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.
Are you looking for the best lenses for Sony a7c?
In this guide, I’ve put together the absolute best Sony a7C lenses for all kinds of photography, from wide-angle and portraits to sports and wildlife.
The top tips in this guide are based on my 15+ years of experience as a pro photographer. I’ll also help you figure out which lenses are most suited for your needs and interests.
Looking for a quick answer? Here’s our top pick for the best all around lens for Sony a7C.
📸 The Best Sony a7C 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 a7C
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 a7C zoom lenses
🏞 The Best Wide Angle Lens for Sony a7C
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 a7C wide angle lenses
🎥 The Best Video Lens for Sony a7C
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 a7C video lenses
✈️ The Best Travel Lens for Sony a7C
If you’re looking to travel with your Sony a7C, 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 a7C travel lenses
⚙️ The Best Prime Lens for Sony a7C
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 a7C prime lenses
👧🏻 The Best Portrait Lens for Sony a7C
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 a7C portrait lenses
🦉 The Best Telephoto Lens for Sony a7C
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 a7C telephoto lenses
🏜 The Best Landscape Lens for Sony a7C
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 a7C landscape lenses
🐝 The Best Macro Lens for Sony a7C
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 a7C macro lenses
📷 The Best Lenses for Sony a7C in 2025: Reviews
📸 Please note: As you go through the lenses in this guide, you’ll see that some lenses provide no image stabilization. This isn’t an issue at all and won’t affect image quality because the Sony a7C already has built-in image stabilization.
⭐ Best All-Around Lens: Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 ⭐
A top value everyday zoom lens that’s lightweight, versatile, and impressively sharp
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:
Looking for a top-notch everyday zoom lens? Look no further than the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2. It’s super sharp, versatile, and the best value entry-level lens.
This lens is small, lightweight, and perfect to travel with. It’s a great multipurpose lens to shoot everything from portraits and landscapes to a sky full of stars.
Moreover, you’ll get very sharp image quality throughout the zoom range, as well as beautiful bokeh (out-of-focus backgrounds) thanks to the f/2.8 aperture. Autofocus is also very fast, accurate, and silent.
This is also a great low-light lens. You can expect high-quality results even when shooting indoors or at dusk. Its zoom range and wide aperture make it perfect for videos too.
You’ll see little distortions with this lens, and just some color fringing when shooting wide open, though you can easily fix that via in-camera corrections.
Overall, given this lens’s top-notch performance, travel-friendliness, and reasonable price, it’s truly hard to find an everyday zoom lens that offers better value for money.
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’re looking for a travel-friendly and affordable everyday zoom lens with very impressive image quality.
📸 Best Everyday Zoom Lenses for Sony a7C
While the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 is our top pick, there are many other fantastic Sony a7C 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 to choose: If you shoot for fun and value travel-friendliness, then go for the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8. But if you’re looking for a more professional option and want the utmost image sharpness and the smoothest bokeh, then go for this heavier Sigma lens.
Compared to the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8, this Sigma lens has a more robust build and delivers even sharper results. Additionally, it’s an even better lens for videos as it allows you to switch focus much more smoothly while filming.
This Sigma lens also delivers smoother and rounder bokeh than the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8. Because of all these advantages, this lens is a little bit pricier than the Tamron lens.
On the downside, this lens is significantly heavier. There’s also vignetting and barrel distortion, although they can be easily fixed in-camera or via post-processing.
Overall, the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art offers fantastic value for money as it is priced very reasonably and truly offers all-around top-notch image quality.
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 don’t mind an everyday zoom lens that’s a bit heavy because you want the utmost image quality and top-notch professional results.
🚀 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.
✨ 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 a very versatile lens with generous wide-angle coverage and a mighty telephoto reach. It’s a fantastic lens to travel with as it takes away the need to carry and switch between different lenses. It is also decently lightweight given its focal range.
This lens is part of the Sony G series, which means it delivers top-notch professional image quality. In fact, it 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, much more expensive, and offers less focal reach.
