Best Lenses for Sony a9 III in 2024

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In the fast-paced realm of professional photography, the Sony a9 III stands out as a beacon of innovation and performance. As the world’s first global shutter mirrorless camera, it catapults photographers into a realm of possibilities, particularly excelling in sports, wildlife, and photojournalism. This groundbreaking camera introduces a full-frame global shutter image sensor, shattering the boundaries of imaging technology.

With an impressive maximum shutter speed of 1/80,000 seconds and a blazing 120 frames per second continuous shooting capability, the Sony a9 III is engineered for capturing decisive moments. Its AI subject recognition ensures precision in every frame, while Flash Sync at any shutter speed guarantees consistent illumination. The new ergonomic design, coupled with quick-response buttons, makes prolonged handheld shooting a comfortable endeavor. Videographers, too, find solace in its capabilities, as the camera boasts 4K 60p video with full pixel readout, oversampled from 6K, and the ability to shoot 4K 120p without cropping.

Whether you are an existing owner or considering the Sony a9 III for your photographic pursuits, the choice of lenses can significantly impact the quality and versatility of your work. To aid you on this journey, we have meticulously curated a guide to the best lenses for the Sony a9 III. From wide-angle to telephoto, prime to zoom, our comprehensive list caters to a myriad of photographic genres. Whether your passion lies in street photography, landscapes, portraiture, weddings, macro photography, videography, sports, or wildlife, this guide empowers you to select lenses that perfectly align with your unique creative vision.

And if you’re interested in other accessories for your Sony a9 III, be sure to check out our Sony a9 III Memory Card Guide and Sony a9 III Gimbal Guide for even more helpful recommendations.

Sony a9 III Store links at B&H, Adorama.

Top Recommended Lenses for Sony a9 III

If you’re looking for quick and straightforward lens recommendations for your Sony a9 III camera, we’ve compiled a carefully curated list of top choices. Our selection considers factors such as overall performance, shooting scenarios, and value. These lenses are chosen to exceed your expectations, making it effortless to capture exceptional photos and videos.

Top Recommendations – The Best Lenses for Sony a9 III:

  1. Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II Lens: Best all-round standard zoom lens
  2. Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM Lens: The sharpest and widest ultra-wide zoom lens
  3. Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II Lens: Sony’s flagship wide-angle zoom
  4. Tamron 20-40mm f/2.8 Di III VXD Lens: A versatile, compact, and affordable lens for vloggers, travel photographer and hybrid creator.
  5. Sony FE PZ 16-35mm f/4 G Lens: A great lens for content creators and vloggers
  6. Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD Lens: A versatile and advanced all-in-one zoom lens
  7. Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM Lens: A remarkable ultra-wide-angle prime lens for landscape, nature, architectural, and astrophotography
  8. Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM Lens: A very popular lens for landscape, nature, street, and architectural photography
  9. Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM Lens: An ideal lens for various photography genres, including street, landscapes, portraits, and more. 
  10. Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM Lens: Best standard prime lens, great for portraits, street photography, and even astrophotography.
  11. Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM Lens: The ultimate portrait prime lens
  12. Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS Lens: Great for macro photography and close-up shooting
  13. Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM Lens: Lovely bokeh and color, excellent for portrait, wedding, and sports photography.
  14. Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II Lens: An ideal telephoto zoom lens for wildlife, portrait, wedding and sports photography.
  15. Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS Lens: Great for wildlife, sports, and action photography.
  16. Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS Lens: A versatile telephoto zoom lens for capturing wildlife, birds, aircraft, and sports action.

Alternatively, if you’re interested in exploring a broader range of lens options that complement your Sony a9 III mirrorless camera, we provide comprehensive reviews for each featured lens below. Our evaluations go beyond technical specifications, offering in-depth insights into functionality, build quality, image quality, and more. These detailed assessments provide a comprehensive understanding of each lens’s strengths and weaknesses, empowering you to make an informed decision aligned with your individual preferences and requirements. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a passionate enthusiast, our lens reviews offer invaluable insights to help you maximize the potential of your Sony a9 III mirrorless camera.

Best Lenses for Sony a9 III

1. Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II Lens

Best all-round standard zoom lens

Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II Lens Specifications:

  • Mount: Sony E
  • Lens Format Coverage: Full-Frame
  • Focal Length: 24-70mm
  • Image Stabilization: No
  • Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
  • Minimum Aperture: f/22
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 8.3″ / 21 cm
  • Maximum Magnification: 0.32x
  • Optical Design: 20 Elements in 15 Groups
  • Diaphragm Blades: 11, Rounded
  • Filter Size: 82 mm
  • Dimensions: 3.5 x 4.7″ / 87.8 x 119.9 mm
  • Weight: 1.5 lb / 695 g
  • Store links at B&H, Adorama.

Pros:

  • Great size and weight for a standard zoom
  • Stellar image quality
  • Excellent to Outstanding sharpness
  • Excellent AF performance
  • Gorgeous bokeh
  • Relatively low distortion and vignette
  • Great build quality and weather sealing
  • High magnification figure and good up close performance

Cons:

  • Very expensive
  • Lack of Image Stabilization
  • Some distortion and vignette

The Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II lens is an impressive upgrade over its predecessor, offering a refined and well-rounded experience for both photo and video applications. One of the notable improvements is its reduced size and weight, making it more manageable and comparable to other standard zoom lenses on the market. The lens delivers excellent sharpness across most settings, particularly at 24mm and 40mm, and is still impressive at 70mm. Typical optical issues like vignetting, distortion, and chromatic aberration are well-controlled and easily corrected. The bokeh quality is also commendable, especially when compared to the previous version. However, flare can be an issue in challenging lighting situations, so it’s recommended to use the lens hood for added protection.

Despite the weight reduction, the build quality remains professional-grade, and the lens is sealed against dust and moisture, ensuring its durability even in adverse conditions. The addition of two focus stop buttons and a dedicated aperture ring enhances the handling experience, and the friction control for the zoom mechanism helps prevent zoom creeping. The autofocus system is powered by four XD linear motors, resulting in fast and silent focusing performance. While the lens lacks in-lens image stabilization, most Sony cameras have built-in stabilization to compensate for this.

In terms of versatility, the Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II lens excels, allowing photographers to capture a wide range of subjects, including landscapes, portraits, and street photography. Its constant f/2.8 maximum aperture ensures exceptional image quality, even in low-light conditions, while offering control over depth of field and beautiful bokeh effects.

Undoubtedly, the lens comes with a hefty price tag, but its exceptional performance and features make it worth the investment for professional photographers. For those on a tighter budget, alternatives like the Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN Art or the Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 G2 offer good value for money but may not match the overall quality of the Sony GM II lens.

In conclusion, the Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II lens sets a new standard for standard zoom lenses. It delivers outstanding optical performance, improved handling, and a more compact design. While it may be an expensive option, it is the top choice for those seeking the best all-round standard zoom lens for Sony Alpha full-frame cameras.

Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II Lens at B&H, Adorama.

Best Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II Lens Alternatives

The Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II lens may come with a hefty price tag, but its performance and features more than justify the cost. It excels in delivering exceptional image quality, precise autofocus, and seamless handling, making it the go-to choice for professionals seeking top-tier equipment. For those on a tighter budget, there are alternative options available, such as the Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN Art lens or the Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 G2 lens. These alternatives offer impressive performance at a more affordable price point. Nevertheless, if your aim is to obtain the absolute best in standard zoom lenses, the Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II sets a new benchmark to aspire to, setting the standard for excellence.

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art Lens for Sony E at B&H, Adorama.

Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 Lens for Sony E at B&H, Adorama.

2. Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM Lens

The sharpest and widest ultra-wide zoom lens

Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM Lens Specifications:

  • Mount: Sony E
  • Lens Format Coverage: Full-Frame
  • Focal Length: 12-24mm
  • Image Stabilization: No
  • Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
  • Minimum Aperture: f/22
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 11.02″ / 28 cm
  • Maximum Magnification: 0.14x
  • Optical Design: 17 Elements in 14 Groups
  • Diaphragm Blades: 9, Rounded
  • Filter Size: Gel Filter (Rear)
  • Dimensions: 3.84 x 5.39″ / 97.6 x 137 mm
  • Weight: 1.86 lb / 847 g
  • Store links at B&H, Adorama.

Pros:

  • Ultra-wide angle of view
  • F2.8 aperture
  • Near-perfect image quality
  • Fast, quiet, and accurate autofocus
  • Excellent wide open sharpness across the frame and across the zoom range
  • High grade of build
  • Quality weather sealing
  • Good features and general handling
  • Low chromatic aberrations
  • Amazing flare resistance
  • Sunburst is nice
  • Color rendition is fabulous
  • Rear filter support

Cons:

  • Fairly large and heavy
  • Can’t use traditional filters
  • Very expensive

The Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM Lens is an exceptional piece of optical engineering that will impress photographers seeking the highest level of performance in an ultra-wide zoom lens. With its remarkable corner-to-corner sharpness throughout the entire focal range and outstanding image quality, it stands out as the sharpest and widest ultra-wide zoom lens available on the market.

One of the standout features of this lens is its exceptional sunstar rendering, which adds a creative touch to images. Additionally, the lens’s front cap is a standout feature in itself. It is designed with four cam-controlled internal tabs that securely grab onto the lens and keep it protected. The cap is easy to attach and remove, ensuring that the lens remains clean and free from damage.

Although the Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM lens comes with a higher price tag, it offers unparalleled optical performance, rapid autofocus, excellent handling, and superb build quality. Its edge-to-edge sharpness is outstanding, even at the shortest focal length, and it demonstrates impressive resistance to ghosting and flare. While the lens faces competition from Sony’s own 12-24mm f/4 G zoom and Sigma’s 12-24mm f/4 HSM ART lens, both of which are more affordable options, the FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM justifies its higher price with its brighter aperture and improved build quality.

The lens is ideal for a range of photography genres, including landscape, architecture, sports, photojournalism, and astrophotography. Its versatility allows for both dramatic wide-angle shots and zoomed-in compositions. For professional photographers looking for the best image quality and a wide-angle perspective, the Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM lens is a valuable addition to their gear.

While there are more cost-effective alternatives available, such as the Sony FE 12-24mm f/4 lens, the Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM lens stands out as an outstanding option for those who prioritize ultimate image quality and are willing to invest in a top-of-the-line lens. With its impressive performance and versatility, it deserves its place as one of the best wide-angle lenses on the market.

Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM Lens at B&H, Adorama.

Best Sony FE 12-24mm f2.8 GM Lens Alternatives

The Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM lens is undoubtedly a standout performer, showcasing the expected excellence in image quality and build characteristic of Sony’s premium G Master series. However, with a price tag of $2,999, it may be out of reach for some. Fear not, as there are three remarkable alternatives that offer similar field of view and features at more budget-friendly prices: the Sony FE 12-24mm f/4 G lens, the Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN Art lens, and the Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 lens.

Priced at $1,773, the Sony FE 12-24mm f/4 G lens sacrifices one stop of aperture compared to its f/2.8 counterpart. While it may not match the ultimate sharpness and low-light capabilities of the f/2.8 version, it still provides commendable image quality while being friendlier to your wallet.

The Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN Art lens takes it a step further by being priced at $1,399, offering optical performance similar to the Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM lens. Not only that, but it’s also more slender and lighter, making it a highly portable choice for photographers on the move.

For those seeking an outstanding f/2.8 wide-angle zoom under $1,000, the Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 Di III RXD Lens is an absolute winner. Despite a narrower zoom range compared to the 16-35mm options, its exceptional portability is a significant advantage cherished by many photographers. Moreover, the lens delivers stunning sharpness and remarkable image quality.

Ultimately, your choice among these lenses will depend on your specific needs, budget, and the importance of a wider aperture. If you desire the brightest aperture and have the budget for it, the Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM lens remains an excellent investment. However, for those seeking more affordable options without compromising on image quality, both the Sony FE 12-24mm f/4 G lens and the Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN Art lens are worthy contenders.

Sony FE 12-24mm f/4 G Lens at B&H, Adorama.

Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN Art Lens for Sony E at B&H, Adorama.

Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 Di III RXD Lens for Sony E at B&H, Adorama.

3. Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II Lens

Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II Lens Specifications:

  • Mount: Sony E
  • Lens Format Coverage: Full-Frame
  • Focal Length: 16-35mm
  • Image Stabilization: Yes
  • Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
  • Minimum Aperture: f/22
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 8.7″ / 22.1 cm
  • Maximum Magnification: 0.32x
  • Optical Design: 15 Elements in 12 Groups
  • Diaphragm Blades: 11, Rounded
  • Filter Size: 82 mm (Front)
  • Dimensions: 87.8 x 111.5 mm
  • Weight: 1.2 lb / 547 g
  • Store links at B&H, Adorama.

Pros:

  • Outstanding Image Quality
  • Lighter and more compact than first generation
  • Superb Build Quality with Weather Sealing
  • Fast, quiet autofocus
  • Minimal focus breathing
  • Well-Balanced center of gravity

Cons:

  • High price tag
  • Strong competition from third-party lenses

The Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II Lens is a triumph of engineering and optical excellence, delivering impressive improvements over its predecessor. With a 20% reduction in size and weight, it’s now more portable while maintaining exceptional image quality.

This lens boasts 15 elements in 12 groups and four major optical enhancements, setting a new benchmark for wide-angle photography. The center-to-edge sharpness is astounding, even wide open at f/2.8. Whether you’re shooting landscapes or interiors, this lens consistently delivers outstanding results. Videographers will appreciate the minimal focus breathing and reduced chromatic aberration, ensuring professional-grade video capture. The improved macro capabilities and rounded 11-blade aperture add versatility, allowing for creative bokeh effects.

The autofocus system is both lightning-fast and nearly silent, thanks to the four XD linear motors. This makes it an ideal choice for capturing moving subjects with precision, and it pairs seamlessly with Sony’s high-speed cameras. Despite its reduced size, the build quality remains exceptional, and it’s designed to withstand dust and moisture. The addition of an aperture ring with Iris Lock and Click switches enhances control, though further weatherproofing improvements would have been welcomed.

While the Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II Lens comes with a premium price, it’s a worthy investment for photographers and videographers seeking top-tier performance. It excels in delivering breathtaking image quality across a wide range of shooting scenarios. However, the cost may deter some, especially considering competitive offerings from third-party manufacturers.

In summary, the Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II Lens is the ultimate wide-angle zoom for Sony high-resolution cameras. It’s smaller, lighter, and optically superior to its predecessor, making it an excellent choice for professionals and enthusiasts alike, as long as budget constraints aren’t a concern.

Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II Lens at B&H, Adorama.

Best Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II Lens Alternatives

There are three noteworthy alternatives that offer exceptional image quality and overall outstanding performance at more affordable price points: the Sony FE PZ 16-35mm f/4 G Lens, the Sigma 16-28mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary Lens, and the Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 lens.

If your quest is for the ultimate vlogging lens that can be seamlessly paired with your Sony camera and the Sony Wireless Bluetooth Shooting Grip to craft the ultimate vlogging setup, the Sony PZ 16-35mm F4 G Lens stands out as one of the finest combinations you can assemble. While the 16-35mm lens undeniably shines for capturing dynamic visuals thanks to its expansive field of view, silent focusing, and distortion-corrected optics, it also proves to be a delightful choice for photography enthusiasts.

