Samyang 24mm f/1.8 AF Compact Review

The Samyang 24mm f/1.8 is a tiny, lightweight prime for Sony full-frame cameras. It's built for photographers who want a fast, wide-angle lens that won't weigh them down. This thing is all about portability and that bright f/1.8 aperture for low light and shallow depth of field. Just don't expect it to be a jack-of-all-trades lens.

Optically, it's decent. The f/1.8 aperture is great for low light, and the bokeh is surprisingly smooth for a wide lens, landing in the 80th percentile. Sharpness is good in the center, but it can get a bit soft in the corners, especially wide open. The autofocus is its weakest link, sitting in the 49th percentile. It's fine for portraits or street scenes, but it's not the lens you'd grab for fast-moving subjects.

At around $335, it's a solid value if you prioritize size and weight above all else. You're getting a fast aperture and good build quality in a tiny package. But you are making some clear trade-offs, especially with the autofocus performance. It's a good deal for the right shooter.

Compared to a Sony 24mm f/1.4 GM, you save a ton of money and weight, but you lose out on ultimate sharpness, blazing autofocus, and weather sealing. Against a zoom like the Sony 24-240mm, you gain a much faster aperture and better image quality, but you sacrifice all that versatility. The Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 for Z-mount is in a different system, but it shows you can get similar specs for less, though the Samyang's build feels a notch better.

Buy this if you're a Sony shooter who wants a lightweight, discreet wide-angle prime for street photography, environmental portraits, or casual low-light work. Skip it if you need reliable autofocus for action, shoot in bad weather, or demand corner-to-corner sharpness at f/1.8.