Sony 50-150 f/2 Review: The PERFECT lens for Wildlife and Gorilla Trekking

Looking for an on-the-ground review of the Sony 50-150 f/2 lens? You got it!

Going into my two-week trek throughout Rwanda in September, I was very focused on how to photograph mountain gorillas. I knew we could get within 21 feet of them (and likely closer if they approached us), which makes it a unique experience when picking your photography equipment.

I spent a lot of time internally debating which lens to use to photograph gorillas in Rwanda. You need it to be semi-wide, but also enough zoom to get good details. I knew a traditional telephoto lens would be too much, and since you’ll be in the forest, you want low-light capabilities. So that removed my 100-500 from the equation.

I was honestly thinking of using my 70-200 f/2.8. But when Sony sent me their A9 III body to test on the Africa trip, I needed a different option, as my lenses are Canon. So that’s when I figured, why not try out the Sony 50-150? (This is not sponsored. I rented the lens myself.)

At f/2, the low light is phenomenal, and the focal lengths would be essentially perfect for my situation. And, as they say, the rest is history.

Keep reading for photos and my review of the Sony 50-150 f/2.

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Reviewing the New Sony 50-150 f/2

My thoughts on the Sony 50-150 f/2

I’m not a camera/lens fanatic. But I was really excited to try this lens. After all my research, believing this was the right lens for the trek, now it was showtime!

It’s a fantastic lens that is perfect for close-to-medium close photography. Obviously, this isn’t an African Safari lens. But for a gorilla trek, the 150mm zoom was ideal when they were across the field.

And at 50mm, it was great when they walked near us. Honestly, I would have loved it if this were a 35-150, because there was one time the gorillas were very close, and my position didn’t allow me to capture full-width photos. Small potatoes in the grand scheme of things.

I genuinely loved using the Sony 50-150, and so did my buddy, who actually used it for more of the trip than I did. He had a 24-70 lens, and because I had my 100-500mm and 400mm telephoto lenses, I let him use it on our other treks.

a female gorilla looks out as her baby plays out of the picture — Photo Credit: Alec Sills-Trausch

One thing I will note for people using this is not to be 100% locked into f/2. There’s always a place for nice bokeh. But remember that you may want a wider focus area on your photos. Going down to F/2 is definitely nice, especially with low light, but if you can bump it up to f/4-f/5.6, test it out, and see how you like your images.

Add the 50-150 to your camera bag

Sony 50–150mm f/2 GM Specs Overview

The Sony 50–150mm f/2 GM OSS is a groundbreaking mid-telephoto zoom lens designed for Sony’s full-frame E-mount cameras. What makes it special is the constant f/2 aperture — a first of its kind for this focal range — offering exceptional low-light capability, beautiful background separation, and prime-like sharpness across the zoom range.

This lens sits between the traditional 24–70mm and 70–200mm ranges, giving creators incredible flexibility for portraits, wildlife, travel, and video. For hybrid shooters who demand both speed and image quality, it’s one of Sony’s most technically impressive G Master lenses to date.

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Sony 50-150 f/2 Key Specs:

Focal Length: 50–150mm
Maximum Aperture: f/2 (constant)
Minimum Aperture: f/22
Optical Design: 19 elements in 17 groups (including ED and XA elements)
Image Stabilization: Optical SteadyShot (OSS)
Minimum Focus Distance: 0.38 m (at 50mm) / 0.82 m (at 150mm)
Maximum Magnification: 0.25x
Filter Size: 95mm
Weight: Approx. 1,340g (47.3 oz or ~ 3 lbs)
Dimensions: 87.8mm x 200mm (3.5 in x 7.9 in)
Mount: Sony E-mount (Full-frame and APS-C compatible)
Price: Around $3,999 USD

In the field, this lens hits the sweet spot. On full-frame, it’s ideal for wildlife, portraits, and low-light travel shooting. On APS-C cameras, the equivalent range becomes roughly 75–225mm, giving even more telephoto punch while keeping that fast f/2 aperture.

This combination of speed, range, and optical quality makes it an exceptional choice for handheld wildlife photography, like my gorilla trek in Rwanda, where I needed to capture fast action under dense jungle canopy light without switching lenses.

Build Quality & Handling

Sony’s 50–150mm f/2 GM lens feels every bit like a flagship G Master product. It’s robust, refined, and purpose-built for professional use while still maintaining a manageable weight for travel and handheld shooting.

The controls and ergonomics are excellent:

Two customizable focus hold buttons on opposite sides of the barrel for vertical or horizontal use.
A dedicated OSS (Optical SteadyShot) switch, along with AF/MF and focus range limiter toggles.
A smooth, damped zoom ring that allows for precise focal length adjustments without lens creep.
A large, responsive focus ring ideal for manual focus pulls in video.
Internal zoom and focus mechanisms, so the lens doesn’t extend or shift balance during operation.

This internal design also keeps dust and moisture out and ensures consistent handling — a huge plus when shooting handheld video or wildlife where balance is critical.

While heavier than travel primes, the 50–150mm f/2 never felt cumbersome during our gorilla trek. The consistent f/2 aperture capability and robust build justify the size. The zoom throw is short and efficient, making it easy to reframe quickly, and the tripod collar rotates smoothly with a sturdy locking mechanism for stable vertical or horizontal shooting.

Overall, the Sony 50–150mm f/2 GM strikes an ideal balance: pro-level durability and ergonomics in a still-manageable package. For photographers who shoot in extreme conditions or travel light but demand flawless optics and usability, it’s one of Sony’s best-engineered lenses to date.

The Sony 50-150 f/2 on a Sony A9 III (taken during a safari after I realized I had no photos of the lens).

Ideal focal length for what is on the market
f/2 helps keep your shutter speed fast and ISO down to ensure crisp shots in the forest
Not a bulky lens
A weather-sealed design is excellent for a possibly wet gorilla trek.

Photos and Image Quality from my Gorilla Trek

I wanted to show some photos of the lens at different focal lengths and aperture settings.

Pictures at 50mm

Pictures at 150mm

Pictures at f/2

Add the 50-150 to your camera bag

Pros and Cons of the Sony 50-150 f/2

Pros:

For professionals looking for sharp photos
Perfect for close to mid-distance photography (like 30 feet)
Sony 50-150 performs exceptionally in low light
Good stabilization for video
Lives up to the G-Master standards
At only 150mm, you don’t have to push your shutter speed past 1/400. (I hung around the 1/320-1/500 range)

Cons:

The price is high for a lens and is a significant barrier to entry
Focal length may be limiting for a wide variety of shots (maybe not ideal for landscape)

Purchase the Sony 50-150 f/2

Wrapping up the review of the Sony 50-150 f/2 lens

Thanks for taking the time to browse this Sony 50-150 f/2 review. If you’re looking for gear to photograph a gorilla trek in Rwanda, Uganda, or the DRC, this is the lens for you!

I know it’s a pricey lens, but if you’re in the market for a mid-focal length heavy lifter, you won’t be disappointed at all!

Until next time, adventurers, stay safe.

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Reviewing Sony 50-150 f/2: A PERFECT lens for Gorilla Trekking