Sony goes wide with its new 20mm f/1.8 full-frame E mount lens

John Aldred

John Aldred is a photographer with over 25 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter – and occasional beta tester – of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.

Sony has announced the new FE 20mm f/1.8 G lens, the widest full-frame lens in its E mount lineup. Designed for things like astrophotography, landscapes and street photography, Sony bills this $898 lens as ideal for portraits, too, oddly enough – presumably they mean location portraits. But it’s a lightweight, compact, ultra-wide lens, and it can be yours for a mere $898.

Sony says that the new lens features a two “advanced aspherical” (AA) elements and three extra-low dispersion (ED) elements to suppress chromatic aberration with minimal distortion, even wide open. They say it’s also dust and moisture resistant, with a fluorine front element coating to repel liquids and debris.

Focal Length 20mm
Maximum Aperturef/1.8
Minimum Aperturef/22
Lens MountSony E
Format CompatibilityFull-Frame
Focus TypeAutofocus
Minimum focus distance7.09″ (18cm)
Macro ratio1:2
Angle of View94°
Optical Design14 Elements in 12 Groups
Diaphragm Blades9, Rounded
Image StabilizationNo
Filter Size67 mm (Front)
Dimensions2.89 x 3.33″ (73.5 x 84.7mm)
Weight13.16oz / 373 g

It’s crazy to think that just a few short years ago, many discounted Sony due to the lack of lens variety, and now they’re releasing their 56th E mount lens. And finally a good ultra-wide option from Sony themselves.

The Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G lens will be available to pre-order soon for $898 and will ship in March.


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John Aldred

John Aldred

John Aldred is a photographer with over 25 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter – and occasional beta tester – of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.

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One response to “Sony goes wide with its new 20mm f/1.8 full-frame E mount lens”

  1. Jake Traynor Avatar

    Tim for that Sony you’ll inevitably buy