Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G Wide-Angle Prime Lens Review

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

Join me on Patreon for the best Alpha Support and Guidance. A single $10 Membership fee includes access to my 500-page camera-specific eBooks, member-only Q&A Forums + Over twenty 1-hour member-only seminars + cameras settings files & access to the Raw files from the lens and camera reviews (there is no contract or commitment beyond the first month). www.patreon.com/markgaler

[@pmo718]

This is probably the best review on youtube on this lens. You go into the nuances of how to utilize it. Thanks

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

Glad you think so!

[@danfarmer_photo]

Sunday lunch, chilling and watching some Mark Galer. Seen this review, own the lens, watching anyway.

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

Pleased you are able to watch it again - happy Sunday 😎

[@danfarmer_photo]

@ Sometimes when I haven’t used a particular lens in a while, I often go to your channel to get reintroduced to some quality images, and hope to harness some inspiration to shoot more with said lens. Works every time. 👌

[@thureintun1840]

Thank you for this. I have been waiting for you to do the review.

[@boutthere3374]

My experience with cameras is limited but this lens changed me. When I started playing around with video I thought bigger+more expensive was the proper course of action with buying gear and thankfully i learned quickly thats not so. I was recording a video from inside my tent and later, while editing, I was shocked at the lens ability to focus when I was almost brushing up against it in the tent. I think its kinda funny that I, through trial and error, ended up with 3 of the 4 lens you suggest. I have the 20,55 and 85 but I will pick up the 35 next sale. I must be learning something...lol...Cheers and thanks for the video.

[@rainerk10]

Great videos! I am new to the A7iii and love to learn from you everyday!

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

Glad to hear it!

[@travelmoreworkless]

Great video. Now I want to buy it. I especially love the photo of Princes Pier. Have sooo many photos of it!

[@DavidWilliams-ov4kn]

Great review, again, Mark. I had grabbed the 20mm to use with my ZV-E10 as a 30mm (35’ish) lens for that camera for a trip. This stands as a good reminder that it’s a really great lens for full frame as well!!!

[@Donbros]

I am kinda considering of that combo for my possible future b cam zve10

[@benevans59]

Awesome. Thanks so much for this Mark. I'll definitely be looking to invest in one soon.

[@ZOB4]

This lens and the 24-105 f/4 G make up my travel bag with an A7IV. It definitely competes with the GMs.

[@TW-iu9zy]

… yes, indeed: But the new 70-200 GM is a class of it‘s own.

[@tbGTR]

I am thinking of buying my first camera for film and video and am thinking of exactly your setup. A7iv, 24-105 f4 and the 20mm 1.8. How do you like it? I feel like that setup and 2 lenses will cover me for almost any scenario I will use.

[@bryanbcheng]

I'm also thinking about the same lens setup. Can I ask how you tend to use them when traveling?

[@brandonmcmullen1553]

It is challenging to watch your videos and come away not wanting to pick up the lens or camera you are reviewing 😅 Another excellent and thorough review!

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

Glad you like them!

[@ManishSingh-ox2ju]

This is a phenomenal lens and feels comfortable holding the sony body. Does a great job on gimbal as well. Mark sir very informative video ...love all your videos.

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

Totally agree!

[@joet9451]

And just like that I ran out and bought the 20mm 1.8 G. Mark does wonders for my budget. 😉

[@andrewbrooks2001]

I love my 20mm 1.8, it's usually my walk around lens, along with the 24-105 and zeiss 80mm

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

Good choices

[@HansIJpma]

I really like the sample images you took for this review. Beautiful work. I’m inspired. 👍

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

Thank you so much!

[@WebWay2000]

This was my first sony lens I bought , and was happy with the results

[@slawmac7352]

Hi Mark. Just watched the video. I've got number of lenses but I've never owned anything wider than 24mm. This 20 1.8 is going to be my next purchase for sure. Nowadays I am just walking arround with one lens (Tamron 35-150mm 2/2.8) but find myself in need of something wider in many situations. Thanks for the review.

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

The 20mm is a good good choice!

[@BrianKushner]

I have this lens. Great for Milkyway Photography. Fantastic review.

[@bryanbuff]

Great for video too. The 20mm is basically a 24mm if you factor in the crop for Focus Breathing comp and Active stabilization. And in APS-C mode, it’s more like 35mm. So sharp.

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

The 20mm is one of Sony's best value lenses as it is built and performs like a GM (better than the 24mm in terms of aberrations in my opinion)

[@callmehank88]

Terrific review, thanks Mark. I have the 35 and 85, and was thinking of grabbing this 20 for landscape and astro.

