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Sony DT 50mm F 1 8 SAM Review | 54 Data compared

Avg. price in UK: ~£180
Avg. price in US: ~$170
Lens mount: Sony A
Maximum focal length: 50 mm
Maximum aperture (telephoto end): 1.8
Optical image stabilization: no
Maximum angle of view: 32 °

Sony DT 50mm F 1 8 SAM review. Compare 54 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among camera lenses and if it is worth buying.

6.4

Good

5.7

Good

9.3

Exceptional

7.2
Low-light photography
Score components:
70.0%
9.9
Maximum aperture (telephoto end)
30.0%
1.0
Optical image stabilization
5.3
Travel
Score components:
30.0%
9.4
Lens length
25.0%
8.2
Lens diameter
25.0%
1.0
Weather sealing (splashproof)
20.0%
1.0
Optical image stabilization

Best prices in UK

Best rankings

#90 in Best Sony Lenses
#820 in Best Camera Lenses

Verdict

The Sony DT 50mm f/1.8 SAM (SAL50F18) is a compact prime lens designed specifically for APS-C format A-mount cameras, providing a 75mm equivalent focal length ideal for portraiture. Key specifications include a bright f/1.8 maximum aperture, a 7-blade circular diaphragm for smooth bokeh, and an internal Smooth Autofocus Motor (SAM) for responsive performance. It features a lightweight build at approximately 170g, a minimum focusing distance of 0.34m, and a 49mm filter thread. Its main pros are excellent center sharpness, effective low-light capability, and a highly affordable price point. However, notable cons include an almost entirely plastic construction (including the mount), a somewhat noisy autofocus motor, and vignetting when used at wider apertures.

Technical Specifications of Sony DT 50mm F 1 8 SAM

Overall score

6.4

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Popularity

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.

Mount & Format

1.0

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Lens type

What it is: The optical category that indicates whether the lens is a prime, zoom, macro, fisheye, or another design.

When it matters: When you are choosing between a prime, zoom, macro, or specialty lens for the kind of subjects you shoot.

Importance: LOW

prime

Lens mount

What it is: The mechanical and electronic interface that determines which cameras the lens can be attached to.

When it matters: When camera compatibility and access to the right lens ecosystem are central to your buying decision.

Importance: LOW

Sony A

Sensor format coverage

What it is: The largest sensor size the lens is designed to cover without severe vignetting.

When it matters: When you need the lens to fully cover your camera sensor without heavy corner darkening.

Importance: LOW

APS-C

Filter thread size

What it is: The diameter of the front filter thread used for screw-in filters and compatible accessories.

When it matters: When you plan to use screw-in filters such as polarizers, ND filters, or protective glass.

Importance: LOW

49 mm

Teleconverter compatibility

What it is: Whether the lens can be used with compatible teleconverters to extend focal length.

When it matters: When you want to extend reach for wildlife or sports without changing to a different long lens.

Importance: HIGH

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Optics & Aperture

8.0

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Minimum focal length

What it is: The shortest focal length the lens can provide, which determines its widest framing.

When it matters: When wide framing matters for landscapes, interiors, architecture, or travel shots.

Importance: LOW

50 mm

Maximum focal length

What it is: The longest focal length the lens can reach, which determines its telephoto reach.

When it matters: When you need more reach for wildlife, sports, stage events, or distant details.

Importance: LOW

50 mm

Optical zoom

What it is: The ratio between the longest and shortest focal lengths available in the lens zoom range.

When it matters: When you want one lens to cover a broader range of compositions without swapping glass.

Importance: LOW

?

Maximum angle of view

What it is: The widest scene the lens can capture at its shortest focal length.

When it matters: When you need to fit more of a room, skyline, or landscape into the frame.

Importance: LOW

32 °

Minimum angle of view

What it is: The narrowest scene the lens captures at its longest focal length.

When it matters: When you want tighter framing on faraway subjects without moving closer.

Importance: LOW

32 °

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Focus & Controls

2.7

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Focus motor

What it is: The autofocus drive system responsible for moving lens elements into focus.

When it matters: When fast, quiet autofocus matters for video, wildlife, street shots, or moving subjects.

