Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking one of these links, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. You can learn more about this in my disclosure policy.
Got a new Sony a7 series camera and looking to make the most of it? I’ve put together this guide on the absolute best lenses for Sony a7 cameras, based on my 15+ years of experience as a pro photographer.
In this article, you’ll find detailed reviews of the best Sony a7 lenses for all kinds of photography, including portrait, wildlife, macro, wide-angle, and astrophotography. I hope my insider tips will help you nail down the lenses most suited for your needs!
Want a quick answer? Here’s our top pick — the all-around best lens for Sony a7 cameras.
📸 The Best Sony a7 Lenses: A Quick Overview
This guide covers a lot of lenses, so here’s a quick summary of our absolute top picks. These lenses cover all kinds of photography, and you can find their detailed reviews further down.
🔍 The Best Zoom Lens for Sony a7 Series
A zoom lens allows the camera to smoothly change from a long shot to a close-up (or vice versa) by varying the focal length. Zoom lenses are great for casual everyday shots as well as travel photos as they’re very flexible and allow you to shoot from varying distances.
See more best Sony a7 zoom lenses
👧🏻 The Best Portrait Lens for Sony a7 Series
The best portrait lenses are prime lenses with a focal length of 85mm or longer. These lenses have very wide apertures, allowing you to create stunning bokeh, a shallow depth of field, and better subject-background separation — all of which would enhance your portraits.
See more best Sony a7 portrait lenses
🏞 The Best Wide Angle Lens for Sony a7 Series
Ever seen a scenery so grand that it just does not fit into your frame? That’s what wide-angle lenses are for. These lenses have a maximum focal length of 35mm and are perfect for capturing wide landscapes, grandiose architecture, and close everyday surroundings.
See more best Sony a7 wide angle lenses
🎥 The Best Video Lens for Sony a7 Series
Good video lenses should have a fixed aperture for smooth transitions and a wide max aperture (f/2.8 or wider) for beautiful bokeh and low-light performance. If you’re planning to vlog, go for a wide-angle lens with a minimum focus distance of around 0.30 m (1 ft) or less.
See more best Sony a7 video lenses
⚙️ The Best Prime Lens for Sony a7 Series
A prime lens has a fixed focal length (e.g. 50mm rather than 17-50mm), and typically, an aperture of f/2.8 or wider. This essentially makes it a bokeh king. For this reason, prime lenses are most commonly used for portraits, but are also very useful for videos and everyday shots.
See more best Sony a7 prime lenses
🐝 The Best Macro Lens for Sony a7 Series
Macro lenses allow you to get incredibly detailed close-ups of microscopic subjects, such as insects, flowers, and water droplets. These specialized lenses can focus extremely close to a subject so that it appears large in your photo, and every tiny detail can be seen.
See more best Sony a7 macro lenses
✈️ The Best Travel Lens for Sony a7 Series
If you’re looking to travel with your Sony a7 camera, you’ll want a small and lightweight lens that’s easy to carry. A versatile zoom range will also come in handy if you want to shoot a variety of things. If you want to capture starry nights or architecture, consider a low-light lens too.
See more best Sony a7 travel lenses
🦉 The Best Telephoto Lens for Sony a7 Series
Telephoto lenses are typically used to shoot wildlife, sports, and other far-away subjects. They also allow you to zoom in on landscapes to capture creative perspectives. Telephoto lenses typically have a minimum focal length of 70mm and can go up to 600mm or more.
See more best Sony a7 telephoto lenses
🏜 The Best Landscape Lens for Sony a7 Series
If you’re looking to shoot landscapes, consider a wide-angle lens as it will help you frame more of the scenery and create majestic-looking shots. A low-light lens with a fixed aperture might also come in handy, especially if you want to shoot dark starry skies.
See more best Sony a7 landscape lenses
⚙️ What is the Sony a7 Lens Mount?
Before we delve into individual lens reviews, let’s talk about the types of lenses compatible with the Sony a7 series as well as the Sony a7 mount type.
The Sony a7 series are full-frame mirrorless cameras with a Sony E-mount, which means you can use these cameras with any FE (full-frame) lens that has a Sony or third-party E-mount.
📷 The Best Lenses for Sony a7 in 2024: Reviews
⭐ Best All-Around Lens: Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 ⭐
A top value everyday zoom lens that’s impressively sharp, lightweight, and versatile
Lens type: Full frame E-mount
Weight: 540 g (19 oz.)
Size (WxL): 7.5 x 11.7 cm (2.9 x 4.6 in)
Filter diameter: 67 mm (2.6 in)
Minimum focus distance: 0.18 m (0.59 ft)
Maximum magnification ratio: 0.34x
Autofocus: Yes
Image stabilization: No
Sample photos: Click here
A closer look:
The Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 is a top-notch and well-rounded lens that’s perfect for beginners. This multi-purpose lens is an excellent choice for general everyday shots.
This lens’s flexible zoom range allows you to shoot a wide variety of subjects, including landscapes, portraits, starry skies, and close-ups. Its versatility and compact, lightweight design makes it a great lens to travel with, too.
Do you love dreamy, out-of-focus backgrounds? This is the lens for you. Thanks to its wide aperture, it delivers beautiful bokeh and is very adaptable to low light conditions, too.
Expect impressively crisp and sharp image quality throughout the zoom range. Distortion is also well-controlled, and video quality is stunning. Autofocus is fast, quiet, and accurate.
Just note that when shooting wide open, you may have to deal with some vignetting and color fringing, although these are easy fixes in post-processing or in-camera.
Overall, it’s truly hard to find an everyday zoom lens that offers better value for money, given this lens’s reasonable price, travel-friendly design, and high-quality performance.
Pros
- Impressively sharp
- Very multi-purposeful
- Lightweight & compact
- Excellent low-light performance
Cons
- Some vignetting wide-open
- Some color fringing
📸 In short, this lens is for you if: you want a travel-friendly everyday zoom lens that won’t break the bank and that delivers fantastic image quality and performance.
📸 The Best Sony a7 Everyday Zoom Lenses
While the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 is our top pick, there are many other stellar Sony a7 zoom lenses out there. Here are our other top choices.
💎 Top Value Pro Zoom Lens: Sigma 24-70mm F2.8
The best value professional zoom lens for those who value image quality over weight
Lens type: Full frame E-mount
Weight: 830 g (29 oz.)
Size (WxL): 8.7 x 12.4 cm (3.4 x 4.8 in)
Filter diameter: 82 mm (3.2 in)
Minimum focus distance: 0.18 m (0.59 ft)
Maximum magnification ratio: 0.34x
Autofocus: Yes
Image stabilization: No
Sample photos: Click here
A closer look:
The Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art is a great alternative to the above-mentioned Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 if you don’t mind a heavier lens in exchange for even better image quality.
Which lens should you choose? For everyday shooting and ease of travel, the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 is the better option. It doesn’t weigh as much, packs nicely, and comes at a lower price. This Sigma lens delivers overall better image quality, though.
In fact, if you want a professional lens with top-notch image sharpness and the smoothest bokeh, go for this Sigma lens. Its build is sturdier, and its ability to switch focus more smoothly while filming makes for superior video quality, too.
The downside of Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art is that it’s pretty heavy. You might also run into some barrel distortion and vignetting, although these can be easily fixed via post-processing or in-camera.
Overall, this reasonably priced lens is very worth the investment if you’re looking for professional-level image quality and video capabilities.
Pros
- Utmost sharpness & image quality
- Incredibly smooth bokeh
- Professional video quality
- Excellent low-light performance
Cons
- Pretty heavy
📸 In short, this lens is for you if: you want professional, top-notch image quality, and can settle for the heavier weight of this everyday zoom lens to get it.
🚀 The Fastest Pro Zoom Lens: Sony 24-70mm F2.8
The zoom lens with the fastest autofocus performance — ideal for weddings & events
Lens type: Full frame E-mount
Weight: 886 g (17.4 oz.)