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

Go for it! I know I am an Ambassador but occasionally Sony give us a value-for-money lens that is easy to recommend. I am sure this review won't help the sales of the 24 GM either.

[@eViperRabbit]

@@AlphaCreativeSkills would you recommend/prefer ultra-wide angle primes such as 14mm GM, this 20mm G or zooms?

[@shaddring]

Great video, just bought this lens last week and it has been extraordinary both for stills and video.

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

Great to hear!

[@MaxCherry4170]

Perfect timing, had this one in my mental basket for a few weeks now. Just about to sell my sigma 24-70 to fund it.

[@99unclebob]

Thx Mark , this is an excellent review of the FE 20mm F1.8, your review of the Sony A7iv and 200-600mm is one of the reasons i have owned them since the embargo was lifted in Canada on Dec.27th 2021 and am blown away at the ability of them, i have always been a Sony shooter from day 1 and recently was using an A77 MKii which is an awesome camera to this day still and have more than half a dozen lenses to go with it, it just did not have much video capability and the A7iv has great video capability in and outdoors, i picked up the Sony LA-EA5 adapter and have been using a Sigma 24mm F1.8 for night photo/video shooting and am quite impressed with the results it has produced and some actually decent astral shots also, seeing this review of the FE20mm F1.8 i think i will place an order this week for one, seeing those street photography pics you took with the A7iv and how sharp they were sold me on this lens, the Sigma i have is good, nowhere near this good or sharp, or crisp, it was used off eBay for under $300 CDN to my door, small investment, the FE 20mm f1.8 is a good price for its quality and the 85mm F1.8 is also on my shopping list next so hopefully both will be in my bag by summertime 👍

[@forrestgalt2832]

Great lens, great review! I own it and love it. Mark, could you please test and evaluate the new Sony Flashes? I see very little online (one guy bashes them). Thanks!

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

Forums are filled with questions and issues with users who choose flash units other than the brand of camera they own. Major savings can be made by doing this compared to a user who purchases the same brand of flash as the camera they own. You won't, however, find may forums where a Nikon user is having issues with their Nikon flash not talking to their Nikon camera or a Sony photographer having issues with their Sony flash not talking to their Sony camera. I haven't updated my primary flash since I purchased the HVL-F45RM. I now use the HVL-F28RM as a commander instead of Sony's commander. I don't feel I need to create a new video until I update my flash again. Here is my last video tutorial: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gKWvn6NrrrZqoKc and here is a video for the Commander and Receiver: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r2faap-LnMiIpKM

[@petersvan7880]

Great review, truly a must have lens :)

[@cdavey7654]

Nice review, thank you. It's one of the first lenses I got for my A7IV when I recently switched to Sony, great for landscape and astro... 🌌

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

Good choice!

[@marioplumber3564]

I have this lens as well as the 14mm GM. These lenses are so good its insane. I'll likely return the 14mm GM because its a very niche & expensive lens, you'd have to be doing some very specific work in order to need it. The 20mm is perfect for vlogging, landscape, wide angle, astro, etc... The 14mm GM is so perfect, but for the price, its not worth it over the 20mm, even for vloggers, the 14mm is more of a flex outside of its niche use.

[@benevans59]

Would love to see an update top 10 or top 15 lenses review Mark.

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

I set out to make this video, but it became my Lens Choice video. Maybe this year it is time for a new top 10.

[@benevans59]

@@AlphaCreativeSkills would be brilliant

[@Gibson408]

Keeping thinking of chopping in my 16-35 f4 for one of these. I’ve got a 24-105 f4 and I think it would be a killer combo

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

I now use the 20mm instead of the 16-35

[@marclabro]

nice presentation. do you see a huge difference between this 20mm F/1.8 prime and 16-35 F4 PZ more versatile ? no idea if it often happens i shoot at F/1.8 cityscape, architecture, portrait...

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

I would not compare the PZ 16-35 F4 with a prime. You would need to be comparing the 16-35 2.8 GM to get close to the optical quality of a prime. If you are a hybrid shooter then a light powerzoom wide-angle is a must-have lens

[@valebliz]

​@@AlphaCreativeSkillsthe 16-35 f4 is extremely sharp.

[@wonkee184]

Much appreciated, I’m saving up already

[@hjones451]

Good for fitness - I've always used zoom lenses and do mainly landscape, just getting used to walking closer but loving the wide angle for architecture.

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

Thanks for sharing!

[@Mohika881]

That was really interesting. Thanks.

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

You are welcome :-)

[@bryanbuff]

I also love the 20mm 1.8 and 85mm 1.8 combo. Both light and compact with the same filter size too.

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

Yes - a good combo but the leap from 20 to 35 is a bit extreme for my work so I usually carry a 35 as well.

