📷 Cameras 🔭 Lenses 🎒 Accessories 🏷 Brands
Sony

Sony FE 50mm f/1.8

Sony's entry-level standard prime for full-frame E-mount — the FE 50mm f/1.8 is the most affordable way to add a fast prime to any Sony FE or E-mount body. At 186g it is one of the lightest lenses in the Sony FE lineup, and the f/1.8 aperture produces noticeably smoother backgrounds than any kit zoom. Autofocus is reliable for everyday shooting, and the 50mm focal length is the most natural starting point for prime lens photography. An ideal first prime for Sony shooters upgrading from a kit zoom, or a lightweight backup prime for professional kits. Comparable to the Nifty Fifty category — simple, small, and effective.

GearFrame's Take

The most accessible fast prime for Sony FE — 186g, f/1.8, and a price that makes it the obvious first prime upgrade for any Sony shooter on a budget.

Starting from
£159 new
Used from £115 (Wex Photo Video)
Average price across retailers: ~£189
Available at 4 retailers
✓ Available at 4 retailers 🔒 No signup needed 📦 UK stock only
RetailerPrice
Clifton Cameras
Clifton Cameras
£159
Check on Clifton Cameras →
Wex Photo Video
Wex Photo Video used
£115
Check on Wex Photo Video →
eBay
eBay
Lowest Buy It Now · marketplace
£130
Search eBay →
Prices are synced live from UK retailers. Not every product will be stocked by every retailer; older models may only be available second hand.
Core
Released
2016
Aperture
f/1.8 (max aperture)
Compatible Mount
Sony FE (full-frame E-mount)
Dimensions
68.6mm diameter × 59.5mm length
Weight
186g
Weather Sealed
No
Optics & Focus
AF Motor
DC motor — adequate for everyday stills; slower than linear motor alternatives
Optical IS
None (relies on body IBIS)
Min. Focus Distance
39cm minimum focus distance

Select up to 2 cameras to compare against the FE 50mm f/1.8. It's always pinned as the baseline.

Select 1–3 cameras to compare

8 cameras compatible with the Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) mount.

GearScore™ — Suitability by Genre
Portrait
9.0
Travel
9.0
Street
7.0
Sports & Action
4.0
Great For
👤
Portrait f/1.8 at 50mm is a classic portrait combination — produces pleasing subject separation for everyday and casual portraits.
✈️
Travel At 186g it is barely noticeable — an easy travel prime that covers everyday scenes and people photography.
🏙️
Street 50mm matches natural human vision closely — intuitive and unobtrusive for candid everyday and street photography.
⚠️ Not Ideal For
🏅
Sports & Action DC motor AF is too slow and unreliable for sports tracking — a G Master or Tamron with linear AF is a better choice.
📝 How suitability scores are calculated Scores reflect the aggregated consensus from verified purchaser reviews across tracked UK retailers, weighted by photography genre tags applied by reviewers. This is community opinion — not GearFrame editorial assessment. See our full methodology →
Price History — FE 50mm f/1.8

Video reviews and hands-on coverage for the Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 from across YouTube.

Video results sourced from YouTube. GearFrame is not affiliated with these channels.

Search all reviews on YouTube →