For those in search of an outstanding f/2.8 wide-angle zoom lens priced under $1,000, the Sigma 16-28mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary Lens and the Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 Di III RXD Lens emerge as the clear top choices. The Sigma 16-28mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary Lens offers an appealing budget-friendly option with a significantly lower price tag while still delivering top-notch image quality. Although it may not surpass the Sony lens in all aspects, it unquestionably provides excellent value for your investment. Despite its narrower zoom range compared to the 16-35mm alternatives, the Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 Di III RXD Lens boasts exceptional portability, a highly regarded feature among photographers. Furthermore, the lens impresses with its remarkable sharpness and outstanding image quality.

Sony FE PZ 16-35mm f/4 G Lens at B&H, Adorama.

Sigma 16-28mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary Lens at B&H, Adorama.

Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 Di III RXD Lens for Sony E at B&H, Adorama.

4. Tamron 20-40mm f/2.8 Di III VXD Lens

A versatile, compact, and affordable lens for vloggers, travel photographer and hybrid creator.

Tamron 20-40mm f/2.8 Di III VXD Lens Specifications:

  • Mount: Sony E
  • Lens Format Coverage: Full-Frame
  • Focal Length: 20-40mm
  • Image Stabilization: No
  • Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
  • Minimum Aperture: Not Specified by Manufacturer
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 6.7″ / 17 cm
  • Maximum Magnification: 0.26x
  • Macro Reproduction Ratio: 1:3.8
  • Filter Size: 67 mm (Front)
  • Weight: 12.9 oz / 365 g
  • Store links at B&H, Adorama.

Pros:

  • Unique and versatile focal range
  • Fast, constant f/2.8 aperture
  • Compact and lightweight
  • Good quality of construction including robust weather sealing
  • VXD autofocus is quick, quiet, and accurate
  • Good sharpness across the zoom range
  • Good magnification and close up performance
  • Nice bokeh rendering
  • Fantastic coma performance
  • Distortion and vignette is moderate
  • CA well controlled
  • USB-C port allows for customization and firmware updates
  • Low price when compared with other wide angle F2.8 options

Cons:

  • Some flaring at smaller apertures
  • Slightly complex distortion pattern at 20mm
  • No optical stabilization
  • Limited on-lens controls

The Tamron 20-40mm f/2.8 Di III VXD Lens is a compact and lightweight lens that offers excellent performance and versatility. Designed for Sony E-mount full-frame mirrorless cameras, it is a perfect companion for everyday shooting, whether you are capturing still images or shooting video.

One of the standout features of this lens is its focal length range, which spans from wide-angle to standard-length zoom. This makes it suitable for a wide variety of shooting scenarios, including landscapes, cityscapes, street scenes, and portraits. It is also a great option for vloggers, as its extra-wide view pairs well with gimbals and allows for flexible framing.

Priced at around $699, the Tamron 20-40mm f/2.8 is an affordable alternative to Sony’s lineup of lenses. Despite its lower price point, it doesn’t compromise on quality. The lens features weather protection and fast autofocus, making it suitable for both still photography and action-packed video content. Compared to slower-focusing budget options, such as the Tamron 20mm f/2.8 Di III OSD M1:2, this lens offers superior performance.

The lens is especially attractive to vloggers due to its lightweight construction, weighing only 367g grams. This makes it comfortable to hold for extended periods of time while vlogging. Additionally, its fast f/2.8 aperture allows for beautiful background blur and the creation of the popular bokeh effect, adding a professional touch to your vlogs.

The Tamron 20-40mm f/2.8 Di III VXD Lens has received positive reviews for its compact size, excellent image quality, superb autofocus, and affordable price. It fills a gap in the Sony lens system, providing a lightweight and versatile option for both still photographers and vloggers. Whether you’re capturing everyday moments or embarking on a travel vlogging career, this lens is a smart choice.

Tamron 20-40mm f/2.8 Di III VXD Lens for Sony E at B&H, Adorama.

5. Sony FE PZ 16-35mm f/4 G Lens

A great lens for content creators and vloggers

Sony FE PZ 16-35mm f/4 G Lens Specifications:

  • Mount: Sony E
  • Lens Format Coverage: Full-Frame
  • Focal Length: 16-35mm
  • Image Stabilization: No
  • Maximum Aperture: f/4
  • Minimum Aperture: f/22
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 9.4″ / 24 cm
  • Maximum Magnification: 0.23x
  • Optical Design: 13 Elements in 12 Groups
  • Diaphragm Blades: 7, Rounded
  • Filter Size: 72 mm (Front)
  • Dimensions: 3.2 x 3.5″ / 80.5 x 88.1 mm
  • Weight: 12.5 oz / 353 g
  • Store links at B&H, Adorama.

Pros:

  • Wide zoom with full-frame coverage
  • Compact, gimbal-friendly design
  • Outstanding to excellent sharpness
  • Remote power zoom control features
  • Quick, quiet autofocus
  • Low CA
  • Excellent flare resistance
  • Superb handling
  • Dust and moisture resistant
  • Smooth bokeh
  • Ample on-barrel controls
  • Breathing corrected, parfocal optics

Cons:

  • Plasticky build
  • No optical stabilisation
  • Technical greatness sometimes feels a bit sterile
  • Just f4

The Sony FE PZ 16-35mm f/4 G Lens is a versatile and powerful tool designed specifically for content creators and vloggers. With its compact design, superb optics, and power zoom function, this lens is perfect for both video and still photography. One of the standout features of this lens is its constant f/4 aperture, which strikes a great balance between brightness and portability. Whether you’re shooting in low light conditions or on an all-day shoot, this lens delivers exceptional performance. Sony’s expertise in lens design is evident in the outstanding image quality, reliable G lens rendering, and industry-leading autofocus performance.

The Sony FE PZ 16-35mm f/4 G Lens is an excellent choice for a wide range of photographers and videographers. It caters to those who want to shoot both photo and video without compromising on quality or budget. Its compact and lightweight design makes it ideal for traveling creatives, allowing for easy portability without sacrificing image quality. For vloggers and video shooters, the power zoom feature is a valuable asset. It enables smooth zooming in and out, perfect for capturing dynamic footage. The internal zoom barrel eliminates the need to rebalance a gimbal every time you zoom, making it a convenient choice for filmmakers. Additionally, the lens’s versatile focal range and exceptional sharpness allow for creative video techniques like the cinematic dolly zoom.

Photographers will also appreciate the lens’s build quality, internal zoom mechanism, and dust- and moisture-resistant design. The dedicated aperture ring with a clicked and de-clicked mode offers flexibility for various shooting styles. While the lack of optical image stabilization may be a drawback for some, the lens compensates with in-camera stabilization options. Overall, the Sony FE PZ 16-35mm f/4 G Lens delivers exceptional performance, whether you’re a content creator, vlogger, or photographer. Its combination of compact size, power zoom capabilities, outstanding image quality, and reasonable price make it a compelling choice for those in need of an ultra-wide zoom lens.

Sony FE PZ 16-35mm f/4 G Lens at B&H, Adorama.

6. Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD Lens

Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD Lens Specifications:

  • Mount: Sony E
  • Lens Format Coverage: Full-Frame
  • Focal Length: 35-150mm
  • Image Stabilization: No
  • Maximum Aperture: f/2-2.8
  • Minimum Aperture: f/16-22
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 13″ / 33 cm
  • Maximum Magnification: 0.18x
  • Macro Reproduction Ratio: 1:5.7
  • Optical Design: 21 Elements in 15 Groups
  • Diaphragm Blades: 9, Rounded
  • Filter Size: 82 mm (Front)
  • Dimensions: 3.5 x 6.2″ / 89 x 158 mm
  • Weight: 41.1 oz / 1165 g
  • Store links at B&H, Adorama.

