(Credit: Jim Fisher)
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It’s easy to name the mirrorless camera system with the most lens options. Sony began making APS-C mirrorless cameras in 2010 and added full-frame models a few years later. That’s given the company plenty of opportunity to build out its system and cultivate support from third-party manufacturers. PCMag has covered the vast majority of Sony E-mount lenses over the last decade, so you can rely on our independent reviews to help you pick the best optic for your Sony mirrorless camera. Whether you are shopping for a standard zoom or a macro lens for close-ups, we recommend Editors’ Choice winners in each category that are well worth your money. Not sure where to start? Read on below for an overview of Sony’s lens system.
The Best Camera Lens Deals This Week*
*Deals are selected by our commerce team
Two Sensors Sizes, One Mount
Sony sells two types of mirrorless cameras. The a6000 series and ZV-E10 II are built around the APS-C size, while a1, a7, and a9 cameras use the larger full-frame format. The company’s FX lineup covers both sensor sizes. Because of this, you need to make sure that you buy the right lens for your camera.Sony consistently names its APS-C lenses with an E designation, while full-frame options get FE, but third parties don’t always follow suit. For example, Tamron uses a III-A designation for its APS-C lenses and III for full-frame, while Sigma uses DC DN for APS-C and DG DN for full-frame.You should also consider the lens family. Sony gives its better optics a G designation and reserves the GM (G Master) moniker for its highest-quality lenses. If you own a high-resolution a1 or a7R model, it’s often worth it to splurge on a GM lens. But you can usually get excellent results with more affordable lenses if you work with an a7 or a6000 camera. Sigma takes a similar approach: It uses the Sports label for its fastest-focusing lenses, the Art name for its best optical performers, and the Contemporary moniker for consumer-grade glass.
Zoom for APS-C
Sony E 18-135mm / a6400 (Credit: Jim Fisher)
If you’re buying a camera with a bundled lens, chances are it’s a standard zoom. These lenses cover a moderately wide-angle view when zoomed all the way out and offer enough zoom power to hone in for portraits.If you use an APS-C model, it will come bundled with the small 16-50mm or 16-50mm II retractable power zooms or the more premium and versatile 18-135mm.If you’re mulling an upgrade from the old 18-55mm or 16-50mm or looking for a lens with more zoom power, you have a few good options in front of you.The E 16-55mm F2.8 G is our favorite premium lens for a6000 owners. It’s missing optical stabilization, however, a feature available only in the a6500, a6600, and a6700 bodies to date. That makes the Tamron 17-70mm F2.8 Di III-A VC RXD a more attractive option for many; it’s a strong value option at $800 and an Editors’ Choice winner like the $1,400 E 16-55mm.For telephoto coverage, you can opt for a superzoom lens like the Tamron 18-300mm or a dedicated telezoom, of which the Sony E 70-350mm is the only option worth considering.
MSRP $1,399.99
Tamron 17-70mm F2.8 Di III-A VC RXD
MSRP $799.99
Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS
MSRP $599.99
Tamron 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD
MSRP $699.00
Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary
MSRP $549.00
Sony E 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 G OSS
MSRP $999.99
Standard Zoom for Full-Frame
Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II / a1 (Credit: Jim Fisher)
Sony sells many of its full-frame cameras without a lens, so it’s up to you to decide where to start. If a standard zoom is what you want, Sony and third parties cover the range thoroughly.These lenses start at a moderate wide angle and have varying levels of zoom power. If you go for a lens with an f/2.8 aperture, you can enjoy better imaging in dim light and the ability to make images with blurred-out backgrounds.Your options for an f/2.8 zoom range from affordable (but quality) third-party options like the Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 G2, midrange zooms like Sigma’s 24-70mm F2.8 Art II, and pro lenses like the Sony 24-70mm F2.8 GM II. Sigma also sells a 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN Art for Sony. That lens trades away zoom power for an exceptionally wide aperture and is optically as good as prime lenses that cover the same ground.If you prefer more zoom power, you have other choices. The Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G is in the discussion as our favorite zoom for any camera system due to its wide-angle coverage and close-up focus. And at f/4, it’s useful in a variety of lighting conditions. The FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS is a good alternative if you want a bit more zoom power and optical stabilization. Meanwhile, the Tamron 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 has extended coverage and a bright aperture for a superzoom.There are also smaller zooms available for travel—the Sony 28-60mm launched as a kit lens for the compact a7C series, and the Sigma 28-70mm F2.8 edges out the Tamron 28-75mm G2 as the smallest F2.8 zoom for the system. Meanwhile, Sony has the FE 24-50mm F2.8 G. Its zoom range is meager, but the lens is small and provides fast, linear focus.
