Canon EF 20 mm f/2.8 USM § 03 Head to head
Canon EF 20 mm f/2.8 USM vs Carl Zeiss Milvus 21 mm f/2.8
Canon 20mm f/2.8 has a wider field of view. Zeiss 21mm f/2.8 has a longer reach.
Both lenses are made for the Canon EF mount: the Canon EF 20 mm f/2.8 USM is a 20mm f/2.8 prime, and the Carl Zeiss Milvus 21 mm f/2.8 is a 21mm f/2.8 prime. On paper they trade blows, with 4 advantages each.
Canon EF 20 mm f/2.8 USM 
Carl Zeiss Milvus 21 mm f/2.8 01
Key differences
Why is the Canon EF 20 mm f/2.8 USM better than the Carl Zeiss Milvus 21 mm f/2.8?
- Wider field of view (20mm vs 21mm)
- 446 g lighter (405 g vs 851 g)
- 24 mm shorter (70.6 mm vs 95 mm long)
- Smaller filter thread (72 mm vs 82 mm)
Why is the Carl Zeiss Milvus 21 mm f/2.8 better than the Canon EF 20 mm f/2.8 USM?
- Longer reach (21mm vs 20mm)
- Focuses 3 cm closer (0.22 m vs 0.25 m)
- More aperture blades (9 vs 5)
- Newer design (2015 vs 1992)
02
Which should you buy?
- landscape For landscape photography, the Canon EF 20 mm f/2.8 USM has the edge: it goes wider, to 20mm against 21mm.
- architecture For architecture, the Canon EF 20 mm f/2.8 USM has the edge: it goes wider, to 20mm against 21mm.
03
Specification
| Specification | Canon EF 20 mm f/2.8 USM | Carl Zeiss Milvus 21 mm f/2.8 |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 20mm | 21mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/2.8 | f/2.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/22 |
| Lens type | Prime lens | Prime lens |
| Format | Full frame | Full frame |
| Weight | 405 g (14.29 oz) ◆ | 851 g (30.02 oz) |
| Dimensions | 77.5 x 70.6 mm | 95.5 x 95 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.25 m (9.84 inches) | 0.22 m (8.66 inches) ◆ |
| Image stabilization | No | No |
| Weather sealing | — | Yes |
| Aperture ring | No | No |
| Aperture blades | 5 | 9 ◆ |
| Optical construction | 11 elements / 9 groups | 16 elements / 13 groups |
| Filter size | 72 mm ◆ | 82 mm |
| Lens mount | Canon EF | Canon EF, Nikon F |
| Released | 1992 | 2015 |
04
Size
- A · Canon
- B · Carl
- 70.6 × 77.5 mm
- 95 × 95.5 mm
The Carl Zeiss Milvus 21 mm f/2.8 is 24 mm longer and 446 g heavier than the Canon EF 20 mm f/2.8 USM.
05
Sample frames
Canon EF 20 mm f/2.8 USM
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Video reviews
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Questions
- Which is lighter, the Canon EF 20 mm f/2.8 USM or the Carl Zeiss Milvus 21 mm f/2.8?
- The Canon EF 20 mm f/2.8 USM weighs 405 g, 446 g less than the Carl Zeiss Milvus 21 mm f/2.8 (851 g).
- Which focuses closer, the Canon EF 20 mm f/2.8 USM or the Carl Zeiss Milvus 21 mm f/2.8?
- The Carl Zeiss Milvus 21 mm f/2.8 focuses down to 0.22 m, against 0.25 m for the Canon EF 20 mm f/2.8 USM.
- Do the Canon EF 20 mm f/2.8 USM and the Carl Zeiss Milvus 21 mm f/2.8 have image stabilization?
- No, neither lens has optical image stabilization; rely on in-body stabilization if your camera has it.
- Is the Canon EF 20 mm f/2.8 USM or the Carl Zeiss Milvus 21 mm f/2.8 better for landscape photography?
- For landscape photography, the Canon EF 20 mm f/2.8 USM has the edge: it goes wider, to 20mm against 21mm.
- Is the Canon EF 20 mm f/2.8 USM or the Carl Zeiss Milvus 21 mm f/2.8 better for architecture?
- For architecture, the Canon EF 20 mm f/2.8 USM has the edge: it goes wider, to 20mm against 21mm.