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24 Best Lenses for Sony a7R III in 2023: The Ultimate Guide

December 26, 2022
Best Lens for Sony A7R III

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 a7R III but aren’t sure where to start? Here are the absolute best Sony a7R III lenses for all kinds of photography, from portraits to wildlife.

The top tips in this guide are based on my 15+ years of experience as a pro photographer.

There’s literally an ocean of lenses that are compatible with the Sony a7R III, so in this guide, I’ll help you figure out which ones are most suited for your interests and needs.

Looking for a quick answer? Here’s our top pick for the best all-around lens for the Sony a7R III.

OUR TOP PICK

Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

The best all-around standard zoom lens for the Sony A7R series. It's lightweight, incredibly sharp throughout the range, creates stunning bokeh, and delivers optimal performance.

📸 The Best Sony a7R III 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 Travel Lens for Sony a7R III

If you’re looking to travel with your Sony a7R III, 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.

BEST TRAVEL LENS

Tamron 28-200mm F2.8-5.6

This lightweight and travel-friendly lens combines wide-angle and telephoto reach, taking away the need to switch between multiple lenses. It's also incredibly sharp and weather-resistant.

See more best Sony a7R III travel lenses

🏞 The Best Wide Angle Lens for Sony a7R III

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.

BEST WIDE-ANGLE LENS

Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM

The ultimate wide-angle lens for the best image quality. It has a flexible focal range, is razor-sharp, performs well in low-light situations, and creates stunning bokeh. 

See more best Sony a7R III wide angle lenses

👧🏻 The Best Portrait Lens for Sony a7R III

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.

BEST PORTRAIT LENS

Sony FE 85mm F1.8

A spectacularly sharp, fast, and portable prime lens that delivers stunning bokeh and premium image quality. A must-have for anyone serious about portraits.

See more best Sony a7R III portrait lenses

🦉 The Best Telephoto Lens for Sony a7R III

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.

BEST TELEPHOTO LENS

Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS

The ultimate telephoto lens for image quality, bokeh, and low-light performance. This lens is ultra-sharp and perfect for shooting indoor events like sports and stage performances.

See more best Sony a7R III telephoto lenses

🎥 The Best Video Lens for Sony a7R III

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.

BEST VIDEO LENS

Sony FE 28mm F2.0

An ultra-fast, budget-friendly, and portable lens that takes incredible videos and vlogs. It delivers super sharp results, stunning bokeh, and great low-light performance.

See more best Sony a7R III video lenses

🐝 The Best Macro Lens for Sony a7R III

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.

BEST MACRO LENS

Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS

This specialized macro lens is super user-friendly, versatile, and one of the sharpest Sony lenses out there. It's perfect for close-ups of tiny subjects and doubles as a portrait lens, too. 

See more best Sony a7R III macro lenses

⚙️ The Best Prime Lens for Sony a7R III

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.

BEST PRIME LENS

Sony FE 135mm F1.8 GM

One of the sharpest lenses Sony has ever made. With this prime lens, you'll never have to sharpen photos in post-processing again. Bokeh is also super smooth and creamy.

See more best Sony a7R III prime lenses

🏜 The Best Landscape Lens for Sony a7R III

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.

BEST LANDSCAPE LENS

Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG DN Art

An incredibly sharp super-wide-angle lens that's perfect for both landscape shots and astrophotography. It boasts spectacular image quality and a weather-sealed build.

See more best Sony a7R III landscape lenses

📷 The Best Lenses for Sony a7R III in 2023: 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 a7R III already has built-in image stabilization.

⭐ Top Overall Lens: Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

The ultimate standard zoom lens – portable, incredibly sharp & lightning-fast autofocus

Lens type: Full frame E-mount
Weight: 695 g (24.6 oz.)
Size (WxL): 8.8 x 12 cm (3.4 x 4.7 in)
Filter diameter: 82 mm (3.2 in)
Minimum focus distance: 0.21 m (0.69 ft)
Maximum magnification ratio: 0.32x
Autofocus: Yes
Image stabilization: No
Sample photos: Click here

🛒 Check price on Amazon

📸 Check price on B&H Photo

A closer look:

The Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II is the best all-around standard zoom lens for the Sony a7R III. It’s the newer version of an already incredible lens; except this update is an improvement in virtually every way – from its autofocus speed to its size, weight, and close-up performance.

📸 A worthy upgrade: This lens is the newer version of the Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM, which was launched in 2016. This new lens is 22% lighter to carry, has more useful on-lens controls, and is notably sharper when zoomed in – well worth the upgrade.

