Samyang Samyang 24mm f/1.4 ED AS UMC Wide-Angle Lens for Review
The Samyang 24mm f/1.4 has great glass, but it's built for the wrong camera system. It's too big, too heavy, and not worth the hassle for Micro Four Thirds shooters.
Overview
This Samyang 24mm f/1.4 is a weird one. It's a massive, heavy prime lens built for full-frame cameras, but it's only sold in a mount for tiny Four Thirds cameras. That's the one thing you need to know. If you're looking for a sharp, fast wide-angle for your Micro Four Thirds camera, you can get better options that actually fit the system.
Performance
The optical performance is surprisingly good, landing in the 83rd percentile. The f/1.4 aperture is fantastic for low light and shallow depth of field, scoring in the 88th percentile. But the autofocus is just average, sitting at the 49th percentile, and it's completely missing stabilization. For a lens this heavy, you'd expect more.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Fantastic f/1.4 aperture for low light and bokeh. 88th
- Sharp optics that score well above average. 87th
- Solid build quality, though it's very heavy. 84th
- Good for portraits and creative macro work. 67th
Cons
- It's absurdly heavy and large for a Micro Four Thirds lens. 20th
- No image stabilization, which hurts handheld shooting.
- Autofocus is just okay, not great for fast action.
- Terrible for travel due to its size and weight.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Focal Length Min | 24 |
| Focal Length Max | 24 |
| Elements | 13 |
| Groups | 12 |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/1.4 |
| Min Aperture | f/22 |
| Diaphragm Blades | 8 |
Build
| Mount | Four Thirds |
| Format | Four Thirds |
| Weight | 1.0 kg / 2.1 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 77 |
AF & Stabilization
| Stabilization | No |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 250 |
Value & Pricing
At $549, it's not worth it. You're paying for a full-frame optical design crammed into the wrong mount. That money gets you native Micro Four Thirds lenses that are sharper, faster to focus, and a fraction of the size and weight.
vs Competition
For a similar fast prime, the Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 is a much better fit for the system. It's smaller, lighter, and has autofocus. If you need a versatile zoom, the Panasonic 14-140mm covers a huge range and has stabilization, making it a far better travel lens. The Samyang feels like a solution to a problem that doesn't exist on Micro Four Thirds.
| Spec | Samyang Samyang 24mm f/1.4 ED AS UMC Wide-Angle Lens for | 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 | 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 | Viltrox VILTROX 23mm F1.4 Auto Focus APS-C Frame Lens for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 24mm | 17-70mm | 55mm | 16-50mm | 14-140mm | 23mm |
| Max Aperture | f/1.4 | f/2.8 | f/1.4 | f/2.8 | f/3.5 | f/1.4 |
| Mount | Four Thirds | Sony E Mount | Nikon Z | Nikon Z | Micro Four Thirds | Fujifilm X |
| Stabilization | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | false | false | false | false | false | false |
| Weight (g) | 953 | 544 | 281 | 329 | 27 | 499 |
| AF Type | — | Autofocus | STM | Autofocus | — | STM |
| Lens Type | — | Zoom | — | Zoom | Telephoto | — |
Verdict
Skip it. This lens is a physical mismatch for the Micro Four Thirds system. Its good optics are completely undermined by its enormous size, lack of stabilization, and mediocre autofocus. There are better, more purpose-built lenses for your camera that won't feel like you're carrying a brick.