How to choose between Sony FE mount 50mm F1.4 and 55mm F1.8?

IT168? Review

50mm has always been the key focal length that every camera or optical factory must recommend, because this focal length is closest to the human eye’s perspective, and it is easier for beginners to use this type of lens. Get started. Furthermore, it is relatively cheap.

The FE 55mm F1.8 ZA once launched by Sony has

three aspherical lenses and T* coating blessing, making it able to withstand Sony

The full-frame mirrorless A7RII

The test of 42.4 million pixels has won the favor of countless mirrorless camera users. However, other professional fixed-focus lenses have at least F1.4, but this one has a maximum aperture of only F1.8, which makes many people feel regretful. So the Sony FE 50mm F1.4 ZA is here, with luxurious configurations and a wide aperture. So how to choose between these two lenses?

" 1. Comparison of main parameters:

" 2. Volume and weight 55mm F1.8 has obvious advantages

You can intuitively feel it from the picture below, regardless of comparison Regarding size or weight, it can be said that the 55mm F1.8 has obvious advantages. The 778g 50mm F1.4 ZA is much larger than the 281g 55mm F1.8 ZA. The size and weight of the 50mm F1.4 ZA lens are indeed not an advantage. After all, it is a lens. If you choose one to carry around, you will definitely prefer the lighter 55mm F1.8. However, the 50mm F1.4 ZA is obviously more professional. The lens is equipped with an independent AF/MF selection lever, which makes it easy to quickly switch the focus mode of the lens. An infinite aperture switching lever and a manual aperture ring are also added to facilitate users who shoot videos.

Sony FE 50mm F1.4 ZA appearance details>>>

Photo gallery header of new lens king Sony FE 50mm F1.4 ZA unboxing

Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA? Appearance details (click on the picture below) >>>

" 3. The difference in viewing angle can be solved by moving the position

Sony has not released FE 50mm F1.4 ZA When looking at the lens, someone told me that he likes the 50mm focal length and does not like the 55mm focal length, because he feels that 55mm cannot adapt to it. In fact, from the perspective of viewing angle, if you keep your position still, the 50mm covers a wider range than the 55mm. In fact, in most cases, you can solve this problem by taking two steps back.

" 4. The focus speed of 55mm F1.8 is still ahead.

Many photographers like to use 50mm. The focal length is used to capture model movements and sweep the streets. The focusing speed plays a big role in the success rate of shooting. In this comparison, in addition to these two Sony lenses, we also included the recently released Samyang AF 50mm F1.4 FE lens. Compare the original factory and the auxiliary factory to see who is faster.

"

Through actual comparison, we found that the two original lenses have faster focusing speeds than Samyang's 50mm F1.4, although the Sony FE 50mm F1.4 ZA is not. It is slow but still inferior to Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA, so in this comparison, 55mm F1.8 ZA is still ahead.

" 5. The picture quality comparison is evenly matched.

Finally, we came to the image quality comparison. Because of the above comparison, I really thought about why I would spend twice as much money to buy the FE 50mm F1.4 ZA when I could buy the Sony 55mm F1.8 ZA. Sure enough, there was a turning point in the picture quality department. We used the Sony A7RII body with the Sony FE 50mm F1.4 ZA lens and the Sony FE? 55mm F1.8 ZA aperture to take sample photos, and took 100% enlarged screenshots of the center and edge of the screen for comparison:

▲Central resolution comparison

In the center resolution comparison, overall, the performance of both lenses is impressive, and there is a feeling of "what's so good about being so good". Considering that the maximum aperture of the two lenses is different, the "maximum aperture" comparison is not very meaningful, just take a look. When the aperture of the two lenses is reduced to F2, the image quality of the 55mm F1.8 lens is better than that of the 50mm F1.4. Yes, the 55mm wins again, and this advantage remains until F2.8. When the aperture is reduced to F4, the two lenses are about the same, and they remain "stalemate" until F16. Although the center resolution of both lenses begins to decrease, it is still difficult to tell the difference. Both lenses show very sharp picture details throughout. Even if the aperture is wide open, they can fully meet the needs of daily shooting. However, if we have to compare them, the 55mm F1.8 ZA will be slightly better than the 50mm F1 when using a large aperture. 4.

▲Edge resolution comparison

The comparison of edge resolution is different from that of the center. 50mm F1.4 established an advantage from the beginning, although the two are almost tied at F8. However, in the entire process, the 55mm F1.8 failed to surpass the 50mm F1.4 in edge resolution.