This lens also has a premium build and is equipped with a very fast, accurate, and silent autofocus. Its wide focal range allows you to shoot pretty much everything from landscapes and portraits to mild wildlife shots.
Keep in mind that its f/4 aperture makes it less of a low-light performer than the previously mentioned f/2.8 zoom lenses. Bokeh also isn’t as smooth as it is on those f/2.8 lenses.
This lens isn’t cheap, and when shooting wide-open, there’s some vignetting (however, this can be easily fixed on Adobe Lightroom). Overall, this lens offers excellent value for money.
Pros
- Super versatile & useful focal range
- Premium-level image quality
- 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.
🔭 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.
🏞 Best Wide Angle Lenses for Sony a7C
Wide-angle lenses allow more of the scene to be included in the photo, which is very useful for landscape, architectural, and interior 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 a7C 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:
The Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM is a premium lens that pretty much has it all. Its zoom range is super practical and allows you to shoot a large variety of wide-angle settings. On top of that, it has a fixed aperture that’s perfect for videos and low-light photography.
This lens is part of Sony’s G Master series, which means it offers impeccable performance, superb resolution, and premium build quality. If you want the absolute best image quality possible, then this is the lens to get.
Even when shooting wide open, this lens is ultra-sharp edge-to-edge. Bokeh is absolutely beautiful too, and you’ll be able to create super creamy backgrounds.
Want to shoot a sky full of stars? This lens can do the job too. It’s a fantastic low-light lens that’s useful for both dark skies and low-lit interiors. Moreover, it autofocuses very quickly, accurately, and quietly.
This lens does show some distortion and vignetting, although you can easily prevent them by turning on in-camera corrections or remove them with editing software like Lightroom.
Pros
- Razor-sharp from edge to edge
- Very fast & accurate autofocus
- Stunning & smooth bokeh
- Great low-light performance
Cons
- Some vignetting & distortion when uncorrected
- Pretty expensive
📸 In short, this lens is for you if: you want a very flexible wide-angle zoom range and as little compromises as possible when it comes to image quality.
🔮 If this lens is out of your budget but you like its focal range, check out the Sony Vario-Tessar 16-35mm F4 ZA OSS. It costs a lot less, is sharp throughout the 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:
The Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN Art is an amazing choice for you if you want a zoom lens that’s even wider than the above-mentioned Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 GM.
This lens is not only 2mm wider than the Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 GM; it’s also a lot more affordable, too. Moreover, its image quality is absolutely outstanding.
Throughout the entire zoom range, you’ll get superb sharpness and contrast, even when shooting wide open. While the edges are a bit soft at f/2.8, they quickly sharpen when you stop down to about f/4.
This lens is very useful for low light situations and given how wide it goes, it’s also amazing for astrophotography. It also has a weather-sealed build quality, and autofocuses quickly and accurately.
On the downside, this lens has a much shorter focal range than the Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 GM, so it can be limiting. All in all, it’s a top-value choice for those looking to shoot ultra-wide.
Pros
- Incredibly sharp even wide-open
- Great for astrophotography too
- 2mm wider than the Sony 16-35mm F2.8
- Cheaper than the Sony 16-35mm F2.8
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’d like a relatively affordable lens with an ultra-wide zoom range.
🏞 Top Travel Wide Angle Lens: Tamron 17-28mm F2.8
The most affordable & travel-friendly wide angle zoom lens for the Sony a7C
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 a7C 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 a7C 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.
🌌 Best Wide Angle Prime Lens: Sony FE 14mm F1.8
The sharpest & most compact ultra-wide-angle lens in the market; spectacular value
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:
If you’d prefer a wide angle prime lens (instead of a zoom lens) for your Sony a7C, then look no further than the Sony FE 14mm F1.8 GM. Travel-friendly, extremely fast, and ultra-sharp, this is arguably the best 14mm prime lens in the world.
📸 Good to know: Why opt for a prime wide-angle lens? For starters, prime lenses are significantly sharper than zoom lenses. They’re also more compact and easier to travel with. Plus, their wide aperture allows you to create incredible low light photography.
