Sony E-Mount Lens Guide Here >>

New Sony Gear in the Lab – First Look – Nex-3n, SEL20F28 and SELP18200

With the New Lab near completion I was able to set up the studio lights and a white back drop for some real product photography of the Nex-3n, sel20f28, and selp18200 Power Zoom Lens.

I used my Nex-6 and the 55-210mm lens for the product photography, using my studio lights and a white paper backdrop. The Nex-6 standard hot shoe held my universal flash transmitter, which then triggered the receivers that are plugged into my flash units. A very basic two light set-up was used for fairly even lighting and also to get the backdrop as white as possible at the same time.  More detailed info on the Nex-6 and Flash Photography Click Here >>

The higher focal length that the sel55210 lens offers, helped deliver that killer perspective without the wide-angle distortion that you would normally get with such a close-up and kit lens. For example, I took this feature image on the upper left at 152mm, and the image below of the 20mm f/2.8 pancake lens was taken at 210mm. This also filled the frame completely with the “products” for maximum resolution.

The New Sony Gear in the “Lab”

Sony E-Mount 20mm f/2.8 Pancake Lens – SEL20F28

The SEL20F28 lens is a true “pancake” style at only 0.8″( 20.4mm) thick. It also appears to be well made, just like all the other E-Mount lenses, and light weight – 2.4 oz (69g).

Sony E-Mount 20mm f/2.8 Lens - SEL20F28
Sony E-Mount 20mm f/2.8 Lens – SEL20F28


The SEL20f28 lens goes for $348 US. which sounds a bit expensive in my opinion, but we will see how the optical performance is before making any real judgements 😉 The corner sharpness and distortion will be telling and very easy to spot with some test shots. It just so happens I have the Nex-3n for testing, but the weather is poor the past few days here in NY.

Sony E-Mount 20mm f/2.8 Lens - SEL20F28
Sony E-Mount 20mm f/2.8 Lens – SEL20F28


Check out the Nex-3n with the 20mm e-Mount lens mounted up.

Click Photos for High Res versions

Sony Nex-3n w/ 20mm f/2.8 Pancake Lens
Sony Nex-3n w/ 20mm f/2.8 Pancake Lens


Check out the side profile revealing how thin the whole package is.

Also note the build quality is much better than the previous Nex-F3 model I reviewed Here >>. The Nex-3n has tighter tolerances and a skin more like the Nex-5n I reviewed Here >> The screen tilts up 180 degree for self portrait video and photos, but not down for overhead shooting like the big brother Nex-5r I recently reviewed Here >>

Sony Nex-3n w/ 20mm f/2.8 Pancake Lens
Sony Nex-3n w/ 20mm f/2.8 Pancake Lens

Sony Nex-3n – Sensor View

The Nex-3n grip is almost like a add-on rubber type material, and doesn’t appear to be part of the actual chassis. I could be wrong about that, but that is what it looks like to me at first go over. It almost looks like the DSC-RX100 from the top. I also reviewed the RX100 Click Here >>, if you want to check out a really high quality, yet ultra compact camera packing a large 1″ sensor inside 😉

Click Photos for High Res versions

Sony Nex-3n - Sensor View
Sony Nex-3n – Sensor View

Sony E-mount 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 PZ OSS Lens – SELP18200

Check out the largest E-Mount lens I’ve used to date, the adjustable power zoom 18-200mm lens. Perfect for cinematographers on a budget I’m thinking as the zoom should be silky smooth, slow, and silent. It should www.paralipokeroyna.com also have killer focus transitions and sharpness based on the specs and previous 18-200mm Sony E-Mount lenses I’ve tested.

Click Photos for High Res versions

Sony E-mount 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 PZ OSS Lens
Sony E-mount 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 PZ OSS Lens
Sony SELP18200 Lens
Sony SELP18200 Lens

Closing remarks

That is it for now, but stay tuned for some sample photos, video, and more detailed testing, with the Sony Nex-3n, Sony E-Mount 20mm f/2.8 lens, and Sony E-Mount 18-200mm PZ OSS Lens. Also be sure to check out the latest rebates and deals article I wrote yesterday, as a bunch of good deals are floating around 😉

Have a great weekend,
Jay