Meike Meike 33mm F1.4 Wide Angle APS-C AF STM Lens Auto Review

If you're shooting on a Sony APS-C camera like an A6400 or A6700 and want a fast, affordable portrait lens, the Meike 33mm F1.4 is a name you'll see a lot. It's a classic 50mm equivalent focal length, which is perfect for people, street shots, and general use. For around $190, you get a bright f/1.4 aperture for nice background blur and better low-light performance. It's a prime lens, so you don't get zoom, but that's the trade-off for the speed and price. People often ask, 'is this lens good for video?' With built-in stabilization and a quiet STM motor, it's actually a solid choice for vlogging or run-and-gun filming.

This lens is built for autofocus. Its AF performance lands in the 98th percentile, which means it's incredibly fast and accurate for its class. In practice, it locks onto eyes and faces with no hunting, which is great for portraits. The stabilization is also top-tier at the 92nd percentile, helping you get sharper handheld shots and smoother video. The f/1.4 aperture scores in the 88th percentile, letting in plenty of light. While its overall optical score is lower (32nd percentile), that mostly reflects some softness at the edges when wide open. For the center-focused shots you'd take with a portrait lens, it's plenty sharp.

At $190, the Meike 33mm F1.4 is a fantastic value. You're getting autofocus and stabilization performance that rivals lenses costing twice as much. The main trade-off is in absolute optical perfection, but for most everyday shooting, the images look great. If your budget is tight and you want a fast prime for portraits or video, this is one of the best deals out there for Sony APS-C shooters.

The most direct competitor is the Viltrox 35mm f/1.7. It's usually a bit cheaper, but it lacks image stabilization, which is a big deal for video. The Meike's superior AF and stabilization make it the better all-rounder. Compared to the Meike 55mm F1.8 Pro, the 33mm gives you a wider field of view (better for environmental portraits) and stabilization, while the 55mm is sharper but lacks stabilization and is more of a telephoto. Against a zoom like the Sony 18-135mm, you lose versatility but gain that fast f/1.4 aperture for low light and blur.

So, should you buy it? If you shoot on a Sony APS-C camera and want a fast, reliable lens for portraits, street photography, or video, this is an easy yes. The autofocus and stabilization are genuinely excellent for the price. Just know that it's not the sharpest lens ever made, and it's not built for bad weather. But for $190, you get performance where it counts. It's a workhorse lens that gets the job done without breaking the bank.