First of all, this lens is the smallest and lightest 14mm in the market – perfect to bring on your next trip. It’s also sharper than any other 14mm out there; it’s ultra-sharp from edge to edge, even wide-open at f/1.8. Autofocus is very quick and accurate, too.
This lens is also nearly optically flawless. Distortions are very well controlled, and chromatic aberrations are barely visible. The wide aperture allows you to create stunning bokeh and beautiful low-light shots – making it a fantastic choice for astrophotography.
So, if you’re looking for an ultra-wide prime lens to capture everything from landscapes to architecture and dark night skies, then this is the ultimate lens to go for.
Pros
- The smallest and lightest 14mm
- Ultra-sharp edge to edge
- Stunning low light performance
- Practically optically flawless
Cons
- Hardly any
📸 In short, this lens is for you if: you want the absolute sharpest and most travel-friendly ultra-wide-angle lens.
🌃 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 a7C. 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 a7C 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:
The Sony FE 35mm f/1.8 is the best option for you if you want a wide-angle prime lens with a medium-wide focal length. This is typically useful for medium-wide landscapes or architecture that doesn’t require an ultra-wide focal length.
Moreover, if you can’t afford the previous prime lens (Sony 24mm f/1.4 GM), this 35mm wide-angle prime is an amazing alternative — it costs a lot less while still delivering very impressive image quality. It’s also incredibly lightweight and travel-friendly.
Along with its 35mm focal length, this lens also has a close minimum focus distance of 0.22 m (0.73 ft). These factors make it the best wide-angle prime for street photography and environmental portraits.
In addition, you’ll get beautiful bokeh effects and excellent low-light performance thanks to the bright f/1.8 aperture. This lens is also ultra-sharp from corner to corner even when shooting wide open, and autofocus is super fast and reliable.
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 prefer a medium-wide focal length and want a very lightweight & travel-friendly lens.
💸 If you’re looking for the best budget-friendly Sony a7C wide-angle lens, check out my review for the Sony FE 28mm F2.0.
👧🏻 Best Portrait Lenses for Sony a7C
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 a7C 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:
The Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 is a spectacular portrait lens that offers exceptional value for money. It’s amazingly sharp, has stunning bokeh, focuses fast, and is distortion-free. On top of that, it’s also small, lightweight, and portable.
Its image quality and performance are pretty much just as good as the much more expensive Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM (which was released a year before) — so much so that most people wouldn’t be able to tell the difference.
The Sony 85mm f/1.8 is ultra-sharp from corner to corner at every aperture. In fact, according to Sony’s MTF chart, it’s possibly even sharper than the premium 85mm f/1.4 GM. It also has no ghosts and better flare control than the f/1.4 lens.
Autofocus is not only fast and reliable, it’s also completely silent. Bokeh is also incredibly smooth and stunning. You’ll also see fantastic low-light performance.
The only downside of this lens is that you’ll get strong vignettes at wider f-stops. Vignettes can be easily removed in post-processing via Adobe Lightroom, though.
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
- Breathtaking bokeh
- Small & lightweight
- Exceptional value for money
Cons
- Strong vignettes at wider f-stops
📸 In short, this lens is for you if: you want a small and relatively affordable portrait lens with spectacular image quality, bokeh, and low-light performance.
👧🏻 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:
The Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM is the ultimate portrait lens to get if you want the most top-notch optics and image quality possible. In fact, expert Roger Cicala from LensRentals said that out of 300+ lenses, this is the sharpest lens he’s ever tested.
You’ll get details so rich that you don’t even have to sharpen your photos at all in post-processing. Moreover, it’s ultrasharp edge-to-edge even when shooting wide open (at f/1.8).
Another great thing about this lens is its insanely fast and reliable autofocus, which will allow you to get super quick shots of fleeting moments. With your in-camera corrections turned on, you’ll also see no distortions. Ghosts and flares are minimal too.
