Sony FE 50-150mm f/2 Camera Lens: A Game Changing Telephoto Zoom Lens

Intro

Sony continues to impress the photography world with the release of their latest addition to the G Master Lens series, the FE 50-150mm f/2 GM. To get right into it, this is the world’s first lens in the industry featuring a constant f/2 aperture. Offering benefits such as exceptional sharpness, advanced autofocus and a rugged professional grade build, the Sony FE 50-150mm f/2 GM is designed, engineered, and catered to meet the needs (and wants) of portrait & indoor sports photographers as well as filmmakers.

Superiorly Engineered & Exceptionally Strong Build

The engineering of this masterpiece is quite noticeable. Constructed brilliantly, this lens features an internal zoom mechanism that keeps the length unchanged throughout the zoom range, all while maintaining its compact and well balanced feel. Keeping in mind that photographers need to often battle the elements of nature, this GM lens also boasts a weather sealed body ensuring longevity and protection against dust, moisture, and dirt, making this the ideal choice for outdoor and on location photo shoots.

Additional design highlights include:

• Front element fluorine coating repels water droplets and fingerprints.

• Obtain precision exposure adjustments with an aperture ring switchable click stops. Giving you complete tactical control.

• User friendly accessible preferred settings with customizable buttons.

As always, Sony cameras prioritizes durability and ergonomics by cleverly innovated design making this new Sony lens comfortable for pros to use, even through lengthened sessions while offering the finest in user functionality and performance.

Optical Performance at its Best

This Sony FE 50-150mm f/2 G-Master lens is jam packed with the latest cutting edge high end components and elements for optical design and performance. Thanks to the two XA (or Extreme Aspherical) elements, three ED (Extra Low Dispersion), and two Super ED elements, the lens suppresses chromatic aberration ensuring you will always get razor sharp image quality across all focal lengths filling your frame from edge to edge with picture perfect visual bliss.

Additionally, it features a NANO AR Coating II which reduces ghosting and flare while enhancing contrast and optimal clarity even in challenging backlit conditions. These standout features result in vividly rich colors, extra crisp detail, and consistent stunning imagery in every image you capture.

Fast & Insanely Accurate Autofocus

Professionals rely on speed and precision. Their business depends on capturing the right frame at the right time. Certain events won’t offer “second chances” so pros need to know that they can trust their equipment. The autofocus is a critical part of every photographers process and the new Sony f2 lens features XD (or Extreme Dynamic) linear motors giving you near instantaneous, quiet, and precise autofocusing. Capturing high speed action, split second sports finishes, wedding dances, or high res cinematic video can be accomplished with ease thanks to the accurate subject tracking with almost no focus breathing.

This autofocus system is optimized for the Sony Alpha Series Mirrorless Cameras giving their “best” cameras more lens compatibility options and providing pros with the perfect niche lens for fast moving subject tracking and burst shooting capabilities.

Perfect for Video Production

Beyond the scope of this lens amazing ability to capture stills, it is also an optimal choice for videographers. Minimized focus breathing assists and ensures video creators get smooth cinematic focus shifts while recording. Every videographer will add their touch via the linear response manual focus feature which offers the user precise, repeatable focus pulls (adjustments) and is a critical function for professional film production and workflows.

Additionally, the FE 50-150mm f/2 GM’s internal zoom mechanism ensures even weight distribution when using a gimbal or stabilizer. This offers videographers smooth capture & perfect cinema, regardless of challenging the angle of shot may be.

Versatile, Real World, Applications

This lens’ unique focal range and lightning fast, bright constant aperture makes this versatile lens stand out and be the ideal choice for a variety of real world scenarios.

• Portrait Photography - Creates gorgeous background blur for a dreamy vibe and subject separation via its wide open f/2 aperture.

• Events & Weddings - Exceptional performance in low light settings with razor sharp clarity.

• Sports Photography - Outstanding fast paced captures with high shutter speeds.

