OVERALL
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Samyang 12mm F 2 AF RF S Review | 54 Data compared

Avg. price:~£340Lens mount:Canon RF, Sony EMaximum focal length:12 mmMaximum aperture (telephoto end):2Optical image stabilization:noMaximum angle of view:96.8 °

Samyang 12mm F 2 AF RF S Review: Compare 54 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Camera lenses category and whether it is worth buying.

7.4

Overall score

Score
7.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the camera lens's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best camera lenses on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 72% of models
Score components

80%

7.2

Technical score

20%

7.9

User score

â–²Better than 72% of camera-lenses
7.2

Technical score

Technical score
7.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Camera lenses category across these key areas: Mount & Format, Optics & Aperture, Focus & Controls, Stabilization, Build & Handling, Lab Scores.
When it matters
When you want to compare camera lenses based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 77% of models
Score components

35%

8.1

Optics & Aperture

24%

9.0

Build & Handling

20%

6.5

Focus & Controls

10%

?

Lab Scores

8%

1.0

Stabilization

3%

1.0

Mount & Format

â–²Better than 77% of camera-lenses
7.9

User score

User score
7.9/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the camera lens.
When it matters
When real-world owner satisfaction and review volume matter to your decision.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 77% of models
Score components

70%

9.2

User ratings

30%

4.8

Number of reviews

Based on 33 buyer reviews from online shops.
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →
How we calculate this
User ratings – average star rating across all shop listings, weighted by how many reviews each has, on a 1–10 scale.
Number of reviews – how many buyer reviews the product has, on a logarithmic scale; the 8% most-reviewed models in the category get 10.
â–¼Worse than 77% of camera-lenses
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Best prices

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Best rankings

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of camera lens Samyang 12mm F 2 AF RF S

Technical score
Technical score
7.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Camera lenses category across these key areas: Mount & Format, Optics & Aperture, Focus & Controls, Stabilization, Build & Handling, Lab Scores.
When it matters
When you want to compare camera lenses based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 77% of models
Score components:

35%

8.1

Optics & Aperture

24%

9.0

Build & Handling

20%

6.5

Focus & Controls

10%

?

Lab Scores

8%

1.0

Stabilization

3%

1.0

Mount & Format

7.2
User score
User score
7.9/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the camera lens.
When it matters
When real-world owner satisfaction and review volume matter to your decision.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 77% of models
Score components

70%

9.2

User ratings

30%

4.8

Number of reviews

Based on 33 buyer reviews from online shops.
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →
How we calculate this
User ratings – average star rating across all shop listings, weighted by how many reviews each has, on a 1–10 scale.
Number of reviews – how many buyer reviews the product has, on a logarithmic scale; the 8% most-reviewed models in the category get 10.
7.9
Popularity
Popularity
4.8/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the camera lens.
When it matters
When you want to see which camera lenses attract the most buyer attention and review activity.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 79% of models
Popularity:
Samyang 12mm F 2 AF RF S has a popularity score of 4.8 points, which is lower than 77.8% of camera lenses.
4.8
Value for money
Value for money
7.8/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the camera lens's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you want to know how much overall quality you get for the price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
★ Better than 91% of models
Score components:

