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Samyang 14mm F2.8 IF ED MC Aspherical vs Samyang 12mm f2.0 NCS CS

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Samyang 14mm F2.8

Wideangle Prime | Sony E

Samyang 14mm F2.8 IF ED MC Aspherical
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Samyang 12mm f2.0

Wideangle Prime | Sony E

Samyang 12mm f2.0 NCS CS
CHECK PRICE
BUY from B&H PHOTO

Samyang 14mm F2.8 vs Samyang 12mm f2.0 Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing the Samyang 14mm F2.8 for the E Mount and the Samyang 12mm f2.0 for the E Mount, two Wideangle Prime lenses by Samyang.

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.

Samyang 14mm F2.8 Key Specs

  • 14mm Focal Range
  • F2.8 Max Aperture
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Sony E Mount
  • Weight: 552g.
  • Diameter: 87mm
  • Length: 96mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 0.28m

Samyang 12mm f2.0 Key Specs

  • 12mm Focal Range
  • F2.0 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 67mm
  • Max Format: APS-C / DX
  • Sony E Mount
  • Weight: 260g.
  • Diameter: 73mm
  • Length: 59mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 0.2m

What type of photography are the Samyang 14mm F2.8 and Samyang 12mm f2.0 lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Samyang 14mm F2.8 and the Samyang 12mm f2.0 for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Samyang 14mm F2.8 Samyang 12mm f2.0
Bird/WildlifePoorPoor
SportsPoorPoor
PortraitFairFair
TravelFairAverage
StreetAverageAverage
WeddingFairFair
Walk AroundFairAverage
VloggingGoodVery Good
LandscapeGoodGood

Size and Weight Comparison

The size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses. Samyang 14mm F2.8 is the longer of the two lenses at 96mm. The Samyang 12mm f2.0 with a length of 59mm, is 37mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Samyang 14mm F2.8 also has a larger diameter of 87mm compared to the Samyang 12mm f2.0's 73mm 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. Samyang 12mm f2.0 weighs 260g, 52% (292g) lighter than the Samyang 14mm F2.8's weight of 552g.


Below you can find the dimension and weight table of the Wideangle Prime Lenses in Sony E Mount for size comparison purposes.

Wideangle Prime Lenses in Sony E Mount for Size Comparison
Model Length Diameter Weight Street Price
Sony FE 35mm F1.8 Lens Sony FE 35mm F1.8
73mm
66mm 280g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 16mm F1.4 DC DN Sony E-mount Lens Sigma 16mm F1.4 DC DN E
92mm
72mm 405g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM Lens Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM
96mm
76mm 524g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G Lens Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G
85mm
74mm 373g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony E 35mm F1.8 OSS Lens Sony E 35mm F1.8 OSS
45mm
63mm 155g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony FE 24mm F1.4 GM Lens Sony FE 24mm F1.4 GM
92mm
75mm 445g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony FE 14mm F1.8 GM Lens Sony FE 14mm F1.8 GM
100mm
83mm 460g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony FE 35mm F2.8 ZA Carl Zeiss Sonnar T Lens Sony FE 35mm F2.8 ZA CZ
37mm
62mm 120g Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mounts

Both the Samyang 14mm F2.8 and the Samyang 12mm f2.0 has the same Sony E lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Sony E lenses are Sony ZV-E1, Sony A7R V and Sony FX30.

Samyang 14mm F2.8 is also available in Canon EF , Nikon F (FX), Four Thirds, Pentax KAF, Sony Alpha and Samsung NX mounts.

Samyang 12mm f2.0 is also available in Canon EF-M , Fujifilm X, Micro Four Thirds and Samsung NX mounts.

Focal Range

Samyang 14mm F2.8 is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 14mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides a 35mm (FF) equivalent of 21mm.
Samyang 12mm f2.0 is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 12mm which has an effective (full-frame 35mm equivalent) focal range of 18mm when used on a APS-C / DX format camera.

Reasons to choose Samyang 14mm F2.8 IF ED MC Aspherical over Samyang 12mm f2.0 NCS CS

Focal Length - Tele 14mm vs 12mm 2mm more Tele coverage
Max Sensor Coverage 35mm FF vs APS-C / DX covers larger sensors

Reasons to choose Samyang 12mm f2.0 NCS CS over Samyang 14mm F2.8 IF ED MC Aspherical

Focal Length - Wide 12mm vs 14mm 2mm Wider coverage
Max Aperture - Wide 2 vs 2.8 Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele 2 vs 2.8 Wider aperture at tele end
Weight 260g vs 552g 292g lighter
Diameter 73mm vs 87mm 14mm smaller in diameter
Length 59mm vs 96mm 37mm shorter
Minimum Focus Distance 0.2m vs 0.28m can focus closer to the subject

Common Strengths of Samyang 14mm F2.8 IF ED MC Aspherical and Samyang 12mm f2.0 NCS CS
Distance Scale Yes vs Yes Distance Scale to assist focusing
Aperture Ring Yes vs Yes able to adjust the aperture on the lens
Common Weaknesses of Samyang 14mm F2.8 IF ED MC Aspherical and Samyang 12mm f2.0 NCS CS
Image Stabilization No vs No Reliant on in-body Image Stabilization
Autofocus No vs No Slow and less accurate focusing
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.

Samyang 14mm F2.8 vs Samyang 12mm f2.0 Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Samyang Samyang
Lens Type Prime Prime
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type Wideangle Prime Wideangle Prime
Lens Mount Sony E Sony E
Max Format 35mm FF APS-C / DX
Focal Range 14mm 12mm
Image Stabilization No No
Colour - -
Zoom Method No Zoom No Zoom
Power Zoom No No
Zoom Lock No No
Zoom Ratio 1.0X 1.0X
Aperture
Max Aperture F2.8 F2.0
Min Aperture F22.0 F22.0
Aperture Ring Yes Yes
Diaphragm Blades 6 6
Optics
Optical Elements 14 12
Optical Groups 10 10
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.28m 0.2m
Max Magnification - -
Autofocus No No
AF Motor Type None None
Full Time Manual N/A N/A
Focus Method - -
Distance Scale Yes Yes
DoF Scale No No
Distance Scale Yes Yes
Focus Distance Limiter No No
Physical Specs
Weight 552g 260g
Diameter 87mm 73mm
Length 96mm 59mm
Weather Sealing No No
Filter Thread - 67mm
Filter Notes Filters cannot be attached to this lens -
Hood Supplied Yes Yes
Tripod Collar No No
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