DT 50mm f/1.8 Lens

Sal50f18
Model number: SAL50F18
Rated 4.7 out of 5 Stars
Take portrait shots like a pro with this small, lightweight telephoto zoom lens. A large aperture and fixed focal length make this an excellent lens for your APS-C sensor type camera.

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$ 179 .99

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Explore the world of portrait photography with this lightweight moderate telephoto lens. The wide f/1.8 maximum aperture helps your subject stand out by blurring cluttered backgrounds while the 75mm effective focal length (on APS-C camera) effectively frames your subject.

Please note: DT lenses are not recommended for use with full frame cameras.

Smooth Autofocus Motor (SAM)

The built-in Smooth Autofocus Motor (SAM) eliminates the need to use a mechanical coupling system in the camera body to transfer auto foucs (AF) drive power and control signals to the lens. Instead, AF control signals from the camera body are sent to the lens-mounted SAM unit, which drives the focusing lens group directly, helping to assure smooth AF response.

SteadyShot INSIDE™ In-Camera Image Stabilization

A major reason for its compact, lightweight lens design is the benefit of SteadyShot INSIDE™ in-camera image stabilization, built into every® α (alpha) DSLR camera -- and enabling lenses to eliminate the extra weight and expense of in-lens stabilization mechanisms.

ED (Extra-low Dispersion) Glass

To reduce chromatic aberration at telephoto extension, correcting certain wavelengths of light for sharp, clear images with well defined colors.

DT Lens Design

A more compact, lightweight lens designed specifically for the APS-C size imager used in some Sony® α (alpha) DSLR cameras.

Circular Aperture

Because aperture blades form a near circle at the wide openings used for low-light shots, spot-light sources have a pleasing circular defocused effect.

Product Specifications

Weights and Measurements

  • Dimensions (Approx.) : 2-6/8" × 1-6/8" (70 X 45mm)
  • Weight (Approx.) : 6 oz (170g)

Optics/Lens

  • Aperture (Max.) : f/1.8
  • Aperture (Min.) : f/22
  • Filter Diameter : 49mm
  • Lens Groups-Elements : 6 Elements / 5 Group
  • Minimum Focus Distance : 13" (0.34m)
  • Aperture Blade : 7 blades (Circular aperture)
  • Focal Length (35mm equivalent) : APS-C 35mm eqv. 75mm
  • Lens Weight : 6 oz (170g)

Service and Warranty Information

  • Limited Warranty Term : 2 Years, Parts & Labour

Focus Control

  • Focus System : Front focus SAM (Smooth AF motor)

Product Profile

Support

Product Warranty

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Product Reviews

Write a review

( Rated 4.7 out of 5 Stars AVERAGE RATING | 31 REVIEWS Ratings Snapshot )

Ratings Snapshot
5 star:
77%
(24)
4 star:
19%
(6)
3 star:
3%
(1)
2 star:
0%
(0)
1 star:
0%
(0)

27 of 31 (87%) customers would recommend this product to a friend

Rated 5.000000 out of 5 Stars Ratings Snapshot

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Performance
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Reviewer: Seva (Manchester, NH)

Date 5-Oct-2010

I've had this product for1-3 months

ITS OK LENS FOR THE MONEY

Pros: its nice that its a 1.8..

Cons: 50mm set is not great, and 1.8 is not low enough

This lens is ok, but a bit of a money waste, its really useless with the set zoom of 50mm, its not close enough in some cases and its too close in other cases.. if it had atleast a zoom of 18-50mm with f/1.8 then it would be well worth the money. plus the lens it self looks unprofessional and cheesy looking..

Rated 5.000000 out of 5 Stars Ratings Snapshot

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Reviewer: Blackriver (California)

Date 30-Jan-2010

I've had this product forless than a month

15of15 people found this helpful

Amazing value

Pros: Fast ISO, sharp, accurate color, fast and accurate AF

Cons: feels fragile

The 50mm f/1.8 has become a standard lens for all camera manufactures. The Sony holds it's own and arguably, if you believe several reviews I've read, surpasses most if not all of them including Canon and Nikon's. The one knock on the Sony vs. the others was the price $149 vs $115 for the Canon and $135 for the Nikon. I see now that Sony has it on sale for $124 making it an even better deal. I didn't believe it at first when I read that the Sony was superior to the Canon and Nikon in almost every category accept build. Now after shooting with this lens for 3-4 weeks I believe the reviews. This lens is very sharp and the auto focus is very fast and accurate with this lens attached to my A330. The build is not such an important matter to me since I don't find myself in harsh or rugged shooting situations. This for me is a nice still life or portrait lens and it does well as both. I uploaded both a still life shot and a candid portrait as my examples each of which was shot at standard room lighting without a flash. My one small grip is the focal length itself. Since this is a DT lens intended for APS-C sensor cameras the focal length (a 75mm equivalent to a 35mm or full size sensor) is a bit long. In other words for a DT lens something like a 40mm would have been nice but since there is no such thing this is the closest I could come. The 75mm (35mm equivalent) does make it a great focal length for portrait shots however when using a cropped sensor camera. The lens is so nice Sony practically made it the best reason to not buy the more expensive 50mm f1.4 The only reasons I could think of to possibly spend the extra money are if you do shoot in harsh situations and need the extra build quality or if your using a full frame camera. In short, practically a must have lens especially at the price.