Importance: LOW

DC motor, SAM

Minimum focus distance

What it is: The shortest distance at which the lens can focus on a subject.

When it matters: When you like shooting details, food, flowers, or products from a very short distance.

Importance: MEDIUM

Maximum reproduction ratio

What it is: The highest magnification the lens can achieve when focusing at its closest distance.

When it matters: When close-up magnification matters for macro work, textures, or small product details.

Importance: MEDIUM

Full-time manual focus

What it is: The ability to adjust focus manually without leaving autofocus mode.

When it matters: When you want to fine-tune focus instantly without switching out of autofocus.

Importance: HIGH

Internal focusing

What it is: A focusing design in which internal elements move while the outer barrel length stays unchanged.

When it matters: When you use polarizers, gimbals, or close-up setups that benefit from a lens that does not extend while focusing.

Importance: HIGH

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Stabilization

4.2

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Optical image stabilization

What it is: A hardware system that shifts optical elements to counteract camera shake and reduce blur.

When it matters: When you want steadier handheld shots and less blur, especially in low light or at longer focal lengths.

Importance: HIGH

Stabilization effectiveness (CIPA stops)

What it is: The rated stabilizer benefit, measured in stops, under CIPA testing standards.

When it matters: When you are comparing stabilized lenses and want to know how much handheld shutter-speed advantage they offer.

Importance: HIGH

?

Build & Handling

5.1

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Weight

What it is: The total mass of the lens, affecting portability and handling balance on the camera body.

When it matters: When you carry a lens all day for travel, hiking, or event coverage and want to keep your kit manageable.

Importance: HIGH

Lens length

What it is: The physical length of the lens body from mount to front edge.

When it matters: When bag space, balance, or front clearance matters in a compact travel or video setup.

Importance: HIGH

Lens diameter

What it is: The widest outer diameter of the lens barrel.

When it matters: When grip comfort, filter size, or fit inside a tight camera bag matters to you.

Importance: MEDIUM

Weather sealing (splashproof)

What it is: Protective sealing intended to resist splashes, dust, and light environmental exposure.

When it matters: When you often shoot outdoors in light rain, dust, or changing conditions.

Importance: HIGH

Metal mount

What it is: A lens mount made of metal rather than plastic for greater durability at the camera connection point.

When it matters: When durability matters because you change lenses often or use heavier gear for work.

Importance: HIGH

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Lab Scores

7.9

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DxOMark overall score

What it is: The combined DxOMark lens rating based on lab-tested optical performance.

When it matters: When you want a quick lab-based summary of overall optical performance before comparing lenses in detail.

Importance: HIGH

DxOMark sharpness score

What it is: The DxOMark subscore that reflects how much detail the lens can resolve across the frame.

When it matters: When fine detail matters for landscapes, product work, or high-resolution cameras.

Importance: HIGH

?

DxOMark transmission

What it is: The measured light transmission of the lens, expressed as T-stop rather than nominal f-number.

When it matters: When real light loss matters for exposure consistency in studio, cinema, or mixed-lens shoots.

Importance: MEDIUM

DxOMark distortion

What it is: The DxOMark metric that measures how much the lens bends straight lines away from their true shape.

When it matters: When straight lines matter in architecture, interiors, copy work, or product photography.

Importance: MEDIUM

?

DxOMark vignetting

What it is: The DxOMark measurement of corner darkening relative to the center of the image.

When it matters: When even corner brightness matters for skies, studio backdrops, or clean product shots.

Importance: MEDIUM

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Sony DT 50mm F 1 8 SAM vs the average camera lens

Why is Sony DT 50mm F 1 8 SAM better than the average camera lens?

