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Samyang AF 12mm F 2 E Review | 54 Data compared

Avg. price:~£260Lens mount:Sony EMaximum focal length:12 mmMaximum aperture (telephoto end):2Optical image stabilization:noMaximum angle of view:99.1 °

Samyang AF 12mm F 2 E 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.

7.3

Overall score

Score
7.3/ 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 69% of models
Score components

80%

6.9

Technical score

20%

8.7

User score

â–²Better than 69% of camera-lenses
6.9

Technical score

Technical score
6.9/ 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 65% of models
Score components

35%

8.1

Optics & Aperture

24%

8.6

Build & Handling

20%

5.6

Focus & Controls

10%

?

Lab Scores

8%

1.0

Stabilization

3%

1.0

Mount & Format

â–²Better than 65% of camera-lenses
8.7

User score

User score
8.7/ 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–² Better than 66% of models
Score components

70%

8.7

User ratings

30%

8.7

Number of reviews

Based on 1,082 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–²Better than 66% 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 AF 12mm F 2 E

Technical score
Technical score
6.9/ 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 65% of models
Score components:

35%

8.1

Optics & Aperture

24%

8.6

Build & Handling

20%

5.6

Focus & Controls

10%

?

Lab Scores

8%

1.0

Stabilization

3%

1.0

Mount & Format

6.9
User score
User score
8.7/ 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–² Better than 66% of models
Score components

70%

8.7

User ratings

30%

8.7

Number of reviews

Based on 1,082 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.
8.7
Popularity
Popularity
8.7/ 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–² Better than 73% of models
Popularity:
Samyang AF 12mm F 2 E has a popularity score of 8.7 points, which is higher than 73.2% of camera lenses.
8.7
Value for money
Value for money
7.9/ 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 94% of models
Score components:

60%

7.3

Overall score

40%

9.2

Price

7.9
Lens type
prime
Lens mount
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
99.1 °
Minimum angle of view
99.1 °
Show more
Focus motor
STM, linear motor
Minimum focus distance
0.19 m
Minimum focus distance
0.19 m
â–² Better than 87% of models
Market range: <0.18 m – >1.1 m
This camera lens focuses as close as 0.19 m, which is closer than 86.5% of camera lenses and equal to 2.3% 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
224 g
Weight
224 g
â–² Better than 83% of models
Market range: <171 g – >1.3k g
This camera lens weighs 224 g, which is lighter than 83.3% of camera lenses and equal to the weight of 0.1% of camera lenses.
Lens length
59.2 mm
Lens length
59.2 mm
â–² Better than 82% of models
Market range: <46 mm – >189 mm
This camera lens is 59.2 mm long, which is shorter than 82.3% of camera lenses and equal to the length of 0.2% 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 AF 12mm F 2 E vs the average camera lens

246810TotalMount & FormatOptics & ApertureFocus & ControlsStabilizationBuild & HandlingLab Scores
  • 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
  • 286 g lighter
    Weight
    224 g
    â–² Better than 83% of models
    Market range: <171 g – >1.3k g
    This camera lens is lighter than the average camera lens (224 g vs 510 g). The average lens weighs 510 g.
    224 g vs 510 g
  • 33.05 mm shorter lens
    Lens length
    59.2 mm
    â–² Better than 82% of models
    Market range: <46 mm – >189 mm
    This camera lens is shorter than the average camera lens (59.2 mm vs 92.25 mm). The average lens has a length of 92.25 mm.
    59.2 mm vs 92.25 mm
  • Newer release date
    Release date
    2021
    â–² Better than 80% of models
    Market range: <2k – >2k
    This camera lens was released more recently than the average camera lens.
    April 2021
    2021 vs 2016
  • 0.11 m shorter minimum focus distance
    Minimum focus distance
    0.19 m
    â–² Better than 87% 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.
    0.19 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
  • 14.2% better value for money
    Samyang AF 12mm F 2 E has a better value-for-money score than the average camera lens (7.86 vs 6.9).
    7.86 vs 6.89
  • 14.2% better value for money
    Samyang AF 12mm F 2 E has a better value-for-money score than the average camera lens (7.86 vs 6.9).
    7.86 vs 6.89
  • 2.04x cheaper
    Samyang AF 12mm F 2 E is cheaper than the average camera lens (£260 vs £530).
    £260 vs £530
  • 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
  • 0.11 m shorter minimum focus distance
    Minimum focus distance
    0.19 m
    â–² Better than 87% 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.
    0.19 m vs 0.3 m
  • 286 g lighter
    Weight
    224 g
    â–² Better than 83% of models
    Market range: <171 g – >1.3k g
    This camera lens is lighter than the average camera lens (224 g vs 510 g). The average lens weighs 510 g.
    224 g vs 510 g
  • 33.05 mm shorter lens
    Lens length
    59.2 mm
    â–² Better than 82% of models
    Market range: <46 mm – >189 mm
    This camera lens is shorter than the average camera lens (59.2 mm vs 92.25 mm). The average lens has a length of 92.25 mm.
    59.2 mm vs 92.25 mm
  • Newer release date
    Release date
    2021
    â–² Better than 80% of models
    Market range: <2k – >2k
    This camera lens was released more recently than the average camera lens.
    April 2021
    2021 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
  • Fixed lens hood
    Reversible lens hood
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 81% of models
    This camera lens does not include a reversible lens hood, the average camera lens does. 81.4% of camera lenses include a reversible lens hood.
  • 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
  • 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
  • Fixed lens hood
    Reversible lens hood
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 81% of models
    This camera lens does not include a reversible lens hood, the average camera lens does. 81.4% of camera lenses include a reversible lens hood.

