Thread: Sony Announces E-Mount 20mm f/2.8 Pancake Prime Lens for NEX Cameras

Sony Announces E-Mount 20mm f/2.8 Pancake Prime Lens for NEX Cameras



Press Release:

New 20mm f/2.8 “pancake” lens and Video-friendly 18-200mm f/3.5 – f/6.3 “Power Zoom” lens extend creative possibilities

SAN DIEGO, Jan. 22, 2013 – Sony is expanding its popular E-mount camera system with the addition of two new lenses compatible with all α E-Mount cameras and semi-professional camcorders.

New 20mm F2.8 ‘pancake’ wide angle lens (model SEL20F28)

When mounted on any Sony α E-Mount camera, the sharp new SEL20F28 ”pancake” lens creates an exceptionally versatile, portable package ideal for a broad range of everyday shooting opportunities ranging from interiors to landscapes, street photography, casual snapshots and more.

The new lens features an ultra-slim design approximately 20mm from lens front to back, and with its wide angle of view (30mm on 35mm equivalent) and bright F2.8 aperture, it produces excellent contrast, resolution and clarity across the frame for both still image and full HD video shooting.

New 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS Powered Telephoto Zoom Lens (model SELP18200)

Originally offered only as a kit lens for the new NEX-VG30 camcorder introduced this past fall, the new SELP18200 powered telephoto zoom lens will now be available for purchase as a stand-alone lens.

Designed for serious videographers, the high-quality lens offers a generous 11x magnification range and whisper-quiet power zoom mechanics, focusing and aperture operation. This allows for smooth cinematic transitions when adjusting zoom level or manual settings during shooting. It features a comfortably positioned zoom lever that works with a switch on the lens barrel, allowing zoom speed to be selected in three different steps – from slow, beautiful shifts in perspective to dramatic crash-zoom effects. Zoom can also be controlled directly from compatible NEX-VG900, NEX-VG30 and NEX-FS700 (requires firmware update) video cameras.

The new lens also has built-in Optical SteadyShot™, which cuts the effects of camera shake and minimizes camera blur while shooting handheld at slower shutter speeds. Additionally, Active Mode further enhances stabilization at the wide end of the 11x zoom range ensuring smooth, stable footage even if the shooter is in motion.

While the new SELP18200 lens is optimized for video, it’s also a flexible choice for shooting still photography – from expansive landscapes to high impact close-ups of wildlife or athletes – with Sony’s α E-Mount range of interchangeable lens still cameras.

Sony α E-mount lens family expansion

These new models expand the Sony E-mount family to 13 native E-mount lenses plus two converters, covering virtually any shooting situation for photographers and videographers alike.

Spanning ultra-wide angle, powerful telezoom, macro and fast, bright primes, the range includes premium optics by Sony and Carl Zeiss, and offers refined performance and easy handling throughout the line.

Pricing and Availability

The new E 20mm F2.8 (SEL20F28) wide-angle prime lens will be available this April for about $350.

The new E PZ18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS (SELP18200) motorized telezoom lens will be available this March for about $1200.

The pricing on the pancake is aggressive. It'll make a great compact kit with any NEX camera.

The pricing on the megazoom, not that I'll buy one, makes me scratch my head.

Wow - didn't see that one coming. I could go for a nice, sharp pancake!

I presume this is the "snap" lens that was announced on the old roadmap from 2011? I'm perfectly happy with the Sigma 19/2.8 which is much cheaper, but I wonder if this will be PDAF capable? Sony have been awful slow rolling out the PDAF updates for their E lenses.

Edit: I'd have hoped for a budget 23 or 24mm, this is too close to the Sigma to get excited about

I suspect they'll sell a bunch of these, but if it's sharp across across the frame they may be hard to find for awhile as the enthusiasts will snatch them up once the word gets out.

If it means they'll stop buying up the 35/1.8 I don't mind a bit

First, I yawned (the Sigma will be cheaper no doubt and has a well earned reputation). Then I SAW the lens and wow, what a cool looking pancake. 35mm walk-around option, sleek and sexy, if they price it right it'll sell like hotcakes...

Originally Posted by quezra

I'd have hoped for a budget 23 or 24mm, this is too close to the Sigma to get excited about

Its performance measured against Sigma 19mm f2.8 will be key. Yes, it appears thinner and will make the camera even more compact. But more buyers will opt for the cheaper and proven Sigma 19mm if the Sony 20mm isn't close in performance.

I know, it si for micro 4/3, but why SONY did not release something like Panasonic 20/1,7??
20/2,8 is too slow for interior... At least 20/2 would be interesting lens for APS-C sensors.

Originally Posted by nianys

First, I yawned (the Sigma will be cheaper no doubt and has a well earned reputation). Then I SAW the lens and wow, what a cool looking pancake. 35mm walk-around option, sleek and sexy, if they price it right it'll sell like hotcakes...

Alas, it sounds like it's going to be $100 more than Canon's 22mm pancake, which is somehow also a stop faster. All I can say is, it had better be a good optical performer.

If that is the case, it would indeed be cool to see my N7's jacket pocket potential finally realized. (But I've got to say, the Sigma is still a definite contender - that extra $250 would also fit very nicely in my pocket. )

Originally Posted by Yohan

Its performance measured against Sigma 19mm f2.8 will be key. Yes, it appears thinner and will make the camera even more compact. But more buyers will opt for the cheaper and proven Sigma 19mm if the Sony 20mm isn't close in performance.

hm I agree