Which lens has the brighter aperture, the Meike 23 mm f/1.4 AF or the Sirui Sniper 23 mm f/1.2?

The Sirui Sniper 23 mm f/1.2 opens to f/1.2, against f/1.4 on the Meike 23 mm f/1.4 AF, 0.4 stops brighter.

Which is lighter, the Meike 23 mm f/1.4 AF or the Sirui Sniper 23 mm f/1.2?

The Meike 23 mm f/1.4 AF weighs 298 g, 88 g less than the Sirui Sniper 23 mm f/1.2 (386 g).

Which focuses closer, the Meike 23 mm f/1.4 AF or the Sirui Sniper 23 mm f/1.2?

The Meike 23 mm f/1.4 AF focuses down to 0.25 m, against 0.3 m for the Sirui Sniper 23 mm f/1.2.

Do the Meike 23 mm f/1.4 AF and the Sirui Sniper 23 mm f/1.2 have image stabilization?

No, neither lens has optical image stabilization; rely on in-body stabilization if your camera has it.

Is the Meike 23 mm f/1.4 AF or the Sirui Sniper 23 mm f/1.2 better for landscape photography?

For landscape photography, the Meike 23 mm f/1.4 AF has the edge: it is 88 g lighter to carry.

Is the Meike 23 mm f/1.4 AF or the Sirui Sniper 23 mm f/1.2 better for architecture?

For architecture, the Meike 23 mm f/1.4 AF has the edge: it is 88 g lighter to carry.

§ 03 Head to head

Meike 23 mm f/1.4 AF vs Sirui Sniper 23 mm f/1.2

Name: Meike 23 mm f/1.4 AF
Brand: Meike
Price: 289.99 USD

Meike 23mm f/1.4 is 88 g lighter. Sirui 23mm f/1.2 is 0.4 stops brighter maximum aperture.

Both lenses are made for the Sony E mount: the Meike 23 mm f/1.4 AF is a 23mm f/1.4 prime, and the Sirui Sniper 23 mm f/1.2 is a 23mm f/1.2 prime. On paper the Meike 23 mm f/1.4 AF comes out ahead, 4 advantages to 2, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.

Add a third lens →

Meike 23 mm f/1.4 AF

f/1.4 · 23mm · 298 g

Sirui Sniper 23 mm f/1.2

f/1.2 · 23mm · 386 g

Key differences

From manufacturer specifications

Why is the Meike 23 mm f/1.4 AF better than the Sirui Sniper 23 mm f/1.2?

88 g lighter (298 g vs 386 g)
Focuses 5 cm closer (0.25 m vs 0.3 m)
$59 cheaper ($289.99 list price vs $349 launch price)
Newer design (2025 vs 2023)

Why is the Sirui Sniper 23 mm f/1.2 better than the Meike 23 mm f/1.4 AF?

0.4 stops brighter maximum aperture (f/1.2 vs f/1.4)
More aperture blades (11 vs 9)

Which should you buy?

By use

landscape For landscape photography, the Meike 23 mm f/1.4 AF has the edge: it is 88 g lighter to carry.
architecture For architecture, the Meike 23 mm f/1.4 AF has the edge: it is 88 g lighter to carry.
low-light For low-light shooting, the Sirui Sniper 23 mm f/1.2 has the edge: its f/1.2 aperture gathers more light than f/1.4.
astrophotography For astrophotography, the Sirui Sniper 23 mm f/1.2 has the edge: its f/1.2 aperture gathers more light than f/1.4.

Specification

16 rows · better value flagged ◆

Specification	Meike 23 mm f/1.4 AF	Sirui Sniper 23 mm f/1.2
Focal length	23mm	23mm
Maximum aperture	f/1.4	f/1.2 ◆
Minimum aperture	f/16	f/16
Lens type	Prime lens	Prime lens
Format	APS-C	APS-C
Weight	298 g (10.51 oz) ◆	386 g (13.62 oz)
Dimensions	81 x 66.5 mm	0 x 94.2 mm
Minimum focusing distance	0.25 m (9.84 inches) ◆	0.3 m (11.81 inches)
Image stabilization	No	No
Aperture ring	No	No
Aperture blades	9	11 ◆
Optical construction	13 elements / 11 groups	12 elements / 11 groups
Filter size	58 mm	58 mm
Lens mount	Sony E, Nikon Z, Fujifilm X	Sony E, Nikon Z, Fujifilm X
Released	2025	2023
Price	$289.99 list price ◆	$349 launch price

Video reviews

4 on YouTube

Video thumbnail for Meike 23 mm f/1.4 AF review 1

Video thumbnail for Meike 23 mm f/1.4 AF review 2

Video thumbnail for Sirui Sniper 23 mm f/1.2 review 1

Video thumbnail for Sirui Sniper 23 mm f/1.2 review 2

Questions

Which lens has the brighter aperture, the Meike 23 mm f/1.4 AF or the Sirui Sniper 23 mm f/1.2?: The Sirui Sniper 23 mm f/1.2 opens to f/1.2, against f/1.4 on the Meike 23 mm f/1.4 AF, 0.4 stops brighter.
Which is lighter, the Meike 23 mm f/1.4 AF or the Sirui Sniper 23 mm f/1.2?: The Meike 23 mm f/1.4 AF weighs 298 g, 88 g less than the Sirui Sniper 23 mm f/1.2 (386 g).
Which focuses closer, the Meike 23 mm f/1.4 AF or the Sirui Sniper 23 mm f/1.2?: The Meike 23 mm f/1.4 AF focuses down to 0.25 m, against 0.3 m for the Sirui Sniper 23 mm f/1.2.
Do the Meike 23 mm f/1.4 AF and the Sirui Sniper 23 mm f/1.2 have image stabilization?: No, neither lens has optical image stabilization; rely on in-body stabilization if your camera has it.
Is the Meike 23 mm f/1.4 AF or the Sirui Sniper 23 mm f/1.2 better for landscape photography?: For landscape photography, the Meike 23 mm f/1.4 AF has the edge: it is 88 g lighter to carry.
Is the Meike 23 mm f/1.4 AF or the Sirui Sniper 23 mm f/1.2 better for architecture?: For architecture, the Meike 23 mm f/1.4 AF has the edge: it is 88 g lighter to carry.