SIRUI Saturn V1 vs Saturn V2: What's the Difference?
Published on: September 11, 2026
Updated on: September 11, 2026
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The SIRUI Saturn series has become one of the go-to entry points for filmmakers wanting an affordable, compact full-frame anamorphic look. With the release of the Saturn V2, SIRUI kept the core character of the original lens while adding one major upgrade built for modern, vertical-first content creation. Here's a full breakdown of what's changed — and what hasn't — between the two generations.
Key Differences: Saturn vs Saturn V2
Aspect
Saturn (V1)
Saturn V2
Shooting Orientation
Fixed horizontal mount
Built-in unlock-and-rotate mechanism enables direct switching to vertical shooting without dismounting the lens
Vertical Desqueeze Ratios
Not supported (no vertical shooting capability)
9:16 sensor desqueezes to ~0.9:1; 2:3 sensor desqueezes to ~1.07:1 (near-square)
Flare Color
Available in both blue and neutral flare versions
Produces a neutral flare that adapts to the color of the light source
Build and Handling
Standard grip diameter; functional but basic construction
Thicker, more grippable focus and iris rings; more robust, set-ready construction closer in feel to SIRUI's premium Ironstar (1.5x) series
The rotation mechanism is the defining upgrade of the V2, giving it exclusive access to vertical desqueeze ratios that the original Saturn simply cannot produce. In horizontal orientation, both generations share the same desqueeze math: a 3:2 sensor desqueezes to a 2.4:1 aspect ratio, and a 16:9 sensor desqueezes to a 2.8:1 aspect ratio.
Distortion
Distortion behavior is essentially consistent across both generations. The 35mm focal length shows the most noticeable pincushion distortion, which stretches further toward the edges of the frame. The 50mm and 75mm options show a much milder version of the same pattern. If you're coming from the original Saturn, the V2 won't surprise you here — the optical character carries over largely unchanged.
What Stayed the Same
Squeeze factor: Both generations are 1.6x anamorphic lenses.
Focal lengths: Both are available in 35mm, 50mm, and 75mm, all at T2.9.
Manual focus only: Neither generation offers autofocus, so a follow-focus system or confident manual pulling is required.
Front filter thread: Both generations use a consistent 62mm filter thread across all three focal lengths, so filters and step-up rings carry over between generations.
Overall image character: Both sit in a middle ground between clinical spherical lenses and heavily stylized anamorphic glass — sharp enough to be usable, but with enough character (flares, oval bokeh, letterboxed stretch) to read clearly as anamorphic footage.
Flare style: Both share the same bold, unapologetic flare personality the Saturn line is known for — wide horizontal flares with some vertical ghosting, designed to be seen rather than suppressed.
Horizontal desqueeze ratios: In standard horizontal orientation, both generations desqueeze identically — a 3:2 sensor produces a 2.4:1 aspect ratio, and a 16:9 sensor produces a 2.8:1 aspect ratio.
Final Thoughts
The Saturn V2 isn't a full optical redesign — it's a generational refinement built around one clear priority: making anamorphic shooting workable for vertical, mobile-first content without sacrificing the flare-heavy character that made the original Saturn popular. If your workflow is strictly horizontal and you already own the original Saturn, the upgrade is less urgent. But for creators regularly shooting for vertical platforms, the built-in rotation mechanism alone makes the V2 a meaningful step forward.
FAQ
Is the Saturn V2 a completely new optical design?
No. The core optical character — flare style, distortion pattern, and overall image quality — is very similar to the original Saturn. The main change is mechanical (the rotation mechanism) and cosmetic (build quality).
Can I use my existing filters from the original Saturn on the V2?
Yes. Both generations share the same 62mm front filter thread across the 35mm, 50mm, and 75mm focal lengths.
Does the Saturn V2 support autofocus?
No, both the original Saturn and the Saturn V2 are manual-focus-only cine lenses.
What's the main reason to upgrade from Saturn to Saturn V2?
The built-in vertical rotation mechanism, which lets you switch between horizontal and vertical shooting without dismounting the lens — a major advantage for creators producing content for vertical platforms.
Saturn V2 Series T2.9 1.6x Full-Frame Anamorphic Cine Lens