Size (WxL): 8.7 x 13.6 cm (3.4 x 5.3 in)
Filter diameter: 82 mm (3.2 in)
Minimum focus distance: 0.38 m (1.2 ft)
Maximum magnification ratio: 0.24x
Autofocus: Yes
Image stabilization: No
Sample photos: Click here
A closer look:
The Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM is much pricier, heavier, and bulkier than the previously discussed Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 and Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8. So, why is it worth your consideration?
Simple: its autofocus performance is the fastest and most accurate of the three. If getting every single shot in a fast-moving situation is important to you, then this lens is for you.
Wedding or event photographers will want to invest in this Sony lens, as those fleeting shots are too essential to risk missing. This lens also has better flare resistance than the Tamron and Sigma, and is less susceptible to vignetting when shooting wide-open.
As for image sharpness, this Sony lens comes out on top for the sharpest corners of the frame, while the Sigma outperforms on central sharpness. The Sigma also achieves a slightly smoother bokeh than this Sony lens, but it’s a very minimal difference.
This Sony lens and the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 are both pricier than the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8, but they also boast a more robust build.
Pros
- The fastest & most accurate autofocus
- Ultrasharp even wide-open
- Excellent low-light performance
- Amazing for weddings and events
Cons
- Pretty heavy
- Pretty pricey
📸 In short, this lens is for you if: you want a lens with the best autofocus performance for fast-paced situations like events and weddings, and have a large budget for it.
🔭 Top “Do-It-All” Lens: Tamron 28-200mm F2.8-5.6
A very multi-purposeful lens that combines telephoto reach and travel-friendliness
Lens type: Full frame E-mount
Weight: 575 g (20 oz.)
Size (WxL): 7.4 x 11.7 cm (2.9 x 4.6 in)
Filter diameter: 67 mm (2.6 in)
Minimum focus distance: 0.19 m (0.62 ft)
Maximum magnification ratio: 0.32x
Autofocus: Yes
Image stabilization: No
Sample photos: Click here
A closer look:
Looking for a lens that can “do it all”? The Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD is a powerful multipurpose lens that’s basically a standard zoom, wide-angle, and telephoto lens all in one. It’s also very lightweight and compact.
You can capture almost anything with this beginner-friendly lens, including portraits, wildlife, landscapes, and detailed close-ups (it has some macro capability, too).
What’s rare about it is its high-end image quality and incredible levels of sharpness throughout the whole zoom range. That’s usually very hard to find in a superzoom lens!
Moreover, this lens is very portable and travel-friendly. Its powerful zoom range saves you from having to lug around several different lenses to swap out. With just this one lens, you can go from wide-angle to telephoto reach in only a matter of seconds.
This Tamron lens also doesn’t deal with much color fringing and distortion. It has a tough and weather-resistant build, and its autofocus is very fast and nearly silent.
The one drawback is that it lacks a fixed aperture, so it’s not quite as effective for shooting videos or performing in low light as all the previously mentioned zoom lenses. It’s also 4mm shorter on the wide-angle side compared to the previous two lenses.
Pros
- Impressively sharp image quality
- Lightweight & travel-friendly
- Super multi-purposeful & versatile
- Very reasonably priced – top value
Cons
- Aperture isn’t fixed (not as ideal for videos as the other zoom lenses)
- Less wide-angle potential compared to other zoom lenses mentioned above
📸 In short, this lens is for you if: you want a lightweight and affordable lens with a mighty zoom range that can capture a variety of subjects, from landscapes to wildlife.
✨ Premium Superzoom Lens: Sony FE 24-105mm F4
A versatile, travel-friendly lens with a mighty zoom range and premium image quality
Lens type: Full frame E-mount
Weight: 663 g (23.4 oz.)
Size (WxL): 8.3 x 11.3 cm (3.2 x 4.4 in)
Filter diameter: 77 mm (3 in)
Minimum focus distance: 0.38 m (1.25 ft)
Maximum magnification ratio: 0.31x
Autofocus: Yes
Image stabilization: Yes
Sample photos: Click here
A closer look:
The Sony FE 24-105mm f/4 G OSS is part of the Sony G series, which means it delivers top-notch professional image quality. It also boasts a generous wide-angle coverage and a mighty telephoto reach, making it incredibly versatile.
This lens is spectacularly sharp edge-to-edge throughout the whole zoom range, even when shooting wide open. The only lens that can rival its image quality is the previously mentioned Sony 24-70mm f/2.8, which is heavier, more expensive, and offers less focal reach.
Looking for a flexible travel lens? This lens’s mighty zoom range takes away the need to carry and switch between multiple lenses. You can use it to shoot a large variety of things, from landscapes to subjects further away.
This lens also has a premium build and is equipped with fast, accurate, and silent autofocus. It is pretty lightweight given its focal range, and overall, offers excellent value for money.
This lens isn’t cheap, though. There’s also some vignetting when shooting wide-open, although that can be easily fixed on Lightroom. Its f/4 aperture also makes it less of a low-light performer than the previously mentioned f/2.8 zoom lenses. Bokeh also isn’t as smooth.
Pros
- Premium-level image quality
- Very versatile & useful focal range
- Extremely sturdy & weather-sealed
- Pretty lightweight for its focal range
Cons
- Not superb in low light
- Not cheap
📸 In short, this lens is for you if: you want a lens with both wide-angle and telephoto capabilities, and value professional-level image quality and premium build.
🏞 The Best Sony a7 Wide Angle Lenses
If you’re looking for the best landscape lenses for Sony a7 cameras, then I highly recommend looking into wide-angle lenses.
Wide-angle lenses allow more of the scene to be included in the photo, which is very useful for architectural, interior, and landscape photography, where you may not be able to move farther from the scene to include it all in the frame.
A full-frame wide-angle lens has a maximum focal length of 35mm. Here are the best Sony a7 wide angle lenses, including prime and zoom lenses.
🏞 Top Overall Wide Angle Zoom: Sony 16-35mm F2.8
An incredibly sharp premium lens with a very flexible & practical zoom range
Lens type: Full frame E-mount
Weight: 680 g (24 oz.)
Size (WxL): 8.8 x 12.1 cm (3.4 x 4.7 in)
Filter diameter: 82 mm (3.2 in)
Minimum focus distance: 0.28 m (0.92 ft)
Maximum magnification ratio: 0.19x
Autofocus: Yes
Image stabilization: No
Sample photos: Click here
A closer look:
Looking for the best wide angle lens for Sony a7? Look no further than the Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM. This high-performance lens is razor sharp at every setting, focuses very fast, and has a practical zoom range perfect for a variety of wide-angle situations.
This lens is impeccably sharp edge-to-edge, even when shooting wide open at f/2.8. It may be expensive, but its professional-grade performance backs up the high cost. It’s the best choice if you’re serious about wide-angle photography and want premium image quality.
In addition, it’s a great low-light lens for capturing low-lit interior architecture and starry night skies. This Sony lens also produces truly stunning bokeh, allowing you to create gorgeous creamy backgrounds. Autofocus is fast, accurate, and nearly silent.
Take note that this lens shows some vignetting and distortion, though these are easily removable via post-processing and preventable by turning on in-camera corrections.
Pros
- Razor-sharp from edge to edge
- Very fast & accurate autofocus
- Great low-light performance
- Gorgeous & smooth bokeh
Cons
- Some vignetting & distortion when uncorrected
- Pretty expensive
📸 In short, this lens is for you if: you’d like a lens with a versatile wide-angle zoom range and that doesn’t compromise one bit on image quality.
🔮 If you like this lens’s focal range but would prefer something cheaper, consider the Sony Vario-Tessar 16-35mm F4 ZA OSS. It is sharp throughout the zoom range, relatively compact, but isn’t great for low-light situations.
🏞 Top Ultra-Wide Angle Zoom: Sigma 14-24mm F2.8
An incredibly sharp super-wide-angle lens that’s also excellent for astrophotography
Lens type: Full frame E-mount
Weight: 795 g (28 oz.)