Pros:

  • Innovative and useful focal range
  • Beautiful image quality
  • Professional build quality
  • Larger maximum aperture than competitors at points
  • Quick and quiet autofocus
  • Strong optical performance throughout zoom range
  • Exceptional contrast and “pop” to images
  • Excellent control of chromatic aberrations
  • Nice looking bokeh
  • Advanced weather sealing with 11 seal points
  • Fluorine coating
  • New finish and lens sculpting attractive
  • Powerful VXD focus motor
  • Useful new features like custom buttons and USB-C port

Cons:

  • Quite large and heavy
  • No tripod collar
  • No lens stabilization
  • Poor flare resistance
  • Ring position reversed from other Tamron zooms

The Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD Lens is an exceptional all-in-one zoom lens designed for Sony E-mount mirrorless cameras. With its wide to medium telephoto range and bright maximum aperture, this lens offers versatility and speed, making it an ideal choice for various photography genres, including travel photography. Whether you’re capturing beautiful landscapes, unique architecture, or vibrant street scenes, this lens delivers outstanding results.

One of the standout features of this lens is its impressive maximum aperture of f/2-2.8. It allows you to comfortably shoot in low-light conditions while maintaining control over depth of field and selective focus. This makes it easier to isolate your subject and achieve beautiful bokeh. The lens’s VXD autofocus system ensures quick, quiet, and precise autofocus performance, suitable for both stills and video shooting.

With its 35-150mm focal length range, this lens covers a wide range of commonly used focal lengths, eliminating the need to switch lenses while traveling or changing your distance from the subject. From wide-angle compositions to telephoto shots, this lens provides excellent flexibility and resolving power, allowing you to capture scenes exactly as you envision them.

The Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD Lens features high-quality optics, including four LD (Low Dispersion) lens elements and three GM (Glass Molded Aspherical) lens elements, which minimize aberrations and enhance image quality. The lens achieves sharpness and edge-to-edge clarity, even on high-resolution cameras. Additionally, the lens’s large aperture enables you to achieve soft and pleasing bokeh throughout the zoom range.

The lens’s build quality is excellent, with weather-sealing and a fluorine coating to protect against water and dust. It also incorporates a Connector Port that allows you to customize lens functions and update firmware using the TAMRON Lens Utility software. This lens offers extensive customization options to match your shooting preferences.

While the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD Lens is marketed as a travel lens, its size and weight may be a drawback for some photographers. However, its performance and image quality make it an excellent choice for wedding and event photography, where its zoom range and fast aperture come in handy. The lens’s consistent optical performance and versatile focal range make it a highly recommended option for photographers seeking a high-quality, all-in-one zoom lens.

Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD Lens for Sony E at B&H, Adorama.

7. Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM Lens

A remarkable ultra-wide-angle prime lens for landscape, nature, architectural, and astrophotography

Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM Lens Specifications:

  • Mount: Sony E
  • Lens Format Coverage: Full-Frame
  • Focal Length: 14mm
  • Image Stabilization: No
  • Maximum Aperture: f/1.8
  • Minimum Aperture: f/16
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 9.8″ / 25 cm
  • Maximum Magnification: 0.1x
  • Optical Design: 14 Elements in 11 Groups
  • Diaphragm Blades: 9, Rounded
  • Filter Size: Gel Filter (Rear)
  • Dimensions: 3.3 x 3.9″ / 83 x 99.8 mm
  • Weight: 1 lb / 460 g
  • Store links: B&H, Adorama.

Pros:

  • Excellent wide open sharpness across the frame
  • Fast, quiet, and accurate autofocus
  • Low chromatic aberrations
  • Amazing flare resistance
  • Sunburst is gorgeous
  • Color rendition is fabulous
  • Smaller and lighter than competitors
  • High grade of build
  • Quality weather sealing
  • Good features and general handling

Cons:

  • Can’t use traditional filters
  • Relatively competitively priced, but still expensive
  • Some odd distortion with off center shots at MFD

The Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM Lens is a remarkable piece of equipment that caters to a wide range of photography genres. With its ultra wide-angle focal length and bright f/1.8 aperture, this lens excels in landscape, nature, architectural, and astrophotography applications. It offers a unique perspective that adds a dramatic angle of view to your images, making familiar subjects appear exotic when captured from fresh angles.

While the price tag of $1598 USD may seem steep, it is reasonable for a professional-grade lens in this category. Compared to budget options like the Samyang AF 14mm F2.8, the 14GM’s performance justifies its higher cost. Additionally, its compact form factor makes it portable and versatile, suitable for casual walkaround shooting as well as staged architectural shoots.

In terms of image quality, the Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM delivers breathtaking center performance and impressive image quality throughout the frame, even wide open at f/1.8. While it may not be tack sharp in the corners, this is expected with ultra-wide-angle lenses. The lens exhibits low distortion and vignetting, and the smooth bokeh and sun star rendering further enhance its appeal. The lens also boasts excellent flare resistance, although some flare may be present under extreme conditions.

Build quality is top-notch, with a solid construction and anti-dust and moisture sealing, making it suitable for professional use. The autofocus is fast and silent, and video makers will appreciate the clickless aperture option. However, it should be noted that the lens requires a rear filter holder due to its bulbous front lens element and built-in lens hood.

While the Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM is a niche lens, it excels in its intended applications. It is a must-have for astrophotographers, and its versatility and image quality make it an excellent choice for architecture, landscapes, interiors, and special effects photography. It’s a lens that will hold its value and deliver exceptional results, making it a worthwhile investment for those who require its unique capabilities.

In conclusion, the Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM Lens is an outstanding addition to Sony’s G-Master lineup. Its optical performance, fast aperture, and lightweight design make it highly recommended for ultra-wide-angle enthusiasts and professionals looking for top-notch image quality. Whether you’re shooting landscapes, astrophotography, or architectural subjects, this lens will impress with its exceptional sharpness and versatility.

Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM Lens at B&H, Adorama.

8. Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM Lens

A very popular lens for landscape, nature, street, and architectural photography

Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM Lens Specifications:

  • Mount: Sony E
  • Lens Format Coverage: Full-Frame
  • Focal Length: 24mm
  • Image Stabilization: No
  • Maximum Aperture: f/1.4
  • Minimum Aperture: f/16
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 9.45″ / 24 cm
  • Maximum Magnification: 0.17x
  • Optical Design: 13 Elements in 10 Groups
  • Diaphragm Blades: 11, Rounded
  • Filter Size: 67 mm
  • Dimensions: 2.97 x 3.64″ / 75.4 x 92.4 mm
  • Weight: 15.7 oz / 445 g
  • Store links at B&H, Adorama

Pros:

  • Excellent balance of size to performance
  • Very smooth bokeh
  • Beautiful, feature rich build
  • Weather sealed design
  • Smooth, quiet, and fast autofocus
  • Low vignette and distortion
  • Extremely sharp corners from F2.8 on
  • Manual focus ring is linear and nicely damped
  • Excellent wide open performance over most of the frame

Cons:

  • Fairly expensive
  • Coma performance isn’t incredible
  • A bit of focus pulsing in certain backlit situations

The Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM Lens is a highly recommended choice for landscape, nature, street, and architectural photography. With its wide-angle focal length and bright f/1.4 aperture, this lens offers versatility and exceptional image quality. Whether shooting wide open or stopped down, the lens delivers sharpness across the frame, making it suitable for professional use. One of the standout features of this lens is its silky smooth bokeh, which adds a beautiful background blur to your images. The lens also boasts fast and precise autofocus, ensuring quick and accurate subject tracking. Professionals will appreciate the top-level control and reliability that this lens provides.

Constructed with 13 lens elements in 10 groups, including two XA (extreme aspherical) elements and three ED (extra-low dispersion) elements, the Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM effectively eliminates sagittal flare and suppresses chromatic aberrations. This results in consistently high-resolution images with excellent color fidelity. The lens is also equipped with Nano AR coating, which controls lens flaring and ghosting, allowing you to shoot in harshly lit environments while maintaining image contrast. The build quality of the lens is superb, meeting professional standards, and it is also weather-sealed for added durability.

