Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS § 03 Head to head
Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS vs Viltrox AF 50 mm f/1.8 FE / Z
Sony 50mm f/1.8 is 148 g lighter. Viltrox 50mm f/1.8 has a more aperture blades.
Both lenses are made for the Sony E mount: the Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS is a 50mm f/1.8 prime, and the Viltrox AF 50 mm f/1.8 FE / Z is a 50mm f/1.8 prime. On paper the Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS comes out ahead, 5 advantages to 3, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS 
Viltrox AF 50 mm f/1.8 FE / Z 01
Key differences
Why is the Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS better than the Viltrox AF 50 mm f/1.8 FE / Z?
- 148 g lighter (202 g vs 350 g)
- 8 mm shorter (62 mm vs 70 mm long)
- Focuses 16 cm closer (0.39 m vs 0.55 m)
- Has optical image stabilization
- Smaller filter thread (49 mm vs 55 mm)
Why is the Viltrox AF 50 mm f/1.8 FE / Z better than the Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS?
- More aperture blades (9 vs 7)
- Covers a larger sensor format (full-frame vs APS-C)
- Newer design (2020 vs 2012)
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Which should you buy?
- portrait For portrait photography, the Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS has the edge: it is 148 g lighter to carry.
- low-light For low-light shooting, the Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS has the edge: it has optical image stabilization.
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Specification
| Specification | Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS | Viltrox AF 50 mm f/1.8 FE / Z |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 50mm | 50mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/16 |
| Lens type | Prime lens | Prime lens |
| Format | APS-C | Full frame |
| Weight | 202 g (0.45 lbs) ◆ | 350 g |
| Dimensions | 62 mm (diameter) x 62 mm (length) | 88.2 x 70 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.39 m (15.35 inches) ◆ | 0.55 m |
| Maximum magnification | 0.16x | — |
| Image stabilization | Yes ◆ | No |
| Weather sealing | No | — |
| Aperture ring | No | No |
| Aperture blades | 7 (circular) | 9 ◆ |
| Optical construction | 8 elements in 7 groups | 11 elements / 10 groups |
| Filter size | 49 mm ◆ | 55 mm |
| Lens mount | Sony E | Sony E, Nikon Z |
| Released | 2012 | 2020 |
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Size
- A · Sony
- B · Viltrox
- 62 × 62 mm
- 70 × 88.2 mm
The Viltrox AF 50 mm f/1.8 FE / Z is 8 mm longer and 148 g heavier than the Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS.
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Sample frames
Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS
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Video reviews
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Questions
- Which is lighter, the Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS or the Viltrox AF 50 mm f/1.8 FE / Z?
- The Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS weighs 202 g, 148 g less than the Viltrox AF 50 mm f/1.8 FE / Z (350 g).
- Which focuses closer, the Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS or the Viltrox AF 50 mm f/1.8 FE / Z?
- The Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS focuses down to 0.39 m, against 0.55 m for the Viltrox AF 50 mm f/1.8 FE / Z.
- Do the Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS and the Viltrox AF 50 mm f/1.8 FE / Z have image stabilization?
- Only the Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS has optical image stabilization.
- Is the Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS or the Viltrox AF 50 mm f/1.8 FE / Z better for portrait photography?
- For portrait photography, the Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS has the edge: it is 148 g lighter to carry.
- Is the Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS or the Viltrox AF 50 mm f/1.8 FE / Z better for low-light shooting?
- For low-light shooting, the Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS has the edge: it has optical image stabilization.
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Other comparisons
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