Sony E PZ 10-20mm F4 G Review
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Loading... - Ekansh Burman
- 07 Jun 2022
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The Sony E PZ 10-20mm F4 G ($749.99) is a new entry in Sony's lineup that supplements one of the longest-running E-mount lenses, the $900 E 10-18mm F4 zoom from a decade ago. The E 10-20mm boasts new optics and a more modern polycarbonate barrel with a dust- and splash-resistant construction. It also features Power Zoom handling for vlogs and videos. The new lens is a good match for the slim ZV-E10 and an excellent choice if you often present directly to a camera, though we continue to recommend the slightly pricier Tamron 11-20mm F2.8 ($829) for photographers.
Made for Hybrid Creators
The decade since the release of the E 10-18mm F4 OSS has been eventful for Sony's camera system. The company has released many full-frame FE lenses and cameras, plus it developed exotic optical elements and speedy linear focus motors. The E PZ 10-20mm F4 G incorporates many of these innovations to meet its slim 2.4-by-2.4-inch (HD) and 6.2-ounce design. It doesn't make any optical concessions either; it performs better than the larger E 10-18mm (2.5 by 2.8 inches, 7.9 ounces) in testing, as we discuss later.
The E 10-20mm zooms internally, whereas the E 10-18mm extends the barrel as you increase the focal length. That means the E 10-20mm is a better match for a gimbal. The lens supports 62mm filters and ships with a petal-style lens hood that's reversible for storage.
You shouldn't have any issues using the lens in inclement weather, though note that Sony includes internal seals to keep dust and moisture out only on the a6400 and a6600 series APS-C bodies. Regardless of your choice of camera, take care to keep raindrops and fingerprints off the front element—the E 10-20mm omits anti-smudge fluorine protection here.
There are a few different controls on the lens: zoom and manual focus rings; a zoom rocker; a customizable function button; and an AF/MF toggle switch. Autofocus performance is snappy. The lens shifted focus from close to distant targets in an instant on our ZV-E10 test camera.
There's barely any focus breathing visible at 10mm and just a slight bloom in view when you rack from near to distant focus at 20mm. This is ideal for videographers who want the angle of view to remain the same even after a focus change. I enjoyed using the manual focus ring, too. It turns with a pleasing amount of resistance and I had no problem setting the focus exactly where I wanted it, even with a linear response. The throw is quite long and requires about a 120-degree turn to move focus from near to infinity, an aspect that improves precision for manual focus work.
It's easy to look at any lens with a powered zoom mechanism and pigeonhole it as one for video, not stills. Sony has a few entries in its PZ series that qualify as video-specific lenses—there's not much reason to get the E PZ 18-200mm or E PZ 18-110mm for anything else. But the E PZ 10-20mm F4 G is more of a hybrid; its design is beneficial for video use, but the lens makes sense for photographers, too. Read More...