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1 lower f-number at telephoto end
Sony DT 50mm F 1 8 SAM has a brighter maximum telephoto aperture than the average camera lens (f/1.8 vs f/2.8). The average lens has a maximum telephoto aperture of f/2.8.
What it is: The widest aperture available at the long end of the zoom range, affecting light intake and background blur.
When it matters: When you shoot at the long end in low light or want stronger background blur for portraits and sports.
Importance: HIGH
Sony DT 50mm F 1 8 SAM has a brighter maximum telephoto aperture than the average camera lens (f/1.8 vs f/2.8). The average lens has a maximum telephoto aperture of f/2.8.1.8 vs 2.8
355.4 g lighter
Sony DT 50mm F 1 8 SAM is lighter than the average camera lens (170 g vs 525.4 g). The average lens weighs 525.4 g.
What it is: The total mass of the lens, affecting portability and handling balance on the camera body.
When it matters: When you carry a lens all day for travel, hiking, or event coverage and want to keep your kit manageable.
Importance: HIGH
Sony DT 50mm F 1 8 SAM is lighter than the average camera lens (170 g vs 525.4 g). The average lens weighs 525.4 g.170 g vs 525.4 g
Has focus distance scale
Sony DT 50mm F 1 8 SAM has a focus distance scale, the average camera lens does not. 48.6% of camera lenses include a focus distance scale.
What it is: A marked scale that shows the approximate focus distance set on the lens.
When it matters: When you pre-focus manually for street, zone focusing, or repeatable tripod setups.
Importance: MEDIUM
Sony DT 50mm F 1 8 SAM has a focus distance scale, the average camera lens does not. 48.6% of camera lenses include a focus distance scale.
47 mm shorter lens
Sony DT 50mm F 1 8 SAM is shorter than the average camera lens (45 mm vs 92 mm). The average lens has a length of 92 mm.
What it is: The physical length of the lens body from mount to front edge.
When it matters: When bag space, balance, or front clearance matters in a compact travel or video setup.
Importance: HIGH
Sony DT 50mm F 1 8 SAM is shorter than the average camera lens (45 mm vs 92 mm). The average lens has a length of 92 mm.45 mm vs 92 mm
1.1 T-stop lower transmission value
Sony DT 50mm F 1 8 SAM has a lower T-stop value than the average camera lens (2 T-stop vs 3.1 T-stop). The average lens has a T-stop value of 3.1 T-stop.
What it is: The measured light transmission of the lens, expressed as T-stop rather than nominal f-number.
When it matters: When real light loss matters for exposure consistency in studio, cinema, or mixed-lens shoots.
Importance: MEDIUM
Sony DT 50mm F 1 8 SAM has a lower T-stop value than the average camera lens (2 T-stop vs 3.1 T-stop). The average lens has a T-stop value of 3.1 T-stop.2 T-stop vs 3.1 T-stop
7 mm narrower lens barrel
Sony DT 50mm F 1 8 SAM is slimmer than the average camera lens (70 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.
What it is: The widest outer diameter of the lens barrel.
When it matters: When grip comfort, filter size, or fit inside a tight camera bag matters to you.
Importance: MEDIUM
Sony DT 50mm F 1 8 SAM is slimmer than the average camera lens (70 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.70 mm vs 77 mm
2.94x cheaper
Sony DT 50mm F 1 8 SAM is cheaper than the average camera lens (£180 vs £530).
Sony DT 50mm F 1 8 SAM is cheaper than the average camera lens (£180 vs £530).£180 vs £530
1 lower f-number at telephoto end
Sony DT 50mm F 1 8 SAM has a brighter maximum telephoto aperture than the average camera lens (f/1.8 vs f/2.8). The average lens has a maximum telephoto aperture of f/2.8.
Has focus distance scale
Sony DT 50mm F 1 8 SAM has a focus distance scale, the average camera lens does not. 48.6% of camera lenses include a focus distance scale.
355.4 g lighter
Sony DT 50mm F 1 8 SAM is lighter than the average camera lens (170 g vs 525.4 g). The average lens weighs 525.4 g.
47 mm shorter lens
Sony DT 50mm F 1 8 SAM is shorter than the average camera lens (45 mm vs 92 mm). The average lens has a length of 92 mm.
7 mm narrower lens barrel
Sony DT 50mm F 1 8 SAM is slimmer than the average camera lens (70 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.
1.1 T-stop lower transmission value
Sony DT 50mm F 1 8 SAM has a lower T-stop value than the average camera lens (2 T-stop vs 3.1 T-stop). The average lens has a T-stop value of 3.1 T-stop.

