The Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G (Amazon, B&H) is primarily a photography lens, though it will be used for video.
In this article let’s take a comprehensive look at the important features and specifications of the Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G and see how good it will perform specifically for video, cinematography and filmmaking.
The aim of this article is to provide you with enough information and perspective so you can decide for yourself whether this lens is right for your film or video.
Important: This article is a comprehensive overview of the lens with available information; and an analysis based on our experience shooting for almost two decades. It is not a hands-on review. If and when we get hold of the lens we’ll be sure to publish a detailed review. If this is not your cup of tea you can stop reading.
Here’s Sony’s official video for the FE 20mm f/1.8 G:
Click to what you want quickly:
- TLDR;
- Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G vs Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art
- Features:
- Control:
- Basics:
- Alternatives to the Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G
TLDR;
What you need to know for video work about the Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G (Amazon, B&H):
- The Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G is a great ultra-wide focal length lens.
- The f/1.8 aperture is good enough for low light work.
- It’s smaller and lightweight compared to the alternatives, making it a preferred lens for gimbal or drone work.
- 9 blade aperture for smoother, better bokeh.
- Linear MF or Fly by wire manual focus response.
- Aperture ring on the lens makes it easier to ride the aperture.
- Customizable button on the lens body makes it versatile.
- The lens doesn’t have OSS, but you will get some stabilization with a Sony a7S III or the Sony Alpha 1 that has in built stabilization.
- Sony claims the Eye AF is precise and quick for video.
- It exhibits breathing.
Can be great for most following types of filmmaking.
Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G vs Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art
| Lens | Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G | Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art |
| Filter Thread | 67mm | NA |
| Size | 73.5mm × 84.7mm | 90.7mm × 155.8mm |
| Weight | 373g | 1,055g |
| Closest focusing distance | AF: 0.19m / 0.63ft MF: 0.18m / 0.59ft | 0.27m / 0.88ft |
| Max. Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.4 |
| Min. Aperture | f/22 | f/16 |
| Aperture Blades | 9 blades | 9 blades |
| Angle of View (Diagonal) | 94 | 94 |
The Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G (Amazon, B&H) is very handy compared to the Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art (Amazon, B&H). It is 700 grams lighter. This makes it the preferred lens for handheld or gimbal use out of the two.
The Sigma Art 20mm cannot use any sort of filters due to a protruding front lens element. This is a major drawback. However, it opens up to f/1.4 and gives you a little extra light.
The FE 20mm f/1.8 G lens does have a closer minimum focusing distance by 10cm.
Here’s a resolution comparison:
The Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G seems to be much sharper and has better corner to corner performance than the Sigma Art 20mm f/1.4. At f/1.8 I expect the Sigma to be closer.
For me, the Sony wins.
Features
Coverage
The Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G (Amazon, B&H) is a full frame lens. It is designed to completely cover a sensor the size of 36mm x 24mm.
If you are considering this lens for an APS-C sensor or other cinema camera, check out this article:
Focal Length
The focal length is 20mm. This is considered wide on a full frame 35mm sensor.
This focal range is very useful for long shots and wide shots.
Aperture
The maximum aperture is f/1.8 and the minimum aperture is f/22.
There is an aperture ring on the lens. The aperture can be de-clicked with the turn of a switch on the lens. This helps you ride the aperture in a smooth manner to control exposure during a shot.
Having f/1.8 is great for low light. Most people will use it at f/2 or f/2.8 for the purpose of getting optimum sharpness, and to get soft out of focus backgrounds.
The Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G (Amazon, B&H) has 9 circular diaphragm blades. One expects a smooth bokeh, considering the number of blades, but it’s not always a given. To know more about bokeh:
Resolution
From Sony’s official MTF charts:
The Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G (Amazon, B&H) is sharp in the center and low fall off at the edges. It’s an amazing performance at f/1.8. Shows you how far modern lens design has come.
With the variance in the Sagittal and Tangential lines, you can infer (somewhat) that the bokeh should be as smooth as the best prime lenses on the planet.
If you really want this lens at its sharpest you’re better off stopping down to f/2 or even f/2.8 for best results, but it’s no slouch at f/1.8. I expect this lens to make even the most demanding cinematographers happy.
If you are curious and want to read the MTF chart for yourself. Here’s a guide on how to read them easily.
