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Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM vs Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA Carl Zeiss Sonnar T

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Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM

Standard Prime | Sony E

Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM
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BUY from B&H PHOTO
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Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA CZ

Standard Prime | Sony E

Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA Carl Zeiss Sonnar T
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BUY from B&H PHOTO

Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM vs Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA CZ Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM and Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA CZ, two Standard Prime lenses by Sony.

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 FE 50mm F1.2 GM Key Specs

  • 50mm Focal Range
  • F1.2 Max Aperture
  • Weather Sealed
  • Filter Thread: 72mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Sony E Mount
  • Weight: 778g.
  • Diameter: 87mm
  • Length: 108mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.4m
  • Max Magnification:0.17x

Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA CZ Key Specs

  • 55mm Focal Range
  • F1.8 Max Aperture
  • Weather Sealed
  • Filter Thread: 49mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Sony E Mount
  • Weight: 281g.
  • Diameter: 64mm
  • Length: 71mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.5m
  • Max Magnification:0.14x

What type of photography are the Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM and Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA CZ lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM and the Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA CZ for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA CZ
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.Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM is the longer of the two lenses at 108mm. The Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA CZ with a length of 71mm is 37mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM also has a larger diameter of 87mm compared to Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA CZ's 64mm 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 FE 55mm F1.8 ZA CZ weighs 281g, 63% (497g) lighter than the Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM's weight of 778g.


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

Standard Prime Lenses in Sony E Mount for Size Comparison
Model Length Diameter Weight Street Price
Sony FE 50mm F1.8 Lens Sony FE 50mm F1.8
60mm
69mm 186g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony Planar T FE 50mm F1.4 ZA Lens Sony Zeiss FE 50mm F1.4 ZA
108mm
84mm 778g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS Lens Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS
62mm
62mm 202g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 56mm F1.4 DC DN C Lens Sigma 56mm F1.4 DC DN C
60mm
67mm 280g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 30mm F1.4 DC DN C Lens Sigma 30mm F1.4 C
73mm
65mm 265g Amazon B&H Photo
Samyang AF 50mm F1.4 FE II Lens Samyang 50mm F1.4 FE II
89mm
80mm 420g Amazon B&H Photo
7artisans 35mm F1.2 Lens 7artisans 35mm F1.2
36mm
mm 150g Amazon B&H Photo
Kamlan 55mm F1.2 Lens Kamlan 55mm F1.2
mm
61mm 700g Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mounts

Both Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM and Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA CZ has the same Sony E lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Sony E lenses are Sony A7R V, Sony FX30 and Sony A7 IV.

Focal Range

Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM 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 an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 75mm.
Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA CZ is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 55mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 82.5mm.

Reasons to choose Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM over Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA Carl Zeiss Sonnar T

Focal Length - Wide 50mm vs 55mm 5mm Wider coverage
Max Aperture - Wide 1.2 vs 1.8 Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele 1.2 vs 1.8 Wider aperture at tele end
Diaphgragm Blades 11 vs 9 Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Aperture Ring Yes vs No able to adjust the aperture on the lens
Minimum Focus Distance 0.4m vs 0.5m can focus closer to the subject
Max Magnification 0.17x vs 0.14x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Reasons to choose Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA Carl Zeiss Sonnar T over Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM

Focal Length - Tele 55mm vs 50mm 5mm more Tele coverage
Weight 281g vs 778g 497g lighter
Diameter 64mm vs 87mm 23mm smaller in diameter
Length 71mm vs 108mm 37mm shorter
Filter Thread 49mm vs 72mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find

Common Strengths of Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM and Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA Carl Zeiss Sonnar T
Internal Focusing Yes vs Yes Length of the lens doesn't change during focusing
Weather Sealing Yes vs Yes safer to use under rain and dust
Common Weaknesses of Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM and Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA Carl Zeiss Sonnar T
Image Stabilization No vs No Reliant on in-body Image Stabilization
Distance Scale No vs No No Distance Scale assist



**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 FE 50mm F1.2 GM vs Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA CZ 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 E Sony E
Max Format 35mm FF 35mm FF
Focal Range 50mm 55mm
Image Stabilization No No
Colour Black Black
Zoom Method No Zoom Rotary (internal)
Power Zoom No No
Zoom Lock No No
Zoom Ratio 1.0X 1.0X
Aperture
Max Aperture F1.2 F1.8
Min Aperture F16 F22.0
Aperture Ring Yes No
Diaphragm Blades 11 9
Optics
Optical Elements 14 7
Optical Groups 10 5
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.4m 0.5m
Max Magnification 0.17X 0.14X
Autofocus Yes Yes
AF Motor Type Linear Motor Stepper motor
Full Time Manual Yes
Focus Method Internal Internal
Distance Scale No No
DoF Scale No No
Distance Scale No No
Focus Distance Limiter Unknown Unknown
Physical Specs
Weight 778g 281g
Diameter 87mm 64mm
Length 108mm 71mm
Materials Magnesium alloy All-metal construction
Weather Sealing Yes Yes
Filter Thread 72mm 49mm
Filter Notes - -
Hood Supplied Yes Yes
Hood Code Unknown ALC-SH131
Tripod Collar No No
Optional Accessories - -
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