CameraDecision
  • CAMERAS
    • All Cameras
    • Cameras by Brand
      • Sony Cameras
      • Canon Cameras
      • Nikon Cameras
      • Pentax Cameras
      • Fujifilm Cameras
      • Olympus Cameras
      • Panasonic Cameras
      • Leica Cameras
      • Samsung Cameras
    • Cameras by Body Type
      • Mirrorless Cameras
      • DSLR Cameras
      • Compact Cameras
      • Bridge Cameras
      • Waterproof Cameras
    • Cameras by Lens Mount
      • Sony E Mount Cameras
      • Canon RF Mount Cameras
      • Nikon Z Mount Cameras
      • Micro Four Thirds Mount Cameras
      • Fujifilm X Mount Cameras
      • Leica L Mount Cameras
      • Nikon F Mount Cameras
      • Canon EF Mount Cameras
      • Canon EF M Mount Cameras
      • Canon EF S Mount Cameras
      • Pentax KAF Mount Cameras
      • Sony Alpha Mount Cameras
      • Fujifilm G Mount Cameras
      • Sigma SA Mount Cameras
      • Nikon 1 Mount Cameras
  • LENSES
    • All Lenses
    • Lenses by Mount
      • Sony E Mount Lenses
      • Canon RF Mount Lenses
      • Nikon Z Mount Lenses
      • Canon EF Mount Lenses
      • Canon EF M Mount Lenses
      • Canon EF S Mount Lenses
      • Nikon F Mount Lenses
      • Fujifilm X Mount Lenses
      • Micro Four Thirds Mount Lenses
      • Leica L Mount Lenses
      • Pentax KAF Mount Lenses
      • Fujifilm G Mount Lenses
      • Sigma SA Mount Lenses
      • Sony Alpha Mount Lenses
    • Teleconverters
  • TOOLS
    • Cameras
      • Smart Find
      • 1-on-1 Comparison
    • Lenses
      • Smart Find
      • 1-on-1 Comparison
  • BLOG

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 17mm F1.2 Pro vs Samyang 20mm F1.8 ED AS UMC

x
Lens to replace
Change

Olympus 17mm F1.2 Pro

Wideangle Prime | Micro Four Thirds

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 17mm F1.2 Pro
CHECK PRICE

BUY from B&H PHOTO
Change
    
Samyang 20mm F1.8

Wideangle Prime | Micro Four Thirds

Samyang 20mm F1.8 ED AS UMC
CHECK PRICE

BUY from B&H PHOTO

Olympus 17mm F1.2 Pro vs Samyang 20mm F1.8 Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing Olympus 17mm F1.2 Pro and Samyang 20mm F1.8, two Wideangle Prime lenses from Olympus and Samyang.

We will start with briefly looking and the main specs of these two lenses and in the section, we will start analyzing in more detail and list the pros and cons of each lenses.

Olympus 17mm F1.2 Pro Key Specs

  • 17mm Focal Range
  • F1.2 Max Aperture
  • Weather Sealed
  • Filter Thread: 62mm
  • Max Format: FourThirds
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • Weight: 390g.
  • Diameter: 68mm
  • Length: 87mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.2m
  • Max Magnification:0.15x

Samyang 20mm F1.8 Key Specs

  • 20mm Focal Range
  • F1.8 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 77mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • Weight: 497g.
  • Diameter: 83mm
  • Length: 88mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.2m

What type of photography are the Olympus 17mm F1.2 Pro and Samyang 20mm F1.8 lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Olympus 17mm F1.2 Pro and the Samyang 20mm F1.8 for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Olympus 17mm F1.2 Pro Samyang 20mm F1.8
Bird/WildlifePoorPoor
SportsPoorPoor
PortraitAverageFair
TravelAverageAverage
StreetExcellentExcellent
WeddingAverageFair
Walk AroundAverageAverage
VloggingGoodVery Good
LandscapeVery GoodGood

Size and Weight Comparison

Size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses.Samyang 20mm F1.8 is the longer of the two lenses at 88mm. The Olympus 17mm F1.2 Pro with a length of 87mm is 1mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Samyang 20mm F1.8 also has a larger diameter of 83mm compared to Olympus 17mm F1.2 Pro's 68mm diameter.

Weight of a lens is as important as its external dimensions, especially if you are planning to hand hold your camera and lens combination for longer periods. Olympus 17mm F1.2 Pro weighs 390g, which means it is 107g (21%) lighter than the Samyang 20mm F1.8 which has a weight of 497g.


Below you can find the dimension and weight table of the 'Wideangle Prime Lenses in Micro Four Thirds Mount for size comparison purposes.

Wideangle Prime Lenses in Micro Four Thirds Mount for Size Comparison
Model Length Diameter Weight Street Price
Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 25mm F1.4 II ASPH Lens Panasonic 25mm F1.4 II ASPH
55mm
63mm 205g Amazon B&H Photo
Panasonic Lumix G 14mm F2.5 II ASPH Lens Panasonic 14mm F2.5 II ASPH
21mm
56mm 55g Amazon B&H Photo
Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 15mm F1.7 ASPH Lens Panasonic Leica 15mm F1.7
36mm
58mm 115g Amazon B&H Photo
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 17mm f1.8 Lens Olympus M 17mm f1.8
36mm
58mm 120g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 16mm F1.4 DC DN Micro Four Thirds Lens Sigma 16mm F1.4 DC DN MFT
92mm
72mm 405g Amazon B&H Photo
Panasonic Lumix G 20mm F1.7 II ASPH Lens Panasonic 20mm F1.7 II ASPH
26mm
63mm 87g Amazon B&H Photo
Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Summilux 12mm F1.4 ASPH Lens Panasonic DG 12mm F1.4
70mm
70mm 335g Amazon B&H Photo
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 17mm f2.8 Pancake Lens Olympus M 17mm f2.8 Pancake
22mm
57mm 71g Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mounts

Both Olympus 17mm F1.2 Pro and Samyang 20mm F1.8 has the same Micro Four Thirds lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Micro Four Thirds lenses are OM System OM-5, Panasonic GH6 and OM System OM-1.