[@bryanbuff]

@@AlphaCreativeSkills Agreed. I usually carry the 35mm 1.8 because it’s so compact and light (adds next to nothing).

[@davidguffey]

Hey Mark. What is the information on the nodal rail you have pictured / and or use for multiple landscape images on a panorama ?

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

I am currently using a SmallRig L-Bracket and I think I am using a cheap Newer nodal rail (nothing fancy).

[@ralfwindte5986]

Being a prime lens guy I have a similar setup as the one presented: this 20mm 1.8 G, the 35mm 1.8 and the new tiny 50mm 2.5G on the A7c. Also an adapted Zeiss Contax G 90mm. My one-lens choice is the 35mm, my 2 lens choice used to be 35mm + 20mm and now I was contemplating if I need a 24mm as a second lens when picking the 50mm as it might be more versatile than the 20mm. After watching this video I am confident to save the money for an additional 24mm for the time being. The results from the 20mm were amazing and cropping (or zooming with clear image zoom) 20% to get the 24mm field of view won't sacrifice too much Image Quality.

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

My two lens choice is often the 35 and 85 but I have been know to choose the 20mm and 135. The day I took the cover shot down by the canal I was also using the Zeiss Batis 2.8/135 (check out my Batis review to see the shots captured at the same location).

[@Mr09260]

Its a great Magnification Prime lens >> I love my Z 20mm f1.8 S Lens especially for Milky Way photography>> zero Choma and pin sharp round stars all the way to the extreme corners even at f1.8 something I never experienced with any previous lenses

[@tebscat]

Hi Mark, Do you have a reference to where the nodal points of Sony's FE lenses are? Failing that, is the nodal point for the 20mm where you have it positioned you are discussing it at 18:40 in the video? I really like this lens, and often make a point of going out with just this lens to force a different view on places I've already covered with other lenses...

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

That looks about right for the 20mm G - you can easily test to see if you have the right offset. Align two verticals at different distances and then when you rotate the camera the rear vertical should stay behind the vertical in front.

[@akshat1234100]

Hey Mark, I really love your channel. When comparing the bokeh between F1.4 and F1.8, I see hardly any difference. Really wanted your opinion, for a hobbyist photographer does it make sense to spend more money on F1.4 lenses?

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

The difference is 2/3 of one stop. I am mostly happy with lenses with F1.8 and F2.8 maximum apertures, although I own both the 1.4 and 1.8 35mm full-frame lenses and a 56mm F1.4 lens. I can offer personal guidance on the choice that is best you by having a conversation on Patreon.com/markgaler. There is no one 'best' decision for all photographers, so individual choice is a conversation rather than someone telling you which lens you need without knowing your personal priorities.

[@thekeywitness]

I love this lens and the 85mm too. I have an FE 1.8 35mm but it looks different from the one shown in this video. Could it be an older model? I don't think the build or shot quality is on par with the others.

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

There is an FE 35mm F1.8 and an older E 35mm F1.8 which is a lens designed for APS-C cameras and is not particularly sharp.

[@YariJaluff]

Hi Mark! Impressive as always. But I have a doubt. You mention hi res bodys to get the most of the lens and of course A1 you are using is one of the best. But, isn't the A7RIV a bit sharper and also better for cropping than the A1? Thank you as always!

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

Images from the A7RIV can appear sharper if you print an image four feet long or display an image on an 8K monitor, otherwise you would not be able to determine the difference if photographed with the same lens at the same ISO.

[@ciriciri9071]

I do landscape mainly on my Laowa 15mm f2. Will I lose much in term of astrophotography if I replace it with 20mm G?

[@frederickdechirico1038]

Trying to decide if i should buy this lens. I currently use the a7iv. And have the tamron 35-150 f2-2.8 but want that 20mm wide. Also have the 18-105 G f4. Which I've thought of getting rid of once i got my tamron.

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

The 20mm F1.8 G would compliment the Tamron nicely and restore your wide angle of view. That 18-105 G is an APS-C lens so is only giving you a full-frame equivalent angle of view of 27mm

[@Reviews4fun1]

I have the 16-35 gm and the Sigma 24-70 so I’m not interested in the lens but your reviews are so satisfying to watch.

[@eosuser1]

Excellent review…thx, on my Sony A1 this lens could double as a 30mm in crop mode…no?

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

The 20mm 1.8 prime is also a good choice for APS-C users - especially given its form factor and price. There have been no new primes for the APS-C format for many years and Sony's lens design has become a lot better in recent years. I would also be using the 35mm and 85mm full frame primes on my A6600 - the 35mm Full frame prime being much sharper than the 35mm APS-C prime. The 85 becomes a very nice 135 f/2.8 full frame equivalent on the APS-C lens. These are the benefits of Sony's 'One Mount' shared across its mirrorless APS-C, Full--frame and digicam systems.

