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Sony 20mm f/2.8 Lens

BH #SO2028 • MFR #SAL20F28
7 reviews
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Sony 20mm f/2.8 Lens
Key Features
  • A-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/2.8 to f/22
  • Rear Focus
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 9.8"
Capture an ultra-wide perspective with minimal distortion and excellent control over aberrations with the Sony 20mm f/2.8 Lens for full-frame A-mount cameras. This lens also offers a maximum aperture of f/2.8 for working in dim lighting and for selective focus effects. An internal autofocus motor works with a rear focusing design for fast AF performance and for providing a minimum focus distance of 9.8". Additionally, it has a seven-blade circular diaphragm for smooth bokeh.
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Sony 20mm f/2.8 Overview

Capture an ultra-wide perspective with minimal distortion and excellent control over aberrations with the Sony 20mm f/2.8 Lens for full-frame A-mount cameras. This lens also offers a maximum aperture of f/2.8 for working in dim lighting and for selective focus effects. An internal autofocus motor works with a rear focusing design for fast AF performance and for providing a minimum focus distance of 9.8". Additionally, it has a seven-blade circular diaphragm for smooth bokeh.

An ultra-wide perspective great for capturing wide landscapes or exaggerated close-ups, this 20mm can also be used on APS-C format cameras where it provides an equivalent focal length of 30mm.
A maximum aperture of f/2.8 will help users capture clean images when working in difficult lighting situations.
An integrated autofocus motor will help users quickly lock on to their subjects while a rear focusing design helps minimize aberrations from the minimum focus distance of 9.8" to infinity.
Rounded seven-blade diaphragm contributes to a pleasing bokeh quality when employing selective focus techniques.

Sony 20mm f/2.8Specs

Focal Length
20mm
Maximum Aperture
f/2.8
Minimum Aperture
f/22
Lens Mount
Sony A
Lens Format Coverage
Full-Frame
Angle of View
94°
Minimum Focus Distance
9.84" / 25 cm
Maximum Magnification
0.13x
Optical Design
10 Elements in 9 Groups
Diaphragm Blades
7, Rounded
Focus Type
Autofocus
Image Stabilization
No
Filter Size
72 mm (Front)
Dimensions (ø x L)
3.07 x 2.11" / 78 x 53.5 mm
Weight
10.05 oz / 285 g
Packaging Info
Package Weight
1.1 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
7.35 x 4.5 x 4.15"

Sony 20mm f/2.8 Reviews

This lens fills a gap in my equipment

By Anton
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2018-07-29

I had this lens on my wish list for a couple of years. Since I prefer prime lenses to zooms, this one fills the gap between my 14 mm ultra wide and my 30 mm wide-normal in my Sony A-mount (APS-C) kit. The images that I have gotten with it are acceptably sharp for my needs. I would not recommend it, though, for professional use because of its plastic body. So far I have used it for close-up, non-macro photos of flowers. It does a good job of stretching the distance behind the subject while keeping decent depth of field. I still look forward to using it for landscape work. Although I know that there must be some distortion in my images using the lens, I haven't noticed it because I haven't photographed any buildings with it. That's another thing I am looking forward to.

I would definitely recommand this lens

By psstudio
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2011-10-25

The Sony 20 mm F/2.8 makes a very good and relatively low cost super-wide angle lens. For most people, it's wide enough and fast enough. I would definitely recommend this lens.

Very light, fast , good focus lens

By PhotoNur
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2011-05-09

This is a light weight, compact lens. If you are looking for wide angle, fast lens this is the lens for you. Photos come very sharp in low light condition using F/2.8. It is easy to carry around, good to take landscape photos as well as architecture. Comparing with Sony 11-18mm f/4.5-5.6 Zoom Lens, vignetting at the edges and distortion is almost none. The bokeh is really nice on the background of your main subject. would recommend this lens if you are into architecture or landscape photography.

Nice, Compact, and Sharp

By Mark the Kuma
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2010-07-02

This is a great lens to travel lightly with and always stays in my to go bag when heading out the door. Very sharp when stopped down a stop or two and focus speed is a non-issue. The only down side is it lacks the distance information for Sony's flash system.

Good landscape lens, at night too!

By Farhan The Photog
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2010-05-11

I use the lens for landscape shots, and some street shots for greater perspective/context. It focusses quickly and sharply. I am amazed by the night-time shots. Very sharp and fast focus! Watch out for an effect that I have learned is common to most super wide angle lenses. With the aperture wide open, it will sometimes focus to infinity whereas it should have slightly inside. Initially I didn't notice this until it was pointed out to me that I had a wide open aperture, and yet the entire frame is in focus. I tested it at home and when you focus an object at 1 feet, you do get the bokeh but you have to make it close to the subject. Oh well, this issue is documented by reviewers and I like the lens enough, and I won't be using it for shooting close objects wide open.

A good lens

By Old Timer
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2010-04-27

I bought a Sony A850 body and needed some lenses and this (20mm F2.8 Sony) was the first one. I have had the Nikon and Canon counterparts. This is the best of the three for sure. They all seem to have some things in common. There is some Chromatic Aberrations (color fringing) and relatively soft around the outsides of a full frame camera until f 8. Don't get me wrong, it is good enough before F8 for all but poster prints. From F8 to F16 (F11 best) it is useful for professional results on a full frame camera. You will still have to clean up the CA (color fringing) in Photoshop or something like that but it cleans up very well. A good lens to have in the bag. This is the best lens in this focal length for the Sony full frame camera at this time, I have checked. There is a 24mm Carl Z. coming soon that's supposed to be excellent quality but that's still a long way from 20mm. This lens will get you shots in tight spots where nothing else will. The price is fair and a bargain if you do end up in a small room with wealthy clients.

Broaden your horizons

By Christine
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2015-02-16

Plan to use this during decent into magma chamber in Iceland

Good but not great...

By chefemzman
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2014-07-18

The reason I purchased this lens was for landscape and architectural shoots. I purchased the lens a few days before the 4th of July. I used this lens with my a77 along with the 16-50 kit lens on my a7 for that evening, alternating shots during the fireworks display. The photos turned out pretty good. I really haven't been able to use the lens much since because of my work load. Maybe after 6 months, I'll do another review.

See any errors on this page? Let us know

question

Is this lens for full frame cameras?
Asked by: Anonymous
Yes, it's compatible with full frame cameras.
Answered by: Matthew C.
Date published: 2018-08-27

will this lense work with my sony alpha 7 ii?

will this lense work with my sony alpha 7 ii?
Asked by: George
This lens can work on the Sony A7 II by way of the Sony A-Mount to E-Mount Lens Adapter (Black), BH # SOLAEA3. http://bhpho.to/2Hb1Lsr
Answered by: Kirk
Date published: 2020-12-17

question

Is it compatible with A7III?
Asked by: Milton K.
The ILCE7M3 is an E-Mount Full Frame body and the SAL20F28 is an A-Mount APS-C lens. You will need either the LA-EA3 or LA-EA4 adaptor, please also keep in mind some of the functions will not work depending on which adaptor you use, in addition the angle of view will be narrower down to that of APS-C size.
Answered by: Sony Support Sony Expert
Date published: 2018-08-28

question

Is this lens compatible with sony a7R?
Asked by: Rodrigo M.
Directly, no.You will have to use an adaptor, like the Sony LAEA3 or LAEA4.
Answered by: CARLOS D.
Date published: 2018-08-28
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