Sony FE 50-150 mm f/2 GM review - Image resolution

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Sony FE 50-150 mm f/2 GM

23 May 2025

Maciej Latałło

4. Image resolution

Our resolution test (resolution meaning the MTF50 function values) of Sony FE lenses is based on RAW files from the 42.4 Mpix sensor of the Sony A7R II, the Sony A7R III, or the Sony A7R IIIa cameras. In the case of this kind of detector the decency level we set about 39-41 lpmm and the best fixed focal length lenses have been able to exceed slightly 80 lpmm. Record breaking lenses are able to get as high as over 85 lpmm or even 90 lpmm.So far, our list of such record-breakers features the Sony FE 85 mm f/1.4 GM II (85.8 lpmm), the Meike 85 mm f/1.4 FF STM (90.2 lpmm) and the Sony FE 50 mm f/1.4 GM (90.9 lpmm).

Let's check the performance of the Sony FE 50-150 mm f/2 GM – its results in the frame centre at 50, 100, and 150 mm presents a graph below.

Sony FE 50-150 mm f/2 GM - Image resolution

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Without any doubts the results in the frame centre are simply excellent. Even at the weakest 50 mm focal length the lens is able to brush against a level of 80 lpmm and at longer focal lengths it exceeds that value without any problems. Officially, the highest result amounting to 85.7 +\- 1.1 lpmm we reached at the 100 mm focal length and f/4.0 aperture. It is just a tad lower than 85.8 lpmm we got while testing one of our record breakers, the Sony FE 85 mm f/1.4 GM II. It seems the claim that the FE 50-150 mm f/2.0 GM model might replace three-four good fixed focal length lenses is not an exaggeration.

Now let's check how the tested lens deals on the edge of the APS-C sensor – an appropriate graph can be found below.

Here everything seems to be in perfect order as well. Once again the performance in the middle of the focal range is truly impressive – on stopping down the aperture you can get results close to 80 lpmm. At the maximum relative aperture the 150 mm focal length is the best but, to be honest, even the weakest 50 mm doesn't give you any reasons to complain. By f/2.0 you get a result of 53 lpmm, high above the decency level, and on stopping down the lens you are able to achieve values over 65 lpmm.

Will the edge of full frame disappoint us? Let's find out.

In this case the 100 mm focal length is definitely in the lead, with truly outstanding values – by f/4.0 we got as high as 77.8 lpmm. There are fixed focal length lenses that have difficulties to get such a resolution in the frame centre.

Both ends of the focal spectrum are noticeably weaker but it doesn't mean they are weak. Even at this place the maximum relative aperture doesn't provide any reasons to complain and on stopping down you are able to reach good values near 60 lpmm.

To sum up, we don't doubt that in the resolution category the Sony FE 50-150 mm f/2 GM fares exceedingly well as it didn't have one single weaker spot in our test. At the end of this chapter, traditionally, we present crops taken from photos of our resolution chart; they were taken from JPEG files saved along RAW files we used for the analysis above.

A7R IIIa, JPEG, 50 mm, f/2.0