Cameraegg Compare logoCameraegg
FE 50mm F1.2 GM

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
AF 35mm F1.2 LAB Z

Viltrox

AF 35mm F1.2 LAB Z

Nikon Z Mount

AF 35mm F1.2 LAB Z — 35mm f/1.2 for Nikon Z, a popular choice in the viltrox lineup.

$1,099

Launch price

Released Sep 2024

AF 35mm F1.2 LAB Z is 3.5 years newer.

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.

Wins

3categories

FE 50mm F1.2 GM

PortraitSports & Action

Wins

1categories

AF 35mm F1.2 LAB Z

PortraitSports & Action

4 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

FE 50mm F1.2 GM wins 3 categories·AF 35mm F1.2 LAB Z wins 1 categories
  • AFE 50mm F1.2 GM has lower Weight (778 g vs 970 g)
  • BAF 35mm F1.2 LAB Z has lower Min focus distance (34 cm vs 40 cm)
  • AFE 50mm F1.2 GM has lower Length (108 mm vs 123.5 mm)
  • AFE 50mm F1.2 GM has lower Diameter (87 mm vs 89.2 mm)

Key specs at a glance

FE 50mm F1.2 GMAF 35mm F1.2 LAB Z
Focal Length50 mm35 mm
Max Aperturef/1.2f/1.2
MountSony ENikon Z
CoverageFull-FrameFull-Frame
StabilizationNoNo
Weight778 g970 g
Min Focus40 cm34 cm
Filter Size72 mm77 mm

Size and weight, to scale

FE 50mm F1.2 GM shown 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

AF 35mm F1.2 LAB Z shown to scale

AF 35mm F1.2 LAB Z

89 × 124 mm

970 g (2.14 lb / 34.22 oz)

FE 50mm F1.2 GM is 16mm shorter and 2mm narrower than AF 35mm F1.2 LAB Z.

FE 50mm F1.2 GM is 192 g lighter than AF 35mm F1.2 LAB Z.

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 GMAF 35mm F1.2 LAB Z
Portrait
9.0Excellent
7.0Good
Sports & Action
6.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
4.5Fair
4.5Fair
Landscape
3.0Limited
4.0Fair
Travel
2.0Limited
2.0Limited
Wildlife
3.0Limited
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
0.0Limited
0.0Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the FE 50mm F1.2 GM

  • Special elements

    Adds 3 XA (extreme aspherical)

  • Custom function button

    Only FE 50mm F1.2 GM supports it

  • Weight

    778 g vs 970 g — lower is better

  • Length

    108 mm vs 123.5 mm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    87 mm vs 89.2 mm — lower is better

Reasons to choose the AF 35mm F1.2 LAB Z

  • Special elements

    Adds 2 Aspherical, 3 ED, 3 HR

  • Min focus distance

    34 cm vs 40 cm — lower is better

Shared specifications

Max aperture (Wide)

Both f/1.2

Max aperture (Tele)

Both f/1.2

Max magnification

Both 0.17 ×

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Weather sealing

Both support weather sealing

Control ring

Both support control ring

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

AF 35mm F1.2 LAB Z

Pros

  • Bright f/1.2 aperture for low light and subject separation
  • Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting

Cons

  • Relatively heavy for extended handheld use
  • 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 AF 35mm F1.2 LAB Z 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 50mm F1.2 GM
AF 35mm F1.2 LAB Z
Focal length (Min)
50 mm
35 mm
Focal length (Max)
50 mm
35 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/1.2
f/1.2
Max aperture (Tele)
f/1.2
f/1.2
Elements
14
15
Groups
10
10
Special elements
3 XA (extreme aspherical)
2 Aspherical, 3 ED, 3 HR
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
AF 35mm F1.2 LAB Z
Min focus distance
40 cm
34 cm−6 cm less
Max magnification
0.17 ×
0.17 ×
Autofocus motor
XD Linear Motors
Linear STM
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
AF 35mm F1.2 LAB Z
Optical stabilization
No
No
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
0 stops
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
AF 35mm F1.2 LAB Z
Weight
778 g−192 g less
970 g
Length
108 mm−16 mm less
123.5 mm
Diameter
87 mm−2 mm less
89.2 mm
Filter thread size
72 mm
77 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
11
11
FE 50mm F1.2 GM
AF 35mm F1.2 LAB Z
Lens mount
Sony E
Nikon Z
Format coverage
Full-Frame
Full-Frame

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