The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Samyang 16mm f2.0 and the Samyang 12mm f2.0 for their suitability to various photography scenarios:
Size and Weight Comparison
The size of a lens is a crucial factor to consider when comparing two lenses. Samyang 16mm f2.0 is the longer of the two lenses at 89mm. The Samyang 12mm f2.0 with a length of 59mm, is 30mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Samyang 16mm f2.0 also has a larger diameter of 83mm compared to the Samyang 12mm f2.0's 73mm diameter.
The weight of a lens is equally significant as its external dimensions, particularly if you intend to handhold your camera and lens combination for extended periods. Samyang 12mm f2.0 weighs 260g, 55% (323g) lighter than the Samyang 16mm f2.0's weight of 583g.
Filter Threads
The Samyang 16mm f2.0 has a filter size of 77mm whereas the Samyang 12mm f2.0 has a 67mm diameter. Larger filters are generally more expensive than the smaller ones given all the other features are equal.
Below are links to the 77mm filters that we recommend you to consider for the Samyang 16mm f2.0:
And these are the 67mm filters that we recommend for the Samyang 12mm f2.0:
Lens Mounts
The Samyang 16mm f2.0 has the Sony Alpha lens mount whereas the Samyang 12mm f2.0 has the Fujifilm X lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with these mounts are Sony A68, Sony A77 II and Sony A58 for the Sony Alpha Mount and Fujifilm X-T30 III, Fujifilm X-E5 and Fujifilm X-M5 for the Fujifilm X Mount.
Samyang 16mm f2.0 is also available in the Canon EF , Canon EF-M, Fujifilm X, Nikon F (DX), Four Thirds, Micro Four Thirds, Pentax KAF, Sony E and Samsung NX mounts.
Samyang 12mm f2.0 is also available in Canon EF-M , Micro Four Thirds, Sony E and Samsung NX mounts.
Focal Range
Samyang 16mm f2.0 is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 16mm which has an effective (full-frame 35mm equivalent) focal range of
24mm when used on a APS-C / DX format camera.
On the other hand, the 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.