Optics & Aperture

Focus & Controls

Build & Handling

Why is Sony DT 50mm F 1 8 SAM worse than the average camera lens?

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2 fewer aperture blades
Sony DT 50mm F 1 8 SAM has fewer aperture blades than the average camera lens (7 vs 9). The average lens has 9 aperture blades.
2 fewer aspherical elements
Sony DT 50mm F 1 8 SAM has fewer aspherical elements than the average camera lens (0 vs 2). The average lens has 2 aspherical elements.
2 fewer low-dispersion elements
Sony DT 50mm F 1 8 SAM has fewer low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (0 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.
No full-time manual focus
Sony DT 50mm F 1 8 SAM does not support full-time manual focus, the average camera lens does. 68.4% of camera lenses support full-time manual focus.
No internal focusing
Sony DT 50mm F 1 8 SAM does not support internal focusing, the average camera lens does. 83.7% of camera lenses support internal focusing.
Barrel extends during focusing.
Not weather-sealed
Sony DT 50mm F 1 8 SAM does not support weather sealing, the average camera lens does. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
No metal mount
Sony DT 50mm F 1 8 SAM does not use a metal lens mount, the average camera lens does. 93.1% of camera lenses use a metal lens mount.
3 points lower DxOMark score
Sony DT 50mm F 1 8 SAM has a lower DxOMark overall score than the average camera lens (23 vs 26). The average lens has a DxOMark overall score of 26.
Not weather-sealed
Sony DT 50mm F 1 8 SAM does not support weather sealing, the average camera lens does. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
What it is: Protective sealing intended to resist splashes, dust, and light environmental exposure.
When it matters: When you often shoot outdoors in light rain, dust, or changing conditions.
Importance: HIGH
Sony DT 50mm F 1 8 SAM does not support weather sealing, the average camera lens does. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
No full-time manual focus
Sony DT 50mm F 1 8 SAM does not support full-time manual focus, the average camera lens does. 68.4% of camera lenses support full-time manual focus.
What it is: The ability to adjust focus manually without leaving autofocus mode.
When it matters: When you want to fine-tune focus instantly without switching out of autofocus.
Importance: HIGH
Sony DT 50mm F 1 8 SAM does not support full-time manual focus, the average camera lens does. 68.4% of camera lenses support full-time manual focus.
No internal focusing
Sony DT 50mm F 1 8 SAM does not support internal focusing, the average camera lens does. 83.7% of camera lenses support internal focusing.
Barrel extends during focusing.
What it is: A focusing design in which internal elements move while the outer barrel length stays unchanged.
When it matters: When you use polarizers, gimbals, or close-up setups that benefit from a lens that does not extend while focusing.
Importance: HIGH
Sony DT 50mm F 1 8 SAM does not support internal focusing, the average camera lens does. 83.7% of camera lenses support internal focusing.
2 fewer aperture blades
Sony DT 50mm F 1 8 SAM has fewer aperture blades than the average camera lens (7 vs 9). The average lens has 9 aperture blades.
What it is: The number of diaphragm blades that shape the aperture opening and influence blur rendering.
When it matters: When the look of out-of-focus highlights matters in portraits, close-ups, or cinematic video.
Importance: HIGH
Sony DT 50mm F 1 8 SAM has fewer aperture blades than the average camera lens (7 vs 9). The average lens has 9 aperture blades.7 vs 9
No metal mount
Sony DT 50mm F 1 8 SAM does not use a metal lens mount, the average camera lens does. 93.1% of camera lenses use a metal lens mount.
What it is: A lens mount made of metal rather than plastic for greater durability at the camera connection point.
When it matters: When durability matters because you change lenses often or use heavier gear for work.
Importance: HIGH
Sony DT 50mm F 1 8 SAM does not use a metal lens mount, the average camera lens does. 93.1% of camera lenses use a metal lens mount.
2 fewer aspherical elements
Sony DT 50mm F 1 8 SAM has fewer aspherical elements than the average camera lens (0 vs 2). The average lens has 2 aspherical elements.
What it is: Specially shaped lens elements used to reduce distortion and improve sharpness with fewer optical compromises.
When it matters: When edge sharpness and lower distortion matter in wide-angle, travel, or everyday shooting.
Importance: MEDIUM
Sony DT 50mm F 1 8 SAM has fewer aspherical elements than the average camera lens (0 vs 2). The average lens has 2 aspherical elements.0 vs 2
2 fewer low-dispersion elements
Sony DT 50mm F 1 8 SAM has fewer low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (0 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.
What it is: Optical elements designed to reduce color fringing by controlling how different wavelengths focus.
When it matters: When you want cleaner edges and less color fringing in high-contrast scenes.
Importance: MEDIUM
Sony DT 50mm F 1 8 SAM has fewer low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (0 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.0 vs 2
3 points lower DxOMark score
Sony DT 50mm F 1 8 SAM has a lower DxOMark overall score than the average camera lens (23 vs 26). The average lens has a DxOMark overall score of 26.
What it is: The combined DxOMark lens rating based on lab-tested optical performance.
When it matters: When you want a quick lab-based summary of overall optical performance before comparing lenses in detail.
Importance: HIGH
Sony DT 50mm F 1 8 SAM has a lower DxOMark overall score than the average camera lens (23 vs 26). The average lens has a DxOMark overall score of 26.23 vs 26

