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Sony FE 50-150mm f/2 GM Initial Review

This Sony FE 50-150mm f/2 GM Initial Review begins with one of Sony’s most interesting announcements of 2025. With a launch on 22nd April 2025, this fast telephoto zoom is the latest Sony premium G Master lens, but it’s also part of a new generation of hybrid zooms.

Hands-on Sony FE 50-150mm f/2 GM video review

Gareth captured sample images while making this hands-on video review of the Sony FE 50-150mm f/2 GM lens.

Unlike traditional f/2.8 workhorse lenses, the 50-150mm f/2 GM features a brighter constant f/2 aperture, which gives you an extra stop of light across the whole range. It follows in the footsteps of the 28-70mm f/2 GM, which arrived at the tail end of 2024, heralding Sony’s move towards faster, next-gen. lenses which are surprisingly compact and lightweight.

While Sony has already updated favourites among professionals like the 24-70mm GM II and 70-200mm GM OSS II, the new generation offers a faster maximum aperture and even better performance for stills and video users.

In this initial review, we’ll take a look at where the 50-150mm f/2 GM fits into the G Master ecosystem, who it’s for, and why it might just be the next lens professionals turn to when looking to upgrade or enhance a set of primes.

Where Does it fit in the G Master Line-up

The Sony FE 50-150mm f/2 GM price is £3,799.00, placing it firmly in the premium bracket of the Sony lens lineup, right alongside the FE 28-70mm f/2 GM (£3,049.00) from the previous year. Together, these two models highlight Sony’s shift towards another generation of f/2 zooms, which offer a faster aperture than traditional f/2.8 workhorse lenses.

Despite the brighter aperture and broad zoom range, both lenses maintain the performance and reliability that professionals expect from G Master glass. Where earlier zooms like the Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II (which we reviewed here) offers features for general-purpose shooting, the 50-150mm f/2 GM provides a little more creative control, low-light performance and subject separation. It certainly makes another compelling option for portrait and event photographers, as well as hybrid creators who shoot both video and stills.

While the price may appear high at first, it makes sense when you consider how many fast prime lenses this zoom can replace, including a 50mm, 85mm, 105mm and 135mm. Instead of carrying multiple lenses and stopping mid-action to switch lenses, professionals can travel lighter and work faster, while achieving consistently high-quality results.

This lens is clearly aimed at working professionals, serious enthusiasts, and video creators who want a combination of zoom flexibility and flagship performance.

Sample 01 with Sony A7R V camera at 50mm. 1/160 sec. f/2. ISO 100

Key Specs and Features

The 50-150mm f/2 GM lens is packed with features, which promise excellent image quality and creative control. Its constant f/2 maximum aperture sets it apart from most other zooms in this focal range, providing a full stop of extra light over traditional f/2.8 lenses.

It weighs just 1340g (excluding the tripod mount), which is impressive given the range and fast aperture. By comparison the FE 135mm f/1. 8 GM Lens alone weighs 950g. Sony has struck a managed to balance G Master performance and portability, and this lens is far more manageable than you might expect.

Inside the lens an advanced optical design with XA, Super ED, and ED elements ensures excellent sharpness and minimal aberrations, while a newly developed 11-blade circular aperture delivers smooth, rounded bokeh.

Other noteworthy features include four XD Linear Motors for fast and near-silent autofocus, comprehensive dust and moisture resistant sealing, and video compatibility with reduced focus breathing and a manual aperture ring.

Sample 02 with Sony A7R V camera at 150mm. 1/320 sec. f/2. ISO 160

Key specs at a glance:

• Constant f/2 aperture across the entire range
• G Master image and build quality
• Advanced optical formula with XA, ED and Super ED elements
• 11-blade circular aperture for smooth bokeh
• Quad XD Linear Motors for fast, accurate AF
• Internal focus and zoom design
• Minimum focus distance: 0.4m (wide), 0.74m (telephoto)
• 0.2x maximum magnification
• Well sealed design for dust and moisture resistance
• Aperture ring with click/de-click switch and lock
• Weight: 1340g (without tripod collar)
• Filter thread: 95mm

Sample 03 with Sony A7R V camera at 98mm. 1/200 sec. f/2. ISO 500

Image Quality and Optical features

The heights which Sony’s optical engineering has reached are highlighted in this lens, with G Master optics and optical coatings, which deliver exceptional image quality that meets the demands of professional photographers and videographers. The design comprises 21 elements in 15 groups, including two XA (extreme aspherical) elements, two Super ED (extra-low dispersion) elements, and three ED elements is responsible for the majority of image rendering.

This effectively minimises chromatic aberrations, spherical aberrations, and distortion, with high levels of sharpness and clarity across the entire zoom range, and from near to far.

The inclusion of XA elements, which feature 0.01-micron surface precision, contributes to the lens’s smooth, creamy bokeh, while maintaining high resolution from the centre to the edges of the frame. This is enhanced by the 11-blade circular aperture unit, which produces natural, rounded out-of-focus highlights, cementing the lens for portraiture and subject separation.

Sony has applied their Nano AR Coating II, which reduces internal reflections and helps to maintain sharpness and contrast when there’s a lot of incidental light, or you’re shooting in backlit conditions. This is proven to work extremely well and maintains image quality in difficult lighting.

