The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G and the Sony 50mm F2.8 Macro for their suitability to various photography scenarios:
Size and Weight Comparison
The size of a lens is a crucial factor to consider when comparing two lenses. Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G is the longer of the two lenses at 99mm. The Sony 50mm F2.8 Macro with a length of 60mm, is 39mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G also has a larger diameter of 79mm compared to the Sony 50mm F2.8 Macro's 72mm diameter.
The weight of a lens is equally significant as its external dimensions, particularly if you intend to handhold your camera and lens combination for extended periods. Sony 50mm F2.8 Macro weighs 295g, 39% (193g) lighter than the Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G's weight of 488g.
Filter Threads
The Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G has a filter size of 72mm whereas the Sony 50mm F2.8 Macro has a 55mm diameter. Larger filters are generally more expensive than the smaller ones given all the other features are equal.
Below are links to the 72mm filters that we recommend you to consider for the Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G:
And these are the 55mm filters that we recommend for the Sony 50mm F2.8 Macro:
Lens Mounts
The Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G has the Sony E lens mount whereas the Sony 50mm F2.8 Macro has the Sony Alpha lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with these mounts are Sony FX5, Sony A7R VI and Sony A7 V for the Sony E Mount and Sony A99 II, Sony A68 and Sony A77 II for the Sony Alpha Mount.
Focal Range
Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G has a focal range of 20-70mm and
3.5X zoom ratio . When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides a 35mm (FF) equivalent of
30 - 105mm.
On the other hand, the Sony 50mm F2.8 Macro is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 50mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides a 35mm (FF) equivalent of 75mm.