Close Focus
The closest focusing distance depends on the focus mode you choose. Autofocus mode has the closest focusing distance of 0.19 meters or 0.63 feet. Manual focus mode has the closest focusing distance of 0.18 meters or 0.59 feet. Not a huge difference.
That’s great for this focal length because you can also use it for close ups.
Image Stabilization
The Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G (Amazon, B&H) lens doesn’t have OSS. This is a disappointment, because that would have made it a lot better than the Sigma version. Using it with the Sony Alpha 1 or the a7S III can provide it with some image stabilization.
Control
Manual focus system
The Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G (Amazon, B&H) has an infinite turn ring for its focus ring and can turn infinitely one way or the other. Fortunately for videographers and cinematographers, the FE 20mm f/1.8 G is set to Linear MF or fly by wire by default.
What is the meaning of focus by wire and fly by wire?
Focus by wire: Let’s say you turn the focus ring to change focus from point A to B. You’d expect the focus to shift accordingly. When you stop point B will be in focus. Now bring the focus point back to A and try again, but at a different speed. Slower or faster, doesn’t matter. Now, even if you precisely rotate to the exact same degree, the focus will not be on point B! The speed of rotation determines which point it is focused on. That’s just completely useless for follow focus work. If an actor or person moves at a different speed, evens lightly, you’ll never get the same focus. Avoid focus by wire lenses like the plague (for video work).
Fly by wire: The distance of focus shifted is directly proportional to the speed at which the ring is turned. This is how a manual focus ring is supposed to operate for video and cinematography.
Linear Response MF provides a direct response to subtle focus ring adjustments when focusing manually. Ring rotation translates linearly to a corresponding change in focus like a mechanical control, directly reflecting the intent of the photographer and allowing delicate focus adjustments.
Sony
This decision to include fly by wire or linear MF by Sony makes this lens a great choice for cinematographers and videographers.
Autofocus system
Sony’s Autofocus is, without a doubt, one of the most revered video autofocus systems in the world. They claim the new AF actuators are much better than the previous autofocusing systems. There is a switch on the side of the body to switch from autofocus to manual focus.
Two XD (eXtreme Dynamic) Linear Motors easily keep up with Sony’s high-speed camera bodies, taking full advantage of their AF speed, precision and tracking potential. New control algorithms make it possible to drive the lens’s large focus group smoothly and without delays for responsive, silent, low-vibration auto focus.
Sony
Basics
Filter Thread
The Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G (Amazon, B&H) has a filter thread diameter of 67mm. This is an uncommon filter diameter. You might be well served to buy a larger filter and use a step-up ring.
Build Quality
The majority of the lens exterior is plastic, though the lens doesn’t feel cheap.
The optical design consists of 14 elements in 12 groups, including two AA (advanced aspherical) elements and three ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements.
Size and Weight
The Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 GM (Amazon, B&H) has a diameter of 73.5mm and a length of 84.7mm. It weighs around 373 grams. Compared to the Sigma Art 20mm f/1.4, this lens is as light as a feather.
Weather resistance
Sony claims that all G lenses are weather resistant. But again this only holds true if the camera body you will be using is also weather sealed. No camera is truly and officially weather sealed, so the best you can hope for is reliable weather resistance.
Sony claims to have a fluorine coating on the front element of the FE 20mm f/1.8 G which will repel water, oil and other contaminants.
This is a G series lens and we can expect it to perform as such.
What’s in the box
This is what you get in the box (other than the lens):
- Hood (model): ALC-SH162
- Lens front cap: ALC-F67S
- Lens rear cap: ALC-R1EM
- Soft case
The hood might be useful for photography, but the shape and design makes it mostly vestigial for video work. Some people like to put it on to protect the front element in case of a fall. The hood takes the impact and shatters, but saves the lens. I’d keep it on unless you have good reason not to.
Alternatives to the Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G Lens
The Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G (Amazon, B&H) is a great wide angle lens. Two lenses that come close are:
- Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art (Amazon, B&H) – Wider aperture, heavier and bigger, worse AF, not compatible with filters. Not recommended over the Sony.
- Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM (Amazon, B&H) – Wider aperture, expensive, smaller angle of view, more blades but focus by wire lens.
As you can see, there really isn’t an alternative for this lens. It’s in a class of its own.
I hope you found this overview of the Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G (Amazon, B&H) useful. If we have missed out on something, please let us know in the comments below.
