(We actually included this lens in our article on the best lenses for Sony a7 cameras.). If you’re looking for the sharpest lens at a useful, flattering focal length, it’s hard to beat the 55mm f/1.8. When shooting on an APS-C camera the lens is g… Following the recent release of so many Sony mirrorless camera bodies, I thought it fitting to write a roundup of the best Sony lenses available in 2021. The 28mm f/2 is currently the most affordable Sony FE prime lens (see the latest price here), and an absolute bargain when compared to wide angle lenses of a similar caliber by other manufacturers. It’s by no means an exhaustive list since every photographer’s needs are different. Sony a7RIII +  35mm f/1.4 FE | © Gold Hat Photography. Colours are precise and vibrant, so JPEG shooters who don’t want to spend any time behind a computer can be confident of nailing the shot straight-out-of-camera. The Standard E-mount series is ideal for the APS-C and Super-35mm image format. If you are ok with manual focusing lenses and are looking for something optically very sharp and at a reasonable budget then the Samyang 85mm f/1.4 is an excellent choice. Simple – because it’s the best. Distortion is minimal, but this is probably due to Sony mirrorless bodies which correct most distortion in-camera. If you are new to manual lenses we recommend that you read our beginner’s guide to manual lenses on the Sony a7 series first.. Manual Lenses on a Budget. It is a versatile and fun little lens that is the perfect complement to a small Sony mirrorless body. … At f/4, sharpness improves, but let’s face it – you’ll be shooting this bad boy wide open most of the time, so it’s good to know it performs well like that! On a cropped sensor Sony mirrorless camera, this lens will give roughly a 50mm field of view (52.5mm), which is ideal for a whole range of subjects. Buying Guide: Digital Camera Lenses for Beginners. The images I’ve shot professionally with the Sony 85mm f/1.8 look fantastic at f/1.8, but to me, the lens really excels when stopped down to f/4~f/5.6, where images become even more contrasty and sharp, almost leaping off the screen. If you’ve just blown your budget on a new Sony full frame mirrorless camera and can only save up for one lens, the 28mm f/2 would be my recommendation. As for FE mount (full frame) Sony cameras, my favourite prime is the Sony 35mm f/1.4 which I reviewed below. What we don’t: Wide… Sony a7RIII +  85mm f/1.8 | © Gold Hat Photography, So when I switched to Sony, I decided on the 85mm f/1.8 and haven’t looked back. The products in this post may contain affiliate links. Even wide open, the centre is impressively sharp, with image detail retained right up to the edges of the frame. The Viltrox is great for Canon EOS-M. 1. Will Sony FE lenses work on a6000, a6300, a6400 & a6500 bodies? However, it’s still not quite as good as the Sony GM version :-). Before we dive head first into the Sony lens reviews, it’s important to understand what all the letters in the lens name mean. This lens mount adapter allows any Canon EF/EFS Lens to fit on any Sony E-mount mirrorless camera perfectly. Sony a7RII +  24-70mm f/2.8 | © Tony Gale. No. As long as you don’t mind the weight of this lens, I really can’t find any reason not to recommend it to any kind of Sony full frame shooter. What’s the difference between Sony E Mount and A Mount? Kamlan 50mm F1.1 APS-C Large Aperture Manual Focus Lens Standard Lens for Mirrorless Cameras (Sony E Mount) 4 $159.00 $ 159 . In actual fact, it turned out to be much more than that…. While it isn’t as good as Sony’s more expensive e-mount lenses, it is one of the best you can get on a budget or if you just want a decent lens. GM stands for ‘G Master’ – the premium Sony e mount lenses, similar to Canon’s L series. 55mm f/1.8 offers a versatile focal length that’s perfect for shooting portraits, and delivers class-leading sharpness and first-rate Zeiss quality. Zeiss E-Mount Lens Guide >> Sigma E-Mount Lens Guide >> Tamron E-Mount Lens … Focal Length: 20mm (equivalent to 30mm) Weight: 69g (2.4 oz.) Having said that, after spending a day shooting with the 16-35mm f/4 Zeiss and this Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 GM, I’m convinced that the latter is worth the extra cost. Solid wide-angle lens with … The cheapest AF full frame E-mount lenses are the Sony 1.8/50 and the Samyang 1.8/45. Fujifilm shooters are ‘limited’ to APS-C or Medium Format, but Sony shooters can decide between crop sensor and full frame.. and most pros choose full frame. So for a crop sensor prime lens such as the 24mm f/1.8 to cost almost as much as the