One of the best things about this lens is that it stays sharp throughout the range. Even at 70mm f/2.8, it captures outstanding details and contrast. This is also a clear upgrade from the older lens, which wasn’t as sharp when zoomed in.

This lens reduces color fringing to negligible amounts and shows fewer distortions than the older model. Moreover, it displays exceptionally smooth bokeh and has even better macro capabilities than the original model. It’s also more comprehensively weather-sealed.

If you heard about the amazing autofocus performance of the original model, this lens is equipped with powerful dual linear motors that make autofocus even faster.

All in all, if you’re looking for the best-performing standard zoom lens for the Sony a7R III, this lens is it. It packs incredible new features and optimal performance into a small, lightweight build. It’s got a hefty price tag, but it’s well worth the investment if you can afford it.

Pros
  • Incredibly sharp even at 70mm
  • Lightweight and compact
  • Powerful & fast autofocus
  • Beautifully smooth bokeh
Cons
  • Some focus breathing
  • Pricey

📸 In short, this lens is for you if: you want the absolute best standard zoom for image quality and performance, and are prepared to pay whatever it takes.

🛒 Check latest price on Amazon


📸 Best Everyday Zoom Lenses for Sony a7R III

While the Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II is our top pick, there are many other fantastic Sony a7R III everyday zoom lenses out there. Here are our other top choices.

💎 Top Value Standard Zoom: Sigma 24-70mm F2.8

An incredibly sharp, professional-grade zoom lens with a very attractive price tag

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

🛒 Check price on Amazon

📸 Check price on B&H Photo

A closer look:

Is the above-mentioned Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II out of your budget? Enter the Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN Art – the next best option. This lens is much more affordable than its Sony competitor, and yet still delivers spectacular results – offering excellent value.

💡 Comparison: While it can’t beat the Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II, this Sigma lens outperforms all the other standard zoom lenses, including the Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM, the Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2, and the Sony FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS.

The Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN Art is proof that you don’t need to part with $2,000 to get a spectacular standard zoom. It demonstrates excellent sharpness and contrast even when shooting wide-open, throughout the entire zoom range.

Autofocus is very fast, accurate, and essentially silent. Build quality is professional-grade, with several weather-seals fitted throughout. Bokeh is also beautifully round and smooth.

On the downside, this lens is typically big and heavy for an f/2.8 zoom. There are also some vignetting and barrel distortions, although they can be easily fixed in-camera. Overall, this is the best value standard zoom lens for its top-notch quality and attractive price.

Pros
  • Fantastic sharpness & image quality
  • Fast & accurate autofocus
  • Beautifully smooth bokeh
  • Very attractive price
Cons
  • Big and heavy
  • Vignetting & distortions when uncorrected

📸 In short, this lens is for you if: you want a standard zoom that delivers top-notch, professional results without costing an arm and a leg.

🛒 Check latest price on Amazon


✨ Top Premium Superzoom: 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

🛒 Check price on Amazon

📸 Check price on B&H Photo

A closer look:

The Sony FE 24-105mm F4 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’s also pretty 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.

This lens also has a premium weather-sealed build and is equipped with a very fast, accurate, and silent autofocus. Its wide and versatile focal range allows you to shoot pretty much everything from landscapes and portraits to mild wildlife shots.

On the downside, when shooting wide-open, there’s some vignetting (however, this can be easily fixed on Lightroom). Also keep in mind that the f/4 aperture of this lens makes it less of a bokeh and low-light performer than the previously mentioned f/2.8 zoom lenses.

Pros
  • Very versatile & useful focal range
  • Premium-level image quality
  • Extremely sturdy & weather-sealed
  • Pretty lightweight
Cons
  • Not superb in low light

📸 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.

🛒 Check latest price on Amazon


🔭 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

🛒 Check price on Amazon

📸 Check price on B&H Photo

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). Autofocus is very fast, accurate, and virtually silent.

This lens is also very travel-friendly as its mighty zoom range takes away the need to carry and swap between different lenses. Distortions and color fringing are kept at a minimum, too, and the build is sturdy and weather-resistant.

While superzoom lenses of this kind typically show mediocre image quality, this lens is an exception. It displays very impressive sharpness throughout the zoom range and overall incredible image quality. It also has a really attractive price.

The only downside of this lens is that its aperture is varied, which means that compared to the fixed-aperture lenses mentioned above, it doesn’t match up in terms of image quality, doesn’t allow as much creative control, and isn’t as excellent for videos and low-light shots.

