Sony adds large-aperture, ultra-wide-angle prime lens

Sony Electronics launched the G Lens series FE 20mm F1.8 G (model name SEL20F18G) compact, lightweight, ultra-wide prime lens for a variety of creative needs including portraits, astrophotography, landscape and street photography, as well as video. The FE 20mm F1.8 G is the widest full-frame prime lens in Sony’s E-mount lineup.

The lens design features two advanced aspherical (AA) elements and three extra-low dispersion (ED) glass elements to suppress chromatic aberration and delivers high corner-to-corner image quality with minimal distortion, even at the maximum F1.8 aperture. It has a minimum focus distance of 7.5 inches (max. magnification: 0.2 times). For night scenes or starry skies, the FE 20mm F1.8 G delivers crisp and clear images thanks to its advanced optical design that accurately reproduces point light sources with high contrast and minimum sagittal flare, according to Sony.

The FE 20mm F1.8 G  weighs only 13.2 oz (373g). In addition, the use of two extreme dynamic (XD) Linear Motors delivers fast, precise and quiet autofocus for both stills and video shooting.

Designed to be dust and moisture resistant and having a fluorine front element coating, the FE 20mm F1.8 G is highly reliable and easy to operate. It also features a customizable focus-hold button and aperture ring with a click on/off switch and is compatible with a variety of 67mm filters for extra creative control.

“We’re driven by the needs of our customers and will continue developing the best tools to meet their creative ambitions,” said Neal Manowitz, deputy president of Imaging Products and Solutions Americas, Sony Electronics. “The new FE 20mm F1.8 G is our 56th E-mount lens and is fast, lightweight and extremely versatile, giving creators yet another compelling tool to help realize their vision.”

The FE 20mm F1.8 G will be available in March 2020 for a suggested retail price of $899.99 USD and $1,199.99 CAD.