Sony 35mm f/1.4 GM vs Voigtländer Nokton 40mm F1.2 (Sony E Mount)
Sony 35mm f/1.4 GM vs Voigtländer Nokton 40mm F1.2 (Sony E Mount)
When comparing Voigtländer Nokton 40mm F1.2 (Sony E Mount) and Sony 35mm f/1.4 GM, which one is better?
1. Lens Mount Comparison
These two lenses use the same lens mount, the Sony E. This means that both lenses are compatible with cameras that use this mount.
Winner: Tied
Regarding lens mount: Popular lens mounts are Canon RF and EF, Micro Four Thirds and Nikon Z. Different lens mounts lets you connect different lenses to camera bodies, but some might not be compatible. This can be helped by using an adapter, like a Canon EF to RF adapter.
2. Largest Aperture Comparison
The Voigtländer Nokton 40mm F1.2 - (Sony E Mount) has the largest aperture of the two lenses at 1.2 compared to the 1.4 aperture of Sony 35mm f/1.4 GM. This means that you get more light to your sensor using Voigtländer Nokton 40mm F1.2 - (Sony E Mount) wide open, and therefore it might be a better lens in dark situations.
Winner: Voigtländer Nokton 40mm F1.2 (Sony E Mount)
Regarding largest aperture: A lower aperture number means that the widest aperture on the lens is larger. This means that more light will hit the sensor and also that the depth of field will be shallower, better separating your subject from the background.
3. Anamorphic Comparison
Neither Voigtländer Nokton 40mm F1.2 - (Sony E Mount) or Sony 35mm f/1.4 GM are anamorphic lenses.
Winner: Tied — Neither have this feature
Regarding anamorphic: Anamorphic lenses are usually used on cinema cameras and squeezes the image when its recorded, which gives the final, stretched out, image oval bokeh and a different angle of view. The most common lenses, however, are not anamorphic but spherical, which gives a spherical bokeh and is a much cheaper lens design.
4. Focus Distance Comparison
Sony 35mm f/1.4 GM features a minimum focus distance of 27 cm while Voigtländer Nokton 40mm F1.2 - (Sony E Mount) has a minimum focus distance of 110 cm. Depending on your shooting style, the Sony 35mm f/1.4 GM might be a better choice.
Winner: Sony 35mm f/1.4 GM
Regarding minimum focus distance: The minimum focus distance of a lens is the smallest distance from the lens to the subject you want to be in focus; subjects closer than the lens' minimum focus distance will not be in focus. Whether or not this is important to you is up for you to decide, but some want to take close photos and videos and in those cases it's important to have a lens with a low minimum focus distance.
5. Lens Type Comparison
Both lenses are Prime lenses, which means that you can choose both Sony 35mm f/1.4 GM or Voigtländer Nokton 40mm F1.2 - (Sony E Mount) if you're looking for that type of lens.
Winner: Tied
Regarding type: There are two types of lenses; zoom lenses and prime lenses. Prime lenses have a fixed focal length and cannot be zoomed, while zoom lenses have a focal length range and can be zoomed in to get closer to the subject. Prime lenses are usually lighter, cheaper and let in more light. Zoom lenses are more versatile but are more expensive since they require a more advanced lens design.
6. Stabilization Comparison
Neither Sony 35mm f/1.4 GM or Voigtländer Nokton 40mm F1.2 - (Sony E Mount) feature built-in image stabilization.
Winner: Tied — Neither have this feature
Regarding image stabilization: When a lens features built-in stabilization, it will actively help you hold the image steady by adjusting the optical elements inside the lens to compensate for movements. Do remember that lens stabilization is not required, but it may be suitable depending on your specific needs.
7. Autofocus Comparison
In regards to autofocus, the winner is Sony 35mm f/1.4 GM since the other lens in this comparison, the Voigtländer Nokton 40mm F1.2 - (Sony E Mount) does not have autofocus at all — it is a manual focus lens.
Winner: Sony 35mm f/1.4 GM
Regarding autofocus: Lenses with autofocus help you focus when shooting pictures or video. If a lens only has manual focus it means that you have to focus manually by adjusting the focus wheel on the lens. Most cinema lenses do not use autofocus and are manual focus only.
8. Macro Comparison
Neither Sony 35mm f/1.4 GM or Voigtländer Nokton 40mm F1.2 - (Sony E Mount) are macro lenses.
Winner: Tied — Neither have this feature
Regarding macro: Macro lenses can focus much closer to your subjects and might be suitable when photographing flowers, insects, wildlife and nature.
9. Weather Seal Comparison
Sony 35mm f/1.4 GM features a weather sealed design while Voigtländer Nokton 40mm F1.2 - (Sony E Mount) does not. This means that Sony 35mm f/1.4 GM is a much better choice if you know that you'll use the lens in harsh environments, where moist, rain or dust is present.
Winner: Sony 35mm f/1.4 GM
Regarding weather seal: A lens that is weather sealed will perform better over time if you're using the lens in harsh conditions where it's wet or dusty. It may not matter if you're merely using your lens in a studio or in your home.
Specifications
Full specifications table of Sony 35mm f/1.4 GM and Voigtländer Nokton 40mm F1.2 (Sony E Mount):
| Sony 35mm f/1.4 GM | Voigtländer Nokton 40mm F1.2 - (Sony E Mount) | |
 |  | |
| Brand | Sony | Voigtländer |
| Weight | 524 g | Missing |
| Lens Mount | Sony E | Sony E |
| Focal Length | 35 mm | 40 mm |
| Largest Aperture | 1.4 | 1.2 |
| Anamorphic | No | No |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 27 cm | 110 cm |
| Type | Prime | Prime |
| Aperture Range | Missing | 1.2 - 22 |
| Filter Thread Diameter | Missing | 58 |
| Aperture Blades | 11 | Missing |
| Lens Groups | 10 | 8 |
| Lens Elements | 14 | 6 |
| Image Stabilization | No | No |
| Parfocal | Yes | Missing |
| Autofocus | Evet | Hayır |
| Macro | No | No |
| Weather Seal | Yes | No |
| Full Frame Coverage | Missing | Yes |