Sigma 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN Art
MSRP $1,349.00
MSRP $1,099.99
Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
MSRP $2,299.99
Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN Art II
MSRP $1,199.00
Tamron 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 Di III RXD
MSRP $729.00
Sigma 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary
MSRP $899.00
Tamron 35-150mm F2-2.8 Di III VXD
MSRP $1,899.00
Wide Angle for APS-C
Sony E 10-18mm / a6400 (Credit: Jim Fisher)
Photographers love to reach for a wide-angle lens to capture vast landscape views or to get really close to a subject while still giving context to the surroundings. They’re useful tools, and one should be in the bag of every serious shooter.For an APS-C camera, look for a lens with a focal length shorter than around 15mm to get really wide views—the smaller the number, the more of the world the lens captures.We had criticized the E system for a lack of autofocusing wide options in the past, but Sony has addressed the shortcoming. There are now four zooms that cover the range: the Sigma 10-18mm Contemporary, Sony E 10-18mm F4 OSS, the Sony E PZ 10-20mm F4 G, and the Tamron 11-20mm F2.8. Prime fans can choose between the Sony E 11mm F1.8 and E 15mm F1.4 G.Full-frame lenses are an option for an APS-C camera, but you should stick to the widest-angle designs to maintain a big view with the smaller-sensor format. They tend to be bigger and pricier, but there’s appeal if you own both APS-C and full-frame systems or are eyeing an upgrade down the road.If you’re willing to delve into manual focus lenses, many other unique ultra-wide options are available from makers such as Rokinon, 7artisans, and Venus Laowa.
Sigma 10-18mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary
MSRP $599.00
MSRP $749.99
MSRP $749.99
MSRP $549.99
Wide Angle for Full-Frame
Sony FE 12-24mm F4 G / a9 (Credit: Jim Fisher)
Sony users with full-frame systems have more options than those with APS-C models. The basic rules about the angle of view stay the same, though: A lower value focal length nets a wider view. Because the surface area of a full-frame sensor is larger, though, we consider a wide lens to be anything that’s 23mm or wider.You have both zoom and prime lens options in this range. For example, you can opt for the FE 12-24mm F4 G for the widest views with autofocus or step up to the premium FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM.If you want to spend less, the Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 is an excellent performer that doesn’t quite provide as wide an angle of view. For photographers who want a more expansive view, you can get manual focus lenses from Venus Laowa that go as wide as 9mm for primes and 10mm (with the company’s 10-18mm) for zooms.There are also several more moderate wide lenses, including 16-35mm zooms and prime lenses in the 14 to 21mm range. We recommend the Sony FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G and Sigma 16-28mm F2.8 if you like zoom lenses or the Sigma 17mm F4 and Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G if you prefer a prime.Sigma offers a line of bright primes for night sky photography, a specialty that requires bright optics and extra-wide angles of coverage. Its 14mm F1.8, 20mm F1.4, and 24mm F1.4 Art are all excellent performers that minimize sagittal coma in star field images. They come with uncommon features like a manual focus lock and support for external lens warmers. Sigma’s astro series also includes the only autofocus fisheye for the system, the 15mm F1.4 Diagonal Fisheye Art.
MSRP $2,999.99
Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG DN Art
MSRP $1,199.00
Sigma 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary
MSRP $899.00
MSRP $1,199.99
Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN Art
MSRP $899.00
Sigma 14mm F1.4 DG DN Art
MSRP $1,599.00
MSRP $899.99
Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II
MSRP $2,299.99
Sigma 17mm F4 DG DN Contemporary
MSRP $599.00
MSRP $1,699.99
Telephoto for Full-Frame
Sony FE 200-600mm / a7R IV (Credit: Jim Fisher)
Telephoto lenses are one of the most popular categories for full-frame cameras. Longer telephoto lenses, those that extend beyond 400mm, are typically tools for sports, wildlife, and nature photographers. We used Sony’s FE 400mm F2.8 GM to capture a pro rugby match, for example, and love the Sigma 500mm F5.6 Sports as a lightweight option for wildlife photography.There are also shorter telephotos, like the 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II, for weddings and events. They give photographers the flexibility to capture the action, are inconspicuous, and still capture enough light to handle challenging environments, including spaces that prohibit flash photography. If you don’t work in tough light, the 70-200mm F4 G OSS Macro is a good alternative for less money.Longer lenses are more useful for wildlife and sports specialists. Sigma and Sony both offer 100-400mm zooms for the system, and the Sony 200-600mm is available for photographers who need even more reach. The Tamron 150-500mm and Sigma 150-600mm slide in for photographers who want to spend less on a telezoom.For sports pros with a near-unlimited budget, you can opt for the FE 400mm F2.8 GM or FE 600mm F4 GM, each of which cost north of $10,000. They’re not lenses that most, or even many, will buy, but meet the needs of photographers working the sidelines at pro sporting events.Teleconverters are also available for select lenses. Sony sells 1.4x and 2.0x converters that work with select G and G Master lenses. They reduce the amount of light a lens captures but get you closer to the subject. The 1.4x cuts incoming light in half, while the 2.0x converter quarters it.
Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports
MSRP $1,499.00
Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
MSRP $2,799.99
Sony FE 70-200mm F4 Macro G OSS II
MSRP $1,699.99
Sony FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS
MSRP $5,999.99
Tamron 50-400mm F4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD
MSRP $1,299.00
Sigma 500mm F5.6 DG DN OS Sports
MSRP $2,999.99
Sony FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS
MSRP $1,999.99
Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2
MSRP $1,299.00
Standard Prime for APS-C
Sigma 16mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary / Sony a6500 (Credit: Jim Fisher)
If you’re happy with the angle of view you get from your standard zoom, but want a lens that can gather more light, blur backgrounds with greater ease, and generally provide better image quality, consider buying a prime lens.Prime lenses don’t offer any zoom power, so you should target one that covers an angle of view that you like. If you already have a zoom, check what focal lengths you use the most.If you lean toward the wider end, a lens like the Sigma 16mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary is a good fit—its angle of view is the same as the E 16-50mm at its shortest setting, but the f/1.4 aperture means that it can capture more than four times as much light wide-open.Lenses around 24mm capture a more moderate wide angle on an APS-C camera. If you look for a lens closer to 35mm, you get a standard angle, one that’s not really wide or telephoto. Meanwhile, those around 50mm are best for portrait work and other scenarios in which you want to isolate your subject from the background.Using a full-frame lens is always an option, too. You might pay a bit more, but you can take them with you if you ever upgrade to an a7 series. You also likely get the benefit of weather sealing, which Sony usually leaves off its E series lenses.
Sigma 16mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary
MSRP $449.00
MSRP $349.99
Sigma 23mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary
MSRP $549.00
Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* E 24mm F1.8 ZA
MSRP $1,099.99
Sigma 56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary
MSRP $479.00
Sigma 30mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary
MSRP $339.00
MSRP $474.99
MSRP $279.99
MSRP $299.99
Standard Prime for Full-Frame
Sigma 45mm F2.8 Contemporary / Sony a7R IV (Credit: Jim Fisher)
If you own a full-frame Sony camera, you have dozens of prime lenses from which to choose—enough that we’ve split the category into a few segments. Here, we talk about standard-angle options, those that cover a view from around 24 through 70mm. If you want a longer prime for portraiture or one for close-focus macro shots, feel free to skip ahead.There are loads of good choices at various prices. Tamron sells a $200 24mm F2.8 prime with macro focus—optical quality is strong, but autofocus is slow. If you want great optics and fast focus, Sony offers up premium optics like the FE 24mm F1.4 GM, as well as more mainstream entries like the FE 35mm F1.8.The system also enjoys strong third-party support. If you’re not in love with the way Sony lenses look or handle, you can instead choose from the Sigma I Series, a family of compact primes with aluminum construction and on-lens aperture control. Sigma also has Art series lenses with brighter optics and faster focus; the 50mm F1.4 DG DN Art is one of its standouts, but nearly every Sigma Art prime we’ve tested has delivered excellent performance and value for the dollar.You can also go the opposite direction with an autofocus lens from Rokinon, marketed under the Samyang umbrella. Construction is more plastic, but you can find some good values.
