OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
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REVIEWS
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Sony 50mm F1 4 ZA SSM Carl ZEISS Planar T Review | 54 Data compared

Avg. price:~£1,320Lens mount:Sony AMaximum focal length:50 mmMaximum aperture (telephoto end):1.4Optical image stabilization:noMaximum angle of view:47 °

Sony 50mm F1 4 ZA SSM Carl ZEISS Planar T Review: Compare 54 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Camera lenses category and whether it is worth buying.

7.7

Overall score

Score
7.7/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the camera lens's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best camera lenses on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 86% of models
Score components

80%

7.8

Technical score

20%

7.1

User score

â–²Better than 86% of camera-lenses
7.8

Technical score

Technical score
7.8/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Camera lenses category across these key areas: Mount & Format, Optics & Aperture, Focus & Controls, Stabilization, Build & Handling, Lab Scores.
When it matters
When you want to compare camera lenses based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
★ Better than 95% of models
Score components

35%

9.4

Optics & Aperture

24%

8.3

Build & Handling

20%

8.1

Focus & Controls

10%

8.3

Lab Scores

8%

1.0

Stabilization

3%

1.0

Mount & Format

★Better than 95% of camera-lenses
7.1

User score

User score
7.1/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the camera lens.
When it matters
When real-world owner satisfaction and review volume matter to your decision.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 93% of models
Score components

70%

7.9

User ratings

30%

5.3

Number of reviews

Based on 55 buyer reviews from online shops.
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →
How we calculate this
User ratings – average star rating across all shop listings, weighted by how many reviews each has, on a 1–10 scale.
Number of reviews – how many buyer reviews the product has, on a logarithmic scale; the 8% most-reviewed models in the category get 10.
â–¼Worse than 93% of camera-lenses
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Best rankings

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of camera lens Sony 50mm F1 4 ZA SSM Carl ZEISS Planar T

Technical score
Technical score
7.8/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Camera lenses category across these key areas: Mount & Format, Optics & Aperture, Focus & Controls, Stabilization, Build & Handling, Lab Scores.
When it matters
When you want to compare camera lenses based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
★ Better than 95% of models
Score components:

35%

9.4

Optics & Aperture

24%

8.3

Build & Handling

20%

8.1

Focus & Controls

10%

8.3

Lab Scores

8%

1.0

Stabilization

3%

1.0

Mount & Format

7.8
User score
User score
7.1/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the camera lens.
When it matters
When real-world owner satisfaction and review volume matter to your decision.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 93% of models
Score components

70%

7.9

User ratings

30%

5.3

Number of reviews

Based on 55 buyer reviews from online shops.
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →
How we calculate this
User ratings – average star rating across all shop listings, weighted by how many reviews each has, on a 1–10 scale.
Number of reviews – how many buyer reviews the product has, on a logarithmic scale; the 8% most-reviewed models in the category get 10.
7.1
Popularity
Popularity
5.3/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the camera lens.
When it matters
When you want to see which camera lenses attract the most buyer attention and review activity.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 74% of models
Popularity:
Sony 50mm F1 4 ZA SSM Carl ZEISS Planar T has a popularity score of 5.3 points, which is lower than 73.3% of camera lenses.
5.3
Value for money
Value for money
6.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the camera lens's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you want to know how much overall quality you get for the price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 73% of models
Score components:

