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Sony

FE 20mm F1.8 G

Sony E Mount

FE 20mm F1.8 G — 20mm f/1.8 for Sony E, a popular choice in the sony lineup.

$899

Launch price

Released Feb 2020

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 3 years newer.

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Wins

2categories

FE 20mm F1.8 G

LandscapeSports & Action

Wins

5categories

FE 50mm F1.4 GM

PortraitSports & Action

1 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

FE 20mm F1.8 G wins 2 categories·FE 50mm F1.4 GM wins 3 categories
  • AFE 20mm F1.8 G has lower Weight (373 g vs 516 g)
  • AFE 20mm F1.8 G has lower Min focus distance (30 cm vs 41 cm)
  • BFE 50mm F1.4 GM has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.4 vs f/1.8)
  • BFE 50mm F1.4 GM has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.4 vs f/1.8)
  • BFE 50mm F1.4 GM has lower Diameter (80.6 mm vs 86 mm)

Key specs at a glance

FE 20mm F1.8 GFE 50mm F1.4 GM
Focal Length20 mm50 mm
Max Aperturef/1.8f/1.4
MountSony ESony E
CoverageFull FrameFull-Frame
StabilizationNoNo
Weight373 g516 g
Min Focus30 cm41 cm
Filter Size82 mm67 mm

Size and weight, to scale

FE 20mm F1.8 G

86 × 102 mm

373 g (0.82 lb / 13.16 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)

FE 20mm F1.8 G is 6mm longer and 5mm wider than FE 50mm F1.4 GM.

FE 20mm F1.8 G is 143 g lighter 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 caseFE 20mm F1.8 GFE 50mm F1.4 GM
Portrait
6.0Good
8.5Excellent
Sports & Action
6.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
3.5Limited
4.5Fair
Landscape
7.0Good
4.0Fair
Travel
5.0Fair
3.5Limited
Wildlife
3.0Limited
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
1.5Limited
0.0Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the FE 20mm F1.8 G

  • Weight

    373 g vs 516 g — lower is better

  • Min focus distance

    30 cm vs 41 cm — lower is better

Reasons to choose the FE 50mm F1.4 GM

  • Special elements

    Adds ED

  • Control ring

    Only FE 50mm F1.4 GM supports it

  • Custom function button

    Only FE 50mm F1.4 GM supports it

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/1.4 vs f/1.8 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/1.4 vs f/1.8 — lower is better

  • Diameter

    80.6 mm vs 86 mm — lower is better

  • Length

    96 mm vs 102 mm — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.16 × vs 0.15 × — higher is better

Shared specifications

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Weather sealing

Both support weather sealing

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

FE 20mm F1.8 G

Pros

  • Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting
  • Lightweight design easy to carry all day

Cons

  • Third-party or older alternatives may offer better value

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 FE 20mm F1.8 G and FE 50mm F1.4 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 20mm F1.8 G
FE 50mm F1.4 GM
Focal length (Min)
20 mm
50 mm
Focal length (Max)
20 mm
50 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/1.8
f/1.4+0.7 stops wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/1.8
f/1.4+0.7 stops wider
Elements
10
14
Groups
8
11
Special elements
Aspherical
Aspherical, ED
FE 20mm F1.8 G
FE 50mm F1.4 GM
Min focus distance
30 cm−11 cm less
41 cm
Max magnification
0.15 ×
0.16 ×+7%
Autofocus motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
FE 20mm F1.8 G
FE 50mm F1.4 GM
Optical stabilization
No
No
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
0 stops
FE 20mm F1.8 G
FE 50mm F1.4 GM
Weight
373 g−143 g less
516 g
Length
102 mm
96 mm−6 mm less
Diameter
86 mm
80.6 mm−5 mm less
Filter thread size
82 mm
67 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
11
11
FE 20mm F1.8 G
FE 50mm F1.4 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 July 2026.