Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 Lens for Video (2024)

The Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 (Amazon,B&H) is primarily a photography lens, though it will be used for video.

In this article let’s take a comprehensive look at the important features and specifications of the Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 and see how good it will perform specifically for video, cinematography and filmmaking.

The aim of this article is to provide you with enough information and perspective so you can decide for yourself whether this lens is right for your film or video.

Important: This article is a comprehensive overview of the lens with available information; and an analysis based on our experience shooting for almost two decades. It is not a hands-on review. If and when we get hold of the lens we’ll be sure to publish a detailed review. If this is not your cup of tea you can stop reading.

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• TLDR;
• Sony FE 50mm f/2.5 G vs SonyFE 50mm f/1.8 vs Sony 50mm f/2.8 Macro
• Features:
  1. Coverage
  2. Focal Range
  3. Aperture
  4. Resolution
  5. Close Focus Distance
  6. Image Stabilization
• Control:
  1. Manual focus system
  2. Autofocus system
• Basics:
  1. Filter thread
  2. Build quality
  3. Size and weight
  4. Weather Resistance
  5. What’s in the box
• Alternatives to the Sony FE 50mm f/1.8

TLDR;

What you need to know for video work about the Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 (Amazon,B&H):

• The Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 is an entry level normal focal length lens. This lens should work great in low light.
• The f/1.8 aperture is great for low light work.
• It’s small and lightweight compared to its alternatives, making it a preferred lens for gimbal or drone work.
• Focus by wire only lens.
• Sony warns its users about the loud autofocus while using it for video.
• 7 blade aperture for a smooth bokeh.
• The lens doesn’t have Optical Steady Shot (OSS), but you will get some stabilization with a Sony a7S III or the Sony Alpha 1 with IBIS.
• It exhibits breathing.

The lens can be great for most types of filmmaking:

• Wedding filmmaking
• Documentary filmmaking
• Low budget music videos
• Gimbal use

Sony FE 50mm f/2.5 G vs SonyFE 50mm f/1.8 vs Sony 50mm f/2.8 Macro

The Sony FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro(Amazon,B&H) is the biggest and heaviest of the lot. The Sony FE 50mm f/2.5 G is the lightest and smallest.

The Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 (Amazon,B&H) gives you some extra light compared to the rest. But that also comes with a farther minimum focusing distance than the other two lenses.

Being a macro lens, the Sony FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro does have the closest minimum focusing distance. The FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro also has a magnification ratio of 1:1 for macro shots.

Sony has released the FE 50mm f/2.5 G as a series of lenses (along with the Sony FE 40mm f/2.5 G and the Sony FE 24mm f/2.8 G). These lenses are of roughly the same size, weight and possess the same qualities.

Being of the same dimensions, the Sony G series might be a preferable lens series to use on gimbals or drones.

With these new lenses, you can switch the lens and keep shooting. Hopefully, Sony might release more focal lengths but for now it’s a tough call.

Here’s a resolution comparison:

According to the charts 50mm f/1.8 trades center sharpness for fall off and poor bokeh. You get what you pay for.

For those who need a macro lens, there is no doubt, but otherwise the new 50mm f/2.5 G seems to be the best. We’ll have to test for sure for aesthetic abilities, though.

Features

Coverage

The Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 (Amazon,B&H) is a full frame lens. It is designed to completely cover a sensor the size of 36mm x 24mm.

If you are considering this lens for an APS-C sensor or other cinema camera, check out this article:

Focal Length

The focal length is 50mm. This is considered normal on a full frame 35mm sensor.

This focal range is very useful for medium shots, interviews, and close ups.

Aperture

The maximum aperture is f/1.8 and the minimum aperture is f/22.

The lens is missing an aperture ring for riding the aperture.

Having f/1.8 is great for low light, and if you really need that extra shallow depth of field.

The Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 (Amazon,B&H) has 7 circular diaphragm blades. You can’t expect world-class bokeh. To know more about bokeh:

Resolution

From Sony’s official MTF charts:

The Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 (Amazon,B&H) really shows its age here. The green lines are at f/1.8 and we can see how steep that fall off is. You really get what you pay for.

The bokeh won’t smooth as good prime lenses, but at about $200 you can’t expect much.