Size (WxL): 8.5 x 13.3 cm (3.3 x 5.2 in)
Filter diameter: N/A
Minimum focus distance: 0.28 m (0.91 ft)
Maximum magnification ratio: 0.14x
Autofocus: Yes
Image stabilization: No
Sample photos: Click here
A closer look:
Want an ultra-wide-angle lens capable of framing even more of the scenery? You’ll want to put the Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN Art at the top of your list.
This lens is more affordable than the previously discussed Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 GM, but that’s not all. It’s a whole 2mm wider too, with an image quality that will blow you away.
There’s impressive sharpness and contrast throughout the whole zoom range, even when shooting wide open at f/2.8. While the edges look slightly soft at f/2.8, they quickly sharpen when you stop down to f/4.
The incredible low-light performance from this lens makes it amazing for astrophotography, too. It also has excellent weather-sealed build quality, as well as really fast and accurate autofocus.
Note that this Sigma lens is prone to some vignetting, and its focal range is shorter than the Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 GM. At the end of the day, if you’re looking to shoot ultra-wide, this is a top-value option.
Pros
- Incredibly sharp even wide-open
- 2mm wider than the Sony 16-35mm F2.8
- Cheaper than the Sony 16-35mm F2.8
- Great for astrophotography too
Cons
- Shorter focal range than the Sony 16-35mm F2.8
- Some vignetting & distortion when uncorrected
📸 In short, this lens is for you if: you’re looking for a lens with an ultra-wide zoom range at a relatively affordable price.
🏞 Top Travel Wide Angle Lens: Tamron 17-28mm F2.8
The most affordable & travel-friendly wide angle zoom lens for the Sony a7 series
Lens type: Full frame E-mount
Weight: 420 g (14.8 oz.)
Size (WxL): 7.3 x 9.9 cm (2.8 x 3.8 in)
Filter diameter: 67 mm (2.6 in)
Minimum focus distance: 0.19 m (0.62 ft)
Maximum magnification ratio: 0.19x
Autofocus: Yes
Image stabilization: No
Sample photos: Click here
A closer look:
Looking for the best portable Sony a7 wide angle zoom lens? The Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 Di III RXD can’t be beat. This lens is the perfect travel-friendly gear, coming at almost half the weight of the previous two wide-angle zoom lenses.
Besides portability, it’s also the most budget-friendly Sony a7 wide-angle zoom lens. Yet, its impeccable performance delivers far beyond the budget-level norm.
Autofocus is fast and reliable on this lens, even with moving subjects. This lens is also impressively sharp in the center, even when shooting wide open at f/2.8. It delivers incredible performance in low light, too, and has minimal distortions.
Interested in filming vlogs? This lens has a very close minimum focus distance, meaning it will easily focus on you (while creating stunning bokeh) as you bring the camera up close.
On the downside, this lens might fall short if you’re looking to use your photos for very large prints or posters. In this case, either one of the previously listed wide-angle lenses (the Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 or the Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8) will provide crisper, sharper prints.
Photos taken with this Tamron truly shine on screens and small prints, though. In fact, this lens is proof you don’t have to spend a fortune to get jaw-dropping image quality.
Pros
- Lightweight & travel-friendly
- Excellent central sharpness
- Great for vlogs too
- Budget-friendly
Cons
- Not sharp enough for large prints
- Soft edges when shooting wide open
- Shorter focal range than the Sony 16-35mm F2.8
📸 In short, this lens is for you if: you don’t need large prints of your photos, and want an affordable wide-angle zoom lens that’s also lightweight and travel-friendly.
🌃 Top Low-Light Wide Angle Lens: Sony 24mm F1.4
The sharpest, lightest, least expensive, and best 24mm f/1.4 ever made
Lens type: Full frame E-mount
Weight: 445 g (15.7 oz.)
Size (WxL): 7.5 x 9.2 cm (2.9 x 3.6 in)
Filter diameter: 67 mm (2.6 in)
Minimum focus distance: 0.24 m (0.79 ft)
Maximum magnification ratio: 0.17x
Autofocus: Yes
Image stabilization: No
Sample photos: Click here
A closer look:
It’s not easy to find a wide-angle lens with a maximum aperture of f/1.4. That’s why the Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM is one of the best prime lenses for Sony a7. Its image quality is also impeccable.
Thanks to its wide f/1.4 aperture, this is the best wide-angle lens for bokeh and low-light environments. You can enjoy shooting at slow shutter speeds without having to venture into noise-inducing ISO levels.
Expect this lens to deliver amazing edge-to-edge sharpness throughout the aperture range, especially when shooting wide open. It’s also travel-friendly and lightweight to boot! Moreover, autofocus is fast, accurate, and nearly silent.
This lens may be a bit pricey, but don’t let that deter you — it’s without a doubt the lightest and sharpest 24mm f/1.4 ever made (as well as the least expensive one). If you’re serious about low-light wide-angle photography, it’s very worth the investment.
Pros
- Ultra-sharp edge-to-edge
- Travel-friendly & lightweight
- Very wide f/1.4 max aperture
- Excellent for low-light conditions
Cons
- Kind of expensive
📸 In short, this lens is for you if: you want to achieve the best bokeh in your wide-angle shots, or take a lot of low-light wide-angle shots.
🏞 Best Medium Wide Angle Lens: Sony 35mm F1.8
The best Sony a7 wide-angle prime lens for street photography & medium-wide settings
Lens type: Full frame E-mount
Weight: 280 g (9.9 oz.)
Size (WxL): 6.5 x 7.3 cm (2.5 x 2.8 in)
Filter diameter: 55 mm (2.1 in)
Minimum focus distance: 0.22 m (0.73 ft)
Maximum magnification ratio: 0.24x
Autofocus: Yes
Image stabilization: No
Sample photos: Click here
A closer look:
If you’re looking for a medium-wide angle lens, then the Sony FE 35mm f/1.8 is the best choice out there. It delivers stunning image quality and is super lightweight and travel-friendly.
This lens has a slightly wider field of view than normal, making it perfect for street photography, environmental portraits, and medium-wide architecture or landscapes that don’t require an ultra-wide focal length.
In addition, this lens is ultra-sharp from edge to edge even when shooting wide open, and autofocus is super fast and reliable. If you’re a fan of bokeh, you’ll be very pleased. You’ll also be able to get some fantastic low-light shots thanks to the f/1.8 aperture.
On the downside, this lens is quite costly for a lens of its type. There are also some visible chromatic aberrations at wider apertures, especially if there’s a high contrast between the subject and the background. However, this is easy to remove with Adobe Photoshop.
Pros
- Super lightweight & travel-friendly
- Great for medium wide-angle shots
- Ultra-sharp from edge to edge
- Excellent low-light performance
Cons
- A bit expensive
- Visible chromatic aberrations
📸 In short, this lens is for you if: you want a very travel-friendly and portable lens with a medium-wide focal length.
💸 If you’re looking for the best budget-friendly Sony a7 wide-angle lens, check out my review for the Sony FE 28mm F2.0.
🦉 The Best Sony a7 Telephoto Lenses
To capture subjects far away from you, you’ll need a telephoto lens, which typically has a minimum focal length of 70mm. You can also get a super-telephoto lens, which typically has a focal length of 300mm or more. Here are the best Sony a7 telephoto lenses.
🦉 Best Pro Telephoto Lens: Sony 70-200mm F2.8
The ultimate telephoto zoom lens for image quality, low-light performance & bokeh
Lens type: Full frame E-mount
Weight: 1480 g (52.2 oz.)
Size (WxL): 8.8 x 20 cm (3.4 x 7.8 in)
Filter diameter: 77 mm (3 in)
Minimum focus distance: 0.96 m (3.1 ft)
Maximum magnification ratio: 0.25x
Autofocus: Yes
Image stabilization: Yes
Sample photos: Click here
A closer look:
The Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS is the absolute best telephoto zoom lens for any Sony full-frame mirrorless. If you’re after the most top-notch image quality and performance, look no further than this lens.
First things first, this lens is ultra-sharp edge-to-edge throughout the zoom range, even wide-open at f/2.8. It delivers photos with extreme detail. It also focuses very fast and accurately without making any noise, which is especially handy for wildlife shots.