Optics & Aperture

Focus & Controls

Build & Handling

Graphic comparison of Sony DT 50mm F 1 8 SAM and

Attribute category

Attribute

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Third-party reviews

United Kingdom

United States

(Reviews last updated: July 2026)

What customers like about Sony DT 50mm F 1 8 SAM?

Excellent value for money and highly affordable
Extremely lightweight and compact for travel
Large f/1.8 aperture is great for low-light and shallow depth-of-field
Produces smooth, pleasing bokeh for portraits
Very sharp in the center, especially when stopped down to f/2.8 or f/4
Dedicated AF/MF switch on the lens barrel

What customers dislike about Sony DT 50mm F 1 8 SAM?

All-plastic build quality, including a plastic lens mount
Autofocus is audible and can be slow or hunt in low light
Noticeable softness and vignetting at the maximum f/1.8 aperture
Lack of weather sealing or moisture protection
Noisy autofocus motor is not ideal for video recording
Visible chromatic aberration in high-contrast lighting situations

Expert reviews

lenstip.com

20/05/2009

Summary of the review

Sony DT 50 mm f/1.8 SAMGo to product viewer dialog for this item. review - Introduction - LensTip.com

The LensTip review of the Sony DT 50 mm f/1.8 SAM outlines an budget-friendly prime lens tailored for beginner DSLR photographers looking for high performance without a premium price tag. Optically, the lens delivers very good image quality across both the center and the edges of the frame. It stands out by offering insignificant chromatic aberration, well-controlled distortion, and minimal coma compared to its main rivals. Additionally, it handles bright, direct light exceptionally well with almost no flare artifacts, and its Smooth Autofocus Motor (SAM) provides reasonably fast autofocus transitions. However, the review highlights several compromises made to minimize costs, most notably a cheap body build that relies heavily on plastic—including the lens mount. The autofocus mechanism produces a loud, distinct buzzing sound and struggles with accuracy, resulting in a 14% miss rate under studio test conditions. Furthermore, the lens suffers from noticeable off-axis astigmatism and exhibits heavier vignetting at the maximum f/1.8 aperture than its competitors. Despite these physical and minor technical drawbacks, LensTip concludes that the lens provides a highly competitive quality-to-price ratio for its target market. Technical...

imaging-resource.com

29/06/2009

Summary of the review

Sony 50mm f/1.8 DT SAM SAL-50F18Go to product viewer dialog for this item. - Imaging Resource

The Sony DT 50mm f/1.8 SAM (SAL-50F18) is a budget-friendly, lightweight prime lens designed for APS-C A-mount cameras, offering excellent center sharpness, minimal chromatic aberration, and a bright f/1.8 aperture for good low-light performance and bokeh. However, the lens features a basic, all-plastic construction and suffers from slow, noisy autofocus, a lack of image stabilization, and a short 45-degree focus ring rotation.

