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Sony E 20mm F2 8 Review | 54 Data compared

Avg. price:~£270Lens mount:Sony EMaximum focal length:20 mmMaximum aperture (telephoto end):2.8Optical image stabilization:noMaximum angle of view:70 °

Sony E 20mm F2 8 Review: Compare 54 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Camera lenses category and whether it is worth buying.

6.6

Overall score

Score
6.6/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the camera lens's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best camera lenses on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 60% of models
Score components

80%

6.1

Technical score

20%

8.6

User score

â–¼Worse than 60% of camera-lenses
6.1

Technical score

Technical score
6.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Camera lenses category across these key areas: Mount & Format, Optics & Aperture, Focus & Controls, Stabilization, Build & Handling, Lab Scores.
When it matters
When you want to compare camera lenses based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 64% of models
Score components

35%

7.1

Optics & Aperture

24%

6.7

Build & Handling

20%

5.6

Focus & Controls

10%

?

Lab Scores

8%

1.0

Stabilization

3%

1.0

Mount & Format

â–¼Worse than 64% of camera-lenses
8.6

User score

User score
8.6/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the camera lens.
When it matters
When real-world owner satisfaction and review volume matter to your decision.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 61% of models
Score components

70%

8.6

User ratings

30%

8.6

Number of reviews

Based on 992 buyer reviews from online shops.
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →
How we calculate this
User ratings – average star rating across all shop listings, weighted by how many reviews each has, on a 1–10 scale.
Number of reviews – how many buyer reviews the product has, on a logarithmic scale; the 8% most-reviewed models in the category get 10.
â–²Better than 61% of camera-lenses
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Best prices

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Best rankings

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of camera lens Sony E 20mm F2 8

Technical score
Technical score
6.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Camera lenses category across these key areas: Mount & Format, Optics & Aperture, Focus & Controls, Stabilization, Build & Handling, Lab Scores.
When it matters
When you want to compare camera lenses based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 64% of models
Score components:

35%

7.1

Optics & Aperture

24%

6.7

Build & Handling

20%

5.6

Focus & Controls

10%

?

Lab Scores

8%

1.0

Stabilization

3%

1.0

Mount & Format

6.1
User score
User score
8.6/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the camera lens.
When it matters
When real-world owner satisfaction and review volume matter to your decision.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 61% of models
Score components

70%

8.6

User ratings

30%

8.6

Number of reviews

Based on 992 buyer reviews from online shops.
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →
How we calculate this
User ratings – average star rating across all shop listings, weighted by how many reviews each has, on a 1–10 scale.
Number of reviews – how many buyer reviews the product has, on a logarithmic scale; the 8% most-reviewed models in the category get 10.
8.6
Popularity
Popularity
8.6/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the camera lens.
When it matters
When you want to see which camera lenses attract the most buyer attention and review activity.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 71% of models
Popularity:
Sony E 20mm F2 8 has a popularity score of 8.6 points, which is higher than 71.2% of camera lenses.
8.6
Value for money
Value for money
7.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the camera lens's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you want to know how much overall quality you get for the price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 75% of models
Score components:

60%

6.6

Overall score

40%

9.1

Price

7.4
Lens type
prime
Lens mount
Sony E
Sensor format coverage
APS-C
Filter thread size
49 mm
Teleconverter compatibility
no
Teleconverter compatibility
no
â–¼ Worse than 15% of models
This camera lens does not support teleconverters. 15.3% of camera lenses support teleconverters.
Show more
Minimum focal length
20 mm
Maximum focal length
20 mm
Optical zoom
N/A
Maximum angle of view
70 °
Minimum angle of view
70 °
Show more
Focus motor
STM
Minimum focus distance
0.2 m
Minimum focus distance
0.2 m
â–² Better than 79% of models
Market range: <0.18 m – >1.1 m
This camera lens focuses as close as 0.2 m, which is closer than 79.4% of camera lenses and equal to 7% of camera lenses.
Maximum reproduction ratio
0.12xx
Maximum reproduction ratio
0.12x
â–¼ Worse than 81% of models
Market range: <0.11 x – >0.39 x
This camera lens reaches a reproduction ratio of 0.12x, which is lower than 81.3% of camera lenses and equal to 5.3% of camera lenses.
Full-time manual focus
yes
Full-time manual focus
yes
â–² Better than 32% of models
This camera lens supports full-time manual focus. 68.3% of camera lenses support full-time manual focus.
Override via DMF mode.
Internal focusing
yes
Internal focusing
yes
â–² Better than 16% of models
This camera lens supports internal focusing. 83.6% of camera lenses support internal focusing.
Rear-focusing design.
Show more
Optical image stabilization
no
Optical image stabilization
no
â–¼ Worse than 29% of models
This camera lens does not support optical image stabilization. 29.1% of camera lenses include optical image stabilization.
Stabilization effectiveness (CIPA stops)
N/A
Weight
68.2 g
Weight
68.2 g
★ Better than 99% of models
Market range: <171 g – >1.3k g
This camera lens weighs 68.2 g, which is lighter than 99% of camera lenses.
Lens length
20.4 mm
Lens length
20.4 mm
★ Better than 99% of models
Market range: <46 mm – >189 mm
This camera lens is 20.4 mm long, which is shorter than 99.5% of camera lenses.
Lens diameter
62.6 mm
Lens diameter
62.6 mm
★ Better than 90% of models
Market range: <62.4 mm – >94.7 mm
This camera lens has a diameter of 62.6 mm, which is slimmer than 89.6% of camera lenses and equal to that of 0.3% of camera lenses.
Weather sealing (splashproof)
no
Weather sealing (splashproof)
no
â–¼ Worse than 50% of models
This camera lens does not support weather sealing. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
Metal mount
yes
Metal mount
yes
â–² Better than 6% of models
This camera lens uses a metal lens mount. 93.6% of camera lenses use a metal lens mount.
Show more
DxOMark overall score
?
DxOMark sharpness score
?
DxOMark transmission
?
DxOMark distortion
?
DxOMark vignetting
?
Show more

