Quick answer
Wide prime with a compact body and a 72mm filter thread, introduced in 1992. It is sharp in the middle but shows its age at the corners.
Pros
- Compact for a 20mm
- Fast ring USM focus
- 72mm filter thread
- Close focus of 0.25m
Cons
- Corners are soft at f/2.8
- Visible distortion
Verdict
Sound for casual wide work. The zoom lenses cover this focal length with better corners.
About this lens
The Canon EF 20mm f/2.8 USM is a wide-angle prime lens covering 20mm at f/2.8 for Canon EF mount cameras, with ultrasonic-motor autofocus. The wide view suits landscapes, architecture and environmental shots.
Canon EF 20mm f/2.8 USM specifications
- Brand
- Canon
- Mount
- Canon EF
- Focal length
- 20mm
- Maximum aperture
- f/20.0
- Lens type
- Prime
- Format coverage
- full-frame
- Released
- 1992
- Optical construction
- 11 elements in 9 groups
- Aperture blades
- 6
- Autofocus motor
- USM
- Minimum focus distance
- 0.25 m
- Maximum magnification
- 0.14x
- Filter thread
- 72 mm
- Weight
- 405 g
- Length
- 70.6 mm
- Diameter
- 77.5 mm
Specification source: global.canon
What can you shoot with the Canon EF 20mm f/2.8 USM?
- Landscapes
- Street photography
- Environmental portraits
Its smaller maximum aperture favours daylight shooting and keeps the lens compact.
Full-frame equivalent and field of view
Calculated from the focal length and crop factor. Not measured.
| Sensor | Crop | Equivalent | Horizontal FOV | Diagonal FOV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full frame | 1.0x | 20mm | 84° | 94.5° |
| APS-C | 1.6x | 32mm | 58.7° | 68.1° |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Canon EF 20mm f/2.8 USM good for landscapes?
It works well from f/8 onward, where the edges sharpen. Wide open the corners are weak.
What filter size does the EF 20mm f/2.8 USM use?
72mm, the same as the EF 200mm f/2.8L USM and EF 35-350mm L.
Can I use the EF 20mm f/2.8 USM on an APS-C camera?
Yes, where it frames like a 32mm lens. That gives a natural wide-normal view on crop bodies.
Alternatives for Canon EF from other brands
All Canon EF lensesSame mount, overlapping focal range, closest maximum aperture first.
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