Review of Sony’s consumer wide angle prime lens
Real World Images from the Sony 28mm F/2:
Standard wide angle prime lens focal lengths include 24mm, 28mm and 35mm. Since launching their full frame system in 2013, Sony has filled in lenses to cover each of these focal lengths, with a mix of “consumer” and “professional” quality lenses. At 24mm, Sony now offers the Sony 24mm F/1.4 GM (reviewed here), a $1400 premium lens of exceptional quality. At 35mm, Sony offers their $1500 Sony ZA 35mm F/1.4 (reviewed here) and $750 Sony ZA 35mm F/2.8 (Reviewed here). The 35mm F/2.8 is quite expensive especially considering the relatively slow aperture for a prime lens. Sandwiched between the 24mm and 35mm focal lengths, Sony offers their only fast affordable prime lens in the range, the Sony FE 28mm F/2 , priced around $450. (See on Amazon / Adorama (with free extras)).
The Sony 28mm F/2 was actually one of the earlier lenses produced by Sony, released in 2015. It gives the impression that it was meant as a compromise lens meant to satisfy a wide range of shooters while Sony developed the other primes, most of which came later. Though not reviewed in this article, there is a 16mm fish-eye converter and ultra-wide angle 21mm converter available for use with the Sony 28mm F/2, again reinforcing that this lens was meant to serve a wide variety of needs at a time when Sony’s lens lineup was thin.
At this juncture, while Sony now has a much wider selection of lenses than offered in 2015, the Sony 28mm F/2 remains the only relatively faster aperture and relatively affordable prime lens in the 24mm-35mm range. Let’s see how it holds up…
Body and Handling of the Sony 28mm F/2
As shown above, the body of the Sony 28mm F/2 is a rather simple affair. The body feels metallic and solid. There are no switches or buttons. You need to use the camera body to switch to manual focus. There is a ribbed focus ring, focus is by wire. Construction feels solid. There is a small flower-petal hood.
Shown compared to the Sony 35mm F/2.8 and Zeiss Batis 25mm F/2, it’s clearly a rather compact lens design. While slightly larger than the Sony 35mm F/2.8, it’s also a stop faster. It’s significantly less bulky than the Batis 25mm F/2 despite similar focal length and the same aperture. The Sony 28mm F/2 weighs a mere 200 grams, where the Batis 25mm F/2 weighs 335 grams. The Sony 35mm F/2.8 is a mere 120 grams. Given that the Sony A7 bodies weigh 650+ grams, the 200 gram weight of the Sony 28mm F/2 is an insignificant addition to the body.
In sum, it’s a simple sturdy lens that keeps your camera system very light-weight and compact. There is no optical stabilization (OSS) built into the lens but it will benefit from the in body stabilization (IBIS) found in most of the current Sony mirrorless cameras.
Autofocus is smooth, quick and silent.
Image Quality of the Sony 28mm F/2
In the 24mm to 35mm range, the Sony 28mm F/2 is the only prime less they offer for under $500. Let’s examine whether any significant image quality compromises were made to keep the price and size down.
Vignetting of the Sony 28mm F/2
Vignette is significant. I’ve come to expect poor vignetting on many Sony lenses and the Sony 28mm F/2 is slightly worse than many others. At F2, it’s very significant and it gradually improves. By F4, the vignette is still present but dramatically improved. As you continue to stop down, the vignette eventually disappears.
The vignette is correctable with lens profiles, so it is not usually an issue. Where vignette correction becomes a problem is when you’re already pushing higher ISO, vignette correction will add noise into the corners.
If you’re using this as a landscape lens, shooting at smaller apertures like F8, then vignette won’t really be an issue.
Below, see the progression from F2 to F7.1:
Distortion of the Sony 28mm F/2
Below we look at the distortion. Distortion should typically be minimal in prime lenses.
Well that’s a surprise — distortion is not minimal. In fact, you get very strong barrel distortion. As shown above, the distortion is correctable with in-camera corrections of a Lightroom lens profile. The problem with relying on correction is that it impacts sharpness by stretching out the image. Ultimately, this level of distortion becomes problematic if you’re shooting architecture or similar subjects where you need straight lines to remain straight.
Flare Control and Sunstars on the Sony 28mm F/2
Distortion was the bad news on the Sony 28mm F/2. Now for some good news. Flare is amazingly well controlled. As shown above, harsh light at the edges of the frame did not lead to any ugly blobs across the frame. At F8 and smaller, the Sony 28mm F/2 created pretty nice sun stars. This is among the best flare control I’ve seen from any Sony lens, and definitely contributes positively to the Sony 28mm F/2 as a landscape lens.
Color Fringing on the Sony 28mm F/2
Chromatic aberrations can cause color fringing, typically a purple or green haze, in high contrast situations. It’s typically most problematic at large apertures. Below we see some high contrast crops.
At f2 and 2.8, in high contrast images, see a bit of purple fringing in very high contrast areas. By F4, there is no significant noticeable fringing. While not perfect, these results are quite acceptable for a consumer prime.
Sharpness of the Sony 28mm F/2
While certain imperfections can be corrected, there isn’t much you can do if a lens simply isn’t sharp. Most modern lenses are quite sharp in the center and can become sharp in the corner at least when stopped down. Let’s see how the Sony 28mm F/2 performs..
Center Sharpness of the Sony 28mm F/2
Starting with center crops (click for large):
Before commenting, Center crops from closer focus distance:
I can’t say that the Sony 28mm F/2 is tack sharp wide open but it’s pretty close. Stopping down to F2.8 and you get a tack sharp center. For real world use, the center is sharp enough for any photograph.