60%

7.7

Overall score

40%

3.5

Price

6.4
Lens type
prime
Lens mount
Sony A
Sensor format coverage
Full-frame
Filter thread size
72 mm
Teleconverter compatibility
no
Teleconverter compatibility
no
â–¼ Worse than 15% of models
This camera lens does not support teleconverters. 15.3% of camera lenses support teleconverters.
Show more
Minimum focal length
50 mm
Maximum focal length
50 mm
Optical zoom
N/A
Maximum angle of view
47 °
Minimum angle of view
47 °
Show more
Focus motor
SSM
Minimum focus distance
0.45 m
Minimum focus distance
0.45 m
â–¼ Worse than 64% of models
Market range: <0.18 m – >1.1 m
This camera lens focuses as close as 0.45 m, which is farther than 63.6% of camera lenses and equal to 5.4% of camera lenses.
Maximum reproduction ratio
0.14xx
Maximum reproduction ratio
0.14x
â–¼ Worse than 72% of models
Market range: <0.11 x – >0.39 x
This camera lens reaches a reproduction ratio of 0.14x, which is lower than 71.7% of camera lenses and equal to 4% of camera lenses.
Full-time manual focus
yes
Full-time manual focus
yes
â–² Better than 32% of models
This camera lens supports full-time manual focus. 68.3% of camera lenses support full-time manual focus.
Override via DMF mode.
Internal focusing
yes
Internal focusing
yes
â–² Better than 16% of models
This camera lens supports internal focusing. 83.6% of camera lenses support internal focusing.
Show more
Optical image stabilization
no
Optical image stabilization
no
â–¼ Worse than 29% of models
This camera lens does not support optical image stabilization. 29.1% of camera lenses include optical image stabilization.
Stabilization effectiveness (CIPA stops)
N/A
Weight
598 g
Weight
598 g
â–¼ Worse than 59% of models
Market range: <171 g – >1.3k g
This camera lens weighs 598 g, which is heavier than 59.5% of camera lenses.
Lens length
71.5 mm
Lens length
71.5 mm
â–² Better than 73% of models
Market range: <46 mm – >189 mm
This camera lens is 71.5 mm long, which is shorter than 72.9% of camera lenses and equal to the length of 0.4% of camera lenses.
Lens diameter
81 mm
Lens diameter
81 mm
â–¼ Worse than 60% of models
Market range: <62.4 mm – >94.7 mm
This camera lens has a diameter of 81 mm, which is wider than 60.2% of camera lenses and equal to that of 0.8% of camera lenses.
Weather sealing (splashproof)
yes
Weather sealing (splashproof)
yes
â–² Better than 50% of models
This camera lens supports weather sealing. 50.2% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
Metal mount
yes
Metal mount
yes
â–² Better than 6% of models
This camera lens uses a metal lens mount. 93.6% of camera lenses use a metal lens mount.
Show more
DxOMark overall score
?
DxOMark sharpness score
?
DxOMark transmission
?
DxOMark distortion
?
DxOMark vignetting
?
Show more

