Sony FE 50mm F1.4 GM

Sony's latest fast standard prime is superb but pricey. Andy Westlake reports on how it performs

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Over the past couple of years, Sony has been steadily updating many of its older full-frame E-mount lenses. Its new FE 50mm F1.4 GM is, in effect, a successor to the FE 50mm F1.4 ZA from 2016. In comparison, Sony says it provides higher image quality, better autofocus and improved usability, all in a smaller, lighter design. There is, of course, a premium: at £1,600, the GM optic costs £300 more.

Given its price point, this lens is aimed at professional and serious amateur photographers. Its 50mm focal length provides a natural-looking perspective, making it a general-purpose optic that’s useful for a wide range of subjects. The large aperture allows subjects to be effectively separated from out-of-focus backgrounds, while also enabling handheld shooting in low light.

Alongside the aforementioned FE 50mm F1.4 ZA, Sony makes several cheaper 50mm lenses, plus the premium FE 50mm F1.2 GM (£2,099). Third-party options include the Samyang AF 50mm F1.4 FE II, which delivers fine performance at an affordable price (£599), and the new Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG DN Art, which promises stiff competition for £850. So how does the GM lens fit into this crowded market?

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