Samyang XP 50mm F 1 2 Review | 54 Data compared

The Samyang XP 50mm F1.2 is a premium, manual-focus standard lens designed for full-frame Canon cameras to meet the high demands of 50-megapixel sensors and 8K video filming. Built with a robust aluminum alloy body, its optical construction features 11 elements in 8 groups, including one aspherical element and two high-refractive index elements to control chromatic aberration. The lens has a 93mm diameter, a 117mm length, an 86mm filter size, and a minimum focusing distance of 45cm. It was launched with a recommended retail price of €999, which includes a 5-year extended warranty in the Benelux region when registered within four weeks of purchase. The core advantage of this lens is its exceptional image quality and its ability to effortlessly resolve high-resolution details on demanding modern sensors. Its ultra-bright f/1.2 maximum aperture enables a remarkably shallow depth of field, while the 9-blade diaphragm produces a beautiful bokeh effect at wide settings and striking 18-point starbursts when stopped down. However, the lens comes with several trade-offs, most notably its heavy weight of 1,200 grams (excluding caps and hood) and a bulky...

The Samyang 50mm f/1.2 is a fully manual lens specifically optimized for mirrorless crop-sensor cameras, including Canon M, Fujifilm X, Sony E, and Micro Four Thirds mounts. Retailing at a suggested price of €479.99, it departs from traditional Double-Gauss lens formulas to provide high optical quality. The review highlights excellent resolution and relatively high contrast right from its maximum f/1.2 aperture, making it particularly useful for video work. Additional strengths include a sturdy matte-black housing, smooth focus ring operation, well-controlled chromatic aberration, minimal distortion, and a pleasant overall bokeh. On the downside, the lens features strong vignetting—amounting to nearly one full stop—that persists even when stopped down to f/8. Because it lacks electronic contacts to communicate with the camera body, software like Adobe Camera Raw cannot automatically detect the lens, meaning this vignetting must be corrected manually. Furthermore, it is entirely mechanical and lacks autofocus (AF), which limits its practicality to stationary or slow-moving subjects. Minor optical quirks include eight rather than nine aperture blades, light circles that are not perfectly round at maximum aperture, and faint "onion ring" textures...

The review from DIGIFOTO Pro praises the Samyang XP 50mm f1.2 Premium Canon AE as a high-performing, "beastly" standard prime lens specifically designed to meet the demands of modern 50-megapixel full-frame sensors. The core strengths highlighted in the evaluation include its exceptional image quality and sharpness, high-tier aluminum alloy build quality, and an attractive price-to-performance ratio. While the lens is only equipped with a manual focus ring, the reviewer notes that focusing is surprisingly fast and smooth, making it a great tool for photographic "connoisseurs". Ultimately, it received high marks, specifically earning a 9/10 score for both image quality and value. However, the review outlines noticeable drawbacks regarding the physical design of the lens. To achieve its ultra-bright f/1.2 aperture and maintain high resolution, it relies on a massive amount of glass elements. Consequently, the lens is unusually large and heavy, measuring 93mm in diameter, 117mm in length, and weighing a hefty 1,200 grams without the caps or hood. The lack of autofocus is also a potential downside for users looking for quick performance, resulting in a lower handling/operation score...