Sony Sirui Sniper 75mm f/1.2 Autofocus Lens (Sony E, Review
The Sirui 75mm f/1.2 is a portrait specialist with incredible bokeh, but its autofocus holds it back from being an everyday lens.
Overview
This lens is a one-trick pony, but that trick is incredible. It's a portrait machine. The 75mm focal length on an APS-C Sony camera gives you a classic 112.5mm full-frame equivalent look, and that f/1.2 aperture is just nuts. It's built for one thing: making people look amazing with that super shallow depth of field and dreamy background blur. If you're shooting portraits, this is your lens. For anything else, you'll probably want to look elsewhere.
Performance
The bokeh is the star here, and it's in the 100th percentile for a reason. The 15-blade aperture creates creamy, smooth backgrounds that are just beautiful. The optical quality is solid, landing in the 78th percentile, so your images are sharp where they need to be. The autofocus, however, is a bit of a letdown. At the 47th percentile, it's not the fastest or most reliable, especially in low light where you'd want to use that f/1.2. It'll get the job done for posed portraits, but don't expect to track fast-moving subjects.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- The f/1.2 aperture creates absolutely stunning, creamy bokeh. 100th
- Fantastic sharpness and optical quality for portraits. 96th
- Compact and relatively light for such a fast lens. 78th
- Great value for the level of background separation you get. 72th
Cons
- Autofocus is just okay. It's not slow, but it's not confident either.
- No image stabilization, so you need good light or a steady hand.
- Minimum focus distance is 0.7m, so it's not useful for close-up details.
- Not weather-sealed, so keep it out of the rain.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Focal Length Min | 75 |
| Focal Length Max | 75 |
| Elements | 13 |
| Groups | 9 |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/1.2 |
| Min Aperture | f/16 |
| Diaphragm Blades | 15 |
Build
| Mount | Sony E |
| Format | APS-C |
| Weight | 0.5 kg / 1.0 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 67 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | Autofocus |
| Stabilization | No |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 700 |
Value & Pricing
At around $319, this lens is a steal for portrait photographers. You simply cannot get this combination of focal length and aperture from Sony or Sigma for anywhere near this price. You're trading some autofocus performance and build quality for that insane f/1.2, and for portraits, that's a trade worth making.
vs Competition
The obvious competitor is the Sigma 56mm f/1.4 DC DN. The Sigma is sharper, has much better autofocus, and is more versatile. But it's f/1.4, not f/1.2. That extra bit of light and background blur is the Sirui's entire reason to exist. The Viltrox 75mm f/1.2 is another one, often offering similar specs. The Sirui often undercuts it on price. So, choose the Sigma for reliability and all-around performance. Choose the Sirui if you live for that ultra-shallow depth of field and are willing to work with its quirks.
Verdict
If you shoot portraits on a Sony APS-C camera and you're obsessed with bokeh, buy this lens. It's that simple. The autofocus isn't perfect, but for controlled portrait sessions, it's fine. The image quality you get for the price is exceptional. For travel, video, or anything requiring fast or reliable AF, look at the Sigma 56mm f/1.4 instead. But for pure portrait magic on a budget, the Sirui Sniper is a fantastic choice.