In terms of size and weight, the Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM is relatively compact and lightweight compared to other lenses in its class. Measuring approximately 75mm x 92mm (3.0 x 3.64 inches) and weighing only 445 grams (15.7 ounces), it is designed for portability and all-day shooting.

Overall, the Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM Lens is a winner in its class. It offers impressive optical quality, a smooth bokeh, fast autofocus, and a compact design. While it may come with a higher price tag, its performance and image quality justify the investment. Whether you’re a landscape photographer, astrophotographer, street photographer, or even a portrait photographer, this lens will excel in a variety of shooting situations and help you capture images as you envision them.

Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM Lens at B&H, Adorama.

9. Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM Lens

Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM Lens Specifications:

  • Mount: Sony E
  • Lens Format Coverage: Full-Frame
  • Focal Length: 35mm
  • Image Stabilization: No
  • Maximum Aperture: f/1.4
  • Minimum Aperture: f/16
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 9.8″ / 25 cm
  • Maximum Magnification: 0.26x
  • Optical Design: 14 Elements in 10 Groups
  • Diaphragm Blades: 11, Rounded
  • Filter Size: 67 mm
  • Dimensions: 3 x 3.8″ / 76 x 96 mm
  • Weight: 1.2 lb / 524 g
  • Store links at B&H, Adorama

Pros:

  • Smaller and lighter than competitors
  • Beautifully soft bokeh
  • Fast, quiet, and accurate autofocus
  • Excellent wide open sharpness across the frame
  • Aperture retains a circular shape better than most
  • Low chromatic aberrations
  • Good flare resistance
  • Good handling of coma
  • Excellent build quality
  • Quality weather sealing
  • High magnification and excellent up close performance

Cons:

  • Some pronounced focus breathing
  • More expensive than most other 35mm options on Sony
  • Manual focus ring could use a little more feeling and weight

The Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM Lens is a highly versatile and top-tier lens that caters to a wide range of photographic genres. With its exceptional image quality, compact design, and fast aperture, it proves to be a fantastic option for professional photographers and serious hobbyists alike.

One of the standout features of this lens is its impressive brightness and depth of field, thanks to the F1.4 maximum aperture. This allows for amazing light-gathering capabilities and the ability to isolate subjects from the foreground and background. The lens incorporates 11 circular aperture blades and two XA (extreme aspherical) elements, resulting in ultra-sharp focus areas and beautiful soft bokeh.

In terms of optical performance, the FE 35mm f/1.4 GM excels. It effectively reduces various aberrations, color fringing, and distortion, delivering exceptional image quality. The Nano AR II coating suppresses flare and ghosting, enhancing contrast. The lens also features a dust- and moisture-sealed design, making it suitable for shooting in challenging conditions.

Weighing just 1.155lb (524g) and measuring 2.99″ x 3.78″ (76 x 96 mm), the lens is compact and lightweight, adding to its overall mobility. This makes it ideal for use with compact E-mount mirrorless bodies and even on gimbals or accessory grips.

The autofocus performance of the FE 35mm f/1.4 GM is quick, precise, and quiet, thanks to the XD Linear Motor system. It also offers advanced focusing capabilities even when shooting at a high frame rate. The linear response manual focus allows for precise control, making it suitable for both stills and video shooting.

While the lens comes with a premium price tag of $1399 USD, it is competitively priced for its class and offers excellent value for the image quality and features it provides. It outperforms many other 35mm options on the Sony FE mount, making it the top choice for photographers seeking the best quality and versatility.

In summary, the Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM Lens is a highly recommended option for photographers who demand top-tier performance. Its exceptional image quality, beautiful bokeh, compact design, and advanced autofocus capabilities make it a valuable tool for various photographic genres, including street, landscape, portrait, and more.

Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM Lens at B&H, Adorama.

10. Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM Lens

Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM Lens Specifications:

  • Mount: Sony E
  • Lens Format Coverage: Full-Frame
  • Focal Length: 50mm
  • Image Stabilization: No
  • Maximum Aperture: f/1.2
  • Minimum Aperture: f/16
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 1.3′ / 40 cm
  • Maximum Magnification: 0.17x
  • Optical Design: 14 Elements in 10 Groups
  • Diaphragm Blades: 11, Rounded
  • Filter Size: 72 mm
  • Dimensions: 3.4 x 4.3″ / 87 x 108 mm
  • Weight: 1.7 lb / 778 g
  • Store links at B&H, Adorama.

Pros:

  • Pro-grade built and weather sealing
  • Super-fast f/1.2 maximum aperture
  • Exceptional image quality and sharpness
  • Fast, quiet, and accurate autofocus
  • Beautifully soft bokeh
  • Sharp and bright to the edges, even wide open
  • Good flare resistance

Cons:

  • Pricey
  • A little heavy
  • Minimum aperture of f/16

The Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM lens is a remarkable piece of glass that combines speed, versatility, and exceptional image quality. As a G Master lens, it prioritizes resolution and bokeh, making it a perfect choice for a wide range of subjects, from portraits to street photography to astrophotography. The lens’s sharpness, even wide open at f/1.2, is phenomenal and delivers incredible detail on high-resolution sensors.

Despite its compact and lightweight design for a 50mm f/1.2 lens, the Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM feels slightly bulky on a mirrorless Alpha body. However, it offers sublime handling and super-fast and accurate autofocus. The image quality is fantastic, combining impressive sharpness with beautiful bokeh. The build quality is excellent, and although the lens comes with a high price tag, it provides great value for the money.

For working professionals or photographers who never plan to take the 50mm lens off their camera, the Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM is an ideal choice. If the $2,000 price range is too steep, Sony offers alternative options. The Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 Planar, priced at $1,500, is a solid performer but lacks some of the pro features found in the FE 50mm f/1.2 GM. The Sony 50mm f/1.8, priced at $250, is a more affordable choice but sacrifices certain professional features like weather sealing and advanced coatings. Additionally, the recently announced Sony 50mm f/2.5 G lens, priced at $600, offers higher-end optics in a compact body but sacrifices speed.

The Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM lens is the best quality standard lens available for the E-mount, providing exceptional sharpness, smooth rendering, and a comprehensive set of features. While focus breathing may be a concern for videographers, it is unlikely to bother stills photographers. The lens’s price is comparable to its Canon and Nikon counterparts while arguably offering superior overall performance.

Overall, the Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM is an extraordinarily good lens that excels in every aspect. Its optical performance, including impressive sharpness and beautiful bokeh, combined with rapid autofocus, makes it a pleasure to shoot with. While it is a significant investment, it offers excellent value for money, particularly for photographers who enjoy low-light street shooting or want to achieve a shallow depth of field and blurred backgrounds. It is an exceptional optic and stands as one of the best 50mm lenses available across all camera systems, making it a top recommendation for Sony professionals and deserving the Editors’ Choice recognition.

Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM Lens at B&H, Adorama.

11. Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM Lens

The ultimate portrait prime lens

Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM Lens Specifications:

  • Mount: Sony E
  • Lens Format Coverage: Full-Frame
  • Focal Length: 85mm
  • Image Stabilization: No
  • Maximum Aperture: f/1.4
  • Minimum Aperture: f/16
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 2.62′ / 80 cm
  • Maximum Magnification: 0.12x
  • Optical Design: 11 Elements in 8 Groups
  • Diaphragm Blades: 11, Rounded
  • Filter Size: 77 mm
  • Dimensions: 3.52 x 4.23″ / 89.5 x 107.5 mm
  • Weight: 1.8 lb / 820 g
  • Store links at B&H, Adorama.

