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Sony

FE 35mm F1.8

Sony E Mount

FE 35mm F1.8 — 35mm f/1.8 for Sony E, a popular choice in the sony lineup.

$749

Launch price

Released Sep 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 1.5 years newer.

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Wins

4categories

FE 35mm F1.8

Sports & ActionPortrait

Wins

3categories

FE 50mm F1.2 GM

PortraitSports & Action

1 categories tied

TL;DR — Key differences

FE 35mm F1.8 wins 3 categories·FE 50mm F1.2 GM wins 2 categories
  • AFE 35mm F1.8 has lower Weight (279 g vs 778 g)
  • BFE 50mm F1.2 GM has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.2 vs f/1.8)
  • BFE 50mm F1.2 GM has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.2 vs f/1.8)
  • AFE 35mm F1.8 has lower Min focus distance (30 cm vs 40 cm)
  • AFE 35mm F1.8 has lower Diameter (70 mm vs 87 mm)

Key specs at a glance

FE 35mm F1.8FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Focal Length35 mm50 mm
Max Aperturef/1.8f/1.2
MountSony ESony E
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
StabilizationNoNo
Weight279 g778 g
Min Focus30 cm40 cm
Filter Size67 mm72 mm

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseFE 35mm F1.8FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Portrait
6.0Good
9.0Excellent
Sports & Action
6.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
3.5Limited
4.5Fair
Landscape
4.0Fair
3.0Limited
Travel
6.0Good
2.0Limited
Wildlife
3.0Limited
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
1.5Limited
0.0Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the FE 35mm F1.8

  • Special elements

    Adds Aspherical

  • Weight

    279 g vs 778 g — lower is better

  • Min focus distance

    30 cm vs 40 cm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    70 mm vs 87 mm — lower is better

  • Length

    89 mm vs 108 mm — lower is better

Reasons to choose the FE 50mm F1.2 GM

  • Special elements

    Adds 3 XA (extreme aspherical)

  • Control ring

    Only FE 50mm F1.2 GM supports it

  • Custom function button

    Only FE 50mm F1.2 GM supports it

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/1.2 vs f/1.8 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/1.2 vs f/1.8 — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.17 × 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 35mm F1.8

Pros

  • Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
  • Lightweight design easy to carry all day
  • Native Sony E mount compatibility

Cons

  • 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 FE 35mm F1.8 and FE 50mm F1.2 GM at major authorized retailers.

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Full specifications

= category winner

FE 35mm F1.8
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Focal length (Min)
35 mm
50 mm
Focal length (Max)
35 mm
50 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/1.8
f/1.2+1.2 stops wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/1.8
f/1.2+1.2 stops wider
Elements
10
14
Groups
8
10
Special elements
Aspherical
3 XA (extreme aspherical)
FE 35mm F1.8
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Min focus distance
30 cm−10 cm less
40 cm
Max magnification
0.15 ×
0.17 ×+13%
Autofocus motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
XD Linear Motors
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
FE 35mm F1.8
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Optical stabilization
No
No
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
0 stops
FE 35mm F1.8
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Weight
279 g−499 g less
778 g
Length
89 mm−19 mm less
108 mm
Diameter
70 mm−17 mm less
87 mm
Filter thread size
67 mm
72 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
11
11
FE 35mm F1.8
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 May 2026.