Sony 24mm F2.8, 40mm F2.5, and 50mm F2.5 - Review 

You can use that Loca as focus assist.

I'm Brian and I've been a subscriber since you made the jump over to DP Review. I gotta tell ya, I feel unfairly targeted!

24mm and 50mm on an A7c would be a super nice, really compact set up. Probably going to pick these up for that purpose.

Funny to see comments of these being overpriced lol. These are basically mini GM lenses for 1/3rd the price and the cheapest G lenses Sony makes. Premium build quality and weather sealing., pro features, dual linear motors for very fast and accurate AF and top notch optical quality and sharpness. The garbage Sony 50 1.8 and the cheap 3rd party junk from Samyang and Yongnuo can't touch these. They are an absolute steal for the price.

Between this and Fuji's Mk2 of the XF27, it's cool to see the 40mm FF equiv. focal length get more love.

Great review again. But I miss something - please give us the wonderful Chris-and-Jordan interaction in front of the camera back that your older episodes made so unique.

Add a 45 and I'm interested

Well explained, very helpful. Thank you!

That LoCA in the water photos was really bad unless you like magenta water.

I’d wish they make smaller zooms instead of tiny primes, like a G level 24_70 style. I have the 35f1.8 it’s not a G but it’s still great

Very useful and prompt review. Much appreciated. Based on the information here, I'm interested in these three lenses. I think I shall pre-order the 24/2.8. I already have a 40/2 Zeiss Batis that I so no requirement there. Not sure about the 50/2.5 so I shall hold off there until more is known about its performance. Chris alludes to the third party lower cost competition. Yes that's true but where possible I choose native lenses unless I consider the prices to be prohibitive as I think they are with the G Master lenses. Anyhow, I'm looking forward to hearing/seeing more about these three amigos.

I really love 40mm as a focal length, 50 is always just a little tight for a single lens for me and 35 gives me an odd feeling about proportions when shooting portraits of people (say, at an across-table distance, since a lot of my photos are taken of friends and family). It's just a little sucked-out feeling by comparison. Right now I'm shooting 35 (Olympus 17 1.8), and while it's a really nice lens, I always need to remember to shoot a bit wider than I want to and crop in after, when I could just have a lens that fits what I want to do better - but Panasonic's 20mm just has such nasty autofocus on my G85..

This are street photography high end compact lenses made for sure for Sony A7 C and also great for video on the run or a gimbal

I think could go with the G 24mm 2.8, Zeiss 35mm 2.8, Zeiss 55mm 1.8 and Batis 85mm 1.8 for my compact Sony setup. Perhaps wouldn’t need the 24mm compact option and the Sony 85mm 1.8 is apparently very good lens too.

These primes, with the aperture ring and compact size, plus the A7c, seem to be aimed squarely at competing with Fuji

Hmmm, I really don't understand why someone should buy these. They're not that small, 2.5-2.8 isn't that appealing and they're really really expensive, for what they are. 600$ for a 50mm F2.5!? For that price I stay with the F1.8. That thing just needs a better AF. It's small and lightweight and yes, I love the image quality. When I saw the 24mm F2.8 for 600$ the first thing I thought was, that my 24mm F1.4 GM isn't looking that expensive anymore, compared to that 600$ crap. If this was a F2 or F1.8 lens the price would be ok, but 600$! for a 2.8? Go and get the Tamron versions for way less money or directly buy a Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 and save you're money. From my perspective, these are 350-max400$ lenses.

Thanks for as always a great revieW!

That 24mm seems like it would be a good lens for gimbal work. Could carry that all day with no issues

Chris, what interests me is how your photography keeps improving. Better composing, more interesting subjects, you just keep getting better. You also are much more realistic about the performance of these lens then normal. I watch you guys because of who you are and also for the entertainment factor. Keep it up.

What tripod have you brought on the trip? Anyone knows?

Hi. Would you use these with the FX6, FX9 etc? thanks!

Came out quicker than expected! What a shock

I want to pair that 40mm to my anamorphic lens! 40mm is the widest I can go before it vignettes using vintage glass so I want to it with some new glass.

If Sony had these compact primes years ago I might not have picked Fuji. Aperture+ring+compact size+weather sealing is part of why I went for the x-pro2 and the 35+23 f2 fujicrons. These still look quite a bit larger than the Fuji equivalents but still quite a bit more compact than their earlier offerings. After watching this I’m still glad I went with Fuji but this is nice for Sony shooters who want better lenses for street photography.

Any idea how the 24 works on the Sony APS-C? Thanks.

I need to shoot small product like cufflinks - should I consider the 50 Macro instead? Also I do a lot of video, breathing is a problem here?