Samyang 20mm F1.8 is also available in Canon EF , Canon EF-M, Fujifilm X, Nikon F (FX), Pentax KAF, Samsung NX, Sony Alpha and Sony E mounts.

Focal Range

Olympus 17mm F1.2 Pro is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 17mm which has an effective (full-frame 35mm equivalent) focal range of 34mm when used on a FourThirds format camera. Samyang 20mm F1.8 is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 20mm.

Reasons to choose Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 17mm F1.2 Pro over Samyang 20mm F1.8 ED AS UMC

Focal Length - Wide 17mm vs 20mm 3mm Wider coverage
Max Aperture - Wide 1.2 vs 1.8 Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele 1.2 vs 1.8 Wider aperture at tele end
Diaphgragm Blades 9 vs 7 Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Autofocus Yes vs No Easier, faster and more accurate focusing
Weight 390g vs 497g 107g lighter
Diameter 68mm vs 83mm 15mm smaller in diameter
Length 87mm vs 88mm 1mm shorter
Filter Thread 62mm vs 77mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find
Weather Sealing Yes vs No safer to use under rain and dust
Max Magnification 0.15x vs x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Reasons to choose Samyang 20mm F1.8 ED AS UMC over Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 17mm F1.2 Pro

Focal Length - Tele 20mm vs 17mm 3mm more Tele coverage
Distance Scale Yes vs No Distance Scale to assist focusing
Aperture Ring Yes vs No able to adjust the aperture on the lens
Max Sensor Coverage 35mm FF vs FourThirds covers larger sensors

Common Strengths of Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 17mm F1.2 Pro and Samyang 20mm F1.8 ED AS UMC
Autofocus Yes vs Yes Easier, faster and more accurate focusing
Internal Focusing Yes vs Yes Length of the lens doesn't change during focusing
Common Weaknesses of Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 17mm F1.2 Pro and Samyang 20mm F1.8 ED AS UMC
Image Stabilization No vs No Reliant on in-body Image Stabilization



**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Olympus 17mm F1.2 Pro vs Samyang 20mm F1.8 Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Olympus Samyang
Lens Type Prime Prime
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type Wideangle Prime Wideangle Prime
Lens Mount Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Max Format FourThirds 35mm FF
Focal Range 17mm 20mm
Image Stabilization
Colour Black Unknown
Zoom Method No Zoom No Zoom
Power Zoom No No
Zoom Lock No No
Zoom Ratio 1.0X 1.0X
Aperture
Max Aperture F1.2 F1.8
Min Aperture F16 F22
Aperture Ring No Yes
Diaphragm Blades 9 7
Optics
Optical Elements 15 13
Optical Groups 11 12
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.2m 0.2m
Max Magnification 0.15X unknown
Autofocus Yes No
AF Motor Type Stepper motor No AF
Full Time Manual Yes Yes
Focus Method Internal Internal
Distance Scale No Yes
DoF Scale Yes Unknown
Distance Scale No Yes
Focus Distance Limiter Unknown Unknown
Physical Specs
Weight 390g 497g
Diameter 68mm 83mm
Length 87mm 88mm
Materials Magnesium alloy Unknown
Weather Sealing Yes No
Filter Thread 62mm 77mm
Filter Notes - -
Hood Supplied Yes Yes
Hood Code LH-66C Unknown
Tripod Collar No No
Optional Accessories - -
Report a Correction
FOLLOW US


Latest Lenses
Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G
Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G
Sony E | F4 Standard Zoom
Sigma 60-600mm F4.5-6.3 DG DN OS
Sigma 60-600mm F4.5-6.3 DG DN OS
Leica L | F4.5-6.3 Telephoto Zoom
Sigma 60-600mm F4.5-6.3 DG DN OS
Sigma 60-600mm F4.5-6.3 DG DN OS
Sony E | F4.5-6.3 Telephoto Zoom
Panasonic LUMIX S 14-28mm F4-5.6 Macro
Panasonic LUMIX S 14-28mm F4-5.6 Macro
Leica L | F4-5.6 Wideangle Zoom
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-35mm F2.8 ASPH POWER OIS
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-35mm F2.8 ASPH POWER OIS
Micro Four Thirds | F2.8 Standard Zoom
Most Popular Lenses
Canon EF 75-300mm f4.0-5.6 III
Canon EF 75-300mm f4.0-5.6 III
75-300mm | F4.0 - F5.6 Telephoto Zoom
Sony FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS
Sony FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS
24-105mm | F4 Standard Zoom
Nikon AF Nikkor 70-300mm f4-5.6G
Nikon AF Nikkor 70-300mm f4-5.6G
70-300mm | F4.0 - F5.6 Telephoto Zoom
Fujifilm XF 18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS
Fujifilm XF 18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS
18-55mm | F2.8 - F4.0 Standard Zoom
Fujifilm XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR
Fujifilm XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR
16-55mm | F2.8 Standard Zoom
Copyright © 2023 by CameraDecision
Privacy About Contact Us SpeakerDecision

Report a Correction