Pros:

  • Beautiful build quality with advanced weather sealing
  • Outstanding sharpness
  • Best of class microcontrast
  • Flare resistant
  • Beautiful bokeh
  • No distortion
  • Accurate autofocus
  • Best all-round balance of resolution and rendering
  • Exceptional optical performance and resolution for professional portraits

Cons:

  • Very expensive
  • Large and heavy
  • No image stabilization

The Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM Lens is a true gem when it comes to portrait photography. With its exceptional optical performance and stunning bokeh, it delivers outstanding image quality in a compact and well-built package.

The lens is specifically designed for portraiture, offering a flattering perspective and a fast f/1.4 maximum aperture. This combination allows for excellent subject isolation and shallow depth of field effects. Even in low-light conditions, the lens excels, thanks to its wide aperture, ensuring you can capture sharp and detailed images.

The optical design of the lens incorporates three extra-low dispersion elements to minimize chromatic aberrations and one XA (extreme aspherical) element to control spherical aberrations, resulting in impressive sharpness and clarity. The Nano AR coating further enhances the image quality by reducing ghosting and lens flare, providing increased contrast and color fidelity, even in challenging lighting conditions.

The bokeh produced by the Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM Lens is simply beautiful. The rounded 11-blade diaphragm creates a smooth and dreamy background blur, making your subjects stand out against a blurred background. This lens excels not only in terms of sharpness but also in delivering a pleasing and aesthetically pleasing bokeh, even when stopped down slightly.

While the lens is undeniably pricey, its performance justifies the cost. The 85mm focal length, combined with the wide aperture, makes it ideal for portrait photographers who want to create stunning images with a shallow depth of field. Additionally, the lens features a de-clickable aperture ring, a lockable lens hood, and a focus lock button, adding versatility and convenience to your shooting experience.

In summary, the Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM Lens is a top-tier prime lens for portrait photography. Its exceptional sharpness, beautiful bokeh, and well-rounded feature set make it a highly recommended choice for professional photographers and enthusiasts alike. If you’re looking to elevate your portraiture game, this lens should be at the top of your list.

Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM Lens at B&H, Adorama.

Best Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM Lens Alternatives

In the realm of Sony FE mount lenses, there is a diverse selection of 85mm options available. When comparing the Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM lens to its direct competitors, namely the Samyang 85mm f/1.4 AF FE and the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 ART, certain factors come into play. If budget is a significant consideration, the Samyang lens presents itself as an obvious alternative, priced at less than half of the Sony GM lens. However, it’s important to note that the Samyang lens may not deliver comparable quality, especially on lower megapixel camera bodies. On the upside, it offers a lighter and more compact option. On the other hand, the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 ART lens falls in between the Samyang and Sony GM lenses in terms of optical performance, but its notable feature is its sheer size. Essentially, Sigma extended their DSLR lens design to fit the Sony mount, resulting in a lens that may appear comically large. However, if size and appearance are not major concerns, the Sigma lens can still be a viable option.

For many photographers, an f/1.4 maximum aperture may not be an absolute necessity. If you find yourself in this category, there are other choices to consider, such as the Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 or the Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 lenses. Although these alternatives offer slightly less depth-of-field potential, they are still capable of delivering impressive image quality that is on par with the competition.

Samyang AF 85mm f/1.4 FE II Lens for Sony E at B&H, Adorama.

Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art Lens for Sony E at B&H, Adorama.

ZEISS Batis 85mm f/1.8 Lens for Sony E at B&H, Adorama.

Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 Lens at B&H, Adorama.

12. Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS Lens

Great for macro photography and close-up portraits

Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS Lens Specifications:

  • Mount: Sony E
  • Lens Format Coverage: Full-Frame
  • Focal Length: 90mm
  • Image Stabilization: Yes
  • Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
  • Minimum Aperture: f/22
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 11.02″ / 28 cm
  • Maximum Magnification: 1x
  • Macro Reproduction Ratio: 1:1
  • Optical Design: 15 Elements in 11 Groups
  • Diaphragm Blades: 9, Rounded
  • Filter Size: 62 mm
  • Dimensions: 3.11 x 5.14″ / 79 x 130.5 mm
  • Weight: 1.32 lb / 602 g
  • Store links at B&H, Adorama.

Pros:

  • Nice build quality
  • Quiet, fast, and smooth autofocus
  • Eye AF works well
  • Size and weight are moderate
  • Excellent resolution and contrast across the frame
  • Good control of aberrations
  • Optical image stabilization
  • 1:1 magnification
  • Bokeh and color in many situations are very good
  • Better flare resistance than most macro lenses
  • Weather sealing, focus-lock button, focus limiter, dual MF-mechanism
  • Clutch mechanism works flawlessly and allows a true mechanical manual focus

Cons:

  • Fairly expensive relative to competition
  • Lackluster stabilization for full macro
  • 62mm filter thread is uncommon and unlikely to be shared with other lenses

The Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS Lens is a perfect choice for macro photography and close-up portraits. It is widely regarded as one of the sharpest lenses ever built by Sony. The lens offers excellent sharpness, depth of field, and color rendition, making it ideal for capturing intricate details in macro subjects. With a true macro design, it provides a 1:1 magnification ratio and an 11″ minimum focusing distance, allowing you to get up close and personal with your subjects.

One of the standout features of this lens is its maximum aperture of f/2.8, which is effective in low-light situations and enables you to achieve a shallow depth-of-field focus. The internal focus system ensures fast autofocus action and a short minimum focus distance. Additionally, the lens is equipped with Optical SteadyShot image stabilization, which minimizes the appearance of camera shake when shooting handheld with slower shutter speeds.

The Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS Lens offers macro versatility while maintaining excellent sharpness and bokeh, thanks to its G series lens construction. It strikes a perfect balance between sharpness and background blur, making it suitable for a wide range of applications beyond macro photography, including portraits, landscapes, and architecture.

Although the price may be on the higher side, the lens’s performance justifies the investment. It delivers outstanding sharpness, even wide open at f/2.8, and maintains excellent image quality throughout the aperture range. The lens’s build quality is also commendable, and it offers fast and reliable autofocus performance. While there are alternative options available, the Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS Lens stands out for its exceptional image quality, versatility, and reliability. It is a highly recommended lens for those interested in macro photography, and it can also serve as a reliable portrait lens.

In conclusion, the Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS Lens is a top-notch macro lens that delivers superb results. Its outstanding sharpness, close-up capabilities, and versatile performance make it an excellent choice for photographers who demand high-quality macro and portrait photography. Despite the price, the lens’s performance justifies the investment, and it is highly regarded among users.

Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS Lens at B&H, Adorama.

13. Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 STF GM OSS Lens

Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 STF GM OSS Lens Specifications:

  • Mount: Sony E
  • Lens Format Coverage: Full-Frame
  • Focal Length: 100mm
  • Image Stabilization: Yes
  • Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
  • Minimum Aperture: f/20
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 1.87′ / 57 cm
  • Maximum Magnification: 0.25x
  • Optical Design: 14 Elements in 10 Groups
  • Diaphragm Blades: 11, Rounded
  • Filter Size: 72 mm
  • Dimensions: 3.35 x 4.65″ / 85.2 x 118.1 mm
  • Weight: 1.54 lb / 700 g
  • Store links at B&H, Adorama

Pros:

  • Outstanding sharpness
  • Low CA
  • Gorgeous bokeh
  • Fast and accurate AF focusing
  • Dust and moisture resistance
  • Close focusing
  • Optical image stabilization
  • Well designed ergonomics

Cons:

  • Expensive

The Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 STF GM OSS lens is a remarkable piece of equipment that offers outstanding image quality and innovative features. With its unique Smooth Trans Focus (STF) technology and apodization filter, this lens delivers exceptionally smooth bokeh and rounded out-of-focus highlights in both the foreground and background. It separates itself from other portrait-length lenses, making it a superb creative tool for photographers.

