Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM
Announced January 13, 2021
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
The Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM is a sharp, versatile prime lens that delivers excellent image quality and reliable autofocus in a compact, weather-sealed body. Although it exhibits noticeable focus breathing and carries a premium price, it remains a top-tier choice for photographers seeking consistent performance across various genres.
Weighted from 38 reviewer scores
Pros
- Fast, quiet, and reliable autofocus performance
- Relatively compact and lightweight design
- Sturdy build quality with weather sealing and useful physical controls
- Smooth, pleasing bokeh and circular aperture rendering
- Exceptional sharpness and image quality across the frame even at wide apertures
Cons
- Pronounced focus breathing during operation
- High price point compared to alternatives
- Noticeable vignetting at wider apertures
- Presence of longitudinal chromatic aberration
- Launch price $1,399.99 (USD)
- Focal length & aperture 35mm f/1.4
- Mount & coverage Sony E Full-Frame
- Stabilization None
- Close focus 25 cm (0.26x)
- Filter thread 67mm
- Autofocus motor Linear motor
- Weight & size 524g (1 lb 2.5 oz) · 76 x 96 mm (2.99 x 3.78 in)
What the Reviewers Say
All 38 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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- DPReview 92/100
The Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM is a fantastic option for photographers of all types who are looking for a high-quality, fast 35mm option for Sony E-mount.
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Like the 24 1.4 GM before it, Sony’s created another very well-corrected lens that’s sharp across the frame even wide-open.
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This new lens from Sony is fantastic. It's easily one of the sharpest 35mm lenses I've ever seen, and it has stellar control over chromatic aberration and flare, with very pleasing bokeh.
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Sony’s FE 35mm f/1.4 GM is, like its 24mm and 135mm stablemates, a truly stunning lens.
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It was only a matter of time until Sony added a 35mm f/1.4 lens to the GM family.
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My experience is that compact, lightweight lenses just get used more often. I’m more likely to pack them for trips or excursions where I’m taking multiple lenses.
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[T]he Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM gets more than just a clean bill of health. It's a really well-done 35mm optic.
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I don't doubt we deal here with an outstanding lens which fully deserves our 'Editor's Choice' badge. I just wish there were more of such products on the market!
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The Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM lens is the MVP in my photography kit now, making up 80% of my field time mounded on-camera.
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This is the 17th 35mm lens I reviewed here and it might easily be the best of them. It is really hard to find a flaw with this lens, I would have to name the high vignetting stopped down or the high price, but then neither is unreasonable.
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If you really love the 35mm focal length and you somehow still haven't got a 35mm prime in your collection, then we'd heartily recommend the Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM as the best all-round 35mm lens for Sony Alpha camera owners.
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Two things really stand out, though. The first is it’s size – it’s not small, but it’s nothing like some of the f/1.4 monsters we’ve seen recently, including Sony’s existing Distagon T* FE 35mm f/1.4 ZA.
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The Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM lives up to its premium billing with absolutely exquisite optics and a sturdy, professional build.
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The Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM is an incredibly versatile lens that could arguably be used for more photographic genres than any other focal length.
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[T]his is another extremely high-end amazing lens from Sony, which we've come to expect from them so much.
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With the Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM, Sony has combined exceptional optics with some amazing autofocus performance. You really do get the best of both worlds with this lens.
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I see this 35 G Master following in the 24's footstep, trying to replicate its success being small, compact, f/1.4 and sharp.
- Photo Review 9.0/10
The FE 35mm f/1.4GM is a strong performer and well worth considering by owners of Sony’s FE mount cameras who want a fast prime lens with a moderately wide angle of view.
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In my limited time holding, shooting, testing this lens very quickly, it's a G Master and there's no question that Sony G Master lenses are incredible.
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This new 35mm F1.4 feels like a must-have for serious E-mount shooters want a versatile focal length that will provide them with amazing image quality and sharpness and pro-level performance to go along with their Sony mirrorless camera system.
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35 f/1.4 GM is another outstanding prime from Sony. This performance is not as shocking as it was with 24 GM back in 2018, but it is excellent overall for all intended purposes.
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So should you invest? Is this lens worth it? It's absolutely worth it. If you've loved the 24mm f/1.4, you're going to absolutely rave for that lens.
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As you can tell, it takes amazing images. It's a great lens and we use it on full frame as well as APS-C to see the 35 and then sort of like a 50 millimeter equivalent.
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I have grown to love and appreciate the Sony 35mm f/1.4 GM, and I doubt I will ever part ways with it.
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This tough Sony FE 35/1.4 GM is ultrasharp, especially corner-to-corner wide-open at f/1.4, and handles very well as a native Sony E lens.
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It's a fantastic lens. I highly recommend it.
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This is the Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM lens, and if I had to pick just one lens in this entire system, it might just be this one.
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A little over a week ago, Sony announced their newest Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM lens, and since then I've been using it with the Sony A7R IV, and to be honest, I don't want to take this lens off the camera.
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It irks me a bit that I really liked the Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM as I inevitably compare it to my current setup with a Fujifilm APS-C-based camera and lens.
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With a number of options to choose from in the 35mm focal range, Sony had to make something special to entice serious enthusiasts and professional content creators.
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This is the Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM lens and if I had to pick just one lens in this entire system it might just be this one.
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If you can justify the price, you probably won't find a better 35mm lens for Sony cameras.
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I know that I can rely on it on every possible occasion. And as I said before, it is more expensive than its competitors, but what you're getting is 100% perfection.
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So my final impressions on the Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM, apart from the minor lens breathing issue, there is virtually nothing wrong with this lens. Super light, super sharp and has fantastic usability.
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That is a genuinely good lens for the money. But for me, the size, the autofocus and the image quality coming out of such a small package make the Sony 35 GM a no-brainer. It is an easy recommendation, exactly like Sony’s 24.
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It's the Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM, a great all-around lens, especially if you love to shoot video. I could completely recommend this lens to you guys [...]
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The Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM is a great lens that I would use primarily for portrait.
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The Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM is the most premium Sony 35mm lens available. It has very strong features as it should with that GM badge; it has great build quality, the image quality, very reliable autofocus, clean bokeh, and really good chromatic aberration and flare control [...]
