OM M.Zuiko Digital 20 mm f/1.4 PRO § 03 Head to head
OM System M.Zuiko Digital 20 mm f/1.4 PRO vs Samyang 21 mm f/1.4 ED AS UMC CS
OM System 20mm f/1.4 has a wider field of view. Samyang 21mm f/1.4 has a longer reach.
Both lenses are made for the Micro Four Thirds mount: the OM System M.Zuiko Digital 20 mm f/1.4 PRO is a 20mm f/1.4 prime, and the Samyang 21 mm f/1.4 ED AS UMC CS is a 21mm f/1.4 prime. On paper the OM System M.Zuiko Digital 20 mm f/1.4 PRO comes out ahead, 5 advantages to 3, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
OM M.Zuiko Digital 20 mm f/1.4 PRO 
Samyang 21 mm f/1.4 ED AS UMC CS 01
Key differences
Why is the OM System M.Zuiko Digital 20 mm f/1.4 PRO better than the Samyang 21 mm f/1.4 ED AS UMC CS?
- Wider field of view (20mm vs 21mm)
- 38 g lighter (247 g vs 285 g)
- 5 mm shorter (61.7 mm vs 66.4 mm long)
- Focuses 5 cm closer (0.25 m vs 0.3 m)
- Newer design (2021 vs 2015)
Why is the Samyang 21 mm f/1.4 ED AS UMC CS better than the OM System M.Zuiko Digital 20 mm f/1.4 PRO?
- Longer reach (21mm vs 20mm)
- Has a physical aperture ring
- Covers a larger sensor format (APS-C vs Micro Four Thirds)
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Which should you buy?
- landscape For landscape photography, the OM System M.Zuiko Digital 20 mm f/1.4 PRO has the edge: it goes wider, to 20mm against 21mm.
- architecture For architecture, the OM System M.Zuiko Digital 20 mm f/1.4 PRO has the edge: it goes wider, to 20mm against 21mm.
- astrophotography For astrophotography, the OM System M.Zuiko Digital 20 mm f/1.4 PRO has the edge: it goes wider, to 20mm against 21mm.
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Specification
| Specification | OM M.Zuiko Digital 20 mm f/1.4 PRO | Samyang 21 mm f/1.4 ED AS UMC CS |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 20mm | 21mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/1.4 | f/1.4 |
| Minimum aperture | f/16 | f/22 |
| Lens type | Prime lens | Prime lens |
| Format | Micro Four Thirds | APS-C |
| Weight | 247 g ◆ | 285 g (10.05 oz) |
| Dimensions | 63.4 x 61.7 mm | 64.3 x 66.4 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.25 m ◆ | 0.3 m (11.81 inches) |
| Maximum magnification | 0.11x | — |
| Image stabilization | No | No |
| Weather sealing | Yes | — |
| Aperture ring | No | Yes |
| Aperture blades | 9 | 9 |
| Optical construction | 11 elements / 10 groups | 8 elements / 7 groups |
| Filter size | 58 mm | 58 mm |
| Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds, Sony E, Fujifilm X, Canon EF-M |
| Released | 2021 | 2015 |
| Price | $799 launch price | — |
04
Size
- A · OM
- B · Samyang
- 61.7 × 63.4 mm
- 66.4 × 64.3 mm
The Samyang 21 mm f/1.4 ED AS UMC CS is 5 mm longer and 38 g heavier than the OM System M.Zuiko Digital 20 mm f/1.4 PRO.
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Sample frames
OM System M.Zuiko Digital 20 mm f/1.4 PRO
Samyang 21 mm f/1.4 ED AS UMC CS
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Video reviews
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Questions
- Which is lighter, the OM System M.Zuiko Digital 20 mm f/1.4 PRO or the Samyang 21 mm f/1.4 ED AS UMC CS?
- The OM System M.Zuiko Digital 20 mm f/1.4 PRO weighs 247 g, 38 g less than the Samyang 21 mm f/1.4 ED AS UMC CS (285 g).
- Which focuses closer, the OM System M.Zuiko Digital 20 mm f/1.4 PRO or the Samyang 21 mm f/1.4 ED AS UMC CS?
- The OM System M.Zuiko Digital 20 mm f/1.4 PRO focuses down to 0.25 m, against 0.3 m for the Samyang 21 mm f/1.4 ED AS UMC CS.
- Do the OM System M.Zuiko Digital 20 mm f/1.4 PRO and the Samyang 21 mm f/1.4 ED AS UMC CS have image stabilization?
- No, neither lens has optical image stabilization; rely on in-body stabilization if your camera has it.
- Is the OM System M.Zuiko Digital 20 mm f/1.4 PRO or the Samyang 21 mm f/1.4 ED AS UMC CS better for landscape photography?
- For landscape photography, the OM System M.Zuiko Digital 20 mm f/1.4 PRO has the edge: it goes wider, to 20mm against 21mm.
- Is the OM System M.Zuiko Digital 20 mm f/1.4 PRO or the Samyang 21 mm f/1.4 ED AS UMC CS better for architecture?
- For architecture, the OM System M.Zuiko Digital 20 mm f/1.4 PRO has the edge: it goes wider, to 20mm against 21mm.