Kowa Prominar 12 mm f/1.8 § 03 Head to head
Kowa Prominar 12 mm f/1.8 vs Samyang 12mm F2.0 NCS CS
Kowa 12mm f/1.8 is 0.3 stops brighter maximum aperture. Samyang 12mm f/2.0 is 181 g lighter.
The Kowa Prominar 12 mm f/1.8 is a 12mm f/1.8 prime, and the Samyang 12mm F2.0 NCS CS is a 12mm f/2.0 prime. On paper the Samyang 12mm F2.0 NCS CS comes out ahead, 4 advantages to 2, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
Kowa Prominar 12 mm f/1.8 
Samyang 12mm F2.0 NCS CS 01
Key differences
Why is the Kowa Prominar 12 mm f/1.8 better than the Samyang 12mm F2.0 NCS CS?
- 0.3 stops brighter maximum aperture (f/1.8 vs f/2.0)
- More aperture blades (9 vs 6)
Why is the Samyang 12mm F2.0 NCS CS better than the Kowa Prominar 12 mm f/1.8?
- 181 g lighter (260 g vs 441 g)
- 18 mm shorter (59 mm vs 76.5 mm long)
- Smaller filter thread (67 mm vs 72 mm)
- Covers a larger sensor format (APS-C vs Micro Four Thirds)
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Which should you buy?
- landscape For landscape photography, the Samyang 12mm F2.0 NCS CS has the edge: it is 181 g lighter to carry.
- architecture For architecture, the Samyang 12mm F2.0 NCS CS has the edge: it is 181 g lighter to carry.
- low-light For low-light shooting, the Kowa Prominar 12 mm f/1.8 has the edge: its f/1.8 aperture gathers more light than f/2.0.
- astrophotography For astrophotography, the Kowa Prominar 12 mm f/1.8 has the edge: its f/1.8 aperture gathers more light than f/2.0.
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Specification
| Specification | Kowa Prominar 12 mm f/1.8 | Samyang 12mm F2.0 NCS CS |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 12mm | 12mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/1.8 ◆ | f/2.0 |
| Minimum aperture | f/16 | f/22 |
| Lens type | Prime lens | Wide-angle prime lens |
| Format | Micro Four Thirds | APS-C |
| Weight | 441 g (15.56 oz) | 260 g (0.57 lbs) ◆ |
| Dimensions | 90.5 x 76.5 mm | 73 mm (diameter) x 59 mm (length) |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.2 m (7.87 inches) | 0.2 m (7.87 in) |
| Maximum magnification | — | 0.08x |
| Image stabilization | No | No |
| Weather sealing | — | No |
| Aperture ring | Yes | Yes |
| Aperture blades | 9 ◆ | 6 |
| Optical construction | 12 elements / 10 groups | 12 elements in 10 groups |
| Filter size | 72 mm | 67 mm ◆ |
| Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds | Canon EF-M, Fujifilm X, Micro Four Thirds, Samsung NX, Sony E |
| Released | 2014 | 2014 |
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Size
- A · Kowa
- B · Samyang
- 76.5 × 90.5 mm
- 59 × 73 mm
The Kowa Prominar 12 mm f/1.8 is 18 mm longer and 181 g heavier than the Samyang 12mm F2.0 NCS CS.
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Sample frames
Samyang 12mm F2.0 NCS CS
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Video reviews
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Questions
- Which lens has the brighter aperture, the Kowa Prominar 12 mm f/1.8 or the Samyang 12mm F2.0 NCS CS?
- The Kowa Prominar 12 mm f/1.8 opens to f/1.8, against f/2.0 on the Samyang 12mm F2.0 NCS CS, 0.3 stops brighter.
- Which is lighter, the Kowa Prominar 12 mm f/1.8 or the Samyang 12mm F2.0 NCS CS?
- The Samyang 12mm F2.0 NCS CS weighs 260 g, 181 g less than the Kowa Prominar 12 mm f/1.8 (441 g).
- Do the Kowa Prominar 12 mm f/1.8 and the Samyang 12mm F2.0 NCS CS have image stabilization?
- No, neither lens has optical image stabilization; rely on in-body stabilization if your camera has it.
- Is the Kowa Prominar 12 mm f/1.8 or the Samyang 12mm F2.0 NCS CS better for landscape photography?
- For landscape photography, the Samyang 12mm F2.0 NCS CS has the edge: it is 181 g lighter to carry.
- Is the Kowa Prominar 12 mm f/1.8 or the Samyang 12mm F2.0 NCS CS better for architecture?
- For architecture, the Samyang 12mm F2.0 NCS CS has the edge: it is 181 g lighter to carry.
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