In his review of the Sony 20mm f/1.8 G lens forThePhoblographer.com, Chris Gampat provides a thorough analysis of the lens along with plenty of sample photos. Read more to see why after shooting with the lens and examining its ergonomics, build quality, ease of use, autofocus, image quality and more, he ultimately gives it a five out of five stars.
“Put it on your camera, and you may not want to take it off." – Chris Gampat of The Phoblographer on the new Sony 20mm f/1.8 G Lens
Ease Of Use/Ergonomics
“The small size and weight of the Sony 20mm f/1.8 G make this lens a pure joy to use. If you love going out on photo walks, partake in street photography, do documentary work, or landscapes that involve hiking to your location, you will enjoy this lens. There’s no IS in this lens, but you simply don’t need it on such a wide piece of glass, besides the IBIS on select Sony bodies will help if you need it. Put the lens on the camera and forget about it. You can easily use this lens all day without worrying about it becoming a burden.”
“The lens is small, clean, uncluttered and, you’ll barely notice it attached to your camera, which means this lens is perfect for those who like to keep things compact and easy to carry when they head out of the door. There are no complaints here when it comes to ergonomics.”
Autofocus
“The Sony 20mm f/1.8 G is a great performer when it comes to autofocus. Not only is it completely silent thanks to the XD LM linear AF motor that’s found in Sony’s more expensive GM lenses, but it’s also super snappy too. I tried this lens on the Sony α9 II, and the Sony α7r IV and granted, these cameras are ridiculous when it comes to the AF systems they employ, but the lens never missed a beat, and I doubt that it would miss on any newer Sony camera with the latest firmware. There were no problems with real-time human and animal eye-AF, nor with objects in motion. Half-press the shutter, and you get focus lock almost instantly. This is the story in both good lighting conditions and less than stellar lighting conditions.”
Image Quality
“You’re going to be happy with the images you create with the Sony 20mm f/1.8 G. Sharp is an understatement here. The amount of detail the lens can help Sony sensors resolve is incredible."
"The Sony 20mm f/1.8 G is going to give you great colors, nicely rendered bokeh, razor-sharp images from corner-to-corner from f1.8 and on, and the lens coatings control flare well when shooting directly into the sun. What more could you need?"
Conclusion
"I have been really impressed with the Sony 20mm f/1.8 during my time with it. At first, I was wondering if there was a need for a 20mm f/1.8 lens in the Sony lineup, but after using the lens, I can say that yes, there is. This lens is perfect for a ton of different genres, from street photography to documentary, to landscapes, environmental portraits, macro, portraits, and food photography. This lens will also be an excellent choice for those who like astrophotography thanks to its wide field of view and fast f/1.8 aperture."
"The Sony 20mm f/1.8 G is a small lens that packs a punch. The images the glass will help you capture will be tack sharp from f/1.8 and on. The colors that it renders are pleasant and neutral and will no doubt please many. The bokeh is very good for a wide-angle lens, and the way the lens coatings help control flares and ghosting is excellent. This lens is a speed demon in the AF department as well, in both good and poor lighting conditions. The Sony 20mm f/1.8 G is fun to use for extended periods thanks to its lightweight and small size. It’s the perfect lens for the everyday photographer. Put it on your camera, and you may not want to take it off."
Read The Phoblographer's full review and see the sample images here.
