§ 03 Head to head

Samyang Reflex 300mm F6.3 ED UMC CS vs Tokina SZ 300 mm f/7.1 PRO Reflex MF CF

Samyang 300mm f/6.3 is 0.3 stops brighter maximum aperture. Tokina 300mm f/7.1 is 25 g lighter.

The Samyang Reflex 300mm F6.3 ED UMC CS is a 300mm f/6.3 prime, and the Tokina SZ 300 mm f/7.1 PRO Reflex MF CF is a 300mm f/7.1 prime. On paper the Tokina SZ 300 mm f/7.1 PRO Reflex MF CF comes out ahead, 3 advantages to 2, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.

01

Key differences

From manufacturer specifications

Why is the Samyang Reflex 300mm F6.3 ED UMC CS better than the Tokina SZ 300 mm f/7.1 PRO Reflex MF CF?

  • 0.3 stops brighter maximum aperture (f/6.3 vs f/7.1)
  • Focuses 2 cm closer (0.9 m vs 0.92 m)

Why is the Tokina SZ 300 mm f/7.1 PRO Reflex MF CF better than the Samyang Reflex 300mm F6.3 ED UMC CS?

  • 25 g lighter (235 g vs 260 g)
  • 13 mm shorter (61 mm vs 74 mm long)
  • Newer design (2022 vs 2014)
02

Which should you buy?

By use
  • wildlife For wildlife photography, the Samyang Reflex 300mm F6.3 ED UMC CS has the edge: its f/6.3 aperture gathers more light than f/7.1.
  • sports For sports photography, the Samyang Reflex 300mm F6.3 ED UMC CS has the edge: its f/6.3 aperture gathers more light than f/7.1.
03

Specification

16 rows · better value flagged ◆
SpecificationSamyang Reflex 300mm F6.3 ED UMC CSTokina SZ 300 mm f/7.1 PRO Reflex MF CF
Focal length300mm 300mm
Maximum aperturef/6.3 ◆f/7.1
Minimum aperturef/6.3 (fixed) f/7.1
Lens typeMirror telephoto lens Prime lens
FormatAPS-C APS-C
Weight260 g (0.57 lbs) 235 g ◆
Dimensions65 mm (diameter) x 74 mm (length) 74.5 x 61 mm
Minimum focusing distance0.9 m (2.95 ft) ◆0.92 m
Maximum magnification0.45x —
Image stabilizationNo No
Weather sealingNo —
Aperture ringNo No
Optical construction9 elements in 9 groups 8 elements / 8 groups
Filter sizeRear: 25.5 mm 46 mm
Lens mountSony E, Canon EF-M, Fujifilm X, Micro Four Thirds Sony E, Fujifilm X, Canon EF-M
Released2014 2022
04

Size

Drawn to relative scale
  • A · Samyang
  • B · Tokina
  • 74 × 65 mm
  • 61 × 74.5 mm

The Samyang Reflex 300mm F6.3 ED UMC CS is 13 mm longer and 25 g heavier than the Tokina SZ 300 mm f/7.1 PRO Reflex MF CF.

05

Sample frames

Shot on each lens

Samyang Reflex 300mm F6.3 ED UMC CS

_DSC1414d24u Dietenbachsee Nilgänse Nile geese
_DSC1414d24u Dietenbachsee Nilgänse Nile geese by wdeck
Test Samyang 300mm f6.3 Mirror an A7 RIII_DSC3738d23ucq
Test Samyang 300mm f6.3 Mirror an A7 RIII_DSC3738d23ucq by wdeck
Ente Samyang Mirror Lens 300mm_DSC0737d23u c
Ente Samyang Mirror Lens 300mm_DSC0737d23u c by wdeck
Ente - Dietenbachsee - Samyang Mirror Lens 300 mm_DSC0736d23u
Ente - Dietenbachsee - Samyang Mirror Lens 300 mm_DSC0736d23u by wdeck
06

Video reviews

4 on YouTube
Video thumbnail for Samyang Reflex 300mm F6.3 ED UMC CS review 1
Video thumbnail for Samyang Reflex 300mm F6.3 ED UMC CS review 2
Video thumbnail for Tokina SZ 300 mm f/7.1 PRO Reflex MF CF review 1
Video thumbnail for Tokina SZ 300 mm f/7.1 PRO Reflex MF CF review 2
07

Questions

Which lens has the brighter aperture, the Samyang Reflex 300mm F6.3 ED UMC CS or the Tokina SZ 300 mm f/7.1 PRO Reflex MF CF?
The Samyang Reflex 300mm F6.3 ED UMC CS opens to f/6.3, against f/7.1 on the Tokina SZ 300 mm f/7.1 PRO Reflex MF CF, 0.3 stops brighter.
Which is lighter, the Samyang Reflex 300mm F6.3 ED UMC CS or the Tokina SZ 300 mm f/7.1 PRO Reflex MF CF?
The Tokina SZ 300 mm f/7.1 PRO Reflex MF CF weighs 235 g, 25 g less than the Samyang Reflex 300mm F6.3 ED UMC CS (260 g).
Which focuses closer, the Samyang Reflex 300mm F6.3 ED UMC CS or the Tokina SZ 300 mm f/7.1 PRO Reflex MF CF?
The Samyang Reflex 300mm F6.3 ED UMC CS focuses down to 0.9 m, against 0.92 m for the Tokina SZ 300 mm f/7.1 PRO Reflex MF CF.
Do the Samyang Reflex 300mm F6.3 ED UMC CS and the Tokina SZ 300 mm f/7.1 PRO Reflex MF CF have image stabilization?
No, neither lens has optical image stabilization; rely on in-body stabilization if your camera has it.
Is the Samyang Reflex 300mm F6.3 ED UMC CS or the Tokina SZ 300 mm f/7.1 PRO Reflex MF CF better for wildlife photography?
For wildlife photography, the Samyang Reflex 300mm F6.3 ED UMC CS has the edge: its f/6.3 aperture gathers more light than f/7.1.
Is the Samyang Reflex 300mm F6.3 ED UMC CS or the Tokina SZ 300 mm f/7.1 PRO Reflex MF CF better for sports photography?
For sports photography, the Samyang Reflex 300mm F6.3 ED UMC CS has the edge: its f/6.3 aperture gathers more light than f/7.1.