Samyang 50mm F1.2 AS UMC CS § 03 Head to head
Samyang 50mm F1.2 AS UMC CS vs Voigtlander Nokton 50 mm f/1.2 Aspherical
Samyang 50mm f/1.2 is 59 g lighter. Voigtlander 50mm f/1.2 is 4 mm shorter.
Both lenses are made for the Sony E mount: the Samyang 50mm F1.2 AS UMC CS is a 50mm f/1.2 prime, and the Voigtlander Nokton 50 mm f/1.2 Aspherical is a 50mm f/1.2 prime. On paper the Voigtlander Nokton 50 mm f/1.2 Aspherical comes out ahead, 6 advantages to 1, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
Samyang 50mm F1.2 AS UMC CS 
Voigtlander Nokton 50 mm f/1.2 Aspherical 01
Key differences
Why is the Samyang 50mm F1.2 AS UMC CS better than the Voigtlander Nokton 50 mm f/1.2 Aspherical?
- 59 g lighter (375 g vs 434 g)
Why is the Voigtlander Nokton 50 mm f/1.2 Aspherical better than the Samyang 50mm F1.2 AS UMC CS?
- 4 mm shorter (70 mm vs 74 mm long)
- Focuses 5 cm closer (0.45 m vs 0.5 m)
- More aperture blades (12 vs 9)
- Smaller filter thread (58 mm vs 62 mm)
- Covers a larger sensor format (full-frame vs APS-C)
- Newer design (2019 vs 2017)
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Which should you buy?
- portrait For portrait photography, the Samyang 50mm F1.2 AS UMC CS has the edge: it is 59 g lighter to carry.
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Specification
| Specification | Samyang 50mm F1.2 AS UMC CS | Voigtlander Nokton 50 mm f/1.2 Aspherical |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 50mm | 50mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/1.2 | f/1.2 |
| Minimum aperture | f/16 | f/22 |
| Lens type | Standard prime lens | Prime lens |
| Format | APS-C | Full frame |
| Weight | 375 g (0.83 lbs) ◆ | 434 g (15.31 oz) |
| Dimensions | 74 mm (diameter) x 74 mm (length) | 58 x 70 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.5 m (19.7 in) | 0.45 m (17.72 inches) ◆ |
| Maximum magnification | 0.17x | — |
| Image stabilization | No | No |
| Weather sealing | No | — |
| Aperture ring | Yes | Yes |
| Aperture blades | 9 | 12 ◆ |
| Optical construction | 9 elements in 7 groups | 8 elements / 6 groups |
| Filter size | 62 mm | 58 mm ◆ |
| Lens mount | Canon EF-M, Fujifilm X, Micro Four Thirds, Sony E | Sony E |
| Released | 2017 | 2019 |
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Size
- A · Samyang
- B · Voigtlander
- 74 × 74 mm
- 70 × 58 mm
The Samyang 50mm F1.2 AS UMC CS is 4 mm longer and 59 g lighter than the Voigtlander Nokton 50 mm f/1.2 Aspherical.
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Sample frames
Samyang 50mm F1.2 AS UMC CS
Voigtlander Nokton 50 mm f/1.2 Aspherical
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Video reviews
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Questions
- Which is lighter, the Samyang 50mm F1.2 AS UMC CS or the Voigtlander Nokton 50 mm f/1.2 Aspherical?
- The Samyang 50mm F1.2 AS UMC CS weighs 375 g, 59 g less than the Voigtlander Nokton 50 mm f/1.2 Aspherical (434 g).
- Which focuses closer, the Samyang 50mm F1.2 AS UMC CS or the Voigtlander Nokton 50 mm f/1.2 Aspherical?
- The Voigtlander Nokton 50 mm f/1.2 Aspherical focuses down to 0.45 m, against 0.5 m for the Samyang 50mm F1.2 AS UMC CS.
- Do the Samyang 50mm F1.2 AS UMC CS and the Voigtlander Nokton 50 mm f/1.2 Aspherical have image stabilization?
- No, neither lens has optical image stabilization; rely on in-body stabilization if your camera has it.
- Is the Samyang 50mm F1.2 AS UMC CS or the Voigtlander Nokton 50 mm f/1.2 Aspherical better for portrait photography?
- For portrait photography, the Samyang 50mm F1.2 AS UMC CS has the edge: it is 59 g lighter to carry.
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