If you really want this lens at its sharpest you’re better off stopping down to f/2 or even f/2.8 for best results.

If you are curious and want to read the MTF chart for yourself. Here’s a guide on how to read them easily.

Close Focus

The closest focusing distance is 0.45 meters or 1.48 feet. That’s par for the course for this focal length.

Image Stabilization

The Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 (Amazon,B&H) lens doesn’t have Optical Steady Shot (OSS).

Using the lens on cameras with IBIS, like the Sony Alpha 1 or the a7S III can provide it with some image stabilization. Sony has made great strides in this department.

Control

Manual focus system

The focus ring on the Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 (Amazon,B&H) can turn infinitely one way or the other. This is one of the unfortunate Sony lenses to have focus by wire as the default and the only setting.

What is the meaning of focus by wire and fly by wire?

Focus by wire: Let’s say you turn the focus ring to change focus from point A to B. You’d expect the focus to shift accordingly. When you stop point B will be in focus. Now bring the focus point back to A and try again, but at a different speed. Slower or faster, doesn’t matter. Now, even if you precisely rotate to the exact same degree, the focus will not be on point B! The speed of rotation determines which point it is focused on. That’s just completely useless for follow focus work. If an actor or person moves at a different speed, evens lightly, you’ll never get the same focus. Avoid focus by wire lenses like the plague (for video work).

Fly by wire: The distance of focus shifted is directly proportional to the speed at which the ring is turned. This is how a manual focus ring is supposed to operate for video and cinematography.

This decision to exclude fly by wire or linear MF by Sony in the Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 can turn away cinematographers and videographers.

Autofocus system

Sony’s Autofocus is, without a doubt, one of the most revered video autofocus systems in the world. However, being a bottom of the barrel lens, the FE 50mm f/1.8 does not claim to support Eye AF. This can easily be very problematic issue for many.

Sony also warns the user that autofocus could be very loud while shifting focus. Another huge red flag.

A new DC motor drive system has been carefully designed and implemented for optimum focus precision and speed as well as quiet operation. This system provides the same smoothness for autofocus and manual focus control. Note: Focus motor sound may be recorded when shooting movies.

Sony

The lens is also a missing a switch on the body to switch between manual focus and autofocus. You will have to go into the in-camera menu to change that as well.

Basics

Filter Thread

The Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 (Amazon,B&H) has a filter thread diameter of 49mm. This is an uncommon filter diameter.

Build Quality

The majority of the lens exterior is plastic, but it doesn’t feel poorly built.

The optical design consists of 6 elements in 5 groups.

Size and Weight

The Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 (Amazon,B&H) has a diameter of 68.6mm and a length of 59.5mm. It weighs around 186 grams. This is as light as lenses can get. This is the Sony’s version of the nifty fifty.

Weather resistance

Sony claims that this lens is dependable but omits any mention of weather resistance altogether. It is an entry level lens and is probably not suited for the roughest of the shoots.

What’s in the box

This is what you get in the box (other than the lens):

• Hood (ALC-SH146)
• Lens front cap (ALC-F49S)
• Lens rear cap (ALC-R1EM)

The hood might be useful for photography, but the shape and design makes it mostly vestigial for video work. Some people like to put it on to protect the front element in case of a fall. The hood takes the impact and shatters, but saves the lens. I’d keep it on unless you have good reason not to.

Alternatives to the Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 Lens

The Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 (Amazon,B&H) is an affordable, entry level lens. We would avoid it for serious video and filmmaking. There are better alternatives:

• Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art DG HSM (B&H,Amazon) – Bigger aperture, expensive, heavier, won’t have the same AF as native Sony lenses.
• Sony Planar T* FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA (Amazon,B&H) – Smaller aperture, farther minimum focusing distance, cheaper, but focus by wire only for manual focus.
• Recommended: Sony FE 50mm f/2.5 G (Amazon,B&H) – Compact, part of a series of lenses, smaller aperture, G series performance, linear manual focus.
• Expensive: Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM (Amazon,B&H) – Bigger aperture, will burn your wallet, the best image quality, fly by wire only, more aperture blades.

I hope you found this overview of the Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 (Amazon,B&H) useful. If we have missed out on something, please let us know in the comments below.