In addition, you’ll get incredibly stunning bokeh and fantastic low-light performance, which will come in handy for indoor events like sports and stage performances. This lens is also great for portraits thanks to its wide aperture and long focal range.
This lens is very expensive and heavy. It’s no doubt that it offers incredible value for money, but it’s definitely more suitable for professional photographers and serious amateurs.
If photography is just a casual hobby for you, I recommend the much cheaper Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 mentioned below.
Pros
- Impeccably sharp edge-to-edge
- Super fast & accurate autofocus
- Excellent low-light performance
- Gorgeous bokeh
Cons
- Very expensive
- Very heavy
📸 In short, this lens is for you if: you want the sharpest, most professional-looking telephoto shots — even when shooting in low-light conditions.
🦉 Best Value Tele Lens: Tamron 70-180mm F2.8
A lightweight & affordable telephoto zoom lens that doesn’t compromise on image quality
Lens type: Full frame E-mount
Weight: 810 g (28.5 oz.)
Size (WxL): 8.1 x 14.9 cm (3.1 x 5.8 in)
Filter diameter: 67 mm (2.6 in)
Minimum focus distance: 0.85 m (2.7 ft)
Maximum magnification ratio: 0.21x
Autofocus: Yes
Image stabilization: No
Sample photos: Click here
A closer look:
The Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VXD is the best lower-priced alternative to the previously mentioned Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 and the top value f/2.8 telephoto zoom lens in the market.
This lens is impressively lightweight and compact for its kind. In fact, it comes at a whole 670 g (23.6 oz.) lighter than the Sony 70-200mm f/2.8! If you’re wondering what’s the catch… there is none. You’d be surprised that its image quality is still incredible.
In fact, this lens delivers fantastic sharpness in the center of the frame throughout the whole zoom range — even when shooting wide open at f/2.8. It’s also great for portraits, and focuses quickly, quietly, and accurately.
This lens can also tackle low-light situations really well. While the bokeh it produces isn’t quite as smooth as what you’d get with the Sony 70-200mm f/2.8, it’s still beautiful. Unless you’re a professional, you likely won’t even spot the difference.
Note that if you’re planning to shoot far-off subjects like wildlife, you might be better off with the Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 (which offers 20mm more focal reach) or any of the lenses below.
Pros
- Very sharp even at f/2.8
- Lightweight & compact
- Fantastic low-light performance
- Incredible value for money
Cons
- Max focal length is only 180mm
- Soft edges at 180mm
- Some vignetting & distortions when uncorrected
📸 In short, this lens is for you if: you’re more of a hobbyist than a professional and want a relatively affordable, lightweight telephoto zoom lens with great low-light performance.
🦉 Best Tele + Macro Lens: Sony 100-400mm F4.5-5.6
A razor-sharp telephoto lens that also outperforms many specialized macro lenses
Lens type: Full frame E-mount
Weight: 1395 g (49.3 oz.)
Size (WxL): 9.3 x 20.5 cm (3.6 x 8 in)
Filter diameter: 77 mm (3 in)
Minimum focus distance: 0.98 m (3.22 ft)
Maximum magnification ratio: 0.35x
Autofocus: Yes
Image stabilization: Yes
Sample photos: Click here
A closer look:
When it comes to performance, versatility, and image quality, the Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS is hands-down the best super-telephoto zoom lens. It also has a maximum magnification ratio of 0.35x, allowing it to double as a powerful macro lens.
This lens is rather pricey, but it truly offers unbelievable image quality. It also allows you to shoot practically anything, from fast-motion sports and small insects to wildlife.
This lens is razor-sharp edge-to-edge, even when shooting wide-open at 400mm. It can track moving subjects with ease, making it a valuable asset for sports and wildlife shots. What’s more, autofocus is very accurate, silent, and fast.
This lens also has faster autofocus than many specialized macro lenses. Plus, its long focal length allows you to stand far away from small subjects like insects so as to not scare them away. It truly replaces the need for a macro lens.
Note that this lens is quite expensive. The Sony 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 comes at a lower price with 200mm more zoom reach, though it isn’t very good for macro shots.
This lens also has a narrow max aperture, so it isn’t the best option for low-light conditions. It can take a while for it to focus on small subjects under dim lighting.
Pros
- Impressively sharp even at 400mm
- Doubles as a spectacular macro lens
- Accurately tracks moving subjects
- Beautiful & smooth bokeh
Cons
- Not the best low-light performance
- Quite expensive
- Very heavy
📸 In short, this lens is for you if: you want razor-sharp image quality but don’t require low-light performance, and you plan to shoot macro & close-ups with a telephoto lens.
🦉 Most Versatile Tele Lens: Sony 70-300mm F4.5-5.6
A general-purpose telephoto lens with a great zoom range & approachable price
Lens type: Full frame E-mount
Weight: 854 g (30.2 oz.)
Size (WxL): 8.4 x 14.3 cm (3.3 x 5.6 in)
Filter diameter: 72 mm (2.8 in)
Minimum focus distance: 0.9 m (2.96 ft)
Maximum magnification ratio: 0.31x
Autofocus: Yes
Image stabilization: Yes
Sample photos: Click here
A closer look:
The Sony FE 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G OSS is a fantastic choice for you if you would like a lens with more focal reach than the cheaper Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 but can’t afford the previously discussed Sony 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6.
This powerful Sony lens is very multi-purposeful and versatile — its mighty zoom range is excellent for shooting sports, events, and wildlife, and it can even dabble in some macro and casual portraits, too.
This lens produces impressive image quality, despite it not being as sharp as the more expensive Sony 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6. It delivers fantastic central sharpness throughout the zoom range, although corner sharpness at 300mm is rather poor.
For a telephoto zoom of this caliber, this lens is also impressively compact and lightweight. Moreover, it can double as a macro lens thanks to its mighty focal reach and ability to focus very closely. Autofocus is accurate and fast under good lighting conditions.
The downside of this lens is that it does not deliver reliable low-light performance. It struggles to consistently lock focus under dim lighting. Plus, while it has a relatively accessible cost, it’s certainly not the cheapest option for a fairly slow lens.
Overall, if edge-to-edge sharpness when shooting wide-open isn’t a necessity for you, and you’re not concerned about low-light performance, then the size, reach, and price of this lens may just be what you’re looking for.
Pros
- Very multi-purposeful zoom range
- Excellent central sharpness
- Great for wildlife, portraits & macro
- Great combo of size, reach & price
Cons
- Underperforms in dim lighting
- Corners are soft at 300mm
- A bit pricey for a relatively slow lens
📸 In short, this lens is for you if: you’re looking for a versatile telephoto lens with a mighty zoom range, and you don’t require ultimate sharpness or low-light performance.
🦉 Best Super-Tele Lens: Sony 200-600mm F5.6-6.3
The ultimate Sony a7 lens for wildlife photography & super far-off subjects
Lens type: Full frame E-mount
Weight: 2115 g (74.7 oz.)
Size (WxL): 11.1 x 31.8 cm (4.3 x 12.5 in)
Filter diameter: 95 mm (3.7 in)
Minimum focus distance: 2.4 m (7.88 ft)
Maximum magnification ratio: 0.2x
Autofocus: Yes
Image stabilization: Yes
Sample photos: Click here
A closer look:
The Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS is the best value Sony a7 lens you can get if you want to shoot subjects very far away from you, such as wildlife. Despite the mighty telephoto reach of this lens, there’s barely any compromise on image quality.
Price-wise, this lens also offers incredible value for money as it’s even cheaper than the shorter Sony 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM (mentioned above). It also has an impressive weather-sealed build.
This lens is ultra-sharp edge-to-edge throughout the focal range. While bokeh is generally not a strong suit of lenses with such narrow apertures, this lens actually delivers really nice bokeh. Moreover, autofocus is fast, accurate, and practically silent.
Note that this lens is necessarily big and heavy, and also doesn’t perform too well in low-light situations. It can take a while for it to focus in dim lighting, and you’ll most likely have to use noisy ISO settings too.
