Rent the Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM in Canada — Sony’s fastest 50mm prime, delivering breathtaking low-light ability and beautifully creamy bokeh while staying impressively compact. It’s a favourite for portraits, weddings, events and cinematic video on Sony full-frame. Key points:
- Ultra-fast f/1.2 aperture for gorgeous background separation and clean results in very low light
- Surprisingly small and light for its speed — around 778g, so it stays easy to carry and balance
- G Master optics with three XA elements and a floating focus group for edge-to-edge sharpness even wide open
- Fast, silent autofocus from four XD Linear Motors, plus an aperture ring, focus-hold button and 72mm filter thread
Our thoughts
f/1.2 on a 50 is pure magic for portraits — the subject separation and the way it renders light are something a slower lens just can’t match, and it stays sharp wide open where it counts. What surprises people is how manageable it is: it’s far smaller and lighter than you’d expect a lens this fast to be, so it’s an easy one to keep on the camera. A stunning event and portrait optic.
— Will, Founder
Key specifications
| Lens mount |
Sony E |
| Format |
Full-frame |
| Focal length |
50mm |
| Maximum aperture |
f/1.2 |
| Minimum aperture |
f/16 |
| Aperture blades |
11 (rounded) |
| Optical design |
14 elements in 10 groups, incl. 3 XA elements |
| Coatings |
Nano AR Coating II; Fluorine front coating |
| Autofocus |
Four XD Linear Motors with floating focus, and focus-hold button |
| Controls |
Aperture ring (de-clickable) and AF/MF switch |
| Minimum focus distance |
0.4m (1.31 ft) |
| Maximum magnification |
0.17x |
| Filter thread |
72mm |
| Build |
Dust- and moisture-resistant; approx. 778g (1.72 lb) |
Compatibility & what you might add
- Fits any Sony E-mount body — full-frame Alpha and Cinema Line FX cameras. On an APS-C body it gives roughly a 75mm equivalent field of view, a lovely short portrait length.
- Takes standard 72mm screw-in filters — an ND is handy for shooting wide open in bright light, and a polariser tames reflections.
- Great for cinematic video on a gimbal thanks to its de-clickable aperture ring and quiet autofocus.
- Comparing fast primes? Look at the FE 35mm f/1.4 GM or FE 24mm f/1.4 GM, or browse the full Sony E-mount range.
Q&A
What’s the advantage of f/1.2 over f/1.4 or f/1.8?
Two things: even more light for dim venues, and an extra-shallow depth of field that melts backgrounds for standout portraits. The step from f/1.8 to f/1.2 is very visible in the rendering — smoother bokeh and stronger subject separation. If you want the most cinematic look a 50mm can give on Sony, this is it.
Is it sharp wide open at f/1.2?
Yes — that’s the whole point of the GM design. The three XA (extreme aspherical) elements and floating focus group keep it crisp on your subject even at f/1.2, so you get that dreamy background blur without sacrificing detail where it matters.
How big and heavy is it?
Remarkably compact for an f/1.2 lens — around 778g, so it balances well and is comfortable for a full day of shooting. It’s an easy lens to keep mounted as your main portrait and low-light option. We ship it protected and ready to shoot.
Can I use it for video?
Absolutely — it’s a superb cinematic lens. The aperture ring can be de-clicked for smooth iris pulls, autofocus is quiet and quick thanks to the four XD Linear Motors, and the f/1.2 look is beautiful for interviews and narrative work.
Which Sony cameras does it fit?
Any Sony E-mount camera — every full-frame Alpha and Cinema Line FX body, plus Sony APS-C bodies. On full-frame you get the native 50mm; on APS-C it crops to roughly a 75mm equivalent, which is an ideal portrait focal length.
