In his comprehensive review of the Sony 20mm f/1.8 G lens for CameraLabs.com, Gordon Laing takes a deep dive into every detail of the new lens and its features. Performing a number of quality tests in different situations and at varying distances, Laing is able to provide a complete analysis of the lens and its performance.
See the complete results from Gordon Laing's comprehensive testing of the Sony 20mm f/1.8 G lens.
"Focus accuracy and repeatability is critical to consistently produce sharp shots especially with large aperture lenses. Repeatability (the accuracy of focus on the same subject after repeated focus-acquisition) of this lens is very good (measured 99,3% in Reikan FoCal) with no outliers over a series of 40 shots. And there is no focus variation whether the lens focuses from a closer distance or from infinity."
In addition to focus accuracy, Laing tests for chromatic aberration that shows very low even at the maximum f/1.8 aperture. "The test also revealed that there is no focus shift to speak of at distances of 1m and farther away. The following real life shot shows that the Sony FE 20mm f1.8 G produces very little purple fringing around high-contrast edges or green outlining around background subjects. Very good!"
After all of the testing, Laing ultimately decides the lens is a top performer that produces sharp and beautiful imagery.
"Judged on its own merits Sony’s FE 20mm f/1.8 G looks like a very good performer. It produces very contrasty images across the full-frame (even against adverse contra-light) with very little coma and almost no color aberrations. Its focus reliability is excellent and it is hardened well against the elements. Plus it offers a de-clickable aperture ring and a multi-purpose focus hold button. Add to that a close-up magnification that goes well beyond the advertised specs and delivers very usable images even wide open with really sharp results from f/4 onward."
These are only a few of Gordon Laing’s observations about the new Sony 20mm f/1.8 G – check out his full in-depth review for sample images and a complete analysis including comparisons to similar lenses from Sigma and Tamron.