• Filmmaking - Exceptional videographic features providing smooth transitions, cinematic depth, and consistent framing on gimbals and stabilizers.

It’s Great for Bokeh Experts

On real world application that the Sony FE 50-150mm f/2 camera lens is excellent for is Bokeh photography. Portrait, wedding photographers, and videographers will benefit greatly from the subject isolation and dreamy background blur this amazing lens offers.

1. Wide Constant Aperture

   • The wide aperture offers a shallow depth of field. This is ideal for producing a smooth, dreamy, background blur. A constant F/2 aperture is typically fast for a telephoto lens and makes capturing bokeh with it fantastic.

2. Medium Telephoto Range

   • A medium telephoto length is perfect for shooting Bokeh. Longer focal lengths such as 85mm, 135mm, and 150mm will dramatically compress and blur the frames background.

3. Superior Optical Design

   • XA (Extreme Aspherical) and ED glass elements minimize aberrations which results in rounder out of focus highlights that appear smoother. This is referred to as buttery bokeh.

   • Sony doesn’t mess around. This lens has an 11 blade circular aperture which helps capture perfect Bokeh, even when stopping down.

4. Controlled Focus Breathing & Focus Transitions

   • These two setting benefit video recording more than Bokeh, but will assist the user shooting bokeh since these features will help keep the bokeh effect constant as you shift between subjects.

How does it compare?

There are many great lens options on the market. How does this lens review against its competitors?

The Sony FE 50-150mm f/2 GM is designed exclusively for Sony E-mount cameras and performs exceptionally well with camera bodies like the Sony a9 III and Sony a7R V. On the a9 III, it excels in fast-paced environments thanks to its rapid autofocus and global shutter. With the high-resolution a7R V, the lens delivers outstanding detail, sharpness, and beautiful bokeh which is ideal for portraits and professional work.

This lens isn’t compatible with Nikon Z or Canon RF systems, and no adapter supports full functionality. Comparable options on those platforms include:

• Nikon Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S – Excellent sharpness and stabilization, but lacks the f/2 aperture and internal zoom design.

• Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM – Compact and high-quality, though slower and with external zoom.

Within the Sony ecosystem, the 50-150mm f/2 GM competes with:

• Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 – Greater range, but with a variable aperture, external zoom, and slightly less refined autofocus.

• Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II – Offers longer reach and built-in stabilization, but is one stop slower and larger.

• Sony 70-200mm f/4 Macro G OSS II – Compact and versatile for macro, but with a smaller aperture and reduced background separation.

There are more affordable options such as the Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM but for users seeking a fast, sharp, and versatile telephoto zoom with excellent bokeh and compact handling, the Sony FE 50-150mm f/2 GM is the perfect choice.

The Verdict

The Sony FE 50-150mm f/2 GM lens represents a significant advancement in telephoto zoom technology. Designed for full-frame Sony E-mount cameras, it offers a constant f/2 aperture, delivering exceptional low-light performance and shallow depth of field. This lens combines the versatility of a zoom with the image quality typically associated with prime lenses.

With a minimum focus distance of 0.4 meters and a maximum magnification of 0.2x, it is well-suited for detailed close-up shots. The manual focus ring or zoom ring provides smooth, precise control, enhancing its suitability for video work. Additionally, it has 95mm filter threads, so you will need to ensure you buy the correct size attachment when you’re looking for flexibility for various photographic techniques.

Featuring an internal zoom mechanism, maintaining a consistent length throughout the zoom range, which is advantageous for gimbal use and maintaining balance. However, it's important to note that this lens is not compatible with Sony's teleconverters.

Priced at approximately $3,899 USD, the Sony FE 50-150mm f/2 GM is available for pre-order, with shipping expected to begin around May 22, 2025 (according to some retailers like b&h photo & Amazon, but you never really know). This lens is an excellent choice for professionals seeking a high-performance, versatile telephoto zoom lens. You can view sample images taken with this lens on Sony’s website (click here).

This is a lens photographers can use.