Pros
  • Impressively sharp image quality
  • Very lightweight & travel-friendly
  • Super multi-purposeful & versatile
  • Very reasonably priced
Cons
  • Varied aperture (not as ideal for creative control, low-light or videos)
  • Less wide-angle potential compared to the other zoom lenses mentioned above

📸 In short, this lens is for you if: you want a very mighty zoom range to shoot everything from landscapes to wildlife, and want the most lightweight and affordable option.

🛒 Check latest price on Amazon


🏞 Best Wide Angle Lenses for Sony a7R III

If you’re looking for the best landscape lenses for Sony a7R III, 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 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 a7R III 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

🛒 Check price on Amazon

📸 Check price on B&H Photo

A closer look:

The Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 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
  • Really useful zoom range
  • Very fast & accurate autofocus
  • Stunning & smooth bokeh
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.

🛒 Check latest price on Amazon

🔮 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: Sony FE 12-24mm F2.8

The ultimate ultra-wide-angle zoom with impeccable quality – the first of its kind

Lens type: Full frame E-mount
Weight: 847 g (30 oz.)
Size (WxL): 9.7 x 13.7 cm (3.8 x 5.4 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

🛒 Check price on Amazon

📸 Check price on B&H Photo

A closer look:

The Sony FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM is quite simply a technological marvel; it’s the ultimate ultra-wide-angle zoom you can get. It’s the world’s first ever f/2.8 12-24mm lens, and the widest f/2.8 zoom lens out there. Despite this feat, image quality is absolutely superb.

This lens is outstandingly sharp in the center of the frame throughout the full aperture and zoom range. It also performs really well at the edges of the frame, too – it’s completely sharp edge-to-edge at f/4, and almost so at f/2.8.

When shooting with an ultra-wide angle lens like this one, you often have the sun in the picture. That’s why it’s also an advantage that this lens produces incredible 18-pointed sunstars at almost all apertures.

Autofocus is very fast, silent, and reliable. Chromatic aberrations are very well-controlled, and despite its wide focal length, this lens can create some fairly nice bokeh at f/2.8 thanks to its 9-blade aperture. Moreover, the build quality is outstanding.

On the downside, aside from being expensive, this lens suffers from some vignetting at f/2.8 and some barrel distortion at 12mm, which is pretty typical of all ultra-wide lenses. You can easily remove these via in-camera corrections or post-processing, though.

Pros
  • Ultra-wide angle of view with F2.8
  • Outstandingly sharp
  • Incredible sunstars
  • Fast, accurate & silent autofocus
Cons
  • Some barrel distortions & vignetting
  • Doesn’t support front filters
  • Expensive

📸 In short, this lens is for you if: you want the absolute best quality ultra-wide-angle zoom and are prepared to pay whatever it takes.

🛒 Check latest price on Amazon

🔮 Do you like this lens but don’t need the f/2.8 aperture? Consider the much more affordable Sony FE 12-24mm F4 G – it’s 282 g (10 oz.) lighter, just as sharp, but obviously lacks the low-light and bokeh capabilities of the f/2.8.

🏞 Top Value Wide Angle Zoom: Sigma 14-24mm F2.8

An incredibly sharp ultra-wide-angle lens with an attractive price and superb value

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

🛒 Check price on Amazon

📸 Check price on B&H Photo

A closer look:

The Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG DN Art is the best option for you if you’re looking for a spectacular ultra-wide-angle zoom that’s much more affordable than the Sony FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM mentioned above. It’s only 2mm shorter and still offers outstanding image quality.

Throughout the entire zoom range, this lens is superbly sharp, even at f/2.8. While the edges are a bit soft at f/2.8, they quickly sharpen when you stop down to f/4. So while it can’t match up to the Sony FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM, its image quality is still super impressive.

Autofocus is very accurate, fast, and silent. The weather-sealed build is excellent, too. This lens produces some pretty nice sunstars when stopped-down to f/16 and f/22, although there are some unwanted flare effects when shooting directly into the sun.

This lens is prone to a bit of vignetting at f/2.8 and shows some barrel distortions, all of which can be fixed via in-camera corrections or post-processing. Image resolution also slightly drops at 24mm. All in all, though, you can’t find a better ultra-wide-angle zoom at this price.

