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Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G · Photo source

Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G
Photo 1 of 5

Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G · Photo source

Sony

FE 20mm F1.8 G

Released March 2020

A full-frame E-mount ultra-wide prime with an F1.8 aperture, two XD linear autofocus motors and an aperture ring.

Mount
Sony E
Focal length
20 mm
Max aperture
f/1.8
Stabilisation
No
Weight
373 g

What reviewers say

Both praise high sharpness, quick quiet autofocus and balanced lightweight handling, with useful aperture controls and close focusing. Both note wide-aperture corner darkening. Photography Blog finds susceptibility to flare when shooting into the sun, while Amateur Photographer highlights the audible focus-hold button and cost against third-party alternatives. Both consider its image quality strong despite the G designation.

From amateurphotographer.com, photographyblog.com, photographyblog.com and photographyblog.com

Optics

Lens type
Prime
Focal length
20 mm
Maximum aperture
f/1.8
Minimum aperture
f/22
Optical construction
14 elements in 12 groups
Special elements
Two AA advanced-aspherical elements and three ED glass elements
Coatings
Nano AR Coating; fluorine coating on front element
Diaphragm
Nine rounded blades
Angle of view
94° full frame; 70° APS-C

Mount and compatibility

Mounts
Sony E
Image circle
Full frame
Image circle detail
Full-frame coverage; 30 mm equivalent field of view on APS-C
Teleconverter support
Not compatible with SEL14TC or SEL20TC

Focus and stabilisation

Autofocus
Yes
Minimum focus distance
0.18 m (manual focus)
Maximum magnification
0.22× (manual focus)
Optical stabilisation
No
Autofocus detail
Two XD linear motors; internal focusing
Focus distance detail
Minimum focus 0.19 m with autofocus or 0.18 m with manual focus; Linear Response MF
Magnification detail
Maximum magnification 0.20× with autofocus or 0.22× with manual focus
Stabilisation detail
No lens stabilisation; compatible bodies provide stabilisation

Design

Dust and moisture resistant
Yes
Filter diameter
67 mm
Maximum diameter
73.5 mm
Length
84.7 mm
Weight
373 g
Controls
Aperture ring with click on/off, AF/MF switch and one customisable focus-hold button
Weather resistance
Dust- and moisture-resistant design; not guaranteed completely dust- or moisture-proof
Weight detail
Approximately 373 g lens; separate hood and caps excluded
Lens hood
ALC-SH162 petal bayonet hood
In the box
ALC-SH162 hood, ALC-F67S front cap, ALC-R1EM rear cap and soft case
Release detail
Sony Japan specified 13 March 2020 sale, separate from 3 March pre-orders. Photography Blog already described availability on 2 March, without an exact first-sale day for that market; main date retains March precision, with Japanese day qualified here. No UK list price imported from review pricing

Pros and cons

Pros

  • F1.8 maximum aperture
  • 373 g lens weight
  • Aperture ring with switchable clicks

Cons

  • No optical stabilisation
  • No teleconverter support

Closest rivals

Model
MountFocal lengthMax apertureStabilisationWeightReleased
Sony E24 mmf/1.4No445 gOct 2018
Sony E14 mmf/1.8No460 gMay 2021
Sony E16 mmf/1.8No304 gApr 2025

Sources

  1. sony.jp/ichigan/products/SEL20F18G/spec.html
  2. sony.jp/ichigan/products/SEL20F18G/feature_1.html
  3. sony.jp/CorporateCruise/Press/202002/20-0226
  4. amateurphotographer.com/review/sony-fe-20mm-f1-8g-review
  5. photographyblog.com/reviews/sony_fe_20mm_f1_8_g_review

Photo: sony.jp

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