- Samyang has officially launched the AF 35mm f/1.8 P FE — a modernized Prima version of its beloved budget 35mm prime for Sony E-mount.
- The “P” means it joins the Prima series, gaining upgraded optics (XHR elements, UMC II coating), Linear STM II AF motor, USB-C port, and weather sealing.
- Weighing just 216g with a 62mm filter thread, it is priced at 299 EUR / ~$299 and ships from late April 2026.
- The fourth lens in the Prima lineup, joining the 35mm f/1.4 P (2024), 16mm f/2.8 P, and 85mm f/1.8 P (both 2025).
Samyang quietly showed off a new addition to its growing Prima lens family at CP+ 2026 in Yokohama, and now it is official. The Samyang AF 35mm f/1.8 P FE is a fully modernized take on the brand’s beloved budget 35mm prime for Sony full-frame mirrorless cameras – and at just 216g and a street price of 299 EUR (approximately $299 USD), it is shaping up to be one of the most compelling value propositions in the 35mm lens market.
What Is the Prima Series?
The “P” in the lens name stands for Prima – derived from the Latin word meaning “first” and “important.” It represents Samyang’s third-generation lens technology, a refreshed lineup that brings modernized designs, improved build quality, and meaningful new features to proven optical formulas while keeping prices accessible.
The Prima series launched in late 2024 with the AF 35mm f/1.4 P FE as the flagship – the lightest AF 35mm f/1.4 prime lens available at just 470g. In 2025, Samyang expanded the lineup with the AF 85mm f/1.8 P FE ($399) and AF 16mm f/2.8 P FE ($391), both earning praise for offering significant upgrades over their predecessors while keeping prices well under $400.
The core philosophy behind Prima is what Samyang calls the three P’s: Portability, Practicality, and Convenience. Every Prima lens shares common DNA – weather sealing, USB-C connectivity for direct firmware updates (no separate Lens Station needed), and compact form factors designed for modern mirrorless bodies like the Sony a7C II and ZV-E1.
The AF 35mm f/1.8 P FE is the fourth member of this growing family, and it follows the same playbook: take a lens that photographers already love, then make it meaningfully better without making it more expensive.
What’s New in the P Version
First previewed at CP+ 2026 (via Phototrend) and now officially launched, the updated lens brings several key improvements over the original AF 35mm f/1.8 FE from 2020:
- Modernized design — A wider, textured focus ring and a sleek body that matches the 85mm and 16mm Prima siblings
- USB-C port — For firmware updates without needing the separate Samyang Lens Station accessory
- AF/MF switch — A dedicated physical switch for quickly toggling between autofocus and manual focus
- Improved weather protection — Expected better sealing against dust and moisture, in line with other Prima lenses
- Quieter, faster autofocus — Likely optimized to keep up with the latest Sony bodies
Samyang has now released the full specifications. The lens features a new 10-element, 8-group optical formula with XHR (extra-high refractive) elements for improved sharpness, paired with UMC II coating (an upgrade from the original’s UMC) that further reduces flare and ghosting in challenging light. The Linear STM II autofocus motor replaces the original’s Linear STM, promising faster and quieter performance – a welcome improvement for video shooters in particular.
Official Specifications
Here are the confirmed specs for the Samyang AF 35mm f/1.8 P FE:
- Optical formula: 10 elements in 8 groups (including XHR elements)
- Aperture range: f/1.8 – f/22 (9 rounded blades)
- Minimum focus distance: 0.29m (11.4 inches)
- Filter size: 62mm (up from 58mm on the original)
- Coating: UMC II (Ultra Multi-Coating, 2nd generation)
- AF motor: Linear STM II
- Weight: 216g / 7.6 oz (only 6g more than the original)
- Dimensions: ~72mm length (about 8.5mm longer than the original)
- Weather sealing: Yes
- USB-C port: Yes (for firmware updates)
- AF/MF switch: Yes
- Mount: Sony FE (full-frame E-mount)
Notably, the filter size has grown from 58mm to 62mm, which means existing filters from the original will not fit. However, 62mm is a very common size shared by several other popular Sony-mount primes, making filter sharing convenient across a multi-lens kit.
How It Compares: Samyang P vs Sony vs Samyang f/1.4
The 35mm prime market for Sony E-mount has three standout options at different price tiers. Here is how the new Samyang 35mm f/1.8 P stacks up against the Sony FE 35mm f/1.8 and Samyang’s own 35mm f/1.4 P from the same Prima series:
The Samyang AF 35mm f/1.8 P FE sits in a sweet spot: it is the lightest of the three at 216g (vs 281g for the Sony and 470g for the f/1.4), the most affordable at around 299 EUR, and now includes USB-C and UMC II coating that even the $750 Sony lacks. If maximum light-gathering power is your priority, the 35mm f/1.4 P delivers a full stop more at the cost of double the weight and a higher price. If you want Sony’s native lens with its slightly closer 22cm minimum focus distance and 0.24x magnification ratio, the FE 35mm f/1.8 remains excellent – but at nearly 2.5x the price, the Samyang offers fierce competition.
For videographers and hybrid creators especially, the Samyang P’s Linear STM II motor and lighter weight make it attractive for gimbal work and run-and-gun shooting where every gram counts. The USB-C port is another practical advantage – you can update firmware on location with just a phone cable, whereas the Sony requires connecting to a computer.