Video reviews

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

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

D
dustinabbott.net
24/05/2021
Summary of the review
Samyang AF 12mm F2Go to product viewer dialog for this item. Review - DustinAbbott.net
E
ephotozine.com
08/06/2021
Summary of the review
Samyang AF 12mm f/2 E Review - Verdict - ePHOTOzine
O
opticallimits.com
23/10/2023
Summary of the review
Samyang AF 12mm f/2 E Review - OpticalLimits
S
shotkit.com
03/07/2021
Summary of the review
Samyang AF 12mm f/2 for Sony E Mount Review - Shotkit
D
digitalcameraworld.com
15/05/2021
Summary of the review
Samyang AF 12mm F2.0 review - Digital Camera World
F
fotokoch.de
27/05/2021
Summary of the review
Impressive Vastness – Samyang AF 12mm F2.0 E Review
(Translated)Show original
F
fujistas.com
22/10/2014
Summary of the review
Samyang 12mm f/2 Review and Photo Gallery (Note: This historical review covers the original lens that serves as the basis for the AF model)
(Translated)Show original
F
fotonerd.it
25/01/2022
Summary of the review
Samyang AF 12mm f/2 E review: here is what we think of it
(Translated)Show original
J
juzaphoto.com
2021
Summary of the review
Samyang AF 12mm f/2: Features and Reviews
(Translated)Show original
F
focus-review.com
01/07/2021
Summary of the review
Samyang AF 12mm F2 E Review
(Translated)Show original
M
maarten.photos
No Date
Summary of the review
Samyang AF 12mm f/2 Lens Review
(Translated)Show original

Third-party reviews

Based on 1,082 buyer reviews from online shops.
Reviews last updated: July 2026 · How we calculate this
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →

What we like about Samyang AF 12mm F 2 E

  • Incredibly lightweight and compact design
  • Fast, quiet, and accurate autofocus system
  • Excellent value for money compared to first-party alternatives
  • Weather-sealed construction for use in various conditions
  • High center sharpness even at f/2.0
  • Low barrel distortion for an ultra-wide focal length
  • Ideal for vlogging and astrophotography due to the wide f/2 aperture

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

  • Corner and edge sharpness are noticeably softer wide open
  • Significant chromatic aberration (color fringing) in high-contrast areas
  • Heavy vignetting at f/2.0 requiring software correction
  • No physical AF/MF switch on the lens barrel
  • Lens hood cannot be reversed for more compact storage
  • Rough bokeh quality in certain backgrounds

Verdict

The Samyang AF 12mm F2 E is a compact, ultra-wide-angle prime lens designed for Sony APS-C mirrorless cameras, offering an 18mm full-frame equivalent focal length and a bright f/2.0 maximum aperture. It features a lightweight 213g build with advanced weather sealing, a quiet Linear STM autofocus motor, and an optical design consisting of 12 elements in 10 groups, including aspherical and extra-low dispersion (ED) elements to minimise distortion. Main pros include its exceptional sharpness in the centre, fast performance for astrophotography and vlogging, and excellent price-to-performance ratio. However, some cons include noticeable corner softness at f/2.0, heavy vignetting that requires software correction, and a lens hood that cannot be reversed for more compact storage.

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