The Zeiss 50mm f1.4 Planar T* is a full-frame E-mount lens designed in collaboration with Sony, for Sony E-Mount. It features a fast f1.4 aperture, making it a strong choice for low-light shooting and portraits with shallow depth of field. This lens offers autofocus and is built with a durable, weather-sealed metal body, though it is relatively large and heavy for a 50mm prime. It’s known for delivering sharp, detailed images with smooth background rendering and strong contrast, especially wide open. Its character leans toward a classic, more artistic look compared to modern ultra-clinical lenses, making it appealing for portrait and creative photography.
The Zeiss 55mm f1.8 Sonnar T* is a compact and lightweight full-frame E-mount lens that has been a popular choice among Sony shooters. While not as fast as an f1.4 lens, the f1.8 aperture still offers good low-light performance and subject separation. It features fast autofocus and high image sharpness, particularly in the center of the frame, with minimal distortion and chromatic aberration. The 55mm focal length gives it a slightly tighter field of view than a standard 50mm, making it versatile for portraits, street photography, and everyday use. It’s a well-balanced lens for those who want high performance in a small, travel-friendly package.
In this review video, I am comparing the Zeiss 50mm f1.4 vs Zeiss 55mm f1.8 at a real-world portrait photoshoot. I share various different side by side photo comparisons at 100% crop, so you can see all the details.
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All photos edited with my Florence Lightroom Preset Pack
All photos edited with my Florence Lightroom Preset Pack
