Sony
Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II
Prime/Zoom
94
/ 100
From $2,298
VS
Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM wins by 2
Sony
Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM
GM Series · Compact · Aperture ring
96
/ 100
From $1,298
Specdex verdict
Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II lands at 94 and Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM at 96. That puts Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM ahead by 2 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II if…
- ✓Fast autofocus
- ✓Weather-sealed
- ✓Premium optics
Pick Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM if…
- ✓Best 50mm AF lens for Sony E-mount
- ✓Compact for f/1.4 GM glass
- ✓Click-able aperture ring
Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II 94
vs 96 Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM
Score breakdown
Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II
94 sharpness 94
af 93
build 94
value 84
bokeh 0
Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM
96 sharpness 98
af 98
build 96
value 84
bokeh 96
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II | Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM |
|---|---|---|
| Mount | — | Sony E |
| Focal length | — | 50 mm |
| Aperture | — | f/1.4 to f/16 |
| Construction | — | 14 elements / 11 groups |
| Min focus | — | 0.41 m |
| Filter | — | 67 mm |
| Weight | — | 516 g |
Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II
Pros
- +Fast autofocus
- +Weather-sealed
- +Premium optics
Cons
- −Heavy
- −Expensive
- −Focus breathing varies
Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM
Pros
- +Best 50mm AF lens for Sony E-mount
- +Compact for f/1.4 GM glass
- +Click-able aperture ring
Cons
- −Premium pricing
- −No image stabilization (relies on IBIS)
- −No filter included
FAQ: Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II vs Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM
Which is better, Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II or Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM? +
Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM scores 96 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 2. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II worth the price? +
At $2,298, Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II delivers a Specdex score of 94 — strongest in sharpness.
Is Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM worth the price? +
At $1,298, Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM delivers a Specdex score of 96 — strongest in sharpness.
Does Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II or Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.