whatdigitalcamera.com

17/03/2010

Summary of the review

Sony DT 50mm f/1.8 SAM review - What Digital Camera

The Sony DT 50mm f/1.8 SAM is a highly affordable prime lens designed exclusively for APS-C format cameras, providing a 75mm equivalent focal length that is ideal for environmental portraiture. It delivers exceptional image quality for its price, with MTF testing showing a sharp peak in resolution at f/5.6 and strong performance all the way through to f/22. Chromatic aberration is practically non-existent, and any numerical distortion is completely unnoticeable in real-world photographs. Additionally, manual focusing feels remarkably smooth, and the barrel features a dedicated AF/manual mode selector switch for ease of use. However, the lens does have notable design and performance limitations. While compact and lightweight, its automatic focusing remains somewhat noisy despite the built-in Smooth AF Motor (SAM). The focusing ring is small, which hampers manual operation, and its rotation during autofocus forces users into an uncomfortable, rearward grip. Furthermore, no lens hood is supplied, and due to the concertina nature of the lens extension, there is no external bayonet mount. This forces users to use a separate screw-on hood that must be stowed individually when not in...

ephotozine.com

20/12/2010

Summary of the review

Sony DT 50mm f/1.8 SAM Interchangeable Lens Review - ePHOTOzine

The Sony DT 50mm f/1.8 SAM is a budget-friendly, lightweight prime lens designed for APS-C cameras, delivering outstanding center sharpness at f/1.8 and near-perfect edge-to-edge sharpness at f/5.6. It provides excellent bokeh for portraits, with minimal chromatic aberration and low distortion. However, the lens is built with a plastic mount, offering a cheaper, less robust feel. Furthermore, the autofocus motor (SAM) is noisy, and the lens is limited strictly to APS-C bodies, making it unusable on full-frame cameras.

photozone.de

27/07/2026

Summary of the review

Sony 50mm f/1.8 DT ( SAL-50F18 ) - Lab Test / Review - Photozone.de

The Sony 50mm f/1.8 DT (SAL-50F18) is a budget-friendly prime lens specifically designed for APS-C digital SLRs, translating to a 75mm full-frame equivalent focal length. A major pro of this lens is its built-in SAM (Smooth Autofocus Motor) drive, which ensures compatibility with modern camera bodies without needing dated mechanical screw-drive AF systems. Additionally, its bright f/1.8 maximum aperture provides an f/2.7 full-frame equivalent depth-of-field, making it capable of delivering smooth background separation. Photographers will also benefit from a non-rotating 49mm filter ring, making the use of polarisers and gradient filters highly convenient. However, the review highlights several cons regarding construction and handling. The overall build quality is average at best, featuring a lens barrel and a lens mount entirely made of plastic. Its linear extension focusing mechanism results in a slightly wobbly inner tube that extends during operation. While the autofocus speed is reasonable, it is not incredibly fast, and the lens completely lacks Direct Manual Focusing (DMF) support. Manual control is further compromised by a tiny, rotating focus ring paired with a very short 60-degree focus path, making...

photoreview.com.au

20/07/2010

Summary of the review

Sony DT 50mm f/1.8 SAM Lens Review - Photo Review

The Sony DT 50mm f/1.8 SAM is an affordable, lightweight prime lens designed for Sony Alpha APS-C cameras, offering a 75mm equivalent focal length and excellent center-to-edge sharpness when stopped down to f/2.8 and beyond. It features a 7-blade circular diaphragm for smooth bokeh, with minimal chromatic aberration and geometric distortion, making it a strong performer for portraiture. However, the lens has a fully plastic construction, including the mount, and lacks weather sealing. Autofocus via the SAM motor is reported as slow and noisy, vignetting is noticeable at the f/1.8 maximum aperture, and the lack of a bayonet mount means no lens hood is supplied.