Sony E 20mm F2 8 vs the average camera lens

246810TotalMount & FormatOptics & ApertureFocus & ControlsStabilizationBuild & HandlingLab Scores
  • 441.8 g lighter
    Weight
    68.2 g
    ★ Better than 99% of models
    Market range: <171 g – >1.3k g
    This camera lens is lighter than the average camera lens (68.2 g vs 510 g). The average lens weighs 510 g.
    68.2 g vs 510 g
  • 71.85 mm shorter lens
    Lens length
    20.4 mm
    ★ Better than 99% of models
    Market range: <46 mm – >189 mm
    This camera lens is shorter than the average camera lens (20.4 mm vs 92.25 mm). The average lens has a length of 92.25 mm.
    20.4 mm vs 92.25 mm
  • 14.4 mm narrower lens barrel
    Lens diameter
    62.6 mm
    ★ Better than 90% of models
    Market range: <62.4 mm – >94.7 mm
    This camera lens is slimmer than the average camera lens (62.6 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.
    62.6 mm vs 77 mm
  • 1 more aspherical elements
    Aspherical elements
    3
    â–² Better than 72% of models
    Market range: <0 – >3
    This camera lens has more aspherical elements than the average camera lens (3 vs 2). The average lens has 2 aspherical elements.
    3 vs 2
  • 0.1 m shorter minimum focus distance
    Minimum focus distance
    0.2 m
    â–² Better than 79% of models
    Market range: <0.18 m – >1.1 m
    This camera lens has a lower minimum focus distance than the average camera lens (0.2 m vs 0.3 m). The average lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.3 m.
    0.2 m vs 0.3 m
  • 96.3% cheaper
    Sony E 20mm F2 8 is cheaper than the average camera lens (£270 vs £530).
    £270 vs £530
  • 96.3% cheaper
    Sony E 20mm F2 8 is cheaper than the average camera lens (£270 vs £530).
    £270 vs £530
  • 1 more aspherical elements
    Aspherical elements
    3
    â–² Better than 72% of models
    Market range: <0 – >3
    This camera lens has more aspherical elements than the average camera lens (3 vs 2). The average lens has 2 aspherical elements.
    3 vs 2
  • 0.1 m shorter minimum focus distance
    Minimum focus distance
    0.2 m
    â–² Better than 79% of models
    Market range: <0.18 m – >1.1 m
    This camera lens has a lower minimum focus distance than the average camera lens (0.2 m vs 0.3 m). The average lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.3 m.
    0.2 m vs 0.3 m
  • 441.8 g lighter
    Weight
    68.2 g
    ★ Better than 99% of models
    Market range: <171 g – >1.3k g
    This camera lens is lighter than the average camera lens (68.2 g vs 510 g). The average lens weighs 510 g.
    68.2 g vs 510 g
  • 71.85 mm shorter lens
    Lens length
    20.4 mm
    ★ Better than 99% of models
    Market range: <46 mm – >189 mm
    This camera lens is shorter than the average camera lens (20.4 mm vs 92.25 mm). The average lens has a length of 92.25 mm.
    20.4 mm vs 92.25 mm
  • 14.4 mm narrower lens barrel
    Lens diameter
    62.6 mm
    ★ Better than 90% of models
    Market range: <62.4 mm – >94.7 mm
    This camera lens is slimmer than the average camera lens (62.6 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.
    62.6 mm vs 77 mm
  • Not weather-sealed
    Weather sealing (splashproof)
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 50% of models
    This camera lens does not support weather sealing, the average camera lens does. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
  • 2 fewer aperture blades
    Aperture blades
    7
    â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
    Market range: <7 – >9
    This camera lens has fewer aperture blades than the average camera lens (7 vs 9). The average lens has 9 aperture blades.
    7 vs 9
  • 2 fewer low-dispersion elements
    Low-dispersion elements
    0
    â–¼ Worse than 76% of models
    Market range: <0 – >4
    This camera lens has fewer low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (0 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.
    0 vs 2
  • 0.07 x lower maximum reproduction ratio
    Maximum reproduction ratio
    0.12 x
    â–¼ Worse than 81% of models
    Market range: <0.11 x – >0.39 x
    This camera lens has a lower maximum reproduction ratio than the average camera lens (0.1 x vs 0.2 x). The average lens has a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.192 x.
    0.12 x vs 0.192 x
  • Older release date
    Release date
    2013
    â–¼ Worse than 65% of models
    Market range: <2k – >2k
    This camera lens was released earlier than the average camera lens.
    2013 vs 2016
  • 2 fewer aperture blades
    Aperture blades
    7
    â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
    Market range: <7 – >9
    This camera lens has fewer aperture blades than the average camera lens (7 vs 9). The average lens has 9 aperture blades.
    7 vs 9
  • 2 fewer low-dispersion elements
    Low-dispersion elements
    0
    â–¼ Worse than 76% of models
    Market range: <0 – >4
    This camera lens has fewer low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (0 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.
    0 vs 2
  • 0.07 x lower maximum reproduction ratio
    Maximum reproduction ratio
    0.12 x
    â–¼ Worse than 81% of models
    Market range: <0.11 x – >0.39 x
    This camera lens has a lower maximum reproduction ratio than the average camera lens (0.1 x vs 0.2 x). The average lens has a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.192 x.
    0.12 x vs 0.192 x
  • Not weather-sealed
    Weather sealing (splashproof)
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 50% of models
    This camera lens does not support weather sealing, the average camera lens does. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
  • Older release date
    Release date
    2013
    â–¼ Worse than 65% of models
    Market range: <2k – >2k
    This camera lens was released earlier than the average camera lens.
    2013 vs 2016

