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Tamron SP 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD vs Sony Carl Zeiss Planar T 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM

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Tamron 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD

Standard Prime | Sony Alpha

Tamron SP 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD
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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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Tamron 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD vs Sony CZ T* 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing Tamron 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD and Sony CZ T* 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM, two Standard Prime lenses from Tamron and 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.

Tamron 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD Key Specs

  • 45mm Focal Range
  • F1.8 Max Aperture
  • Image Stabilization
  • Weather Sealed
  • Filter Thread: 67mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Sony Alpha Mount
  • Weight: 520g.
  • Diameter: 80mm
  • Length: 92mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.29m
  • Max Magnification:0.3x

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 Tamron 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD 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 Tamron 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD and the Sony CZ T* 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Tamron 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD Sony CZ T* 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM
Bird/WildlifeFairFair
SportsAverageAverage
PortraitExcellentExcellent
TravelGoodGood
StreetVery GoodVery Good
WeddingExcellentExcellent
Walk AroundGoodGood
VloggingGoodGood
LandscapeGoodGood
MacroAveragePoor

Size and Weight Comparison

Size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses.Tamron 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD is the longer of the two lenses at 92mm. The Sony CZ T* 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM with a length of 72mm is 20mm shorter. On the other hand, the Sony CZ T* 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM has a larger diameter of 81mm compared to Tamron 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD's 80mm 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 CZ T* 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM weighs 518g, 0% (2g) lighter than the Tamron 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD's weight of 520g.


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 DT 50mm F1.8 SAM Lens Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM
45mm
70mm 170g Amazon B&H Photo
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
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 Tamron 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD 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 A99 II, Sony A68 and Sony A77 II.

Tamron 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD is also available in Canon EF and Nikon F (FX) mounts.

Focal Range

Tamron 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 45mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 67.5mm.
Sony CZ T* 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM 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.

Reasons to choose Tamron SP 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD over Sony Carl Zeiss Planar T 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM

Focal Length - Wide 45mm vs 50mm 5mm Wider coverage
Image Stabilization Yes vs No Sharper Images at longer shutter speeds
Diaphgragm Blades 9 vs Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Diameter 80mm vs 81mm 1mm smaller in diameter
Filter Thread 67mm vs 72mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find
Minimum Focus Distance 0.29m vs 0.45m can focus closer to the subject
Max Magnification 0.3x vs 0.14x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Reasons to choose Sony Carl Zeiss Planar T 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM over Tamron SP 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD

Focal Length - Tele 50mm vs 45mm 5mm more Tele coverage
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
Weight 518g vs 520g 2g lighter
Length 72mm vs 92mm 20mm shorter

Common Strengths of Tamron SP 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD and Sony Carl Zeiss Planar T 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM
Distance Scale Yes vs Yes Distance Scale to assist focusing
Weather Sealing Yes vs Yes safer to use 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.

Tamron 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD vs Sony CZ T* 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Tamron Sony
Lens Type Prime Prime
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type Standard Prime Standard Prime
Lens Mount Sony Alpha Sony Alpha
Max Format 35mm FF 35mm FF
Focal Range 45mm 50mm
Image Stabilization Yes 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
Aperture Ring No No
Diaphragm Blades 9 unknown
Optics
Optical Elements 10 8
Optical Groups 8 5
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.29m 0.45m
Max Magnification 0.3X 0.14X
Autofocus Yes Yes
AF Motor Type Ring-type ultrasonic Ultrasonic
Full Time Manual Yes Yes
Focus Method Internal Unknown
Distance Scale Yes Yes
DoF Scale Unknown Yes
Distance Scale Yes Yes
Focus Distance Limiter Unknown Unknown
Physical Specs
Weight 520g 518g
Diameter 80mm 81mm
Length 92mm 72mm
Materials Unknown Unknown
Weather Sealing Yes Yes
Filter Thread 67mm 72mm
Filter Notes - -
Hood Supplied Yes Yes
Hood Code Unknown ALC-SH126
Tripod Collar No No
Optional Accessories - -
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