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Samyang

AF 135mm F1.8 FE

Sony E Mount

AF 135mm F1.8 FE — 135mm f/1.8 for Sony E, a popular choice in the samyang lineup.

$999

Launch price

Released Sep 2020

vs
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

Sony

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

Sony E Mount

The ultimate standard zoom — incredibly sharp, exceptionally compact, and built for professionals.

$2,299

Launch price

Released Apr 2022

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II is 1.6 years newer.

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Wins

3categories

AF 135mm F1.8 FE

PortraitSports & Action

Wins

4categories

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

LandscapeSports & Action

1 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

AF 135mm F1.8 FE wins 2 categories·FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II wins 3 categories
  • BFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has lower Min focus distance (21 cm vs 90 cm)
  • BFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has higher Max magnification (0.32 × vs 0.17 ×)
  • AAF 135mm F1.8 FE has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.8 vs f/2.8)
  • AAF 135mm F1.8 FE has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.8 vs f/2.8)
  • BFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has lower Weight (695 g vs 822 g)

Key specs at a glance

AF 135mm F1.8 FEFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Focal Length135 mm24-70 mm
Max Aperturef/1.8f/2.8
MountSony ESony E
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
StabilizationNoNo
Weight822 g695 g
Min Focus90 cm21 cm
Filter Size72 mm82 mm

Size and weight, to scale

AF 135mm F1.8 FE

82 × 130 mm

822 g (1.81 lb / 29.00 oz)

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II shown to scale

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

88 × 120 mm

695 g (1.53 lb / 24.52 oz)

AF 135mm F1.8 FE is 10mm longer and 6mm narrower than FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II.

AF 135mm F1.8 FE is 127 g heavier than FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II.

Diameter (⌀) is the maximum barrel width; length is measured from the mount to the front of the lens.

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseAF 135mm F1.8 FEFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Portrait
9.0Excellent
4.5Fair
Sports & Action
6.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
4.5Fair
5.0Fair
Landscape
4.0Fair
7.0Good
Travel
2.0Limited
5.5Fair
Wildlife
3.0Limited
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
0.0Limited
3.5Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the AF 135mm F1.8 FE

  • Special elements

    Adds 2 Aspherical, 2 HR, 1 ED

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/1.8 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/1.8 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Diameter

    82 mm vs 88 mm — lower is better

Reasons to choose the FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

  • Special elements

    Adds 2 XA (extreme aspherical), 3 Aspherical, 2 ED…

  • Min focus distance

    21 cm vs 90 cm — lower is better

  • Custom function button

    Only FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II supports it

  • Weight

    695 g vs 822 g — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.32 × vs 0.17 × — higher is better

  • Length

    120 mm vs 130.1 mm — lower is better

Shared specifications

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Weather sealing

Both support weather sealing

Control ring

Both support control ring

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

AF 135mm F1.8 FE

Pros

  • Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting
  • Native Sony E mount compatibility

Cons

  • Third-party or older alternatives may offer better value

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

Pros

  • Outstanding sharpness across the entire zoom range
  • Remarkably small and lightweight for an f/2.8 zoom
  • Four XD Linear focus motors provide blazing-fast AF tracking
  • Excellent close-up magnification
  • De-clickable aperture ring and customized function buttons

Cons

  • No built-in optical image stabilization (relies on body IBIS)
  • High launch price
  • Aperture ring can be easily bumped if not locked

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the AF 135mm F1.8 FE and FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II at major authorized retailers.

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Full specifications

= category winner

AF 135mm F1.8 FE
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Focal length (Min)
135 mm
24 mm
Focal length (Max)
135 mm
70 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/1.8+1.3 stops wider
f/2.8
Max aperture (Tele)
f/1.8+1.3 stops wider
f/2.8
Elements
11
20
Groups
8
15
Special elements
2 Aspherical, 2 HR, 1 ED
2 XA (extreme aspherical), 3 Aspherical, 2 ED, 2 Super ED
AF 135mm F1.8 FE
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Min focus distance
90 cm
21 cm−69 cm less
Max magnification
0.17 ×
0.32 ×+88%
Autofocus motor
Linear STM
4 XD Linear Motors
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
AF 135mm F1.8 FE
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Optical stabilization
No
No
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
0 stops
AF 135mm F1.8 FE
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Weight
822 g
695 g−127 g less
Length
130.1 mm
120 mm−10 mm less
Diameter
82 mm−6 mm less
88 mm
Filter thread size
72 mm
82 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
11
AF 135mm F1.8 FE
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Lens mount
Sony E
Sony E
Format coverage
Full Frame
Full Frame

Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.