If you’re deciding between this lens and the Sony 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM, note that if you primarily shoot wildlife, then you’ll largely benefit from the 600mm focal length of this lens. On the other hand, the 100-400mm is a better lens for macro and landscapes.
Pros
- Ultra-sharp edge to edge
- Very long telephoto reach
- High-quality weather-sealed build
- Really beautiful bokeh
Cons
- Not great in low-light
- Necessarily big & heavy
📸 In short, this lens is for you if: focal reach is your #1 priority — you want a telephoto lens that lets you reach as far away as possible (especially useful when shooting wildlife).
🦉 Best Budget Tele Lens: Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3
A high-quality, sharp & lightweight lens that offers incredible value for money
Lens type: Full frame E-mount
Weight: 1140 g (40.2 oz.)
Size (WxL): 8.6 x 19.9 cm (3.4 x 7.8 in)
Filter diameter: 67 mm (2.6 in)
Minimum focus distance: 1.12 m (3.6 ft)
Maximum magnification ratio: 0.24x
Autofocus: Yes
Image stabilization: Yes
Sample photos: Click here
A closer look:
The Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS is a very lightweight and reasonably priced super-telephoto lens that delivers stunning image quality and fantastic value for money.
This Sigma lens delivers great sharpness throughout the whole zoom range. Even corners are impressively sharp, though they’re a bit softer than the center at all focal lengths.
Planning to shoot far-off subjects like sports, wildlife, or close-up landscapes but don’t want to spend a fortune? This lens is the best budget-friendly option you can get for that.
Autofocus is fast, accurate, and silent under good lighting conditions. It tracks fast-moving subjects effortlessly, too. Moreover, you’ll find very minimal flares, color-fringing, ghosting, or distortions.
On the downside, this lens is not weather-sealed, and the Sony E-mount version of it is incompatible with teleconverters. Due to its narrow aperture, this lens is also not the best for smooth bokeh or low-light photography.
In fact, under dim lighting, autofocus is slow and might hunt for a while. You might also need to use noisy ISO settings when shooting in low light.
Pros
- Very sharp throughout the zoom range
- Lightweight for a 100-400mm zoom
- Tracks fast-moving subjects well
- Really good reach for its price
Cons
- Not weather-sealed
- Incompatible with teleconverters
- Not the best low-light performance
- Bokeh is not the smoothest
📸 In short, this lens is for you if: you want the most budget-friendly telephoto lens that doesn’t compromise on image quality, and you don’t require excellent low-light performance.
⚙️ The Best Sony a7 Teleconverter Lenses
A teleconverter gives your lens more telephoto reach by magnifying the images made by it. It fits in between the camera body and the lens and helps you get even closer to your subjects.
Bear in mind, though, that not all lenses are compatible with the best teleconverters. By using them, you’ll also be reducing the maximum aperture of your lens, and sometimes, the general image quality of your shots. Here are the best two teleconverters for Sony a7 cameras.
Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter (SEL14TC)
Weight: 167 g (5.8 oz.)
Size (WxL): 6.2 x 3.3 cm (2.4 x 1.2 in)
Only compatible with these lenses:
Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM
Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM
Sony FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G
Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM
Sony FE 600mm F4 GM
The Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter extends the reach of some of the best Sony a7 telephoto lenses to the following lengths. Keep in mind, though, that it’ll do so by sacrificing one full aperture stop.
- Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 — reach extended to 280mm, max aperture reduced to f/4
- Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 — reach extended to 560mm, max aperture reduced to f/6.3-8
- Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 — reach extended to 840mm, max aperture reduced to f/8-9
Pros
- Increases focal reach by 1.4x
- Very little image sharpness loss
- Autofocus performance is unaffected
- Lightweight & compact
Cons
- Sacrifices one full aperture stop
- A bit more vignetting when wide-open
- Not cheap
Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter (SEL20TC)
Weight: 207 g (7.3 oz.)
Size (WxL): 6.2 x 4.2 cm (2.4 x 1.6 in)
Only compatible with these lenses:
Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM
Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM
Sony FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G
Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM
Sony FE 600mm F4 GM
The Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter extends the reach of some of the best Sony a7 telephoto lenses to the following lengths. Keep in mind, though, that it’ll do so by sacrificing two full aperture stops.
- Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 — reach extended to 400mm, max aperture reduced to f/5.6
- Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 — reach extended to 800mm, max aperture reduced to f/9-11
- Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 — reach extended to 1200mm, max aperture reduced to f/11-13
Pros
- Increases focal reach by 2x
- Autofocus performance is still really good under bright lighting
- Lightweight & compact
Cons
- Sacrifices two full aperture stops
- Overall image sharpness is reduced a bit
- Poorer autofocus performance in dim light
💸 The Best Sony a7 Budget Lenses
If you’re looking to pair your Sony a7 series camera with some high-quality budget lenses, you are spoilt for choice. Here are the absolute best cheap lenses for Sony a7 cameras.
💸 Best Budget Everyday Lens: Sony FE 50mm F1.8
An incredibly portable lens perfect for everyday shots, casual portraits & low light
Lens type: Full frame E-mount
Weight: 186 g (6.6 oz.)
Size (WxL): 6.8 x 5.9 cm (2.6 x 2.3 in)
Filter diameter: 49 mm (1.9 in)
Minimum focus distance: 0.45 m (1.48 ft)
Maximum magnification ratio: 0.14x
Autofocus: Yes
Image stabilization: No
Sample photos: Click here
A closer look:
The Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 is a very affordable and compact lens that’s excellent for casual everyday shots. Weighing only 186 g (6.6 oz.), this lens is super portable and travel-friendly.
This prime lens’s wide aperture is its main strength; expect spectacular bokeh and incredible low-light performance. You can also expect very high image quality and fantastic edge-to-edge sharpness at every aperture.
With this lens’s wide aperture and focal length, you can also take very decent casual portraits. With that said, if you’re serious about portrait photography, the Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 is an even better budget portrait lens for the Sony a7.
This lens shows excellent flare and ghost control, and no distortions. It truly offers immense value for money given its impressive performance and affordable cost.
Note that because of its low price, this lens has rather slow and noisy autofocus. If you want to catch every fleeting moment and shoot fast, you’re better off with the Sony FE 28mm f/2.0, a budget lens that focuses faster and that’s great for everyday shots, too.
Pros
- Very small & portable
- Very budget-friendly
- Impressive edge-to-edge sharpness
- Excellent low-light performance
Cons
- Slow autofocus speed
- Slightly noisy autofocus
📸 In short, this lens is for you if: you’re on the hunt for an incredibly portable and affordable lens for general everyday shots and casual portraits.
💸 Best Budget Wide Angle Lens: Sony 28mm F2.0
A very lightweight & travel-friendly lens perfect for landscape & architecture shots
Lens type: Full frame E-mount
Weight: 200 g (7.1 oz.)
Size (WxL): 6.4 x 6 cm (2.5 x 2.3 in)
Filter diameter: 49 mm (1.9 in)
Minimum focus distance: 0.29 m (0.96 ft)
Maximum magnification ratio: 0.13x
Autofocus: Yes
Image stabilization: No
Sample photos: Click here
🔮 Also chosen as: The Best Vlogging Lens for Sony a7 Cameras
If you’re on the hunt for a travel-friendly budget lens with a wide focal length, then the Sony FE 28mm f/2.0 is for you. This lightweight lens is great for landscape and architecture shots and offers amazing value for money, especially given its low price.
This lens shows impressive central sharpness, even when shooting wide-open. It also performs really well in low light thanks to its wide aperture, allowing you to capture stunning starry night shots. Bokeh is also beautiful and smooth.
Expect minimal distortions and great ghost & flare control with this lens. Autofocus is ultrafast, accurate, and practically silent, while focusing manually is also extremely easy; you can do so with just a fingertip. What’s more, the build quality of this lens is nice and sturdy.
On the downside, when shooting wide open, the edges look a bit soft. To achieve sharp corners, you’ll have to stop down to around f/11.
