Panasonic LUMIX S PRO 50mm F1.4
Launch MSRP
unconfirmed- Weight
- 955g
- Filter
- ⌀77mm
- Min focus
- 0.44m
- Max mag.
- 0.15×
- Formula
- 13E / 11G
- Released
- 2019
Specification sheet
Optical construction
- 2x Aspherical
- 3x ED
- Aperture range
- f/1.4 — f/16
Physical & ergonomics
- Weight
- 955g
- ⌀ × length
- 90.0 × 130.0mm
- Filter
- ⌀77mm
- Weather sealed
- Yes
- Aperture ring
- Yes
Autofocus actuator
- Stabilisation
- Body IBIS
- Teleconverter
- Not supported
- AF speed score
- 8.8 / 10
Close-up performance
- Min focus distance
- 0.44m
- Max magnification
- 0.15× (1:6.7)
Optical character
Panasonic's reference-grade standard prime, launched with the S1 and S1R, makes no concession to size: 955g and 130mm long, heavier than many 70-300mm zooms. Thirteen elements in 11 groups, including two aspherical and three ED elements, are driven by a double focus system that moves two groups with a linear motor and a stepping motor, and Panasonic says it suppresses focus breathing for video.
The barrel is built for professional use: dust and splash resistant, rated to -10°C, with an aperture ring in one-third stops plus an A position, and a focus clutch that pulls back to reveal a distance scale for manual focus. The 11-blade circular aperture, 77mm filter thread and 0.44m close focus (0.15x) round out the specification. There is no optical stabilisation, so it relies on the body's IBIS.
Reviewer consensus
Testers rank it among the best 50mm lenses they have measured. Sharpness is outstanding from f/1.4 into the corners and peaks by about f/2.8, lateral colour fringing is negligible, bokeh fringing is unusually low for the aperture, and distortion is effectively zero. Out-of-focus areas are smooth, with a gentle transition from the plane of focus, and the 11-blade aperture keeps highlights round when stopped down.
Autofocus is very fast, near silent and reliable, and the build is described as tank-like. The aperture ring is welcome, while the focus clutch divides opinion because it is easy to knock into manual focus by accident. The drawbacks are obvious corner vignetting at f/1.4 that needs f/4 to clear, care needed with flare when shooting into the sun, the sheer size and weight, and a very high price.
Owner sentiment
Owner feedback will appear once we have verified real-world reports for this lens.
Strengths, weaknesses & performance
Strengths
- +Outstanding sharpness from f/1.4 to the corners
- +Negligible distortion and very low colour fringing
- +Smooth bokeh from an 11-blade aperture
- +Fast, near-silent double-motor AF
- +Aperture ring, focus clutch, sealed to -10°C
Weaknesses
- −955g and 130mm long, heavier than many tele zooms
- −Obvious vignetting at f/1.4
- −Focus clutch is easy to knock into MF
- −Very high price
Six-axis rating
- Sharpness
- 9.5
- Bokeh Rendering
- 9.1
- Autofocus Speed
- 8.8
- Flare Resistance
- 8.0
- Build / Sealing
- 9.4
- Value / Size
- 6.0
Editorial 0–10 ratings synthesised from published reviews.
Technical specifications
| Mount | L-Mount (FF) · full frame |
|---|---|
| Focal length | 50mm |
| Category | Standard |
| Maximum aperture | f/1.4 |
| Minimum aperture | f/16 |
| Construction | 13 elements in 11 groups |
| Special elements | 2x Aspherical · 3x ED |
| Aperture blades | 11 |
| Focus type | Autofocus |
|---|---|
| Drive | Double Focus (Linear Motor + Stepping Motor) |
| Minimum focus | 0.44m |
| Max magnification | 0.15× |
| Stabilisation | None (uses body IBIS) |
| Teleconverters | Not supported |
| Weight | 955g |
|---|---|
| Diameter × length | 90.0 × 130.0mm |
| Filter thread | ⌀77mm |
| Weather sealing | Yes |
| Aperture ring | Yes |
| De-clickable aperture | No |
| Release year | 2019 |
| Launch MSRP | Unconfirmed |
Sources
Verified against the pages below. Specifications come from the maker; summaries only reflect reviews and owner reports we actually read.
Specifications
- panasonic.jp› dc/p-db/S-X50_spec.html
- panasonic.jp› dc/products/S-X50.html
- imaging-resource.com› lenses/panasonic-50mm-f-1-4-lumix-s-pro/
Professional reviews
- photographyblog.com› reviews/panasonic_lumix_s_pro_50mm_f1_4_review
- digitalcameraworld.com› reviews/panasonic-lumix-s-pro-50mm-f14-review
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- VSLUMIX S PRO 50mm F1.4 vs 50mm F1.05 (L-Mount)
- VSLUMIX S PRO 50mm F1.4 vs AF 50mm F1.8 (L-Mount)
- VSLUMIX S PRO 50mm F1.4 vs APO-Summicron-SL 50 f/2 ASPH.
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AFWR
