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Sony

FE 20-70mm F4 G

Sony E Mount

FE 20-70mm F4 G — 20–70mm f/4 for Sony E, a popular choice in the sony lineup.

$1,099

Launch price

Released Jan 2023

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 20-70mm F4 G is 1.8 years newer.

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Wins

5categories

FE 20-70mm F4 G

LandscapeTravel

Wins

2categories

FE 50mm F1.2 GM

PortraitSports & Action

1 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

FE 20-70mm F4 G 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/4)
  • BFE 50mm F1.2 GM has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.2 vs f/4)
  • AFE 20-70mm F4 G has higher Max magnification (0.39 × vs 0.17 ×)
  • AFE 20-70mm F4 G has lower Weight (488 g vs 778 g)
  • AFE 20-70mm F4 G has lower Min focus distance (30 cm vs 40 cm)

Key specs at a glance

FE 20-70mm F4 GFE 50mm F1.2 GM
Focal Length20-70 mm50 mm
Max Aperturef/4f/1.2
MountSony ESony E
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
StabilizationNoNo
Weight488 g778 g
Min Focus30 cm40 cm
Filter Size72 mm72 mm

Size and weight, to scale

FE 20-70mm F4 G

76 × 99 mm

488 g (1.08 lb / 17.21 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 F1.2 GM

87 × 108 mm

778 g (1.72 lb / 27.44 oz)

FE 20-70mm F4 G is 9mm shorter and 11mm narrower than FE 50mm F1.2 GM.

FE 20-70mm F4 G is 290 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 caseFE 20-70mm F4 GFE 50mm F1.2 GM
Portrait
1.0Limited
9.0Excellent
Sports & Action
5.5Fair
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
5.0Fair
4.5Fair
Landscape
8.0Excellent
3.0Limited
Travel
7.0Good
2.0Limited
Wildlife
3.0Limited
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
3.5Limited
0.0Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the FE 20-70mm F4 G

  • Special elements

    Adds 3 Aspherical, 1 ED, 1 Super ED

  • Weight

    488 g vs 778 g — lower is better

  • Min focus distance

    30 cm vs 40 cm — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.39 × vs 0.17 × — higher is better

  • Diameter

    76 mm vs 87 mm — lower is better

  • Length

    99 mm vs 108 mm — lower 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/4 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/1.2 vs f/4 — lower is better

  • Custom function button

    Only FE 50mm F1.2 GM supports it

Shared specifications

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Weather sealing

Both support weather sealing

Control ring

Both support control ring

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

FE 20-70mm F4 G

Pros

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

Cons

  • No optical stabilization — relies on body IBIS
  • Slower maximum aperture limits low-light performance

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 FE 20-70mm F4 G and FE 50mm F1.2 GM at major authorized retailers.

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.

Full specifications

= category winner

FE 20-70mm F4 G
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Focal length (Min)
20 mm
50 mm
Focal length (Max)
70 mm
50 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/4
f/1.2+3.5 stops wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/4
f/1.2+3.5 stops wider
Elements
16
14
Groups
13
10
Special elements
3 Aspherical, 1 ED, 1 Super ED
3 XA (extreme aspherical)
FE 20-70mm F4 G
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Min focus distance
30 cm−10 cm less
40 cm
Max magnification
0.39 ×2.3× more
0.17 ×
Autofocus motor
2 XD Linear Motors
XD Linear Motors
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
FE 20-70mm F4 G
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Optical stabilization
No
No
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
0 stops
FE 20-70mm F4 G
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Weight
488 g−290 g less
778 g
Length
99 mm−9 mm less
108 mm
Diameter
76 mm−11 mm less
87 mm
Filter thread size
72 mm
72 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
7
11
FE 20-70mm F4 G
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Lens mount
Sony E
Sony E
Format coverage
Full Frame
Full Frame

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