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Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH.

Leica

Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH.

Leica L Mount

Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH. — 24–90mm f/2.8-4 for Leica L, a popular choice in the leica lineup.

$6,310

Launch price

Released Oct 2016

vs
FE 50mm F1.4 GM

Sony

FE 50mm F1.4 GM

Sony E Mount

FE 50mm F1.4 GM — 50mm f/1.4 for Sony E, a popular choice in the sony lineup.

$1,799

Launch price

Released Feb 2023

FE 50mm F1.4 GM is 6.3 years newer.

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Wins

2categories

Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH.

PortraitLandscape

Wins

5categories

FE 50mm F1.4 GM

PortraitSports & Action

1 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH. wins 1 categories·FE 50mm F1.4 GM wins 4 categories
  • BFE 50mm F1.4 GM has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.4 vs f/4)
  • BFE 50mm F1.4 GM has lower Weight (516 g vs 1140 g)
  • BFE 50mm F1.4 GM has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.4 vs f/2.8)
  • AVario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH. has higher Max magnification (0.26 × vs 0.16 ×)
  • BFE 50mm F1.4 GM has lower Length (96 mm vs 138 mm)

Key specs at a glance

Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH.FE 50mm F1.4 GM
Focal Length24-90 mm50 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8-4f/1.4
MountL-MountSony E
CoverageFull-FrameFull-Frame
StabilizationYesNo
Weight1140 g516 g
Min Focus30 cm41 cm
Filter Size82 mm67 mm

Size and weight, to scale

Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH. shown to scale

Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH.

88 × 138 mm

1140 g (2.51 lb / 40.21 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 F1.4 GM shown to scale

FE 50mm F1.4 GM

81 × 96 mm

516 g (1.14 lb / 18.20 oz)

Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH. is 42mm longer and 7mm wider than FE 50mm F1.4 GM.

Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH. is 624 g heavier than FE 50mm F1.4 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 caseVario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH.FE 50mm F1.4 GM
Portrait
7.5Good
8.5Excellent
Sports & Action
4.5Fair
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
6.0Good
4.5Fair
Landscape
7.0Good
4.0Fair
Travel
4.0Fair
3.5Limited
Wildlife
4.5Fair
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
5.0Fair
0.0Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH.

  • Special elements

    Adds 4 Aspherical, 2 ED

  • Optical stabilization

    Only Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH. supports it

  • Min focus distance

    30 cm vs 41 cm — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.26 × vs 0.16 × — higher is better

Reasons to choose the FE 50mm F1.4 GM

  • Special elements

    Adds Aspherical, ED

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/1.4 vs f/4 — lower is better

  • Weight

    516 g vs 1140 g — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/1.4 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Length

    96 mm vs 138 mm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    80.6 mm vs 88 mm — 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.

Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH.

Pros

  • Versatile zoom range covers multiple focal lengths in one lens
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting
  • Native Leica L mount compatibility

Cons

  • Premium price point
  • No optical stabilization — relies on body IBIS

FE 50mm F1.4 GM

Pros

  • Bright f/1.4 aperture for low light and subject separation
  • Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting

Cons

  • Third-party or older alternatives may offer better value

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH. and FE 50mm F1.4 GM at major authorized retailers.

Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH.

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Full specifications

= category winner

Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH.
FE 50mm F1.4 GM
Focal length (Min)
24 mm
50 mm
Focal length (Max)
90 mm
50 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8
f/1.4+2 stops wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/4
f/1.4+3 stops wider
Elements
18
14
Groups
15
11
Special elements
4 Aspherical, 2 ED
Aspherical, ED
Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH.
FE 50mm F1.4 GM
Min focus distance
30 cm−11 cm less
41 cm
Max magnification
0.26 ×+63%
0.16 ×
Autofocus motor
Stepper motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH.
FE 50mm F1.4 GM
Optical stabilization
Yes
No
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
0 stops
Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH.
FE 50mm F1.4 GM
Weight
1140 g
516 g−624 g less
Length
138 mm
96 mm−42 mm less
Diameter
88 mm
80.6 mm−7 mm less
Filter thread size
82 mm
67 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
11
Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH.
FE 50mm F1.4 GM
Lens mount
L-Mount
Sony E
Format coverage
Full-Frame
Full-Frame

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