Therefore, I think the image quality performance of the two lenses is evenly matched. No one can beat the other by too much. They are both excellent.

" 6. The overall control of vignetting is good. The 50mm F1.4 comes back to win

▲Vignetting comparison test

Vignetting is a problem for both lenses. It is easier to detect when the aperture is wide open, but of course it cannot be avoided. The maximum aperture of the two lenses is still different, so the "maximum aperture" comparison is not meaningful. Just look at the aperture of the two lenses. At F2, the two lenses still have slight vignetting, but the 50mm F1.4 is not as obvious as the 55mm F1.8. When the aperture is reduced to F4, the vignetting basically disappears and can be removed in post-processing, and the picture is still highlighted. The effect of the central figure. Therefore, there is no need to worry too much. Moreover, the two lenses generally have good vignetting control. The 50mm F1.4 has slightly better vignetting control than the 55mm F1.8.

" 7. Visible purple fringing at large aperture? 50mm F1.4 has obvious advantages

▲Purple fringing comparison test of two lenses can still detect purple fringing when shooting with large aperture and backlighting in a large light ratio environment 's appearance. As can be seen from the comparison above, when the aperture of the two lenses is reduced to F2, the 55mm F1.8 still has a slight purple fringe visible, but the 50mm F1.4 is no longer easily noticeable. When the aperture is reduced to F2.8, the purple fringing basically disappears. After that, the purple fringing was well suppressed by the two lenses. Overall, the 50mm F1.4 has good purple fringing control. You can shoot as much as you want by narrowing down the aperture by one stop, while the 55mm F1.8 needs to be stopped down to F2.8 or later. However, it is not difficult to deal with the purple fringing in post-processing. Therefore, in the purple edge test, the 50mm F1.4 won again.

" 8. Bokeh contrast is quite strong

▲Bokeh comparison test

Judging from the sample photos taken outdoors, the two lenses use large apertures to shoot virtual images. The blurring effect is very obvious, and the bokeh effect is relatively soft and natural. However, when using a large aperture to shoot Beijing flare, aperture erosion will still occur, although aperture erosion is an unavoidable phenomenon for any lens. , but it will have a certain impact on the photos, but it can be compensated by narrowing the aperture. Generally speaking, the two lenses have equivalent blurring capabilities, and you can get good background blurring effects in daily photography of people and still life. .

" 9. Real-shot samples

Sony FE 50mm F1.4 ZA real-shot samples>>>

Photo album header new lens king Sony FE 50mm F1.4 ZA proofs

Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA real shot proofs? (Click on the picture below) >>>

" 10. Purchase suggestions

When there was only the Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA, there was no controversy. Equipped with the original lens for the Sony A7 series, it was the best choice. However, the Sony FE 50mm F1.4 ZA lens received numerous praises for its good optical quality. Here we go, this “big guy” not only has a wider aperture, but is also a lot more expensive. Indeed, the Sony FE 50mm F1.4 ZA is a lens suitable for professional photographers and high-end photography enthusiasts. It is a very professional lens. A lens of very good quality. However, after comparison, the FE 50mm F1.4 ZA does not have an overwhelming advantage over the FE 55mm F1.8 ZA in terms of purple fringing, vignetting control and edge resolution. F1.8 ZA, at the same time, the 1.4 aperture not only provides better blur effect, but also can increase the shutter speed in some environments. The lens is equipped with an independent AF/MF selection lever, and also adds an infinite aperture switching lever. The manual aperture ring is convenient for video shooting users. However, the FE 55mm F1.8 ZA has advantages in size, weight and price, and the focusing speed is also much faster.

< p>Professional photographers and high-end photography enthusiasts are those who have high requirements for image quality

Usually if you don’t care about the difference in price and size, then buy the FE 50mm F1.4. ZA. And if you are a street photographer or just want to buy the A7 series because it is lightweight and not too burdensome for travel, then you will be more concerned about the price, size and weight of the lens. Obviously Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA

"

Click to view details more suitable for you. Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA has obvious advantages in size, price and focus. In short, no matter which one you choose, you will not be disappointed. It depends on the subject of your shooting. If I were asked to make a choice, I would choose the Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA, because the quality of this lens is not bad, and the remaining money is enough for me to buy other accessories.

If you are a beginner, you need a large aperture fixed focus lens, but your budget is limited. You can choose Sony FE 50mm F1.8

Click to view details. This is a lens with large aperture, high resolution and light weight.

Although it is inferior to today's two protagonists, the important thing is that it is less than 2,000 yuan and is still very worth buying.

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