Sony E 20mm f/2.8
Sony

E 20mm f/2.8

$299~
MSRP (prices vary)
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Released: September 14, 2012
20mm
Focal Length
f/2.8
Max Aperture
APS-C
Coverage
Stabilized
69g
Weight
49mm
Filter

Who the Sony E 20mm f/2.8 is for

The Sony E 20mm f/2.8 is an APS-C 20mm f/2.8 standard prime for Sony E.

Best for

  • Landscapes, interiors and architecture — a wide 20mm field of view.

Keep in mind

  • Aperture tops out at f/2.8 — less low-light headroom and background blur than faster lenses.

How the Sony E 20mm f/2.8 compares to other Sony E APS-C standard lenses

Every figure below is measured against the 19 Sony E APS-C standard lenses in the catalogue, so you can see where this lens actually sits rather than reading its spec sheet in isolation.

SpecThis lensWhere it lands
Weight69g (2.4 oz)2nd lightest of 19
Price (MSRP)$299joint 8th cheapest of 19
Maximum aperturef/2.8joint 10th narrowest of 19

What 20mm at f/2.8 actually gives you

20mm is wide enough to take in interiors, landscapes and architecture without the pronounced edge stretching of an ultra-wide. On the APS-C bodies it covers, it frames like 30mm would on full-frame.

f/2.8 is the working standard for a fast lens — a stop or two of low-light headroom over a kit zoom, and noticeably more background separation.

Size, close focus and filters

At 69g (2.4 oz) it is light enough that it stops being a decision — the kind of lens that stays on the body or in the bag without thought.

It focuses to 20cm, which is close enough to fill the frame with small subjects.

Filters are 49mm — worth checking against what you already own, since polarisers and ND filters at this size are reusable across any other lens sharing the thread.

Autofocus and stabilisation

Autofocus is driven by a Stepping motor.

There is no optical stabilisation in the lens, so handheld steadiness depends on the body having IBIS, or on keeping the shutter speed up.

Full Specifications

Optical Design

Focal Length20mm
Lens TypePrime
Optical Elements6
Optical Groups5

Aperture & Iris

Maximum Aperturef/2.8
Minimum Aperturef/22
Aperture Blades7
Rounded ApertureNo

Coverage & Angle

Format CoverageAPS-C
Lens MountSony E
Angle of View71°
35mm Equivalent30-30mm

Focus

AutofocusYes
Focus MotorStepping
Focus LimiterNo
AF/MF SwitchNo
Min Focus Distance20 cm
Max Magnification0.13x

Stabilization & Video

Optical StabilizationNo
Aperture RingNo
Declickable ApertureNo
ParfocalNo
Internal ZoomNo

General

Price (MSRP)$299
Filter Size49mm
Diameter62.6mm
Length24.3mm
Weight69g (2.4 oz)
Weather SealedNo
Tripod CollarNo

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