Sony announced the release of the large-aperture telephoto zoom lens G Master “FE 50-150mm F2 GM” as a 35mm full-frame compatible α E mount lens on May 23, 2025. The listed market price from the Sony website is $3,899.99.
Fast Zoom Lens Lineup Growing
Sony previously released its first F2 zoom lens, the large-aperture standard zoom lens G Master “FE 28-70mm F2 GM,” in December 2024. This product will be added to that lineup.
The model concept is to cover the focal lengths of three prime lenses, 50mm, 85mm, and 135mm, in one lens. The price of nearly $3,900 may be considered expensive when viewed on its own, but when you consider the cost of three prime lenses, it is worth the price.
The focal length range of 50mm to 150mm is thought to be applicable to a wide variety of subjects, but it is expected to be particularly suitable for scenes such as weddings, sports, and indoor sports.
Quality Approaching Prime Lens Level Across Zoom Range
One of the features of this product is its high image quality that is comparable to that of a prime lens across the entire zoom range. The presented MTF curve shows that it achieves a resolution that is comparable to that of a prime lens.
The advanced optical design, which includes two XA (extra-aspherical) lenses and two aspherical lenses, minimizes various aberrations that cause reduction in resolution, resulting in a compact optical system.
In addition to the brightness of its maximum aperture of F2, it features large bokeh and a smooth, natural bokeh, and thanks to its newly designed 11-blade aperture mechanism, it maintains a nearly circular shape even when stopped down by two stops.
Additionally, the latest optical design minimizes chromatic aberration. Furthermore, the adoption of “Nano AR Coating II” suppresses the occurrence of flare and ghosting. This enables clear and vivid shooting even in backlit conditions.
Close-Up Shooting
The close-up shooting performance is also high across the entire zoom range from 50mm to 150mm focal length, with the minimum shooting distance being 0.4m at the wide-angle end and 0.74m at the telephoto end. The maximum shooting magnification is 0.2x.
The peripheral resolution also approaches that of a prime lens. When comparing the focal lengths of 50mm at the wide-angle end, 85mm at mid-telephoto, and 135mm at telephoto, there is almost no difference in peripheral resolution between this product and each prime lens. From these comparisons, although this product is a zoom lens, it achieves high image quality comparable to a prime lens.
Compact and Lightweight
The second key point is its compact and lightweight design. This product weighs 1,340g (excluding the tripod mount). In weight comparison, it is lighter than the previously released “FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS” I-type, and can be said to be extremely light for a constant F2 zoom lens.
The compact size and weight are achieved without relying on electronic correction and by using state-of-the-art optical design, while maintaining optical performance.
In addition, because it uses an inner zoom mechanism, the overall length does not change during zoom operation, allowing for stable balance and operation. Although the body looks large at first glance, there is enough clearance for the grip, making it easy to operate.
Its light weight and the adoption of an inner zoom mechanism make it easy to handle even when shooting video.
Autofocus Performance
The third key point is the autofocus (AF) performance. This product uses a floating focus mechanism and is equipped with a total of four XD linear motors.
This allows for fast and accurate AF drive even with a large aperture of F2, and is believed to ensure the high-speed, high-precision, quiet autofocus performance that is a feature of Sony’s α series.
This lens also supports the α9 III’s maximum continuous shooting speed of 120 frames per second.
Video Performance of the Sony FE 50-150mm F2 GM
The fourth point is video performance. For video shooting, the lens is equipped with a linear response MF (manual focus) mechanism. Focus breathing, an important factor in video shooting, is also significantly suppressed without relying on electronic correction.
Image stabilization is effective when combined with the original body. The image stabilization function in Active Mode and Dynamic Active Mode allows for stable video shooting even while walking. It is believed that the combination of the original lens and body will support stable video shooting.
Construction – Maximizing Operability
The fifth point is operability and reliability. In terms of operability, this product is equipped with a total of three focus hold buttons. The lens has three consecutive rings: focus ring, zoom ring, and aperture ring. The filter diameter is 95mm.
The tripod mount is removable and a strap is included in the package. Designed to be dustproof and water-resistant, the lens surface is also coated with fluorine to prevent dust from adhering.
SONY FE 50-150mm F2 GM / FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II spec comparison
| Specifications | Sony FE 50-150mm F2 GM | Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II |
| Maximum aperture | F2 | F2.8 |
| Lens construction | 19 elements in 17 groups | 17 elements in 14 groups |
| Aspheric Lenses | XA 2 elements/Aspheric 2 elements | XA 1 element/Aspheric 1 element |
| ED aspheric lens | – | ED aspheric lens x 1 |
| ED Glass | Super ED 2 sheets / ED 3 sheets | Super ED 2 sheets / ED 2 sheets |
| Lens Coating | Nano AR Coating II, Fluorine Coating | Nano AR Coating II, Fluorine Coating |
| Minimum focusing distance | (W) 0.4m – (T) 0.74m | 0.4m |
| Maximum magnification | 0.2x | 0.3x |
| Aperture blades | 11-blade circular aperture | 11-blade circular aperture |
| Minimum aperture | twenty two | twenty two |
| Actuator | XD Linear Motor | XD Linear Motor |
| Focus System | Inner focus, floating focus | Inner focus, floating focus |
| Zoom Method | Inner zoom method | Inner zoom method |
| Image Stabilization (OSS) | – | ○ |
| Focus Range Limiter | – | ○ (FULL/∞〜3m) |
| Full-time DMF switch | ○ | ○ |
| Linear Response MF | ○ | ○ |
| Filter Diameter | 95mm | 77mm |
| Lens hood | Round bayonet type VX9569 with filter window | Round bayonet type ALC-SH167 with filter window |
| Tripod mount (screw hole, detachable) | ○ 1/4(1), 3/8(1) removable | ○ 1/4(2) Detachable |
| External dimensions | Φ102.8×200 | Φ88×200 mm |
| Mass (approx.) | 1340g (excluding tripod mount) | 1,045g (excluding tripod mount) |
| Dust and water resistant | ○ | ○ |
| Teleconverter | Not supported | correspondence |
| price | Estimated market price: around 600,000 yen (tax included) | Sony Store price: 385,000 yen (tax included) |
