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Samyang AF 18mm F2.8 FE vs Tokina Firin 20mm F2 FE MF

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Samyang AF 18mm F2.8 FE

Wideangle Prime | Sony E

Samyang AF 18mm F2.8 FE
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Tokina Firin 20mm F2 FE MF

Wideangle Prime | Sony E

Tokina Firin 20mm F2 FE MF
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Samyang AF 18mm F2.8 FE vs Tokina Firin 20mm F2 FE MF Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing the Samyang AF 18mm F2.8 FE for the E Mount and the Tokina Firin 20mm F2 FE MF for the E Mount, two Wideangle Prime lenses from Samyang and Tokina.

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 AF 18mm F2.8 FE Key Specs

  • 18mm Focal Range
  • F2.8 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 58mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Sony E Mount
  • Weight: 145g.
  • Diameter: 64mm
  • Length: 61mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 0.25m
  • Max Magnification: 0.09x

Tokina Firin 20mm F2 FE MF Key Specs

  • 20mm Focal Range
  • F2 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 62mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Sony E Mount
  • Weight: 490g.
  • Diameter: 62mm
  • Length: 69mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 0.28m
  • Max Magnification: 0.1x

What type of photography are the Samyang AF 18mm F2.8 FE and Tokina Firin 20mm F2 FE MF lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Samyang AF 18mm F2.8 FE and the Tokina Firin 20mm F2 FE MF for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Samyang AF 18mm F2.8 FE Tokina Firin 20mm F2 FE MF
Bird/WildlifePoorPoor
SportsPoorPoor
PortraitFairFair
TravelAverageAverage
StreetAverageExcellent
WeddingFairFair
Walk AroundAverageAverage
VloggingVery GoodVery Good
LandscapeGoodGood
MacroPoorPoor


Size and Weight Comparison

The size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses. Tokina Firin 20mm F2 FE MF is the longer of the two lenses at 69mm. The Samyang AF 18mm F2.8 FE with a length of 61mm, is 8mm shorter. On the other hand, the Samyang AF 18mm F2.8 FE has a larger diameter of 64mm compared to the Tokina Firin 20mm F2 FE MF's 62mm 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 AF 18mm F2.8 FE weighs 145g, which means it is 345g (70%) lighter than the Tokina Firin 20mm F2 FE MF which has a weight of 490g.


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 AF 18mm F2.8 FE and the Tokina Firin 20mm F2 FE MF 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.

Tokina Firin 20mm F2 FE MF is also available in Sony E mount.

Focal Range

Samyang AF 18mm F2.8 FE is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 18mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides a 35mm (FF) equivalent of 27mm.
Tokina Firin 20mm F2 FE MF is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 20mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides a 35mm (FF) equivalent of 30mm.

Reasons to choose Samyang AF 18mm F2.8 FE over Tokina Firin 20mm F2 FE MF

Focal Length - Wide 18mm vs 20mm 2mm Wider coverage
Autofocus Yes vs No Easier, faster and more accurate focusing
Weight 145g vs 490g 345g lighter
Length 61mm vs 69mm 8mm shorter
Filter Thread 58mm vs 62mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find
Minimum Focus Distance 0.25m vs 0.28m can focus closer to the subject

Reasons to choose Tokina Firin 20mm F2 FE MF over Samyang AF 18mm F2.8 FE

Focal Length - Tele 20mm vs 18mm 2mm more Tele 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
Diaphragm Blades 9 vs 7 Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Distance Scale Yes vs No Distance Scale to assist focusing
Depth-of-Field Scale Yes vs No Depth of Field scale to assist focusing
Aperture Ring Yes vs No able to adjust the aperture on the lens
Diameter 62mm vs 64mm 2mm smaller in diameter
Max Magnification 0.1x vs 0.09x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Common Strengths of Samyang AF 18mm F2.8 FE and Tokina Firin 20mm F2 FE MF
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 Samyang AF 18mm F2.8 FE and Tokina Firin 20mm F2 FE MF
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.

Samyang AF 18mm F2.8 FE vs Tokina Firin 20mm F2 FE MF Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Samyang Tokina
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 35mm FF
Focal Range 18mm 20mm
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 F2.8 F2
Min Aperture F22 F22
Aperture Ring No Yes
Diaphragm Blades 7 9
Optics
Optical Elements 9 13
Optical Groups 8 11
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.25m 0.28m
Max Magnification 0.09X 0.1X
Autofocus Yes No
AF Motor Type Stepper motor No AF
Full Time Manual Unknown Yes
Focus Method Internal Internal
Distance Scale No Yes
DoF Scale No Yes
Distance Scale No Yes
Focus Distance Limiter No No
Physical Specs
Weight 145g 490g
Diameter 64mm 62mm
Length 61mm 69mm
Weather Sealing No No
Filter Thread 58mm 62mm
Hood Supplied - Yes
Tripod Collar No No
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