Pros
  • Incredibly sharp even wide-open
  • Very fast, accurate & silent autofocus
  • Strong weather-sealed build
  • Very reasonably priced
Cons
  • Some vignetting & distortion when uncorrected
  • Doesn’t support front filters
  • Resolution slightly drops at 24mm

📸 In short, this lens is for you if: you’d like an ultra-wide-angle zoom that delivers incredible image quality without costing an arm and a leg.

🛒 Check latest price on Amazon


🏞 Top Travel Wide Angle Zoom: Tamron 17-28mm F2.8

The most affordable & travel-friendly wide angle zoom lens for the Sony a7R III

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

🛒 Check price on Amazon

📸 Check price on B&H Photo

A closer look:

The Tamron 17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD is the best wide-angle zoom lens for the Sony a7R III when it comes to size and portability. In fact, this lens is almost half the weight of the previous two wide-angle zoom lenses, making it an excellent travel-friendly gear.

On top of that, it’s also the most budget-friendly Sony a7R III wide-angle zoom that delivers way beyond a budget-level performance. In fact, this lens is beautifully sharp in the center of the frame even when shooting at f/2.8. It also shows very minimal distortions.

Autofocus is fast and reliable even when it comes to moving subjects. On top of that, this lens has a very close minimum focus distance, meaning it’s great for vlogs too — you can hold the camera up close and it’ll focus on you while creating bokeh in the background.

📸 Note: If you want to print your photos on very large prints or posters, then this lens will fall short. In that case, you’d be better off with any of the previously mentioned wide-angle zoom lenses, which are sharper, crispier, and more suited for professional use.

If your photos will mostly live on screens or small prints, though, then this Tamron lens is proof that you can get spectacular image quality without spending a fortune.

Pros
  • Incredibly lightweight & portable
  • Excellent central sharpness
  • Very suitable for vlogging
  • Budget-friendly
Cons
  • Not sharp enough for large prints
  • Soft edges when shooting wide open

📸 In short, this lens is for you if: you want a travel-friendly and affordable wide-angle zoom lens and don’t need to print your photos on very large prints.

🛒 Check latest price on Amazon


🏞 Top Ultra-Wide Angle Prime: 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

🛒 Check price on Amazon

📸 Check price on B&H Photo

A closer look:

If you’d prefer a wide angle prime lens (instead of a zoom lens) for your Sony a7R III, 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 achieve 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.

🛒 Check latest price on Amazon


🌃 Top Low-Light Wide Angle Prime: 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

🛒 Check price on Amazon

📸 Check price on B&H Photo

A closer look:

The Sony FE 24mm F1.4 GM is hands down one of the best prime lenses for Sony a7R III simply because it’s rare to find a wide-angle lens with a maximum aperture of f/1.4.

What this also means is that it’s the best wide-angle lens for low light photography. If you want to take your starry night shots to the next level, then this is an amazing lens to choose.

This lens shows impeccable image quality. It delivers edge-to-edge sharpness throughout the aperture range, especially wide-open at f/1.4. It also autofocuses quickly, accurately, and pretty much silently.

On top of all that, this lens is also very travel-friendly as it is lightweight and compact. With its f/1.4 aperture, there’s also no better wide-angle lens for creating beautiful bokeh.

The only downside to this lens is that it’s in the pricier range. However, it’s still the least expensive, lightest, sharpest, and best 24mm f/1.4 ever made — it’s worth every penny of its price tag, especially if you’re serious about low-light wide-angle photography.

Pros
  • Ultra-sharp edge-to-edge
  • Very wide f/1.4 max aperture
  • Excellent for low-light conditions
  • Very compact & lightweight
Cons
  • A bit expensive

📸 In short, this lens is for you if: you plan to take lots of low-light wide-angle shots or if you want to maximize bokeh in your wide-angle shots.

🛒 Check latest price on Amazon


🏞 Best Medium Wide Angle Prime: Sony 35mm F1.4

The best wide-angle prime lens for street photography & medium-wide settings

Lens type: Full frame E-mount
Weight: 524 g (18.5 oz.)
Size (WxL): 7.6 x 9.6 cm (3 x 3.7 in)
Filter diameter: 67 mm (2.6 in)
Minimum focus distance: 0.27 m (0.88 ft)
Maximum magnification ratio: 0.23x
Autofocus: Yes
Image stabilization: No
Sample photos: Click here

🛒 Check price on Amazon

📸 Check price on B&H Photo

A closer look:

The Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM is hands down the best medium-wide angle prime in the market. Its angle of view is just slightly wider than the standard eye level, making it perfect for street photography, environmental portraits, and medium-wide architecture/landscape shots.

