Minolta AF 50mm F1.7 50mm
The f/1.7 maximum aperture delivers strong low-light performance and shallow depth of field on full-frame A-mount bodies, all in a lightweight 184g package. Its simple optical design keeps the lens compact and affordable, making it a practical entry point into fast prime photography. This lens is best for street and travel photographers using older Sony or Minolta DSLRs who prioritize portability and background separation over modern features.
Snapshot
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong build (85th percentile) 85th
Cons
- Below average bokeh (2nd percentile)
- Below average aperture (2nd percentile)
- Below average macro (14th percentile)
- Below average optical (20th percentile)
The proof
Performance
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Macro |
| Focal Length Min | 50 |
| Focal Length Max | 50 |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/50 |
| Min Aperture | f/1.7 |
Build
| Mount | Sony A |
| Format | full-frame |
| Weight | 0.2 kg / 0.4 lbs |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | Auto Focusing |
vs Competition
| Spec | Minolta AF 50mm F1.7 50mm | Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 VXD | Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN | Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 | Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 | Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 50mm | 28-300mm | 18-50mm | 17-28mm | 12-35mm | 18-135mm |
| Max Aperture | f/50 | f/4 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/3.5 |
| Mount | Sony A | Sony E | Sony E | Nikon Z | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E |
| Stabilization | false | true | false | false | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | false | true | true | true | true | false |
| Weight (g) | 184 | 590 | 290 | 450 | 306 | 326 |
| AF Type | Auto Focusing | VXD linear motor | stepping motor | Stepping Motor | Autofocus | Linear motor |
| Lens Type | macro | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | AF | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minolta AF 50mm F1.7 50mm | 53.9 | 1.5 | 84.7 | 14.2 | 20.2 | 1.6 | 33.6 | 46 | 36.8 |
| Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 VXD Compare | 98 | 78.2 | 65.1 | 85.8 | 96.7 | 66.3 | 97.7 | 55 | 82.4 |
| Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Compare | 86.9 | 82.1 | 86.1 | 91.7 | 82.2 | 84.2 | 78.6 | 89.6 | 36.8 |
| Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 Compare | 86.9 | 87.3 | 75.2 | 85.8 | 88.2 | 84.2 | 68 | 69.1 | 36.8 |
| Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 Compare | 53.9 | 82.1 | 85.4 | 51 | 86.5 | 84.2 | 80.6 | 85.1 | 96.9 |
| Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Compare | 98 | 75.7 | 72.5 | 40.3 | 78.5 | 77.6 | 95.8 | 89.6 | 82.4 |
Usage Scores
A full written review is coming soon. The specs, scores, prices and charts above are always up to date.