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MTF Charts for Sony FE 20-70mm f/4 G
This page discusses the Sony MTF charts and expectations for sharpness.
What I like to see in a lens is (a) no focus shift, (b) minimal field curvature, (c) low distortion, (d) edge-to-edge sharpness. This is what the Voigtlander APO lenses give me (a bit of focus shift aside), and what zooms rarely if ever deliver in all three aspects. And it is why the Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II was a big disappointment.
Two whopping caveats come with the Sony FE 20-70mm:
- Extreme barrel distortion at the wide end and moderate pincushion distortion at the long end make a mockery of the MTF chart claims once the necessary distortion correction is used.
- A strong forward focus shift in the 35mm to 70mm range means that the zone of sharp focus can easily be displaced, with major losses to sharpness.
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Special emphasis is placed on Sony full-frame, including Sony lenses and the high performance Zeiss Batis and Zeiss Loxia lenses plus Rokinon/Samyang and others. Fujifilm X, Olympus and Panasonic M4/3, Sigma dp Merrill and dp/sd Quattro are also covered in depth. Years in the making, it offers a wealth of material for choosing and using a mirrorless camera.
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Want a preview? Click on any page below to see an excerpt as well as extensive blog coverage, for example on Sony.