This lens is razor-sharp edge to edge even when shooting wide open – and very few lenses can rival this at f/1.4. There are also no visible distortions. Its premium build quality is incredibly sturdy and weather-sealed. Autofocus is also very fast and reliable.

With its f/1.4 aperture, this lens is amazing for low light situations. It also delivers smooth bokeh, although there are some signs of onion ring bokeh. For a lens of its kind, it’s fairly lightweight. It’s also highly resistant to flare and creates really nice 22-pointed sunstars.

On the downside, this lens is not exactly cheap – although it’s also not especially pricey, either. It also shows some focus breathing, which isn’t ideal for those looking to shoot videos.

💡 Insider tip: If you’re looking for something more affordable at this focal length, consider the Sony FE 35mm F1.8 instead. While it’s not as optically powerful as the Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM, it shows almost no focus breathing – making it better for videos.

Pros
  • Ultra-sharp from edge to edge
  • Professional build quality
  • Lightweight & travel-friendly
  • Resistant to flare & distortions
Cons
  • Some focus breathing
  • A bit expensive

📸 In short, this lens is for you if: you want the ultimate medium-wide-angle prime lens and love a wide aperture.

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👧🏻 Best Portrait Lenses for Sony a7R III

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 a7R III prime lenses for portraits.

👧🏻 The Sharpest Portrait Lens: Sony FE 135mm F1.8

The ultimate portrait lens for crispness, subject-background separation & close-up details

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

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A closer look:

The Sony FE 135mm F1.8 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. In fact, this lens is ultrasharp edge-to-edge even when shooting at f/1.8. Moreover, bokeh is super smooth and creamy, and subject-background separation is superb.

This lens’s insanely fast and reliable autofocus allows you to get super quick shots of fleeting moments, which comes in very handy at weddings and events. What’s also amazing is that there is no visible chromatic aberration at all, at any aperture, which is very rare.

In addition, this lens has amazing macro capabilities. Its minimum focusing distance of 0.70 m (2.3 ft) and maximum magnification of 0.25x allows you to get twice as close to small subjects as most other 135mm lenses!

Note that a focal length of 135mm means you’ll have to stand pretty far away from your subjects, which might not always be ideal. Plus, this lens is heavy, bulky, and expensive.

With that said, if your goal is to get the absolute sharpest portraits possible, then look no further than this lens.

Pros
  • Possibly the sharpest lens ever
  • Insanely fast & reliable autofocus
  • Incredibly smooth & creamy bokeh
  • Amazing macro capabilities
Cons
  • Heavy & bulky
  • On the pricier side

📸 In short, this lens is for you if: you want the sharpest portraits possible and are willing to pay whatever it takes.

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👧🏻 Best Portrait Lens for Bokeh: Sony FE 85mm F1.4

A very fast, ultra-sharp portrait lens that delivers out-of-this-world bokeh

Lens type: Full frame E-mount
Weight: 819 g (28.9 oz.)
Size (WxL): 8.9 x 10.7 cm (3.5 x 4.2 in)
Filter diameter: 77 mm (3 in)
Minimum focus distance: 0.85 m (2.79 ft)
Maximum magnification ratio: 0.12x
Autofocus: Yes
Image stabilization: No
Sample photos: Click here

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A closer look:

The Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM is an amazingly sharp and powerful lens with a premium build and stunning image quality. It’s also quite simply put – a bokeh monster. If you want the smoothest, most beautiful bokeh and are happy to shell out for it, then this is the lens for you.

This lens is exquisitely sharp from edge to edge, even at f/1.4, which is truly impressive. The quality of bokeh is also wonderfully soft and dreamy. Overall, it’s a spectacular portrait lens that does a fantastic job of isolating the main subject against a blurred background.

Impressively, this lens shows no visible distortions, even without in-camera corrections turned on. Chromatic aberrations are also very well controlled. Autofocus is fast and accurate, and the top-quality build of this lens is both dust and splash resistant.

💡 Comparison: The previously mentioned Sony FE 135mm F1.8 GM is even sharper, more contrasty, and offers even better subject-background separation than this lens. The 135mm also delivers faster and quieter autofocus. In general, it’s a more advanced lens.

On the downside, this lens is pretty big, heavy, and pricey for such a short telephoto lens. Autofocus is also not the quietest, which can be an inconvenience when shooting videos or working in quiet environments. In dim lighting, it can also take a while to focus.