With this lens’s 135mm focal length and wide f/1.8 aperture, you’ll also be able to capture super smooth and creamy bokeh and allow your subjects to sharply stand out against the background.
The only significant downside of this lens is that it’s pretty heavy, bulky, and expensive. If you’re serious about portrait photography and want the sharpest results possible, though, 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.
🔮 If you’re interested in more portrait lenses, check out my review for the Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA. Though it has a shorter focal length, it’s great for environmental portraits, street photography, and top-notch videography.
🦉 Best Telephoto Lenses for Sony a7C
To shoot 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 a7C telephoto lenses.
🦉 Best Pro Telephoto Lens: Sony 70-200mm F2.8
The ultimate telephoto zoom lens for image quality, bokeh & low-light performance
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 to get for image quality, top-notch performance, and bokeh.
It is ultra-sharp edge-to-edge throughout the zoom range, even wide-open at f/2.8. It delivers extremely detailed photos and videos — if you want the utmost image quality, look no further than this lens.
In addition, this lens autofocuses quickly and accurately without making any noise, which is especially handy for shooting wildlife without scaring them away.
This lens is also amazing for capturing indoor events like sports and stage performances as its wide aperture allows it to perform really well in low-light situations. It is also great for portraits and creates stunning bokeh.
As you can see, this versatile lens can be used for so many types of photos, so even though it’s heavy and expensive, it offers incredible value for money.
With that said, it’s definitely more suited 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 need a telephoto zoom range and want the sharpest, most professional-looking photos — even when shooting in low-light conditions.
🦉 Best Value Tele Lens: Tamron 70-180mm F2.8
A lightweight & affordable tele-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:
The Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS is the absolute best super-telephoto zoom lens you can get in terms of image quality, performance, and versatility. As a matter of fact, it also doubles as a macro lens thanks to its maximum magnification ratio of 0.35x.
While this lens is pricey, you truly get the ultimate image quality and can shoot anything from wildlife and sports to small insects.
This lens is razor-sharp edge-to-edge, even when shooting wide-open at 400mm. Autofocus is incredibly fast, accurate, and silent. It also has no trouble tracking moving subjects, which is quite important for wildlife and sports shots.
Moreover, this lens focuses faster than many specialized macro lenses, and thanks to its long focal length, you can stand far away from subjects like bugs and insects to avoid scaring them away. It truly replaces the need to get a macro lens.
This lens is quite expensive. You can get the Sony 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 for a lower price and get 200mm more zoom reach, although that’s not a good lens for macro shots.
The Sony 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 is also not the best lens for shooting in low light. Because of its narrow max aperture, focusing on small subjects in low light can be difficult and slow.
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 plan to shoot close-ups & macro with a telephoto lens, and you want razor-sharp photos but don’t need low-light performance.
🦉 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 an excellent option for you if you can’t afford the above-mentioned Sony 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 but would like a lens with more focal reach than the cheaper Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8.
This lens is very versatile and multi-purposeful — you can use it to shoot wildlife, sports, events, zoomed-in landscapes, and casual portraits. Because it focuses so closely, it can also double as a macro lens.
While this lens is not as sharp as the much more expensive Sony 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM, it still shows impressive image quality. It delivers excellent central sharpness throughout the zoom range, although at 300mm, edge sharpness is quite poor.
Under good lighting conditions, this lens focuses quickly and accurately. For a telephoto zoom of its kind, it is also very lightweight, compact, and travel-friendly.
On the downside, do not expect reliable low-light performance from this lens. Under dim lighting, it’s unable to consistently lock focus. For a relatively slow lens, it’s also not exactly cheap, despite its somewhat approachable price.
However, if you don’t need to shoot in low light and don’t need edge-to-edge sharpness, then this lens’s reach, size, and price might just be the perfect fit for you.
Pros
- Very multi-purposeful zoom range
- Great for wildlife, portraits & macro
- Excellent central sharpness
- Great combo of reach, size & price
Cons
- Not the best in low light
- Corners are soft at 300mm
- A bit pricey for a relatively slow lens
📸 In short, this lens is for you if: you want a versatile telephoto lens with a big zoom range and don’t need the best low-light performance or utmost sharpness.
