sony-35mm-lenses

3 Popular Sony 35mm Lenses Compared (f/1.4 vs 1.8 vs 2.8)

Trying to decide between the 3 Sony 35mm lenses for Alpha mirrorless cameras? See which one is best for you - the 35mm f/1.4, f/1.8 or f/2.8!

This Sony 35mm FE lens comparison will be useful for any Alpha camera owner who’s a fan of the classic 35mm focal length.

Whenever I buy a new camera, the first lens I purchase is always a 35mm.

Even if I use an APS-C or a compact camera, I try and find something with as close to a 35mm equivalent field of view as possible (usually around 23mm).

Sony 35mm f/1.8 FE
Sony 35mm f/1.8 FE

Great image quality, lightweight and compact - the best bang for the buck Sony 35mm of the year.

Check Current Price

Purchasing all 3 variants of Sony’s 35mm lenses was a bit overkill, but it’s allowed me to carry out the tests below to decide which one I want to keep.

Each of the lenses has its strengths and weaknesses, and it’s tempting to keep them all for use in different scenarios…

Let’s have a closer look at the qualities I deem most important for a lens and compare each of them so you can make a choice about which is the best one for you.

Sony FE 35mm Lens Comparison | Specs

Sony 35mm f/1.4 Distagon T* FE ZA

  • Focal Length 35mm
  • Aperture f/1.4 – f/16
  • Format Compatibility Full-Frame
  • Angle of View 63°
  • Minimum Focus Distance 11.81″ / 30 cm
  • Maximum Magnification 0.18x
  • Optical Design 12 Elements in 8 Groups
  • Diaphragm Blades 9, Rounded
  • Filter Size 72 mm (Front)
  • Dimensions (ø x L) 3.09 x 4.41″ / 78.5 x 112 mm
  • Weight 1.39 lb / 630 g
  • Sony 35mm f/1.4 Review

Click here for the latest price >>

Sony 35mm f/1.8 FE

  • Aperture f/1.8 – f/22
  • Format Compatibility Full-Frame
  • Angle of View 63°
  • Minimum Focus Distance 8.7″ / 22.1 cm
  • Maximum Magnification 0.24x
  • Optical Design 11 Elements in 9 Groups
  • Diaphragm Blades 9, Rounded
  • Filter Size 55 mm (Front)
  • Dimensions (ø x L) 2.58 x 2.87″ / 65.6 x 73 mm
  • Weight 9.9 oz / 281 g
  • Sony 35mm f/1.8 Review

Click here for the latest price >>

Sony 35mm f/2.8 Sonnar T* FE ZA

  • Aperture f/2.8 –  f/22
  • Format Compatibility Full-Frame
  • Angle of View 62°
  • Minimum Focus Distance 13.78″ / 35 cm
  • Maximum Magnification 0.12x
  • Optical Design 7 Elements in 5 Groups
  • Diaphragm Blades 7, Rounded
  • Filter Size 40.5 mm (via Hood) 49 mm (Front)
  • Dimensions (ø x L) 2.42 x 1.44″ / 61.47 x 36.58 mm
  • Weight 4.23 oz / 120 g

Click here for the latest price >>

Build & Ergonomics

Sony 35mm f/1.4

The Sony 35mm f/1.4 is the best-built of the bunch.

Sony 35mm f/1.4

There’s no denying it – as Sony’s flagship 35mm lens with the largest aperture of the bunch, this one is built like a tank.

There’s metal everywhere, needed to protect the big chunk of glass that allows f/1.4 of light into your camera.

The focus ring is smooth and grip is adequate. It’s the kind of lens that would survive a few knocks and drops, even if your camera didn’t! Unfortunately, there’s no Af/Mf override switch.

You’re able to adjust the aperture using the lens barrel, and there’s a switch to turn the click on or off for video shooters. Personally, I would have preferred a programmable button, like the one on the next lens…

Sony 35mm f/1.8

This one also has a metal barrel and similar grip/smoothness of its f/1.4 bigger brother. There’s not nearly as much heft to it, but it still feels like it’s built to last.

