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Samyang XP 35mm F1.2 vs Canon EF 50mm f1.8 STM

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Samyang XP 35mm F1.2

Standard Prime | Canon EF

Samyang XP 35mm F1.2
CHECK PRICE
BUY from B&H PHOTO
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Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM

Standard Prime | Canon EF

Canon EF 50mm f1.8 STM
CHECK PRICE
BUY from B&H PHOTO

Samyang XP 35mm F1.2 vs Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing the Samyang XP 35mm F1.2 for the EF Mount and the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM for the EF Mount, two Standard Prime lenses from Samyang and Canon.

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 XP 35mm F1.2 Key Specs

  • 35mm Focal Range
  • F1.2 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 86mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Canon EF Mount
  • Weight: 1106g.
  • Diameter: 93mm
  • Length: 117mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 0.34m
  • Max Magnification: 0.17x

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Key Specs

  • 50mm Focal Range
  • F1.8 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 49mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Canon EF Mount
  • Weight: 159g.
  • Diameter: 69mm
  • Length: 39mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 0.35m
  • Max Magnification: 0.21x

What type of photography are the Samyang XP 35mm F1.2 and Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Samyang XP 35mm F1.2 and the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Samyang XP 35mm F1.2 Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM
Bird/WildlifePoorFair
SportsPoorAverage
PortraitAverageExcellent
TravelAverageGood
StreetExcellentVery Good
WeddingAverageExcellent
Walk AroundAverageGood
VloggingGoodGood
LandscapeVery GoodGood
MacroPoorFair


Size and Weight Comparison

The size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses. Samyang XP 35mm F1.2 is the longer of the two lenses at 117mm. The Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM with a length of 39mm, is 78mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Samyang XP 35mm F1.2 also has a larger diameter of 93mm compared to the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM's 69mm diameter.

Below you can find a scaled side-by-side image of Samyang XP 35mm F1.2 and Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM to get a better idea of how their sizes compare in real life.

Samyang XP 35mm F1.2 vs Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens Size Comparison
Comparison image of the Samyang XP 35mm F1.2 and the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Size and Weight

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. Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM weighs 159g, 85% (947g) lighter than the Samyang XP 35mm F1.2's weight of 1106g.


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

Standard Prime Lenses in Canon EF Mount for Size Comparison
Model Length Diameter Weight Street Price
Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM Lens Canon 50mm f1.4 USM
51mm
74mm 290g Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 50mm f1.8 II Lens Canon 50mm f1.8 II
41mm
68mm 130g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 30mm F1.4 DC HSM Lens Sigma 30mm F1.4 DC HSM
63mm
74mm 435g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG HSM A Lens Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG HSM A
100mm
85mm 815g Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 50mm f1.2L USM Lens Canon 50mm f1.2L USM
66mm
86mm 580g Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron SP 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD Lens Tamron 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD
92mm
80mm 540g Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 40mm f2.8 STM Lens Canon 40mm f2.8 STM
22mm
68mm 130g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 40mm F1.4 DG HSM A Lens Sigma 40mm F1.4 DG HSM A
131mm
88mm 0g Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mounts

Both the Samyang XP 35mm F1.2 and the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM has the same Canon EF lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Canon EF lenses are Canon 1D X III, Canon 6D MII and Canon 5D MIV.

Focal Range

Samyang XP 35mm F1.2 is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 35mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides a 35mm (FF) equivalent of 52.5mm.
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 50mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.6x crop, it provides a 35mm (FF) equivalent of 80mm.

Reasons to choose Samyang XP 35mm F1.2 over Canon EF 50mm f1.8 STM

Focal Length - Wide 35mm vs 50mm 15mm Wider coverage
Max Aperture - Wide 1.2 vs 1.8 Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele 1.2 vs 1.8 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
Minimum Focus Distance 0.34m vs 0.35m can focus closer to the subject

Reasons to choose Canon EF 50mm f1.8 STM over Samyang XP 35mm F1.2

Focal Length - Tele 50mm vs 35mm 15mm more Tele coverage
Autofocus Yes vs No Easier, faster and more accurate focusing
Weight 159g vs 1106g 947g lighter
Diameter 69mm vs 93mm 24mm smaller in diameter
Length 39mm vs 117mm 78mm shorter
Filter Thread 49mm vs 86mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find
Max Magnification 0.21x vs 0.17x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Common Strengths of Samyang XP 35mm F1.2 and Canon EF 50mm f1.8 STM
Internal Focusing Yes vs Yes Length of the lens doesn't change during focusing
Common Weaknesses of Samyang XP 35mm F1.2 and Canon EF 50mm f1.8 STM
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 XP 35mm F1.2 vs Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Samyang Canon
Lens Type Prime Prime
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type Standard Prime Standard Prime
Lens Mount Canon EF Canon EF
Max Format 35mm FF 35mm FF
Focal Range 35mm 50mm
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 F1.2 F1.8
Min Aperture F16 F22.0
Aperture Ring No No
Diaphragm Blades 9 7
Optics
Optical Elements 12 6
Optical Groups 10 5
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.34m 0.35m
Max Magnification 0.17X 0.21X
Autofocus No Yes
AF Motor Type No AF Stepper motor
Full Time Manual Yes Yes
Focus Method Internal Internal
Distance Scale Yes No
DoF Scale No No
Distance Scale Yes No
Focus Distance Limiter No No
Physical Specs
Weight 1106g 159g
Diameter 93mm 69mm
Length 117mm 39mm
Materials Metal -
Weather Sealing No No
Filter Thread 86mm 49mm
Hood Supplied Yes No
Hood Code - ES-68
Tripod Collar No No
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