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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

Tamron

17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD

Leica L Mount

17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD — 17–28mm f/2.8 for Leica L, a popular choice in the tamron lineup.

$799

Launch price

Released Jun 2020

FE 50mm F1.2 GM is 9 months newer.

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Wins

2categories

FE 50mm F1.2 GM

PortraitSports & Action

Wins

5categories

17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD

LandscapeSports & Action

1 categories tied

TL;DR — Key differences

FE 50mm F1.2 GM wins 2 categories·17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD wins 3 categories
  • 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)
  • B17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD has lower Min focus distance (19 cm vs 40 cm)
  • B17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD has lower Weight (438 g vs 778 g)
  • B17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD has lower Length (92 mm vs 108 mm)

Key specs at a glance

FE 50mm F1.2 GM17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD
Focal Length50 mm17-28 mm
Max Aperturef/1.2f/2.8
MountSony ELeica L
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
StabilizationNoNo
Weight778 g438 g
Min Focus40 cm19 cm
Filter Size72 mm82 mm

Size and weight, to scale

FE 50mm F1.2 GM

87 × 108 mm

778 g (1.72 lb / 27.44 oz)

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD

80 × 92 mm

438 g (0.97 lb / 15.45 oz)

FE 50mm F1.2 GM is 16mm longer and 7mm wider than 17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD.

FE 50mm F1.2 GM is 340 g heavier than 17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD.

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 50mm F1.2 GM17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD
Portrait
9.0Excellent
4.5Fair
Sports & Action
6.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
4.5Fair
4.0Fair
Landscape
3.0Limited
8.0Excellent
Travel
2.0Limited
5.0Fair
Wildlife
3.0Limited
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
0.0Limited
2.5Limited

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

  • Custom function button

    Only FE 50mm F1.2 GM supports it

Reasons to choose the 17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD

  • Special elements

    Adds 1 LD, 2 GM Aspherical

  • Min focus distance

    19 cm vs 40 cm — lower is better

  • Weight

    438 g vs 778 g — lower is better

  • Length

    92 mm vs 108 mm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    79.6 mm vs 87 mm — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.19 × vs 0.17 × — 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 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

17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD

Pros

  • Versatile zoom range covers multiple focal lengths in one lens
  • Solid optical performance for the price tier
  • Native Leica L mount compatibility

Cons

  • Third-party or older alternatives may offer better value

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the FE 50mm F1.2 GM and 17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD at major authorized retailers.

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Full specifications

= category winner

FE 50mm F1.2 GM
17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD
Focal length (Min)
50 mm
17 mm
Focal length (Max)
50 mm
28 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
13
Groups
10
10
Special elements
3 XA (extreme aspherical)
1 LD, 2 GM Aspherical
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD
Min focus distance
40 cm
19 cm−21 cm less
Max magnification
0.17 ×
0.19 ×+12%
Autofocus motor
XD Linear Motors
RXD stepping motor
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD
Optical stabilization
No
No
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
0 stops
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD
Weight
778 g
438 g−340 g less
Length
108 mm
92 mm−16 mm less
Diameter
87 mm
79.6 mm−7 mm less
Filter thread size
72 mm
82 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
11
9
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD
Lens mount
Sony E
Leica L
Format coverage
Full Frame
Full Frame

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