Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 20mm F 1 8G ED Review | 54 Data compared

Performance and Resolution Overview The review highlights the Nikon 20mm f/1.8G AF-S FX Nikkor as an exceptional ultra-wide-angle prime lens that excels in optical quality and low-light shooting. In resolution testing using a classic USAF chart on a Nikon D800, the lens delivered consistently high lines-per-millimeter resolution numbers from f/1.8 all the way through f/16. It decisively outperformed the older 20mm f/2.8D AF lens at every aperture, particularly in edge resolution and sharpness falloff. When compared to professional zooms like the 14-24mm f/2.8G and the 17-35mm f/2.8, the 20mm f/1.8G retained a slight edge in center resolution, maintaining excellent corner-to-corner sharpness and very low barrel distortion. Pros and Cons Pros: The lens offers stellar wide-open sharpness at f/1.8, high resolution across all apertures, and superb control over edge distortion, making it highly effective for architectural interiors and night/astrophotography. It is also much lighter and more compact to carry around compared to heavy wide-angle zooms. Cons: The reviewer noted a slight loss of contrast when shooting wide open at f/1.8 compared to f/2.8. Additionally, as a prime lens, it lacks the...

The Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 20mm f/1.8G ED is a lightweight, compact, and affordable wide-angle prime lens optimized for FX digital imaging systems. Weighing just 12.6 ounces with a 3.2 x 3.1-inch profile, it serves as a highly portable alternative to heavier wide-angle zooms like the 14-24mm f/2.8 or 16-35mm f/4. Its standard 77mm thread allows photographers to easily attach standard filters, including UV and polarizing options, making it a highly practical choice for landscape, architectural, and astrophotography enthusiasts. In terms of performance, the lens features a quiet Silent Wave Motor with accurate autofocus and an impressive close-focusing distance of 7.8 inches. Key pros include excellent coma performance that keeps stars sharp as pinpoints for astrophotography, minimal chromatic aberration, and a Nano Crystal coat that effectively mitigates lens flare while producing dramatic sunbursts at f/16. On the downside, the primary cons involve slight light fall-off at its widest aperture of f/1.8 and a tendency to cause edge vignetting when utilizing thick filter setups, such as variable neutral density filters. Overall, it is highly recommended as a fast, well-built, professional-grade wide-angle prime...

The What Digital Camera review highlights the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 20mm f/1.8G ED as an excellent ultra-wide prime lens tailored for 35mm full-frame DSLRs. A major pro emphasized in the review is the bright f/1.8 maximum aperture, which allows photographers to capture dimly lit landscapes, shoot low-noise astrophotography with sharp stars, and creatively isolate foreground subjects using a shallow depth of field. Optical features are also praised, particularly the Nano Crystal Coating for suppressing flare, and the inclusion of ED and aspherical elements that minimize distortion and maximize sharpness. Additionally, it features a quiet Silent Wave Motor (SWM) and a rear-focusing design, meaning the front element remains static so filter users can easily attach polarizers or ND grads. Conversely, the review notes a distinct con regarding edge performance, pointing out a noticeable drop in resolution at the very outer borders of the frame. The lens also completely lacks Nikon's Vibration Reduction (VR) image stabilization system. However, the reviewer minimizes this omission as a secondary drawback, stating that users can comfortably shoot handheld down to 1/30sec while maintaining crisp imagery.

The Photography Life review of the Nikon 20mm f/1.8G ED praises the lens for offering exceptional value, with outstanding center sharpness at f/1.8 that reaches maximum performance by f/4, along with minimal distortion and effective control over chromatic aberrations and flare. Pros include high-speed performance for landscapes, no focus shift issues, and reliable, versatile rendering. Conversely, the lens shows weak corner performance at wide apertures, particularly with visible coma at f/1.8 that necessitates stopping down to f/2.8 for astrophotography. Other cons highlighted include heavy vignetting at infinity and a lightweight, plastic-heavy construction that feels less durable than premium alternatives.