[@alocofilms]

What do you thing about the Sony FE 24mm f/2.8 Sony E. Would love to use it on my gimbal and I like the weight and size of it.

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

I own the 24mm F2.8 G and will be using it on a vlogging trip I have planned later this month (along with the E 11mm f1.8 and 50mm f2.5 G). I reviewed these lenses in my Weight-Watchers video and my Wide Angle APS-C lens review.

[@BoboMedia007]

Where can I find the depth of field calculator your using?

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

www.cambridgeincolour.com - make sure you click on the advanced options and increase the image size to at least raw same size as your monitor to reveal the hyperfocal distance.

[@halimrahman]

I have been looking for youtube reviews on 20mm vs 24mm GM as I am still considering between the two. But, from your sample photos, it seems that 20mm is sharp and no purple fringing as I am into landscape / street photography.

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

You can always crop a 20mm to the 24mm angle of view and the 20mm has far less fringing than the 24

[@prayforpeace2204]

Great review, Mark. I personally use the 20 1.8 and 55 1.8 on virtually every project these days. Lightweight, sharp and nice contrast. I used to be on the Samyang 14mm for years. I still remember the feeling the first time I saw shots from my then brand new 20mm. I was like, "Ohhhhhh. THIS is was a good wide angle lens looks like." I couldn't believe the difference between the two. Don't care that I lost 6mm.

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

Thanks for sharing! The 14mm GM is also a very good ultra wide-angle lens but the need for filter cage and square filters has me primarily working with the lighter and smaller 20mm G whenever I can.

[@AexoeroV]

Is the 55mm 1.8 good for portraits?

[@slhibbs]

I wish sony would make a 28, 35, 50 and 85mm all like the 20mm with aperture ring and AF/M switch plus button for there G range all at F1.8. Come on sony this would be easy for you.You have the GM, but give us the G range.

[@AexoeroV]

Hello, can the Sony A7 IV crop to super35 in foto mode? I could use the 20mm lens at 20mm on full frame and at 35mm croped in super35, or there would be a drawback if using suoer35 crop on a full frame camera? Im a noob!

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

APS-C or Super 35 mode is available on all the Sony Full-Frame cameras and I have a video tutorial about this feature on my channel. For ongoing technical support and advice consider going my support channel: Patreon.com/markgaler

[@citizenofearth3712]

@@AlphaCreativeSkills for a question like the above you send the guy to make a subscription of 10/20 USD? Technical support huh? We watch the adverts on your vids!! @Aexoero V yeah, you can use any lens and multiply the focal length with 1.5 to find out the value of the lens on a Super 35. The drawback is that you loose some resolution!

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

I answered the specific question that was asked - I would starve if I relied on the Google advertising revenue. I am a professional photography consultant - that's my job.

[@dtlaking333]

Im struggling between this and the zeiss batis 25mm

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

A few mm makes a big difference at the wide end so your choice should be dictated by angle of view rather than sharpness etc.

[@dtlaking333]

@@AlphaCreativeSkills Thanks I appreciated your input im gonna go with the 20mm 1.8

[@trezegol2007]

This video represents basically every reason why I as well chose the 20mm G over the 24mm GM! The sharpness of the images, the quickness of the AF, the built quality, it had nothing or not much less than the 24 GM, and for the lesser price it was a no-brainer. :) I feel even more convinced as I possess another of the 4 deal-breaking lenses, the FE55mm f1.8 which is also absolutely superb, especially for portraying but not only :))). One question though, I have a great offer to purchase the FE85mm 1.8 which is here said to be in the same line of being as good as a performer as the other lenses. Is that Sony 85mm really that good compared to a Samyang or a Sigma? Thank you

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

I have two reviews for the 85mm F1.8 on my channel and I provide a link to ultra high-resolution images. My Patrons on Patreon.com/markgaler can also download Raw files captured with this lens to help them assess their lens choice.

[@ivedigga]

Awesome

[@martin9410]

When I go with just two lenses, I go with The Sony 20mm f1.8 G and the Sigma 85mm f1.4 lens. Seems to work great.

[@photosblossomsau1624]

How is the sigma 85 dg dn?

[@roccosaya7163]

@@photosblossomsau1624 It's quite remarkable. Insanely sharp, very fast focusing, beautiful bokeh. Some distortion, but fixable in post. (Plus if you are taking portraits, the distortion is less of a concern.) Oh... and it's light too!