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Leica Summicron-M 50mm f2 vs Leica APO-Summicron-M 50mm f2 ASPH

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Leica Summicron-M 50mm f2

Standard Prime | Leica M

Leica Summicron-M 50mm f2
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Leica APO 50mm f2 ASPH

Standard Prime | Leica M

Leica APO-Summicron-M 50mm f2 ASPH
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Leica Summicron-M 50mm f2 vs Leica APO 50mm f2 ASPH Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing Leica Summicron-M 50mm f2 for the M Mount and Leica APO 50mm f2 ASPH for the M Mount, two Standard Prime lenses by Leica. Both lenses have the same focal length and max apertures of 50mm focal range and a max aperture of F2.0 so they are very comparable in this regard.

We will start with briefly looking and the main specs of these two lenses and in the section, we will start analyzing in more detail and list the pros and cons of each lenses.

Leica Summicron-M 50mm f2 Key Specs

  • 50mm Focal Range
  • F2.0 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 39mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Leica M Mount
  • Weight: 240g.
  • Diameter: 53mm
  • Length: 44mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.7m
  • Max Magnification:0.087x

Leica APO 50mm f2 ASPH Key Specs

  • 50mm Focal Range
  • F2.0 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 39mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Leica M Mount
  • Weight: 300g.
  • Diameter: 53mm
  • Length: 47mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.7m
  • Max Magnification:0.088x

What type of photography are the Leica Summicron-M 50mm f2 and Leica APO 50mm f2 ASPH lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Leica Summicron-M 50mm f2 and the Leica APO 50mm f2 ASPH for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Leica Summicron-M 50mm f2 Leica APO 50mm f2 ASPH
Bird/WildlifeFairFair
SportsAverageAverage
PortraitExcellentExcellent
TravelGoodGood
StreetVery GoodVery Good
WeddingExcellentExcellent
Walk AroundGoodGood
VloggingGoodGood
LandscapeGoodGood
MacroPoorPoor

Size and Weight Comparison

Size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses.Leica APO 50mm f2 ASPH is the longer of the two lenses at 47mm. The Leica Summicron-M 50mm f2 with a length of 44mm is 3mm shorter. On the other hand, there is no difference between the max diameters of these lenses, both coming at 53mm.

Weight of a lens is as important as its external dimensions, especially if you are planning to hand hold your camera and lens combination for longer periods. Leica Summicron-M 50mm f2 weighs 240g, which means it is 60g (19%) lighter than the Leica APO 50mm f2 ASPH which has a weight of 300g.


Below you can find the dimension and weight table of the 'Standard Prime Lenses in Leica M Mount for size comparison purposes.

Standard Prime Lenses in Leica M Mount for Size Comparison
Model Length Diameter Weight Street Price
Voigtlander 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic Lens Voigtlander 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic
30mm
55mm 175g Amazon B&H Photo
Leica Summarit-M 35mm F2.4 ASPH Lens Leica Summarit-M 35mm F2.4 ASPH
34mm
52mm 197g Amazon B&H Photo
7artisans 50mm F1.1 Lens 7artisans 50mm F1.1
49mm
60mm 400g Amazon B&H Photo
Leica Summarit-M 50mm f2.5 Lens Leica Summarit-M 50mm f2.5
33mm
52mm 230g Amazon B&H Photo
Leica Summarit-M 50mm F2.4 ASPH Lens Leica Summarit-M 50mm F2.4 ASPH
33mm
52mm 105g Amazon B&H Photo
Leica Noctilux-M 50mm f0.95 ASPH Lens Leica Noctilux-M 50mm f0.95 ASPH
75mm
73mm 700g Amazon B&H Photo
Voigtlander 50mm F1.1 Nokton Lens Voigtlander 50mm F1.1
57mm
70mm 428g Amazon B&H Photo
Leica Summilux-M 50mm f1.4 ASPH Lens Leica Summilux-M 50mm f1.4 ASPH
53mm
54mm 335g Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mounts

Both Leica Summicron-M 50mm f2 and Leica APO 50mm f2 ASPH has the same Leica M lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Leica M lenses are Leica M11, Leica M10 and Leica M Typ 262.

Focal Range

Both lenses have the same focal range of 50mm and the fastest aperture of F2.0.

Reasons to choose Leica Summicron-M 50mm f2 over Leica APO-Summicron-M 50mm f2 ASPH

Weight 240g vs 300g 60g lighter
Length 44mm vs 47mm 3mm shorter

Reasons to choose Leica APO-Summicron-M 50mm f2 ASPH over Leica Summicron-M 50mm f2

Diaphgragm Blades 11 vs 8 Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Max Magnification 0.088x vs 0.087x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Common Strengths of Leica Summicron-M 50mm f2 and Leica APO-Summicron-M 50mm f2 ASPH
Distance Scale Yes vs Yes Distance Scale to assist focusing
Depth-of-Field Scale Yes vs Yes Depth of Field scale to assist focusing
Aperture Ring Yes vs Yes able to adjust the aperture on the lens
Common Weaknesses of Leica Summicron-M 50mm f2 and Leica APO-Summicron-M 50mm f2 ASPH
Image Stabilization No vs No Reliant on in-body Image Stabilization
Autofocus No vs No Slow and less accurate focusing
Weather Sealing No vs No not safe under rain and dust


**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Leica Summicron-M 50mm f2 vs Leica APO 50mm f2 ASPH Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Leica Leica
Lens Type Prime Prime
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type Standard Prime Standard Prime
Lens Mount Leica M Leica M
Max Format 35mm FF 35mm FF
Focal Range 50mm 50mm
Image Stabilization No No
Colour - -
Zoom Method No Zoom No Zoom
Power Zoom No No
Zoom Lock No No
Zoom Ratio 1.0X 1.0X
Aperture
Max Aperture F2.0 F2.0
Min Aperture F16.0 F16.0
Aperture Ring Yes Yes
Diaphragm Blades 8 11
Optics
Optical Elements 6 8
Optical Groups 4 5
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.7m 0.7m
Max Magnification 0.087X 0.088X
Autofocus No No
AF Motor Type None None
Full Time Manual N/A N/A
Focus Method - -
Distance Scale Yes Yes
DoF Scale Yes Yes
Distance Scale Yes Yes
Focus Distance Limiter No No
Physical Specs
Weight 240g 300g
Diameter 53mm 53mm
Length 44mm 47mm
Materials - metal barrel, metal mount
Weather Sealing No No
Filter Thread 39mm 39mm
Filter Notes - Inner-threaded for screw-in filters
Hood Supplied Yes Yes
Tripod Collar No No
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