Samyang Rokinon 24-70mm f/2.8 AF Zoom Lens for Sony E Review
The Samyang 24-70mm f/2.8 takes stunning photos that rival lenses costing thousands. Just don't expect it to feel like one.
Overview
The Samyang 24-70mm f/2.8 is a weird one. It's optically fantastic, but it feels like a prototype someone forgot to finish. The image quality punches way above its price, landing in the 94th percentile. That's the one thing to know: the glass is incredible. But everything else about using this lens, from the cheap build to the sluggish autofocus, reminds you why it's so affordable.
Performance
The optical performance genuinely surprised me. For $699, the sharpness and color rendering are stunning, easily competing with lenses twice the price. What also surprised me, but not in a good way, was the autofocus. It's noisy, hunts in low light, and feels a generation behind. You're getting flagship-level image quality paired with entry-level handling.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Image quality is absolutely top-tier for the price. 97th
- Fast f/2.8 aperture is consistent across the zoom range. 66th
- The 82mm filter thread is a pro-standard size.
- It's significantly cheaper than the Sony GM equivalent.
Cons
- The build quality feels cheap and plasticky.
- Autofocus is slow, loud, and not reliable for fast action.
- No image stabilization makes handheld video a shaky mess.
- At nearly 2.4 pounds, it's a heavy beast for its flimsy build.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 70 |
| Focal Length Max | 70 |
| Elements | 17 |
| Groups | 14 |
| Coating | Ultra Multi-Coating (UMC) |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 |
| Min Aperture | f/22 |
| Constant | Yes |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 |
Build
| Mount | Sony E |
| Format | Full-Frame |
| Weather Sealed | Yes |
| Weight | 1.1 kg / 2.4 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 82 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | Autofocus |
| Stabilization | No |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 350 |
| Max Magnification | 1:3.7 |
Value & Pricing
It's worth it, but only for a very specific photographer. If your priority is pure image quality on a budget and you don't mind manual focus for critical shots, this lens delivers. If you need reliable autofocus or a lens that can survive a bump, look elsewhere.
vs Competition
You're really choosing between this, the Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II, and the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 G2. The Sony GM II is better in every single way but costs over three times as much. The Tamron is the real competitor. It's sharper than this Samyang at some focal lengths, has much better autofocus and build quality, and costs a few hundred dollars more. You pay the Tamron tax for a polished experience.
| Spec | Samyang Rokinon 24-70mm f/2.8 AF Zoom Lens for Sony E | Meike Meike 55mm F1.4 Standard Aperture APS-C Frame AF | Viltrox VILTROX 35mm F1.7 f/1.7 Air AF Lens for Fuji X | Canon Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM Lens | Tamron Tamron Di III Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD Lens for Sony | Nikon Nikon S-Line Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II Lens (Nikon Z) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 70mm | 55mm | 35mm | 24mm | 17-70mm | 24-70mm |
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 | f/1.4 | f/1.7 | f/1.8 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 |
| Mount | Sony E | Nikon Z | Fujifilm X | Canon RF | Sony E Mount | Nikon Z |
| Stabilization | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | true | false | false | false | false | true |
| Weight (g) | 1089 | 281 | 400 | 269 | 544 | 676 |
| AF Type | Autofocus | STM | STM | Autofocus | Autofocus | Autofocus |
| Lens Type | Zoom | - | - | Zoom | Zoom | Zoom |
Verdict
Buy this lens for its glass, not for the lens itself. It's a brilliant optical formula trapped in a mediocre body. I'd only recommend it to budget-conscious stills photographers who prioritize image quality above all else and are willing to put up with its quirks. For hybrid shooters or anyone who needs snappy AF, the Tamron 28-75mm G2 is the better buy.