Sony SEL35F18 vs SEL50F18 Comparison

[@morrjr7258]

Your various videos on the Sony 35mm f1.8 have finally convinced me that I need one. Adding the 35 to my Sigma 16mm f1.4 and my Sony 18-135mm covers all the bases for me for the type of photography I do.

[@dreamnight-mq1zg]

Great review, however there is an important difference of background compression between the two lenses which you didn't mention. For some photographers, the longer focal length of the 50mm would be much more preferred over the 35mm when dealing with background compression. Having more background compression with the 50mm f1.8, would make the background less distracting and more pleasing than the 35mm f1.8. Background compression is a very important aspect of all lenses that should also be taken into consideration. Simply moving forward with the 35mm as you described, does not make the two lenses identical because the background compression would still be different. For me, i would rather favor the 50mm f1.8 over the 35mm f1/8 for portraits due to this fact. Just a point i figured would help aid your review better. Good job on the review. Keep up the great work.

[@mohsin_sait]

dreamnight4178 I don't understand why the 35mm is significantly more expensive than the 50mm.

[@steven2809]

dreamnight4178 Agreed. Exactly right. Also because you have to move closer with the 35mm to get the same image size the perspective of the face changes and is less flattering. There’s a reason professional portrait photographers use an 85mm on full frame.

[@zeroman614]

Mohsin Sait demand for 35mm is greater. It is a better lens for confined spaces and street photography.

[@hanifmacca]

valuable input even 3 years later, thanks. allowed me to make a decision btwn those 2 lenses. just coped myself a SELF5018 on ebay.

[@santaebagu1026]

35F18 is called "cafe lens" and 50F18 is called "girl friend lens" in Korea. becuz it depends on the place where we use each lends.

[@ArthurR]

Haha thats awesome! Cool info!

[@Tea-Spin]

이솔 what does "girlfriend lens" mean? lol

[@santaebagu1026]

The girlfriends lens means that if you take the pictual of your girlfriend (just example, because girlfriend is not real), 50F18 shows the best view of angle for her. It's just nickname you know, 50mm is good for portrait haha

[@Tea-Spin]

i see..hahaha

[@zizu6524]

definitely

[@drakeilt5776]

When I got my a6000 (I now have a a6300) I got both of these lenses: the 50mm for medium distance outdoors or large indoor rooms) and the 35 mm for low light indoors and medium distance. The 50 is definitely sharper than the long zoom lens at its minimum (50-210mm) and the 35 definitely helps indoors. I just wish they had a APC capable E mount 17-70mm at f2.8.

[@rajatparihar]

@Drakeil T Just curious to know did you find a big difference in going from a6000 to 6300. I am on the same boat and looking to upgrade my 6000 to 6300 but cant able to justify almost double price difference? Looking forward to your opinion.

[@timj.8056]

Hello! I liked the review of both lenses. I have both and I like them equally well. I also have the 18-105mm. All three lenses have some really good features but none are perfect. I use the 18-105 during the day and towards the evening I will shoot with the 35mm for wider any low light shots. I use the 50mm outside a lot especially in lower light. Video with the 35mm is outstanding! I do find I use the 18-105mm to zoom in and out and I feel I can be a little more versatile and creative. I guess it comes to down to your budget and what you absolutely need to do the job. . .

[@larastale]

After surfing down all reviews and articles, you are the one who could convince me to buy 35 mm over 50 mm. Thank you so muuch!! I bought 35 mm 3 days ago and never regret it 😁😁

[@INFOXlive]

Good review! If you are on limited budget and cannot afford both 50mm and35mm and you need lens for a more wide usage scenarios, 35mm is the best option, as you get good indoor/outdoor portraits and sort of wide angle lens in one. If you want sharper subject, stronger compression and space isn’t issue, 50mm gives a lot better result. An option is to rent both lenses for a day and test them on your real life scenarios before you make your decision.

[@grahammcdonald]

Totally agree. I have the 50, for. One/two person portrait shots the 50 has lower perspective distortion; people’s noses are smaller if you like. Having to step so far away is really inconvenient a lot of the time. The 35mm is more expensive for good reason. I imagine it’s lighter too.