The Original 35mm f/1.8: A Budget Legend
The lens it replaces — the Samyang AF 35mm f/1.8 FE — has been one of the most popular budget primes for Sony shooters since its 2020 launch. At just $399 and weighing only 210g (7.4 oz), it delivered sharp images, smooth bokeh from its 9-blade aperture, and reliable autofocus in a remarkably compact package.
It earned a reputation as the “nifty thirty-five” – the 35mm equivalent of Canon’s legendary nifty fifty. Compared to the Sony FE 35mm f/1.8 at nearly double the price ($748), the Samyang offered roughly 90% of the performance at half the cost. That value proposition made it a no-brainer for hobbyists, travel photographers, and anyone building a lightweight Sony kit.
However, the original did have some limitations. The lack of a USB-C port meant you needed a separate Samyang Lens Station for firmware updates. The autofocus, while functional, could occasionally hunt in low contrast situations compared to Sony’s native lenses. And the build quality, while decent, felt slightly plasticky compared to the competition. The Prima version directly addresses all three of these concerns – upgraded AF motor, USB-C built in, and improved construction with better weather sealing.
Pricing and Availability
Update: Samyang has officially announced pricing and availability. The AF 35mm f/1.8 P FE will retail for 299.99 EUR (including VAT) in Europe, with availability expected from the end of April 2026 through authorized retailers in the Benelux and Germany first. UK availability is expected around the same timeframe.
US pricing has not been officially confirmed yet, but based on the EUR pricing and typical Samyang conversion patterns, expect it to land around $299-$349 – potentially undercutting the original model’s $399 launch price. This would make it significantly cheaper than the Sony FE 35mm f/1.8 at $750 and the Samyang 35mm f/1.4 P at approximately $499.
In the US, Samyang lenses are also sold under the Rokinon brand name, so keep an eye on both listings. European availability is typically through retailers like Foto Erhardt, WEX Photo, and other authorized Samyang/Holdan distributors.
Who Should Buy the Samyang 35mm f/1.8 P FE?
This lens makes the most sense for several types of photographers:
- Budget-conscious Sony shooters who want a fast 35mm without spending $750 on the Sony version
- Travel and street photographers who prioritize weight savings – at 216g, this disappears in your bag
- Hybrid video/photo creators who need quiet AF and a lightweight lens for gimbals
- Original Samyang 35mm f/1.8 owners looking to upgrade to better AF, USB-C, and improved optics
- APS-C Sony users who want a versatile ~52mm equivalent that will also work if they upgrade to full-frame
If you need the shallowest possible depth of field and maximum background separation, the Samyang 35mm f/1.4 P or the Sony 35mm f/1.4 GM would be better choices. But for the vast majority of everyday shooting, f/1.8 provides more than enough subject isolation while keeping the lens tiny and the price low.
Why It Matters
The 35mm focal length is one of the most versatile in photography – wide enough for environmental portraits, street scenes, and travel documentation, yet tight enough for everyday snapshots and food photography. For Sony shooters on a budget, the original Samyang 35mm f/1.8 was already the obvious choice. A Prima refresh with upgraded optics, USB-C, improved AF, and an even lower price takes that value proposition to another level.
What makes this launch particularly significant is the pricing strategy. At 299 EUR, the AF 35mm f/1.8 P FE is not just cheaper than Sony’s equivalent – it is cheaper than most third-party 35mm primes for any mount. Combined with the USB-C port (which eliminates the need for a $50+ Lens Station accessory), weather sealing, and the second-generation STM motor, Samyang is essentially offering a next-gen lens at a budget-friendly price.
The Prima series as a whole signals a maturing Samyang. The South Korean brand has moved past its reputation as a “budget alternative” and is building a cohesive, modern lens ecosystem. With Samyang also developing exciting lenses with Schneider-Kreuznach (including the highly anticipated 60-180mm f/2.8), and the 35mm prime market more competitive than ever, budget-conscious Sony shooters stand to benefit the most.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the “P” stand for in the Samyang AF 35mm f/1.8 P FE?
The “P” stands for Prima, Samyang’s refreshed lens series that brings modernized designs, USB-C connectivity, and improved build quality to their existing optical formulas.
How much will the Samyang AF 35mm f/1.8 P FE cost?
No official price has been announced yet. Based on the Prima 85mm f/1.8 P ($399) and 16mm f/2.8 P ($391), expect the 35mm to be priced around $399.
Is this lens compatible with Sony APS-C cameras?
Yes. While it is a full-frame (FE) lens, it works on Sony APS-C bodies where it provides a 52.5mm equivalent focal length – a near-perfect “normal” perspective.
What lenses are in the Samyang Prima series?
As of March 2026, the Prima lineup includes four lenses: the AF 35mm f/1.4 P FE (launched 2024), AF 16mm f/2.8 P FE and AF 85mm f/1.8 P FE (both 2025), and now the AF 35mm f/1.8 P FE (2026). All are Sony E-mount and share USB-C connectivity, weather sealing, and compact designs.
How is this different from the original Samyang AF 35mm f/1.8 FE?
The P version upgrades the optics with XHR elements and UMC II coating, adds a faster Linear STM II autofocus motor, includes a USB-C port for firmware updates, adds a physical AF/MF switch, and features improved weather sealing. The filter size also increased from 58mm to 62mm. Weight went from 210g to 216g – a negligible difference for meaningful upgrades.
Sources used for this article:
Featured image: Photo by Cemrecan Yurtman on Unsplash.
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