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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

vs

Sony

FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

Sony E Mount

The standard telephoto zoom, completely redesigned to be 29% lighter and significantly sharper.

$2,799

Launch price

Released Oct 2021

FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II is 7 months newer.

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Wins

5categories

FE 50mm F1.2 GM

PortraitSports & Action

Wins

2categories

FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

Sports & ActionPortrait

1 categories tied

TL;DR — Key differences

FE 50mm F1.2 GM wins 3 categories·FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II wins 2 categories
  • BFE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II has higher OIS effectiveness (4.5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • AFE 50mm F1.2 GM has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.2 vs f/2.8)
  • AFE 50mm F1.2 GM has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.2 vs f/2.8)
  • AFE 50mm F1.2 GM has lower Length (108 mm vs 200 mm)
  • BFE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II has higher Max magnification (0.3 × vs 0.17 ×)

Key specs at a glance

FE 50mm F1.2 GMFE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Focal Length50 mm70-200 mm
Max Aperturef/1.2f/2.8
MountSony ESony E
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
StabilizationNo4.5 stops
Weight778 g1045 g
Min Focus40 cm40 cm
Filter Size72 mm77 mm

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseFE 50mm F1.2 GMFE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Portrait
9.0Excellent
7.5Good
Sports & Action
6.5Good
9.5Excellent
Video & Hybrid
4.5Fair
7.0Good
Landscape
3.0Limited
4.0Fair
Travel
2.0Limited
4.0Fair
Wildlife
3.0Limited
5.5Fair
Macro & Close-up
0.0Limited
3.5Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the FE 50mm F1.2 GM

  • Special elements

    Adds 3 XA (extreme aspherical)

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/1.2 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/1.2 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Control ring

    Only FE 50mm F1.2 GM supports it

  • Length

    108 mm vs 200 mm — lower is better

  • Weight

    778 g vs 1045 g — lower is better

  • Diameter

    87 mm vs 88 mm — lower is better

Reasons to choose the FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

  • Special elements

    Adds 1 XA, 1 Aspherical, 1 Super ED…

  • OIS effectiveness

    4.5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Optical stabilization

    Only FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II supports it

  • Max magnification

    0.3 × vs 0.17 × — higher is better

Shared specifications

Min focus distance

Both 40 cm

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Weather sealing

Both support weather sealing

Custom function button

Both support custom function button

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

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

FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

Pros

  • Extremely lightweight for an f/2.8 telephoto zoom (only 1045g)
  • Virtually instantaneous and silent autofocus with 4 XD Linear motors
  • Stunning optical performance and contrast across entire range
  • Outstanding built-in Optical SteadyShot stabilization
  • Dedicated physical aperture ring with click and lock switches

Cons

  • Very high price tag
  • Lens hood is bulky and can block storage space easily

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the FE 50mm F1.2 GM and FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II at major authorized retailers.

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Full specifications

= category winner

FE 50mm F1.2 GM
FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Focal length (Min)
50 mm
70 mm
Focal length (Max)
50 mm
200 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/1.2+2.4 stops wider
f/2.8
Max aperture (Tele)
f/1.2+2.4 stops wider
f/2.8
Elements
14
17
Groups
10
14
Special elements
3 XA (extreme aspherical)
1 XA, 1 Aspherical, 1 Super ED, 2 ED
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Min focus distance
40 cm
40 cm
Max magnification
0.17 ×
0.3 ×+76%
Autofocus motor
XD Linear Motors
4 XD Linear Motors
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Optical stabilization
No
Yes
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
4.5 stops
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Weight
778 g−267 g less
1045 g
Length
108 mm−92 mm less
200 mm
Diameter
87 mm−1 mm less
88 mm
Filter thread size
72 mm
77 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
11
11
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS 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.