[@dmb3428]

I have the 50mm for portraits and isolating objects in outdoor shots, i can see a use for both but it's hard for me to justify the cost of both. It's a toss up, move in closer or move farther away for portraits and objects. I do like the smaller size of the 35mm for walking around and shooting so I might use it more but I think the 50mm takes slightly better pics even if only a tiny amount. Judging from various comparison videos of 85mm vs 50mm for portraits I do find myself leaning towards the 85mm, but not having image stabilization on a 85mm would deem it strictly a tripod lens.

[@antonio.marasco]

I thinkg you might have misunderstood the purpose of the 50mm (75mm on crop) lens... Its a Portrait lens (even more if you are shooting on a a6000 because of the crop factor 1.5) and certainly not ment to shoot lots of ppl indoors... 35mm obviously (because its wider angle) is more suited to shoot groups of ppl... This means you are not comparing apples to apples... And btw. stepping closer to the object you are taking a picture of, will end up getting another kind of background (since objects are placed differently because of you being closer to the object.)

[@MsRAJDIP]

Antonio Marasco What will be best lense for taking landscape?

[@donalmonte231]

I agree.

[@donalmonte231]

@@MsRAJDIP you should go get a wider lens

[@etofok]

@@MsRAJDIP 16mm or less

[@charvelgtrs]

There is not enough of a difference to own both. Also, its always easier to move closer to your subject than back away giving the 35mm a huge edge. I'd say a 30 - 35mm for standard portraits + 85mm for super compressed portaits is the way to go.

[@StefanKaizur]

Watching this in 2020 during the pandemic. TY!

[@Brett.Simpson]

It should be noted that the 35mm and the 50mm are effectively 52.5mm and 75mm when converted with the 1.5x crop factor for Sony APS-C cameras compared to a true full frame 35mm camera.

[@401Orishas]

Brett Simpson Wrong. Those only apply to Full Frame lenses being used APSC bodies. APSC native E-Mount lenses remain as is.

[@caribbeanice2.0]

hmm.. Thank you. I did not know that

[@otterpopsyeah]

You're wrong there. While a 50mm lens is a 50mm lens regardless of the sensor, the field of view for a picture taken with a 50mm lens on an APS-C sensor is effectively the same as a picture taken on a full-frame sensor with a 75mm lens, regardless of if the lens is E-mount or EF-mount. Using an EF lens on an APS-C camera will produce the same exact result as using an E lens, however using an E lens on a full-frame camera will produce a shallower FOV (eg. 50mm E lens effectively becomes 75mm in APS-C or Full frame)

[@iiHazmat]

your a7rii has the 35mm sensor. It is going to be 35mm. If you had something like an a6000 when you use your 35mm it would be 52.5mm.

[@steven2809]

Oba X Totally incorrect.

[@kikoyu1710]

Thank you! Running forward is easier than running backwards to frame your subject. 35mm way to go.

[@markdemarte6744]

Thank you for this comparison video. I have both of these lenses. The 35mm is on my a6000 most of the time, but I switch to the 50mm when I'm doing a female model shoot. Both lenses are excellent.

[@noirdixneuf]

I decided to start learning more about photography and how to use my a6000 and I have enjoyed more of your videos than most of the "professional" photographers out there. You have a more engaging tone and less obnoxious high intensity transitions. Please keep it more of a homespace instead of the rapid fire regurgitation of detail and nonsense that most youtubers do. I am really learning a lot!

[@Supersisterfitness]

Thanks for the breakdown, very helpful!

[@yttean98]

Hi, Those who considering getting the SEL35mm should consider Sigma 30mm f1.4 you get an extra stop and it is very sharp indeed and a fraction wider suitable for indoor use. It is a highly regarded lens. I am considering getting it.

[@chewcheen]

tean tan I have the sigma 30 f1.4. It's good, but it looks like the Sony 35 is smaller, plus Sony has OSS, which I think negates the extra stop of the sigma. However I haven't tried the Sony, and I really like the 30mm focal length of the sigma. Tough call really!

