EF-S 55–250mm f/4–5.6 IS STM (2013) EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 IS STM (2013) EF 24–70mm f/4L IS USM (2012) EF 35mm f/2 IS USM (2012) EF 24–70mm f/2.8L II USM (2012) EF 24mm f/2.8 IS USM (2012) EF 28mm f/2.8 IS USM (2012) EF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS STM (2012) EF-S 55–250mm f/4–5.6 IS II (2011) EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 III (2011) EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 IS II (2011) EF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS II USM (2010) EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM (2009) EF-S 15–85mm f/3.5–5.6 IS USM (2009) EF-S 18–135mm f/3.5–5.6 IS (2009) EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM (2008) EF-S 18–200mm f/3.5–5.6 IS (2008) EF-S 55–250mm f/4–5.6 IS (2007) EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 IS (2007) EF 50mm f/1.2L USM (2007) EF 16–35mm f/2.8L II USM (2007) EF 70–200mm f/4L IS USM (2006) EF-S 17–55mm f/2.8 IS USM (2006) EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM (2006) EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 II (2005) EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 II USM (2005) EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM (2005) EF 24–105mm f/4L IS USM (2005) EF-S 10–22mm f/3.5–4.5 USM (2004) EF-S 17–85mm f/4–5.6 IS USM (2004) EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 USM (2003) EF 24–70mm f/2.8L USM (2002) EF 16–35mm f/2.8L USM (2001) EF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS USM (2001) EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM (2000) EF 70–200mm f/4L USM (1999) EF 35mm f/1.4L USM (1998) EF 24mm f/1.4L USM (1997) EF 135mm f/2L USM (1996) EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM (1996) EF 28mm f/1.8 USM (1995) EF 70–200mm f/2.8L USM (1995) EF 50mm f/1.4 USM (1993) EF 85mm f/1.8 USM (1992) EF 200mm f/2.8L USM (1991) EF 50mm f/1.8 II (1990) EF 35mm f/2 (1990) EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro (1990) EF 80–200mm f/2.8L (1989) EF 85mm f/1.2L USM (1989) EF 24mm f/2.8 (1988) EF 28mm f/2.8 (1987) EF 50mm f/1.8 (1987) NIKKOR Z 70–200mm f/2.8 VR S II (2026) NIKKOR Z 24–105mm f/4–7.1 (2026) NIKKOR Z DX 16–50mm f/2.8 VR (2025) NIKKOR Z DX MC 35mm f/1.7 (2025) NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II (2025) NIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ (2025) NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.2 S (2025) NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.4 (2024) NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.4 (2024) NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR (2024) NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena (2023) NIKKOR Z 600mm f/6.3 VR S (2023) NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR (2023) NIKKOR Z 70-180mm f/2.8 (2023) NIKKOR Z DX 24mm f/1.7 (2023) NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR (2023) NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8 (2023) NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S (2023) NIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S (2022) NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 (2022) NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S (2022) NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S (2022) NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S (2022) NIKKOR Z 28-75mm f/2.8 (2022) NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S (2021) NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S (2021) NIKKOR Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR (2021) NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 (2021) NIKKOR Z 28mm f/2.8 (2021) NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S (2021) NIKKOR Z MC 50mm f/2.8 (2021) NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S (2020) NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S (2020) NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 (2020) NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S (2020) NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR (2020) NIKKOR Z 20mm f/1.8 S (2020) NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR (2019) NIKKOR Z DX 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 VR (2019) NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct (2019) NIKKOR Z 24mm f/1.8 S (2019) NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S (2019) NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S (2019) NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S (2019) NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S (2018) NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S (2018) NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S (2018) AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR (2018) AF-S NIKKOR 180-400mm f/4E TC1.4 FL ED VR (2018) AF-S NIKKOR 28mm f/1.4E ED (2017) AF-S NIKKOR 70–200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR (2016) AF-S NIKKOR 105mm f/1.4E ED (2016) AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR (2015) AF-S NIKKOR 200–500mm f/5.6E ED VR (2015) AF-S NIKKOR 24mm f/1.8G ED (2015) AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/4E FL ED VR (2015) AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4E FL ED VR (2015) AF-S NIKKOR 20mm f/1.8G ED (2014) AF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR (2014) AF-S DX NIKKOR 18–300mm f/3.5–6.3G ED VR (2014) AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G ED (2014) AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR (2013) AF-S NIKKOR 800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR (2013) AF-S NIKKOR 28mm f/1.8G (2012) AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G (2012) AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G (2011) AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G (2011) AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G (2010) AF-S NIKKOR 24–120mm f/4G ED VR (2010) AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4G (2010) AF-S NIKKOR 24mm f/1.4G ED (2010) AF-S NIKKOR 16–35mm f/4G ED VR (2010) AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G (2009) AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G (2008) AF-S NIKKOR 14–24mm f/2.8G ED (2007) FE 400mm F4.5 GM OSS (2026) FE 600mm F6.3 GM OSS (2026) FE 8–14mm F3.5 Fisheye G (2026) FE 100–400mm F5.6–8 OSS (2026) FE 100–400mm F4.5 GM OSS (2026) FE 28-70mm F3.5-5.6 OSS II (2026) FE 100mm F2.8 Macro GM OSS (2025) FE 50–150mm F2 GM (2025) FE 16mm F1.8 G (2025) FE 400–800mm F6.3–8 G OSS (2025) FE 28–70mm F2 GM (2024) FE 85mm F1.4 GM II (2024) E PZ 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 OSS II (2024) FE 16-25mm F2.8 G (2024) FE 24-50mm F2.8 G (2024) FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS (2024) FE 16–35mm F2.8 GM II (2023) FE 70-200mm F4 Macro G OSS II (2023) FE 50mm F1.4 GM (2023) FE 20-70mm F4 G (2023) E 11mm F1.8 (2022) E 15mm F1.4 G (2022) E PZ 10-20mm F4 G (2022) FE 24–70mm F2.8 GM II (2022) FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G (2022) FE 70–200mm F2.8 GM OSS II (2021) FE 14mm F1.8 GM (2021) FE 24mm F2.8 G (2021) FE 40mm F2.5 G (2021) FE 50mm F1.2 GM (2021) FE 50mm F2.5 G (2021) FE 35mm F1.4 GM (2021) FE 28-60mm F4-5.6 (2020) FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM (2020) FE 20mm F1.8 G (2020) E 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 G OSS (2019) E 16-55mm F2.8 G (2019) FE 35mm F1.8 (2019) FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS (2019) FE 600mm F4 GM OSS (2019) FE 135mm F1.8 GM (2019) FE 24mm F1.4 GM (2018) FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS (2018) E 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS (2018) FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS (2017) FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS (2017) FE 12-24mm F4 G (2017) FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM (2017) FE 100mm F2.8 STF GM OSS (2017) FE 85mm F1.8 (2017) E PZ 18-110mm F4 G OSS (2016) FE 50mm F2.8 Macro (2016) FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS (2016) Planar T* FE 50mm F1.4 ZA (2016) FE 50mm F1.8 (2016) FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS (2016) FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM (2016) FE 85mm F1.4 GM (2016) FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS (2015) Distagon T* FE 35mm F1.4 ZA (2015) FE 24-240mm F3.5-6.3 OSS (2015) FE 28mm F2 (2015) FE PZ 28-135mm F4 G OSS (2014) Vario-Tessar T* FE 16-35mm F4 ZA OSS (2014) FE 70-200mm F4 G OSS (2014) Vario-Tessar T* FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS (2014) E PZ 18-105mm F4 G OSS (2013) 70-200mm F2.8 G SSM II (2013) Sonnar T* FE 35mm F2.8 ZA (2013) Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm F4 ZA OSS (2013) Planar T* 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM (2013) E 20mm F2.8 (2013) E 10-18mm F4 OSS (2012) E PZ 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS (2012) E 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS LE (2012) DT 16–50mm F2.8 SSM (2011) E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS (2011) E 30mm F3.5 Macro (2011) DT 35mm F1.8 SAM (2010) E 16mm F2.8 (2010) DT 30mm F2.8 Macro SAM (2009) DT 50mm F1.8 SAM (2009) Vario-Sonnar T* 16-35mm F2.8 ZA SSM (2009) Vario-Sonnar T* 24–70mm F2.8 ZA SSM (2008) Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16–80mm F3.5–4.5 ZA (2007) Planar T* 85mm F1.4 ZA (2006) Sonnar T* 135mm F1.8 ZA (2006) 70–200mm F2.8 G (2006) 50mm F1.4 (2006) 50mm F2.8 Macro (2006)
Mount Sony E
Focal length 50 mm
Max aperture f/1.8
Stabilisation Yes
Weight 202 g What reviewers say Both praise attractive background blur, autofocus, build quality and the usefulness of optical stabilisation, while finding wide-open colour fringing. Sony Alpha Lab is more enthusiastic about value and corner sharpness on NEX-5N; Sony Alpha Blog finds soft wide-open corners on Alpha 6000 and recommends stopping down for landscapes. Both find wide-open vignetting improves stopped down.
From sonyalphalab.com and sonyalpha.blog
Optics
Lens type Prime
Focal length 50 mm
Maximum aperture f/1.8
Minimum aperture f/22
Optical construction Nine elements in eight groups
Diaphragm Seven rounded blades
Angle of view 32° APS-C Mount and compatibility
Mounts Sony E
Image circle APS-C
Image circle detail APS-C coverage; 75 mm equivalent field of view
Teleconverter support Not compatible with Sony E-mount teleconverters Focus and stabilisation
Autofocus Yes
Minimum focus distance 0.39 m
Maximum magnification 0.16×
Optical stabilisation Yes
Autofocus detail Internal motor and internal focusing; no specific drive designation published in read maker feature page
Focus distance detail 0.39 m minimum focus; electronically coupled manual-focus ring
Magnification detail 0.16× maximum magnification
Stabilisation detail Optical SteadyShot; Sony specifies approximately four stops, not guaranteed under every shooting condition Design
Filter diameter 49 mm
Maximum diameter 62 mm
Length 62 mm
Weight 202 g
Controls Manual-focus ring; focus mode and optical stabilisation selected on the camera
Dimensions detail 62 mm maximum diameter × 62 mm length; aluminium-alloy exterior and internal focusing
Weight detail Approximately 202 g lens; separate hood and caps excluded
Lens hood ALC-SH116 round bayonet hood
In the box ALC-SH116 hood, front cap and rear cap; no case listed
Release detail Photography Blog’s contemporaneous 24 August 2011 US-price launch report specifies December availability; Imaging Resource’s later exact review corroborates end of 2011 release. Sony Japan delayed its local launch after Thai floods and finally specified 9 March 2012. Exact global first day unconfirmed. Sony Hong Kong added the black finish from September 2013; it is a colour configuration, not another generation. Two full independent reviews: Sony Alpha Lab Jay on NEX-5N, mostly corrected JPEG samples, and Sony Alpha Blog Marc Alhadeff on Alpha 6000. Their corner-sharpness judgments differ across bodies/tests. Unconfirmed ED glass/motor subtype in third-party descriptions omitted Versions Version Mount Weight Dimensions Sony E mount — silver Sony E – – Sony E mount — black Sony E – –
Pros and cons Pros + F1.8 maximum aperture+ Optical SteadyShot+ 202 g lens weightCons − No external AF/MF or OSS switches
