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Samyang 21mm F1.4 ED AS UMC CS vs Zeiss ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8

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Samyang 21mm F1.4 ED AS UMC CS

Wideangle Prime | Sony E

Samyang 21mm F1.4 ED AS UMC CS
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BUY from B&H PHOTO
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ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8

Wideangle Prime | Sony E

ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8
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BUY from B&H PHOTO

Samyang 21mm F1.4 ED AS UMC CS vs ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8 Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing Samyang 21mm F1.4 ED AS UMC CS and ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8, two Wideangle Prime lenses from Samyang and Zeiss. Both lenses have the same focal range of 21mm but different max apertures: Samyang 21mm F1.4 ED AS UMC CS has a max aperture of F1.4 while the ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8 has a max aperture of F2.8. Another major difference between these two lenses is that the Samyang 21mm F1.4 ED AS UMC CS has a max format size coverage of APS-C / DX, on the other hand the ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8 has a max coverage of 35mm FF.

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.

Samyang 21mm F1.4 ED AS UMC CS Key Specs

  • 21mm Focal Range
  • F1.4 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 58mm
  • Max Format: APS-C / DX
  • Sony E Mount
  • Weight: 275g.
  • Diameter: 64mm
  • Length: 68mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.28m

ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8 Key Specs

  • 21mm Focal Range
  • F2.8 Max Aperture
  • Weather Sealed
  • Filter Thread: 52mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Sony E Mount
  • Weight: 394g.
  • Diameter: 62mm
  • Length: 72mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.25m
  • Max Magnification:0.13x

What type of photography are the Samyang 21mm F1.4 ED AS UMC CS and ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8 lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Samyang 21mm F1.4 ED AS UMC CS and the ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8 for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Samyang 21mm F1.4 ED AS UMC CS ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8
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.ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8 is the longer of the two lenses at 72mm. The Samyang 21mm F1.4 ED AS UMC CS with a length of 68mm is 4mm shorter. On the other hand, the Samyang 21mm F1.4 ED AS UMC CS has a larger diameter of 64mm compared to ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8's 62mm 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. Samyang 21mm F1.4 ED AS UMC CS weighs 275g, which means it is 119g (30%) lighter than the ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8 which has a weight of 394g.


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 Samyang 21mm F1.4 ED AS UMC CS and ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8 has the same Sony E lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Sony E lenses are Sony FX30, Sony ZV-E10 and Sony A6600.

Samyang 21mm F1.4 ED AS UMC CS is also available in Canon EF-M , Fujifilm X and Micro Four Thirds mounts.

Focal Range

Reasons to choose Samyang 21mm F1.4 ED AS UMC CS over ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8

Max Aperture - Wide 1.4 vs 2.8 Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele 1.4 vs 2.8 Wider aperture at tele end
Diaphgragm Blades 9 vs Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Depth-of-Field Scale Yes vs No Depth of Field scale to assist focusing
Weight 275g vs 394g 119g lighter
Length 68mm vs 72mm 4mm shorter

Reasons to choose ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8 over Samyang 21mm F1.4 ED AS UMC CS

Max Sensor Coverage 35mm FF vs APS-C / DX covers larger sensors
Diameter 62mm vs 64mm 2mm smaller in diameter
Filter Thread 52mm vs 58mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find
Weather Sealing Yes vs No safer to use under rain and dust
Minimum Focus Distance 0.25m vs 0.28m can focus closer to the subject
Max Magnification 0.13x vs x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Common Strengths of Samyang 21mm F1.4 ED AS UMC CS and ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8
Internal Focusing Yes vs Yes Length of the lens doesn't change during focusing
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 21mm F1.4 ED AS UMC CS and ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8
Image Stabilization No vs No Reliant on in-body Image Stabilization
Autofocus No vs No Slow and less accurate focusing



**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 21mm F1.4 ED AS UMC CS vs ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8 Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Samyang Zeiss
Lens Type Prime Prime
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type Wideangle Prime Wideangle Prime
Lens Mount Sony E Sony E
Max Format APS-C / DX 35mm FF
Focal Range 21mm 21mm
Image Stabilization No
Colour Black Black
Zoom Method No Zoom No Zoom
Power Zoom No No
Zoom Lock No No
Zoom Ratio 1.0X 1.0X
Aperture
Max Aperture F1.4 F2.8
Min Aperture F22
Aperture Ring Yes Yes
Diaphragm Blades 9 unknown
Optics
Optical Elements 8 11
Optical Groups 7 9
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.28m 0.25m
Max Magnification unknown 0.13X
Autofocus No No
AF Motor Type No AF No AF
Full Time Manual Yes Yes
Focus Method Internal Internal
Distance Scale Yes Yes
DoF Scale Yes No
Distance Scale Yes Yes
Focus Distance Limiter Unknown Unknown
Physical Specs
Weight 275g 394g
Diameter 64mm 62mm
Length 68mm 72mm
Materials Unknown Metal
Weather Sealing No Yes
Filter Thread 58mm 52mm
Filter Notes - -
Hood Supplied Yes Unknown
Hood Code Unknown Unknown
Tripod Collar No No
Optional Accessories - -
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