[@lehongphat2030]

tean tan you are right. when it comes to this level you still got one more option, which is the Sigma 30mm. the great f4 stop will be the very first advantage of this lens but having watched the comparison between the two lens, I guess the 35mm is a better choice if you want to have a fast shot. I mean the Sigma is fast but its little snapier I guess and you know it couldnt be compared with the original Sony lens.

[@kitc.991]

I've been debating back and forth which one to buy for a while now, and your video helped me decide. Thanks. I think I'll be going with the 35 for versatility sake.

[@chr1staki]

My 35mm and the new a6600 is on its way! Can't wait to start shooting

[@meatzilla6129]

Dude I love you're reviews. So honest and so detailed.

[@DriveByReviews]

It's like pokemon; got to catch them all

[@mvp04nv]

Great review, I'm pretty new to photography and am buying my first lens for my A6300. I'm looking to do indoor portraits and this video was exactly what I needed detailing pros and cons of each lens as I was debating between 35mm or 50mm. Thanks for the help.

[@rebeccasreflections4947]

Thank you so much for your wonderful reviews! I recently bought the a6000, and plan on creating a lot of content for my channel with this particular camera. Have always been loyal to Sony, and I really appreciate the effort you put into your videos. This lens comparison helped me out a lot. Thank you, TM! 😊

[@shahbazubair]

Thanks for the comparison! Appreciate for the all the videos you have been posting for the last couple of months. Great job!

[@ArthurR]

Thanks for the support! More to come! :)

[@subzeroxvi]

Your videos are very informative and do a great job at explaining details! Keep it up!

[@iwanhaniyoto]

Finally I'm buying SEL3518, it's on sale around $300. Because of this video, I found 35mm it's more versalite in most situation than 50mm. Before have A6000, I have Canon 550D with 50mm F/1.8, sometimes this lens strees me out when taking group photos or on small room.

[@PrimeInChina]

The point is, lenses have different jobs and do some things better than others. Whether or not you can move in a certain situation doesn't reflect on which lens you should be using. On APSC when you are using a 35MM lens it is really good at waist and up. This is for if the person you are shooting has a good shape, you really want to show that off. If you are using a 50MM on APSC it is great for shoulders and up. Anything more than that and you are in portrait territory. An 85MM on APSC is good for when you want to flatter some people or show emotion on the face. Can you move back and forth? Sure, you could. But that isn't really the point.

[@GowithKelly]

You're videos are super helpful!! This was exactly my debate on which of these two to get!

[@Dinos0001]

I've had the 50mm for 3 years. It's a great lens for portraits but it's too tight for most situations. I wanted it for portraits on holidays but didn't make sense since you can't get much of your surroundings in the photo. Learnt this the hard way. Also tried using it in a wedding in a small church and I didn't have the room to fit the subjects in the photos. I think 50mm is great on FF but on a crop sensor it's too limiting. Shame there's a big price difference between the 35mm and the 50mm. That's the only reason I bought the 50mm.

[@JohnvanGurp]

Absolutely the best reviews around - you are my go-to for a6000 information! By the way I bough a 35mm and LOVE it! Cheers!

[@JamesHicks]

Been watching your videos for a little while now - great stuff man. Thanks for your efforts

[@HagaishiSama]

I had to get both, great for ever change the situations when you need that low light capability teamed with the sharpness and a professional look. And the dead on AF don't hurt ether

[@zadkiely7649]

Thanks so much! You've no idea how timely this review is. I have the 50,1.8 and was thinking of getting the 35,1.8. Thanks for making my final decision clear (:

[@ArthurR]

Nice! Glad it helped!

[@Bob-Campbell]

I just bought the 35mm and love it. I’d really like to see a comparison between that and the 85 1.8. The 50 just looks repetitive.

[@leoemmanuel9836]

Finally, right on time when i'm having so much doubt ^^

[@leoemmanuel9836]

everything become very clear when you put side by side comparison, thanks man!! i'll will pick the 35mm to be my prime partner

[@BF-qd3qt]

Awesome! Thanks for the video, man. Now I can purchase 35mm safely.

[@lorenzoocchipinti9120]

me too ;)

[@briancook8077]

Have to be honest, the auto focus really messes up the video. Manually focus first.

