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Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM vs Sony Carl Zeiss Planar T 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM

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Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM

Standard Prime | Sony Alpha

Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM
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Sony CZ T* 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM

Standard Prime | Sony Alpha

Sony Carl Zeiss Planar T 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM
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Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM vs Sony CZ T* 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM and Sony CZ T* 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM, two Standard Prime lenses by Sony. Both lenses have the same focal range of 50mm but different max apertures: Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM has a max aperture of F1.8 while the Sony CZ T* 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM has a max aperture of F1.4. Another major difference between these two lenses is that the Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM has a max format size coverage of APS-C / DX, on the other hand the Sony CZ T* 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM has a max coverage of 35mm FF.

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.

Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM Key Specs

  • 50mm Focal Range
  • F1.8 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 49mm
  • Max Format: APS-C / DX
  • Sony Alpha Mount
  • Weight: 170g.
  • Diameter: 70mm
  • Length: 45mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.34m
  • Max Magnification:0.2x

Sony CZ T* 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM Key Specs

  • 50mm Focal Range
  • F1.4 Max Aperture
  • Weather Sealed
  • Filter Thread: 72mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Sony Alpha Mount
  • Weight: 518g.
  • Diameter: 81mm
  • Length: 72mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.45m
  • Max Magnification:0.14x

What type of photography are the Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM and Sony CZ T* 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM and the Sony CZ T* 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM Sony CZ T* 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM
Bird/WildlifeFairFair
SportsAverageAverage
PortraitExcellentExcellent
TravelAverageGood
StreetGoodVery Good
WeddingExcellentExcellent
Walk AroundAverageGood
VloggingAverageGood
LandscapeAverageGood
MacroFairPoor

Size and Weight Comparison

Size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses.Sony CZ T* 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM is the longer of the two lenses at 72mm. The Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM with a length of 45mm is 27mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Sony CZ T* 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM also has a larger diameter of 81mm compared to Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM's 70mm diameter.

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. Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM weighs 170g, which means it is 348g (67%) lighter than the Sony CZ T* 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM which has a weight of 518g.


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

Standard Prime Lenses in Sony Alpha Mount for Size Comparison
Model Length Diameter Weight Street Price
Sony 50mm F1.4 Lens Sony 50mm F1.4
43mm
66mm 222g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM Lens Sigma 30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM
59mm
77mm 430g Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron SP 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD Lens Tamron 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD
92mm
80mm 520g Amazon B&H Photo
Lensbaby Burnside 35 Lens Lensbaby Burnside 35
70mm
70mm 374g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM Lens Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM
68mm
85mm 505g Amazon B&H Photo
Lensbaby Velvet 56 Lens Lensbaby Velvet 56
86mm
72mm 400g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG HSM A Lens Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG HSM A
100mm
85mm 815g Amazon B&H Photo
Samyang 50mm F1.4 AS UMC Lens Samyang 50mm F1.4 AS UMC
75mm
82mm 535g Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mounts

Both Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM and Sony CZ T* 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM has the same Sony Alpha lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Sony Alpha lenses are Sony A68, Sony A77 II and Sony A58.

Focal Range

Reasons to choose Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM over Sony Carl Zeiss Planar T 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM

Diaphgragm Blades 7 vs Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Weight 170g vs 518g 348g lighter
Diameter 70mm vs 81mm 11mm smaller in diameter
Length 45mm vs 72mm 27mm shorter
Filter Thread 49mm vs 72mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find
Minimum Focus Distance 0.34m vs 0.45m can focus closer to the subject
Max Magnification 0.2x vs 0.14x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Reasons to choose Sony Carl Zeiss Planar T 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM over Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM

Max Aperture - Wide 1.4 vs 1.8 Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele 1.4 vs 1.8 Wider aperture at tele end
Depth-of-Field Scale Yes vs No Depth of Field scale to assist focusing
Max Sensor Coverage 35mm FF vs APS-C / DX covers larger sensors
Weather Sealing Yes vs No safer to use under rain and dust

Common Strengths of Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM and Sony Carl Zeiss Planar T 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM
Distance Scale Yes vs Yes Distance Scale to assist focusing
Common Weaknesses of Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM and Sony Carl Zeiss Planar T 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM
Image Stabilization No vs No Reliant on in-body Image Stabilization



**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.

Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM vs Sony CZ T* 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Sony Sony
Lens Type Prime Prime
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type Standard Prime Standard Prime
Lens Mount Sony Alpha Sony Alpha
Max Format APS-C / DX 35mm FF
Focal Range 50mm 50mm
Image Stabilization No No
Colour Black Black
Zoom Method No Zoom No Zoom
Power Zoom No No
Zoom Lock No No
Zoom Ratio 1.0X 1.0X
Aperture
Max Aperture F1.8 F1.4
Min Aperture F32.0
Aperture Ring No No
Diaphragm Blades 7 unknown
Optics
Optical Elements 6 8
Optical Groups 5 5
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.34m 0.45m
Max Magnification 0.2X 0.14X
Autofocus Yes Yes
AF Motor Type Micromotor Ultrasonic
Full Time Manual No Yes
Focus Method Unit Unknown
Distance Scale Yes Yes
DoF Scale No Yes
Distance Scale Yes Yes
Focus Distance Limiter Unknown Unknown
Physical Specs
Weight 170g 518g
Diameter 70mm 81mm
Length 45mm 72mm
Materials Plastic barrel, plastic mount Unknown
Weather Sealing No Yes
Filter Thread 49mm 72mm
Filter Notes - -
Hood Supplied No Yes
Hood Code Unknown ALC-SH126
Tripod Collar No No
Optional Accessories - -
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