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Leica

APO-Summicron-SL 50mm f/2 ASPH.

Leica L Mount

APO-Summicron-SL 50mm f/2 ASPH. — 50mm f/2 for Leica L, a popular choice in the leica lineup.

$2,595

Launch price

Released Aug 2019

vs

Sony

FE 50mm F1.2 GM

Sony E Mount

Exquisite resolution and dreamy bokeh combine in a masterful f/1.2 prime.

$1,999

Launch price

Released Mar 2021

FE 50mm F1.2 GM is 1.6 years newer.

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Wins

5categories

APO-Summicron-SL 50mm f/2 ASPH.

Portrait

Wins

2categories

FE 50mm F1.2 GM

PortraitSports & Action

1 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

APO-Summicron-SL 50mm f/2 ASPH. wins 3 categories·FE 50mm F1.2 GM wins 2 categories
  • BFE 50mm F1.2 GM has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.2 vs f/2)
  • BFE 50mm F1.2 GM has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.2 vs f/2)
  • AAPO-Summicron-SL 50mm f/2 ASPH. has lower Diameter (73 mm vs 87 mm)
  • AAPO-Summicron-SL 50mm f/2 ASPH. has higher Max magnification (0.2 × vs 0.17 ×)
  • AAPO-Summicron-SL 50mm f/2 ASPH. has lower Min focus distance (35 cm vs 40 cm)

Key specs at a glance

APO-Summicron-SL 50mm f/2 ASPH.FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Focal Length50 mm50 mm
Max Aperturef/2f/1.2
MountLeica LSony E
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
StabilizationNoNo
Weight740 g778 g
Min Focus35 cm40 cm
Filter Size67 mm72 mm

Size and weight, to scale

APO-Summicron-SL 50mm f/2 ASPH.

73 × 102 mm

740 g (1.63 lb / 26.10 oz)

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

FE 50mm F1.2 GM

87 × 108 mm

778 g (1.72 lb / 27.44 oz)

APO-Summicron-SL 50mm f/2 ASPH. is 6mm shorter and 14mm narrower than FE 50mm F1.2 GM.

APO-Summicron-SL 50mm f/2 ASPH. is 38 g lighter than FE 50mm F1.2 GM.

Diameter (⌀) is the maximum barrel width; length is measured from the mount to the front of the lens.

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseAPO-Summicron-SL 50mm f/2 ASPH.FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Portrait
6.5Good
9.0Excellent
Sports & Action
4.5Fair
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
3.0Limited
4.5Fair
Landscape
3.0Limited
3.0Limited
Travel
2.0Limited
2.0Limited
Wildlife
2.0Limited
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
0.0Limited
0.0Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the APO-Summicron-SL 50mm f/2 ASPH.

  • Special elements

    Adds 3 Aspherical

  • Diameter

    73 mm vs 87 mm — lower is better

  • Min focus distance

    35 cm vs 40 cm — lower is better

  • Length

    102 mm vs 108 mm — lower is better

  • Weight

    740 g vs 778 g — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.2 × vs 0.17 × — higher is better

Reasons to choose the FE 50mm F1.2 GM

  • Special elements

    Adds 3 XA (extreme aspherical)

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/1.2 vs f/2 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/1.2 vs f/2 — lower is better

Shared specifications

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Weather sealing

Both support weather sealing

Control ring

Both support control ring

Custom function button

Both support custom function button

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

APO-Summicron-SL 50mm f/2 ASPH.

Pros

  • Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting
  • Native Leica L mount compatibility

Cons

  • Premium price point
  • Third-party or older alternatives may offer better value

FE 50mm F1.2 GM

Pros

  • Outstanding sharpness wide open at f/1.2
  • Stunningly smooth, circular bokeh with 11 aperture blades
  • Extremely quiet and fast autofocus tracking
  • Manageable size and weight for an f/1.2 lens

Cons

  • Expensive investment for a single focal length
  • Heavy compared to standard f/1.8 options
  • Some visible vignetting wide open

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the APO-Summicron-SL 50mm f/2 ASPH. and FE 50mm F1.2 GM at major authorized retailers.

Leica APO-Summicron-SL 50mm f/2 ASPH.

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Full specifications

= category winner

APO-Summicron-SL 50mm f/2 ASPH.
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Focal length (Min)
50 mm
50 mm
Focal length (Max)
50 mm
50 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2
f/1.2+1.5 stops wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2
f/1.2+1.5 stops wider
Elements
12
14
Groups
10
10
Special elements
3 Aspherical
3 XA (extreme aspherical)
APO-Summicron-SL 50mm f/2 ASPH.
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Min focus distance
35 cm−5 cm less
40 cm
Max magnification
0.2 ×+18%
0.17 ×
Autofocus motor
Stepper motor
XD Linear Motors
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
APO-Summicron-SL 50mm f/2 ASPH.
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Optical stabilization
No
No
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
0 stops
APO-Summicron-SL 50mm f/2 ASPH.
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Weight
740 g−38 g less
778 g
Length
102 mm−6 mm less
108 mm
Diameter
73 mm−14 mm less
87 mm
Filter thread size
67 mm
72 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
11
11
APO-Summicron-SL 50mm f/2 ASPH.
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Lens mount
Leica L
Sony E
Format coverage
Full Frame
Full Frame

Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.