Sony E 30mm f/3.5 Macro vs Sony FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro
Both are Sony E mount primes for macro and budget — here's how the specs differ and which to pick. Every spec is from the manufacturer's own catalog.
| Spec | Sony E 30mm f/3.5 Macro | Sony FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 30mm | 50mm |
| Max aperture | f/3.5 | f/2.8 |
| Type | prime | prime |
| Coverage | APS-C | full-frame |
| Mount | Sony E | Sony E |
Which should you buy?
- the Sony FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro opens wider (f/2.8) — brighter in low light and more background blur
- the Sony E 30mm f/3.5 Macro (30mm) is wider — more in the frame for street and interiors; the Sony FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro (50mm) is tighter — more reach and compression for portraits
- the Sony FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro covers full-frame (also works on APS-C bodies); the Sony E 30mm f/3.5 Macro is APS-C-only — it won't fill a full-frame sensor
Where to buy
Sony E 30mm f/3.5 MacroSee price on Amazon
Sony FE 50mm f/2.8 MacroSee price on Amazon
FAQ
What's the difference between the Sony E 30mm f/3.5 Macro and the Sony FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro?
The Sony E 30mm f/3.5 Macro is 30mm f/3.5 prime, APS-C; the Sony FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro is 50mm f/2.8 prime, full-frame. Both fit the Sony E mount.
Which is better in low light, the Sony E 30mm f/3.5 Macro or the Sony FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro?
The Sony FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro — its f/2.8 maximum aperture lets in more light and gives more background blur than the f/3.5 of the other.
Do the Sony E 30mm f/3.5 Macro and Sony FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro fit the same camera?
Yes — both are Sony E mount lenses, so they fit Sony a7/a9/a1 (full-frame) and a6000-series (APS-C). Note the Sony E 30mm f/3.5 Macro is APS-C-only and won't fill a full-frame sensor.
More Sony E comparisons: Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM vs Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM · Viltrox AF 16mm f/1.8 vs Samyang AF 14mm f/2.8 FE · Sony FE 12-24mm f/4 G vs Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM · Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM vs Sony Vario-Tessar T* FE 16-35mm f/4 ZA OSS · all Sony E lenses · all comparisons