There’s also a programmable button on the side, which allows you to use it to control your camera’s Eye-AF feature, among other things – this is a great feature.

Overall, it manages to feel like a high-quality lens, without being too chunky or overbearing. It also balances perfectly on all the Sony full-frame camera bodies.

Sony 35mm f/2.8

Metal construction, but with a much finer (less grippy) lens focus ring. Build quality is good, but due to its lightweight, it feels like a toy!

The big benefit of using this lens from a safety perspective is that since it doesn’t stick out much from the front of your camera, you’re less likely to knock it when carrying it.

Also if you happened to drop your camera, it’s less likely that the lens would snap at the attachment point.

WINNER: Sony 35mm f/1.8

Size/Weight

Sony 35mm f/2.8

Aww it’s so cute! The dinky little 35mm f/2.8 Zeiss is a joy to shoot with.

Sony 35mm f/1.4

As with any fast prime lens, this thing is a beast. Tipping the scales at 1.39 lb / 630 g, this lens will weigh the same as, or more than whatever camera you attach it to.

That’s the trade-off for f/1.4 light sucking super-powers!

Sony 35mm f/1.8

f/1.8 is definitely the sweet spot in terms of great light capturing ability, without sacrificing size/weight. This lens feels great attached to my Sony a7III.

It’s not so small as to look like you’re using a cheap/unprofessional camera to your clients (to some pros, this is important), but still manages to be compact enough to make using your camera hugely enjoyable.

Sony 35mm f/2.8

Size/weight is the biggest draw-card of the dinky little f/2.8 – attaching it to your camera makes it feel more like you’re attaching a lens cap!

That’s the beauty of the absolute best pancake lens that any camera manufacturer offers here in 2023 – every time you use it, it’ll bring a smile to your face.

I took my Sony 35mm f/2.8 around the world to shoot destination weddings, and it helped me stay within the tight airline carry-on allowances.

It’s tempting to own this lens simply because of how small/light it is, especially when you consider its excellent performance.

Having a smaller, lighter lens at the end of a long day, is a great motivator to keep on shooting, especially as a wedding photographer.

WINNER: Sony 35mm f/2.8

Focus Performance

Sony 35mm f/1.8

The Sony 35mm f/1.8 features great AF speed.

Sony 35mm f/1.4

With the benefit of that extra slither of light entering the lens, the 35mm f/1.4 is the obvious winner when it comes to low-light photography.

However, in fairer light where there’s a level playing field between the 3 options, the heavier glass element of the f/1.4 means slightly slower AF speeds than the other 2 lightweight options, but it’s hardly noticeable.

Sony 35mm f/1.8

Snappy and fast, even in low light.

Sony 35mm f/2.8

Snappy and fast too, but struggles a little in low light.

WINNER: Sony 35mm f/1.8

Image Quality

Since I haven’t been shooting any brick walls lately, the best way to judge between these 3 Sony 35mm FE lenses is to show off some images taken with each one.

Obviously, it’s a bit hard to compare apples to apples, since each image has been processed in Lightroom, and exported with a sharpening preset.

Nevertheless, I hope you get some idea of what each lens is capable of… and take it from me – they’re all razor-sharp and have excellent contrast and clarity.

Sony 35mm f/1.4

Sony 35mm f/1.8

Sony 35mm f/2.8

Value for Money

35mm f/1.8

The Sony 35mm f/1.8 offers the best bang for your buck… and also happens to be the cheapest.

Sony 35mm f/1.4

You’ll always pay a premium for fast glass, and this holds true with this f/1.4 lens that tips the scale at almost $1,600 (latest price here).

Build quality is better than the other two lenses (it needs to be, to safely house the larger chunk of glass and its motor), and there’s no denying that a photo shot at f/1.4 has a certain unique quality to it… but is that extra 2/3 stop of light really worth this much more money?

