§ 03 Head to head

Meike 12mm f/2 vs Samyang 12mm F2.0 NCS CS

Meike 12mm f/2 has a smaller filter thread. Samyang 12mm f/2.0 is 17 g lighter.

The Meike 12mm f/2 is a 12mm f/2 prime, and the Samyang 12mm F2.0 NCS CS is a 12mm f/2.0 prime. On paper the Meike 12mm f/2 comes out ahead, 2 advantages to 1, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.

01

Key differences

From manufacturer specifications

Why is the Meike 12mm f/2 better than the Samyang 12mm F2.0 NCS CS?

  • Smaller filter thread (62 mm vs 67 mm)
  • Newer design (2022 vs 2014)

Why is the Samyang 12mm F2.0 NCS CS better than the Meike 12mm f/2?

  • 17 g lighter (260 g vs 277 g)
02

Which should you buy?

By use
  • landscape For landscape photography, the Samyang 12mm F2.0 NCS CS has the edge: it is 17 g lighter to carry.
  • architecture For architecture, the Samyang 12mm F2.0 NCS CS has the edge: it is 17 g lighter to carry.
03

Specification

18 rows · better value flagged ◆
SpecificationMeike 12mm f/2Samyang 12mm F2.0 NCS CS
Focal length12mm 12mm
Maximum aperturef/2 f/2.0
Minimum aperturef/16 f/22
Lens typePrime lens Wide-angle prime lens
FormatAPS-C APS-C
Weight277 g 260 g (0.57 lbs) ◆
Dimensions—73 mm (diameter) x 59 mm (length)
Minimum focusing distance0.2 m 0.2 m (7.87 in)
Maximum magnification—0.08x
Image stabilizationNo No
Weather sealing—No
Aperture ring—Yes
Aperture blades—6
Optical construction12 elements / 9 groups 12 elements in 10 groups
Filter size62 mm ◆67 mm
Lens mountMicro Four Thirds, Sony E, Nikon Z, Fujifilm X, Canon EF-M Canon EF-M, Fujifilm X, Micro Four Thirds, Samsung NX, Sony E
Released2022 2014
Price$189 list price —
05

Sample frames

Shot on each lens

Meike 12mm f/2

Sunset Dune du Pilat
Sunset Dune du Pilat by o.gran
Duderstadt - city hall
Duderstadt - city hall by o.gran
Rootz
Rootz by o.gran
Cuboidz
Cuboidz by o.gran

Samyang 12mm F2.0 NCS CS

Big Skies
Big Skies by RobLesliePhotography
Mach 1 Drama
Mach 1 Drama by RobLesliePhotography
DSCF0571
DSCF0571 by RobLesliePhotography
A rare Cambridgeshire Aurora
A rare Cambridgeshire Aurora by Tom Codd Photography
06

Video reviews

4 on YouTube
Video thumbnail for Meike 12mm f/2 review 1
Video thumbnail for Meike 12mm f/2 review 2
Video thumbnail for Samyang 12mm F2.0 NCS CS review 1
Video thumbnail for Samyang 12mm F2.0 NCS CS review 2
07

Questions

Which is lighter, the Meike 12mm f/2 or the Samyang 12mm F2.0 NCS CS?
The Samyang 12mm F2.0 NCS CS weighs 260 g, 17 g less than the Meike 12mm f/2 (277 g).
Do the Meike 12mm f/2 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 Meike 12mm f/2 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 17 g lighter to carry.
Is the Meike 12mm f/2 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 17 g lighter to carry.
08

Other comparisons