§ 03 Head to head

Meike 8 mm f/3.5 vs Samyang 7.5mm F3.5 UMC Fisheye MFT

Meike 8mm f/3.5 has a longer reach. Samyang 7.5mm f/3.5 has a wider field of view.

The Meike 8 mm f/3.5 is an 8mm f/3.5 prime, and the Samyang 7.5mm F3.5 UMC Fisheye MFT is a 7.5mm f/3.5 prime. On paper they trade blows, with 4 advantages each.

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01

Key differences

From manufacturer specifications

Why is the Meike 8 mm f/3.5 better than the Samyang 7.5mm F3.5 UMC Fisheye MFT?

  • Longer reach (8mm vs 7.5mm)
  • More aperture blades (9 vs 6)
  • Covers a larger sensor format (APS-C vs Micro Four Thirds)
  • Newer design (2016 vs 2011)

Why is the Samyang 7.5mm F3.5 UMC Fisheye MFT better than the Meike 8 mm f/3.5?

  • Wider field of view (7.5mm vs 8mm)
  • 322 g lighter (197 g vs 519 g)
  • 36 mm shorter (48 mm vs 84 mm long)
  • Focuses 1 cm closer (0.09 m vs 0.1 m)
02

Which should you buy?

By use
  • landscape For landscape photography, the Samyang 7.5mm F3.5 UMC Fisheye MFT has the edge: it goes wider, to 7.5mm against 8mm.
  • architecture For architecture, the Samyang 7.5mm F3.5 UMC Fisheye MFT has the edge: it goes wider, to 7.5mm against 8mm.
03

Specification

17 rows · better value flagged ◆
SpecificationMeike 8 mm f/3.5Samyang 7.5mm F3.5 UMC Fisheye MFT
Focal length8mm 7.5mm
Maximum aperturef/3.5 f/3.5
Minimum aperturef/22 f/22
Lens typePrime lens Fisheye prime lens
FormatAPS-C Micro Four Thirds
Weight519 g (18.31 oz) 197 g (0.43 lbs) ◆
Dimensions77 x 84 mm 60 mm (diameter) x 48 mm (length)
Minimum focusing distance0.1 m (3.94 inches) 0.09 m (3.54 in) ◆
Maximum magnification—0.08x
Image stabilizationNo No
Weather sealing—No
Aperture ringYes Yes
Aperture blades9 ◆6
Optical construction11 elements / 8 groups 9 elements in 7 groups
Lens mountCanon EF, Nikon F, Micro Four Thirds, Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, Fujifilm X Micro Four Thirds
Released2016 2011
Price$179.99 list price —
04

Size

Drawn to relative scale
  • A · Meike
  • B · Samyang
  • 84 × 77 mm
  • 48 × 60 mm

The Meike 8 mm f/3.5 is 36 mm longer and 322 g heavier than the Samyang 7.5mm F3.5 UMC Fisheye MFT.

05

Sample frames

Shot on each lens

Meike 8 mm f/3.5

Lichtspiele vor dem Dom / Play of Light in Front of the Cathedral
Lichtspiele vor dem Dom / Play of Light in Front of the Cathedral by Dirk Wandel
Scheepmakershaven - Rotterdam
Scheepmakershaven - Rotterdam by wjonge
Brugge - Minnewater
Brugge - Minnewater by wjonge
ROUEN-Cathédrale Notre Dame de Rouen
ROUEN-Cathédrale Notre Dame de Rouen by maur.qbm

Samyang 7.5mm F3.5 UMC Fisheye MFT

July Summer night
July Summer night by Alexey_Summer
IMG_9653
IMG_9653 by zemourimhand
Neptunbrunnen, Piazza Navona
Neptunbrunnen, Piazza Navona by b_o_b3015
Night Aktolagai
Night Aktolagai by Alexey_Summer
06

Video reviews

4 on YouTube
Video thumbnail for Meike 8 mm f/3.5 review 1
Video thumbnail for Meike 8 mm f/3.5 review 2
Video thumbnail for Samyang 7.5mm F3.5 UMC Fisheye MFT review 1
Video thumbnail for Samyang 7.5mm F3.5 UMC Fisheye MFT review 2
07

Questions

Which is lighter, the Meike 8 mm f/3.5 or the Samyang 7.5mm F3.5 UMC Fisheye MFT?
The Samyang 7.5mm F3.5 UMC Fisheye MFT weighs 197 g, 322 g less than the Meike 8 mm f/3.5 (519 g).
Which focuses closer, the Meike 8 mm f/3.5 or the Samyang 7.5mm F3.5 UMC Fisheye MFT?
The Samyang 7.5mm F3.5 UMC Fisheye MFT focuses down to 0.09 m, against 0.1 m for the Meike 8 mm f/3.5.
Do the Meike 8 mm f/3.5 and the Samyang 7.5mm F3.5 UMC Fisheye MFT have image stabilization?
No, neither lens has optical image stabilization; rely on in-body stabilization if your camera has it.
Is the Meike 8 mm f/3.5 or the Samyang 7.5mm F3.5 UMC Fisheye MFT better for landscape photography?
For landscape photography, the Samyang 7.5mm F3.5 UMC Fisheye MFT has the edge: it goes wider, to 7.5mm against 8mm.
Is the Meike 8 mm f/3.5 or the Samyang 7.5mm F3.5 UMC Fisheye MFT better for architecture?
For architecture, the Samyang 7.5mm F3.5 UMC Fisheye MFT has the edge: it goes wider, to 7.5mm against 8mm.
08

Other comparisons