Border Sharpness of the Sony 28mm F/2
And borders from closer focus:
In the borders, we really start to see the difference between the Sony 28mm F/2 and Sony’s more premium lenses. Wide open at F2, the results are a tad soft. Stopping down to F2.8 and you get very acceptable sharpness but you never get the level of tack sharpness I’m used to seeing in many of Sony’s other prime lenses.
It’s still important to put this in perspective: We are pixel peeping and nitpicking. For most applications, you would never notice the slight softness at F2 in the borders. And for real world images, the lens is indeed sharp enough from 2.8 and onward. But for those that love pixel peeping to extremes, the results just aren’t perfect.
Corner Sharpness of the Sony 28mm F/2
And close focus:
Note that for the “close” focus tests where I focused on the thermometer, I’m actually not quite even in the extreme corner.
Wide open at F2, the corners are a bit ugly. This won’t impact you if you’re shooting portraits. You’re not going to often be shooting landscapes at F2, but the soft corners would be an extra reason to avoid it with the Sony 28mm F/2. The corners become much less ugly at F 2.8 but I can’t call them until sharp about F/5.6.
This could be considered disappointing to extreme pixel peepers. In real world shooting, you can easily get acceptably sharp images. You won’t maximize the potential of the 42 megapixels of a Sony A7riii but in most circumstances, you won’t actually be complaining about the sharpness.
Let’s compare the sharpness to some of the nearest similar lenses..
Sony 28mm F/2 vs Sony 35mm F/2.8 vs Batis 25mm F/2
Center Sharpness comparisons of the Sony 28mm F/2
At F2, the Sony 28mm F/2 and Batis 25mm F/2 are similar, with the Batis maybe being a hair sharper. At the same time, the Batis suffers from worse color fringing. At f2.8, the centers are tack sharp on all three lenses.
Border sharpness comparison of the Sony 28mm F/2
At F2, the Batis 25mm F/2 is noticeably sharper than the Sony 28mm F/2 but also suffers from more color fringing. Once you stop down to F2.8, the Batis may be the sharpest by a tiny bit but all three lenses are almost equally sharp.
Corner Sharpness Comparisons of the Sony 28mm F/2
In this comparison, we are cheating a slight bit in favor of the Sony 28mm F/2 by not really testing the most extreme corner. Despite this cheating, the Batis 25mm corner is clearly much sharper at F2. At F2.8, the corners of the Batis 25mm and the Sony 35mm f/2.8 are both quite good and a step better than the Sony 28mm F/2.
A reminder that this was an exercise in extreme pixel peeping. The Sony 35mm F/2.8 is a tad sharper overall but it’s more expensive and it’s maximum aperture is a stop slower. The Batis 25mm F/2 is definitely a step sharper but it’s more expensive and bigger. In real world shooting without pixel peeping, you’re unlikely to notice these minor sharpness differences.
Sony 28mm F/2 Overall Evaluation:
There is no mistaking the Sony 28mm F/2 for one of Sony’s $1200+ premium prime lenses. While it’s not a soft lens, the sharpness isn’t going to be giving anyone razor cuts. There is considerable distortion for a prime lens.
But overall, the Sony 28mm F/2 has more positives than negatives. It’s a very compact and light weight lens, compromising to still have a reasonably fast aperture at F2. It handles strong light as well as any Sony lens, really resisting flare. Vignetting and chromatic aberration (color fringing) are generally in line with expectations and correctable. Considering this is one of Sony’s most affordable full frame lenses, it would be a good value for many shooters.
My biggest personal issue with the lens has nothing to do with anything discussed so far: I just personally have limited use for the 28mm focal length. A 24mm prime can be great for landscapes. Read how I used the Sony 24mm/1.4 GM for travel at Universal Studios. A 28mm lens often just isn’t wide enough for how I like to shoot landscapes. Meanwhile, 35mm lenses can be good for general walk-around or portraits, but I don’t like going wider than 35mm for portraits due to distortion. Thus, for me, 28mm is just a bit of a nowhere land in focal lengths, a spot where I just don’t have use for a prime lens. On the other hand, if you find the 28mm focal length to be a versatile compromise between 24mm and 35mm, I can give a positive recommendation to the Sony 28mm F/2.
The options for a Sony shooter in the general focal length range, for relatively fast prime that remains fairly small and doesn’t break the bank:
- Sony 28mm F/2 (See on Amazon / Adorama with extras)
- Sony 35mm F/2.8 (See on Amazon / Adorama)
- Zeiss Batis 25mm F/2 (See on Amazon / Adorama)
- Samyang 35mm F/2.8 (See on Amazon / Adorama)
- Samyang 24mm F/2.8 (See on Amazon / Adorama)
As to the Sony 28mm F/2, considering a very acceptable image quality in a light weight lens at a reasonable price, I would subjectively give is a very reasonable score of….
Rating (1-10): Score: 7.5
(About my scoring: 9-10 is a superb lens which could have a place in the bag of almost every photographer. 6-8: recommended with caveats. 3-5: A compromised lens that may still be suitable for some shooters and situations. 1-2: Just stick to your phone camera)
As of this writing in April 2018, we have almost completed reviewing every Sony FE lens. More third party lens reviews will be coming soon in addition to completing our catalog of Sony lenses. Accept notifications from this blog and/or follow me on twitter for updates.
Do you have experience with the Sony 28mm F/2? Leave your feedback below…