The Nikon 20mm f/1.8G is a lightweight, compact wide-angle prime lens that delivers excellent center sharpness across all apertures and impressive edge-to-edge performance when stopped down to f/4 or f/5.6. It is highly capable for landscape photography, featuring low, easily correctable linear barrel distortion under one percent and fast autofocus acquisition for an f/1.8 prime. Surprisingly, the lens performs exceptionally well on DX-format camera bodies, effectively operating as a sharp 30mm equivalent prime with fewer wide-open corner issues than seen on full-frame sensors. However, the lens suffers from substantial vignetting on FX bodies at f/1.8, requiring users to stop down to f/2.8 or f/4 to make the shading ignorable. Severe corner blur and field curvature are also present wide open on full-frame cameras. Additionally, video shooters will find it poorly optimized due to the lack of an aperture ring, the absence of electronic aperture control, and a tight focus ring that lacks the precision needed for fine adjustments. Other drawbacks include noticeable longitudinal chromatic aberration and a busy bokeh, alongside an inconsistent 77mm filter size that breaks uniformity with the...

The Have Camera Will Travel review of the Nikon AF-S 20mm f/1.8G ED highlights the lens as a versatile, compact, and lightweight option for wide-angle photography, featuring a fast f/1.8 aperture for low-light scenarios and a close 7.9-inch minimum focusing distance. Tested on a D810, it is praised for producing pleasant bokeh and minimal distortion while being lighter and more travel-friendly than faster zoom alternatives. Have While performance is strong, the review notes that the lens's plastic construction is less rugged than pro-level metal alternatives. Optically, the lens exhibits noticeable corner softness and vignetting when shot wide-open at f/1.8, though these issues are effectively addressed by stopping down to smaller apertures.

The Nikon Nikkor AF-S 20mm f1.8G ED is a highly recommended ultra-wide prime lens designed for full-frame (FX) and crop-sensor (DX) Nikon DSLRs, filling a critical gap as Nikon’s largest aperture lens under 24mm. Tested on a 36MP D800 body, the lens offers a massive 94-degree angle of view that is excellent for expansive architecture and landscape photography. Its optical design consists of 13 elements in 11 groups, including two aspherical elements, two special glass elements, Nano-crystal coating, and a pro-standard 77mm filter thread. The lens provides an impressive 20 cm closest focusing distance with a 1:4 max magnification and includes basic weather sealing via a rubber grommet at the metal lens-mount. Physically, it weighs 355g, is built with a plastic outer barrel, and utilizes a fast, nearly silent Wave Motor auto-focus system that clocks in at 0.6 seconds from infinity to close-up. Performance testing revealed exceptional autofocus consistency at 98.1% accuracy, alongside great close-distance sharpness even when shooting wide open. However, the review highlights several optical and physical limitations. For pros, the lens exhibits visible green outlining and haloing...

The DXOMARK review of the Nikon 20mm f/1.8G ED marks it as a top-performing FX-mount, ultra-wide lens, boasting a competitive 33 overall score on the Nikon D810. Featuring modern optical improvements like two ED and two AS elements, along with a quiet SWM autofocus system, this $797 lens delivers superb edge-to-edge sharpness, particularly at f/2.8. Compared to older 20mm alternatives, the lens showcases significantly improved center-to-corner resolution. Lens Rumors Key pros highlighted by DXOMARK include excellent sharpness, low distortion (0.5%), and minimal vignetting (-1.9Ev). Furthermore, the lens demonstrates good light transmission (2.1 T-Stop) and very low chromatic aberration (7µm), ranking it near the top of its class for image quality. While not explicitly listing major cons, the review positions this lens as a superior, high-aperture upgrade for Nikon users seeking top-tier wide-angle performance. Lens Rumors

The review on Henry's Note highlights the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 20mm f/1.8G ED as a lightweight, compact, and highly capable ultra-wide-angle lens that offers outstanding optical performance for full-frame (FX) shooters. A major pro emphasized in the evaluation is its exceptional sharpness, which is remarkably crisp in the center of the frame even when shooting wide open at f/1.8. The lens features a fast f/1.8 maximum aperture that excels in low-light environments, provides great subject separation with smooth bokeh, and boasts a useful close-focusing distance of just 7.8 inches. Additionally, the integration of Nano Crystal Coat and ED glass elements efficiently suppresses chromatic aberrations, flare, and ghosting, while the Silent Wave Motor (SWM) ensures swift, quiet autofocus. Despite its strong overall marks, the review identifies several notable performance cons when the lens is pushed to its limits. The most prominent drawback is the noticeable edge and corner softness when shooting at wide apertures, meaning landscape and architectural photographers will need to stop down to f/4 or f/5.6 to achieve uniform sharpness across the frame. The lens also suffers from visible...