The lens incorporates one aspherical element and one extra-low dispersion element, effectively suppressing both spherical and chromatic aberrations to ensure high sharpness and clarity in images. The Nano AR coating further reduces lens flare and ghosting, resulting in greater contrast and color fidelity, especially in challenging lighting conditions. The lens also features fast, precise, and quiet DDSSM autofocus, making it suitable for various shooting situations. With a close-up capability of up to 0.25x magnification, the Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 STF GM OSS lens allows you to capture intricate details in your subjects. Additionally, the built-in Optical SteadyShot image stabilization minimizes camera shake, ensuring sharp images when shooting handheld.

While the lens has a maximum aperture of f/2.8, the inclusion of the apodization filter reduces the effective light transmission to T5.6. This limitation may not make it ideal for low-light action photography, but it excels in producing stunning bokeh effects and is particularly suitable for portraits and images with out-of-focus backgrounds. The build quality of the lens is excellent, with weather sealing that meets professional standards. It incorporates an aperture ring and offers intuitive manual focusing. The lens is not primarily designed for sports or action photography, but its autofocus speed is adequate for most other applications.

Overall, the Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 STF GM OSS lens is a controversial yet highly recommended option for photographers who prioritize exceptional bokeh and artistic rendering. Its ability to produce smooth, creamy backgrounds and the outstanding sharpness it delivers make it a valuable tool for portrait, still life, and nature photography. While it may not be the best choice for scenarios requiring high-speed performance, it offers a unique and captivating visual aesthetic that sets it apart from other lenses.

Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 STF GM OSS Lens at B&H, Adorama.

14. Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM Lens

Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM Lens Specifications:

  • Mount: Sony E
  • Lens Format Coverage: Full-Frame
  • Focal Length: 135mm
  • Image Stabilization: No
  • Maximum Aperture: f/1.8
  • Minimum Aperture: f/22
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 2.3′ / 70 cm
  • Maximum Magnification: 0.25x
  • Optical Design: 13 Elements in 10 Groups
  • Diaphragm Blades: 11, Rounded
  • Filter Size: 82 mm
  • Dimensions: 3.52 x 5″ / 89.5 x 127 mm
  • Weight: 33.51 oz / 950 g
  • Store links at B&H, Adorama.

Pros:

  • Top-class build quality
  • Record-setting sharpness and contrast
  • Lovely bokeh and color
  • Amazing autofocus with brilliant speed and accuracy
  • High-end handling
  • Weather sealing and fluorine coating
  • Declickable aperture ring

Cons:

  • Heavy at 950g
  • Very expensive
  • No optical stabilization

The Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM Lens is a highly acclaimed medium telephoto prime lens that excels in various photography genres, particularly portraiture. It boasts a bright and sophisticated design, prioritizing sharpness and bokeh quality. With its G Master designation, this lens delivers high-resolution images across the frame and produces beautiful bokeh, making it an excellent choice for professional photographers and enthusiasts alike.

The lens features a lightweight yet durable magnesium alloy body, weighing approximately 950g, and is weather-sealed to resist dust and moisture. The Fluorine-coated front element adds further protection against the elements. The maximum f/1.8 aperture allows for sharp and detailed photos even in low-light conditions. The lens incorporates Sony’s Extreme Aspherical (XA) and Super ED elements, along with a fast f/1.8 focal ratio and longer focal length, resulting in a shallow depth-of-field and exceptional image quality. The Nano AR coating minimizes lens flares, reflections, and ghosting while enhancing color fidelity and contrast, especially in strong lighting conditions.

In terms of performance, the Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM lens impresses with its quick autofocus acquisition, making it suitable for capturing fast-moving subjects in both good and challenging lighting conditions. The lens’s minimum focus distance of 0.7 meters and maximum magnification of 0.25x provide versatility for capturing smaller subjects and close-up shots.

Despite being slightly heavy at just under a kilogram, the lens is well-designed and offers excellent handling. It features a weather-proof build quality, a wide and smooth focusing ring, a de-clickable manual aperture ring, a focus limiter switch, and convenient Focus Hold Buttons. The lens’s autofocus performance, particularly when utilizing Sony’s Eye AF mode, is quick, accurate, and impressive.

The primary drawback of the Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM lens is its price, which may be considered steep for some photographers. However, its exceptional image quality, exquisite bokeh, and professional features justify the investment, especially for those who specialize in portrait photography.

In conclusion, the Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM Lens is a highly recommended choice for Sony FE mount full-frame users. It delivers exceptional resolution, beautiful bokeh, and outstanding build quality. Whether capturing portraits, weddings, sports, or other subjects, this lens is a versatile and high-performance tool that will undoubtedly satisfy the demands of professional photographers and enthusiasts.

Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM Lens at B&H, Adorama.

15. Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II Lens

Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II Lens Specifications:

  • Mount: Sony E
  • Lens Format Coverage: Full-Frame
  • Focal Length: 70-200mm
  • Image Stabilization: Yes
  • Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
  • Minimum Aperture: f/22
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 15.7″ / 40 cm
  • Optical Design: 17 Elements in 14 Groups
  • Diaphragm Blades: 11, Rounded
  • Tripod Collar: Removable and Rotating
  • Filter Size: 77 mm (Front)
  • Dimensions: 3.46 x 7.87″ / 88 x 200 mm
  • Weight: 2.3 lb / 1045 g
  • Store links at B&H, Adorama.

Pros:

  • 29% lighter than the MK 1 lens, and it makes a huge difference
  • Bright F2.8 optics
  • Excellent image quality
  • Great build quality and weather sealing
  • Built-in image stabilization for steady shots
  • Fantastic autofocus from the quad focus motors
  • Nice bokeh
  • Good flare resistance
  • Relatively low distortion and vignette
  • Exceptional resolution and contrast throughout the zoom range
  • Good close-focusing performance
  • Full compatibility with teleconverters

Cons:

  • Very expensive
  • Tripod foot not Arca-compatible

The Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens is an exceptional tool designed specifically for professional photographers who require powerful capabilities for wildlife, portrait, and sports photography. This telephoto zoom lens, compatible with full-frame cameras, offers a perfect blend of sharpness and smooth bokeh, resulting in images that exhibit crystal-clear detail across all focal ranges. The FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II surpasses its predecessor by minimizing focus breathing, focus shift, and axis shift when zooming, resulting in improved video performance.

With the integration of four linear motors, this lens delivers efficient, quiet, and rapid autofocus, making it ideal for both stills and video shooting. Users can easily control focus, zoom, and iris with dedicated buttons, which can be disabled using the switch button. Moreover, this versatile telephoto lens maintains a constant f/2.8 maximum aperture. Equipped with optical image stabilization, the lens ensures blur-free shots even when capturing moving subjects. The XA and ED glass elements work together to eliminate chromatic aberrations and produce vibrant colors. The 11-blade circular aperture creates smooth and natural-looking bokeh, while the fast and reliable autofocus system, driven by separate actuators, guarantees you never miss a crucial moment.

The Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens outshines its predecessor with both optical superiority and reduced weight. It is lighter by a full pound, offering improved portability without compromising performance. Although the price has increased slightly, the enhancements justify the premium, especially for those choosing between new copies of the lenses. While the original version may be acceptable if obtained used at a lower price, it lacks the faster focus response and on-lens aperture controls found in the new iteration. Hence, the FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens claims the Editors’ Choice title for photographers seeking a midrange telezoom for the Sony system.

For those with budget constraints, several alternatives are worth considering. The Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS lens, although older, offers a viable option at $1,500, particularly when used with newer camera bodies. The Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 lens, priced around $1,200, weighs even less than the updated Sony FE 70-200mm and may be suitable for those who do not require in-lens stabilization or the full 200mm reach. Additionally, photographers not necessarily in need of an f/2.8 aperture could explore the FE 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G OSS lens, providing a longer reach at approximately $1,275.

