Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G vs Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D
Both are Sony E mount primes for wide-angle and astrophotography — here's how the specs differ and which to pick. Every spec is from the manufacturer's own catalog.
| Spec | Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G | Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 20mm | 9mm |
| Max aperture | f/1.8 | f/2.8 |
| Type | prime | prime |
| Coverage | full-frame | APS-C |
| Mount | Sony E | Sony E |
Which should you buy?
- the Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G opens wider (f/1.8) — brighter in low light and more background blur
- the Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D (9mm) is wider — more in the frame for street and interiors; the Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G (20mm) is tighter — more reach and compression for portraits
- the Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G covers full-frame (also works on APS-C bodies); the Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D is APS-C-only — it won't fill a full-frame sensor
- the Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G is first-party (Sony) for guaranteed full autofocus and in-camera corrections; the Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D is third-party — usually the value pick
Where to buy
Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 GSee price on Amazon
Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-DSee price on Amazon
FAQ
What's the difference between the Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G and the Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D?
The Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G is 20mm f/1.8 prime, full-frame; the Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D is 9mm f/2.8 prime, APS-C. Both fit the Sony E mount.
Which is better in low light, the Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G or the Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D?
The Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G — its f/1.8 maximum aperture lets in more light and gives more background blur than the f/2.8 of the other.
Do the Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G and Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D fit the same camera?
Yes — both are Sony E mount lenses, so they fit Sony a7/a9/a1 (full-frame) and a6000-series (APS-C). Note the Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D is APS-C-only and won't fill a full-frame sensor.
More Sony E comparisons: Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD vs Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 · Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary vs Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS · Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II vs Sony FE 28-70mm f/2 GM · Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II vs Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD · all Sony E lenses · all comparisons