Tamron 20mm F2.8 Di III OSD M1:2

Sony E

Review

The Tamron 20mm F2.8 Di III OSD M1:2 is a wide-angle lens designed specifically for Sony E-mount cameras, making it a versatile choice for a variety of photography styles, including landscapes, street photography, and even macro shots due to its impressive close-focusing capability.

Weighing in at a mere 335 grams (11.8 oz), it is portable and lightweight, making it ideal for photographers who want to minimize their gear load while maximizing creativity. The lens boasts a fast maximum aperture of F2.8, which not only allows for better performance in low-light conditions but also creates a pleasing depth of field for those who wish to achieve a slight background blur.

This lens features a minimum focusing distance of 0.11 meters (4.3 inches), allowing for a 1:2 magnification ratio, which means you can get impressively close to your subjects and capture intricate details, making it a perfect tool for macro photography enthusiasts. The optical design employs multiple special elements to suppress chromatic aberrations and improve overall image quality, resulting in sharp and clear images, even at the edges.

One notable aspect of this lens is its external finish, which is well-built and feels durable in hand. The lens is also weather-sealed, providing some resistance against moisture and dust, an important feature for outdoor photography. On the downside, while the lens does a good job of controlling distortion, some users may still notice slight barrel distortion at its widest setting, which can be corrected in post-processing. Additionally, the F2.8 aperture, while sufficient for many applications, may not be as fast as some photographers desire for more serious low-light scenarios.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Lightweight and compact design
• Fast F2.8 maximum aperture
• Excellent close-focusing capability (1:2 magnification)
• Weather-sealed for outdoor use
• Sharp images with good color rendition

Cons

• Noticeable barrel distortion at the widest setting
• F2.8 aperture may not meet the needs of some low-light photographers

Verdict

The Tamron 20mm F2.8 Di III OSD M1:2 lens is an excellent choice for photographers looking for a lightweight and versatile wide-angle lens for their Sony E-mount cameras. Its impressive close-focusing abilities combined with sharp optical performance make it a worthy addition to any photographer's kit, especially for those who enjoy macro photography. While there are minor downsides, such as some barrel distortion and a moderate maximum aperture, the positives outweigh the negatives, making it a strong contender in the wide-angle lens market.