Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM
Announced February 26, 2019
PixelMeter The PixelMeter is our 1–100 aggregate of reviewer scores from trusted publications and creators. Weighted by source tier — not a raw average, and not PetaPixel’s own review.
Reviewer Consensus
Exceptional
Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM is a highly regarded prime lens that delivers exceptional sharpness and smooth bokeh for portrait and event photography. Although it is a significant investment and features a substantial, front-heavy build, its optical performance and fast autofocus make it a standout tool for professionals.
Weighted from 34 reviewer scores
Pros
- Outstanding sharpness and high contrast across the frame
- Fast, silent, and accurate autofocus performance
- Beautiful, smooth bokeh rendition
- Professional build quality with weather sealing
- Useful physical controls including aperture ring and custom buttons
Cons
- High price point
- Heavy and bulky physical design
- Lacks built-in optical stabilization
- Front-heavy balance that can be cumbersome
- Limited versatility due to the 135mm focal length
- Launch price $1,898 (USD)
- Focal length & aperture 135mm f/1.8
- Mount & coverage Sony E Full-Frame
- Stabilization None
- Close focus 70 cm (0.25x)
- Filter thread 82mm
- Autofocus motor Linear motor
- Weight & size 950g (2 lb 1.5 oz) · 89.5 x 127 mm (3.52 x 5.00 in)
What the Reviewers Say
All 34 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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This is becoming a familiar narrative for Sony’s premium G Master series, but the fact remains they’ve done it again and produced another excellent lens that sets the bar at its focal length.
- OpticalLimits 9/10
The Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 FE delivers an almost impeccable performance. It is razor sharp at all relevant settings, and low lateral CAs help with the quality perception.
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I’ve reviewed a lot of Sony’s premium lenses over the past couple of years, and the firm continues to impress with its ability to make near-perfect optics.
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When a lens is as well-designed as this one, the purchase (or rent) decision comes down to whether or not the provided focal length is a useful addition to the kit and whether or not the price tag can be afforded.
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It is also the most exceptional of any of these lenses. It has no real vulnerabilities, and unseated the best 135mm lens that I have ever used previously – the Zeiss Milvus 135mm F2.
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[T]his Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM lens is a bit of a dream come true really. It's a majestic block of optical excellence.
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If you can manage to save up for the Sony 135mm f/1.8 GM, you’ll get to enjoy what is undoubtedly one of the prized lenses in Sony’s optical arsenal.
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Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the sharpest of them all? It is the Sony FE 1.8/135 GM, at least for all lenses that I have used yet. It is the first lens where nothing happens when I stop down except of decreasing vignetting and increasing diffraction.
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The thing about this lens is that you are getting Sony's premium optics, premium build quality, and premium performance and a lot of focus. Yeah, it's really sharp. It's fast and it also focuses really well in low light conditions.
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A pricey but superb lens for full frame Sony mirrorless users.
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If the 135mm focal length suits your particular way of working, then it's very easy to recommend the new FE 135mm f/1.8 GM lens.
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If I was a Sony shooter, this would be on my shelf and then a lot of times in my bag as well. Now in terms of portraits and pictures and real world shooting for action, I loved it.
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The Sony FE 135mm f1.8 GM is typical of Sony’s G Master lenses, which have earned a solid reputation for overall performance and image quality in general, and for beautiful bokeh in particular.
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Sony's pricey FE 135mm F1.8 GM lens incorporates the latest optical and focusing technologies to deliver sharp, crisp images.
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So honestly with this Sony new 135mm, I think it's a great lens and it is a practical lens for anybody shooting portraits for photography and weddings, and honestly I really liked it.
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Finding sharp lenses is not a problem with modern aspherical lenses. Finding good bokeh not so easy and that's definitely something that's desirable in a good portrait lens and this lens simply hasn't disappointed.
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If you want the best quality 135mm you can get, and shoot Sony, then this is your lens.
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The Sony 135mm f/1.8 came a time that I had given up on using a longer prime lens in my bag.
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I think for a lot of people it's gonna be a great tool, but not for me at this very moment.
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This Sony 135/1.8 is an exceptionally good lens.
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I'd say this lens is one of the absolute best lenses that I've tried so far.
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135mm (like myself), I’d go as far as to say this may be a must-have on the mirrorless list.
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After a few days and about a thousand images taken with this, I could tell you without a shadow of a doubt that it's gonna find a spot in my camera bag.
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I honestly can't stop raving about this lens. The colours and contrast were pleasing compared to other lenses I was using and the photos were extremely sharp.
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From all this, it should be quite apparent that I am in love with this lens. It is everything that you’d want and would need from a lens of this type.
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[I]f you appreciate razor sharp images, beautiful bokeh rendition and fast autofocus from a premium prime, which is suited to portraits, and a broader spectrum of subjects, then look no further.
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If you're a professional portrait photographer, whether you do portraitures, headshots, family photos, or weddings, I highly recommend this lens.
- Pav SZ 10/10
I think this lens deserves 10 out of 10 for the build and the quality performance, truly outstanding piece of kit, and this is it from me.
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[T]he Sony 135 and 1.8 G Master lens is a must-have portrait lens in our opinion.
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Once you have that 70-200mm, though, and you're looking to take your portrait shots to the next level, that is whenever I would consider picking up the 135mm and falling in love with this lens like I have with that.
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You get a stunning blur background for portraits in any case, which of course is ideal for weddings or business photos. Thanks to the 1.8 aperture, you'll get great shots even in low light.
- Wes Perry 43/50
[T]his is a solid lens, it's made of the right stuff, it has got to have a 10 out of 10 for build quality, easy peasy.
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Considering all aspects of this lens, this is the king of cinema look. Absolutely, this is perfect for filmmaking and portrait, especially for film.
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I think if you're looking for something to sit in your lens lineup and you don't have a 135 already, this lens is absolutely incredible.
