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35mm	$1,331 average price

Updates:
08/16/2021: Hands-on Review & Gallery added

Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM Hands-on Review

Sony's premium 35mm prime lens delivers high-end performance

by Jeremy Gray | Posted 08/16/2021

Shot on Sony A7R IV, f/1.4, 1/1250s, ISO 125. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Earlier this year, Sony announced the FE 35mm f/1.4 GM lens. It is not Sony's first 35mm lens for E-mount. It's the company's fourth, in fact. Sony has previously released the FE 35mm f/2.8 ZA and the FE 35mm f/1.4 ZA with Zeiss. In 2019, Sony released an affordable FE 35mm f/1.8 lens for $750, although it can be found now for under $650. Sony's new f/1.4 GM lens holds many advantages over the f/1.8 lens from 2019, including a faster maximum aperture and G Master-series optics and build quality.

Shot on Sony A7R IV, f/8, 0.4s, ISO 100. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

We recently had the chance to go hands-on with Sony's latest G Master lens, and it's very impressive. It's Sony's 12th G Master lens, and Sony has made strides with its flagship lens series. The new prime delivers excellent image quality and build quality.

Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 G Master Key Features and Specifications

• Wide-angle prime lens with 63° field of view
• Weather-resistant design
• Fluorine-coated front element
• 14 elements in 10 groups
• 2 XA elements and 1 extra-low dispersion element
• Nano AR II coating
• XD linear motor focus system
• Minimum focus distance of 25cm (9.8"), resulting in 0.26x max magnification (0.23x with AF)
• Rounded 11-blade aperture diaphragm
• Smooth or clicked aperture ring
• L x D: 96mm (3.8") x 76mm (3")
• 524g (1.2 lbs)
• 67mm filter size
• $1,400

Shot on Sony A7R IV, f/1.4, 1/30s, ISO 100. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Lens design and handling

The Sony 35mm f/1.4 GM lens is surprisingly compact given its f/1.4 maximum aperture. It weighs 524 grams (1.2 lbs), balancing nicely on the Sony A7R IV body I used with the lens. The lens is 96mm (3.8") long and has a maximum diameter of 76mm (3"), with a filter thread size of 67mm.

The lens shares its styling with previous G Master lenses, including a rubberized focus ring and an aperture control ring. The aperture ring can be smooth or clicked, as adjusted by a switch on the side of the lens barrel. The lens is marked with full-stop aperture markings (f/1.4, f/2, f/2.8, f/4, f/5.6, f/8, f/11 and f/16) and small third-stop markings. The lens also includes a customizable focus hold button and an AF/MF switch.

Since it's a G Master lens, the Sony 35mm f/1.4 GM lens includes dust and moisture resistance. The lens also includes a fluorine coating on the front element. The lens is built to pro standards, and it looks and feels the part. The lens feels robust in use and is built to withstand inclement weather and conditions.

Compared to Sony's 35mm f/1.8 lens, which weighs 280g (9.9 oz.), the new GM lens is a bit less than twice as heavy. The new GM lens is 23mm longer and has a larger diameter by about 10mm. Sigma has an even faster lens available for E-mount, the Sigma 35mm f/1.2 DG DN Art lens. This Sigma lens is significantly larger than the G Master lens. Sigma's lens weighs 1,090g (2.4 lbs.) and is 136.2mm (5.36") long with an 87.8mm (3.46") diameter. It's a stark difference in size.

The Sony 35mm GM lens comes with a detachable lens hood. It's built well, does its job and is rugged. The lens also comes with a zippered soft case, which is a nice bonus.

Overall, the Sony 35mm f/1.4 GM lens is built very well. It's reasonably compact and lightweight without sacrificing build quality. The lens balances very nicely on a Sony mirrorless camera body, and it handles well.

Image quality: Very good sharpness and mostly good control of aberrations

The Sony 35mm f/1.4 G Master lens includes 14 elements in 10 groups. Among the 14 elements are a pair of eXtreme Aspherical (XA) elements and one extra-low dispersion element. The lens also includes Sony's latest Nano AR II coating. What makes a G Master lens special among Sony's extensive lens lineup is the glass Sony uses for GM lenses and the precision with which the glass is crafted. The XA elements have 0.01-micron surface precision, which aids with edge-to-edge resolving power and clean, smooth bokeh performance. The front element is an XA element, as is the second-to-last element (starting from the front).

