Sony SAL50F14Z Specification Guide

Legendary Carl Zeiss® optics

A great camera starts with a great lens and Sony has collaborated with Carl Zeiss to create a series 

of high-quality interchangeable lenses for digital SLT and NEX cameras. Precision lenses by Carl Zeiss 

are prized by serious photographers and film-makers around the world and the company’s precision 

optical instruments have helped document some of the most iconic moments in human history and 

ensure for the best in image quality. 

A new optical design for top-end image quality 

The luxurious new optical design features 8 elements in 5 groups, with two aspherical elements for 

ultimate performance despite being a standard 50mm lens. The design is extremely effective at 

correcting various aberrations and realizes flat reproduction characteristics (minimal field curvature) 

befitting the renowned "Planar" name. Moreover, the combination of a rear-focus system and 

aspheric surfaces achieves high contrast from infinity to close distances for clear, sharp images even 

when the aperture is wide open.

Circular Aperture

With its 9-blade circular aperture, a design said to produce the most beautiful bokeh, this lens realizes 

beautiful defocusing unique to Sony and meets the stringent demands of advanced-class users who 

are serious about photographic expression.

SteadyShot INSIDE™ image stabilization 

The SteadyShot INSIDE™ image stabilization system built into Sony A-mount cameras provides 

image stabilization without affecting image quality, an advantage that supports the high depiction 

performance of top-class lenses.

Quiet and smooth AF operation thanks to SSM

Autofocusing is smooth and quiet, courtesy of a Super Sonic wave Motor (SSM). Excellent focusing 

performance is complemented by features including a focus hold button, a focus ring that doesn’t 

rotate during AF operation, a DMF (Direct Manual Focus) function, and a rear-focus system that 

maintains the same lens body length during autofocusing.

Dust and drip resistant design

The lens offers dust and drip resistance that meet the standards of mid-range models like the 

α99 and 

α77. The main drive unit is sealed with rubber packing, etc., to realize ample dust and drip resistance 

as a system when mounted on a camera to withstand tough usage in harsh environments.

High-grade metal body

The high-grade lens body is constructed of aluminum that offers both high rigidity and an attractive 

finish that contributes to pride of ownership.

Carl Zeiss® Planar Lens

The Carl Zeiss® Planar lens first became synonymous with high-performance lenses by realizing a 

large aperture, flat reproduction characteristics, and the successful removal of astigmatism. Once 

the T* coating was introduced to dramatically reduce internal reflection from its progressive double 

Gauss design (with front-back symmetry), Planar became one of the most renowned lenses in the 

Carl Zeiss lineup, which is synonymous with high-performance standard lenses.

Carl Zeiss® T* Coating

Coated optics were pioneered by Carl Zeiss® -- and this superb lens features T* (T-Star) coating that 

virtually eliminates the lens flare, internal reflection and light scattering that can otherwise occur at 

glass-to-air surfaces.

Superior Large-Aperture Performance

SAL50F14Z

Sony® Carl Zeiss® Planar T* 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM