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Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G vs Sony E 20mm F2.8

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Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G

Wideangle Prime | Sony E

Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G
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Sony E 20mm F2.8

Wideangle Prime | Sony E

Sony E 20mm F2.8
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Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G vs Sony E 20mm F2.8 Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G for the E Mount and Sony E 20mm F2.8 for the E Mount, two Wideangle Prime lenses by Sony. Both lenses have the same focal range of 20mm but different max apertures: Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G has a max aperture of F1.8 while the Sony E 20mm F2.8 has a max aperture of F2.8. Another major difference between these two lenses is that the Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G has a max format size coverage of 35mm FF, on the other hand the Sony E 20mm F2.8 has a max coverage of APS-C / DX.

We will start with briefly looking and the main specs of these two lenses and in the section, we will start analyzing in more detail and list the pros and cons of each lenses.

Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G Key Specs

  • 20mm Focal Range
  • F1.8 Max Aperture
  • Weather Sealed
  • Filter Thread: 67mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Sony E Mount
  • Weight: 373g.
  • Diameter: 74mm
  • Length: 85mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.19m
  • Max Magnification:0.22x

Sony E 20mm F2.8 Key Specs

  • 20mm Focal Range
  • F2.8 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 49mm
  • Max Format: APS-C / DX
  • Sony E Mount
  • Weight: 69g.
  • Diameter: 63mm
  • Length: 20mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.2m

What type of photography are the Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G and Sony E 20mm F2.8 lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G and the Sony E 20mm F2.8 for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G Sony E 20mm F2.8
Bird/WildlifePoorPoor
SportsPoorPoor
PortraitFairAverage
TravelAverageAverage
StreetExcellentExcellent
WeddingFairAverage
Walk AroundAverageAverage
VloggingVery GoodGood
LandscapeGoodVery Good

Size and Weight Comparison

Size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses.Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G is the longer of the two lenses at 85mm. The Sony E 20mm F2.8 with a length of 20mm is 65mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G also has a larger diameter of 74mm compared to Sony E 20mm F2.8's 63mm diameter.

Weight of a lens is as important as its external dimensions, especially if you are planning to hand hold your camera and lens combination for longer periods. Sony E 20mm F2.8 weighs 69g, 81% (304g) lighter than the Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G's weight of 373g.


Below you can find the dimension and weight table of the 'Wideangle Prime Lenses in Sony E Mount for size comparison purposes.

Wideangle Prime Lenses in Sony E Mount for Size Comparison
Model Length Diameter Weight Street Price
Sony FE 35mm F1.8 Lens Sony FE 35mm F1.8
73mm
66mm 280g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 16mm F1.4 DC DN Sony E-mount Lens Sigma 16mm F1.4 DC DN E
92mm
72mm 405g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM Lens Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM
96mm
76mm 524g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony E 35mm F1.8 OSS Lens Sony E 35mm F1.8 OSS
45mm
63mm 155g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony FE 24mm F1.4 GM Lens Sony FE 24mm F1.4 GM
92mm
75mm 445g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony FE 14mm F1.8 GM Lens Sony FE 14mm F1.8 GM
100mm
83mm 460g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony FE 35mm F2.8 ZA Carl Zeiss Sonnar T Lens Sony FE 35mm F2.8 ZA CZ
37mm
62mm 120g Amazon B&H Photo
Samyang AF 18mm F2.8 FE Lens Samyang AF 18mm F2.8 FE
61mm
64mm 145g Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mounts

Both Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G and Sony E 20mm F2.8 has the same Sony E lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Sony E lenses are Sony A7R V, Sony FX30 and Sony A7 IV.

Focal Range

Both lenses have the same focal range of 20mm but while Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G has the fastest aperture of F1.8, the Sony E 20mm F2.8's widest aperture value is F2.8.

Reasons to choose Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G over Sony E 20mm F2.8

Max Aperture - Wide 1.8 vs 2.8 Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele 1.8 vs 2.8 Wider aperture at tele end
Diaphgragm Blades 9 vs 7 Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Aperture Ring Yes vs No able to adjust the aperture on the lens
Max Sensor Coverage 35mm FF vs APS-C / DX covers larger sensors
Weather Sealing Yes vs No safer to use under rain and dust
Minimum Focus Distance 0.19m vs 0.2m can focus closer to the subject
Max Magnification 0.22x vs x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Reasons to choose Sony E 20mm F2.8 over Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G

Weight 69g vs 373g 304g lighter
Diameter 63mm vs 74mm 11mm smaller in diameter
Length 20mm vs 85mm 65mm shorter
Filter Thread 49mm vs 67mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find
Common Weaknesses of Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G and Sony E 20mm F2.8
Image Stabilization No vs No Reliant on in-body Image Stabilization
Distance Scale No vs No No Distance Scale assist


**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G vs Sony E 20mm F2.8 Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Sony Sony
Lens Type Prime Prime
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type Wideangle Prime Wideangle Prime
Lens Mount Sony E Sony E
Max Format 35mm FF APS-C / DX
Focal Range 20mm 20mm
Image Stabilization No No
Colour Black Black
Zoom Method No Zoom No Zoom
Power Zoom No No
Zoom Lock No No
Zoom Ratio 1.0X 1.0X
Aperture
Max Aperture F1.8 F2.8
Min Aperture F16 F22.0
Aperture Ring Yes No
Diaphragm Blades 9 7
Optics
Optical Elements 14 6
Optical Groups 12 6
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.19m 0.2m
Max Magnification 0.22X -
Autofocus Yes Yes
AF Motor Type Linear Motor Stepper motor
Full Time Manual Yes
Focus Method Internal -
Distance Scale No No
DoF Scale No No
Distance Scale No No
Focus Distance Limiter No No
Physical Specs
Weight 373g 69g
Diameter 74mm 63mm
Length 85mm 20mm
Weather Sealing Yes No
Filter Thread 67mm 49mm
Hood Supplied Yes -
Tripod Collar No No
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