CameraDecision
  • CAMERAS
    • All Cameras
    • Cameras by Brand
      • Sony Cameras
      • Canon Cameras
      • Nikon Cameras
      • Pentax Cameras
      • Fujifilm Cameras
      • Olympus Cameras
      • Panasonic Cameras
      • Leica Cameras
      • Samsung Cameras
    • Cameras by Body Type
      • Mirrorless Cameras
      • DSLR Cameras
      • Compact Cameras
      • Bridge Cameras
      • Waterproof Cameras
    • Cameras by Lens Mount
      • Sony E Mount Cameras
      • Canon RF Mount Cameras
      • Nikon Z Mount Cameras
      • Micro Four Thirds Mount Cameras
      • Fujifilm X Mount Cameras
      • Leica L Mount Cameras
      • Nikon F Mount Cameras
      • Canon EF Mount Cameras
      • Canon EF M Mount Cameras
      • Canon EF S Mount Cameras
      • Pentax KAF Mount Cameras
      • Sony Alpha Mount Cameras
      • Fujifilm G Mount Cameras
      • Sigma SA Mount Cameras
      • Nikon 1 Mount Cameras
  • LENSES
    • All Lenses
    • Lenses by Mount
      • Sony E Mount Lenses
      • Canon RF Mount Lenses
      • Nikon Z Mount Lenses
      • Canon EF Mount Lenses
      • Canon EF M Mount Lenses
      • Canon EF S Mount Lenses
      • Nikon F Mount Lenses
      • Fujifilm X Mount Lenses
      • Micro Four Thirds Mount Lenses
      • Leica L Mount Lenses
      • Pentax KAF Mount Lenses
      • Fujifilm G Mount Lenses
      • Sigma SA Mount Lenses
      • Sony Alpha Mount Lenses
    • Teleconverters
  • TOOLS
    • Cameras
      • Smart Find
      • 1-on-1 Comparison
    • Lenses
      • Smart Find
      • 1-on-1 Comparison
  • BLOG

Zeiss ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8 vs Sony E 20mm F2.8

x
Lens to replace
Change

ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8

Wideangle Prime | Sony E

ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8
CHECK PRICE

BUY from B&H PHOTO
Change
    
Sony E 20mm F2.8

Wideangle Prime | Sony E

Sony E 20mm F2.8
CHECK PRICE

BUY from B&H PHOTO

ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8 vs Sony E 20mm F2.8 Comparison Overview

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

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.

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

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 ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8 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 ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8 and the Sony E 20mm F2.8 for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8 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.ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8 is the longer of the two lenses at 72mm. The Sony E 20mm F2.8 with a length of 20mm is 52mm shorter. On the other hand, the Sony E 20mm F2.8 has a larger diameter of 63mm compared to ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8's 62mm 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, 82% (325g) lighter than the ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8's 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 FE 20mm F1.8 G Lens Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G
85mm
74mm 373g 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

Lens Mounts

Both ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8 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

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 an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 31.5mm.
Sony E 20mm F2.8 is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 20mm which has an effective (full-frame 35mm equivalent) focal range of 30mm when used on a APS-C / DX format camera.

Reasons to choose ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8 over Sony E 20mm F2.8

Focal Length - Tele 21mm vs 20mm 1mm more Tele coverage
Distance Scale Yes vs No Distance Scale to assist focusing
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
Diameter 62mm vs 63mm 1mm smaller in diameter
Weather Sealing Yes vs No safer to use under rain and dust
Max Magnification 0.13x vs x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Reasons to choose Sony E 20mm F2.8 over ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8

Focal Length - Wide 20mm vs 21mm 1mm Wider coverage
Diaphgragm Blades 7 vs Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Autofocus Yes vs No Easier, faster and more accurate focusing
Weight 69g vs 394g 325g lighter
Length 20mm vs 72mm 52mm shorter
Filter Thread 49mm vs 52mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find
Minimum Focus Distance 0.2m vs 0.25m can focus closer to the subject
Common Weaknesses of ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8 and Sony E 20mm 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.

ZEISS Loxia 21mm F2.8 vs Sony E 20mm F2.8 Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Zeiss 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 21mm 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 F2.8 F2.8
Min Aperture F22.0
Aperture Ring Yes No
Diaphragm Blades unknown 7
Optics
Optical Elements 11 6
Optical Groups 9 6
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.25m 0.2m
Max Magnification 0.13X unknown
Autofocus No Yes
AF Motor Type No AF Stepper motor
Full Time Manual Yes
Focus Method Internal Unknown
Distance Scale Yes No
DoF Scale No No
Distance Scale Yes No
Focus Distance Limiter Unknown Unknown
Physical Specs
Weight 394g 69g
Diameter 62mm 63mm
Length 72mm 20mm
Materials Metal Unknown
Weather Sealing Yes Unknown
Filter Thread 52mm 49mm
Filter Notes - -
Hood Supplied Unknown Unknown
Hood Code Unknown Unknown
Tripod Collar No No
Optional Accessories - -
Report a Correction
FOLLOW US


Latest Lenses
Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G
Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G
Sony E | F4 Standard Zoom
Sigma 60-600mm F4.5-6.3 DG DN OS
Sigma 60-600mm F4.5-6.3 DG DN OS
Leica L | F4.5-6.3 Telephoto Zoom
Sigma 60-600mm F4.5-6.3 DG DN OS
Sigma 60-600mm F4.5-6.3 DG DN OS
Sony E | F4.5-6.3 Telephoto Zoom
Panasonic LUMIX S 14-28mm F4-5.6 Macro
Panasonic LUMIX S 14-28mm F4-5.6 Macro
Leica L | F4-5.6 Wideangle Zoom
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-35mm F2.8 ASPH POWER OIS
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-35mm F2.8 ASPH POWER OIS
Micro Four Thirds | F2.8 Standard Zoom
Most Popular Lenses
Canon EF 75-300mm f4.0-5.6 III
Canon EF 75-300mm f4.0-5.6 III
75-300mm | F4.0 - F5.6 Telephoto Zoom
Sony FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS
Sony FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS
24-105mm | F4 Standard Zoom
Nikon AF Nikkor 70-300mm f4-5.6G
Nikon AF Nikkor 70-300mm f4-5.6G
70-300mm | F4.0 - F5.6 Telephoto Zoom
Fujifilm XF 18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS
Fujifilm XF 18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS
18-55mm | F2.8 - F4.0 Standard Zoom
Fujifilm XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR
Fujifilm XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR
16-55mm | F2.8 Standard Zoom
Copyright © 2023 by CameraDecision
Privacy About Contact Us SpeakerDecision

Report a Correction