§ 03 Head to head

Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS vs Yongnuo YN 50 mm f/1.8 DA DSM II

Sony 50mm f/1.8 focuses 6 cm closer. Yongnuo 50mm f/1.8 is 68 g lighter.

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 Yongnuo YN 50 mm f/1.8 DA DSM II is a 50mm f/1.8 prime. On paper they trade blows, with 2 advantages each.

01

Key differences

From manufacturer specifications

Why is the Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS better than the Yongnuo YN 50 mm f/1.8 DA DSM II?

  • Focuses 6 cm closer (0.39 m vs 0.45 m)
  • Has optical image stabilization

Why is the Yongnuo YN 50 mm f/1.8 DA DSM II better than the Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS?

  • 68 g lighter (134 g vs 202 g)
  • Newer design (2023 vs 2012)
02

Which should you buy?

By use
  • portrait For portrait photography, the Yongnuo YN 50 mm f/1.8 DA DSM II has the edge: it is 68 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.
03

Specification

17 rows · better value flagged ◆
SpecificationSony E 50mm F1.8 OSSYongnuo YN 50 mm f/1.8 DA DSM II
Focal length50mm 50mm
Maximum aperturef/1.8 f/1.8
Minimum aperturef/22 f/16
Lens typePrime lens Prime lens
FormatAPS-C APS-C
Weight202 g (0.45 lbs) 134 g ◆
Dimensions62 mm (diameter) x 62 mm (length) 58 x 64 mm
Minimum focusing distance0.39 m (15.35 inches) ◆0.45 m
Maximum magnification0.16x —
Image stabilizationYes ◆No
Weather sealingNo No
Aperture ringNo No
Aperture blades7 (circular) 7
Optical construction8 elements in 7 groups 8 elements / 7 groups
Filter size49 mm 49 mm
Lens mountSony E Sony E
Released2012 2023
04

Size

Drawn to relative scale
  • A · Sony
  • B · Yongnuo
  • 62 × 62 mm
  • 64 × 58 mm

The Yongnuo YN 50 mm f/1.8 DA DSM II is 2 mm longer and 68 g lighter than the Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS.

05

Sample frames

Shot on each lens

Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS

Sony a7 50mm macro
Sony a7 50mm macro by Jasrmcf
20250724 152856-009025-A7R4-ZSPX-Aff
20250724 152856-009025-A7R4-ZSPX-Aff by Harm vb
Cruces
Cruces by jvanjose_
Trafic
Trafic by jvanjose_

Yongnuo YN 50 mm f/1.8 DA DSM II

Summer Country Side #2
Summer Country Side #2 by Mateusz Majewski
Summer Country Side #3
Summer Country Side #3 by Mateusz Majewski
Still Frozen
Still Frozen by Mateusz Majewski
Nothoscordum gracile
Nothoscordum gracile by kimrodon1
06

Video reviews

4 on YouTube
Video thumbnail for Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS review 1
Video thumbnail for Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS review 2
Video thumbnail for Yongnuo YN 50 mm f/1.8 DA DSM II review 1
Video thumbnail for Yongnuo YN 50 mm f/1.8 DA DSM II review 2
07

Questions

Which is lighter, the Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS or the Yongnuo YN 50 mm f/1.8 DA DSM II?
The Yongnuo YN 50 mm f/1.8 DA DSM II weighs 134 g, 68 g less than the Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS (202 g).
Which focuses closer, the Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS or the Yongnuo YN 50 mm f/1.8 DA DSM II?
The Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS focuses down to 0.39 m, against 0.45 m for the Yongnuo YN 50 mm f/1.8 DA DSM II.
Do the Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS and the Yongnuo YN 50 mm f/1.8 DA DSM II 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 Yongnuo YN 50 mm f/1.8 DA DSM II better for portrait photography?
For portrait photography, the Yongnuo YN 50 mm f/1.8 DA DSM II has the edge: it is 68 g lighter to carry.
Is the Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS or the Yongnuo YN 50 mm f/1.8 DA DSM II better for low-light shooting?
For low-light shooting, the Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS has the edge: it has optical image stabilization.
08

Other comparisons