Sony continues to push the boundaries of its G Master zoom lenses with the release of the FE 50-150mm f/2 GM lens, which follows up last fall’s release of the 28-70mm f/2 lens with yet another remarkably fast zoom with a unique focal range that stands out in portraiture, wedding, event, and indoor and close-range sports applications. Like its sibling, the lens is optimized for hybrid use, making it an ideal choice for the full spectrum of professional content creation.
The lens’s premium build reflects the ethos of the G Master lineup, whose lenses deliver the greatest sharpness, smoothest bokeh, utmost speed, and best overall performance. The constant f/2 aperture adds an additional full stop of light to the traditional f/2.8 aperture for this class of zoom, and the suite of XA, Super ED, aspherical, and ED elements all contribute to the lens’s outstanding sharpness and rendering.
A floating focus mechanism helps maintain high image quality throughout the focus range and contributes to the internal zoom focus design. The 11-blade diaphragm tops it all off with smooth, circular bokeh for excellence and beauty in subject-background separation.
Stills and video both benefit from the superior optical design, with several other capabilities further distinguishing it for hybrid use. Four XD (extreme dynamic) linear motors generate fast and responsive AF performance that's equally quiet and smooth. The focusing system is compatible with continuous shooting speeds up to 120 fps or high-speed video recording at up to 240 fps. The lens also supports the Breathing Compensation function, eliminating angle of view shifts while moving through the zoom range.
For specific benefit to videographers, the lens’ internal focusing design maintains the lens length during use, keeping a consistent center of gravity and benefiting use on gimbals and tripods.
The lens does come with some heft—at 7.9” and 3 lb—but it’s the added light that makes up for it. A declickable aperture ring, programmable focus hold buttons, and a focus mode switch add intuitive controls to the lens body. The front lens element has a fluorine coating that repels water, oil, and other contaminants and makes the lens easier to clean. Like other G Master lenses, the dust and moisture-resistant design makes it ideal for use in adverse environments and challenging weather conditions.
The last lens in the 50-150mm focal range was from Sigma back in 2011, the 50-150mm f/2.8 EX DC APO OS HSM, which was well-regarded among its owners. Will Sony’s embrace of the focal range have similar success? Be sure to check out our detailed product page for the FE 50-150mm f/2 GM for more information about the new lens.
