Sony Carl Zeiss Planar T* 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM vs Minolta AF 50mm f/1.7
Side-by-side comparison from our catalogue data. Better values are highlighted only where a clear difference exists.
Verdict at a glance
- Sony Carl Zeiss Planar T* 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM is faster by 10.3 stops (f/1.4 vs f/50.0), letting in more light.
- Minolta AF 50mm f/1.7 is lighter by 308g.
- Sony Carl Zeiss Planar T* 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM is the newer design (2013 vs 1985).
| Spec | Carl Zeiss Planar T* 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM | AF 50mm f/1.7 |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Sony | Minolta |
| Mount | Sony A | Sony A |
| Type | Prime | Prime |
| Focal length | 50mm | 50mm |
| Max aperture | f/1.4 (faster) | f/50.0 |
| Released | 2013 | 1985 |
| Blades | 9 | 7 |
| Format | full-frame | full-frame |
| Groups | 5 | 5 |
| Af motor | SSM | screw-drive |
| Elements | 8 | 6 |
| Weight g | 518 | 210 (lighter) |
| Filter mm | 72 | 49 |
| Length mm | 71.5 | 38.0 |
| Min focus m | 0.45 | 0.45 |
| Weather sealed | Yes | n/a |
| Max magnification | 0.14 | 0.15 |
Sony Carl Zeiss Planar T* 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM
A Zeiss-designed 50mm f/1.4 for A-mount with a ring-type SSM autofocus motor. It is listed in its specifications as dust and moisture resistant and takes 72mm filters.
Pros
- Fast f/1.4 aperture
- SSM autofocus with manual override
- Dust and moisture resistant build
- 9-bladed aperture
Cons
- Large and heavy for a 50mm at about 518 g
- Large and heavy compared with a 50mm f/1.8
Minolta AF 50mm f/1.7
Minolta's original AF 50mm f/1.7, a light screw-drive lens for the A-mount. It weighs about 210 g and takes 49mm filters.
Pros
- Light at 210 g
- f/1.7 aperture
- 49mm filters
Cons
- Slow screw-drive AF
- Soft wide open