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Samyang AF 50mm F1.4 FE II vs Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA Carl Zeiss Sonnar T

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Samyang 50mm F1.4 FE II

Standard Prime | Sony E

Samyang AF 50mm F1.4 FE II
CHECK PRICE
BUY from B&H PHOTO
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Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA CZ

Standard Prime | Sony E

Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA Carl Zeiss Sonnar T
CHECK PRICE
BUY from B&H PHOTO

Samyang 50mm F1.4 FE II vs Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA CZ Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing the Samyang 50mm F1.4 FE II for the E Mount and the Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA CZ for the E Mount, two Standard Prime lenses from Samyang and Sony.

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 50mm F1.4 FE II Key Specs

  • 50mm Focal Range
  • F1.4 Max Aperture
  • Weather-sealed
  • Filter Thread: 72mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Sony E Mount
  • Weight: 420g.
  • Diameter: 80mm
  • Length: 89mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 0.4m
  • Max Magnification: 0.16x

Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA CZ Key Specs

  • 55mm Focal Range
  • F1.8 Max Aperture
  • Weather-sealed
  • Filter Thread: 49mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Sony E Mount
  • Weight: 281g.
  • Diameter: 64mm
  • Length: 71mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 0.5m
  • Max Magnification: 0.14x

What type of photography are the Samyang 50mm F1.4 FE II and Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA CZ lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Samyang 50mm F1.4 FE II and the Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA CZ for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Samyang 50mm F1.4 FE II Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA CZ
Bird/WildlifeFairFair
SportsAverageAverage
PortraitExcellentExcellent
TravelGoodGood
StreetVery GoodVery Good
WeddingExcellentExcellent
Walk AroundGoodGood
VloggingGoodGood
LandscapeGoodGood
MacroPoorPoor

Size and Weight Comparison

The size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses. Samyang 50mm F1.4 FE II is the longer of the two lenses at 89mm. The Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA CZ with a length of 71mm, is 18mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Samyang 50mm F1.4 FE II also has a larger diameter of 80mm compared to the Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA CZ's 64mm 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. Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA CZ weighs 281g, 33% (139g) lighter than the Samyang 50mm F1.4 FE II's weight of 420g.


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

Standard Prime Lenses in Sony E Mount for Size Comparison
Model Length Diameter Weight Street Price
Sony FE 50mm F1.8 Lens Sony FE 50mm F1.8
60mm
69mm 186g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM Lens Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM
108mm
87mm 778g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony Planar T FE 50mm F1.4 ZA Lens Sony Zeiss FE 50mm F1.4 ZA
108mm
84mm 778g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS Lens Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS
62mm
62mm 202g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 56mm F1.4 DC DN C Lens Sigma 56mm F1.4 DC DN C
60mm
67mm 280g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 30mm F1.4 DC DN C Lens Sigma 30mm F1.4 C
73mm
65mm 265g Amazon B&H Photo
7artisans 35mm F1.2 Lens 7artisans 35mm F1.2
36mm
mm 150g Amazon B&H Photo
Kamlan 55mm F1.2 Lens Kamlan 55mm F1.2
mm
61mm 700g Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mounts

Both the Samyang 50mm F1.4 FE II and the Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA CZ has the same Sony E lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Sony E lenses are Sony A7R V, Sony FX30 and Sony A7 IV.

Focal Range

Samyang 50mm F1.4 FE II is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 50mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides a 35mm (FF) equivalent of 75mm.
Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA CZ is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 55mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides a 35mm (FF) equivalent of 82.5mm.

Reasons to choose Samyang AF 50mm F1.4 FE II over Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA Carl Zeiss Sonnar T

Focal Length - Wide 50mm vs 55mm 5mm Wider coverage
Max Aperture - Wide 1.4 vs 1.8 Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele 1.4 vs 1.8 Wider aperture at tele end
Minimum Focus Distance 0.4m vs 0.5m can focus closer to the subject
Max Magnification 0.16x vs 0.14x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Reasons to choose Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA Carl Zeiss Sonnar T over Samyang AF 50mm F1.4 FE II

Focal Length - Tele 55mm vs 50mm 5mm more Tele coverage
Weight 281g vs 420g 139g lighter
Diameter 64mm vs 80mm 16mm smaller in diameter
Length 71mm vs 89mm 18mm shorter
Filter Thread 49mm vs 72mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find

Common Strengths of Samyang AF 50mm F1.4 FE II and Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA Carl Zeiss Sonnar T
Weather Sealing Yes vs Yes safer to use under rain and dust
Common Weaknesses of Samyang AF 50mm F1.4 FE II and Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA Carl Zeiss Sonnar T
Image Stabilization No vs No Reliant on in-body Image Stabilization


**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 50mm F1.4 FE II vs Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA CZ Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Samyang Sony
Lens Type Prime Prime
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type Standard Prime Standard Prime
Lens Mount Sony E Sony E
Max Format 35mm FF 35mm FF
Focal Range 50mm 55mm
Image Stabilization No No
Colour Black Black
Zoom Method No Zoom Rotary (internal)
Power Zoom No No
Zoom Lock No No
Zoom Ratio 1.0X 1.0X
Aperture
Max Aperture F1.4 F1.8
Min Aperture F16 F22.0
Aperture Ring No No
Diaphragm Blades 9 9
Optics
Optical Elements 11 7
Optical Groups 8 5
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.4m 0.5m
Max Magnification 0.16X 0.14X
Autofocus Yes Yes
AF Motor Type Linear STM Stepper motor
Full Time Manual
Focus Method - Internal
Distance Scale - No
DoF Scale - No
Distance Scale - No
Focus Distance Limiter No No
Physical Specs
Weight 420g 281g
Diameter 80mm 64mm
Length 89mm 71mm
Materials - All-metal construction
Weather Sealing Yes Yes
Filter Thread 72mm 49mm
Hood Supplied Yes Yes
Hood Code - ALC-SH131
Tripod Collar No No
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