Samyang XP 35mm F1.2 § 03 Head to head
Samyang XP 35mm F1.2 vs Zeiss Milvus 35mm f/1.4
Samyang 35mm f/1.2 is 0.4 stops brighter maximum aperture. Zeiss 35mm f/1.4 focuses 4 cm closer.
The Samyang XP 35mm F1.2 is a 35mm f/1.2 prime, and the Zeiss Milvus 35mm f/1.4 is a 35mm f/1.4 prime. On paper the Zeiss Milvus 35mm f/1.4 comes out ahead, 5 advantages to 4, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
Samyang XP 35mm F1.2 
Zeiss Milvus 35mm f/1.4 01
Key differences
Why is the Samyang XP 35mm F1.2 better than the Zeiss Milvus 35mm f/1.4?
- 0.4 stops brighter maximum aperture (f/1.2 vs f/1.4)
- 68 g lighter (1106 g vs 1174 g)
- 9 mm shorter (117.4 mm vs 126 mm long)
- Newer design (2019 vs 2015)
Why is the Zeiss Milvus 35mm f/1.4 better than the Samyang XP 35mm F1.2?
- Focuses 4 cm closer (0.3 m vs 0.34 m)
- Higher maximum magnification (0.22x vs 0.17x)
- Is weather sealed
- Has a physical aperture ring
- Smaller filter thread (72 mm vs 86 mm)
02
Which should you buy?
- street For street photography, the Samyang XP 35mm F1.2 has the edge: it is 68 g lighter to carry.
- travel For travel, the Samyang XP 35mm F1.2 has the edge: it is 68 g lighter to carry.
- low-light For low-light shooting, the Samyang XP 35mm F1.2 has the edge: its f/1.2 aperture gathers more light than f/1.4.
- astrophotography For astrophotography, the Samyang XP 35mm F1.2 has the edge: its f/1.2 aperture gathers more light than f/1.4.
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Specification
| Specification | Samyang XP 35mm F1.2 | Zeiss Milvus 35mm f/1.4 |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 35mm | 35mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/1.2 ◆ | f/1.4 |
| Minimum aperture | f/16 | f/16 |
| Lens type | Standard prime lens | Standard prime lens |
| Format | Full Frame | Full Frame |
| Weight | 1,106 g (2.44 lbs) ◆ | 1174 g (2.59 lbs) |
| Dimensions | 93 mm (diameter) x 117.4 mm (length) | 85 mm (diameter) x 126 mm (length) |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.34 m (13.39 in) | 0.3 m (11.81 inches) ◆ |
| Maximum magnification | 0.17x | 0.22x ◆ |
| Image stabilization | No | No |
| Weather sealing | No | Yes ◆ |
| Aperture ring | No | Yes (manual) |
| Aperture blades | 9 | 9 |
| Optical construction | 12 elements in 10 groups | 14 elements in 11 groups |
| Filter size | 86 mm | 72 mm ◆ |
| Lens mount | Canon EF | Canon EF, Nikon F |
| Released | 2019 | 2015 |
04
Size
- A · Samyang
- B · Zeiss
- 117.4 × 93 mm
- 126 × 85 mm
The Zeiss Milvus 35mm f/1.4 is 9 mm longer and 68 g heavier than the Samyang XP 35mm F1.2.
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Sample frames
Samyang XP 35mm F1.2
Zeiss Milvus 35mm f/1.4
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Video reviews
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Questions
- Which lens has the brighter aperture, the Samyang XP 35mm F1.2 or the Zeiss Milvus 35mm f/1.4?
- The Samyang XP 35mm F1.2 opens to f/1.2, against f/1.4 on the Zeiss Milvus 35mm f/1.4, 0.4 stops brighter.
- Which is lighter, the Samyang XP 35mm F1.2 or the Zeiss Milvus 35mm f/1.4?
- The Samyang XP 35mm F1.2 weighs 1106 g, 68 g less than the Zeiss Milvus 35mm f/1.4 (1174 g).
- Which focuses closer, the Samyang XP 35mm F1.2 or the Zeiss Milvus 35mm f/1.4?
- The Zeiss Milvus 35mm f/1.4 focuses down to 0.3 m, against 0.34 m for the Samyang XP 35mm F1.2.
- Do the Samyang XP 35mm F1.2 and the Zeiss Milvus 35mm f/1.4 have image stabilization?
- No, neither lens has optical image stabilization; rely on in-body stabilization if your camera has it.
- Is the Samyang XP 35mm F1.2 or the Zeiss Milvus 35mm f/1.4 better for street photography?
- For street photography, the Samyang XP 35mm F1.2 has the edge: it is 68 g lighter to carry.
- Is the Samyang XP 35mm F1.2 or the Zeiss Milvus 35mm f/1.4 better for travel?
- For travel, the Samyang XP 35mm F1.2 has the edge: it is 68 g lighter to carry.
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Other comparisons
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- Canon EF 35mm F1.4L II USM vs Zeiss Milvus 35mm F1.4
- Yongnuo YN 35 mm f/1.4 vs Zeiss Milvus 35mm F1.4
- Sigma A 35 mm f/1.4 DG HSM vs Zeiss Milvus 35mm F1.4
- Nikon Nikkor AF-S 35 mm f/1.4G vs Zeiss Milvus 35mm F1.4