Sony Mitakon Zhongyi Speedmaster 20mm f/0.95 Lens (Sony Review
The Mitakon 20mm f/0.95 gathers light like few other lenses can, but it demands your full attention with manual focus. It's a powerful tool for a specific kind of shooter.
Overview
This is a lens that makes a promise and keeps it. The Sony Mitakon Speedmaster 20mm f/0.95 is an ultra-bright, manual focus prime for APS-C cameras. It gives you a 30mm full-frame equivalent view, which is a classic wide-angle focal length.
It's built for one thing: gathering a massive amount of light and creating a unique look. With an f/0.95 aperture, it's in the 99th percentile for brightness. But it's a specialist tool, not a daily walk-around lens.
Performance
The headline is that f/0.95 aperture. It lets you shoot in near-darkness and throws backgrounds into a beautiful, creamy blur, scoring a 97th percentile for bokeh. Sharpness is solid in the center, especially when you stop down a bit. The trade-off is the manual focus. It's smooth, but nailing focus at f/0.95 takes practice. And with no stabilization, you'll need steady hands or a gimbal for video.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong aperture (99th percentile) 99th
- Strong bokeh (97th percentile) 98th
- Strong optical (76th percentile) 79th
Cons
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Focal Length Min | 20 |
| Focal Length Max | 20 |
| Elements | 13 |
| Groups | 8 |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/0.95 |
| Min Aperture | f/16 |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 |
Build
| Mount | Sony E |
| Format | APS-C |
| Weight | 0.6 kg / 1.3 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 72 |
AF & Stabilization
| Stabilization | No |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 297 |
| Max Magnification | 1:11 |
Value & Pricing
At $349, it's a steal for what it does. You're paying for that exotic f/0.95 glass and the unique look it provides. Compared to autofocus lenses with similar brightness, it's a fraction of the price. You just have to be okay with manual focus.
Price History
vs Competition
Stack it up against something like the Viltrox 35mm f/1.7. The Viltrox has autofocus, is lighter, and is more versatile for general use. But it's not nearly as bright. The Meike 55mm f/1.8 is another option with AF and a tighter portrait field of view, but again, f/1.8 vs f/0.95 is a huge light difference. This Mitakon is for when the look and the light-gathering are your top priorities, and you're willing to trade convenience for it.
| Spec | Sony Mitakon Zhongyi Speedmaster 20mm f/0.95 Lens (Sony | Meike Meike 55mm F1.4 Standard Aperture APS-C Frame AF | Nikon Nikon S-Line Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II Lens (Nikon Z) | Canon Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM Lens | Tamron Tamron Di III Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD Lens for Sony | Sirui Sirui Sniper 56mm f/1.2 Autofocus Lens (Sony E, |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 20mm | 55mm | 24-70mm | 24mm | 17-70mm | 56mm |
| Max Aperture | f/0.95 | f/1.4 | f/2.8 | f/1.8 | f/2.8 | f/1.2 |
| Mount | Sony E | Nikon Z | Nikon Z | Canon RF | Sony E Mount | Sony E |
| Stabilization | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | false | false | true | false | false | false |
| Weight (g) | 590 | 281 | 676 | 269 | 544 | 422 |
| AF Type | - | STM | Autofocus | Autofocus | Autofocus | Autofocus |
| Lens Type | - | - | Zoom | Zoom | Zoom | - |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
Verdict
Buy this if you're a portrait or low-light shooter on a budget who loves manual focus and wants that ultra-cinematic, shallow depth-of-field look. Skip it if you need autofocus for fast-moving subjects, or if you want a lightweight lens for travel.