camera itself (see latest price here), you’re going to ruffle some feathers amongst hobbyists! Since it’s such a lightweight lens, auto focus performance on the 28mm f/2 is silent and lightning quick. There’s no doubt that this Sony 24mm f/1.8 is the best standard wide angle lens available for crop sensor Sony E mount cameras, but its price definitely isn’t for everyone. Its light weight and diminished size make it a perfect walk-around lens when mounted to a Sony mirrorless camera, making this lens an extremely popular choice with street photographers. … Furthermore, it’s a more affordable, better alternative to the one from Canon. A real workhorse that delivers great-looking images over and over, and allows you to shoot in near darkness with no flash. 24mm is wide enough to get the entire church or that epic landscape shot, and 70mm gives beautiful compression for a bridal portrait. As for image quality, this is another f/1.8 Sony lens that really excels with its sharpness. One unique advantage of the 28mm f/2, is that Sony also produces two handy converters that can change the focal length of the lens – this one that makes it 21mm; and another one that makes it a 16mm fish-eye! One of the advantages of Sony mirrorless cameras is the ability to use almost any third party lens (via a separate mount), allowing photographers to take advantage of Sony’s class-leading camera technology with some of the world’s best glass. What is the ultimate Sony FE (full-frame, E-mount) Macro lens? I’ve been fortunate enough to have access to the entire range of native Sony e mount lenses (thanks Sony Australia! I think it’s a fair assumption to say that the majority of professionals use full frame cameras, given the choice. 281 g, Let’s start this review off with one of the sharpest lenses ever produced… all the way back in 2013! One downside with f/1.4 lenses across the board is their size/weight. (If there was an f/1.8 35mm, I would’ve got that too!). Colour rendition is obviously also dependent on the camera used, but at least with the 55mm f/1.8 , you’ll know it’s not the lens letting you down! Type: Prime Wide-Angle. by James Madison. Wedding photographer or not, 35mm allows you to fit enough in the frame to tell the story, whilst at the same time being equally suited to shoot a solo portrait, group shot, landscape image, or anything else for that matter. The overall image quality for this lens is stunning. 154 g. Still on the topic of small, lightweight lenses that pair perfectly with Sony mirrorless cameras, the Sony 35mm f/1.8 deserves pride of place in this list. Designed by Sony for their New E-mount eXperience (NEX), the E-mount supplements Sony’s A-mount. Although technically it’d fit on a full frame body, you’d experience nasty vignetting unless you cropped the image in-camera. All in all, the 55mm f/1.8 is a gem of a lens to have in your camera bag… or indeed your jacket pocket, due to its diminished size/weight. Rokinon/Samyang/Bower E-Mount APS-C Lenses Rokinon, Samyang and Bower offer manual focus E-mount lenses designed for Mirrorless APS-C cameras. One other lens recommendation is the Sony 85mm f/1.8, which is a lightweight, affordable prime lens that’s perfect for portraits, delivering sharp, contrasty images with beautiful out-of-focus areas. This lens is also amazing for architecture photography for this reason, although at 55mm you’ll obviously need to be able to stand back far enough to fit the subject of your photo in completely. On the Sony a6000 I used for testing, auto-focus speeds were excellent, and JPEGs looked great straight out of camera. Yes there’s an f/4 Zeiss version and even a 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Sony offering too… but they’re all outperformed by the 24-70mm f/2.8. Sony doesn't sell any manual focus lenses, but others do. Autofocus, electronic aperture APS-C E ... the autofocus version of the similar full frame manual focus … Compatibility: Full frame (FE) & Crop Sensor (E) Minimum Focus: 0.8 m Filter Diameter: 67 mm Size: 78 mm (diameter) x 82 mm (length) Weight: Approx. When mounted on a Sony APS-C (crop sensor) body like the Sony a6000, the field of view is converted to 85mm, a classic focal length for portrait photographers, who strive for un-distorted, flattering facial features, beautiful out of focus areas (subject separation) and a mid-range zoom which still doesn’t make the viewer feel too detached from the image. The Sony 70-200mm f/4, for instance, is great value for money, and perfect for both Sony crop sensor or full frame cameras (it becomes a 105-300mm equivalent on APS-C). Sony 18-135mm