60%

7.4

Overall score

40%

8.7

Price

7.8
Lens type
wide-angle prime
Lens mount
Canon RF, Sony E
Sensor format coverage
APS-C
Filter thread size
62 mm
Teleconverter compatibility
no
Teleconverter compatibility
no
â–¼ Worse than 15% of models
This camera lens does not support teleconverters. 15.3% of camera lenses support teleconverters.
Show more
Minimum focal length
12 mm
Maximum focal length
12 mm
Optical zoom
N/A
Maximum angle of view
96.8 °
Minimum angle of view
96.8 °
Show more
Focus motor
STM, linear motor
Minimum focus distance
0.2 m
Minimum focus distance
0.2 m
â–² Better than 79% of models
Market range: <0.18 m – >1.1 m
This camera lens focuses as close as 0.2 m, which is closer than 79.4% of camera lenses and equal to 7% of camera lenses.
Maximum reproduction ratio
0.09xx
Maximum reproduction ratio
0.09x
â–¼ Worse than 95% of models
Market range: <0.11 x – >0.39 x
This camera lens reaches a reproduction ratio of 0.09x, which is lower than 94.6% of camera lenses and equal to 2.1% of camera lenses.
Full-time manual focus
yes
Full-time manual focus
yes
â–² Better than 32% of models
This camera lens supports full-time manual focus. 68.3% of camera lenses support full-time manual focus.
Override via DMF mode.
Internal focusing
yes
Internal focusing
yes
â–² Better than 16% of models
This camera lens supports internal focusing. 83.6% of camera lenses support internal focusing.
Show more
Optical image stabilization
no
Optical image stabilization
no
â–¼ Worse than 29% of models
This camera lens does not support optical image stabilization. 29.1% of camera lenses include optical image stabilization.
Stabilization effectiveness (CIPA stops)
N/A
Weight
213 g
Weight
213 g
â–² Better than 85% of models
Market range: <171 g – >1.3k g
This camera lens weighs 213 g, which is lighter than 85.3% of camera lenses.
Lens length
57.2 mm
Lens length
57.2 mm
â–² Better than 84% of models
Market range: <46 mm – >189 mm
This camera lens is 57.2 mm long, which is shorter than 83.5% of camera lenses.
Lens diameter
70 mm
Lens diameter
70 mm
â–² Better than 70% of models
Market range: <62.4 mm – >94.7 mm
This camera lens has a diameter of 70 mm, which is slimmer than 69.9% of camera lenses and equal to that of 3.5% of camera lenses.
Weather sealing (splashproof)
yes
Weather sealing (splashproof)
yes
â–² Better than 50% of models
This camera lens supports weather sealing. 50.2% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
Metal mount
yes
Metal mount
yes
â–² Better than 6% of models
This camera lens uses a metal lens mount. 93.6% of camera lenses use a metal lens mount.
Show more
DxOMark overall score
?
DxOMark sharpness score
?
DxOMark transmission
?
DxOMark distortion
?
DxOMark vignetting
?
Show more

