SUMMARY
The standard zoom lens, long anchored at 24mm, is shifting to a 20mm starting focal length, a trend driven by four manufacturers. This 4mm difference expands the field of view by approximately 10 degrees, proving crucial for architecture, travel, and real estate photography by allowing more of a scene to be captured. This shift raises questions about the necessity of separate ultra-wide lenses, potentially simplifying gear for photographers by consolidating the capabilities of two lenses into one. Several 20mm-starting zooms are now available, each offering different tradeoffs in aperture, zoom range, and size.
TAKEAWAYS
Standard zoom lenses are increasingly starting at 20mm, moving from the long-standing 24mm standard.
The 4mm wider field of view at 20mm significantly impacts photography for architecture, interiors, and landscapes.
This trend may reduce the need for photographers to carry separate ultra-wide zoom lenses.
Manufacturers like Panasonic, Sony, Tamron, and Canon are releasing 20mm-starting standard zoom lenses.