Sony E 16mm F2.8 vs Sony E 20mm F2.8
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| SonyE 16mm F2.8 | SonyE 20mm F2.8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | June 2010 | March 2013 |
| Optics | ||
| Lens type | Prime | Prime |
| Focal length | 16 mm | 20 mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/2.8 | f/2.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/16 |
| Optical construction | Five elements in five groups | Six elements in six groups |
| Special elements | One aspherical element with one aspherical surface | Three aspherical elements |
| Diaphragm | Seven rounded blades | Seven rounded blades |
| Angle of view | 83° APS-C | 70° APS-C |
| Mount and compatibility | ||
| Mounts | Sony E | Sony E |
| Image circle | APS-C | APS-C |
| Image circle detail | APS-C coverage; 24 mm equivalent field of view | APS-C coverage; 30 mm equivalent field of view |
| Teleconverter support | Not compatible with Sony E-mount teleconverters; original VCL-ECF1 fisheye and VCL-ECU1 ultra-wide front converters supported | Not compatible with Sony E-mount teleconverters |
| Focus and stabilisation | ||
| Autofocus | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum focus distance | 0.24 m | 0.2 m |
| Maximum magnification | 0.078× | 0.12× |
| Optical stabilisation | No | No |
| Autofocus detail | Internal motor; maker does not specify a particular motor technology | – |
| Focus distance detail | 0.24 m minimum focus; electronically coupled manual-focus ring | 0.20 m minimum focus; manual-focus ring |
| Magnification detail | 0.078× maximum magnification | 0.12× maximum magnification |
| Stabilisation detail | No optical stabilisation | No optical stabilisation |
| Design | ||
| Filter diameter | 49 mm | 49 mm |
| Maximum diameter | 62 mm | 62.6 mm |
| Length | 22.5 mm | 20.4 mm |
| Weight | 67 g (better) | 69 g |
| Controls | Manual-focus ring; focus mode selected on camera; aluminium-alloy exterior | Manual-focus ring; focus mode selected on the camera |
| Dimensions detail | 62 mm maximum diameter × 22.5 mm length | 62.6 mm maximum diameter × 20.4 mm length |
| Weight detail | Approximately 67 g lens; separate caps excluded | Approximately 69 g lens; separate hood and caps excluded |
| Lens hood | No hood supplied or listed in maker specifications | ALC-SH113 cap-type hood, supplied |
| In the box | Front cap and rear cap; no case listed | ALC-SH113 hood, front cap and rear cap; no case listed |
| Release detail | Sony Japan’s announcement dated11 May2010 specifies the NEX-5A thin-lens kit containing this exact lens from3 June2010. Main release retains June month precision because exact global first day is not established; lens kit availability is distinguished from later separate-lens listings. Full independent reviews read: OpticalLimits/Photozone KlausSchroiff March2012 NEX-7 retest (both complete pages), and Sony Alpha Blog MarcAlhadeff August2018 Alpha6000. Centre/corner assessments differ and are kept tied to tested bodies. OpticalLimits’ original2010 review is not counted as a third independent publication. No unconfirmed coating/weather claim or inferred direct successor | Sony Japan specifies 8 March 2013; the main date retains March month precision because exact global first day is not established. Sony’s US announcement dated 22 January 2013, reproduced by DPReview, and Sony Canada’s 29 January announcement specify later April availability in those markets. Full independently authored reviews read: Sony Alpha Lab Jay, predominantly NEX-6 with some NEX-3N samples (2013), and Sony Alpha Blog Marc Alhadeff, Alpha 6000 (2018). Lab’s raw comparison applies a lens profile and tone curve, whereas Blog’s sharpness verdict is more critical. Maker F16 minimum aperture supersedes Lab’s F22 table. Unpublished weather resistance/coatings omitted; no inferred direct replacement |