Reviewer Images: (click to see full-size image)

Rated 4.000000 out of 5 Stars Ratings Snapshot

Ratings Snapshot
Performance
80%
Design
60%
Reliability
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Value
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Reviewer: pulseHEAD (Pittsburgh, PA)

Date 17-Jun-2010

I've had this product forless than a month

6of7 people found this helpful

Good lens for the price

Pros: Great for lower light

Cons: 75mm distance is a little long

This lens is exactly what you'd expect. It performs well, especially given the price. Images generally come out pretty well. Limited depth of field definitely adds a nice touch to many issues. The build quality is not the best, but as the cheapest lens in the Sony lineup, I think that's expected. Autofocus is generally accurate and is acceptably quick. The only thing that I would say is that the 50mm f/1.4 lens is a significant step up in build and image quality, especially at the larger apertures - so if you have the extra money to spend, I'd recommend the more expensive lens. Still, at the low price of $150, this is going to provide a very large step up in image quality from the kit zoom.

Reviewer Images: (click to see full-size image)

Rated 3.000000 out of 5 Stars Ratings Snapshot

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Reviewer: tulip

Date 9-Aug-2011

I've had this product foren_CA, SonyStyleText, REVIEWS_Have_Had_Product_For_

5of103 people found this helpful

not a telephoto lens

Pros: fixed focus

Cons: not a telephoto lens

Sony advertizes this as a telephoto lens, but it is a fixed focus lens. is this characteristic of other sony advertising claims?

Rated 5.000000 out of 5 Stars Ratings Snapshot

Ratings Snapshot
Performance
80%
Design
100%
Reliability
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Value
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Reviewer: bobfromguam

Date 18-Feb-2011

I've had this product forless than a month

5of5 people found this helpful

Great Lens

Pros: Light, Cheap, Good Optics, smooth.

Cons: Not perfect but no lens is.

Its a great lens to have at all times, makes for the most candid moment pictures and works very very well in low light situations.Pulls great detail, and is so inexpensive why would you not have it.

Rated 4.000000 out of 5 Stars Ratings Snapshot

Ratings Snapshot
Performance
80%
Design
80%
Reliability
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Value
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Reviewer: nospaces (Charlotte, NC)

Date 30-Oct-2010

I've had this product for1-2 years

5of11 people found this helpful

Terminology issues...

Pros: great low-light / focus performance.

Cons: product description misleading to newbies

Come on, Sony - you guys are a powerhouse in the electronics industry, but you can't provide an accurate product description?!? This lens IS a TELEPHOTO on DT, and IT IS NOT A ZOOM LENS! I owned this lens, provides great bokeh, mechanics are good but plasticky, but that's ok, it's not like you'll be shooting it on a Nikon F5 or something...

Rated 5.000000 out of 5 Stars Ratings Snapshot

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Performance
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Reviewer: ooqa (WA)

Date 17-Apr-2011

I've had this product for6-12 months

2of3 people found this helpful

Great lens, for a great price

Pros: Light, extremely low chromatic aberration,

Cons: None

I’ve had this lens for about a year now and everything has been great so far, it allows you to take macros with amazing bokeh just as well razor sharp landscapes. The price is great, the only problem for me so far is been that the focus ring is a little small and to close to the edge of the lens and sometimes I get my finger onto the filter and then I have to clean it again, just be careful with that, specially with the Zeiss filters which are extremely hard to clean.

Reviewer Images: (click to see full-size image)

Rated 5.000000 out of 5 Stars Ratings Snapshot

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Reviewer: Shikage (San Rafael, CA)

Date 26-Nov-2009

I've had this product forless than a month

Wow

Pros: DOF, f/1.8!

Cons: none yet.

I just received my order for this lens and I have to say that it is spectacular. The photos are so crisp and clean, I love them. The only sort of confusing thing is the AF/MF on the actual lens itself. I cannot wait to get out and shoot some portraits with this bad boy!

