After announcing the FE 35mm F1.4 G Master, Sony has added its 60th E-mount lens, the FE 50mm F1.2 G Master. It's a full-frame lens that combines a fast aperture with high-end image performance.
Optically, the lens packs in three XA elements allowing corner-to-corner sharpness, even shooting wide open. As many shooters know, an image can soften at faster speeds, but the FE 50mm F1.2 minimizes that with a third XA element. The 35mm F1.4 GM only has two of the same elements so, in theory, you should see some difference in image quality when shooting at faster speeds. Sony has also added a Nano AR Coating II to minimize internal reflections to reduce flare and ghosting.
One of the staples of Sony lenses is fast autofocus, and the FE 50mm F1.2 is no different. It has four XD (extreme dynamic) Linear Motors to quickly locate a subject and lock on for precise AF. In comparison, the 35mm F1.4 has two. The fast response of the motors allows for cleaner tracking when shooting video with human eye tracking.
The barrel of the lens has two focus hold buttons (new to G Master) and a focus mode switch to quickly select between manual and autofocus. The aperture ring also has a de-click switch for when you want no audible clicks changing the aperture. This comes in handy when shooting video, or when you're in ninja mode at a wedding. The 50mm F1.2 carries over the same 11 blade aperture as the 35mm F1.4, so images should have similar rounded bokeh.
Credit: Sony
Sony says the FE 50mm F1.2 G Master will be available in May and priced at $2,000 USD.
