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Sony's latest tele zoom is fast and surprisingly light
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission. Sony has announced the FE 50-150mm F2 GM tele zoom: a shorter but faster alternative to the traditional 70-200mm F2.8. Its wider aperture will particularly suit photographers of indoor sports and wedding photographers. The lens is the same 200mm (7.9") length as Sony's current 70-200mm F2.8 OSS GM II though 17% wider, at 103mm (4.1"). And, while it's a whole stop faster than the (longer and stabilized) 70-200mm, it's only 30% heavier, at 1340g (47.27oz), which feels surprisingly light in the hand. This comparative lightweight comes despite a design that incorporates 19 elements in 17 groups. There are 2 XA 'extreme' aspherical elements, 2 aspherical elements, 2 Super ED and 3 ED elements making up the design, delivering MTF charts of the theoretical performance that promise sharpness comparable to very good modern primes at both ends of the zoom. It's an internal zoom design with a short throw zoom ring. It uses four 'XD' high-thrust linear motors to drive focus and can refocus fast enough for use with the a9 III's 120fps mode. Sony FE 50-150mm F2 GM @ 131mm | F2.0 | 1/320 sec | ISO 800 Photo: Richard Butler Sony FE 135mm F1.8 | F2.0 | 1/320 sec | ISO 800 Photo: Richard Butler Minimum focus distance is 0.4m (15.7") at the wide end and 0.74m (29.1") at the long end of the range. This is comparable to the working distance of the 70-200mm GM II but yields a lower 0.2x maximum magnification ratio as a result of its shorter focal lengths. Video users will find the lens exhibits very little focus breathing (and this can be further corrected in cameras with breathing compensation mode). A switch allows you to disengage the click function on the lens's aperture ring and the focus ring can be set to respond in a linear manner for predictable focus pulls. The 50-150mm F2 takes relatively large 95mm filters and Sony says these must have an outside diameter of 99.4mm or less if you wish to fit the included hood at the same time. The FE 50-150mm F2 GM will be available between the middle and end of May with a recommended price of $3899. Sony FE 50-150mm F2 GM sample gallery Please do not reproduce any of these images on a website or any newsletter/magazine without prior permission (see our copyright page). We make the originals available for private users to download to their own machines for personal examination or printing (in conjunction with this review); we do so in good faith, so please don't abuse it. Sample galleryThis widget is not optimized for RSS feed readers. Click here to open it in a new browser window / tab. Sony FE 50-150mm F2 GM specifications Principal specificationsLens typeZoom lensMax Format size35mm FFFocal length50–150 mmImage stabilizationNoLens mountSony E, Sony FEApertureMaximum apertureF2Minimum apertureF22Aperture ringYesNumber of diaphragm blades11OpticsElements19Groups17Special elements / coatings2 Extreme Asph, 2 Asph, 2 SuperED, 2 EDFocusMaximum magnification0.2×AutofocusYesMotor typeLinear MotorFull time manualYesFocus methodInternalDistance scaleNoDoF scaleNoPhysicalWeight1340 g (2.95 lb)Diameter103 mm (4.06″)Length200 mm (7.87″)Zoom methodRotary (internal)Power zoomNoFilter thread95 mmFilter notesFilter must have diameter less than 99.4mm for use with lens hood.Hood suppliedYesTripod collarYes
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Sony has announced the FE 50-150mm F2 GM tele zoom: a shorter but faster alternative to the traditional 70-200mm F2.8. Its wider aperture will particularly suit photographers of indoor sports and wedding photographers.
The lens is the same 200mm (7.9") length as Sony's current 70-200mm F2.8 OSS GM II though 17% wider, at 103mm (4.1"). And, while it's a whole stop faster than the (longer and stabilized) 70-200mm, it's only 30% heavier, at 1340g (47.27oz), which feels surprisingly light in the hand.
This comparative lightweight comes despite a design that incorporates 19 elements in 17 groups. There are 2 XA 'extreme' aspherical elements, 2 aspherical elements, 2 Super ED and 3 ED elements making up the design, delivering MTF charts of the theoretical performance that promise sharpness comparable to very good modern primes at both ends of the zoom.
It's an internal zoom design with a short throw zoom ring. It uses four 'XD' high-thrust linear motors to drive focus and can refocus fast enough for use with the a9 III's 120fps mode.
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Sony FE 50-150mm F2 GM @ 131mm | F2.0 | 1/320 sec | ISO 800 Photo: Richard Butler |
Sony FE 135mm F1.8 | F2.0 | 1/320 sec | ISO 800 Photo: Richard Butler |
Minimum focus distance is 0.4m (15.7") at the wide end and 0.74m (29.1") at the long end of the range. This is comparable to the working distance of the 70-200mm GM II but yields a lower 0.2x maximum magnification ratio as a result of its shorter focal lengths.
Video users will find the lens exhibits very little focus breathing (and this can be further corrected in cameras with breathing compensation mode). A switch allows you to disengage the click function on the lens's aperture ring and the focus ring can be set to respond in a linear manner for predictable focus pulls.
The 50-150mm F2 takes relatively large 95mm filters and Sony says these must have an outside diameter of 99.4mm or less if you wish to fit the included hood at the same time.
The FE 50-150mm F2 GM will be available between the middle and end of May with a recommended price of $3899.
Sony FE 50-150mm F2 GM sample gallery
Please do not reproduce any of these images on a website or any newsletter/magazine without prior permission (see our copyright page). We make the originals available for private users to download to their own machines for personal examination or printing (in conjunction with this review); we do so in good faith, so please don't abuse it.
Sony FE 50-150mm F2 GM specifications
| Principal specifications | |
|---|---|
| Lens type | Zoom lens |
| Max Format size | 35mm FF |
| Focal length | 50–150 mm |
| Image stabilization | No |
| Lens mount | Sony E, Sony FE |
| Aperture | |
| Maximum aperture | F2 |
| Minimum aperture | F22 |
| Aperture ring | Yes |
| Number of diaphragm blades | 11 |
| Optics | |
| Elements | 19 |
| Groups | 17 |
| Special elements / coatings | 2 Extreme Asph, 2 Asph, 2 SuperED, 2 ED |
| Focus | |
| Maximum magnification | 0.2× |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Motor type | Linear Motor |
| Full time manual | Yes |
| Focus method | Internal |
| Distance scale | No |
| DoF scale | No |
| Physical | |
| Weight | 1340 g (2.95 lb) |
| Diameter | 103 mm (4.06″) |
| Length | 200 mm (7.87″) |
| Zoom method | Rotary (internal) |
| Power zoom | No |
| Filter thread | 95 mm |
| Filter notes | Filter must have diameter less than 99.4mm for use with lens hood. |
| Hood supplied | Yes |
| Tripod collar | Yes |
