Lens ReviewMorten Byskov - 5050 TravelogJune 29, 2026Sony A7 V sample images, Sony FE 50-150mm f/2 GM review, Sony FE 50-150mm f/2 GM sample images, Sony FE 50-150mm f/2 GM sample photos, Sony FE 50-150mm f/2 GM samples, Sony 50-150mm review, Sony 50-150mm f2 review, Sony FE 50-150mm f2 review, sony 50-150mm sample imagesComment

Sony FE 50-150mm f/2 GM Review

The Sony FE 50-150mm f/2 GM mounted on a Sony A7 V — Sony A7 V and Sony FE 50-150mm f/2 GM

The Sony FE 50-150mm f/2 GM: This One Deserves Your Attention

Given the nature of my job as a camera/lens reviewer, I check other photography news sites daily to see if anything interesting has been announced or is on the horizon.

If you do the same, you will know it is far in between that something really interesting pops up. Often we are looking at refresh lenses, copies of known formulas, or well-known focal lengh ranges for zoom lenses.

Once in a while, however, something eye-popping arrives that deserves a second look. This was certainly the case when the Sony FE 50-150mm f/2 GM was announced.

The question is: Does it deserve the attention? It comes with a hefty price tag, and to some, it may have an oddball focal-length range. Let’s take a closer look to see what it’s all about.

Sony FE 50-150mm f/2 and Sony A7 V — Sony A7 V and Sony FE 50-150mm f/2 GM

Introduction

The Sony FE 50-150mm f/2 GM was introduced just over two years ago in April of 2025. It stands out for having a fast f/2 aperture throughout a commonly used focal lengh range, from a standard 50mm to a medium telephoto 150mm.

For years now, 70-200mm f/2.8 lenses have been a popular choice among pro or enthusiast photographers looking for a fast zoom lens with telephoto reach (Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II, $3,098.00). Tamron also has the 35-150mm f/2-2.8, which is praised by many photographers ($1.699.00).

However, the Sony FE 50-150mm f/2 GM puts a new spin on this segment, as it offers f/2, one extra stop over typical 70-200mm f/2.8 zooms but with a slightly short reach.

Thanks to Sony Canada for letting me try the lens for a few days. Sony has not provided any input or narrative for this review, which is based solely on my opinion.

At the time this review was posted, the Sony FE 50-150mm f/2 GM retailed for $3,998.00.

Summer Breeze fishing boat, Steveston. Sample image from a Sony FE 50-150mm f/2 GM and Sony A7 V. — Steveston, BC, Sony A7 V, Sony FE 50-150mm f/2 GM @ f/4, 95mm

Handling and Build Quality

The Sony FE 50-150mm f/2 GM is the best-feeling and nicest-looking Sony lens I have encountered so far, and it rates right up there with the best handling and best build quality of any lens I have tried.

Everything is very well executed, from the super-smooth zoom ring to the way the hood looks and mounts, to how the tripod collar feels.

I took the lens to our monthly Cameras and Coffee meetup, and the consensus among fellow photographers who usually lean towards top-end Leica gear was that this lens looks and feels quite special.

I got a similar reaction from my Nikon buddy, Chris, who said this lens is missing from the Nikon lineup and, after trying it, mentioned it could be the one lens that makes him switch to Sony. It was a nice compliment to the lens, but in all seriousness, he would not switch brands if push came to shove.

A Canadian soccer supporter on Granville Street in Vancouver, 2026 FIFA World Cup. Sample image from a Sony FE 50-150mm f/2 GM and Sony A7 V. — Granville Street, Vancouver Sony A7 V, Sony FE 50-150mm f/2 GM @ f/2.8, 87mm

At 2.9 lb (1340 g), the FE 50-150mm feels solid and well-built, but it is also a commitment to carry it for longer periods. In my eyes, this lens has work written all over it. It’s a lens you bring out when you need the flexibility of the zoom range and the fast f-stop. With that in mind, the weight is acceptable knowing what you get in return.

The FE 50-150mm is feature-rich with four XD linear AF motors, floating focus, and internal zoom. It has aperture de-click, a favorite for videographers. The rounded 11-blade diaphragm blades should ensure nice bokeh. More about this below.