Shot on Sony A7R IV, f/1.4, 1/400s, ISO 125. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

There's a lot of fancy and sophisticated glass in this lens. There's also heavily curved glass, which Sony believes it can do better than its competition. Sony can make a compact lens that promises superior performance by using more heavily curved but smaller and lighter glass. Does the lens's optical performance live up to its promise?

Shot on Sony A7R IV, f/5.6, 20s, ISO 100. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

All the crops seen below are 100 percent crops from raw image files converted in Adobe Camera Raw using default settings and built-in lens correction profiles enabled. In the case of this lens, applying lens correction profiles has a dramatic effect on vignette at fast apertures. I have selected specific images to show, but you can download the full-size raw files for each test scene and aperture in the Gallery.

Sharpness

Shot on Sony A7R IV, f/1.4, 1/5000s, ISO 50. Sharpness test scene. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Let's not bury the lede, the Sony 35mm f/1.4 GM is a very sharp lens. Even when shooting wide open at f/1.4, the lens is sharp across the frame. In the center, the lens is nearly as sharp at f/1.4 as at f/2, although you can see slightly less fine detail when wide open. Corner performance is pretty good, especially with lens corrections applied. There's a fair bit of vignette without lens corrections, affecting image quality around the edges. Once that's dealt with, image quality is great.

Shot on Sony A7R IV, f/1.4, 1/5000s, ISO 50. 100% center crop. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Shot on Sony A7R IV, f/1.4, 1/5000s, ISO 50. 100% bottom left corner crop. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

At f/2, there's a bit more sharpness across the frame. This is true further at f/2.8 when the lens gets even sharper.

Shot on Sony A7R IV, f/2, 1/5000s, ISO 100. 100% center crop. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Shot on Sony A7R IV, f/2, 1/5000s, ISO 100. 100% bottom left corner crop. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

Shot on Sony A7R IV, f/2.8, 1/2500s, ISO 100. 100% center crop. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Shot on Sony A7R IV, f/2.8, 1/2500s, ISO 100. 100% center crop. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Sharpness remains good at f/4 and f/5.6. At f/8, the image starts to soften slightly. Image quality is still pretty good at f/11, although it's noticeably softer than f/5.6 and, to a lesser extent, f/8. Diffraction is bad at the minimum aperture of f/16, as is to be expected.

Shot on Sony A7R IV, f/4, 1/1600s, ISO 100. 100% center crop. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

Shot on Sony A7R IV, f/5.6, 1/800s, ISO 100. 100% center crop. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

Shot on Sony A7R IV, f/8, 1/400s, ISO 100. 100% center crop. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Aberrations

Sony's high-end glass and precise design results in sharp photos, but also images with good control over aberrations and other image quality issues. The lens shows minimal chromatic aberration in most situations. Latitudinal chromatic aberration is well-controlled thanks to in-camera optical corrections, but longitudinal CA can pop up in certain situations.

When shooting wide open or nearly wide open, there's occasionally some green and magenta fringing on either side of the focal plane. I didn't notice it in every situation, but it does pop up now and again. It's not aggressive, but in some cases, it is noticeable.

Shot on Sony A7R IV, f/1.4, 1/400s, ISO 2500. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Shot on Sony A7R IV, f/1.4, 1/400s, ISO 2500. 100% crop from original RAW image. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Shot on Sony A7R IV, f/1.4, 1/400s, ISO 2500. 100% crop from original RAW image. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

In terms of lens flare, the lens controls it well. It's quite difficult to introduce it without actively trying, especially if you use the lens hood. The sample below was shot without the lens hood since the idea was to force lens flare.

Shot on Sony A7R IV, f/8, 1/400s, ISO 125. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Distortion is not an issue with Sony's new 35mm lens. Vignette, on the other hand, can be. There's a fair bit of darkening around the edges when shooting at fast apertures, but it's easily corrected during post-processing.

Shot on Sony A7R IV, f/5.6, 2s, ISO 800. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Overall, the 35mm f/1.4 GM exhibits good control over optical defects. The biggest issue is fringing, but it doesn't always appear and can be dealt with generally by stopping down the lens.