Pros
  • The most incredible bokeh
  • Sharp from edge to edge
  • Fast & accurate autofocus
  • Premium build quality
Cons
  • Big, bulky & heavy
  • Expensive
  • Autofocus is a bit noisy

📸 In short, this lens is for you if: you’re willing to pay whatever it takes to have the dreamiest and smoothest bokeh in your portrait shots.

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👧🏻 The Top Value Portrait Lens: Sony FE 85mm F1.8

A spectacularly sharp & portable lens that performs just as well as pricier competitors

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

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A closer look:

The Sony FE 85mm F1.8 offers exceptional value for money. It’s amazingly sharp, produces stunning bokeh, and focuses fast. On top of that, unlike the two portrait lenses mentioned above, it’s also very small, lightweight, and portable. What more could you want?

📸 Get this: While this lens is almost 3x cheaper than the previously mentioned Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM, it’s actually marginally sharper at the minimum focusing distance! At the center of the frame, sharpness between these two lenses is also pretty much identical.

With that said, this lens has fairly noticeable blue fringing and slightly less contrast than the 85mm F1.4 GM. At the corners of the frame, the F1.4 GM lens is also noticeably sharper than this lens. At the end of the day, though, these differences are barely noticeable.

The main advantage of choosing the much pricier 85mm F1.4 GM is that it does produce softer, smoother, and creamier bokeh. Bokeh balls are also rounder and larger on the F1.4 GM. With that said, the 85mm F1.8 still delivers really beautiful bokeh.

Both lenses have amazingly fast and accurate autofocus. While the 85mm F1.8 has a great build quality, the F1.4 GM is equipped with a much more premium and sturdy build, which makes sense given that it’s 3x more expensive.

In short, if you want the most bokeh for your buck and are willing to splurge, then the 85mm F1.4 GM will definitely not disappoint. Otherwise, the much cheaper and lighter Sony FE 85mm F1.8 is an absolute steal – and a no-brainer for any portrait photography enthusiast.

Pros
  • Incredibly sharp
  • Very small & lightweight
  • Really beautiful bokeh
  • Affordable price
Cons
  • Some blue fringing
  • Bokeh is great, but not as smooth nor round as the Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM

📸 In short, this lens is for you if: you want a lightweight and portable portrait lens that doesn’t break the bank, and that delivers premium-level results.

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👧🏻 Most Versatile Portrait Lens: Sony FE 50mm F1.2

A top-value portrait lens that’s also useful for landscapes & street photography

Lens type: Full frame E-mount
Weight: 778 g (27.5 oz.)
Size (WxL): 8.7 x 10.8 cm (3.4 x 4.2 in)
Filter diameter: 72 mm (2.8 in)
Minimum focus distance: 0.40 m (1.32 ft)
Maximum magnification ratio: 0.17x
Autofocus: Yes
Image stabilization: No
Sample photos: Click here

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A closer look:

The Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM is a great choice if you prefer a portrait lens with a focal length that’s more multi-purposeful. Unlike an 85mm or 135mm, a 50mm prime lens can allow you to easily capture landscapes and other everyday elements in addition to portraits.

To put it simply, this lens is currently the best 50mm lens for Sony Alpha cameras out there. It’s pretty pricey, but everything from its premium build to its outstanding image quality justifies that price. Plus, for a GM lens, it’s relatively lightweight and compact.

This lens delivers spectacular optics. It shows excellent sharpness in the center of the frame even wide-open at f/1.2. Bokeh is simply fantastic thanks to the f/1.2 aperture, which also makes this an exceptional lens to work with under low light conditions.

This lens features a fast, reliable, and near-silent autofocus. Its sturdy build is also dust and moisture resistant. Plus, the 50mm field of view mimics our eye-level view, making this an amazing lens for street photography, too.

On the downside, this lens suffers some mild vignetting and pincushion distortion, although in-camera corrections or post-processing can easily fix them. There’s also some focus breathing, which can be limiting for videography.

Pros
  • Incredibly sharp even at f/1.2
  • Really stunning bokeh
  • Relatively lightweight & compact
  • Exceptional low light performance
Cons
  • Mild distortions
  • Some focus breathing
  • Pricey

📸 In short, this lens is for you if: you want a portrait lens that’s useful for landscapes & everyday shots as well, and you adore bokeh & low-light photography.

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🔮 Want a 50mm portrait lens but don’t want to spend a fortune? Consider the Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA. It’s half the price, 64% lighter, and one of the sharpest lenses Sony’s ever made; the best choice if you don’t need an f/1.2.