How do they compare to the Tamron 28-75 mm? If close the zoom is a better deal. Also I wonder how they compare to the Nikon Z 50mm 1.8.

not sure about this theory but maybe the 24mm's corners may not be so sharp because the fence is near the camera. So the center of the fence is closer to the camera than the corner of the fence. Thats perhaps why stopping down to 5.6, increasing the DOF made the corners a little sharper. The 40 and 50mms wouldn't have too much difference between the corners and centres because you have to step back from the fence to get the same shot. Also means the corner and centre are more likely to be within the DOF of the lens. Just a thought. Don't know for sure. I feel better to test centre vs corner sharpness with a further object.

Great lenses for street photography and travel. Nice review

This backfired, the Brian i know unsubscribed because he didn't like the idea of anything being held hostage. Now your down 2 Brian's.

Hi Chris, Can you please do a comparison on best Wide Zoom for Video. Thanks 🙏🏼 -Sigma 18-35mm f1.8 -Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM -Canon RF 15-35mm F2.8L IS USM Lens

40 and 50mm are both focal length I really like to have. I know it’s subtle difference but it make a difference when shooting people. The more love the 40 gets the better. I think they could have gone with a 58mm for the longer one.

Awesome review sir!Keep up the good work!!My problem is why did they produce lens with f2.5 and 2.8 ??? In lower price i can buy sigma 1.4 lens that are sharper than these lens! If they were f1.8 would worth a buy for sure!!👍👌

Scratching my head at these lenses. £629 for a prime that's only F2.5-F2.8 that has some issues. They're quite compact but I'd rather spend some more money on a F1.2 Sigma.

How good are the 24mm lens for landscape photography for high resolution cameras when you want to print very large pro quality prints ? I have the Sony 24mm 1.4 GM, but I also want a more compat and lightweight 24mm lens.

Dammit Brian, get it together! I need them cold opens.

I wonder if they might be counting on people picking up the 24 and 40 because the most popular/common 50-ish mm lens out there for sony folks is the 55 1.8 zeiss which would put you 15mm off from the 40?

Hey! I subbed years ago!

I totally appreciate the 40mm G. Been waiting. For my purpose 40mm is standard (not 35mm or 50mm).

will they have an 85mm?

very much like the Pentax pancake trio for apsc

Manufacturers are getting smart. Market is demanding smaller lighter FF lenses.

Man I totally agree. I really don't get why they made the 40 and 50 combo. I cant imagine that would inspire people to want to own the whole set. Those focal lengths are just too close. It's like one or the other. Bit of a miss imo. Instead they should have made a longer focal length more like a 65 ish round about there lens. Even a 70. That would have been ch more enticing I believe. But im still stoked that they're finally making smaller glass now and realizing (thanks to sigma) that there IS a market for it. I hope they continue this trend and come out with more focal lengths. Personally I would love a 28! 2.5? If possible? Lol. And a 75 or 85 would be amazing as well

But Chris, isn't a 40mm just a 35mm that grew a bit taller? :) do you like a 32mm better because it's on the shorter side?

Too bad because three months earlier and I would have switched systems. That applies to the announced Sigma 24 as well.

I’m a Canon 6D + 40mm pancake lens user. I never considered Sony cause there’s no 40mm. But with this is a welcome news! Hopefully there would be a pancake 40mm in the future then I’ll definitely jump!

Is it sharper than Nikon 40mm macro or Tamron 45mm 1.8

For street photography the weather resistance and how compact, plus the quality. I think they hit the spot just to have an a7iii very portable and discreet

I'm on a tight budget. Do you think a used Sonnar 35mm F2.8 Zeiss would be comparable to the 40mm 2.5?

Looks targeted at a7C users

All kinda Meh. For 350-450 $ they'd be ok

That LoCA is a real problem. I shoot a lot of water and landscapes so it would be annoying. Plus, fast focus on a 24 shooting landscapes really isn't a key attribute. Sony seems to depend on the camera to correct a lot of lens problems.

Oh boy. These are some sharp lens

Sony bringing the heat this year!

Hi, would you please consider making a video that compares this new 50mm Sony lens against the Fuji 50mm F2 paired with the XS10? I would be incredibly interested to see how they stack against each other

굿 잘봤습니다. 감사합니다.

wish DPR would add timestamps

was thinking the 24mm would be a nice compliment to my sony 55mm fe, but I have plenty of localiciousness with that 55mm so I'm good there.

Why does no reviewer consider these may be FULL FRAME DRONE lenses for the FX3 and the new drone that is coming. Perfect for that methinks.

Nice !!! 24mm f2.8 maybe would be my next lens for my a7iii

Where you guys in this episode? where is this valley?

40mm is a return to the "true normal" lens, somewhere near the 43.3mm diagonal of FF. All the major players have announced some version of a "true normal" recently. I'm surprised you're having difficulty appreciating the difference between that and 50mm. 50mm is 25% larger than 40mm, which is a huge difference. That's about the standard step size in wides: 20, 24, 28, 35. 50mm (actually really dang close to 52.5mm for f/1.8, 1.7, 1.4, and 1.2 lenses. Lens makers play rounding games based on what they want to advertise and what they can make) is an aberration, of course, a compromise between the 43.3mm that photographers want and the 58mm that lens designers can make easily to accommodate an SLR's swinging mirror. That's why Nikon, Pentax, Minolta, Canon, etc. quickly discontinued their 58mm or 55mm (actually a shade under 57.5mm) f/1.4 lenses and brought in 50mm f/1.4, which reigned as "the" normal for decades. Unless I knew I needed speed, my "film days" normals were a 45mm f/2.8 Ai-P Nikon and a 40mm f2.0 Voigtlander aspherical Ultron. My goto on a Nikon Z is a Voigtlander 40mm f/1.2 Nokton. I'm dying to try the Sony out on a Sony E to Nikon Z adapter.

