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Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM vs Samyang 35mm F1.2 ED AS UMC CS

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Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM

Wideangle Prime | Sony E

Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM
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Samyang 35mm F1.2

Wideangle Prime | Sony E

Samyang 35mm F1.2 ED AS UMC CS
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Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM vs Samyang 35mm F1.2 Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM and Samyang 35mm F1.2, two Wideangle Prime lenses from Sony and Samyang. Both lenses have the same focal range of 35mm but different max apertures: Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM has a max aperture of F1.4 while the Samyang 35mm F1.2 has a max aperture of F1.2. Another major difference between these two lenses is that the Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM has a max format size coverage of 35mm FF, on the other hand the Samyang 35mm F1.2 has a max coverage of APS-C / DX.

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.

Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM Key Specs

  • 35mm Focal Range
  • F1.4 Max Aperture
  • Weather Sealed
  • Filter Thread: 67mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Sony E Mount
  • Weight: 524g.
  • Diameter: 76mm
  • Length: 96mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.27m
  • Max Magnification:0.23x

Samyang 35mm F1.2 Key Specs

  • 35mm Focal Range
  • F1.2 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 62mm
  • Max Format: APS-C / DX
  • Sony E Mount
  • Weight: 420g.
  • Diameter: 68mm
  • Length: 74mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.38m

What type of photography are the Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM and Samyang 35mm F1.2 lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM and the Samyang 35mm F1.2 for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM Samyang 35mm F1.2
Bird/WildlifePoorFair
SportsPoorAverage
PortraitAverageExcellent
TravelAverageGood
StreetExcellentVery Good
WeddingAverageExcellent
Walk AroundAverageGood
VloggingGoodGood
LandscapeVery GoodGood

Size and Weight Comparison

Size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses.Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM is the longer of the two lenses at 96mm. The Samyang 35mm F1.2 with a length of 74mm is 22mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM also has a larger diameter of 76mm compared to Samyang 35mm F1.2's 68mm diameter.

Below you can find the scaled side by side image of Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM and Samyang 35mm F1.2 to get a better idea of how their size compare in real life.

Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM vs Samyang 35mm F1.2 Lens Size Comparison
Comparison image of Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM and Samyang 35mm F1.2 Size and Weight

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 35mm F1.2 weighs 420g, 19% (104g) lighter than the Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM's weight of 524g.


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 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
Samyang AF 18mm F2.8 FE Lens Samyang AF 18mm F2.8 FE
61mm
64mm 145g Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mounts

Both Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM and Samyang 35mm F1.2 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.

Samyang 35mm F1.2 is also available in Canon EF-M , Fujifilm X and Micro Four Thirds mounts.

Focal Range

Reasons to choose Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM over Samyang 35mm F1.2 ED AS UMC CS

Diaphgragm Blades 11 vs 9 Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Autofocus Yes vs No Easier, faster and more accurate focusing
Max Sensor Coverage 35mm FF vs APS-C / DX covers larger sensors
Weather Sealing Yes vs No safer to use under rain and dust
Minimum Focus Distance 0.27m vs 0.38m can focus closer to the subject
Max Magnification 0.23x vs x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Reasons to choose Samyang 35mm F1.2 ED AS UMC CS over Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM

Max Aperture - Wide 1.2 vs 1.4 Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele 1.2 vs 1.4 Wider aperture at tele end
Distance Scale Yes vs No Distance Scale to assist focusing
Weight 420g vs 524g 104g lighter
Diameter 68mm vs 76mm 8mm smaller in diameter
Length 74mm vs 96mm 22mm shorter
Filter Thread 62mm vs 67mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find

Common Strengths of Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM and Samyang 35mm F1.2 ED AS UMC CS
Autofocus Yes vs Yes Easier, faster and more accurate focusing
Internal Focusing Yes vs Yes Length of the lens doesn't change during focusing
Aperture Ring Yes vs Yes able to adjust the aperture on the lens
Common Weaknesses of Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM and Samyang 35mm F1.2 ED AS UMC CS
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.

Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM vs Samyang 35mm F1.2 Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Sony Samyang
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 APS-C / DX
Focal Range 35mm 35mm
Image Stabilization No
Colour Black Unknown
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 F1.2
Min Aperture F16 F16
Aperture Ring Yes Yes
Diaphragm Blades 11 9
Optics
Optical Elements 14 9
Optical Groups 10 7
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.27m 0.38m
Max Magnification 0.23X unknown
Autofocus Yes No
AF Motor Type Linear Motor No AF
Full Time Manual Yes Yes
Focus Method Internal Internal
Distance Scale No Yes
DoF Scale No No
Distance Scale No Yes
Focus Distance Limiter No Unknown
Physical Specs
Weight 524g 420g
Diameter 76mm 68mm
Length 96mm 74mm
Materials Magnesium alloy Unknown
Weather Sealing Yes No
Filter Thread 67mm 62mm
Filter Notes - -
Hood Supplied Yes Yes
Hood Code Unknown Unknown
Tripod Collar No Unknown
Optional Accessories - -
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