digitalkamera.de

15/06/2012

Summary of the review

Sony DT 50 mm F1.8 SAM (SAL50F18) with Alpha SLT-A57 lab test

The digitalkamera.de lab test of the budget-friendly Sony DT 50 mm F1.8 SAM (SAL50F18) on the Alpha SLT-A57 highlights a lightweight, cost-effective setup offering excellent center sharpness and low distortion, making it a strong entry-level option for portrait photography. The combination produces soft bokeh while benefiting from the camera's fast autofocus and stabilization, particularly around f/2.8 to f/8, say test reports. Conversely, the lens exhibits noticeable edge softness and vignetting when shooting wide open at f/1.8, requiring users to stop down for consistent sharpness. Further limitations include a flimsy all-plastic construction and a relatively slow, noisy autofocus motor that may not be ideal for video, according to the analysis. For the full lab test, visit digitalkamera.de.

tweakers.net

12/04/2011

Summary of the review

Sony 50mm f/1.8 SAM Product Viewer - PowerUp - Product reviews

Based on the provided Dutch review, here is a two-paragraph summary in English: This review evaluates the Sony DT 50mm f/1.8 SAM lens, an affordable prime option specifically designed for APS-C crop-sensor cameras using the Sony Alpha mount. Weighing a lightweight 170 grams, the lens features a 49mm filter diameter, 7 rounded aperture blades, and a 34cm minimum focus distance. It relies on a "Smooth Autofocus Motor" (SAM) built directly into the lens barrel, which provides reasonably fast autofocus performance but operates with a noticeably loud clatter. To keep the product budget-friendly, Sony heavily compromised on the build quality, using a construction that is mostly plastic—extending even to the lens mount itself. Optically, the reviewer notes distinct pros and cons regarding performance. The main advantages of the lens are its very low purchase price, fast autofocus tracking, and excellent center-to-edge sharpness once it is stopped down to f/2.8 or beyond. Conversely, the major drawbacks include heavy softness and noticeable vignetting when shooting wide open at f/1.8. Additionally, the lens suffers from strong chromatic aberration (purple/blue fringing) and bokeh-CA under high-contrast...

gertjanhermus.nl

23/11/2025

Summary of the review

Sony 50mm f/1.8 Review - Studio Gert Jan Hermus

The Sony E 50mm f/1.8 OSS is a highly versatile and bright prime lens tailored specifically for Sony's APS-C mirrorless cameras. Due to the 1.5x crop factor on these sensors, it behaves like a 75mm focal length, making it an ideal choice for portrait and reportage photography. The reviewer highlights several key advantages, including its large f/1.8 maximum aperture that allows for excellent low-light shooting and creates a beautiful, blurry background with a smooth depth of field thanks to its 7-blade rounded diaphragm. Additionally, the lens features built-in Optical SteadyShot image stabilisation, a quick and quiet autofocus system, and a durable metal body, all housed within a compact and lightweight design. While the lens is highly praised as a valuable addition for both hobbyists and professional photographers, the review points out clear limitations regarding compatibility and focal alternatives. Because it is strictly optimized for APS-C systems, photographers looking for a native full-frame portrait experience might need to look elsewhere, such as the premium Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM or the Sigma 50mm Art lens. Furthermore, the 75mm equivalent focal length...

consumentenbond.nl

Geen datum

Summary of the review

Sony Alpha 68 with DT 50mm F1.8 SAM (SAL50F18)

The Consumentenbond review identifies the Sony Alpha 68 paired with the DT 50mm F1.8 SAM (SAL50F18) lens as a high-quality system camera setup packed with advanced, user-friendly features. The expert review highlights the body's outstanding ergonomics, noting that it provides an excellent grip via a rubber inlay, leaves plenty of space on the back for the thumb, and features large, well-positioned control buttons that make it highly suitable for single-handed operation. Structurally, the device stands out for its large electronic viewfinder and a versatile tilting display. Mechanically, it is praised for its "4D Focus" capability, which allows the autofocus to accurately track fast-moving subjects. Furthermore, a highly useful technical capability of this model is its support for remote computer operation via a standard USB connection. However, the review outlines clear limitations regarding the bundled 50mm F1.8 SAM prime lens and the evaluation scope. Because this specific lens has a fixed focal length, testers had to manually increase the physical distance between the camera and the test subjects during evaluation. Consequently, the test notes that the final performance and quality scores...

Video reviews

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