Especially on a A7RIV, I'd go with the 40mm (it's one of my favorite focal lengths) as you can always crop in some if you need.

I will stick with my cheap as hell, not perfect, but good enough tiny Samyang 24mm f/2.8. Would likely go for their 45mm f/1.8 over either the 40 and 50mm here. They look ok but for 600 I could get the Samyang 45mm f/1.8 and Samyang 75mm f/1.8 and I've heard nothing but good things about them, especially for value.

Why everyone complain about focusbreathing? I tested it on the 85 Batis, 50 1.4 Minolta and they are breathing as well. Why nobody cared about before?

I'm underwhelmed. I suspect Sony will have to discount these heavily in the future.

Okay, that stone couch is dope.

*Looks at the "Subscribe" button* 😬

Where’s Jordan with video?

Is that how all the couches are in Canada?

I feel like Chris is speaking directly to me...

Good Morning. My name is Hermano. I'm brazilian. I would like you to compare the quality of Sony's 28-60mm lens with Sony's 40mm/f.2.5 lens. Of course only in the 40mm position on both lenses. Is a fixed lens really sharper than a zoom lens? I have never seen such a comparison. A hug. I've been a fan of Dpreview for decades. Thanks.

I tried and tried, but I could not spot the fishing rod and kit sitting just off to Chris' side in this video..... had to be there....;~)

Cool 40mm

Been a subscriber for a long time know, so it isn’t me!!! Gotta agree with the other Brian about feeling targeted... 😂

Subbed for years 😊

At this price point: "affordable" is stretchable, but 40/50mm are very interesting. For street photography mostly in my opinion F/2.8 would be a joy! I've been using my SEL 55-210mm in 98% of the use cases. The 55mm end is great, but not as fast (f/4.5) as I would like.

But I've been subscribed for a while!

They should have released a 65mm. So when the 35mm came out, the 50mm should have came out with it. And a 40mm and 65mm should have been paired with this release. 21/24mm with a 28mm.

... Just goes to show.. everyone keeps criticizing Canon for being behind the times but they've had a 40mm compact prime for years. 6D + ef40mm 2.8. Match made in heaven. The Sony is 2x the size and 3x the price.

I'm still confused as to why... Like we want fast glass in a small package. Who doesn't like the size and speed of the 35 1.8 or the 55 1.8, sure we want better weather sealing but these G lenses are just disappointing

I wonder how they stack up with the Sigma I lenses

rather just get a sigma 28-75 2.8 for the price of 2 of these lenses :P

Fine, I’ll subscribe.

It's the veritasium of camera gear!

why release a 40 and a 50?

Where is the nikon 50 1.2 review ?

Snappy AF 😏

DPReview: Going to review new lenses New Sony lenses: **heavy breathing**

Wow, that bamboo wall hurts my eyes.

Build Quality Excellent G-grade optics Weather sealing Compact size all at a reasonable price. Don't know how people mark these as bad lenses, when you can't get any compact lenses from 3rd party companies that have excellent optics at these focal lengths.

And distorsion in RAW.

I think I prefer the I-Series from Sigma but nice for people who want only first party lenses.

Good price for its targeted market.

My 20-45 year old Nikon lenses all have less LoCa than these Sony lenses, even in sub-optimal situations.

Now I want you to take a look at Marvels Falcon and the Winter Solider. It was shot with Panavision T-Series lenses which are the most advanced anamorphic lenses they make. They’re shooting on a set with expanded image circle for full frame capture. It looks like they’re shooting mostly wide open. I just open up the first episode and look at any non action scene in a daylight situation.

Hmm, can't really see a need for these ( at the moment) but I do like the build quality.

Not sure what focus breathing is but if it is the focus not getting a first fast lock-on that would be a deal breaker. I have the Tamron 28-200 Fe and that is a major irritation. Doing street photo I need to lock on instantly when I photo a person.

What happened to "Jordan here to talk about video"? Some obvious things about them for video: geared rings, all three same size, linear focus (very rare these days!).

I find it amusing that Sony keeps producing ~50mm lenses for full-frame E Mount (there's like, what, 11 of them now?), and maybe only 1 or 2 of them are technically decent enough to recommend for general use. That fringing reminded me of the FE 50mm f/1.8 that everyone panned several years ago. I guess, if you're Sony, entry and midrange lenses don't deserve corrective optics and element coatings. Bummer.