Photo: E.Herrera (CC BY 2.0)
DT 50mm F1.8 SAM
- 50mm
- f/1.8
- Prime
- 170 g
- Min focus 0.34 m
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Quick answer
A short telephoto prime for APS-C A-mount with a bright f/1.8 aperture. It weighs about 170 g and has a 49mm filter thread.
Pros
- Fast f/1.8 aperture
- Small and light
- Close focus of 0.34 m
- Quiet SAM autofocus
Cons
- Plastic mount and body
- APS-C only
- Tight for indoor use on crop bodies
Verdict
A light portrait lens for APS-C A-mount, good if you want a longer prime.
About this lens
A 50mm f/1.8 fast standard prime lens, the Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM is designed for Sony A mount bodies. The natural field of view suits street, documentary and everyday photography.
Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM specifications
- Brand
- Sony
- Mount
- Sony A
- Focal length
- 50mm
- Maximum aperture
- f/1.8
- Lens type
- Prime
- Format coverage
- aps-c
- Released
- 2009
- Optical construction
- 6 elements in 5 groups
- Aperture blades
- 7
- Autofocus motor
- SAM
- Minimum focus distance
- 0.34 m
- Maximum magnification
- 0.2x
- Filter thread
- 49 mm
- Weight
- 170 g
- Length
- 45 mm
Specification source: dyxum.com
What can you shoot with the Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM?
- Portraits on APS-C
- Low-light work
- Beginners wanting shallow depth of field
Its fast maximum aperture helps in dim light and gives good subject separation.
Full-frame equivalent and field of view
Calculated from the focal length and crop factor. Not measured.
| Sensor | Crop | Equivalent | Horizontal FOV | Diagonal FOV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| APS-C | 1.5x | 75mm | 27° | 32.2° |
Frequently asked questions
What sensor size does the Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM cover?
It covers APS-C, where it frames like a roughly 75mm lens on full frame. That is a short telephoto, which suits portraits.
Is the Sony DT 50mm f/1.8 sharp at f/1.8?
It is usable at f/1.8 and sharpens noticeably when stopped down a stop or so. Fine detail is softest wide open.
Can the DT 50mm f/1.8 be used on a full-frame A-mount body?
It will mount, but it is made for APS-C, so full-frame bodies like the A99 crop the image to the smaller area.
Alternatives for Sony A from other brands
All Sony A lensesSame mount, overlapping focal range, closest maximum aperture first.