[@KeyToTheCityBeats]

Thanks for your videos mate. Watched many of them, and they have been really useful.

[@ArthurR]

Awesome, thanks for the kind words!

[@jfermins]

Great video, I really appreciate your videos. Thanks for all the hard work. Looking forward to the comparison between the kit and prime lenses.

[@onlyonecannoli3952]

Not true that both images look nearly the same when matching framing. If you look closely, the 35mm images have a wider field of view when matching the framing on the subject. Secondly, you will notice that the longer focal length of the 50mm results in more compression between the background and foreground. Lastly, if you get too close with the 35mm, you will run into a substantial amount of distortion that will make for a less than flattering portrait (bigger noise, wider face, etc.) You won't have these same problems with the 50mm at typical portrait distances. Lesson, on a crop sensor, use the 50mm for portraits and use the 35mm for full body shots, groups shots, available light photography, or those instances where you desire distortion as a creative effect.

[@honeyhong24]

Thanks so much for helping me to decide whether to get a 35mm or 50mm. I've been trying to decide which is more versatile. Great video!

[@D.Watcher828]

thank you for the explanation, I have put my eyes on those two lenses but now I'm sure which one should I get.

[@dipankarbarman5022]

Now I am sure about about my lens purchase. Thanks a lot!!

[@zachvd13]

Thanks. Exactly what I needed. I'm debating these two for indoor video use and I was worried about getting backed into a corner with the 50mm. I think I'll go with the 35mm.

[@kennypaul5801]

Very helpful! Thank you so much for this review!

[@alsokennisan]

Thank you for your video. You just made up my mind for me. Keep up the good work and I'm looking forward to seeing more great stuff from you

[@morelwilliams7133]

I think this is the best comparison I've seen, thank you!

[@leonardodecaprio3212]

Thanks for the reviews bro! 😎

[@PeoplesChoiceofficial]

the purpose of feeling in both are really different. If u just shoot things without feeling you can shoot with toaster. But those two are VERY different.

[@richardpcrowe]

Love my 50mm f/1.8 OSS lens. It is bright and contrasty and the AF is speedy and is very accurate with Eye-AF! Don't have the 35mm but, I use the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 with the Canon MC-11 adapter...

[@countdown5627]

This was the video I needed thank you 35 it is!

[@KimSamejima]

Thanks man! Very helpful and simple comparison for newbies!!

[@stang8913]

I have bought both of them. Thanks for the review.

[@TrishyaG.]

Thank you so much for this amazing video!! Great content and comparison. Learned a lot

[@alexmarkou936]

Could you compare the Sony 35mm to the sigma 30mm

[@ArthurR]

alex markou Perhaps, yes. I'll see what I can do.

[@eramilborres7436]

@technologyMafia, i 2nd the motion :-) i like your review coz it is short and informative. hoping you could do a review for sigma 30mm comparing to a sony 35mm (or 50mm). and pls pls pls, more comparison on still photos rather than video. coz we knew sigma 30mm has no oss. thanks and more power. keep up the good work. looking forward.

[@vizzierascal23]

Yeah I heard the sigma is slightly sharper , even though it's not as as fast with just f2.8

[@htxgladiator]

Yes please, but with the Sigma 30mm f1.4. I'm trying to decide between that and the Sony 35mm f1.8

[@a.b.editing3134]

agreed..Good Job w the reviews man

[@ivanwu6258]

idk why I just cant stand others doing review but I enjoy so much of ur video!!!!!!! btw hav u considered getting a telephoto zoom lens?

[@ArthurR]

Wow, thank you! I have thought about it. I have been looking at the 18-105G....

[@scrambagorg]

very helpful video. i bought the 35 but wanted something to verify my decision and this video did that. thank you!

[@blurayffan66]

Super helpful video- as I've been scratching my head on which one to buy. However, one thing which should be mentioned is that there is almost a $150/150 euro price difference between the 2 in most places I look. So I might go for the more affordable 50mm and keep the NEX-5R kit 16-50 for group pics. Thank you again and God Bless.