Reviewer Images: (click to see full-size image)

Rated 5.000000 out of 5 Stars Ratings Snapshot

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Reviewer: psyclopps (Boulder, CO)

Date 31-Dec-2009

I've had this product forless than a month

7of7 people found this helpful

Loving this so far

Pros: Low light, ease of use

Cons: Size, materials

Had this for a day and am loving it so far. The low light performance is a godsend coming from the 18-70 kit that I had before. Did not see any low light examples in the other reviews so I posted some quick examples of my car at night. The lens is very sharp at most ranges. Kind of soft details at 1.8f but this is expected for a fast lens. For the price this lens is an amazing value!

Reviewer Images: (click to see full-size image)

Rated 5.000000 out of 5 Stars Ratings Snapshot

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Reviewer: JustMe007 (Show me State)

Date 1-Sep-2009

I've had this product for1-3 months

5of5 people found this helpful

Absolutely heavenly

Pros: Price, Weight, ease

Cons: none

I purchased this lenses about 1 month ago. I have just want to take it out every chance I get the quailty of the pictures brings a new depth to how you see everyday things!!!!

Reviewer Images: (click to see full-size image)

Response from Sony Style

By DevonO, Sony Style, 3-Nov-2009

Hi JustMe007. I wanted to send you a quick shout out and thank you for sharing the amazing photos! Thanks again!

Rated 5.000000 out of 5 Stars Ratings Snapshot

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Performance
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Reviewer: LHardy (Piermont, NY)

Date 30-Jul-2009

I've had this product forless than a month

12of12 people found this helpful

A Revelation

Pros: Fast Aperture, Great Auto focus, lovely soft bokeh.

This is a great Lens ive had it on my A350 for an evening and already i know its going to up the ante in my photographic work! the depth of field is as shallow as youd ever need it and the speed gained from that big aperture is just amazing! never thought i'd use anything less than ISO800 indoors without flash! A must have lens for any APS-C Alpha owner.

Reviewer Images: (click to see full-size image)

Rated 5.000000 out of 5 Stars Ratings Snapshot

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Reviewer: Ttom (Charlottesville, Virginia)

Date 5-Feb-2013

I've had this product forless than a month

3of3 people found this helpful

Incredible

Pros: inexpensive, fast, sharp

Cons: none that I can see

This lens is fantastic. The photos are sharp, and it's fast so you can easily capture those shots in lower light. A no brainer, this should be one of the first lenses you add to your collection.

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Rated 5.000000 out of 5 Stars Ratings Snapshot

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Reviewer: aloykatos (Greece)

Date 18-Dec-2011

I've had this product for3-6 months

15of15 people found this helpful

The best bet for the buck!

Pros: Really sharp, Great Low Light Capabilities, Very Lite, Generally Awesome Quality

Cons: Too much plastic(expected for the price), A little noisy motter

I can get really great quality pictures with this fantastic lens. The sharpness is exceptional. And the price is as low as it can get. The only problem is the build quality, there is too much plastic but it's excepted when you see the price point. The autofocus moter is a little noisy but you can live with it.

Rated 5.000000 out of 5 Stars Ratings Snapshot

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Reviewer: NARA (El Paso, TX)

Date 26-Sep-2010

I've had this product for1-3 months

18of20 people found this helpful

1.4 vs 1.8....Chose to keep the 1.8

Pros: Great Value

Cons: not as sturdy as the 1.8

Very impressed...for the money you can't lose. I wanted to compare the 1.4 vs the 1.8 because I couldn't choose...so I bought both...took shots with low light, also bokeh shots. I honestly didnt' see a difference...I attached some test shots...I returned the 1.4 without hesitation...and kept the 1.8. If you want better build qualtiy and maybe a little little bit faster shutter speed in lowlight..then go for the 1.4, but save money and get the 1.4 because its ALMOST the same minus the build quality and a few hardly noticable diff.

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Rated 5.000000 out of 5 Stars Ratings Snapshot

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Reviewer: HoustonPhotograph (Houston,TX)

Date 14-Feb-2011

I've had this product forless than a month

2of3 people found this helpful

Best for face pictures

If you want to take pictures of your kids or wife or friends, you need this Product

Rated 5.000000 out of 5 Stars Ratings Snapshot

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Performance
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Design
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Reviewer: DewmanFu (Texas)

Date 29-Dec-2009

I've had this product forless than a month

4of5 people found this helpful

Outstanding value and quality

Pros: clarity, color rendition, price

Cons: plastic lens mount

I recently got this lens and I have to say it is rapidly becoming one of my favorites. The color rendition is superb and its tack sharp. For the money it's hard to beat. My only quibble and it's a small one is I'd still prefer a metal lens mount, but this lens does feel solid. It's light but that does not have to mean "cheap". A home run for Sony

Reviewer Images: (click to see full-size image)

Rated 5.000000 out of 5 Stars Ratings Snapshot

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Performance
100%
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Reviewer: BabyJizay (NY,NY)

Date 16-May-2011

I've had this product for1-3 months

9of9 people found this helpful

EXCELLENT LENS FOR THE PRICE

Pros: GREAT BOKEH, SHARP, GREAT VALUE

I am an amateur but when I use this lens on my A33 people always think the photos are professional. I have the 18-55 and the 70-300, and the image quality does not compare. I love this lens!!