Samyang 12mm F 2 AF RF S vs the average camera lens

246810TotalMount & FormatOptics & ApertureFocus & ControlsStabilizationBuild & HandlingLab Scores
  • Has focus hold button
    Focus hold button
    yes
    â–² Better than 83% of models
    This camera lens has a focus hold button, the average camera lens does not. 16.6% of camera lenses include a focus hold button.
  • 0.8 lower f-number at telephoto end
    Maximum aperture (telephoto end)
    2
    â–² Better than 66% of models
    Market range: <1.4 – >5.6
    This camera lens has a brighter maximum telephoto aperture than the average camera lens (f/2 vs f/2.8). The average lens has a maximum telephoto aperture of f/2.8.
    2 vs 2.8
  • 297 g lighter
    Weight
    213 g
    â–² Better than 85% of models
    Market range: <171 g – >1.3k g
    This camera lens is lighter than the average camera lens (213 g vs 510 g). The average lens weighs 510 g.
    213 g vs 510 g
  • 35.05 mm shorter lens
    Lens length
    57.2 mm
    â–² Better than 84% of models
    Market range: <46 mm – >189 mm
    This camera lens is shorter than the average camera lens (57.2 mm vs 92.25 mm). The average lens has a length of 92.25 mm.
    57.2 mm vs 92.25 mm
  • Newer release date
    Release date
    2024
    ★ Better than 95% of models
    Market range: <2k – >2k
    This camera lens was released more recently than the average camera lens.
    December 2024
    2024 vs 2016
  • 0.1 m shorter minimum focus distance
    Minimum focus distance
    0.2 m
    â–² Better than 79% of models
    Market range: <0.18 m – >1.1 m
    This camera lens has a lower minimum focus distance than the average camera lens (0.2 m vs 0.3 m). The average lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.3 m.
    0.2 m vs 0.3 m
  • 1 more low-dispersion elements
    Low-dispersion elements
    3
    â–² Better than 64% of models
    Market range: <0 – >4
    This camera lens has more low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (3 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.
    3 vs 2
  • 7 mm narrower lens barrel
    Lens diameter
    70 mm
    â–² Better than 70% of models
    Market range: <62.4 mm – >94.7 mm
    This camera lens is slimmer than the average camera lens (70 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.
    70 mm vs 77 mm
  • 12.8% better value for money
    Samyang 12mm F 2 AF RF S has a better value-for-money score than the average camera lens (7.76 vs 6.9).
    7.76 vs 6.89
  • 0.8 lower f-number at telephoto end
    Maximum aperture (telephoto end)
    2
    â–² Better than 66% of models
    Market range: <1.4 – >5.6
    This camera lens has a brighter maximum telephoto aperture than the average camera lens (f/2 vs f/2.8). The average lens has a maximum telephoto aperture of f/2.8.
    2 vs 2.8
  • 1 more low-dispersion elements
    Low-dispersion elements
    3
    â–² Better than 64% of models
    Market range: <0 – >4
    This camera lens has more low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (3 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.
    3 vs 2
  • Has focus hold button
    Focus hold button
    yes
    â–² Better than 83% of models
    This camera lens has a focus hold button, the average camera lens does not. 16.6% of camera lenses include a focus hold button.
  • 0.1 m shorter minimum focus distance
    Minimum focus distance
    0.2 m
    â–² Better than 79% of models
    Market range: <0.18 m – >1.1 m
    This camera lens has a lower minimum focus distance than the average camera lens (0.2 m vs 0.3 m). The average lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.3 m.
    0.2 m vs 0.3 m
  • 297 g lighter
    Weight
    213 g
    â–² Better than 85% of models
    Market range: <171 g – >1.3k g
    This camera lens is lighter than the average camera lens (213 g vs 510 g). The average lens weighs 510 g.
    213 g vs 510 g
  • 35.05 mm shorter lens
    Lens length
    57.2 mm
    â–² Better than 84% of models
    Market range: <46 mm – >189 mm
    This camera lens is shorter than the average camera lens (57.2 mm vs 92.25 mm). The average lens has a length of 92.25 mm.
    57.2 mm vs 92.25 mm
  • Newer release date
    Release date
    2024
    ★ Better than 95% of models
    Market range: <2k – >2k
    This camera lens was released more recently than the average camera lens.
    December 2024
    2024 vs 2016
  • 7 mm narrower lens barrel
    Lens diameter
    70 mm
    â–² Better than 70% of models
    Market range: <62.4 mm – >94.7 mm
    This camera lens is slimmer than the average camera lens (70 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.
    70 mm vs 77 mm
  • 2 fewer aperture blades
    Aperture blades
    7
    â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
    Market range: <7 – >9
    This camera lens has fewer aperture blades than the average camera lens (7 vs 9). The average lens has 9 aperture blades.
    7 vs 9
  • 0.1 x lower maximum reproduction ratio
    Maximum reproduction ratio
    0.09 x
    â–¼ Worse than 95% of models
    Market range: <0.11 x – >0.39 x
    This camera lens has a lower maximum reproduction ratio than the average camera lens (0.1 x vs 0.2 x). The average lens has a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.192 x.
    0.09 x vs 0.192 x
  • 6.1% lower user score
    User score
    7.9/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the camera lens.
    When it matters
    When real-world owner satisfaction and review volume matter to your decision.
    Score distribution
    ▼▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Samyang 12mm F 2 AF RF S
    the average camera lens
    Samyang 12mm F 2 AF RF S has a lower user score than the average camera lens (7.88 vs 8.360).
    7.88 vs 8.36
  • 52.2% less popular
    Samyang 12mm F 2 AF RF S is less popular than the average camera lens (4.79 vs 7.3).
    4.79 vs 7.29
  • 6.1% lower user score
    User score
    7.9/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the camera lens.
    When it matters
    When real-world owner satisfaction and review volume matter to your decision.
    Score distribution
    ▼▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Samyang 12mm F 2 AF RF S
    the average camera lens
    Samyang 12mm F 2 AF RF S has a lower user score than the average camera lens (7.88 vs 8.360).
    7.88 vs 8.36
  • 52.2% less popular
    Samyang 12mm F 2 AF RF S is less popular than the average camera lens (4.79 vs 7.3).
    4.79 vs 7.29
  • 2 fewer aperture blades
    Aperture blades
    7
    â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
    Market range: <7 – >9
    This camera lens has fewer aperture blades than the average camera lens (7 vs 9). The average lens has 9 aperture blades.
    7 vs 9
  • 0.1 x lower maximum reproduction ratio
    Maximum reproduction ratio
    0.09 x
    â–¼ Worse than 95% of models
    Market range: <0.11 x – >0.39 x
    This camera lens has a lower maximum reproduction ratio than the average camera lens (0.1 x vs 0.2 x). The average lens has a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.192 x.
    0.09 x vs 0.192 x