🎥 Best Video Lenses for Sony a7R III

Here’s what to look for when choosing the best video lens for Sony a7R III. 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 a7R III lenses for videos.

🎥 Best Everyday Video Lens: Sigma 24-70mm F2.8

A top-value standard zoom lens with a great focal range & super sharp video quality

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

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🔮 Also chosen as: The Top Value Standard Zoom Lens

The Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN Art is a very sharp, versatile, and reasonably priced choice for shooting high-quality 4K videos. It outperforms most standard zoom lenses in the market, is very easy to use, and provides incredible value.

To start off, the 24-70mm 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, even when shooting wide-open. The f/2.8 aperture will not only allow you to get high-quality videos in low light as well, but it also helps create beautifully round and smooth bokeh.

The fixed aperture of this lens will also allow you to create smooth and natural transitions as you zoom in or out while filming. Autofocus is very fast, accurate, and essentially silent. Build quality is professional-grade, with several weather-seals fitted throughout.

On the downside, this lens is pretty big and heavy. There are also some vignetting and barrel distortions, although they can be easily fixed in-camera. With that said, given its reasonable price, this is truly a top-value everyday video lens that’s worth every penny.

Pros
  • Super sharp & crisp video quality
  • Fast & accurate autofocus
  • Beautifully smooth bokeh
  • Reasonably priced
Cons
  • Big and heavy
  • Vignetting & distortions when uncorrected

📸 In short, this lens is for you if: you want a high-quality, top-value lens with a great zoom range for everyday videos.

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🎥 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

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A closer look:

The Sony FE 28mm F2.0 is a spectacular vlogging lens thanks to its wide 28mm focal length, close minimum focusing distance of 0.29 m (0.96 ft), 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 under dim lighting 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 plan to shoot lots of vlogs and want a very affordable and travel-friendly video lens.

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🦉 Best Telephoto Lenses for Sony a7R III

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 a7R III 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

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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 need a telephoto zoom range and want the sharpest, most professional-looking photos — even when shooting in low-light conditions.

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🦉 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

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A closer look:

The Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 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.

For a lens of its kind, it’s very lightweight and compact. In fact, it weighs a whopping 670 g (23.6 oz.) less than the Sony 70-200mm f/2.8! Despite its smaller size and weight, it definitely makes no compromises on image quality.

This lens delivers very sharp results in the center throughout the zoom range, even when shooting wide-open at f/2.8. It also focuses very quickly, accurately, and quietly, and is great for portraits too.

Low-light performance is excellent, and while bokeh isn’t quite as smooth as that of the Sony 70-200mm f/2.8, it’s still very beautiful — honestly, you won’t notice the difference at all unless you’re a professional.

Note that this lens offers 20mm less focal reach than the Sony 70-200mm f/2.8. This might be an issue if you’re planning to shoot far away subjects, such as wildlife.

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 lightweight & affordable telephoto zoom lens that performs well in low light.

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🦉 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

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A closer look:

The Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 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.

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🦉 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

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A closer look:

The Sony FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS is an excellent option for you if you can’t afford the previously 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 — it’s fantastic for shooting wildlife, sports, events, and can even dabble in some casual portraits and macro too.

While this lens is not as sharp as the much more expensive Sony 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6, it still shows impressive image quality. It delivers excellent central sharpness throughout the zoom range, although at 300mm, corner sharpness is quite poor.

Autofocus is quick and accurate under good lighting conditions, and because this lens focuses so closely, it can double as a macro lens too. For a telephoto zoom of its kind, this lens is also very lightweight and compact.

On the downside, do not expect reliable low-light performance from this lens. Under dim lighting, it’s unable to consistently lock focus. Although this lens has a decently approachable price, it’s also not exactly cheap for a relatively slow lens.

However, if you don’t care about low-light performance and don’t need edge-to-edge sharpness when shooting wide-open, 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.

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🦉 Best Super-Tele Lens: Sony 200-600mm F5.6-6.3

The ultimate Sony a7R III 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

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A closer look:

The Sony FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS is the best value Sony a7R III 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).

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🦉 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

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A closer look:

The Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS is a very reasonably priced and lightweight super-telephoto lens that delivers excellent image quality and great value for money.

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, then this is the best budget-friendly lens you can get.

This lens is very sharp across the whole zoom range. While the corners are always a bit softer than the center at all focal lengths, they’re still impressively sharp.

Under bright lighting conditions, autofocus is very fast, smooth, and silent. It also effortlessly tracks fast-moving subjects. Moreover, distortions, color-fringing, flares, and ghosting are all kept at a minimum level.