MSRP $1,399.00
Sigma 24mm F2 DG DN Contemporary
MSRP $639.00
MSRP $1,399.99
Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG DN Art
MSRP $899.00
Rokinon 35mm F2.8 AF Sony E
MSRP $399.00
MSRP $599.99
MSRP $1,999.99
MSRP $599.99
Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG DN Art
MSRP $849.00
Sigma 65mm F2 DG DN Contemporary
MSRP $699.00
Portrait Prime for Full-Frame
Sony FE 100mm F2.8 STF GM OSS / a7R II (Credit: Jim Fisher)
When a photographer shops for a portrait lens, it’s typically for one with a short telephoto focal length. These lenses marry a tight angle of view with a bright aperture. You get the right amount of working distance to snap head or head-and-shoulder shots with a smooth, blurred background.Of course, you can make portraits with other types of lenses and use short telephoto lenses for other types of photos, just as you can make a wonderful landscape image with a long telephoto lens.Most lenses of this type are made for full-frame cameras. If you use an APS-C camera and prefer a longer lens for portraits, there’s no reason not to opt for a full-frame lens.One standout of note, the FE 100mm F2.8 STF GM OSS, is worth special attention. It offers both autofocus and an apodization element to smooth defocused highlights, a rare combination. If you prefer a lens that gathers more light, the Sony FE 135mm stands out as one of the sharpest we’ve ever tested.
MSRP $599.99
MSRP $1,799.99
Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN Art
MSRP $1,199.00
Sigma 90mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary
MSRP $639.00
Sony FE 100mm F2.8 STF GM OSS
MSRP $1,499.99
MSRP $2,099.99
Macro for Full-Frame
Sigma 70mm F2.8 DG Macro / Sony a7R III (Credit: Jim Fisher)
Macro lenses can focus very close, so you can bring smaller subjects into clearer view. They’re popular choices for shots of flowers, insects, or rusty textures that draw in urban explorers and street photographers alike.When shopping for a macro lens, you should take some things into consideration. The magnification ratio is one. It tells you how much macro power the lens has at its closest distance. A rating of 1:1 means that subjects are projected onto the image sensor at life-size, while a lens with 1:2 macro captures them at half life-size.Focal length is another. Most 1:1 macro lenses have longer focal lengths. The E 30mm F3.5 Macro, an APS-C lens, is a rare standard-angle 1:1 option, but it means the working distance is very short. To net full magnification, the front element of the lens is only centimeters from the subject. Longer focal lengths offer more working distance, which helps you avoid casting shadows.
Sigma 105mm F2.8 DG DN Macro Art
MSRP $799.00
Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS
MSRP $1,099.99
Voigtlander Macro APO-Lanthar 110mm F2.5
MSRP $1,099.00
Artistic Lenses for Full-Frame
Lensbaby Sol 45 / Sony a7R III (Credit: Jim Fisher)
Modern lenses are great. They’re sharp, with fast apertures, quick autofocus, resistance to flares—the whole nine yards. But sometimes it’s the imperfect image that gets the most Instagram likes or helps sell a wedding package.Boutique makers like Lensbaby and Lomography offer fully manual lenses with a variety of interesting designs, some with roots going back to the dawn of photography. The Lomography New Petzval’s optics take inspiration from 19th-century optical designs, for example.Others, like the Lensbaby Composer, give you the ability to tilt the plane of focus in interesting ways. Lensbaby also makes a series of soft-focus lenses with very close focus, the Velvet line. And it sells some low-cost lenses for mirrorless cameras too, including the selective focus Sweet 22 and tilting Sol 45.We’ve highlighted our favorites here, all with manual focus and a unique character.
MSRP $399.95
MSRP $199.95
MSRP $179.95
Zhongyi Mitakon Speedmaster 50mm F0.95 III
MSRP $799.00
Meyer Optik Görlitz Trioplan 100 F2.8 II
MSRP $999.00
MSRP $249.95
Lomography New Petzval 55mm f/1.7 MKII
MSRP $449.90
MSRP $499.95
Other Accessories to Consider
Lensbaby Omni Filters / Sony E 30mm Macro / a6400 (Credit: Jim Fisher)
You should now have a better idea of what types of lenses you can add to your Sony mirrorless camera, but you shouldn’t buy a lens without direction or intent. Buy a lens because it fits a need or want in your work, not just to have another thing on the shelf.There are other add-ons to think about. External lighting is one—an on-camera flash, off-camera strobes, or even a collapsible reflector will help you take control of lighting. And a good tripod is something every photographer should own. Video specialists should think about getting a gimbal for stabilization and a microphone. Creative types can also look at lens filters and add-ons, like the Lensbaby Omni system.If you’re still getting started on your photographic journey, be sure to check out our tips for making better images. We’ve also put together a guide for enthusiasts and offer a list of tools to consider if you’re interested in vlogging.
Lensbaby Omni Creative Filter System
MSRP $99.95
MSRP $259.00
Peak Design Travel Tripod
MSRP $599.99
MSRP $549.00
Flashpoint Xplor 300 Pro TTL R2
MSRP $499.00
MSRP $349.00
Flashpoint Xplor 100 Pro TTL R2
MSRP $299.00
MSRP $99.95