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

D
digitalcameraworld.com
22/07/2025
Summary of the review
LK Samyang AF 12mm f/2 RF-S review: an ultra-wide-angle prime for Canon
N
nightscapephotographer.com
05/12/2024
Summary of the review
SAMYANG AF 12mm F2 RF-S – Lens Review
P
petapixel.com
05/12/2024
Summary of the review
Samyang Brings Ultra-Wide AF 12mm f/2 Lens to Canon RF Mount
B
bernhardherzog.com
23/05/2022
Summary of the review
Samyang 12mm F2.0 - My Favorite Lens
(Translated)Show original
F
fotokoch.de
27/05/2021
Summary of the review
Impressive Vastness - Samyang AF 12mm F2.0
(Translated)Show original
F
focus-review.com
16/05/2025
Summary of the review
Full review: Samyang AF 12mm F2.0 RF-S
(Translated)Show original
M
maarten.photos
05/12/2024
Summary of the review
Review Samyang 12mm/2 AF - Maarten.photos
(Translated)Show original

Third-party reviews

Based on 33 buyer reviews from online shops.
Reviews last updated: July 2026 · How we calculate this
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →

What we like about Samyang 12mm F 2 AF RF S

  • Excellent value for the money with a highly affordable price compared to competitors
  • Extremely compact and lightweight design, making it highly portable and gimbal-friendly
  • Fast, quiet, and reliable linear stepper motor (STM) autofocusing
  • Bright f/2.0 maximum aperture allows for great low-light performance and vlogging versatility
  • Very sharp image quality in the center and mid-frame
  • Solid build quality that includes weather sealing and a metal rear mount
  • Well-controlled barrel distortion for straight lines in architectural shots

What we don't like about Samyang 12mm F 2 AF RF S

  • Slight softness and loss of sharpness at the widest f/2.0 setting, especially around corners and edges
  • Noticeable chromatic aberration (color fringing) in high-contrast transitions before software corrections
  • Heavy vignetting when shot wide open at f/2.0
  • Included plastic lens hood is designed in a way that prevents it from being reverse-mounted
  • Lacks advanced handling features found on other Samyang lenses, such as a custom switch or focus hold button
  • The 62mm filter thread size can require step-up rings to share standard larger filters

Verdict

The Samyang AF 12mm f/2 RF-S is an ultra-wide-angle prime lens designed for Canon APS-C mirrorless cameras, offering a 19mm full-frame equivalent focal length and a fast f/2.0 maximum aperture. It features a compact, 213g lightweight build with weather-sealing and an advanced optical design consisting of 12 elements in 10 groups, including two aspherical and three extra-low dispersion elements to maintain corner-to-corner sharpness. Main pros include its silent Linear STM autofocus motor, excellent control over barrel distortion, a short 0.2m minimum focus distance, and compatibility with in-camera lens corrections. However, some users note visible color fringing (chromatic aberration) in high-contrast areas and a slight drop in sharpness at the widest f/2 aperture when compared to its performance stopped down.

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