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Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 30mm F3.5 Macro vs Samyang 35mm F1.2 ED AS UMC CS

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Olympus 30mm F3.5 Macro

Macro Prime | Micro Four Thirds

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 30mm F3.5 Macro
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Samyang 35mm F1.2

Wideangle Prime | Micro Four Thirds

Samyang 35mm F1.2 ED AS UMC CS
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Olympus 30mm F3.5 Macro vs Samyang 35mm F1.2 Comparison Overview

Here we are comparing two lenses with different focal types: Olympus 30mm F3.5 Macro for the MFT is a Macro Prime lens with a 30mm focal range and a max aperture of F3.5 whereas the Samyang 35mm F1.2 for the MFT is a Wideangle Prime lens with a 35mm focal range and max aperture of F1.2.

We will start by looking briefly at the main specs of these two lenses, and in the next section, we will start analyzing them in more detail and listing the pros and cons of each lens.

Olympus 30mm F3.5 Macro Key Specs

  • 30mm Focal Range
  • F3.5 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 46mm
  • Max Format: FourThirds
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • Weight: 128g.
  • Diameter: 57mm
  • Length: 60mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 0.1m
  • Max Magnification: 1.25x

Samyang 35mm F1.2 Key Specs

  • 35mm Focal Range
  • F1.2 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 62mm
  • Max Format: APS-C / DX
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • Weight: 420g.
  • Diameter: 68mm
  • Length: 74mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 0.38m

What type of photography are the Olympus 30mm F3.5 Macro and Samyang 35mm F1.2 lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Olympus 30mm F3.5 Macro and the Samyang 35mm F1.2 for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Olympus 30mm F3.5 Macro Samyang 35mm F1.2
Bird/WildlifeFairFair
SportsFairAverage
PortraitGoodExcellent
TravelAverageGood
StreetGoodVery Good
WeddingGoodExcellent
Walk AroundAverageGood
VloggingAverageGood
LandscapeGoodGood

Size and Weight Comparison

The size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses. Samyang 35mm F1.2 is the longer of the two lenses at 74mm. The Olympus 30mm F3.5 Macro with a length of 60mm, is 14mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Samyang 35mm F1.2 also has a larger diameter of 68mm compared to the Olympus 30mm F3.5 Macro's 57mm diameter.

The 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 30mm F3.5 Macro weighs 128g, which means it is 292g (69%) lighter than the Samyang 35mm F1.2 which has a weight of 420g.


Lens Mounts

Both the Olympus 30mm F3.5 Macro and the Samyang 35mm F1.2 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 35mm F1.2 is also available in Canon EF-M , Fujifilm X and Sony E mounts.

Focal Range

Olympus 30mm F3.5 Macro is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 30mm which has an effective (full-frame 35mm equivalent) focal range of 60mm when used on a FourThirds format camera. Samyang 35mm F1.2 is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 35mm which has an effective (full-frame 35mm equivalent) focal range of 52.5mm when used on a APS-C / DX format camera.

Reasons to choose Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 30mm F3.5 Macro over Samyang 35mm F1.2 ED AS UMC CS

Focal Length - Wide 30mm vs 35mm 5mm Wider coverage
Autofocus Yes vs No Easier, faster and more accurate focusing
Weight 128g vs 420g 292g lighter
Diameter 57mm vs 68mm 11mm smaller in diameter
Length 60mm vs 74mm 14mm shorter
Filter Thread 46mm vs 62mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find
Minimum Focus Distance 0.1m vs 0.38m can focus closer to the subject
Max Magnification 1.25x vs x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Reasons to choose Samyang 35mm F1.2 ED AS UMC CS over Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 30mm F3.5 Macro

Focal Length - Tele 35mm vs 30mm 5mm more Tele coverage
Max Aperture - Wide 1.2 vs 3.5 Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele 1.2 vs 3.5 Wider aperture at tele end
Diaphgragm Blades 9 vs 7 Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
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 APS-C / DX vs FourThirds covers larger sensors

Common Strengths of Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 30mm F3.5 Macro and Samyang 35mm F1.2 ED AS UMC CS
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 30mm F3.5 Macro and Samyang 35mm F1.2 ED AS UMC CS
Image Stabilization No vs No Reliant on in-body Image Stabilization
Weather Sealing No vs No not safe under rain and dust


**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 30mm F3.5 Macro vs Samyang 35mm F1.2 Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Olympus Samyang
Lens Type Prime Prime
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type Macro Prime Wideangle Prime
Lens Mount Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Max Format FourThirds APS-C / DX
Focal Range 30mm 35mm
Image Stabilization
Colour Black -
Zoom Method No Zoom No Zoom
Power Zoom No No
Zoom Lock No No
Zoom Ratio 1.0X 1.0X
Aperture
Max Aperture F3.5 F1.2
Min Aperture F22 F16
Aperture Ring No Yes
Diaphragm Blades 7 9
Optics
Optical Elements 7 9
Optical Groups 6 7
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.1m 0.38m
Max Magnification 1.25X -
Autofocus Yes No
AF Motor Type Micromotor No AF
Full Time Manual No Yes
Focus Method Internal Internal
Distance Scale No Yes
DoF Scale No No
Distance Scale No Yes
Focus Distance Limiter No No
Physical Specs
Weight 128g 420g
Diameter 57mm 68mm
Length 60mm 74mm
Weather Sealing No No
Filter Thread 46mm 62mm
Hood Supplied No Yes
Tripod Collar No No
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