Widest FE Mount Prime Yet From Sony

There’s little doubt Sony’s ever-expanding lens system for the FE mount is a contributing factor to the continued success of its Alpha series mirrorless cameras.

The latest addition is a 20mm f/1.8 ultrawide prime which is also the newest addition to the G range of higher-performing optics. It’s currently the widest-angle model in Sony’s FE mount line-up and gives an angle-of-view of 94 degrees on a full-35mm format sensor.

The FE 20mm f/1.8 G is a compact lens which measures 84.7mm in length and weighs in at just 373g, but it has a weathersealed external design with the addition of a fluorine coating on the exposed surface of the front element to help better repel moisture and grease. The optical construction employs 14 elements in 12 groups which include two Advanced Aspherical (AA) types and three made from optical glass with extra-low dispersion (ED) characteristics which, collectively, correct for distortion and chromatic aberrations while also optimising sharpness across the frame. Sony’s Nano AR multi-coating minimises internal reflections to reduce flare and ghosting. Autofocusing is achieved via a pair of Sony’s XD (eXtreme Dynamic) linear drives which are designed to be both fast and quiet. The minimum focusing distance is just 19cm and the aperture diaphragm has nine blades to give smoother out-offocus effects. There’s a focus hold button which can also be assigned to other functions and the aperture ring can be switched between click-stops or seamless, stepless adjustment. The minimum aperture is f/22 and the 20mm f/1.9 accepts 67mm diameter screwthread filters.

For the record, the new FE 20mm f/1.8 G is the 56th Sony E mount lens and priced at $1,699.

More information is available from www.sony.com.au