Close focusing is quite impressive too, with a minimum focus distance of 0.4 metres at the wide end and 0.74 metres at the telephoto end. This provides a maximum magnification of 0.2x, enabling close-up shots with high sharpness and level of detail.

This lens sets a very high standard for Sony E mount zoom lenses. It combines cutting-edge optical technology with attention to detail in order to deliver outstanding image quality for stills and video applications, once again placing Sony at the forefront of lens innovation.

Sample 04 with Sony A7R V camera at 50mm. 1/200 sec. f/2. ISO 3200

Handling and Autofocus

This is a well-balanced Sony f/2 zoom lens, with comfortable handling when mounted on full-frame E-mount bodies such as the Alpha 7R V, Alpha 9 III and Alpha 1. Despite its constant f/2 aperture and optics, the lens is manageable, with internal zoom and focus mechanisms that keep the centre of gravity stable, which is ideal for handheld shooting and gimbal mounting.

Autofocus is driven by four XD (Extreme Dynamic) linear motors. This has become the standard for lenses such as the FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II, the FE 28-70mm f/2 GM, and the 50mm f/1.2 GM, which all provide extremely fast, quiet and accurate subject AF and tracking. The system is designed to match high-speed burst rates of Sony’s latest cameras, including up to 120fps on the A9 III, with responsive tracking that maintains focus tenaciously.

Manual focus also feels refined, with a linear response focus ring and full-time DMF (Direct Manual Focus) for fine-tuning during AF-C. For video users, focus breathing is well controlled, and the lens supports breathing compensation with compatible bodies, improving visual consistency when racking focus.

Altogether the 50-150mm f/2 GM delivers a responsive and familiar experience for Sony users, whether you’re busy capturing photos or videos, with features that cater to modern hybrid workflows.

Sample 05 with Sony A7R V camera at 118mm. 1/2000 sec. f/2. ISO 100

Video Performance

The Sony FE 50-150mm f/2 GM is more than a stills lens, as it’s perfect for serious video recording too. Thanks to its quad XD linear motors, autofocus is fast, accurate, and most importantly for video, virtually silent. Internal focusing and zoom mechanisms also ensure consistent balance, which is particularly useful when mounted to a camera gimbal, stabiliser  or rig.

Sony has designed the lens to control focus breathing, which can be an issue for video recording when shifting focus points. Breathing compensation is available on compatible cameras such as the A1 II, ZV-E1, A7C II, and A7 IV, which helps to maintain a consistent frame when pulling focus.

The constant f/2 aperture delivers excellent subject separation and control over depth of field, which is perfect when you want to create a cinematic look. Manual aperture control, a smooth focus ring with linear response, and the ability to switch off aperture clicks all contribute to a better experience for filmmakers.

For hybrid creators who regularly switch between photo and video, the 50-150mm f/2 GM offers versatility, that matches the demands of professional content creation.

Who Is It For?

The Sony FE 50-150mm f/2 GM is a Sony E zoom lens designed for professional users, especially those who shoot a mixture of stills and video. With its fast, constant f/2 aperture, versatile zoom range and high-speed autofocus system, it caters to a range of creators who need speed and image quality.

One of key points to this lens is its ability to replace several fast primes with a single, high-performance zoom. Whether you’re used to carrying 50mm, 85mm, and 135mm lenses, or constantly switch between focal lengths, the 50-150mm f/2 GM can reduce weight and save time, while still providing exceptionally high image quality and great low light performance.

It is suitable for a wide range of uses, including:

• Portraits, fashion and lifestyle photography
• Weddings, concerts and events
• Commercial and editorial work
• Indoor sports
• Travel and location
• Video productions

Of course you can also capture landscapes, architectural details and general snapshots with this lens, but there are other options from Sony which might be better suited to those kinds of applications.

As one of the new f/2 zoom series, the Sony FE 50-150mm f/2 GM emphasises Sony’s evolving zoom lens lineup. It offers professionals a new alternative to the familiar f/2.8 workhorses, combining the versatility of a zoom with the speed and image quality more often associated with primes.

Together with the FE 28-70mm f/2 GM, this lens defines a new standard for hybrid creators, by providing consistently sharp results, excellent control over depth of field, and reliable build quality for location shoots.

For working professionals, this lens offers a chance to lighten the kit bag while gaining more creative options from a single zoom, which can replace several primes, simplify your setup, and deliver G Master results in any situation.

Reserve the Sony FE 50-150mm f/2 GM from Park Cameras today and if you’re considering upgrading, our trade-in programme makes it easy to part-exchange gear and save on this addition to the G Master range.

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By Nick Dautlich on 22/04/2025

Nick Dautlich

Senior Content Writer and Product Reviewer

Nick Dautlich is the Senior Content Writer and Product Reviewer at Park Cameras, with over 15 years of photography experience. A Sony Imaging Professional and expert reviewer, Nick has worked with major brands such as Canon, Sony and Nikon. His work is also featured on Vanguard World UK’s website, Capture Landscapes, and Shutter Evolve. Nick’s photography includes National Trust projects and magazine covers and he is passionate about landscapes and storytelling. Nick also enjoys hiking and teaching his children about nature. Learn more on his profile page.