UK

Adding to its extensive range of native full-frame E-mount lenses, Sony today announced the launch of a new G Lens series, the FE 20mm F1.8 G (Model name SEL20F18G). Ensuring excellent G Lens resolution and bokeh, the FE 20mm F1.8 G is a compact, lightweight, ultra-wide prime – the widest full-frame prime lens in the E-mount line-up – which gives Sony’s full-frame users more freedom to shoot stunning landscapes and starscapes as well as capturing impressive video.

The smart lens design features two AA (advanced aspherical) elements, three ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements for the effective suppression of chromatic aberration and delivery of high corner-to-corner image quality even at the maximum aperture F1.8. It has excellent close-up performance with a minimum focus distance of 0.19 metres (max. magnification: 0.2 times) and delivers beautiful bokeh.

The compact design and versatility of the FE 20mm F1.8 G make it the perfect all-rounder for photographers and videographers. Weighing only 373g, its small size and light weight make it truly mobile when used with compact E-mount bodies as part of a well-balanced system that is ideal for use on gimbals or accessory grips.

In addition, the use of two XD (extreme dynamic) Linear Motors delivers fast, precise and quiet auto focusing for both stills and video shooting.

Designed to be dust and moisture resistant[i] and having a fluorine front element coating, the FE 20mm F1.8 G is highly reliable and easy to operate. It offers a customisable focus hold button and an aperture ring with a click on/off switch. It is also compatible with a variety of 67mm filters for extra creative control.

“One of the key pillars of our lens development strategy is listening to what our customers want from us and a large amount of landscape photographers who shoot with our E-mount system have asked for a fast, ultra-wide prime lens that is extremely light and versatile,” said Yann Salmon Legagneur, Director of Product Marketing, Digital Imaging, Sony Europe. “We feel that the new SEL20F18G hits the sweet spot in combining image quality, portability, superb AF performance and price. Being suitable for video shooting on both full-frame and APS-C bodies, it is an important addition to our lens line-up.”

Pricing and Availability

The FE 20mm F1.8 G will be available in Europe from March 2020, priced at approximately €1100 Euros.

More samples

https://www.popphoto.com/story/gear/sony-fe-20mm-f18-wide-angle-prime-lens-first-shots/

Test

https://www.lesnumeriques.com/focales-fixes/sony-fe-20-mm-f1-8-g-p56667/test.html

Field test

For the landscape and astrophotography lovers, until recently, the list has been a bit bleak, with the only wide-angle, fast-aperture lenses being made by 3rd party manufacturers. The Sony 28mm f/2 lived in my bag for several years, and the 24mm f/1.4 is an absolute blessing. However, landscape lovers in search of a true super-wide prime have been left wanting – until today. The brand new Sony 20mm f/1.8 perfectly fills the biggest missing gap in the Sony lineup, and does it with style: the lens is exactly wide enough for dramatic nightscapes and daytime landscape shots, but still maintains a distortion-free rectilinear image projection. The fast f/1.8 aperture is a full 1.3 stops faster than the 16-35mm f/2.8 GM. All of this is accomplished in a lens smaller and lighter than any similar competitors in the class – nearly 20% lighter than the 24mm f/1.4, and 24% lighter than the Tokina 20mm f/2).

https://www.nateluebbe.com/journal/sony-20mm

Review

https://sonyalpha.blog/2020/05/03/sony-20mm-f1-8-g/

Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G Lens, $798 deal

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1549627-REG/sony_sel20f18g_fe_20mm_f_1_8_g.html