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Sony

FE 40mm F2.5 G

Sony E Mount

FE 40mm F2.5 G — 40mm f/2.5 for Sony E, a popular choice in the sony lineup.

$599

Launch price

Released Apr 2021

vs

Sony

FE 85mm F1.4 GM II

Sony E Mount

FE 85mm F1.4 GM II — 85mm f/1.4 for Sony E, a popular choice in the sony lineup.

$1,999

Launch price

Released Sep 2024

FE 85mm F1.4 GM II is 3.4 years newer.

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Wins

2categories

FE 40mm F2.5 G

Sports & Action

Wins

2categories

FE 85mm F1.4 GM II

PortraitSports & Action

4 categories tied

TL;DR — Key differences

FE 40mm F2.5 G wins 2 categories·FE 85mm F1.4 GM II wins 2 categories
  • AFE 40mm F2.5 G has lower Weight (173 g vs 642 g)
  • AFE 40mm F2.5 G has lower Length (74 mm vs 140 mm)
  • BFE 85mm F1.4 GM II has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.4 vs f/2.5)
  • BFE 85mm F1.4 GM II has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.4 vs f/2.5)

Key specs at a glance

FE 40mm F2.5 GFE 85mm F1.4 GM II
Focal Length40 mm85 mm
Max Aperturef/2.5f/1.4
MountSony ESony E
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
StabilizationNoNo
Weight173 g642 g
Min Focus30 cm30 cm
Filter Size77 mm77 mm

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseFE 40mm F2.5 GFE 85mm F1.4 GM II
Portrait
4.5Fair
9.5Excellent
Sports & Action
6.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
2.0Limited
4.5Fair
Landscape
1.0Limited
4.0Fair
Travel
5.0Fair
3.5Limited
Wildlife
1.0Limited
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
1.5Limited
1.5Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the FE 40mm F2.5 G

  • Weight

    173 g vs 642 g — lower is better

  • Length

    74 mm vs 140 mm — lower is better

Reasons to choose the FE 85mm F1.4 GM II

  • Special elements

    Adds ED

  • Weather sealing

    Only FE 85mm F1.4 GM II supports it

  • Control ring

    Only FE 85mm F1.4 GM II supports it

  • Custom function button

    Only FE 85mm F1.4 GM II supports it

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/1.4 vs f/2.5 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/1.4 vs f/2.5 — lower is better

Shared specifications

Min focus distance

Both 30 cm

Max magnification

Both 0.15 ×

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Diameter

Both 81 mm

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

FE 40mm F2.5 G

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 85mm F1.4 GM II

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 40mm F2.5 G and FE 85mm F1.4 GM II 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 40mm F2.5 G
FE 85mm F1.4 GM II
Focal length (Min)
40 mm
85 mm
Focal length (Max)
40 mm
85 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.5
f/1.4+1.7 stops wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.5
f/1.4+1.7 stops wider
Elements
14
14
Groups
11
11
Special elements
Aspherical
Aspherical, ED
FE 40mm F2.5 G
FE 85mm F1.4 GM II
Min focus distance
30 cm
30 cm
Max magnification
0.15 ×
0.15 ×
Autofocus motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
Linear / Stepping Motor
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
FE 40mm F2.5 G
FE 85mm F1.4 GM II
Optical stabilization
No
No
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
0 stops
FE 40mm F2.5 G
FE 85mm F1.4 GM II
Weight
173 g−469 g less
642 g
Length
74 mm−66 mm less
140 mm
Diameter
81 mm
81 mm
Filter thread size
77 mm
77 mm
Weather sealing
No
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
11
FE 40mm F2.5 G
FE 85mm F1.4 GM II
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.