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Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM vs Samyang 85mm F1.4 Aspherical IF

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Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM

Telephoto Prime | Sony E

Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM
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BUY from B&H PHOTO
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Samyang 85mm F1.4

Telephoto Prime | Sony E

Samyang 85mm F1.4 Aspherical IF
CHECK PRICE

BUY from B&H PHOTO

Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM vs Samyang 85mm F1.4 Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM and Samyang 85mm F1.4, two Telephoto Prime lenses from Sony and Samyang. Both lenses have the same focal length and max apertures of 85mm focal range and a max aperture of F1.4 so they are very comparable in this regard.

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 85mm F1.4 GM Key Specs

  • 85mm Focal Range
  • F1.4 Max Aperture
  • Weather Sealed
  • Filter Thread: 77mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Sony E Mount
  • Weight: 820g.
  • Diameter: 90mm
  • Length: 108mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.8m
  • Max Magnification:0.12x

Samyang 85mm F1.4 Key Specs

  • 85mm Focal Range
  • F1.4 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 72mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Sony E Mount
  • Weight: 539g.
  • Diameter: 78mm
  • Length: 75mm
  • Min Focus Distance:1m

What type of photography are the Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM and Samyang 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 Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM and the Samyang 85mm F1.4 for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM Samyang 85mm F1.4
Bird/WildlifeAverageAverage
SportsGoodGood
PortraitExcellentExcellent
TravelFairFair
StreetAverageAverage
WeddingVery GoodVery Good
Walk AroundFairFair
VloggingAverageAverage
LandscapeFairFair

Size and Weight Comparison

Size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses.Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM is the longer of the two lenses at 108mm. The Samyang 85mm F1.4 with a length of 75mm is 33mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM also has a larger diameter of 90mm compared to Samyang 85mm F1.4's 78mm diameter.

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 85mm F1.4 weighs 539g, 34% (281g) lighter than the Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM's weight of 820g.


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

Telephoto Prime Lenses in Sony E Mount for Size Comparison
Model Length Diameter Weight Street Price
Samyang AF 135mm F1.8 FE Lens Samyang AF 135mm F1.8 FE
130mm
93mm 772g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony FE 85mm F1.8 Lens Sony FE 85mm F1.8
82mm
78mm 371g Amazon B&H Photo
Samyang AF 85mm F1.4 FE Lens Samyang AF 85mm F1.4 FE
100mm
88mm 568g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony FE 600mm F4 GM OSS Lens Sony FE 600mm F4 GM OSS
449mm
164mm 3040g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 135mm F1.8 DG HSM Art Lens Sigma 135mm F1.8 DG HSM
141mm
91mm 1130g Amazon B&H Photo
Zeiss Batis 85mm F1.8 Lens Zeiss Batis 85mm F1.8
78mm
105mm 475g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS Lens Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS
359mm
158mm 2895g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony FE 135mm F1.8 GM Lens Sony FE 135mm F1.8 GM
127mm
90mm 950g Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mounts

Both Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM and Samyang 85mm F1.4 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 85mm F1.4 is also available in Canon EF , Nikon F (FX), Four Thirds, Pentax KAF, Sony Alpha and Samsung NX mounts.

Focal Range

Both lenses have the same focal range of 85mm and the fastest aperture of F1.4.

Reasons to choose Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM over Samyang 85mm F1.4 Aspherical IF

Diaphgragm Blades 11 vs Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Autofocus Yes vs No Easier, faster and more accurate focusing
Weather Sealing Yes vs No safer to use under rain and dust
Minimum Focus Distance 0.8m vs 1m can focus closer to the subject
Max Magnification 0.12x vs x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Reasons to choose Samyang 85mm F1.4 Aspherical IF over Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM

Distance Scale Yes vs No Distance Scale to assist focusing
Weight 539g vs 820g 281g lighter
Diameter 78mm vs 90mm 12mm smaller in diameter
Length 75mm vs 108mm 33mm shorter
Filter Thread 72mm vs 77mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find

Common Strengths of Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM and Samyang 85mm F1.4 Aspherical IF
Autofocus Yes vs Yes Easier, faster and more accurate focusing
Aperture Ring Yes vs Yes able to adjust the aperture on the lens
Common Weaknesses of Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM and Samyang 85mm F1.4 Aspherical IF
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 85mm F1.4 GM vs Samyang 85mm F1.4 Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Sony Samyang
Lens Type Prime Prime
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type Telephoto Prime Telephoto Prime
Lens Mount Sony E Sony E
Max Format 35mm FF 35mm FF
Focal Range 85mm 85mm
Image Stabilization No No
Colour Black Unknown
Zoom Method No Zoom No Zoom
Power Zoom No No
Zoom Lock Yes No
Zoom Ratio 1.0X 1.0X
Aperture
Max Aperture F1.4 F1.4
Min Aperture F16.0 F22.0
Aperture Ring Yes Yes
Diaphragm Blades 11 unknown
Optics
Optical Elements 11 9
Optical Groups 8 7
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.8m 1m
Max Magnification 0.12X unknown
Autofocus Yes No
AF Motor Type Ring-type ultrasonic None
Full Time Manual Yes N/A
Focus Method Internal Unknown
Distance Scale No Yes
DoF Scale No No
Distance Scale No Yes
Focus Distance Limiter Unknown Unknown
Physical Specs
Weight 820g 539g
Diameter 90mm 78mm
Length 108mm 75mm
Materials Unknown Unknown
Weather Sealing Yes No
Filter Thread 77mm 72mm
Filter Notes - -
Hood Supplied Yes Unknown
Hood Code ALC-SH142 Unknown
Tripod Collar No No
Optional Accessories - -
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