Sony FE 50mm F/1.2 GM SEL50F12GM vs Sony FE 50mm F/1.4 GM SEL50F14GM — Which Is Better?
Side by side37 specifications |
Sony · f/1.2 · Sony E mount
Sony FE 50mm F/1.2 GM SEL50F12GM
81
SCORE
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Sony · f/1.4 · Sony E mount
Sony FE 50mm F/1.4 GM SEL50F14GM
82
WINNER
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Sony FE 50mm F/1.2 GM SEL50F12GM and the Sony FE 50mm F/1.4 GM SEL50F14GM are G Master prime lenses for the Sony E mount, so either fits the same full-frame bodies. Both cover the full-frame format. The F/1.2 GM arrived in 2021 and the F/1.4 GM followed in 2023, two years apart. | ||
| Release Year | 2021 | 2023 |
Production Status ⓘCurrent status of lens manufacturing (e.g., in production, discontinued). |
 In Production | In Production |
Pro Branding ⓘSpecific branding codes used for professional-tier lenses. |
GM | GM |
Lens Mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Sony E | Sony E |
System ⓘIndicates which camera system the lens is designed to attach to. |
Sony E | Sony E |
Maximum Format ⓘLargest sensor size compatible with the lens. |
 Full Frame | Full Frame |
| Physical | 100/100 | 100/100 |
Read the Physical ComparisonPhysicalThe F/1.4 GM is the lighter carry: at 516 g it saves 262 g over the 778 g F/1.2 GM. It is also more compact, at 96 mm long and 80.6 mm across, against 108 mm and 87 mm for the F/1.2 GM. The F/1.4 GM takes 67 mm front filters while the F/1.2 GM takes 72 mm, so existing filters fit only one of them directly. Both accept front filters, so a polariser or ND stays an option on either lens. | ||
| Lens Weight | 778 g | 516 g |
Lens Diameter ⓘWidth of the lens at its widest point |
87 mm | 80.6 mm |
Lens Length ⓘHow long the lens is from front to back. |
108 mm | 96 mm |
Front Filter Compatible ⓘSome lenses are compatible with front filters, some are compatible with back filters and some are compatible with both. Front filters are usually more convenient to add and remove. |
 Yes | Yes |
Front Filter Size ⓘDiameter of attachable filters. |
72 mm | 67 mm |
| Optics | 91/100 | 89/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe F/1.2 GM is the stronger choice for very low light and the shallowest depth of field, because its f/1.2 maximum aperture is wider than the f/1.4 of the newer lens. That extra width keeps shutter speeds usable for evening portraits or candlelit interiors, and it thins the plane of sharpness for isolating a subject. The F/1.4 GM focuses slightly closer, reaching 38 cm against 40 cm for the F/1.2 GM, and offers 0.18x magnification instead of 0.17x, enough for tighter framing on flowers and detail shots. The two share the same 50 mm focal length, an 11-blade automatic diaphragm, autofocus and a manual focusing ring. | ||
Focal Range ⓘShortest to longest focal length of the lens (zoom range start - end ) |
50 mm | 50 mm |
Aperture Range ⓘLargest aperture at the lens's shortest focal length to longest focal length (aperture range start - end) |
1.2 | 1.4 |
| Focal Length Angle of View | 46.8° | 46.79627029668992° |
Flange Focal Distance ⓘDistance from lens mount to sensor. |
18 mm | 18 mm |
Diaphragm Type ⓘStructure and design of the aperture |
 Automatic | Automatic |
Blades ⓘNumber of diaphragm blades in aperture |
11020 | 11020 |
Zoom Lens ⓘZoom allows you to vary the focal length, change between long shots and close-ups |
✗ | ✗ |
Closest Focusing Distance ⓘMinimum distance for a subject to be in focus. |
40 cm01500 | 38 cm01500 |
Maximum Magnification ⓘLargest size a subject can be reproduced |
0.17x | 0.18x |
| Autofocus Mode |  Yes | Yes |
| Manual Mode |  Yes | Yes |
| Manual Focusing Ring |  Yes | Yes |
| Features | 52/100 | 52/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesWeather sealing and fluorine coating are shared strengths, so both lenses are built for outdoor use and both front elements shed dust and fingerprints more easily than uncoated glass. Neither offers in-lens image stabilisation or teleconverter support, so steady low-light shooting relies on the camera body or shutter discipline. | ||
Weather Sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | Yes |
Fluorine Coating ⓘCoating to repel water and oil from lens elements. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Built In Lens Hood | ✗ | ✗ |
| Lens Hood Type |  Round | Round |
Teleconverter ⓘA teleconverter (extender) is an extra piece of equipment that fits between the lens and the camera body to enhance magnification |
✗ | ✗ |
| Image Stabilization | ✗ | ✗ |
| Construction | 54/100 | 69/100 |
Read the Construction ComparisonConstructionThe F/1.2 GM uses three aspherical elements, one more than the F/1.4 GM, in a 14-element, 10-group design. The F/1.4 GM splits its 14 elements into 11 groups and adds a low-dispersion element, glass that helps reduce chromatic aberration. Both share one bi-aspherical element and internal focusing, so neither extends its barrel while focusing. | ||
Elements ⓘLens elements refer to individual pieces of glass within the lens. |
14 | 14 |
| Groups | 10 | 11 |
Aspherical Elements ⓘThe number of aspherical lens elements which can help correct aberrations such as spherical aberration. |
3 | 2 |
Bi Aspherical Elements ⓘElements with two non-spherical surfaces |
1 | 1 |
Low Dispersion ⓘElements that reduce chromatic aberration |
0 | 1 |
Super Low Dispersion ⓘAdvanced elements further reducing chromatic aberration |
0 | 0 |
CA Reduction ⓘBuilt-in features to reduce chromatic aberration |
0 | 0 |
Internal Focusing ⓘInternal Focusing means that the lens does not change in size during focusing, and the front element does not rotate. |
 Yes | Yes |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Pick the Sony FE 50mm F/1.2 GM for dim-light portraits, indoor events and cinematic shallow-focus work. Its f/1.2 maximum aperture is the widest of the pair, a lead the newer lens cannot match.
Pick the Sony FE 50mm F/1.4 GM if you carry a camera for hours at a time. It is 262 g lighter, and its 38 cm close focus suits tighter framing of flowers and small objects. Both are weather-sealed GM primes for the same Sony E system, so the choice is maximum aperture against carrying comfort and close reach.