Perhaps if you’re a professional photographer who often shoots in very low light, but for most others, f/1.8 is good enough.

Sony 35mm f/1.8

At just shy of $750 (latest price here), this lens is excellent value for money.

f/1.8 has always been the sweet spot when it comes to value, offering decent low-light/bokeh producing qualities while remaining within reach of most budgets.

Sony has done well to keep the price low, despite the premium all-metal build. If you’re on a strict budget, look also to the Samyang (Rokinon) 35mm f/1.8.

Sony 35mm f/2.8

For the plastic build and diminutive size, you’d be forgiven for thinking this should be a sub $500 lens.

However, thanks to that little blue ZEISS badge and the superior optics that go with it, the price tag is actually closer to $800 (see latest price here).

This is actually slightly more expensive than the f/1.8 version above, so unless you absolutely need the smallest, lightest camera + lens set up, your money is better spent with the f/1.8.

WINNER: Sony 35mm f/1.8

Sony 35mm Lenses Review | Conclusion

Sony a7III and 35mm f/1.8

Attached to the Sony a7III, the 35mm f/1.8 FE makes a great combo.

I shot happily for 2 years with the Sony 35mm f/1.4 for local weddings, and the Sony 35mm f/2.8 for overseas weddings – shaving off 500-odd grams meant I could travel carry-on only, so the f/2.8 was a god-send in that respect.

With the release of the Sony 35mm f/1.8, you can probably guess the outcome – I’ve sold the f/2.8 and the f/1.4 is currently on Gumtree, waiting for a buyer in a more favourable economic climate!

If you study the sample images above, it becomes clear that the 35mm f/1.4 offers superior image quality. Whether shot wide open or stopped down, the images are sharper and clearer than the other 2 lenses.

When shot at f/1.4, there’s an almost-3D look to the photos, which simply can’t be replicated with an f/1.8 or f/2.8 lens.

However, the 3 big trade-offs are size, weight and price.

The 35mm f/2.8 is lots of fun to shoot with, and paired with a lightweight Sony Alpha mirrorless camera, it makes the perfect travel lens.

However, f/2.8 doesn’t provide much subject separation, so you’ll need to work harder with your compositions – there’s definitely no wow-factor when shooting wide open.

In summary, all 3 are stellar lenses, and it’s hard to fault any of them. I could quite happily shoot an entire wedding season using any one of them, but the 35mm f/1.8 represents the best compromise for me.

It’s fast enough to handle low light and produce beautiful bokeh, light enough to travel with, and best of all, doesn’t have an eye-watering price tag to go with it.

I hope this article helps you make a decision of which 35mm lens to pair with your Sony Alpha camera.

Leave a comment below with your personal preference, and happy snapping!

Sony 35mm f/1.8 FE
Sony 35mm f/1.8 FE

Great image quality, lightweight and compact - the best bang for the buck Sony 35mm of the year.

Check Current Price

20 Comments

  1. Al on July 24, 2021 at 9:51 pm

    How does the new 35/1.4 GM factor in to this lineup now?

    • Mark Condon on July 26, 2021 at 6:22 am

      The performance is similar to the Zeiss f/1.4 examined here.

  2. Nicholas Y. on December 10, 2020 at 3:12 am

    Thanks for the great read, Mark. I currently have the 35 f2.8 from Sony/Zeiss and you’ve definitely have me considering selling it for the f1.8 version now. The debate of selling versus keeping because that small form factor is just something that is hard to beat is the real debate.

    • Mark Condon on December 10, 2020 at 5:53 am

      Yeah I agree, Nicholas! It’s so nice having a tiny lens that performs as well as the Zeiss f/2.8.

  3. Max'M on November 5, 2020 at 1:55 am

    Thanks. It’s helpful to see that the Zeiss 35 f2.8 is quiet good and would fit perfectly with my new A7C. I hope it perform and give sharp street photography and a nice bokeh if good composition. Alternative for me would be Zeiss Batis 40 f2 but it is double the Preis and double the size and weight.
    So I think I will go for the 35 F2.8 for a good All-round Set-up. Do you agree?

