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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

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.

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Wins

3categories

FE 50mm F1.2 GM

PortraitSports & Action

Wins

2categories

AF 35mm F1.2 LAB Z

PortraitSports & Action

3 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 2 categories
  • AFE 50mm F1.2 GM has higher Max magnification (0.17 × vs 0.1 ×)
  • AFE 50mm F1.2 GM has lower Weight (778 g vs 920 g)
  • BAF 35mm F1.2 LAB Z has lower Min focus distance (35 cm vs 40 cm)
  • BAF 35mm F1.2 LAB Z has lower Diameter (82 mm vs 87 mm)
  • AFE 50mm F1.2 GM has lower Length (108 mm vs 109 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 g920 g
Min Focus40 cm35 cm
Filter Size72 mm77 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

AF 35mm F1.2 LAB Z

82 × 109 mm

920 g (2.03 lb / 32.45 oz)

FE 50mm F1.2 GM is 1mm shorter and 5mm wider than AF 35mm F1.2 LAB Z.

FE 50mm F1.2 GM is 142 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 920 g — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.17 × vs 0.1 × — higher is better

  • Length

    108 mm vs 109 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

    35 cm vs 40 cm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    82 mm vs 87 mm — lower is better

Shared specifications

Max aperture (Wide)

Both f/1.2

Max aperture (Tele)

Both f/1.2

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.

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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
13
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
35 cm−5 cm less
Max magnification
0.17 ×+70%
0.1 ×
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−142 g less
920 g
Length
108 mm−1 mm less
109 mm
Diameter
87 mm
82 mm−5 mm less
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 June 2026.