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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

35-150mm F2-2.8 Di III VXD

Sony E Mount

35-150mm F2-2.8 Di III VXD — 35–150mm f/2-2.8 for Sony E, a popular choice in the tamron lineup.

$1,899

Launch price

Released Sep 2022

35-150mm F2-2.8 Di III VXD is 1.5 years newer.

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Wins

4categories

FE 50mm F1.2 GM

PortraitSports & Action

Wins

3categories

35-150mm F2-2.8 Di III VXD

PortraitSports & Action

1 categories tied

TL;DR — Key differences

FE 50mm F1.2 GM wins 4 categories·35-150mm F2-2.8 Di III VXD wins 1 categories
  • 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 213 mm)
  • AFE 50mm F1.2 GM has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.2 vs f/2)
  • AFE 50mm F1.2 GM has lower Weight (778 g vs 1165 g)
  • B35-150mm F2-2.8 Di III VXD has higher Max magnification (0.25 × vs 0.17 ×)

Key specs at a glance

FE 50mm F1.2 GM35-150mm F2-2.8 Di III VXD
Focal Length50 mm35-150 mm
Max Aperturef/1.2f/2-2.8
MountSony ESony E
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
StabilizationNoNo
Weight778 g1165 g
Min Focus40 cm38 cm
Filter Size72 mm67 mm

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseFE 50mm F1.2 GM35-150mm F2-2.8 Di III VXD
Portrait
9.0Excellent
7.5Good
Sports & Action
6.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
4.5Fair
3.0Limited
Landscape
3.0Limited
3.0Limited
Travel
2.0Limited
5.0Fair
Wildlife
3.0Limited
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
0.0Limited
2.0Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the FE 50mm F1.2 GM

  • Special elements

    Adds 3 XA (extreme aspherical)

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/1.2 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Length

    108 mm vs 213 mm — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/1.2 vs f/2 — lower is better

  • Weight

    778 g vs 1165 g — lower is better

Reasons to choose the 35-150mm F2-2.8 Di III VXD

  • Special elements

    Adds Aspherical

  • Diameter

    70 mm vs 87 mm — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.25 × vs 0.17 × — higher is better

  • Min focus distance

    38 cm vs 40 cm — lower is better

Shared specifications

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Weather sealing

Both support weather sealing

Control ring

Both support control ring

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

35-150mm F2-2.8 Di III VXD

Pros

  • Versatile zoom range covers multiple focal lengths in one lens
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting
  • Native Sony E mount compatibility

Cons

  • Relatively heavy for extended handheld use
  • No optical stabilization — relies on body IBIS

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the FE 50mm F1.2 GM and 35-150mm F2-2.8 Di III VXD at major authorized retailers.

Tamron 35-150mm F2-2.8 Di III VXD

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Full specifications

= category winner

FE 50mm F1.2 GM
35-150mm F2-2.8 Di III VXD
Focal length (Min)
50 mm
35 mm
Focal length (Max)
50 mm
150 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/1.2+1.5 stops wider
f/2
Max aperture (Tele)
f/1.2+2.4 stops wider
f/2.8
Elements
14
23
Groups
10
17
Special elements
3 XA (extreme aspherical)
Aspherical
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
35-150mm F2-2.8 Di III VXD
Min focus distance
40 cm
38 cm−2 cm less
Max magnification
0.17 ×
0.25 ×+47%
Autofocus motor
XD Linear Motors
Linear / Stepping Motor
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
35-150mm F2-2.8 Di III VXD
Optical stabilization
No
No
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
0 stops
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
35-150mm F2-2.8 Di III VXD
Weight
778 g−387 g less
1165 g
Length
108 mm−105 mm less
213 mm
Diameter
87 mm
70 mm−17 mm less
Filter thread size
72 mm
67 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
11
11
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
35-150mm F2-2.8 Di III VXD
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.