🦉 Best Super-Tele Lens: Sony 200-600mm F5.6-6.3
The ultimate Sony a7C lens for wildlife photography & super far away 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 a7C 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
- Really nice bokeh
- High-quality weather-sealed build
Cons
- Necessarily big & heavy
- Not great in low-light
📸 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 f/5-6.3 DG DN OS is a very lightweight and reasonably priced super-telephoto lens that delivers stunning image quality and fantastic value for money.
It’s the best budget-friendly lens you can get if you plan to shoot lots of far-away subjects such as wildlife, sports, or close-up landscapes and don’t want to spend a fortune.
This lens is very sharp across the whole zoom range. While the corners are a bit softer than the center at all focal lengths, they’re still impressively sharp. Moreover, distortions, color-fringing, ghosts, and flares are all kept at a minimum level.
Under good lighting conditions, autofocus is very quick, smooth, and quiet. It also effortlessly tracks fast-moving subjects. Under dim lighting, though, this lens focuses quite slowly and can hunt for a while. Due to the narrow aperture, bokeh also isn’t the smoothest.
It’s also worth noting that this lens is not weather-sealed, and the Sony E-mount version of it is incompatible with teleconverters. You might also need to venture into noisy ISO settings when shooting in low light since this is a narrow-aperture lens.
Pros
- Very sharp throughout the zoom range
- Tracks fast-moving subjects well
- Really good reach for its price
- Lightweight for a 100-400mm zoom
Cons
- Not the best low-light performance
- Bokeh is a bit defined
- Not weather-sealed
- Incompatible with teleconverters
📸 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 plan to shoot too much in low light.
⚙️ Best Teleconverter Lenses for the Sony a7C
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 the Sony a7C.
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 a7C 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 a7C 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
🎥 Best Video Lenses for Sony a7C
Looking for the best video lens for Sony a7C? First, look for a lens with a fixed aperture. This will allow the exposure level of your video to stay constant even as you zoom in or out, making these transitions smooth and natural.
You might also want a lens with a wide max aperture (f/2.8 or wider) for beautiful bokeh and good low-light performance.
For vlogging, 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 a7C 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 a7C 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 want 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, portraits, bokeh-lovers & 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, budget-friendly & portable 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.
This lens is very budget-friendly, has a great build quality, and delivers sharp results. You’ll also get fantastic bokeh even when shooting selfie videos and will get excellent video quality in low light as well.
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 plan to shoot lots of vlogs and want a very travel-friendly and affordable video lens.
💸 Best Budget Lenses for Sony a7C
If you’re looking to pair your Sony a7C with some high-quality budget lenses, there are plenty of choices depending on the kind of photography you plan to do. Here are the absolute best budget lenses for the Sony a7C.
💸 Best Budget Everyday Lens: Sony FE 50mm F1.8
An incredibly portable lens great 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 a7C.
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 a7C
The Sony FE 28mm f/2.0 is a very lightweight and travel-friendly budget lens that’s especially good for landscape and architecture shots thanks to its wide focal length. Given its low price, it also offers fantastic value for money.
This lens has an excellent build quality and central sharpness, which is very impressive even wide-open. Autofocus is ultrafast, accurate, and essentially silent. Focusing manually is also very easy; you can do so with just a fingertip.
Moreover, this lens is very fast and produces great results even in low light, allowing you to capture beautiful starry night photos. You’ll also get gorgeous bokeh thanks to the wide aperture of this lens.
This lens has great flare & ghost control and very minimal distortions. The only downside is that the edges are a bit soft when shooting wide open, and you’ll need to stop down to about f/11 to achieve amazing corner sharpness.
Chromatic aberrations are also quite high especially towards the corners of the frame when shooting wide open. Stopping down to about f/4 will get it under control, though.