On the downside, autofocus is quite slow under dim lighting and can hunt for a while. You might also need to venture into noisy ISO settings when shooting in low light given the narrow aperture of this lens.

This lens is also not weather-sealed, and the Sony E-mount version of it is incompatible with teleconverters. Lastly, because of its narrow aperture, bokeh generally isn’t the smoothest.

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.

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⚙️ Best Teleconverter Lenses for the Sony a7R III

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 a7R III.

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 a7R III 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

🛒 Check latest price on Amazon


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 a7R III 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

🛒 Check latest price on Amazon


✈️ Best Travel Lenses for Sony a7R III

If you’re looking to travel with your Sony a7R III, 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 a7R III lenses to bring on your trips.

Best Lens for a7III While Traveling
Capturing Lofoten, Norway — one of the best dream travel destinations on earth

🔍 Best Macro Lenses for Sony a7R III

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

🛒 Check price on Amazon

📸 Check price on B&H Photo

A closer look:

The Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS is the absolute best Sony a7R III 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.

🛒 Check latest price on Amazon


🌸 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

🛒 Check price on Amazon

📸 Check price on B&H Photo

A closer look:

The Sigma 70mm F2.8 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 FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS 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.

🛒 Check latest price on Amazon

🔮 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 Budget Lenses for Sony a7R III

Let’s face it, the Sony a7R III is not the cheapest camera, so it might be a good idea to pair it with some high-quality budget lenses if shelling out more money doesn’t sound appealing to you. Here are the absolute best budget lenses for the Sony a7R III.

💸 Top Budget Everyday Lens: Tamron 28-75mm F2.8

A top-value standard 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

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A closer look:

The Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 is the perfect entry-level, beginner-friendly standard zoom lens for the Sony A7R III. It’s also one of the most budget-friendly standard zoom lenses for this camera. Yet, it delivers far beyond the budget-level norm.

Throughout the whole zoom range, you’ll get very impressive sharpness and fantastic image quality. Distortion is very well-controlled and autofocus is very fast, accurate, and quiet.

This lens is really lightweight and compact, making it perfect to travel with. Plus, its versatile zoom range allows you to shoot everything from landscapes, portraits, and close-ups to a sky full of stars. It’s an incredibly multi-purposeful lens.

If you’re a fan of out-of-focus backgrounds, then this lens is for you. It delivers stunning bokeh, works amazingly in low light conditions, and shoots great videos too.

While there’s some color fringing and vignetting when shooting wide open, you can easily fix these things in your camera or via post-processing. Overall, it’s truly hard to find a budget-friendly standard zoom lens of this caliber.

Pros
  • Impressively sharp
  • Stunning bokeh
  • Lightweight & compact
  • Fast & accurate autofocus
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 that doesn’t compromise on image quality and performance.

🛒 Check latest price on Amazon


💸 More Budget-Friendly Lenses for the Sony a7R III

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 Astrophotography Lenses for Sony a7R III

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 a7R III 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

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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.

🛒 Check latest price on Amazon

🔮 The Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM (the top overall Sony a7R III 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 a7R III

Pancake lenses sadly have nothing to do with delicious breakfast carbs or maple syrup. They’re simply 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 a7R III

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

🛒 See price on Amazon

📸 Check price on B&H Photo

A closer look:

The Sony Sonnar T* FE 35mm F2.8 ZA is essentially the smallest lens for Sony a7R III 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 a7R III, 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 a7R III
  • 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.

🛒 Check latest price on Amazon


💭 Final Thoughts on These Sony a7R III Best Lenses

I hope you enjoyed this guide on the top lenses for Sony a7R III 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 a7R III has been helpful!

For more photography tips, discover:
📸 Best Cameras for Bloggers: The Ultimate Guide + Reviews
🎥 24 Best Lenses for Sony a7R IV: The Ultimate Guide
🔮 24 Best Lenses for Sony a7III: The Ultimate Guide
🔭 24 Best Lenses for Sony a7 IV: The Ultimate Guide
💠 24 Best Lenses for Sony a7 Series Cameras
24 Best Lenses for Sony a7C: The Ultimate Guide

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Welcome to my travel + photography blog!

I'm Jiayi, a Chinese-Italian photographer who's been on the move since age 6. With this blog, my goal is to provide you with invaluable tips to help you plan epic trips to both popular and unpopular destinations, and to photograph them the way you'd want to. Happy Travels! :)

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