    • Mark Condon on November 6, 2020 at 5:35 am

      For street photography, it’s idea, Max!

    • andy on November 13, 2020 at 8:26 pm

      well, A7C + 35 F2.8 will be very nice for traveling or street snap, for it is easy to hide you from the crowd, that’s really important.
      image that you are going to shot something from the street, when you pick up your camera, then almost all of the people in the street turn head to you and look at your big camera. well, that’s really embarrassed.

  4. Andrew Robins on October 15, 2020 at 11:10 pm

    Great comparisons, thanks very much for the information. I think i’ll be getting the 35 1.8 plus a Sigma 100-400 this weekend and this review has really helped with the 35mm.

    • Mark Condon on October 16, 2020 at 5:47 am

      Glad to hear it, Andrew! The 100-400 looks like a fun lens!

  5. Bob V on July 31, 2020 at 2:41 am

    Thanks for the insightful and candid review. I love the way you weighed all factors and guide us to the conclusion.
    Your photos are amazing too! Keep it up!

    • Mark Condon on August 1, 2020 at 5:10 am

      Very kind of you to say so, Bob – glad it was helpful!

  6. Peter Hess on June 20, 2020 at 1:30 am

    Thanks for a thoughtful and fair review. I love the tiny (and cute) f/2.8 version–which is ignored by a lot of reviewers. As you pointed out, it is perfect for travel, but also for street photography. It is easy to be discreet, and if you ask people for permission to take their portrait they do not feel intimidated. I travel in Latin America a lot, and this is the lens I have been using successfully for urban exploration. (My other 35mm lens is the fantastic Zeiss Batis 40mm f/2 CF.)

    • Mark Condon on June 20, 2020 at 5:25 am

      Glad you enjoyed it, Peter. Yes, the f/2.8 is a gem of a lens!

      • Terry on November 25, 2020 at 10:23 am

        Thanks for the review. Do you notice any discrepancy of distortion among the three 35mm lens? The distortion of my 2.8 copy seems so much when taking group photo, and I thinking to get either 1.4 or the bigma 1.2.

        • Mark Condon on November 26, 2020 at 1:12 pm

          Hey Terry, no it didn’t bother me at all – can you see much distortion in my sample images? None of them have been cropped…

      • David on January 23, 2021 at 11:35 am

        Hi Mark,

        Thank you for this very informative comparison. I’m very new to modern cameras (last time I made a serious video was 15 years ago with the FX1E). I managed to get an a7iii for a decent price but have no lens. I will just be doing some talking head videos for YouTube and taking a few snapshots as a hobby. I think I really like the 35mm and want to shoot with that length but torn between the f1.8 and f2.8. I may take this more seriously in time and would like some flexibility. I can get the f2.8 for about $500 and the f1.8 for about $800. Which would you recommend for my needs?

        • Mark Condon on January 24, 2021 at 6:25 am

          Hi David, I’d recommend the f/1.8 over the f/2.8 for your needs. For talking head videos, this will allow you to blur the background better. Hope that helps! Thanks for your comment.

          • David on January 24, 2021 at 9:48 am

            Thank you very much for the guidance. I feel much lighter :)



  7. Nick Church on June 19, 2020 at 9:03 pm

    Great read Mark. The f1.4 lens makes things pop like I’ve never seen on other lenses. I have had a few of these, but sadly could not find one that was 100% centred, and so amazing for documentary and portraits but not so good for group shots at weddings were you need focal plane to be bang on right to left. So I now have the Sigma ART 1.4. Totally sharp across the whole frame, but somehow quite clinical. None of the character I used to love in the Sony 1.4

    • Mark Condon on June 20, 2020 at 5:26 am

      Thanks Nick. Yeah there’s something you can’t put your finger on with the Sony f/1.4, and I agree that Sigma lenses are rather clinical – they’re too sharp, or something!

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