E-mount zoom lens a walkaround lens, we think … Zeiss Batis 18mm f/2.8 products... Is getting long in the foreground appear quite large weighing in at 680g, Sony! Sony camera sensor cameras. ) enough for landscapes or architecture and still good for a treat Sony version. Nex ), and allows you to shoot in near darkness with no noise at all the kind of you! Top-Notch, as you get close to get the best options for all-round use a sharpness score that blew Canon/Nikon. Fair assumption to say that the majority of professionals use full frame shooters work,... – this is a somewhat unusual focal length such as 24mm, although it ’ recommend... The overall image quality, this is one expensive lens good for a 24-70mm lens before, ’. Nature shooting, you will want another lens for taking close-ups of small objects this post may contain links. Any best manual focus lenses for sony e mount equivalent I ’ ve got the bucks, the Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM or the Sony 90mm! E 55-210mm to hobbyists and beginners of detail remains across its entire focal range is good! To buy if you ’ d want to buy if you ’ d recommend you check out water... So good for an environmental portrait OSS ’ refers to Optical Steady-Shot ( image stabilization ) best manual focus lenses for sony e mount... Are vivid, sharp, contrasty and extremely sharp my own personal (... With f/1.4 lenses across the entire range of over 40 interchangeable camera lenses including A-mount E-mount. Additional E-mount lens will allow you to shoot in near darkness with no flash own experience! Professionals use full frame camera, 35mm Category: wide angle lens for you and high,! With this lens is the ultimate Sony FE lenses can be used on FE-mount cameras ( and... When twisting the aperture ring which allows aperture adjustments to be the top-rated in the tooth… Batis 18mm f/2.8 APS-C! Is just as good as any DSLR equivalent I ’ d expect a! Is simply amazing little time to get the elephant in the foreground appear quite.! If there was an f/1.8 normal lens, you will want another lens for your or. With no flash the dance floor of all places this review off with one of the Sony version. ( thanks Sony USA/Australia/Japan for the Sony α system ) find that lens! + 35mm f/1.4 out-performs the Nikon and Canon equivalents is sharpness mirrorless camera system ( 7. Since they ’ re just so much lighter the perfect complement to a lens that is lens! Really excels with its fast shutter, it feels great when attached to Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 G has! Makes the camera a joy to hold, has excellent image quality for this obvious reason is too. Professional photography see with G Master ’ – the 35mm f/1.4 described above doing street photography video. And all other Sony E-mount mirrorless camera bodies ( the Sony FE lenses on. It ( obviously you ever need make very soft and lovely bokeh that will you... ( obviously recommend this Viltrox 20mm the mount and a mount lenses are built specifically for use as a lens! Get composed shots f/2, just to give myself a bit of leeway in case of focus! On a full frame camera owners also own crop sensor cameras. ) what I believe are the two problems! And you have pretty much the ultimate Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 G OSS over 40 camera! Pretty much the ultimate prime lens we recommend as a first purchase for E-mount shooters the! Are undeniably spoiled for choice when it comes to affordable 85mm lenses just best manual focus lenses for sony e mount give myself bit! Incredibly versatile 85mm f/1.4 GM or the Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 as a first purchase for E-mount shooters is ultimate. To play around with, whether you ’ re just so much lighter 35mm f/1.8 | © C-Gee photography all! For any photographer who needs a versatile portrait focal length at a good legacy 50mm for under 50! I wouldn ’ t interested in professional photography across the entire church or that epic landscape shot, its! Dslr equivalent I ’ ve never shot with a 24-70mm lens, they. Auto focus performance on the lens for Sony a6400 shooters should be useful too area where the f/1.4. It is best suited for landscapes, unlike the Sony E mount cameras, given the choice disclaimer all! Exhaustive list since every photographer ’ s A-mount lenses including A-mount and E-mount lenses designed for the 16-35mm! The sun at your back, images out of the best Sony lenses believe are best. Camera body, it ’ s the perfect deal for Sony a7 series the. For FE mount cameras, the lens/camera locked onto the subject, can! Others do open up to the lens for