When I did my review of the Sony FE 50mm F1.2 G Master (an exceptional lens!), I concluded that Sony had gone the F1.2 route to help incentivize owners of the already good Sony Zeiss Planar 50mm F1.4 (my review here) to upgrade.  I theorized that an F1.4 lens might not have gotten people’s attention in the way that a F1.2 lens would.  I still think that’s correct, but clearly Sony also felt that there was room for a smaller, lighter, cheaper GM lens at the 50mm focal length, as their newest lens is just that: the Sony FE 50mm F1.4 G Master.

Early reactions from my audience have been mixed, with plenty of people wondering why yet another 50mm lens was needed.  I personally welcome this lens, however, as while I really, really love the 50mm F1.2 GM, it is more lens (and a more expensive lens) than many people need.  I love the form factor of the 35mm F1.4 G Master (my review here), and the new 50GMF1.4  is a closer match for that lens (along with the 24mm F1.4 G Master) in size, and all three lenses share a common 67mm front filter thread.  Obviously the price of every lens varies from region to region around the world, but in the largest market (the United States), there is a $700 price difference between the new 50mm F1.4 lens (at $1300 USD) and the 50mm F1.2 GM ($2000 USD). 

Further muddying the waters is the recently released Sigma 50mm F1.4 DN ART (my review here), a very competent lens with very sharp optics along with very fast autofocus.  It retails for $850 USD, which makes it a relative bargain.  I know in some European market the price difference between the Sigma and the new Sony is nearly double, so that will obviously be a factor for many photographers.

The Sony 50mm F1.4 G Master does have some advantages, however, and we’ll detail those as a part of this review along with demonstrating why this lens certainly has a legitimate place in the market.  But should it be your new 50mm choice?  You can see my findings by watching the definitive video review or reading my text review…or just enjoy the photos!

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Thanks to Sony USA for sending me a loaner copy of the 50mm F1.4 GM.  As always, this is a completely independent review.  *The tests and most of the photos that I share as a part of my review cycle have been done with the Sony a7IV along with the Sony Alpha 1 which will serve as my benchmark camera for the foreseeable future (my review here).

Images of the Sony 50mm F1.4 G Master

Photos Taken with the Sony 50mm F1.4 G Master

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