Sony FE SAL50M28 50mm
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm
What Buyers Say
Sony FE SAL50M28 50mm
The Sony 50mm f/2.8 Macro lens receives high praise for its exceptional sharpness, particularly in macro and portrait photography. Users highlight the useful focus limiter and the ability to achieve 1:1 magnification, though some note the lens is pricey and caution against use with Sony a7 series cameras. Overall, it is considered a high-quality lens that delivers excellent image detail.
Pros
- Exceptional sharpness
- Useful focus limiter switch
- 1:1 macro magnification
- Good for portraits and landscapes
- Solid build with metal mount
Cons
- High price point
- Not recommended for Sony a7 series
- DOF scale tuned for full frame only
- Manual focus can be tricky for beginners
- 50mm focal length may be odd on APS-C
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm
This Panasonic Leica 12-35mm f/2.8 lens is widely praised for its exceptional sharpness, solid build, and constant aperture, making it a versatile workhorse for both photo and video on Micro Four Thirds cameras. Users highlight its impressive image quality that rivals larger formats, fast and reliable autofocus, and effective image stabilization, especially when paired with compatible bodies. A few note the lens is somewhat heavy and that depth of field at f/2.8 is limited on MFT, but overall it is considered a worthwhile investment for those seeking a high-quality standard zoom.
Pros
- Exceptional sharpness
- Constant f/2.8 aperture
- Solid build quality
- Fast and reliable autofocus
- Effective image stabilization
Cons
- Somewhat heavy
- Limited depth of field at f/2.8 on MFT
- Image stabilization barely noticeable at wide angles
- Not as sharp as prime lenses
- Plastic lens hood
Scores
Specifications
| Sony FE SAL50M28 50mm | Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | macro | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 50 mm | 12 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 50 mm | 35 mm |
| Elements | — | 14 |
| Groups | — | 9 |
| Aspherical Elements | — | 4★ |
| ED Elements | — | 1★ |
| Coating | — | Nano Surface Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/16 | f/2.8 |
| Min Aperture | f/2.8 | f/2.8 |
| Constant | ✓ | ✓ |
| Diaphragm Blades | — | 7★ |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Sony E | Micro Four Thirds |
| Format | full-frame★ | micro-four-thirds |
| Weather Sealed | — | ✓★ |
| Weight | 0.29 kg★ | 0.31 kg |
| Filter Thread | 55 mm | 58 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | Automatic | Autofocus |
| Stabilization | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Stabilization Stops | — | 5 stops★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 161 mm | 150 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 1:1★ | 0.21x |
Pros & Cons
Sony FE SAL50M28 50mm
- Strong macro (88th percentile)88th %ile
- Strong build (76th percentile)
- Strong social proof (65th percentile)
- Below average optical (20th percentile)20th %ile
- Below average bokeh (28th percentile)
- Below average versatility (34th percentile)
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 12-35mm
- Strong stabilization (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong optical (87th percentile)87th %ile
- Strong build (85th percentile)85th %ile
- Strong social proof (85th percentile)85th %ile
Verdict
Scores 90 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 7 of 22 specs.