In this review, we will be comparing the Samyang 85mm F1.4 for the A Mount and the Rokinon 85mm F1.4 for the A Mount, two Telephoto Prime lenses from Samyang and Rokinon. Both lenses have the same focal length and max apertures of 85mm and F1.4 so they are very comparable in this regard.
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.
What type of photography are the Samyang 85mm F1.4 and Rokinon 85mm F1.4 lenses good for?
The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Samyang 85mm F1.4 and the Rokinon 85mm F1.4 for their suitability to various photography scenarios:
| Photography Type |
Samyang 85mm F1.4 |
Rokinon 85mm F1.4 |
| Bird/Wildlife | Average | Average |
| Sports | Good | Good |
| Portrait | Excellent | Excellent |
| Travel | Fair | Fair |
| Street | Average | Average |
| Wedding | Very Good | Very Good |
| Walk Around | Fair | Fair |
| Vlogging | Average | Average |
| Landscape | Fair | Fair |
Size and Weight Comparison
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.
Below you can find the dimension and weight table of the Telephoto Prime Lenses in Sony Alpha Mount for size comparison purposes.
Telephoto Prime Lenses in Sony Alpha Mount for Size Comparison
Lens Mounts
Both the Samyang 85mm F1.4 and the Rokinon 85mm F1.4 has the same Sony Alpha lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Sony Alpha lenses are Sony A99 II, Sony A68 and Sony A77 II.
Samyang 85mm F1.4 is also available in Canon EF , Nikon F (FX), Four Thirds, Pentax KAF, Sony E and Samsung NX mounts.
Rokinon 85mm F1.4 is also available in Canon EF , Four Thirds, Pentax KAF, Samsung NX and Nikon F (FX) mounts.
Focal Range
Both lenses have the same focal range of 85mm and the fastest aperture of F1.4.