§ 03 Head to head

Sony FE 50mm F1.4 GM vs Sony FE 50mm F1.8

Sony 50mm f/1.4 is 0.7 stops brighter maximum aperture. Sony 50mm f/1.8 is 330 g lighter.

Both lenses are made for the Sony E mount: the Sony FE 50mm F1.4 GM is a 50mm f/1.4 prime, and the Sony FE 50mm F1.8 is a 50mm f/1.8 prime. On paper the Sony FE 50mm F1.4 GM comes out ahead, 7 advantages to 3, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.

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01

Key differences

From manufacturer specifications

Why is the Sony FE 50mm F1.4 GM better than the Sony FE 50mm F1.8?

  • 0.7 stops brighter maximum aperture (f/1.4 vs f/1.8)
  • Focuses 7 cm closer (0.38 m vs 0.45 m)
  • Higher maximum magnification (0.18x vs 0.14x)
  • Is weather sealed
  • Has a physical aperture ring
  • More aperture blades (11 vs 7)
  • Newer design (2023 vs 2016)

Why is the Sony FE 50mm F1.8 better than the Sony FE 50mm F1.4 GM?

  • 330 g lighter (186 g vs 516 g)
  • 36 mm shorter (60 mm vs 96 mm long)
  • Smaller filter thread (49 mm vs 67 mm)
02

Which should you buy?

By use
  • portrait For portrait photography, the Sony FE 50mm F1.4 GM has the edge: its f/1.4 aperture gathers more light than f/1.8.
  • low-light For low-light shooting, the Sony FE 50mm F1.4 GM has the edge: its f/1.4 aperture gathers more light than f/1.8.
03

Specification

17 rows · better value flagged ◆
SpecificationSony FE 50mm F1.4 GMSony FE 50mm F1.8
Focal length50mm 50mm
Maximum aperturef/1.4 ◆f/1.8
Minimum aperturef/16 f/22
Lens typePrime lens Prime lens
FormatFull Frame Full Frame
Weight516 g (1.14 lbs) 186 g (0.41 lbs) ◆
Dimensions80.6 mm (diameter) x 96 mm (length) 69 mm (diameter) x 60 mm (length)
Minimum focusing distance0.38 m (15 inches) ◆0.45 m (17.72 inches)
Maximum magnification0.18x ◆0.14x
Image stabilizationNo No
Weather sealingYes ◆No
Aperture ringYes No
Aperture blades11 (rounded) ◆7
Optical construction14 elements in 11 groups 6 elements in 5 groups
Filter size67 mm 49 mm ◆
Lens mountSony E Sony E
Released2023 2016
04

Size

Drawn to relative scale
  • A · Sony
  • B · Sony
  • 96 × 80.6 mm
  • 60 × 69 mm

The Sony FE 50mm F1.4 GM is 36 mm longer and 330 g heavier than the Sony FE 50mm F1.8.

05

Sample frames

Shot on each lens

Sony FE 50mm F1.4 GM

S7F01162
S7F01162 by fbv812
Shiga-ken\uff5cJapan.
Shiga-ken\uff5cJapan. by Moments by lck
Shiga-ken\uff5cJapan.
Shiga-ken\uff5cJapan. by Moments by lck
Shiga-ken\uff5cJapan.
Shiga-ken\uff5cJapan. by Moments by lck

Sony FE 50mm F1.8

Sony a7 50mm macro
Sony a7 50mm macro by Jasrmcf
End of the day
End of the day by julieprinz
End of the day
End of the day by julieprinz
by julieprinz
06

Video reviews

4 on YouTube
Video thumbnail for Sony FE 50mm F1.4 GM review 1
Video thumbnail for Sony FE 50mm F1.4 GM review 2
Video thumbnail for Sony FE 50mm F1.8 review 1
Video thumbnail for Sony FE 50mm F1.8 review 2
07

Questions

Which lens has the brighter aperture, the Sony FE 50mm F1.4 GM or the Sony FE 50mm F1.8?
The Sony FE 50mm F1.4 GM opens to f/1.4, against f/1.8 on the Sony FE 50mm F1.8, 0.7 stops brighter.
Which is lighter, the Sony FE 50mm F1.4 GM or the Sony FE 50mm F1.8?
The Sony FE 50mm F1.8 weighs 186 g, 330 g less than the Sony FE 50mm F1.4 GM (516 g).
Which focuses closer, the Sony FE 50mm F1.4 GM or the Sony FE 50mm F1.8?
The Sony FE 50mm F1.4 GM focuses down to 0.38 m, against 0.45 m for the Sony FE 50mm F1.8.
Do the Sony FE 50mm F1.4 GM and the Sony FE 50mm F1.8 have image stabilization?
No, neither lens has optical image stabilization; rely on in-body stabilization if your camera has it.
Is the Sony FE 50mm F1.4 GM or the Sony FE 50mm F1.8 better for portrait photography?
For portrait photography, the Sony FE 50mm F1.4 GM has the edge: its f/1.4 aperture gathers more light than f/1.8.
Is the Sony FE 50mm F1.4 GM or the Sony FE 50mm F1.8 better for low-light shooting?
For low-light shooting, the Sony FE 50mm F1.4 GM has the edge: its f/1.4 aperture gathers more light than f/1.8.
08

Other comparisons