Sirui Sirui Sniper 23mm f/1.2 Autofocus Lens (Nikon Z, Review
The Sirui 23mm f/1.2 gives you a huge aperture for under $300, but its autofocus is just average. It's a fantastic tool for low-light shooters on a budget.
Overview
The Sirui Sniper 23mm f/1.2 is a weird, fun lens. It's an ultrafast f/1.2 prime made for Nikon Z APS-C cameras, giving you a 35mm full-frame equivalent field of view. That's a classic street and environmental portrait focal length, but with a massive aperture you don't usually see at this price.
Sirui is known for cinema lenses, and they've brought that wide-aperture ambition to the photo world here. It's a compact, lightweight prime that promises serious low-light chops and creamy background blur. But it's also a very specific tool with some clear trade-offs.
Performance
Let's talk about that f/1.2 aperture. It's the star. It lands in the 96th percentile for aperture, and the bokeh is genuinely smooth, sitting in the 95th percentile. In low light, this thing is a savior. The optical quality is decent for the price, in the 76th percentile. But the autofocus is just okay, ranking in the 48th percentile. It's not slow, but it's not lightning-fast or dead silent either. And there's no stabilization, which is a bummer for video shooters.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong aperture (96th percentile) 96th
- Strong bokeh (95th percentile) 96th
- Strong optical (76th percentile) 80th
- Strong build (75th percentile) 79th
Cons
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Focal Length Min | 23 |
| Focal Length Max | 23 |
| Elements | 12 |
| Groups | 11 |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/1.2 |
| Min Aperture | f/16 |
| Diaphragm Blades | 11 |
Build
| Mount | Nikon Z |
| Format | APS-C |
| Weight | 0.4 kg / 0.9 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 58 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | Autofocus |
| Stabilization | No |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 300 |
Value & Pricing
At $279, this lens is a steal if you want an f/1.2 aperture. You simply cannot get that speed from Nikon, Sigma, or Viltrox for anywhere near this price for the Z mount. You're paying for that massive aperture and accepting compromises elsewhere, like the so-so autofocus and lack of weather sealing. For the right shooter, that's a fantastic trade.
vs Competition
Stack it up against the popular Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 (also a 35mm equivalent). The Viltrox has slightly better autofocus and is often cheaper, but you lose over a full stop of light with its f/1.7 aperture. The Meike 55mm f/1.8 Pro is a full-frame lens with better build and AF, but it's a tighter 55mm portrait focal length and still slower than f/1.2. If you need a true wide-angle, the Sony 15mm f/1.4 G is in another league for AF and optics, but it's also over twice the price. The Sirui wins on pure aperture value.
| Spec | Sirui Sirui Sniper 23mm f/1.2 Autofocus Lens (Nikon Z, | Tamron Tamron Di III Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD Lens for Sony | Meike Meike 55mm F1.4 Standard Aperture APS-C Frame AF | Canon Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM Lens | Nikon Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/2.8 VR Lens (Nikon Z) | Panasonic Panasonic LUMIX G Vario 14-140mm f/3.5-5.6 II |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 23mm | 17-70mm | 55mm | 24mm | 16-50mm | 14-140mm |
| Max Aperture | f/1.2 | f/2.8 | f/1.4 | f/1.8 | f/2.8 | f/3.5 |
| Mount | Nikon Z | Sony E Mount | Nikon Z | Canon RF | Nikon Z | Micro Four Thirds |
| Stabilization | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | false | false | false | false | false | false |
| Weight (g) | 386 | 544 | 281 | 269 | 329 | 27 |
| AF Type | Autofocus | Autofocus | STM | Autofocus | Autofocus | — |
| Lens Type | — | Zoom | — | Zoom | Zoom | Telephoto |
Verdict
Buy this if you shoot a Nikon Z50, Z30, or Z fc and crave an f/1.2 aperture for low-light or dreamy backgrounds without breaking the bank. It's perfect for street photographers and portrait shooters who work in available light. Skip it if you need rock-solid, fast autofocus for sports/kids, require image stabilization, or need a weather-sealed lens for rough conditions.