Sony 50mm F1 4 ZA SSM Carl ZEISS Planar T vs the average camera lens

246810TotalMount & FormatOptics & ApertureFocus & ControlsStabilizationBuild & HandlingLab Scores
  • 1.4 lower f-number at telephoto end
    Maximum aperture (telephoto end)
    1.4
    â–² Better than 84% of models
    Market range: <1.4 – >5.6
    This camera lens has a brighter maximum telephoto aperture than the average camera lens (f/1.4 vs f/2.8). The average lens has a maximum telephoto aperture of f/2.8.
    1.4 vs 2.8
  • Has focus hold button
    Focus hold button
    yes
    â–² Better than 83% of models
    This camera lens has a focus hold button, the average camera lens does not. 16.6% of camera lenses include a focus hold button.
  • Has aperture ring
    Aperture ring
    yes
    â–² Better than 69% of models
    This camera lens has an aperture ring, the average camera lens does not. 31.3% of camera lenses include an aperture ring.
  • Has focus distance scale
    Focus distance scale
    yes
    â–² Better than 51% of models
    This camera lens has a focus distance scale, the average camera lens does not. 48.6% of camera lenses include a focus distance scale.
  • 1 µm lower chromatic aberration
    DxOMark chromatic aberration
    6 µm
    â–² Better than 78% of models
    Market range: <5 µm – >12 µm
    This camera lens has a lower chromatic aberration than the average camera lens (6 µm vs 7 µm). The average lens has chromatic aberration of 7 µm.
    6 µm vs 7 µm
  • 20.75 mm shorter lens
    Lens length
    71.5 mm
    â–² Better than 73% of models
    Market range: <46 mm – >189 mm
    This camera lens is shorter than the average camera lens (71.5 mm vs 92.25 mm). The average lens has a length of 92.25 mm.
    71.5 mm vs 92.25 mm
  • 1.4 lower f-number at telephoto end
    Maximum aperture (telephoto end)
    1.4
    â–² Better than 84% of models
    Market range: <1.4 – >5.6
    This camera lens has a brighter maximum telephoto aperture than the average camera lens (f/1.4 vs f/2.8). The average lens has a maximum telephoto aperture of f/2.8.
    1.4 vs 2.8
  • Has focus hold button
    Focus hold button
    yes
    â–² Better than 83% of models
    This camera lens has a focus hold button, the average camera lens does not. 16.6% of camera lenses include a focus hold button.
  • Has aperture ring
    Aperture ring
    yes
    â–² Better than 69% of models
    This camera lens has an aperture ring, the average camera lens does not. 31.3% of camera lenses include an aperture ring.
  • Has focus distance scale
    Focus distance scale
    yes
    â–² Better than 51% of models
    This camera lens has a focus distance scale, the average camera lens does not. 48.6% of camera lenses include a focus distance scale.
  • 20.75 mm shorter lens
    Lens length
    71.5 mm
    â–² Better than 73% of models
    Market range: <46 mm – >189 mm
    This camera lens is shorter than the average camera lens (71.5 mm vs 92.25 mm). The average lens has a length of 92.25 mm.
    71.5 mm vs 92.25 mm
  • 1 µm lower chromatic aberration
    DxOMark chromatic aberration
    6 µm
    â–² Better than 78% of models
    Market range: <5 µm – >12 µm
    This camera lens has a lower chromatic aberration than the average camera lens (6 µm vs 7 µm). The average lens has chromatic aberration of 7 µm.
    6 µm vs 7 µm
  • 2 fewer low-dispersion elements
    Low-dispersion elements
    0
    â–¼ Worse than 76% of models
    Market range: <0 – >4
    This camera lens has fewer low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (0 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.
    0 vs 2
  • 0.05 x lower maximum reproduction ratio
    Maximum reproduction ratio
    0.14 x
    â–¼ Worse than 72% of models
    Market range: <0.11 x – >0.39 x
    This camera lens has a lower maximum reproduction ratio than the average camera lens (0.1 x vs 0.2 x). The average lens has a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.192 x.
    0.14 x vs 0.192 x
  • 88 g heavier
    Weight
    598 g
    â–¼ Worse than 59% of models
    Market range: <171 g – >1.3k g
    This camera lens is heavier than the average camera lens (598 g vs 510 g). The average lens weighs 510 g.
    598 g vs 510 g
  • 0.15 m longer minimum focus distance
    Minimum focus distance
    0.45 m
    â–¼ Worse than 64% of models
    Market range: <0.18 m – >1.1 m
    This camera lens has a higher minimum focus distance than the average camera lens (0.5 m vs 0.3 m). The average lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.3 m.
    0.45 m vs 0.3 m
  • Older release date
    Release date
    2013
    â–¼ Worse than 65% of models
    Market range: <2k – >2k
    This camera lens was released earlier than the average camera lens.
    2013 vs 2016
  • 17.1% lower user score
    User score
    7.1/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the camera lens.
    When it matters
    When real-world owner satisfaction and review volume matter to your decision.
    Score distribution
    ▼▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Sony 50mm F1 4 ZA SSM Carl ZEISS Planar T
    the average camera lens
    Sony 50mm F1 4 ZA SSM Carl ZEISS Planar T has a lower user score than the average camera lens (7.14 vs 8.360).
    7.14 vs 8.36
  • 4 mm wider lens barrel
    Lens diameter
    81 mm
    â–¼ Worse than 60% of models
    Market range: <62.4 mm – >94.7 mm
    This camera lens is wider than the average camera lens (81 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.
    81 mm vs 77 mm
  • 2.49x more expensive
    Sony 50mm F1 4 ZA SSM Carl ZEISS Planar T is more expensive than the average camera lens (£1,320 vs £530).
    £1,320 vs £530
  • 17.1% lower user score
    User score
    7.1/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the camera lens.
    When it matters
    When real-world owner satisfaction and review volume matter to your decision.
    Score distribution
    ▼▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Sony 50mm F1 4 ZA SSM Carl ZEISS Planar T
    the average camera lens
    Sony 50mm F1 4 ZA SSM Carl ZEISS Planar T has a lower user score than the average camera lens (7.14 vs 8.360).
    7.14 vs 8.36
  • 2.49x more expensive
    Sony 50mm F1 4 ZA SSM Carl ZEISS Planar T is more expensive than the average camera lens (£1,320 vs £530).
    £1,320 vs £530
  • 37.9% less popular
    Sony 50mm F1 4 ZA SSM Carl ZEISS Planar T is less popular than the average camera lens (5.28 vs 7.3).
    5.28 vs 7.29
  • 6.8% worse value for money
    Sony 50mm F1 4 ZA SSM Carl ZEISS Planar T has a worse value-for-money score than the average camera lens (6.45 vs 6.9).
    6.45 vs 6.89
  • 2 fewer low-dispersion elements
    Low-dispersion elements
    0
    â–¼ Worse than 76% of models
    Market range: <0 – >4
    This camera lens has fewer low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (0 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.
    0 vs 2
  • 0.05 x lower maximum reproduction ratio
    Maximum reproduction ratio
    0.14 x
    â–¼ Worse than 72% of models
    Market range: <0.11 x – >0.39 x
    This camera lens has a lower maximum reproduction ratio than the average camera lens (0.1 x vs 0.2 x). The average lens has a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.192 x.
    0.14 x vs 0.192 x
  • 0.15 m longer minimum focus distance
    Minimum focus distance
    0.45 m
    â–¼ Worse than 64% of models
    Market range: <0.18 m – >1.1 m
    This camera lens has a higher minimum focus distance than the average camera lens (0.5 m vs 0.3 m). The average lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.3 m.
    0.45 m vs 0.3 m
  • 88 g heavier
    Weight
    598 g
    â–¼ Worse than 59% of models
    Market range: <171 g – >1.3k g
    This camera lens is heavier than the average camera lens (598 g vs 510 g). The average lens weighs 510 g.
    598 g vs 510 g
  • Older release date
    Release date
    2013
    â–¼ Worse than 65% of models
    Market range: <2k – >2k
    This camera lens was released earlier than the average camera lens.
    2013 vs 2016
  • 4 mm wider lens barrel
    Lens diameter
    81 mm
    â–¼ Worse than 60% of models
    Market range: <62.4 mm – >94.7 mm
    This camera lens is wider than the average camera lens (81 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.
    81 mm vs 77 mm