[@otromikro]

Hi, ordered mine two days ago near new in Amazon ;-) The concave element was a technique used by the very desired Carl Zeiss ULTRON 50mm F1.8; famous and expensive. Good review. Thank you. Like

[@lycu3272]

I've notice that the 35mm had the same kind of aperture blades with the Zeiss lens and the Kit lens. But the blades in 50mm are totally different

[@davidchien5305]

Thanks so much for your video! I was thinking so hard on which to get and now i'll get the 35mm. :)

[@analienundercover8207]

your channel is so damn good that is the first photography channel that I subscribe,, your sony lenses reviews helped me perfectly, nice channel for sony owners

[@abyher1724]

I'm gonna go with the 50mm OSS for my A6000

[@amorimjt]

That was a amazing review. Helped a lot! Thank you very much. I would like to ask you to make a video comparison between these two lenses. Or even put another lens you would find interesting. Sony a6000 is loved by youtubers. Would be nice to have some professional tips how to obtain better results with it.

[@ivanshafiq2915]

I wonder y is 50mm not creating more blur background , although its more zoomed in

[@250zazu]

Another nice review and good advice. Keep up the good work.

[@chengong388]

People who got the 50mm for APS-C lens got juked by the stupid "50mm is the best" spam everybody puts out on clickbait low quality "photography" sites. You don't ever see anyone using a 75mm lens on full frame as their normal lens do you? Not even the normal 50 on full frame is all that useful. Good for portraits, too tight for any kind of scenery. The most popular fixed focal length should be 35 on FF, or 24 on APS-C. There's a simple way to find out what is right for you, because 24, 35 and 50 are all covered on your kit lens. Put it on 50 and see how stupidly narrow the view is.

[@rokupixruiqi368]

Chen G IKR, got a 60mm sigma as most said its the sharpest, went to cosplay event and realise its not even usable, end up taking pics with phone

[@HarryCallahan72]

After spending $1000 on an INTERCHANGEABLE LENS camera may be a good idea to not limit yourself to one focal length. Portraits are a big deal so it's good to have a good portrait lens. That's the 50mm. What he shot above wasn't even a real portrait the subject was isolated at one side of the frame in a portrait they are centre and filling it. 50mm means you can be further back from the subject so they aren't smelling last nights curry you ate and their head isn't distorted in the result. DOF is narrower which helps to make them the only in-focus object. Also the probability of a dog moving is inversely related to your distance from it. Your kit lens can shoot groups of people.

[@DonJetblack00]

I purchased a 50mm for my crop sensor camera for portrait shots. Most retarted opinion on a 50mm i have ever heard..

[@lestervai]

you sold me on the 35mm bro. good review. you earned my subscription.

[@iLaRiettaiLoveYou]

Thank you so much!! I'm 100% sure of getting the 35mm now.

[@babycow5894]

Tysm, all of your videos are really useful to me!

[@israellsantos]

I have both and love both. But today I would go for the Sigma 35mm F/1.4.

[@brendanwright9686]

I have the FE 50mm f1.8 for my Sony a6400 but I’m switching to the 35mm F1.8… I wish I watched this video of yours before I bought my lens😂. I do fitness photography/videography for my workouts in the gym so the 35mm will do just perfect!

[@Aemilindore]

im literally going through your really old videos!

[@GamesArt86]

some reviews says that the 35mm doesn't like objects or landscape, only people gonna look nice with it, is it true? thanks and keep them coming

[@raytbrown2]

Great video. Total fun. Thanks a ton for the pics. That said, . . . While you named all the cameras you thought these lenses might be good for, you failed to mention (specifically call out) that you're shooting with an APS-C camera (in all cases)! As such your advice, while colorful and entertaining - is woefully missing a key component. You're referencing Full-Frame lens ratios on a crop sensor format. 35 is a nifty 50 at APS=C! And a 50 = somewhat a portrait lens in APS-C (@75 although 85 = better IMHO). Nice, but misleading.

[@VisitPunjab]

Good video

[@cakrawibawa4709]

You helped me so much with your video! Thank you so much mate!

[@eramilborres7436]

i waited for this. thanks

[@MommaFromScratch]

very helpful again!

