Sony Unveils Groundbreaking FE 50-150mm F/2 G Master Telephoto Zoom Lens
posted Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at 10:00 AM EDT
Sony has officially lifted the curtain on the FE 50-150mm F/2 G Master, the first full-frame telephoto zoom lens in its class to offer a constant F/2 aperture throughout the zoom range — including at the 150mm end. The new lens is designed for hybrid creators and professionals who demand uncompromising image quality, fast autofocus, and versatility across a variety of shooting scenarios.
This latest addition to the G Master lineup is aimed squarely at wedding photographers, portrait artists, and event shooters, while also delivering the kind of speed and control videographers require.
World’s First: Constant F/2 50-150mm
What sets this lens apart is its ability to maintain a fast F/2 aperture across the entire 50–150mm focal length range, a feat that provides both shallow depth of field and impressive low-light performance. Sony says the lens delivers "prime-like" resolution and dimensional, creamy bokeh — a hallmark of the G Master series — thanks to an advanced optical formula consisting of 19 elements in 17 groups. These include two XA (extreme aspherical), two aspherical, three ED (Extra-low Dispersion), and two Super ED elements, combined with Sony’s Nano AR Coating II to combat chromatic aberrations, flare, and ghosting in challenging lighting conditions.
Our Real-World Review
Our own editor, David Schloss, had early hands-on time with the lens and praised it for its exceptional image quality when shooting wide open. In his in-depth review, he highlights the lens’s ability to deliver stunning results even in harsh lighting environments and notes how the intuitive control layout and internal focusing design make it a standout choice for wedding and portrait photographers.
“If you saw the name of this lens and were excited by its potential, this lens is for you. The lens executes on its promises with exceptional image quality, focus, build quality, and use,” David writes.
Autofocus Built for Action and Precision
Autofocus performance is powered by four XD Linear Motors, enabling lightning-fast, near-silent focusing and high-speed subject tracking. Sony says the lens is capable of supporting 120 fps continuous shooting with real-time subject tracking on compatible cameras, making it well-suited for fast-paced sports or dynamic event photography.
Internal focusing ensures a stable center of gravity—ideal when the lens is mounted on a gimbal or rigged for video work.
Videographers will also appreciate a range of cinema-friendly features including minimal focus breathing, smooth manual focus response, and an iris ring with a lock switch for secure aperture control. Sony also incorporated full-time DMF (Direct Manual Focus), giving users tactile control by simply rotating the focus ring, even when in AF mode.
The lens has a minimum focusing distance of 0.4m (at 50mm) and 0.74m (at 150mm), offering a 0.2x maximum magnification — useful for tighter portraits and detail shots.
Sony 50-150mm f/2 G Master Build: Weather-Sealed and Travel-Ready
True to its G Master pedigree, the FE 50-150mm F/2 is built to withstand professional use. The body features full weather sealing, including gaskets around all switches and buttons, and a rubber-sealed lens mount. A fluorine coating on the front element repels dust, water, and oil, and makes cleaning easier on the go.
A customizable Focus Hold Button adds flexibility, and the included Aperture Ring offers the option to declick for smooth exposure transitions during video.
Pricing and Availability
The Sony FE 50-150mm F/2 G Master is set to become available for pre-order starting April 22, 2025 from B&H Photo. Pricing is $3,899 USD / $5,499 CAD, with shipping scheduled to begin in late May.
Official Press Release
SAN DIEGO, April 22, 2025 - Sony Electronics Inc. introduces the FE 50-150mm F2 GM (SEL50150GM), the world’s firsti telephoto zoom lens with a maximum focal length of 150 mm and F2 aperture. This lens features a standard focal length of 50mm at the wide-angle end and combines a constant aperture of F2 with high resolution comparable to that of a prime lens. This allows for a wide range of scenarios with just one lens for various situations and subjects. As part of Sony’s renowned G Master™ series, the FE 50-150MM F2 GM offers an exceptional combination of high resolution and stunning bokeh, enhancing the imaging results for professionals using the Sony Alpha camera system.
“The FE 50-150MM F2 GM G Master marks a pivotal milestone in Sony's commitment to pushing creative possibilities,” said Yang Cheng, Vice President of Imaging Solutions, Sony Electronics Inc. “By delivering a constant F2 aperture across its zoom range, this lens offers Sony Alpha users with an all-in-one solution that is comparable to multiple prime lenses, like a 50mm, 85mm, and 135mm. This innovation expands the versatility professionals need to capture remarkable imagery in both photography and video.”
Exceptional Image Quality and Smooth F2 Bokeh
The G Master's internal optical design plays a crucial role in producing its exceptional image quality. By integrating two XA (extreme aspherical) elements, two Super ED (extra-low dispersion) glass elements, and three ED elements, the lens effectively suppresses aberrations, ensuring sharp, high-contrast imagery across the entire zoom range. Additionally, the floating focusing system enables a minimum focusing distance of 0.4m at the wide end and a maximum magnification of 0.20 for detailed shooting.
The FE 50-150MM F2 GM's constant F2 aperture creates beautifully smooth bokeh, making it an ideal choice for portrait, wedding, and event photographers aiming to isolate subjects with a shallow depth of field. A newly developed 11-blade circular aperture further enhances the signature G Master bokeh. When shooting videos, the lens delivers stunning cinematic results and exceptional clarity.
In addition, Sony's proprietary "Nano AR Coating II," applied uniformly across the entire lens surface, significantly reduces ghosting and flare even in backlit conditions, delivering clear and crisp imagery.
Internal Zoom and Compact Design
Measuring at approximately 7-7/8 inches (200 mm) in length and weighing approximately 47.3 ounces (1,340g)ii, the FE 50-150MM F2 GM offers remarkable portability considering its impressive combination of wide zoom range and bright aperture. This lens is ideal for both handheld and gimbal use with its featured internal zoom design that maintains the lens’s length and weight balance despite focal length changes. With its practical design, this lens serves as a versatile, all-in-one solution for those seeking a standard 50mm through 150mm telephoto range.
Fast and Precise Autofocus Performance
Equipped with four XD (extreme dynamic) linear motors and Sony’s advanced control algorithms, the FE 50-150MM F2 GM delivers fast, accurate, and quiet autofocus (AF). This high-performance AF system is compatible with Sony's Alpha 9 III, supporting continuous shooting at up to 120 frames per second with full AF/AE trackingiii. With a fast AF system and a versatile 50-150 mm zoom range, the lens excels at capturing fast-paced indoor sports, portraits, and events.
Cinematic Video Production
Designed with filmmakers in mind, the FE 50-150MM F2 GM minimizes focus breathing and is compatible with Sony's Breathing Compensationiv feature on select Alpha cameras. Linear Response MF ensures intuitive manual focus control, while the lens’s internal zoom design maintains stability even while zooming mounted on gimbals. Additionally, the XD linear motors operate quietly to prevent unwanted noise from being captured during recording.
Built for durability, the FE 50-150MM F2 GM features a robust dust- and moisture-resistant designv. A fluorine coating on the front element repels contaminants, making it easy to clean and ensuring the lens remains in top condition even in challenging environments.
Pricing and Availability
The FE 50-150MM F2 GM will be available in May 2025 for approximately $3,899 USD and $5,499 CAD. It will be sold directly through Sony and at a variety of Sony’s authorized dealers throughout North America.
Sample Images