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

K
kenrockwell.com
No date provided
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Sony 20mm f/2.8 Review - Ken Rockwell
E
ephotozine.com
19/04/2013
Summary of the review
Sony NEX E 20mm f/2.8 Pancake Lens Review | ePHOTOzine
S
sonyalphalab.com
15/06/2013
Summary of the review
My Sony E 20mm f/2.8 Pancake Lens Review - SonyAlphaLab
P
pcmag.com
31/07/2019
Summary of the review
Sony E 20mm F2.8 Review - PCMag
D
dxomark.com
24/05/2013
Summary of the review
Sony E 20mm f/2.8 review: A 'fast' pancake prime lens for the Sony NEX system - DxOMark
W
whatdigitalcamera.com
25/02/2013
Summary of the review
Sony 20mm f/2.8 Review - What Digital Camera
P
photoinfos.com
01/04/2017
Summary of the review
Sony E 20mm F2.8 Review - Photoinfos.com
(Translated)Show original
Z
zielfoto.com
01/09/2022
Summary of the review
Sony E 20mm F/2.8 - Der ultimative Formfaktor?
(Translated)Show original
D
digitalkamera.de
16/05/2014
Summary of the review
Sony E 20mm F2.8 (SEL20F28) with Alpha 6000 Lab Test
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S
sony.be
07/02/2020
Summary of the review
Product Reviews - Sony (detailed user reviews)
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D
dxomark.fr
24/05/2013
Summary of the review
Sony E 20mm F2.8 Review - DXOMARK
(Translated)Show original
D
digitalcamaralens.com
2013
Summary of the review
Sony E 20mm f/2.8 Review and Test
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S
sony.be
14/08/2016
Summary of the review
SEL20F28 Reviews & Ratings | Camera Lenses - Sony
(Translated)Show original

Third-party reviews

Based on 992 buyer reviews from online shops.
Reviews last updated: July 2026 · How we calculate this
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →

What we like about Sony E 20mm F2 8

  • Ultra-compact 'pancake' design and extremely lightweight (approx. 69g), making it ideal for travel and street photography
  • Fast, quiet, and accurate autofocus performance suitable for both stills and video
  • Sharp center image quality even when wide open at f/2.8
  • Punchy color rendition and good contrast
  • Durable aluminum alloy construction
  • Versatile 30mm equivalent focal length (on APS-C) for general snapshots and architecture

What we don't like about Sony E 20mm F2 8

  • Noticeable sharpness fall-off and softness in extreme corners
  • Lack of optical image stabilization (OSS), requiring reliance on in-body stabilization (IBIS)
  • Visible barrel distortion and vignetting at wider apertures
  • Lacks weather sealing (dust and splash protection)
  • Performance is considered only a marginal improvement over some standard kit zoom lenses
  • No physical aperture ring or depth-of-field scales

Verdict

The Sony E 20mm F2.8 is an ultra-slim pancake prime lens designed for APS-C format E-mount cameras, delivering a 30mm equivalent focal length, a maximum aperture of f/2.8, a 7-blade circular diaphragm, and an optical design featuring 6 elements in 6 groups with 3 aspherical elements to reduce distortion. Key advantages include its remarkably pocketable form factor measuring just 20.4mm in length and weighing a mere 69g, a minimum focusing distance of 0.2 meters, a 49mm filter thread, and a fast, silent rear-focusing autofocus mechanism ideal for street and travel photography. However, notable drawbacks include the absence of Optical SteadyShot image stabilization, some corner sharpness fall-off, and noticeable vignetting and barrel distortion when shooting wide open at f/2.8.

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