In the field: Strong autofocus performance underpins a versatile general-purpose lens

Autofocus

The Sony 35mm f/1.4 GM lens uses an XD Linear Motor autofocus system. The AF system includes two separate focusing motors, promising quiet, precise and quick autofocus. In my experience, the AF is quiet, but it's not incredibly quick. It's fast enough for most situations, but it's slightly slower than I expected for a 35mm prime lens. The lens's AF is good at making quick adjustments, like when tracking a subject, but going from infinity to its closest focusing distance is not super fast.

Shot on Sony A7R IV, f/4.5, 1/500s, ISO 125. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

The lens can focus quite closely. The minimum focus distance is 25cm (9.8"), resulting in maximum magnification of 0.26x. It's not a macro lens by any stretch but being able to focus closely is useful.

Shot on Sony A7R IV, f/2.8, 1/60s, ISO 800. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Unsurprisingly, the Sony 35mm f/1.4 GM is compatible with all of Sony's high-end autofocus features, including Fast Hybrid AF, eye-detect AF and tracking, and direct manual focus. Even when I say that the lens doesn't rack focus quite as fast as I expected, that doesn't mean the lens is slow or that its autofocus performance isn't impressive because the AF is impressive.

Shot on Sony A7R IV, f/1.4, 1/400s, ISO 640. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

In the Field: A very useful focal length

There's something nice about walking around with a 35mm prime lens. It's a versatile focal length that works well for many types of images. In the case of the Sony 35mm f/1.4 GM lens, a 35mm prime lens can also be compact and lightweight. It's so easy to carry around an A7R IV with an attached 35mm f/1.4 GM lens.

Shot on Sony A7R IV, f/1.8, 1/800s, ISO 125. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Usability matters, of course, but so does performance. The Sony 35mm f/1.4 GM is enjoyable to use, not just because it's easy to use but also because it captures nice images. When considering a fast lens, like an f/1.4 prime, you want good bokeh on top of impressive light-gathering capabilities. G Master lenses utilize very precisely-made glass, which helps deliver smooth, clean bokeh. The 35mm f/1.4 GM has great bokeh. It's smooth and clean and doesn't showcase any onion-ring effect.

Shot on Sony A7R IV, f/1.4, 1/60s, ISO 100. Test image at f/1.4. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

Shot on Sony A7R IV, f/2, 1/40s, ISO 100. Test image at f/2. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

Shot on Sony A7R IV, f/2.8, 1/20s, ISO 100. Test image at f/2.8. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

With good bokeh and strong autofocus accuracy, the GM lens is well-suited to portraiture. It's a good focal length for portraits, even if it's not the classic 50mm or 85mm focal length. You can use the 35mm lens for more environmental-style images.

Shot on Sony A7R IV, f/1.4, 1/320s, ISO 800. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

I think that 35mm is also a great focal length for landscapes. It's one of my favorites, in fact. The 35mm f/1.4 GM is overkill for most landscape situations concerning aperture – how often do you shoot landscapes at f/1.4? – but the edge-to-edge sharpness is great for landscape scenes nonetheless.

Shot on Sony A7R IV, f/7.1, 4s, ISO 50. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Ultimately, the 35mm f/1.4 GM is an awesome lens in the field. It's an excellent prime lens with a versatile focal length and excellent performance across the board. It's yet another top-notch lens in the G Master lineup.

Sony 35mm f/1.4 GM Hands-On Review Summary

Another excellent G Master lens

What I like most about the lens:

• Compact for its focal length and aperture
• Very good sharpness
• Strong performance
• Good bokeh

Shot on Sony A7R IV, f/8, 2.5s, ISO 100. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

What I dislike about the lens:

• Autofocus isn't super quick
• Some noticeable longitudinal chromatic aberration in certain situations

The Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 G Master lens is a strong performer across the board. The lens is sharp, has reasonably good autofocus performance and delivers great bokeh. Its build quality is great, too, and the lens isn't very large or heavy despite its f/1.4 maximum aperture.

