White Sniper! SIRUI Sniper 23mm F1.2 ASP-C AF

SIRUI Sniper 23mm F1.2 23AS12EW for SONY αE mount.

Released in 2024. This is an APS-C sensor compatible, F1.2 ultra-large aperture lens released by SIRUI, a company known for camera accessories like tripods in Japan. SIRUI has been developing various lenses, mainly for video, and has recently been actively incorporating autofocus. While it's considered a Chinese lens, SIRUI's proven track record and cutting-edge brand image suggest future growth.

This lens is characterized by its high specifications, including F1.2 on an APS-C sensor, which is not often seen. At its widest aperture, it delivers a soft rendering, and with a 35mm equivalent focal length (on a full-frame camera), it offers a wide-angle perspective with strong background blur. At this price point, it could give even domestic third-party lenses a run for their money.

Sample images taken with this lens are provided.

I took it to the park in the morning. I think this is a great value lens. It has sufficiently fast AF and decent image quality. While there may be differences compared to lenses that cost twice as much, this lens will likely be sufficient for most users.

On the other hand, the bokeh has some color fringing, and the edges of the frame are not as sharp as the center, but these are acceptable.
What's concerning is the noticeable distortion, which would benefit from digital correction, but SIRUI doesn't yet have a profile in Lightroom. This might be noticeable with clear straight lines, like the high-rise apartment buildings in the sample images. If this is resolved in the future, along with increased brand recognition, it could become a significant option for still photography in addition to video.

The condition is pristine, as it was only used for evaluation purposes. It comes with a manufacturer's warranty until September 2025. Please research how to claim the warranty. I'm considering purchasing more based on its reputation, so if you're interested in enjoying the new world of Chinese lenses without being affected by the weak yen, please feel free to contact me.

*The white ZV-E10 is shown for illustrative purposes and is not included.

Amazon price: ¥53,900 (tax included)

*Evaluations are subjective. Please understand that this is a used item.
*Returns are accepted, so please buy with confidence! (Only for items not discounted, buyer pays shipping. Please contact us before leaving a review.)