Sony FE 50-150mm f/2 GM and Sony A7V — Sony A7 V and Sony FE 50-150mm f/2 GM

In Action

I had three outings with the Sony FE 50-150mm f/2 GM and only wished I had had more time to include sports or portrait work in the sample images.

However, I did get a pretty good feel for some general travel-style, event, and live music photography. For travel photography, the 50-150mm was perhaps a bit of overkill, although I quite like the images it could produce.

The second outing was before-and-after street action along Granville Street in Vancouver during the 2026 FIFA World Cup for Canada’s game versus Qatar.

For this event, I also had two other lenses and ended up using them more than the FE 50-150mm. The two lenses were the FE 20-70mm f/4 G and 40mm f/2.5 G. For this type of event, I prefer shorter focal lengths, but it was nice to have the 50-150mm for variety.

The best use-case scenario I encountered was covering a jazz trio in a small café. The focal lengh range for this live music event was ideal and gave me great flexibility, and I sense that a 70-200mm would have been overkill and a bit slow for this at f/2.8.

With the 50-150mm f/2, I was in the ISO 2000-6400 range with a shutter speed of 1/250 on my Sony A7 V. I probably could have lowered my shutter speed a tad but felt I didn’t have to with an f/2 lens at hand. At f/2.8, the depth of field wouldn’t be as shallow, and I would have moved into ISO 12800 territory.

The trumpet player with Jacz at Aperture Coffee in Vancouver. Sample image from a Sony FE 50-150mm f/2 GM and Sony A7 V. — Jacz Trio, Vancouver, Sony A7 V, Sony FE 50-150mm f/2 GM @ f/2, 1/250, ISO 3200, 88mm

Image Quality

Sharpness, color, and contrast are excellent from my experience, and there is little, if anything, to complain about.

To my eyes, the bokeh, however, is not the most pleasing I’ve seen. It is not horrible by any length, but just a tad mushy.

For the boat shot below, I took the same shot with the FE 20-70mm f/4 G at 70mm and compared it to the 50-150mm f/2 @ f/2. At normal screen size, I was actually very impressed with the FE 20-70mm photo, but when pixel-peeping, the 50-150mm came out a clear winner, with more micro-contrast and overall clarity/contrast.

The sample images in this review can be viewed at up to 2500 pixels wide, depending on your monitor's resolution. Please click to view larger photos if you're viewing on your PC or laptop, or pinch-zoom if you’re viewing on your phone.

Fishing boat, Steveston Harbour. Sample image from a Sony FE 50-150mm f/2 GM and Sony A7 V. — Steveston, BC, Sony A7 V, Sony FE 50-150mm f/2 GM @ f/2, 70mm

Conclusion

It is easy to conclude that the Sony FE 50-150mm f/2 GM is a great lens, but it is much harder to conclude if it is the right choice for you.

Your use case may call for something completely different, and you have to factor in the hefty price tag of the FE 50-150mm f/2. I am not saying that the 50-150mm isn’t good value for the money, but there are many ways to spend four grand.

Personally, I’d prefer an FE 50mm f/1.4 GM and FE 85mm f/1.4 GM II combination ($3.150.00). These are lighter lenses, with one extra stop of light enabling a shallower depth of field and nicer bokeh. I do realize I won’t have the same reach, but I’d have another $850.00 to buy flowers for my wife after my excessive lens spending.

For other photographers, it could be a combination of an 85mm and 135mm lens if you need more reach.

As a one-and-done option, however, the 50-150mm f/2 GM is tempting and ticks many boxes for photographers who like to minimize lens changes on a gig while maintaining the fast f/2 option.

Please see more sample images below

Pros

Build quality
Feature rich
Fast f/2 thoughout the zoom range

Cons

Hefty price tag

Price / Availability

Thank you for reading my review. If you are planning a purchase and would like to support us, you can do so at no additional cost by using the affiliate links below. A small commission goes to us, helping us keep the wheels turning at 5050 Travelog.

Check the current price at B&H Photo

Sony FE 50-150mm f/2 GM - B&H Photo
Sony A7 V - B&H Photo

Thank you for being supportive.