Shot on Sony A7R IV, f/1.4, 1/400s, ISO 250. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

At $1,400, it's a premium lens for sure. Its performance lives up to the price, and the 35mm f/1.4 GM is a great option for photographers looking for a compact and fast 35mm prime lens.

Shot on Sony A7R IV, f/5, 1/400s, ISO 125. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

• • •

 

Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM Overview

SAN DIEGO, CA – January 13, 2020 – Sony Electronics Inc. today announced the FE 35mm F1.4 GM (model SEL35F14GM) – the newest addition to its acclaimed G Master full-frame lens series– delivering first-class image quality and beautiful bokeh in a compact and lightweight design. When paired with an E-mount camera body, the lens offers Sony's industry-leading AF (autofocus) capabilities – perfect for a wide range of uses such as shooting landscapes, portraits and street photography, for both stills and video.

"At Sony, our purpose is to fill the world with emotion through the power of creativity and technology so we designed the FE 35mm F1.4 GM to perfectly capture the moments that need to be saved forever," said Neal Manowitz, deputy president for Imaging Products and Solutions Americas at Sony Electronics. "With exquisite resolution and intelligent focusing technology, all in a small, lightweight design, this is an indispensable lens that does not compromise on image quality."

Outstanding Resolution In A Compact Lens

Sony's advanced optical design and manufacturing technology brings extraordinary resolution, beautiful bokeh, and precise focusing performance to a compact lens that fits comfortably in the palm of your hand, weighing just 18.5 ounces (524 grams) and measuring  3 inches dia. x 3 ⅞ inches (76 mm dia. x 96 mm) with a filter diameter of Φ67mm. The FE 35mm F1.4 GM features advanced optical technology that delivers stunning contrast and superb resolution. Two XA (extreme aspherical) elements effectively maintain excellent resolution throughout the image area. Thanks to an ED glass element and other optical refinements, the new FE 35mm F1.4 GM performs well in difficult lighting by effectively suppressing chromatic aberration and purple fringing for breathtaking results. 

Beautiful Bokeh 

The FE 35mm F1.4 GM delivers an almost circular aperture thanks to its 11-blade construction – a rare level of quality for a compact lens. Spherical aberration control at both the design and the manufacturing stages contributes to beautiful bokeh – a signature characteristic of Sony's G Master lens lineup.

Two innovative XA elements contribute to impressive close-ups with smooth, creamy background bokeh. The combination of F1.4 maximum aperture and the flexibility to choose the perfect shooting distance (minimum focusing distance of just 10.6 inches (27cm) with a maximum magnification of 0.23x in autofocus mode) allows for ultimate control and stunning bokeh when shooting both stills and video.

Advanced Focus For Enhanced Imagery

Two of Sony's XD (extreme dynamic) Linear Motors provide the high thrust efficiency needed for precise AF (autofocus) and tracking - resulting in outstanding resolution at any distance. State-of-the-art control algorithms, developed specifically for the XD Linear Motors, improve control response and precision while minimizing vibration and noise for fast, smooth and silent AF performance. 

Advanced focusing can also be achieved when shooting at a high frame rate.

Linear Response MF ensures the focus ring responds to subtle control when focusing manually and is ideal for creative focusing effects when shooting video. The focus ring rotation translates directly to a corresponding change in focus, so control feels immediate and precise. 

Professional Control And Reliability

The FE 35mm F1.4 GM offers full professional control including an aperture ring with switchable click stops, a customizable focus hold button and a focus mode switch that all support smooth, efficient operation. The focus hold button can be assigned to several other functions via a camera body menu, providing direct access to functions that are vital to both photographers and videographers.

When mounted to an APS-C or Super 35 camera, the compact and lightweight FE 35mm F1.4 GM can be used as a standard lens equivalent to 52.5mm full-frame equivalent angle of view, making the it the perfect choice for creating videos. Additional video advantages include the de-clickable aperture, fast linear AF and linear response manual focus.

The FE 35mm F1.4 GM features a dust and moisture resistant* design and a fluorine front element coating that repels water, oil and other contaminants. 

Pricing And Availability

The new FE 35mm F1.4 GM will be available in February and will be sold for approximately $1,399.99 USD and $1,899.99 CAD.

* Not guaranteed to be 100% dust and waterproof.