Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter vs Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter Face-Off

The Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter and the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter are two accessories that mount between a compatible lens and a Sony E-mount camera, increasing the focal length or focal length range of the lens by a factor of 2.0x or 1.4x respectively.

They are designed to work with Sony's full-frame mirrorless cameras and lenses, but they can also be used with APS-C models with a 1.5x crop factor. In this comparison, we will look at the main differences between these two teleconverters, based on various sources¹²³⁴.

A Comparison: Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter vs Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter

Focal Length and Aperture

The most obvious difference between these two teleconverters is their magnification factor. The Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter doubles the focal length of compatible lenses, while the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter increases it by 40%.

For example, with the teleconverters attached, the Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS becomes 140-400mm f/5.6 or 98-280mm f/4 respectively, the Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS becomes 200-800mm f/9-11 or 140-560mm f/6.3-8 respectively, and the Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS becomes 800mm f/5.6 or 560mm f/4 respectively.

This means that the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter offers more reach and magnification power than the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter, which can be useful for capturing distant or small subjects.

However, the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter also reduces the maximum aperture by two stops, while the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter reduces it by one stop. This means that less light reaches the sensor and the depth of field becomes deeper with the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter than with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter.

Both teleconverters maintain the minimum focus distance and the maximum magnification ratio of the lenses they are used with.

Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter

Optical Performance

Both teleconverters have similar optical designs that use various special elements to reduce aberrations and improve sharpness. The Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter has 8 elements in 5 groups, including one aspherical element, while the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter has 6 elements in 5 groups.

They also both have a Zeiss T* coating to minimize flare and ghosting. Both teleconverters maintain full communication between the lens and the camera body, ensuring the proper function of the camera's exposure metering, autofocus and image stabilization.

According to various reviews and tests¹²³⁴, both teleconverters deliver good optical performance overall, but they have some differences in terms of image quality.

The Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter degrades image quality more than the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter, as expected from a higher magnification factor. The Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter reduces sharpness, contrast and resolution more than the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter, especially at the corners and edges of the frame and at longer focal lengths.

The Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter also introduces more vignetting, distortion and chromatic aberration than the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter, although these can be corrected in post-processing or by using the Lens Aberration Correction function on supported cameras.

The Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter also shows more flare and ghosting than the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter when shooting against strong light sources or backlighting.

Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter

Autofocus Performance

These two teleconverters support autofocus and image stabilization with compatible lenses and cameras, but they also affect these features to some extent.

The Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter slows down autofocus speed and accuracy more than the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter, especially in low-light situations or with moving subjects. It also limits autofocus points and modes more than the Sony FE.

Both teleconverters support autofocus and image stabilization with compatible lenses and cameras, but they also affect these features to some extent.

For example, with the Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens and the Sony a9 camera, the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter allows only 299 phase-detection AF points and no eye AF or lock-on AF modes, while the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter allows 693 phase-detection AF points and all AF modes¹.

The Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter also reduces image stabilization effectiveness more than the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter, as it magnifies camera shake more.

Build Quality and Handling

Both teleconverters have similar build quality and design, with metal mounts and dust- and moisture-resistant construction. They also have rubber seals at the mount and switches.

They are both compact and lightweight, adding only a small amount of length and weight to the lens-camera combination. The Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter measures 2.5 by 1.7 inches (HD) and weighs 7.3 ounces (207 grams), while the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter measures 2.5 by 1.3 inches (HD) and weighs 5.9 ounces (167 grams).

These teleconverters come with a rear cap and a front cap that can be attached to the lens hood of the compatible lenses. They do not change the filter size of the lenses they are used with.

Conclusion

The Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter and the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter are both useful accessories for Sony E-mount photographers who need more reach and magnification for their telephoto lenses.

They increase the focal length of compatible lenses by a factor of 2.0x or 1.4x respectively, without changing their minimum focus distance or maximum magnification ratio, while maintaining full communication between lens and camera for autofocus and image stabilization.

However, both teleconverters also come with some drawbacks, such as reducing the maximum aperture by two stops or one stop respectively, degrading image quality to some extent, limiting autofocus speed and accuracy, and being compatible with only three lenses.

If you can live with these limitations, or if you are looking for an affordable and compact alternative to buying longer lenses, then either of these teleconverters can be worth considering. However, if you have to choose between them, you should consider your needs and preferences carefully.

The Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter offers more reach and magnification power than the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter, which can be useful for capturing distant or small subjects.

However, it also reduces image quality more than the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter, especially at longer focal lengths. The Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter also reduces the maximum aperture more than the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter, which can affect exposure and depth of field control as well as low-light performance.

The Sony FE 2.0x also slows down autofocus speed and accuracy more than the Sony FE 1.4x, especially in low-light situations or with moving subjects. It also limits autofocus points and modes more than the Sony FE 1.4x.

I hope this article has helped you to choose which teleconverter fits your needs.

Happy shooting!