Chromatic aberrations are also fairly high towards the corners of the frame when shooting wide-open, though you can get this under control by stopping down to about f/4.
Pros
- Lightweight & travel-friendly
- Impressive central sharpness
- Amazing build quality
- Fantastic low-light performance
Cons
- Edges are soft wide-open
- High chromatic aberrations at the edges when shooting wide open
📸 In short, this lens is for you if: you want a budget-friendly and lightweight wide-angle lens for landscapes and casual everyday shots.
💸 More Budget-Friendly Sony a7 Lenses
What’s considered budget-friendly is quite subjective. Some of these lenses are cheaper than others. Regardless, they’re the most affordable high-quality lenses for their categories.
- ⚙️ The best budget Sony a7 standard zoom lens: Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
- 👧🏻 The best budget Sony a7 portrait lens: Sony FE 85mm F1.8
- 🦉 The best budget Sony a7 telephoto lens: Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS
- 🐝 The best budget Sony a7 macro lens: Sigma 70mm F2.8 DG Macro Art
- 🎥 The best budget Sony a7 video lens: Sony FE 28mm F2.0
👧🏻 The Best Sony a7 Portrait Lenses
To take the best portraits, look for a prime lens with a focal length of 85mm or longer. Prime lenses have very wide apertures, allowing you to create stunning bokeh, a shallow depth of field, and better subject-background separation — all of which would enhance your portraits. Here are the best Sony a7 prime lenses for portraits.
👧🏻 The Best Value Portrait Lens: Sony FE 85mm F1.8
A spectacularly sharp, fast & portable lens with the same quality as pricier lenses
Lens type: Full frame E-mount
Weight: 371 g (13.1 oz.)
Size (WxL): 7.8 x 8.2 cm (3 x 3.2 in)
Filter diameter: 67 mm (2.6 in)
Minimum focus distance: 0.80 m (2.63 ft)
Maximum magnification ratio: 0.13x
Autofocus: Yes
Image stabilization: No
Sample photos: Click here
A closer look:
If you’re looking for the best value portrait lens, the Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 takes the cake. This lens is ultra-sharp, produces beautiful bokeh for blurry backgrounds, and has the perfect focal length for portraits. On top of that, it’s also very small and lightweight.
This lens offers spectacular value for money. It’s ultra-sharp from corner to corner at every aperture. In fact, according to Sony’s MTF chart, it’s possibly even sharper than the more expensive premium Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM.
Bokeh is very important for good portraits, and this lens is a bokeh king. It’ll allow you to create beautifully smooth out-of-focus backgrounds for your subjects. This lens also shows fantastic low-light performance.
Autofocus on this lens is fast, reliable, and completely silent. Moreover, you’ll barely see any distortions, ghosts, or flare. While you’ll see strong vignettes at wider f-stops, they can be easily removed in post-processing via Lightroom.
Overall, this lens is truly a must-have if you’re serious about portraits. You’ll essentially get the same value as the premium Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM while paying much less and dragging around 450 g (15.8 oz.) less weight.
Pros
- Sharper than more premium lenses
- Compact & lightweight
- Breathtaking bokeh
- Exceptional value for money
Cons
- Strong vignettes at wider f-stops
📸 In short, this lens is for you if: you’d like a small and portable portrait lens with spectacular image quality, low-light performance, and bokeh.
👧🏻 The Sharpest Portrait Lens: Sony FE 135mm F1.8
The best portrait lens for creamy bokeh & the best subject-background separation
Lens type: Full frame E-mount
Weight: 950 g (33.6 oz.)
Size (WxL): 8.9 x 12.7 cm (3.5 x 5 in)
Filter diameter: 82 mm (3.2 in)
Minimum focus distance: 0.70 m (2.3 ft)
Maximum magnification ratio: 0.25x
Autofocus: Yes
Image stabilization: No
Sample photos: Click here
A closer look:
If you want the most top-notch image quality, then the Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM is the ultimate portrait lens to get. According to expert Roger Cicala from LensRentals, out of 300+ lenses, this is the sharpest lens he’s ever tested.
This lens is ultrasharp edge-to-edge even when shooting wide open (at f/1.8). You’ll get details so rich that you don’t even have to sharpen your photos at all in post-processing!
This lens creates super smooth and creamy bokeh, so your subjects can sharply stand out against the background. The telephoto reach here is also perfect for headshots and closeups.
Autofocus is insanely fast and reliable, making it easy to capture quick fleeting moments (such as during weddings). And with the Sony a7 cameras’ in-camera corrections turned on, you’ll see no distortions. Ghosts and flares are minimal, too.
The only significant downside of this lens is that it’s pretty heavy, bulky, and expensive. However, if you’re serious about portrait photography and want the sharpest results possible, then there’s really no better lens to invest in.
Pros
- Possibly the sharpest lens ever
- Insanely fast & reliable autofocus
- Incredibly smooth & creamy bokeh
- Excellent low-light performance
Cons
- Heavy & bulky
- Pretty expensive
📸 In short, this lens is for you if: you want the sharpest portraits, the creamiest bokeh, and very fast autofocus in order to catch fleeting moments (such as during weddings).
👧🏻 The Best Portrait + Macro Lens: Sony 90mm F2.8
A very user-friendly macro lens that also doubles as a spectacularly sharp portrait lens
Lens type: Full frame E-mount
Weight: 602 g (21.3 oz.)
Size (WxL): 7.9 x 13 cm (3.1 x 5.1 in)
Filter diameter: 62 mm (2.4 in)
Minimum focus distance: 0.28 m (0.92 ft)
Maximum magnification ratio: 1.0x
Autofocus: Yes
Image stabilization: Yes
Sample photos: Click here
A closer look:
The Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS is one of the sharpest Sony lenses ever made and will allow you to get impeccably fine details in your portraits. On top of that, it’s also a specialized macro lens, meaning you can also use it to shoot bugs, flowers, and other small subjects.
This multi-purposeful lens serves up exceptional value. It delivers flawless edge-to-edge sharpness at every aperture as well as spectacular bokeh. You also won’t see any distortions, ghosts, or flares. Thanks to its wide aperture, it also performs superbly in low-light situations.
What’s more, autofocus is very accurate, fast, and practical. All it takes to switch between manual focus and autofocus is pushing the focus ring out or pulling it back in. It’s all very intuitive — there’s no need to flip a switch (there’s not even an AF/MF switch on this lens!).
The only downside is that autofocus is fairly noisy, which might be disruptive when shooting in quiet environments. Overall, though, this lens delivers truly exceptional image quality and is one of the most user-friendly portrait + macro lenses available.
Pros
- One of the sharpest Sony lenses ever
- Incredibly user-friendly
- Fantastic for both macro & portraits
- Stunning & smooth bokeh
Cons
- Autofocus can be a bit noisy
📸 In short, this lens is for you if: you’re looking for a flawlessly sharp and user-friendly lens to take portraits and macro shots.
🔮 Looking for more portrait lenses? Check out my review for the Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA. Although it has a shorter focal length, it’s great for environmental portraits, street photography, and top-notch videography.
🎥 The Best Sony a7 Video Lenses
When choosing the best video lens for Sony a7 cameras, first look for a lens with a fixed aperture. This will ensure that the exposure level of your videos can stay constant even as you zoom in and out — making these transitions smooth and natural.
You’d probably also want a lens with a large max aperture (f/2.8 or wider) in order to create stunning bokeh effects and get good results in low light.
If you’re planning to vlog, look for a wide-angle lens (max 35mm focal length) with a minimum focus distance of around 0.30 m (1 ft) or less so that you can easily stay in focus while talking to the camera. Here are the best Sony a7 lenses for videos.
🎥 Best Everyday Video Lens: Tamron 28-75mm F2.8
A top value everyday zoom lens with a great focal range & super sharp video quality
Lens type: Full frame E-mount
Weight: 540 g (19 oz.)