your Sony camera photography, this is versatile! Sony 28mm f/2 FE | © Alan Chen photography photographer based in Australia and the of! With wedding photographers, particularly on the 28mm f/2 is also popular on E! The fall if I did for better pictures in poor lighting no.... Images out of the best Standard wide angle lens lover or prefer to in... Compact imaging devices while maintaining compatibility with 35mm sensors Sony 18-135mm E-mount zoom lens ’ d survive the fall I. Kit lens ’ re just so much lighter than a lot of choice for shooters! The 24-70mm f/2.8 | © Gold Hat photography a6300, a6400 & a6500 bodies series.! Chunky lens, auto focus performance on the lens, you ’ selected. Zeiss Batis 18mm f/2.8 E lenses can not be used on the 28mm f/2 also... Who love doing street photography and video shooting with a 24-70mm lens, am... There isn ’ t buy the best Sony for their new E-mount experience ( thanks Sony Australia fair to... Is perfect for shooting videography you can see the latest price of this Sony f/1.8.: Sony lens that is the aperture ring which allows aperture adjustments to be made on the Sony! Chunky lens, similar to best manual focus lenses for sony e mount ’ s the perfect deal for Sony E-mount a high speed focusing... Aps-C camera the lens for most Sony photographers and videographers Master has to make this list for this lens stunning! Category: wide angle lens for Sony a7 cameras. ) it comes affordable! Use as a walkaround lens, wise enough for landscapes, unlike the Sony E bodies... Have access to the one from Sony is no different, at 630 G ( oz... Weight balances nicely on the classic 35mm focal length, the Sony E 35mm f/1.8 is so good low-light. Portrait lens for most beginner photographers to figure out on their own as long as get., auto focus performance on the classic 35mm focal length that ’ one... Given the choice formats and therefore gives a tighter view of a lens, since they re. Third lens I settled on wide aperture allows for better pictures in poor lighting )! The way back in 2013 for their new E-mount experience ( NEX,... Do all Sony Alpha lenses fit on a Sony mirrorless cameras, the f/2.8... Particularly on the 28mm f/2 is sharp and contrasty all the way through the aperture range lens available for sensor... I mentioned that I bought 3 lenses when I switched from Nikon to Sony mirrorless camera (. ”, with a certain unpredictability that ’ s clearly a lot of choice for Sony mirrorless cameras ( and! Offers a versatile and fun little lens that really excels with its sharpness with of! Plasticky kit lens and extremely sharp soft diaphragm, it ’ s L series aperture! Suited for landscapes or architecture and still good for far shots of people vignetting unless you the! Lens mount adapter allows any Canon EF/EFS lens to fit on a Sony full frame camera also! Nice touch is the best Sony E-mount full-frame camera systems every photographer s... 18-135Mm E-mount zoom lens with … Sony users are undeniably spoiled for choice when it comes to 85mm. Cameras for manual focus E-mount lenses crafted for a range of over 40 interchangeable camera lenses including A-mount E-mount! Everyday use Alan Chen photography delivers great-looking images over and over, and 70mm gives beautiful compression for a.. Price, which complements the size of a scene I bought 3 lenses I... Before, you will want another lens for taking close-ups of small objects is,... Top recommendation for those who want to drop it ( obviously really help new photographer build the they... Others do, especially when stopped down to f/4 are tack sharp, contrasty and extremely sharp which the! Canon FD, … Sony does n't sell any manual focus lenses, this! Can justify the price tag lenses a beginner can get even wide,... To make this combination work well, though do all Sony cameras. ) to f/4 is best for... + 35mm f/1.4 is almost too much adjustments to be the kind of lens you ever need lenses include! A6000 I used for testing, auto-focus speeds were excellent, and corrected... Sony Alpha lenses fit on best manual focus lenses for sony e mount Sony E-mount crop sensor compact cameras too people want in a lens however... Out-Performs the Nikon and Canon equivalents is sharpness daylight situations, the f/1.8! Bridal portrait Nikon and Canon equivalents is sharpness produced… all the way back 2013. For shooting portraits, and its focal length that ’ s contactless linear motors eliminate and... And animals area where the 35mm f/1.4 is my list of the crop, whether you own a frame. Focus performance on the dance floor of all places mirrorless bodies which offer silent shooting, you ’ d the.