Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM Lens is a creator’s dream, with an F1.2 maximum aperture that not only allows shooting in a wider range of lighting conditions, but also provides an extraordinary combination of high resolution, luscious G Master (GM) bokeh, and blazing autofocus. The Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM lens is now officially announced. The US price is $1,998, and it is now available for pre-order at B&HPhoto. Adorama and Amazon.
This is the 60th lens in Sony E mount lineup and the new ultra fast prime competes with the already excellent Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM and Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S optics. The lens gives photographers an extra 1/2-stop of light in a body the same size and weight as the Zeiss 50mm f/1.4. Read more to find out details about the new Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM Lens.
Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM Lens Features
- E-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
- Aperture Range: f/1.2 to f/16
- Three XA Elements
- Nano AR II and Fluorine Coatings
- Four XD Linear AF Motors, Internal Focus
- Focus Hold Button, AF/MF Switch
- Physical Aperture Ring; De-Click Switch
- Dust and Moisture-Resistant Construction
- Filter Diameter: 72mm
- Rounded 11-Blade Diaphragm
Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM Lens First Impressions
- Review at Explora
- Image samples by Marc Galer.
- Official product page at Sony.
- Sample images by Dpreview.
Press Release:
Sony Electronics Strengthens its Alpha System with the Introduction of its 60th E-Mount Lens, FE 50mm F1.2 G Master™
Sony’s newest lens delivers Superb Resolution, Exquisite Bokeh and High-performance Autofocus in a Compact and Lightweight Design
SAN DIEGO, CA – March 16, 2021 – Today, Sony Electronics Inc. unveils the newest addition to its G Master full-frame lens series – the FE 50mm F1.2 GM (model SEL50F12GM) – delivering excellent resolution and dramatic bokeh known to Sony’s G Master line, industry-leading AF (autofocus) capabilities and professional control and reliability in a compact and lightweight design. The lens’s maximum F1.2 aperture combines an impressive shallow depth of field for maximum creative expression with incredible light gathering capabilities, allowing for faster shutter speeds and lower ISO in low light settings, making it ideal for portraits, wedding photography, video and more.
“We’re excited to introduce our 60th E-mount lens – the FE 50mm F1.2 GM – which delivers a new level of expression and usability for still images and video as an F1.2 lens,” said Neal Manowitz, deputy president for Imaging Products and Solutions Americas at Sony Electronics. “We’re always listening to our customer to deliver the best imaging technology. The FE 50mm F1.2 GM, our first F1.2 lens for the α brand, was designed without compromise to meet the changing needs of today’s content creators.”
Excellent Resolution and Beautiful Bokeh
The FE 50mm F1.2 GM features the latest optics, including three XA (extreme aspherical) lens elements, that contribute to high resolution across the entire image and is maintained even when fully opened at F1.2. The new lens also ensures clear images in backlit scenes thanks to Sony’s Nano AR Coating II that effectively minimizes internal reflections so that flare and ghosting do not occur.
The FE 50mm F1.2 GM creates dramatic G Master bokeh at the maximum F1.2 aperture to provide dimensionality to every image. Using the newly developed 11-blade circular aperture unit and fine-tuned optical design with minimal spherical aberration, the lens can achieve smooth, deep bokeh in both the foreground and background.
High Performance AF and Tracking at F1.2
The lens can keep subjects in sharp focus even at an extremely shallow depth-of-field with fast, precise, quiet AF and tracking thanks to the four XD (extreme dynamic) Linear Motors which provide high thrust efficiency. When precise focusing is required, especially when shooting 4K video with human eye tracking, the FE 50mm F1.2 GM allows the user to focus on composition thanks to its excellent response with minimum delay and low vibration. In addition, the lens’s floating focus mechanism, controlled by its dedicated lens drive algorithm, achieves high resolution over the entire focus range, with a minimum focus distance of 1.32 feet.
Professional Control and Reliability in a Compact Form Factor
The FE 50mm F1.2 GM was designed with professional content creators in mind. With convenient controls and functions such as a Linear Response MF (Manual Focus), aperture ring with a click on/off switch, focus mode switch and two customizable focus hold buttons, the FE 50mm F1.2 GM combines easy operation with professional control. The FE 50mm F1.2 GM also features a dust and moisture resistant design and a fluorine front element coating that protects the lens from fingerprints, dust, water, oil and other contaminants. Developed using Sony’s latest simulation technologies and the latest optical design, the lens comes in a surprisingly compact and lightweight form factor (φ3½ in x 4⅜ in, 27.5 oz.), providing high mobility and easy handling for a 50mm F1.2 lens.
Pricing and Availability
The new FE 50mm F1.2 GM will be available in May and will be sold for approximately $2,000.00 USD and $2,600.00 CAD. It will be sold at a variety of Sony’s authorized dealers throughout North America.