Size (WxL): 7.5 x 11.7 cm (2.9 x 4.6 in)
Filter diameter: 67 mm (2.6 in)
Minimum focus distance: 0.18 m (0.59 ft)
Maximum magnification ratio: 0.34x
Autofocus: Yes
Image stabilization: No
Sample photos: Click here
🔮 Also chosen as: The Best All-Around Sony a7 Series Lens
The Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 is the most affordable, lightweight, and versatile choice for shooting high-quality 4K videos.
To start off, the 28-75mm zoom range makes this lens very versatile and multi-purposeful. It’s perfect for a variety of everyday videos and can beautifully capture everything from landscapes to close-ups of people.
Video quality is super sharp and crisp throughout the zoom range, and for an f/2.8 standard zoom, this lens is also unusually lightweight and travel-friendly.
Additionally, its f/2.8 aperture will not only allow you to get high-quality videos even in low-light; it’ll also create stunning bokeh, especially if you zoom in on your subjects.
The fixed aperture of this lens will also allow you to create smooth and natural transitions as you zoom in or out while filming. Given its reasonable price, this is truly a top-value everyday video lens that’s worth every penny.
Pros
- Super sharp & crisp video quality
- Smooth & stunning bokeh
- Excellent low-light performance
- Lightweight & compact
Cons
- Some vignetting wide-open
- Some color fringing
📸 In short, this lens is for you if: you’d like the flexibility of a good zoom range to shoot a variety of sharp, high-quality everyday videos.
🎥 Best Video + Portrait Lens: Sony FE 55mm F1.8
A ridiculously sharp lens perfect for videos, bokeh-lovers, portraits & street shots
Lens type: Full frame E-mount
Weight: 281 g (10 oz.)
Size (WxL): 6.4 x 7 cm (2.5 x 2.7 in)
Filter diameter: 49 mm (1.9 in)
Minimum focus distance: 0.5 m (1.64 ft)
Maximum magnification ratio: 0.14x
Autofocus: Yes
Image stabilization: No
Sample photos: Click here
A closer look:
The Sony FE 55mm f/1.8 ZA is one of the sharpest Sony lenses out there and delivers impeccable photo and video quality. Perfect for both videos and portraits, it’s also pretty multi-purposeful.
This lens’s wide aperture is a big asset. Bokeh is incredibly smooth (even topping the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 mentioned above), and even under dim lighting, this lens produces crisp, gorgeous, and noise-free photos and videos.
On top of that, this lens doubles as a casual portrait and street photography lens thanks to its 55mm focal length (which is close to the human eye level) and f/1.8 aperture for bokeh.
Autofocus is very reliable, fast, and silent. This lens is also very lightweight, weighing a mere 281 g (10 oz.), and its small size makes it incredibly portable.
If we had to find a downside, it’s that this lens isn’t the most affordable option, especially if you compare it to the much cheaper Sony FE 50mm f/1.8. However, the latter lens suffers from slow autofocus, and at the end of the day, you get what you invest in.
Given its travel-friendly design, fast f/1.8 aperture, and exceptional image/video quality, the Sony FE 55mm f/1.8 ZA definitely offers immense value for money.
Pros
- One of the sharpest Sony lenses
- Impeccable video & image quality
- Great for portraits & street shots too
- Lightweight, small, and portable
Cons
- Not the cheapest lens
📸 In short, this lens is for you if: you want to take ultra-sharp videos and street shots, love smooth bokeh, and like to pack light.
🎥 The Best Lens for Vlogging: Sony 28mm F2.0
An ultra-fast, portable & budget-friendly lens that makes vlogging super easy
Lens type: Full frame E-mount
Weight: 200 g (7.1 oz.)
Size (WxL): 6.4 x 6 cm (2.5 x 2.3 in)
Filter diameter: 49 mm (1.9 in)
Minimum focus distance: 0.29 m (0.96 ft)
Maximum magnification ratio: 0.13x
Autofocus: Yes
Image stabilization: No
Sample photos: Click here
🔮 Also chosen as: The Best Budget Wide-Angle Lens
The Sony FE 28mm f/2.0 is a spectacular vlogging lens thanks to its wide 28mm focal length, close minimum focusing distance, and bright f/2.0 aperture.
This incredibly small and lightweight lens is super easy to vlog with. It focuses ultra-fast and very silently, and its wide focal length allows you to easily talk to the camera.
You’ll get fantastic bokeh even when shooting selfie videos and will get excellent video quality in low light as well. On top of all that, this lens is very budget-friendly, has a great build quality, and delivers sharp results.
The only downside is that you’ll get some soft edges and chromatic aberrations when shooting wide open. As you increase the aperture value, though, these issues fade away.
Pros
- Very sharp video quality
- Super lightweight & travel-friendly
- Beautifully smooth bokeh
- Excellent low-light performance
Cons
- Edges are soft wide-open
📸 In short, this lens is for you if: you’d like a very travel-friendly and affordable video lens to shoot tons of vlogs.
✈️ The Best Sony a7 Travel Lenses
Planning to take your Sony a7 camera on your next big trip? Consider a small, lightweight, and portable lens. A nice versatile zoom range might also come in handy if you want to shoot a variety of subjects. Here are the absolute best Sony a7 lenses to travel with.
- ✈️ Best standard zoom travel lens: Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 — light & great zoom range
- 🏞 Best wide-angle travel lens: Tamron 17-28mm F2.8 — light & great for landscapes
- 🦉 Best wildlife travel lens: Sony 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 — light & great telephoto reach
- 🎥 Best vlogging travel lens: Sony 28mm F2.0 — very light & wide focal length
- 🏙 Best street photography lens: Sony 55mm F1.8 — light & eye-level focal length
- 🌌 Best astrophotography travel lens: Sony 14mm F1.8 — light & wide aperture
- 🔭 Best all-in-one travel lens: Tamron 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 — versatile zoom range
🔍 The Best Sony a7 Macro Lenses
If you want to take detailed, close-up shots of small subjects such as insects, flowers, or water droplets, then I strongly recommend getting a specialized macro lens.
Macro lenses have a 1:1 magnification ratio and typically, a minimum focusing distance of around 0.30 m (0.98 ft) or less. This allows you to get extremely sharp and detailed close-ups of microscopic subjects.
To get macro shots of insects and bugs, consider a lens with a focal length of at least 90mm so that you can shoot from further away — if you get too close to them, you might scare them away. For medium-sized subjects like flowers, food, or products, any focal length above 60mm would suffice.
🐝 Best Macro Lens for Insects: Sony FE 90mm F2.8
One of the sharpest Sony lenses ever made that’s incredibly user-friendly & versatile
Lens type: Full frame E-mount
Weight: 602 g (21.3 oz.)
Size (WxL): 7.9 x 13 cm (3.1 x 5.1 in)
Filter diameter: 62 mm (2.4 in)
Minimum focus distance: 0.28 m (0.92 ft)
Maximum magnification ratio: 1.0x
Autofocus: Yes
Image stabilization: Yes
Sample photos: Click here
A closer look:
The Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS is the absolute best Sony a7 macro lens for shooting very tiny subjects such as insects, bugs, and water droplets. Moreover, this lens doubles as a fantastically sharp portrait lens, too.
It’s no doubt that you’ll get incredible value with this lens. It is one of the sharpest Sony lenses ever built and is flawlessly sharp at all apertures, even wide-open.
Bokeh is super smooth and beautiful, and autofocus is very fast and accurate. Better yet, to switch between autofocus and manual focus, you just need to push the focus ring out or pull it back in — there’s no need to flip a switch!
Moreover, this lens’s 90mm focal length allows you to shoot comfortably from further away, and you won’t have to risk blocking light or scaring bugs away by getting too close.
This lens performs fantastically in low-light situations and shows no distortions, flares, or ghosts. If I’m being picky, the only downside is that autofocus can be a bit noisy, which might be disruptive when shooting in quiet environments.
All in all, this is the ultimate lens to get if you’re serious about macro photography and want the most exceptional image quality. When it comes to user-friendliness, quality, and performance, this lens is truly hard to beat.
