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Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G vs Zeiss ZEISS Loxia 21mm 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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ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8

Wideangle Prime | Sony E

ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8
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BUY from B&H PHOTO

Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G vs ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8 Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing the Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G for the E Mount and the ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8 for the E Mount, two Wideangle Prime lenses from Sony and Zeiss.

We will start by looking briefly at the main specs of these two lenses, and in the next section, we will start analyzing them in more detail and listing the pros and cons of each lens.

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

ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8 Key Specs

  • 21mm Focal Range
  • F2.8 Max Aperture
  • Weather-sealed
  • Filter Thread: 52mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Sony E Mount
  • Weight: 394g.
  • Diameter: 62mm
  • Length: 72mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 0.25m
  • Max Magnification: 0.13x

What type of photography are the Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G and ZEISS Loxia 21mm 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 ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8 for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8
Bird/WildlifePoorPoor
SportsPoorPoor
PortraitFairFair
TravelAverageAverage
StreetExcellentExcellent
WeddingFairFair
Walk AroundAverageAverage
VloggingVery GoodVery Good
LandscapeGoodGood
MacroFairPoor

Size and Weight Comparison

The 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 ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8 with a length of 72mm, is 13mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G also has a larger diameter of 74mm compared to the ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8's 62mm diameter.

The 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 FE 20mm F1.8 G weighs 373g, which means it is 21g (5%) lighter than the ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8 which has a weight of 394g.


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 the Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G and the ZEISS Loxia 21mm 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 ZV-E1, Sony A7R V and Sony FX30.

Focal Range

Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 20mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides a 35mm (FF) equivalent of 30mm.
ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8 is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 21mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides a 35mm (FF) equivalent of 31.5mm.

Reasons to choose Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G over ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8

Focal Length - Wide 20mm vs 21mm 1mm Wider coverage
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 Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Autofocus Yes vs No Easier, faster and more accurate focusing
Weight 373g vs 394g 21g lighter
Minimum Focus Distance 0.19m vs 0.25m can focus closer to the subject
Max Magnification 0.22x vs 0.13x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Reasons to choose ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8 over Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G

Focal Length - Tele 21mm vs 20mm 1mm more Tele coverage
Distance Scale Yes vs No Distance Scale to assist focusing
Diameter 62mm vs 74mm 12mm smaller in diameter
Length 72mm vs 85mm 13mm shorter
Filter Thread 52mm vs 67mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find

Common Strengths of Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G and ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8
Autofocus Yes vs Yes Easier, faster and more accurate focusing
Internal Focusing Yes vs Yes Length of the lens doesn't change during focusing
Aperture Ring Yes vs Yes able to adjust the aperture on the lens
Weather Sealing Yes vs Yes safer to use under rain and dust
Common Weaknesses of Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G and ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8
Image Stabilization No vs No Reliant on in-body Image Stabilization


**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 ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8 Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Sony Zeiss
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 35mm FF
Focal Range 20mm 21mm
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
Aperture Ring Yes Yes
Diaphragm Blades 9 -
Optics
Optical Elements 14 11
Optical Groups 12 9
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.19m 0.25m
Max Magnification 0.22X 0.13X
Autofocus Yes No
AF Motor Type Linear Motor No AF
Full Time Manual Yes Yes
Focus Method Internal Internal
Distance Scale No Yes
DoF Scale No No
Distance Scale No Yes
Focus Distance Limiter No No
Physical Specs
Weight 373g 394g
Diameter 74mm 62mm
Length 85mm 72mm
Materials - Metal
Weather Sealing Yes Yes
Filter Thread 67mm 52mm
Hood Supplied Yes -
Tripod Collar No No
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