Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 review

The Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 is a neat, compact and affordable nifty fifty for Sony E-mount cameras large and small

Sony FE 50mm f/1.8
(Image: © Sony)

Digital Camera World Verdict

For most serious photographers, a fast 50mm is a must-have lens whether we shoot on full-frame or APS-C format cameras. It’s the ideal focal length for a standard perspective on a full-frame body, while giving a short telephoto field of view on an APS-C camera, ideal for portraiture and more besides. Naturally this Sony lens isn’t as fast as an f/1.4 lens that some prefer, but it’s wonderfully compact, lightweight and affordable, and delivers very good image quality.

Pros

  • +

    Compact and lightweight

  • +

    Relatively inexpensive

  • +

    Smooth bokeh

Cons

  • -

    Severe vignetting at f/1.8

  • -

    Audible autofocus

  • -

    No weather-seals

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The Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 filled an unfortunate hole in the line-up of Sony E-mount lenses when it was first launched. There have long been very affordable 50mm f/1.8 lenses for Canon and Nikon DSLRs but 50mm lenses for Sony’s mirrorless cameras were much pricier affairs. This lens is less of a burden financially and physically, measuring just 69x60mm and weighing a mere 186g. It’s a great fit for both full-frame bodies as well as Sony’s range of APS-C format mirrorless cameras. 

Specifications

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Matthew Richards

Matthew Richards is a photographer and journalist who has spent years using and reviewing all manner of photo gear. He is Digital Camera World's principal lens reviewer – and has tested more primes and zooms than most people have had hot dinners! 

His expertise with equipment doesn’t end there, though. He is also an encyclopedia  when it comes to all manner of cameras, camera holsters and bags, flashguns, tripods and heads, printers, papers and inks, and just about anything imaging-related. 

In an earlier life he was a broadcast engineer at the BBC, as well as a former editor of PC Guide.