Tamron 20mm F/2.8 Di III OSD M1:2
Launch MSRP
$349- Weight
- 220g
- Filter
- ⌀67mm
- Min focus
- 0.11m
- Max mag.
- 0.50×
- Formula
- 10E / 9G
- Released
- 2020
Specification sheet
Optical construction
- 3x LD
- 1x GM
- BBAR Coating
- Fluorine Coating
- Aperture range
- f/2.8 — f/22
Physical & ergonomics
- Weight
- 220g
- ⌀ × length
- 73.0 × 64.0mm
- Filter
- ⌀67mm
- Weather sealed
- Yes
- Aperture ring
- No
Autofocus actuator
- Stabilisation
- Body IBIS
- Teleconverter
- Not supported
- AF speed score
- 7.2 / 10
Close-up performance
- Min focus distance
- 0.11m
- Max magnification
- 0.50× (1:2.0)
Optical character
This is the widest of Tamron's three matching OSD primes. It is a 220g ultra-wide that focuses down to 0.11m for 1:2 magnification, which few wide lenses can do. That allows wide-angle close-ups where a small subject fills the foreground and the scene still shows behind it.
The optics use LD and GM elements with BBAR coating, and the barrel is moisture-resistant with a fluorine-coated front. The OSD DC motor keeps focusing quiet. The 67mm filter thread matches Tamron's zooms. The lens is plain, with no switches or aperture ring, and costs a fraction of most fast 20mm primes.
Reviewer consensus
Reviewers found it very sharp in the centre from f/2.8. The corners are softer wide open and good by f/5.6–f/8, and close-up performance is impressive for the price. Uncorrected vignetting and distortion are noticeable, and some lateral colour shows at the edges.
The OSD autofocus is reliable for stills but slower than linear-motor primes and can hunt in low light. It is not ideal for fast action or astro work, where coma in the corners is visible wide open. Most testers called it one of the best-value wide primes for E-mount.
Owner sentiment
Owners like the size, the price and the near-macro close focus. Many use it for travel, real estate and creative close-ups, and the shared 67mm filters with the 24mm and 35mm siblings are popular.
Complaints include slower, slightly audible AF, corner softness for astro, a busy 7-blade bokeh, and focus-by-wire that feels imprecise for manual focusing. Some find the 67mm filter size large for such a small lens.
Strengths, weaknesses & performance
Strengths
- +1:2 magnification at 0.11m
- +220g, 64mm long
- +Sharp centre from f/2.8
- +Moisture resistant, fluorine coated
- +Very affordable
Weaknesses
- −OSD AF slower than linear motors
- −Soft corners and coma wide open
- −Strong vignetting uncorrected
- −7-blade aperture
Six-axis rating
- Sharpness
- 8.0
- Bokeh Rendering
- 6.8
- Autofocus Speed
- 7.2
- Flare Resistance
- 7.6
- Build / Sealing
- 7.6
- Value / Size
- 9.1
Editorial 0–10 ratings synthesised from published reviews.
Technical specifications
| Mount | Sony E (FE) · full frame |
|---|---|
| Focal length | 20mm |
| Category | Wide |
| Maximum aperture | f/2.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 |
| Construction | 10 elements in 9 groups |
| Special elements | 3x LD · 1x GM · BBAR Coating · Fluorine Coating |
| Aperture blades | 7 |
| Focus type | Autofocus |
|---|---|
| Drive | OSD Motor |
| Minimum focus | 0.11m |
| Max magnification | 0.50× |
| Stabilisation | None (uses body IBIS) |
| Teleconverters | Not supported |
| Weight | 220g |
|---|---|
| Diameter × length | 73.0 × 64.0mm |
| Filter thread | ⌀67mm |
| Weather sealing | Yes |
| Aperture ring | No |
| De-clickable aperture | No |
| Release year | 2020 |
| Launch MSRP | $349 USD |
Sources
Specifications
- tamron.com/global/consumer/lenses/f050/
- tamron.com/global/consumer/lenses/f050/spec.html
- tamron-americas.com/product/20mm-f-2-8-di-iii-osd-m12/
- photographyblog.com/reviews/tamron_20mm_f2_8_di_iii_osd_m1_2_review
Similar focal length alternatives
- VS20mm F/2.8 Di III OSD M1:2 vs 20mm f/4 Zero-D Shift
- VS20mm F/2.8 Di III OSD M1:2 vs 20mm F1.8 ED AS UMC
- VS20mm F/2.8 Di III OSD M1:2 vs 20mm F1.4 DG DN | Art
- LaowaZero-D
20mm f/4 Zero-D Shift
20mmF4- WT
- 747g
- FLT
- ⌀82mm
- MFD
- 0.25m
- MSRP
- $1,099
MFRING - Samyang/Rokinon
20mm F1.8 ED AS UMC
20mmF1.8- WT
- 525g
- FLT
- ⌀77mm
- MFD
- 0.20m
- MSRP
- $599
MFRING - SigmaArt
20mm F1.4 DG DN | Art
20mmF1.4- WT
- 630g
- FLT
- ⌀82mm
- MFD
- 0.23m
- MSRP
- $899
AFWRRING·DC