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

E
ephotozine.com
06/08/2013
Summary of the review
Carl Zeiss Planar T* 50mm f/1.4 ZA SSM Lens Review
F
focus-review.com
25/08/2013
Summary of the review
Review Sony 50mm f/1.4 ZA SSM Carl Zeiss Planar (S APS-C)
D
dyxum.com
11/01/2014
Summary of the review
Sony Carl Zeiss 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM Planar T* A-mount lens review
D
digitalcamaralens.com
01/03/2022
Summary of the review
Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA (Planar) Review
(Translated)Show original
R
rcefoto.com
25/10/2026
Summary of the review
Sony Carl Zeiss Planar T* 50mm f/1.4 ZA SSM Used: Comparing Older A-Mount Performance to Recent Mirrorless FE Versions
(Translated)Show original
F
focus-review.com
25/08/2013
Summary of the review
Sony 50mm f/1.4 ZA SSM Carl Zeiss Planar Review - Autofocus Performance
(Translated)Show original
T
tweakers.net
17/10/2020
Summary of the review
Sony Planar T* FE 50mm F1.4 ZA Review - Tweakers
(Translated)Show original
F
frankwandelt.nl
23/06/2023
Summary of the review
Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM: Reviews & Tests (includes Zeiss ZA comparisons)
(Translated)Show original
F
focus-review.com
25/08/2013
Summary of the review
Sony 50mm f/1.4 ZA SSM Carl Zeiss Planar (APS-C test)
(Translated)Show original

Third-party reviews

Based on 55 buyer reviews from online shops.
Reviews last updated: July 2026 · How we calculate this
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →

What we like about Sony 50mm F1 4 ZA SSM Carl ZEISS Planar T

  • Outstanding center sharpness, even wide open at f/1.4
  • Exceptional build quality with a robust, all-metal feel
  • Smooth and beautiful bokeh rendering thanks to the 11-blade diaphragm
  • Quick and quiet autofocus performance powered by the SSM motor
  • Excellent color rendition and micro-contrast typical of Zeiss optics
  • Minimal chromatic aberrations and distortion

What we don't like about Sony 50mm F1 4 ZA SSM Carl ZEISS Planar T

  • High premium price compared to other 50mm f/1.4 alternatives
  • Large and heavy physical design for a standard prime lens
  • Lack of built-in weather sealing on earlier A-mount versions
  • Noticeable vignetting (light fall-off) at the widest aperture
  • Low maximum magnification ratio, making it unsuitable for close-up work

Verdict

The Sony Planar T* 50mm f/1.4 ZA SSM is a high-performance standard prime lens designed for A-mount cameras, featuring a complex optical formula of 8 elements in 5 groups with two aspherical elements and a Zeiss T* coating to minimise flare and ghosting. Its main characteristics include a fast f/1.4 maximum aperture for shallow depth of field and an integrated Super Sonic wave Motor (SSM) for quiet, high-speed autofocus. The lens is highly regarded for its exceptional central sharpness, characteristic Zeiss '3D pop' with rich contrast, and smooth bokeh produced by its 9-blade circular diaphragm, all housed within a robust, weather-sealed aluminium body. However, notable cons include its high retail price, significant weight of approximately 518g, and fairly poor edge-to-edge clarity when shooting wide open at f/1.4.

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