§ 03 Head to head

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

Sony 50mm f/1.8 is 194 g lighter. Yongnuo 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 Yongnuo YN 50 mm f/1.8 DF DSM 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.

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 DF DSM?

  • 194 g lighter (202 g vs 396 g)
  • 23 mm shorter (62 mm vs 85 mm long)
  • Focuses 6 cm closer (0.39 m vs 0.45 m)
  • Has optical image stabilization
  • Smaller filter thread (49 mm vs 58 mm)

Why is the Yongnuo YN 50 mm f/1.8 DF DSM 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 (2021 vs 2012)
02

Which should you buy?

By use
  • portrait For portrait photography, the Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS has the edge: it is 194 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 DF DSM
Focal length50mm 50mm
Maximum aperturef/1.8 f/1.8
Minimum aperturef/22 f/16
Lens typePrime lens Prime lens
FormatAPS-C Full frame
Weight202 g (0.45 lbs) ◆396 g
Dimensions62 mm (diameter) x 62 mm (length) 68 x 85 mm
Minimum focusing distance0.39 m (15.35 inches) ◆0.45 m
Maximum magnification0.16x —
Image stabilizationYes ◆No
Weather sealingNo —
Aperture ringNo —
Aperture blades7 (circular) 9 ◆
Optical construction8 elements in 7 groups 11 elements / 8 groups
Filter size49 mm ◆58 mm
Lens mountSony E Sony E, Nikon Z
Released2012 2021
04

Size

Drawn to relative scale
  • A · Sony
  • B · Yongnuo
  • 62 × 62 mm
  • 85 × 68 mm

The Yongnuo YN 50 mm f/1.8 DF DSM is 23 mm longer and 194 g heavier 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_
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 DF DSM review 1
Video thumbnail for Yongnuo YN 50 mm f/1.8 DF DSM review 2
07

Questions

Which is lighter, the Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS or the Yongnuo YN 50 mm f/1.8 DF DSM?
The Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS weighs 202 g, 194 g less than the Yongnuo YN 50 mm f/1.8 DF DSM (396 g).
Which focuses closer, the Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS or the Yongnuo YN 50 mm f/1.8 DF DSM?
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 DF DSM.
Do the Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS and the Yongnuo YN 50 mm f/1.8 DF DSM 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 DF DSM better for portrait photography?
For portrait photography, the Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS has the edge: it is 194 g lighter to carry.
Is the Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS or the Yongnuo YN 50 mm f/1.8 DF DSM 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