Pros
- Lightweight & travel-friendly
- Excellent low-light performance
- Impressive central sharpness
- Amazing build quality
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 lightweight and budget-friendly wide-angle lens to shoot landscapes & everyday surroundings.
💸 More Budget-Friendly Lenses for the Sony a7C
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.
- ⚙️ Best budget Sony a7C standard zoom lens: Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
- 👧🏻 Best budget Sony a7C portrait lens: Sony FE 85mm F1.8
- 🦉 Best budget Sony a7C telephoto lens: Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS
- 🐝 Best budget Sony a7C macro lens: Sigma 70mm F2.8 DG Macro Art
- 🎥 Best budget Sony a7C video lens: Sony FE 28mm F2.0
✈️ Best Travel Lenses for Sony a7C
If you’re looking to travel with your Sony a7C, you’ll want a small and lightweight lens that’s easy to carry. A good, versatile zoom range might also come in handy if you want to shoot a variety of things. Here are the best Sony a7C lenses to bring to dream destinations.
- ✈️ 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 astrophotography travel lens: Sony 14mm F1.8 — light & wide aperture
- 🏙 Best street photography lens: Sony 55mm F1.8 — light & eye-level focal length
- 🔭 Best all-in-one travel lens: Tamron 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 — versatile zoom range
🔍 Best Macro Lenses for Sony a7C
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 will allow 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 a7C macro lens for shooting microscopic subjects such as insects, bugs, and water droplets. Moreover, this lens also doubles as a fantastically sharp portrait lens.
Macro shots are all about the details, and this lens is one of the sharpest Sony lenses ever built. It is flawlessly sharp at all apertures, even wide-open, and will bring out the tiniest details in your subjects. Bokeh is also very smooth and creamy.
Insects can move very fast, and this lens’s quick and accurate autofocus is very handy for that. 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 is also super user-friendly. 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. This lens is also fantastic for low-light situations and shows no distortions, ghosts, or flares.
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 an amazing 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!
🌌 Best Astrophotography Lenses for Sony a7C
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 edge-to-edge — when shooting wide-open.
Ideally, this lens should also have minimal chromatic aberrations, low vignetting, and good coma control. Here are the best Sony a7C 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 top overall Sony a7C wide-angle lens) is another amazing lens for astrophotography. It’s sharp edge-to-edge even wide-open and has minimal chromatic aberrations.
🥞 Best Pancake Lens for Sony a7C
Pancake lenses are incredibly small and lightweight lenses — so light that you’ll barely feel their weight at all. These lenses are great for travel and street photography in particular, especially if you’re a minimalist and prefer packing light.
🥞 Best Pancake Lens: Sony FE 35mm F2.8
The most lightweight & compact general-purpose lens for the Sony a7C
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 the smallest lens for Sony a7C that you can get. If you’re a minimalist or enjoy packing light for your trips, then this lens is a perfect choice as it weighs a mere 120 g (4.3 oz.). Its build quality is also sturdy and weather-sealed.
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 wide open, although you might see some onion rings from time to time.
This lens has a very useful and versatile focal length. In fact, 35mm is great for landscapes, street photography, architecture, and general everyday shots.
If you’re planning to shoot in dim lighting conditions, this lens won’t disappoint. You’ll get high-quality, noise-free shots even in low light. Autofocus is impressively fast and very silent, too. There are also minimal flares and great ghost control.
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 a7C, 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 lens for the Sony a7C
- Very impressive image quality
- Excellent low-light performance
- Sturdy & weather-sealed
Cons
- Some barrel distortion when uncorrected
- Some vignetting
- 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 a7C Best Lenses
I hope you enjoyed this guide on the top lenses for Sony a7C and that it was helpful! If you have any questions at all, feel free to leave a comment below. I’ll try my best to help you 🙂
I hope this comprehensive guide on the best lenses for Sony a7C has been helpful!
For more Sony lens recommendations, discover:
💠 25 Best Lenses for Sony a7 Series Cameras
🔭 25 Best Lenses for Sony a7III
📸 25 Best Lenses for Sony a7 IV
🦉 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