Rated 5.000000 out of 5 Stars Ratings Snapshot

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Reviewer: Juice5115 (Minnesota)

Date 10-May-2011

I've had this product forless than a month

1of1 people found this helpful

Excellent Lens, Excellent Price!

Pros: Price, Weight

Cons: None so far...

Awesome lens for portrait photography. I haven't had the chance to play with it a ton yet but so far I love what I've seen!

Rated 5.000000 out of 5 Stars Ratings Snapshot

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Reviewer: pr4n4y (RTP,NC)

Date 27-Mar-2012

I've had this product for3-6 months

16of17 people found this helpful

one lens to rule them all

Pros: inexpensive

Cons: none

this is the only lens I ever use. I use it for landscape, portraits, even macro (hah!). throw away the kit lens and buy this, worth every penny.

Rated 5.000000 out of 5 Stars Ratings Snapshot

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Reviewer: adam1134 (San Antonio, TX)

Date 17-May-2011

I've had this product for3-6 months

12of12 people found this helpful

Awesome portraits

Pros: Dramatic effects for portraits and close ups. Price.

Cons: no zoom - being a fixed focal point lens this was a gimme..

For only $150, this is a great lens. The focus area is extremely narrow so you can et some great affect. Highly recommend.

Reviewer Images: (click to see full-size image)

Rated 5.000000 out of 5 Stars Ratings Snapshot

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Reviewer: despondentother (Falls Church, VA)

Date 21-Jan-2010

I've had this product for1-3 months

3of4 people found this helpful

Great Addition at a great price.

Pros: Great in low light, fast, light weight, great price.

Cons: None for me

Immediately loved this lens the first time I used it. Have been using it ever since and just recently used it at a wedding in low light situations and it performs great!!!

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Rated 5.000000 out of 5 Stars Ratings Snapshot

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Reviewer: shutterbugmarkland (San Antonio)

Date 26-May-2011

I've had this product forless than a month

7of9 people found this helpful

I love it!!!!!

Pros: Excellent quality and more

Cons: none

My lens arrived yesterday and immediately I started taking photos. My best subject was my dog, Seanluke. I love the speed and I prefer B&W, so I set my camera to ISO 100 and my photos came out fantastic!! I have the first A100 model and I had to adjust my settings, but thats fine. This lens has captured what I am looking for in a photo. Real time and softness in the background. It reminds me when I worked in the dark room. I miss film and this lens come just a close in a digital format. I love it!

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Rated 4.000000 out of 5 Stars Ratings Snapshot

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Reviewer: Adhitya (Bali, Indonesia)

Date 11-Jul-2011

I've had this product for3-6 months

7of9 people found this helpful

Good Prime Lens

Pros: Nice Bokeh, Good Price, MFD, Very Sharp (at f/2.2), Very Light

Cons: Build Quality (like a toy), Noisy AF motor

Great prime lens for aps-c camera, nice bokeh and very sharp at f/2.2. But the AF motor is so noisy, build quality so poor.

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Rated 5.000000 out of 5 Stars Ratings Snapshot

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Reviewer: Ngumeister (Herndon, VA)

Date 11-May-2010

I've had this product forless than a month

5of5 people found this helpful

Amazing!

Pros: Great images, Low Light capable. fast shutter speeds, great with bounce flash

Cons: no zoom capabilities

for the past 3 months I had been on the tip of the iceberg deciding whether or not I wanted to purchase this glass. Once I saw it go on sale, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to try it out! I have to admit I am impressed. I have been using a 18-200mm zoom lens for all my shots, becuase I thought it'd make a great all around lens. It is, but this lens completely blows image quality comparison out of the water. with the examples I have, I rarely ever see myself changing lens anytime soon. I've been using this lens with a bounce flash and takes the pictures to a new level. I have had no regrets with this purchase and I recommend it to anyone who take pictures of people mainly

Reviewer Images: (click to see full-size image)

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VIEW FOOTNOTES

© 2009 Sony Electronics Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Sony, α and HDNA, are trademarks of Sony. All other trademarks are trademarks of their respective owners. Non-metric weights and measurements are approximate and may vary.