Pros
- One of the sharpest Sony lenses ever
- Incredibly user-friendly
- Fantastic for both macro & portraits
- Very easy AF/MF switch system
Cons
- Autofocus can be a bit noisy
📸 In short, this lens is for you if: you want to photograph very tiny subjects such as insects, bugs, and water droplets and want the utmost image quality.
🌸 Best Macro Lens for Flowers: Sigma 70mm F2.8
A lightweight & affordable lens perfect for sharp close-ups of medium-sized subjects
Lens type: Full frame E-mount
Weight: 570 g (20.1 oz.)
Size (WxL): 7 x 13.2 cm (2.8 x 5.2 in)
Filter diameter: 49 mm (1.9 in)
Minimum focus distance: 0.25 m (0.82 ft)
Maximum magnification ratio: 1.0x
Autofocus: Yes
Image stabilization: No
Sample photos: Click here
A closer look:
The Sigma 70mm f/2.8 DG Macro Art is a lightweight and affordable macro lens that delivers impeccable, razor-sharp images. This lens offers exceptional value if you’re planning to capture detailed close-ups of flowers, food, and other medium-sized subjects.
While you can also use this lens to photograph insects and bugs, the previously discussed Sony 90mm f/2.8 is definitely the better option for that as it allows you to shoot from further away, without scaring away these tiny creatures.
This Sigma lens is razor-sharp edge-to-edge. Chromatic aberrations are very well-controlled, and there are very minimal signs of ghosts, flares, and distortions.
Moreover, its wide f/2.8 aperture will help you achieve beautifully creamy bokeh and excellent results in low light.
On the downside, this lens isn’t weather-sealed, and autofocus is pretty slow, especially in dim lighting. Slow autofocus is one reason this lens isn’t the best for shooting insects and bugs; it may not have a chance to focus before these fast-moving subjects fly off.
Pros
- Razor-sharp edge-to-edge
- Smooth & creamy bokeh
- Excellent low-light performance
- Fantastic value for money
Cons
- Autofocus is a bit slow
- Not weather-sealed
📸 In short, this lens is for you if: you want to take super sharp and crisp close-ups of flowers, food, products, and other medium-sized subjects.
🔮 As you may remember from earlier, the Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM is a fantastic telephoto lens that also doubles as a macro lens. It’s another great option to consider if you’re planning to shoot wildlife or sports, too.
🌌 The Best Sony a7 Astrophotography Lenses
To capture a starry night sky or the Milky Way, you’ll need a lens that’s great for astrophotography. Ideally, this would be an ultra-wide-angle lens (which has a max focal length of around 24mm) so that you can frame a lot more of the sky in one shot.
More importantly, this lens should have a wide maximum aperture — at least f/2.8 or wider. Otherwise, your shots are likely to come out grainy. Make sure that this lens is also sharp — preferably corner-to-corner — when shooting wide-open.
Ideally, this lens should also have minimal chromatic aberrations, low vignetting, and good coma control. Here are the best Sony a7 astrophotography lenses.
🌌 The Ultimate Astro Lens: Sony FE 14mm F1.8
A razor-sharp wide-angle lens that has everything you need for stunning dark sky shots
Lens type: Full frame E-mount
Weight: 460 g (16.3 oz.)
Size (WxL): 8.3 x 9.9 cm (3.2 x 3.8 in)
Filter diameter: 49 mm (1.9 in)
Min. focus distance: 0.25 m (0.82 ft)
Maximum magnification ratio: 0.10x
Autofocus: Yes
Image stabilization: No
Sample photos: Click here
A closer look:
The Sony FE 14mm F1.8 GM truly has everything you’d dream of in an astrophotography lens and more. First off, it’s very lightweight and travel-friendly. In fact, it’s the smallest, lightest, and sharpest 14mm in the world.
Its ultra-wide 14mm focal length is perfect for shooting dark nights, as it allows you to capture a lot more of the sky. The f/1.8 aperture will also ensure that your shots will be noise-free even in dark lighting.
Image quality is simply impeccable. In fact, this lens is razor-sharp edge-to-edge, even wide-open at f/1.8, which is exactly what you need in an ideal astrophotography lens.
This lens also focuses manually (autofocus will be pretty useless in such dark settings), has very low chromatic aberrations, and shows no significant coma or vignetting – all of which are important things to look for in an astrophotography lens.
So, while this lens may be a bit pricey, it’ll give you the ultimate image quality and is worth every single penny if you’re serious about dark sky shots.
Pros
- Ultra-sharp edge to edge
- Lightweight & travel-friendly
- Very low chromatic aberrations
- Superb weather-sealed build
Cons
- A bit pricey
📸 In short, this lens is for you if: you want a travel-friendly wide-angle lens with flawless image quality so that you can take the absolute best dark sky shots.
🔮 The Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM (the overall top Sony a7 wide lens) is another amazing lens for astrophotography. It’s sharp edge-to-edge even wide-open and has minimal chromatic aberrations.
🥞 The Best Sony a7 Pancake Lens
Unfortunately, pancake lenses have nothing to do with delicious breakfast carbs or maple syrup. They’re simply super small and lightweight lenses — so light that you’ll barely feel their weight at all. These lenses are especially great for travel and street photography, and perfect for minimalists and those who enjoy packing light.
🥞 The Best Pancake Lens: Sony FE 35mm F2.8
The most lightweight & compact general-purpose lens for Sony a7 cameras
Lens type: Full frame E-mount
Weight: 120 g (4.3 oz.)
Size (WxL): 6.1 x 3.6 cm (2.4 x 1.4 in)
Filter diameter: 49 mm (1.9 in)
Minimum focus distance: 0.35 m (1.15 ft)
Maximum magnification ratio: 0.12x
Autofocus: Yes
Image stabilization: No
Sample photos: Click here
A closer look:
The Sony Sonnar T* FE 35mm F2.8 ZA is essentially the smallest lens for Sony a7 that you can get. Weighing a mere 120 g (4.3 oz.), this lens is the perfect choice for the ultimate minimalists and those who love to pack light.
Its focal length is great for landscapes, architecture, street photography, and general everyday shots. Despite its small size, there’s very little compromise on image quality.
This lens is ultra-sharp even at f/2.8 across the whole frame. Bokeh is beautifully smooth especially if you shoot at f/2.8, although you might see some onion rings from time to time. Autofocus is impressively fast and very silent too.
There’s also great ghost control and minimal flares. The wide aperture of this lens will also help you get high-quality, noise-free shots in low light. In addition, the build quality is very sturdy and weather-sealed.
On the downside, there’s some visible barrel distortion as well as vignetting. You can easily prevent distortions by turning on in-camera corrections on your Sony a7 camera, though, and vignettes are easily removable via Adobe Lightroom.
This lens is not cheap, but if having a lens that weighs close to nothing would make a big difference for you, then it’s definitely worth the investment.
Pros
- The smallest Sony a7 lens out there
- Very impressive image quality
- Excellent low-light performance
- Sturdy & weather-sealed
Cons
- Some vignetting
- Some barrel distortion when uncorrected
- Not very cheap
📸 In short, this lens is for you if: you’re a minimalist and want the smallest and lightest high-quality lens you can find.
💭 Final Thoughts on These Sony a7 Compatible Lenses
I hope you enjoyed this guide on the top lenses for the Sony a7 series cameras! If you have any questions at all, feel free to leave a comment below and I’ll try my best to help you 🙂
I hope this comprehensive guide on the best lenses for Sony a7 has been helpful!
For more Sony lens recommendations, discover:
🔭 25 Best Lenses for Sony a7III
📸 25 Best Lenses for Sony a7 IV
✨ 25 Best Lenses for Sony a7C
🦉 24 Best Lenses for Sony a7R III
🌅 24 Best Lenses for Sony a7R IV
📷 The Best Sony A6000 Lenses
📸 Best Lenses for Sony A6400
For Nikon lens recommendations, discover:
⚙️ The Best Nikon D3100 Lenses
⚙️ The Best Nikon D3400 Lenses
For other photography tips, discover:
📸 Best Cameras for Bloggers