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amazon Sony FE 20mm f1.8 G reviews
Except for third-party manufacturers, the Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G is the widest full-frame E-mount prime lens ever. It’s designed to capture more of the scene, offering a 94-degree field of view — phone photographers might think it falls between the wide and ultra-wide lenses on the Apple iPhone 11 — but matches that angle of view with a large f. Aperture -1, for excellent low-light performance.
While focal length and aperture are clearly expressed in the name of the lens, other Sony features, such as the “advanced optical design” and “Dual XD Linear Motor,” need decoding.
But are those features worth nearly $900? Thanks to its outstanding sharpness and minimal distortion, I have to say yes. That is still a niche lens, but its extensive feature list is more than just hype.
Design and specifications
Part of Sony’s high-end G series (but not the highest-end GM series), the FE 20mm f/1.8 is housed in a lightweight, a weather-resistant body that feels at home on the A7R IV used to do my test camera this review. These two linear autofocus motors help the lens match the performance of modern Alpha-series bodies. At the same time, a dedicated aperture ring with a damper switch broadens its appeal to the most demanding photographers’ serious video camera.
The lenses feel sturdy and well built. The barrel isn’t metal, but that helps keep the weight at a reasonable 13 ounces. At 3.5 inches long, it won’t take up much space in a camera bag, and it accepts modestly sized 67mm filters.
What’s not obvious when looking at the lens is the optical design, made of 14 elements in 12 groups, with a nine-blade aperture that stops down to f/22.
An aperture ring provides direct control of the f-stop without relying on a camera-based control dial. That takes some familiarity, but it feels consistent with how you naturally hold the camera in two hands.
However, the aperture ring isn’t just about ergonomics. With the click-deactivation switch, aperture adjustments become silent and infinitely variable, something important for video recording. However, I prefer to enable click-to-still photography, as you can feel how much you’ve adjusted it without even looking. (The aperture value is still displayed in the electronic viewfinder, but clicking feels more reassuring.)
Along with the aperture ring and click-deactivation switch, the lens features a focus lock button and switch for easy switching from autofocus to manual. A standard focus ring lives in front of the lens.
Autofocus
That is where the Dual XD Linear Motor system comes into play, as it is designed to produce autofocus that is both fast and quiet. My experience measures up to those claims. Autofocus is pretty quiet. It’s not silent but won’t be distracting when shooting in sensitive environments, like weddings.
Autofocus speed is in line with what we’ve come to expect when paired with the A7R IV – fast and accurate, struggling only with subjects most cameras struggle with, like bright subjects glossy or where there is not much contrast.
The 20mm focuses very close to the front of the lens, about 7 inches. Given the wide focal length, that’s not enough for true macro capabilities, but I wouldn’t expect 0.2x magnification. As for a wide-angle lens, this close-up opens up a wide range of creative possibilities for a wide range of subjects.
Image quality
Let’s note that 20mm is an unusual focal length – 24mm is much more common for a prime, with wider angles often covered by zooms, such as the FE 16-35mm f/2.8 by Sony. The ideal focal length not only captures wide views but magnifies the distance between subjects, while the bright f/1.8 aperture can’t match the zoom.
This lens has some barrel distortion towards the edges, but less than expected for a wide-angle lens.
Vignetting is also a common problem with wide-angle lenses, especially with large apertures, but the Sony 20mm suffers from a slight darkening in the corners. A small +5 adjustment in Lightroom removed the vignette completely.
Even more impressive, however, is the resolution. Sharpness is excellent in the center, even wide open, and helped show what the 61-megapixel A7R IV can do. Stepping down the aperture offers a small improvement, but when you want that shallow, dreamy depth of field, you don’t have to worry about sacrificing sharpness to get it. Edges have only slight sharpness that is undetectable in real-world photos.
Where the lens shines is in yearbook photography. That is certainly a photography discipline where both a bright aperture and wide-angle are needed and where sharpness is paramount. Stars are represented as small clumps of light, not sagittal comatose, even towards the edges of the frame. Combined with the resolution of the A7R IV, the lens has helped capture countless sharp stars.
Small light sources are not subject to ordinary flares, while larger light sources – such as the sun or moon – will produce stars. But flare is well controlled in the FE 20mm, and even harsh lighting shouldn’t pose a big problem. Sometimes a star is paired with a rainbow arc or some minor color change, but nothing important. Chromatic aberration also appears to be absent.
Wide angles aren’t usually thought of for their bokeh, but the FE 20mm f/1.8 looks great here. With a nine-blade aperture, even stopping shots will produce soft and rounded blur patterns.
For video, the lenses are produced more similarly, with sharp details and well-controlled flares. The click aperture is impressive here; I can hear my breathing but can’t hear any mechanical noise when I adjust the aperture while recording.
The wide-angle, fast aperture, high-end optics make for a great blend in the Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G. Sharpness is excellent, aberrations are minimal or non-existent. All where the wide-angle lens struggles the most – like barrel distortion and vignetting – is small, in most shots, barely discernible.
Retailing for $898, this is not a budget staple. But for photographers who regularly pull out a wide-angle, the high-end build and impressive optics are likely worth the price. This lens is great for astrophotography, landscapes, and any other photo requiring a wide-angle view.
where can you get a Sony FE 20mm f1.8 G online
Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G Full-Frame Large-Aperture Ultra-Wide Angle G Lens, Model: SEL20F18G: Buy it now
Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G Full Frame Ultra Wide Angle G Lens SEL20F18G Mirrorless E-Mount Cameras Bundle with Deco Gear Photography Backpack Case + Filter Kit + 64GB Card + Monopod + Accessories: Buy it now
Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G Full-Frame Large-Aperture Ultra-Wide Angle G Lens, Model: SEL20F18G (Renewed): Buy it now