Lens Review: Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM Lens

Published: April 3, 2021

Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM Lens

Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,398 from B&H Photo | Amazon | Adorama) is an ideal lens for street and documentary photography offering a fast F1.4 maximum aperture, lightning fast autofocus and compact form factor.

As a G Master lens, it offers advanced optical design for well-corrected imagery with a high degree of sharpness and clarity. Two XA (eXtreme Aspherical) elements and one extra-low dispersion element reduce a variety of aberrations, color fringing, and distortion, and the optics are complemented by a Nano AR II coating that also suppresses flare and ghosting for improved contrast.

XD Linear Motor system that uses two separate focusing motors to deliver especially quiet, precise, and quick autofocus performance in a compact form factor. It’s dust- and moisture-sealed design and fluorine-coated front lens element to support shooting in inclement weather.

FIELD TEST:

Miami street photography with Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM lens
Sony a7R IV + FE 35mm F1.4 GM • 1/400 • F4.5 • ISO 320

Street photography with Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM lens
Sony a7R IV + FE 35mm F1.4 GM • 1/640 • F4 • ISO 320

Bokeh of Sony Alpha 1 and FE 35mm F1.4 GM lens at F1.4
Sony Alpha 1 + FE 35mm F1.4 GM • 1/3200 • F1.4 • ISO 100

Santa Monica Pier at dusk photographed with Sony Alpha 1 and FE 35mm F1.4 GM lens
Sony Alpha 1 + FE 35mm F1.4 GM • 1/20 • F2.8 • ISO 100

Santa Monica Pier at dusk photographed with Sony Alpha 1 and FE 35mm F1.4 GM lens
Sony Alpha 1 + FE 35mm F1.4 GM • 1/80 • F1.4 • ISO 100

Santa Monica Pier at dusk photographed with Sony Alpha 1 and FE 35mm F1.4 GM lens
Sony Alpha 1 + FE 35mm F1.4 GM • 1/80 • F1.4 • ISO 500

Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM lens review test photo
Sony Alpha 1 + FE 35mm F1.4 GM • 0.8 sec • F16 • ISO 100

Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM lens review test photo
Sony Alpha 1 + FE 35mm F1.4 GM • 1/25 • F1.4 • ISO 500

SPECS:

Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM lens and hood

SIZE:

Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM measures 3 x 3.8″ / 76 x 96 mm (diameter x length)

WEIGHT:

Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM tips the scales at 1.2 lb / 524 g

FILTERS:

Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM has a 67mm Front Filter Tread

LENS CONTROLS:

Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM lens controls
Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM includes customizable Focus Hold button, AF/MF Switch

WEATHER SEALING:

Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM weather seals
Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM is dust- and moisture-sealed for working in inclement weather.

IMAGE STABILIZATION:

There is no optical stabilization on this lens. Many Sony camera bodies have built-in sensor-shift stabilization.

AUTO FOCUS:

Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM features two XD Linear Focus actuators for extremely fast and precise focus tracking and responsive Eye AF.

MINIMUM FOCUS DISTANCE:

Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM minimum focus distance is 9.8″ (25 cm) and maximum magnification of 0.26x

APERTURE:

Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM has 11 rounded aperture blades for smooth, rounded bokeh

APERTURE RING:

de-clickable aperture ring on Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM lens
Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM has a de-clickable aperture ring

FORMAT:

Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM covers full frame sensor and smaller.

OPTICAL DESIGN:

Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM optical design
Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM features an advanced optical design of 14 Elements in 10 Groups including a series of XA, aspherical, Super ED, and ED elements, which combine to reduce a variety of aberrations and distortions for a high degree of sharpness, accurate rendering, and notable color accuracy. An updated Nano AR Coating II has also been applied, which suppresses flare and ghosting for greater contrast when working in bright and backlit conditions.

LENS CHARTS:

Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM Lens Chart

IN THE BOX:

Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM comes with front & rear lens caps, lens hood & a padded lens pouch.

PRICE:

Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM has a street price of $1,398 USD

LENS COMPARISONS

 

Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM -vs- Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 ZA

Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM -vs- Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 ZA comparison

Lens Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM Sony FE 35mm F1.4 ZA
Dimensions (ø x L) 3.0 x 3.8″ / 76 x 96 mm 3.1 x 4.4″ / 78.5 x 112mm
Weight 1.2 lb / 524 g 1.39 lb / 630 g
Filter Size 67mm (Front) 72mm (Front)
Minimum Focus Distance 9.8″ / 25 cm 11.81″ / 30 cm
Maximum Magnification 0.26x 0.18x
Optical Design 14 Elements in 10 Groups 12 Elements in 8 Groups
Diaphragm Blades 11, Rounded 9, Rounded
Aperture Ring Yes Yes
Focus Type Dual XD Linear Motors XD Linear Motor
Image Stabilization No No
Price (USD) $1,398 $998

Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM ($1,398) and Sony FE 35mm F1.4 ZA ($998) both offer excellent optical performance but the GM offers considerably better corner sharpness. Thanks to its four XD Linear AF motors, the Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM offers faster autofocus and much smoother bokeh due to use of two XA (eXtreme Aspherical) elements. Sony dropped the price of the FE 35mm F1.4 ZA $600 after the release of FE 35mm F1.4 GM so the GM will set you back $400 more than its Zeiss brother.

Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM -vs- Sigma 35mm f/1.2 DG DN Art

Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM -vs- Sigma 35mm f/1.2 DG DN Art comparison

Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM ($1,398) and Sigma 35mm f/1.2 DG DN Art ($1,499) both offer excellent optical performance. The Sigma 35mm F1.2 Art is half a stop faster, but considerably larger and double the weight at 2.4 lbs. Thanks to its four XD Linear AF motors, the Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM offers faster autofocus and much smoother bokeh due to use of two XA (eXtreme Aspherical) elements. Sigma 35mm F1.2 Art will set you back a hundred bucks more.

Lens Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM Sigma 35mm f/1.2 DG DN Art
Dimensions (ø x L) 3.0 x 3.8″ / 76 x 96 mm 3.5 x 5.4″ / 88 x 136mm
Weight 1.2 lb / 524 g 2.4 lb / 1090 g
Filter Size 67mm (Front) 82mm (Front)
Minimum Focus Distance 9.8″ / 25 cm 11.81″ / 30 cm
Maximum Magnification 0.26x 0.19x
Optical Design 14 Elements in 10 Groups 17 Elements in 12 Groups
Diaphragm Blades 11, Rounded 11, Rounded
Aperture Ring Yes Yes
Focus Type Dual XD Linear Motors Rotational Stepping Motor
Image Stabilization No No
Price (USD) $1,398 $1,499

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