Compared to companies like Canon and Nikon, which produce f/1.2 and even f/1.0 full-frame camera lenses, Sony's E-mount lenses max out at f/1.4. But it's not that Sony can't match the faster lenses on the market -- it just doesn't see a need to.
Say it with me folks: Holy Bokeh Batman! Back in 2014, photographer Matt Granger got his hands on the Canon 50mm f/1.0—a legend of a lens that's accurately been described as, "wholly impractical and yet highly desirable"—and took it for a spin. See what this bokeh monster can do.
While there isn't much information available on it yet, Olympus seems to be playing with the idea of what would be the worlds fastest compact camera, according to Patent No. 2014-48359.
The Canon 50mm f/1.0 was the fastest SLR lens in production before it was discontinued in 2000 and replaced with the f/1.2. There aren't too many copies of this lens floating around on the used market, so photographers who want to use the ridiculous aperture it offers must pay a hefty premium in order to purchase one; the lenses commonly sell for two or three times the original retail value.
When reader Bryan Soderlind switched from film to digital a while back, he decided to splurge and go "all the way" by buying a 50mm f/1.0 for a little over $3,000 -- a relative bargain. The lens was in "impeccable shape" and was in focus even when using the razor sharp depth of field at f/1.0. Here are some of his thoughts on what it's like to use the lens, and some sample photos from his shoots.