[@kentao4]

Great reviews! Definitely helps to clear up which lenses to buy. Question for everyone.. One prime lens and one zoom traveling across the country, what do you pick? Looking at this 35mm(when traveling is done, we have new babies in the family) and 18-105mm G. Not trying to get very expensive. What do you all think?

[@kentao4]

@Valentino Suryo this was years ago- it was a decent combo but I went to a7iii. I have 20 mm, 35mm, 85mm and 24-105. I’m covered in most situations.

[@alwindenjel2153]

nice video ...sir I really appreciate your videos ...you review deep and honestly ...keep it up

[@uscfroadie]

Great video, and having the 50, I have to agree with the 35 being more useful, especially when shooting indoors. On a side note, what lens were you using for the video? Man, it was constantly hunting. Your sofa and "J&A logo" in the back left corner kept zooming in and out showing some focus breathing.

[@ryanm2707]

Thanks alot. Was thinking about the 50 for some outdoor portraits, aleady have 35. So I don't think it's necessary. Bokeh difference is small.

[@wgm247]

The "subject" is very sharp and also very nice

[@kareemmorsi8574]

35mmf1.8 is Sony's best carry around lens . If there's only one lens you should buy this is the one

[@VGVVLOGS]

Wow you solved my problem, keep up the good work.

[@ArthurR]

Nice, thanks!

[@zero2nfinite]

Hi... great review! I recently purchased the 35mm f1.8 for my a6000 after seeing your reviews and comparison videos and it is absolutely amazing! But sometimes I do wish I had a wider angle lens when taking pictures of landscape and large buildings. With that I'm considering to purchase either the 16mm or 20mm f2.8 prime lenses but yet to find a good review and comparison video on either both. Would appreciate if you can do a review / comparison of these lens in the future! Thanks :)

[@jhinostroza]

20 mm is sharper, sigma 16 mm 1.4 ultra sharper

[@TheYungALIN]

Between this lenses: 50-210mm; 50mm; 35mm, what do you recommend for vlogging and films? Like landscapes, etc

[@vladlabyrinth6335]

i think you need 300mm for vlogging

[@muhamadhadiikhsan3726]

Godspeed_me lol good answer!

[@jamestheredd]

Super helpful comparison! Thank You. Cheers!

[@fernandoa.5985]

Very good reviews Sr. this videos are soooooo help full, now I have a question, which one is best for landscape photography?

[@muleskinnerpro]

35 mm

[@vzguitars]

Thanks, you have convinced me to spend a bit extra, get the 35mm, and skip a portrait lens for the time being. Maybe get the 60mm Sigma in the future.

[@ArthurR]

Good plan. Sigma 60mm is great!

[@hxrnake]

Could you do a VIDEO comparison of the 35mm and the Kit Lens? Or the 35mm and 50mm?

[@peboom4057]

What if you only can take 2 lens with you to travel to other country. Which lens should you take with you?

[@ReassuringSmile]

It's very similar and I didn't get both 35mm and 50mm... I just decided to step farther back to imitate the 35mm instead with my 50mm

[@andywolan]

The SEL35F18 was recommended to me about a year ago. Now I know why.

[@Berthyelia]

You and I are on the same page ... thanks for your videos they are so good and they save me so much research and time. I'm gonna get the 35mm because I'm having a baby and I'll be doing indoor photography more 👌🏻👏🏻

[@ArthurR]

Awesome! First of all, congrats! And second, thanks for the kind words!

[@BagsEsquire]

Ely Clar Can you provide an update by chance? We’re expecting our first child in 5 weeks. I’m picking up the a6500 today that comes with a kit lens but I’m also going to get a 35mm or 50mm 1.8 for nice close ups with the background blur. From this video the 50 seems sharper and better blur but a lot of comments talk about how it’s not good for indoor. Not sure if that’s because they’re trying to use it for what it’s not intended for like group shots or something. How do you like the 35 and did you purchase any other lenses for your baby pics? Congrats as well!

[@jeremyhyman3058]

Which one would be good to shoot car pics? That’s what I mostly take pictures of

[@Studat]

I like the 50mm better and I have both. Can you compare the 50mm to the 55mm fe zeiss

[@Thunderbird1337]

Very good comparison, thank you very much.