DELAYED: The Sony 50mm f/1.2 GM is so popular, Sony can't make it fast enough

Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM delayed

The Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM is Sony's fastest ever G Master lens – and it has proved so popular with Sony shooters that the manufacturer can't make enough of them, with Sony Japan stating that orders are likely to be delayed.

The company's 60th lens for the E-mount system, the Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM was announced in March, and went on sale in April in the UK with expected May availability in the US and Australia. However, Sony has revealed that orders have greatly exceeded its projections, and it is unable to keep up with demand. 

• Read more: Best Sony lenses

"The lens FE 50mm f/1.2 GM 'SEL50F12GM' for the digital single-lens camera α [E-mount] released on April 23, 2021 (Friday) has received orders that greatly exceeded our expectations," Sony announced

"It may take some time before delivery. We are currently making every effort to meet the needs of our customers, so please wait for a while."

Production problems and supply chain issues have, of course, been a familiar refrain over the past year, as the global lockdowns have presented challenges for the manufacturing industry. Not to mention issues like Brexit and ships getting stuck in the Suez Canal, which have compounded problems of fulfilling orders even if they do make their way out of the factory doors. 

Still, if you're a Sony shooter, the 50mm f/1.2 G Master is worth the wait. "Handling is sublime and autofocus is super-fast and reliably accurate," we wrote in our review

"Image quality is completely fabulous, combining incredible sharpness with beautiful bokeh. Build quality is excellent and, although the lens is undeniably expensive, it’s still great value at the price. If you want a super-fast standard prime for your Sony camera, look no further."

Read more: 

Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM review
Best 50mm lenses
Fastest lenses you can buy
Sony's Instagram-friendly app offers 'instant' phone image transfers

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James Artaius
Editor

The editor of Digital Camera World, James has 21 years experience as a journalist and started working in the photographic industry in 2014 (as an assistant to Damian McGillicuddy, who succeeded David Bailey as Principal Photographer for Olympus). In this time he shot for clients like Aston Martin Racing, Elinchrom and L'Oréal, in addition to shooting campaigns and product testing for Olympus, and providing training for professionals. This has led him to being a go-to expert for camera and lens reviews, photo and lighting tutorials, as well as industry news, rumors and analysis for publications like Digital Camera MagazinePhotoPlus: The Canon MagazineN-Photo: The Nikon MagazineDigital Photographer and Professional Imagemaker, as well as hosting workshops and talks at The Photography Show. He also serves as a judge for the Red Bull Illume Photo Contest. An Olympus and Canon shooter, he has a wealth of knowledge on cameras of all makes – and a fondness for vintage lenses and instant cameras.