In conclusion, the Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens represents a significant leap forward in terms of image quality, autofocus speed, and weight reduction. It is a superb lens that consistently produces sharp images throughout its zoom range, complemented by beautiful bokeh and background blur. Its fast and reliable focus system, combined with additional controls and customizable options, ensures impressive results across various shooting conditions. While existing owners of the original version may not find sufficient reason to upgrade, those seeking lighter equipment and enhanced control capabilities will find the new II version an excellent choice. Despite the higher price, the Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens’s advanced features and performance make it a worthwhile investment for photographers looking to elevate their work.

Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II Lens at B&H, Adorama.

Best Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II Lens Alternatives:

Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VXD Lens for Sony E at B&H, Adorama.

Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 Macro G OSS II Lens at B&H, Adorama.

16. Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS Lens

Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS Lens Specifications:

  • Mount: Sony E
  • Lens Format Coverage: Full-Frame
  • Focal Length: 100-400mm
  • Image Stabilization: Yes
  • Maximum Aperture: f/4.5-5.6
  • Minimum Aperture: f/32-40
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 3.2′ / 98 cm
  • Maximum Magnification: 0.35x
  • Optical Design: 22 Elements in 16 Groups
  • Diaphragm Blades: 9, Rounded
  • Tripod Collar: Removable and Rotating
  • Filter Size: 77 mm
  • Dimensions: 3.7 x 8.07″ / 93.9 x 205 mm
  • Length at Maximum Extension: 11.2″ / 284 mm
  • Weight: 3.1 lb / 1395 g
  • Store links at B&H, Adorama

Pros:

  • Relatively lightweight package
  • Good weather sealing throughout
  • Extensive range of features and controls
  • Lightning-fast, precise, and silent autofocus
  • Impressive tracking capabilities
  • Consistent sharpness across the entire focal range
  • Low vignette and distortion
  • Excellent control of chromatic aberration
  • Seamless integration with camera in-body image stabilization (IBIS)
  • Compatible with 1.4x and 2x tele-converters

Cons:

  • Relatively high price compared to competitors
  • Sony 200-600mm F5-6.3 G OSS offers similar performance at a more affordable price
  • Bokeh may appear slightly busy in certain situations
  • Maximum aperture of F5.6 is only reached at 162mm

The Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS Lens is an exceptional choice for photographers and videographers in need of a versatile telephoto zoom lens for capturing wildlife, sports, and action. As a member of Sony’s prestigious G Master line, it delivers outstanding resolution, impressive sharpness, and precise autofocus, making it a powerful tool for enthusiasts and professionals alike.

One of the lens’s standout features is its optical performance. It incorporates one Super ED and two ED elements, along with a Nano AR coating, resulting in minimal aberrations and excellent color fidelity. The lens’s construction and design allow for quick and accurate autofocus, thanks to the Direct Drive Supersonic Wave Motor (DDSSM) and Double-linear motor system. This makes it well-suited for capturing fast-moving subjects with ease.

Furthermore, the built-in Optical SteadyShot image stabilization ensures sharp and blur-free images, even when shooting handheld. This stabilization system is particularly beneficial when working at the lens’s minimum focusing distance of 3.2 feet with a 0.35x magnification.

The Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS Lens strikes a balance between performance and portability. Despite being a super-telephoto zoom lens, it remains relatively compact and lightweight. Its manageable size makes it an excellent choice for photographers who require mobility and reliability in their shooting endeavors.

However, it’s worth noting that the lens’s price may be a consideration for some photographers. While it offers exceptional features and image quality, it comes at a higher cost compared to similar lenses from other manufacturers. Additionally, the lens’s weather sealing performance has been a point of concern for some users, with reports of condensation affecting the lens’s internal elements.

In conclusion, the Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS Lens is a highly capable and versatile telephoto zoom lens that excels in capturing wildlife, sports, and action. It delivers exceptional image quality, precise autofocus, and effective image stabilization. Despite some concerns about weather sealing and pricing, it remains a top choice for photographers who require a powerful tool for their shooting needs.

Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS Lens at B&H, Adorama.

17. Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS Lens

Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS Lens Specifications:

  • Mount: Sony E
  • Lens Format Coverage: Full-Frame
  • Focal Length: 200-600mm
  • Image Stabilization: Yes
  • Maximum Aperture: f/5.6-6.3
  • Minimum Aperture: f/32-36
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 7.87′ / 2.4 m
  • Maximum Magnification: 0.2x
  • Optical Design: 24 Elements in 17 Groups
  • Diaphragm Blades: 11, Rounded
  • Tripod Collar: Removable and Rotating
  • Filter Size: 95 mm
  • Dimensions: 4.39 x 12.52″ / 111.5 x 318 mm
  • Length at Maximum Extension: 12.49″ / 317.3 mm
  • Weight: 4.65 lb / 2115 g
  • Store links at B&H, Adorama

Pros:

  • First-class build quality with robust weather sealing
  • Excellent value for money
  • Cheaper than the Sony FE 100-400mm f4.5-5.6 OSS G Master
  • Compatible with Sony teleconverters
  • Excellent handling (internal zoom helps balance)
  • Quiet, fast, and accurate autofocus
  • Impressive image quality
  • Human and Pet Eye AF work well
  • Optical stabilization works awesome
  • Good contrast and chromatic aberration control

Cons:

  • Large and heavy

The Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS Lens is a versatile telephoto zoom lens designed to cater to the needs of amateur, enthusiast, and professional nature, aircraft, railroad, and sports photographers and videographers. With its impressive reach and solid optical performance, this lens offers a great option for those looking to capture distant subjects with their full-frame E-mount cameras.

One of the standout features of this lens is its optical construction, which includes an aspherical element and five Extra-low Dispersion glass elements. This design helps to minimize chromatic aberrations, resulting in improved image resolution and beautiful bokeh. The Nano AR Coating further enhances the lens’s performance by reducing surface reflections and flare, ensuring better contrast in bright and backlit conditions.

The physical design of the Sony FE 200-600mm lens is also noteworthy. It features a Direct Drive Super Sonic wave Motor (DDSSM) autofocus system that delivers fast and near-silent focusing performance. The full-time manual focus override gives photographers precise control over their focus, while Optical SteadyShot image stabilization minimizes camera shake for sharper handheld shots. The lens is also compatible with 1.4x and 2.0x teleconverters, extending its focal length up to an impressive 1200mm with excellent image quality and autofocus performance.

Build quality is another area where the Sony FE 200-600mm lens excels. It boasts a sturdy metal body with dust and moisture resistance, ensuring durability and reliability even in challenging shooting conditions. The internal zoom design enhances handling and balance, making it easier to zoom smoothly. The lens also includes a removable and rotating tripod collar for stable mounting on tripods and monopods.

In terms of image quality, the lens delivers consistently good results across its zoom range. While there may be some corner quality degradation at 600mm, the center sharpness remains impressive. Distortions can be corrected through image auto-correction, and the bokeh quality is notably better than many lenses in its class.

Although the Sony FE 200-600mm lens is undeniably large and heavy, it offers exceptional value for its price point. The performance-to-value ratio is high, making it a compelling option for photographers in need of longer reach. The lens’s professional-grade build quality, excellent autofocus, and impressive image quality make it highly recommended for nature, wildlife, and sports photography.

Overall, the Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS Lens is a reliable and versatile telephoto zoom lens that delivers exceptional performance for its price. While its size and weight may be a drawback for some, its image quality, autofocus capabilities, and build quality make it a top choice for photographers looking to capture distant subjects with their Sony E-mount cameras.

Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS Lens at B&H, Adorama.

Sony FE Teleconverters

Sony has unveiled two teleconverters: the FE 1.4x Teleconverter and the FE 2.0x Teleconverter. These accessories are designed to extend the focal length of specific lenses. However, it is crucial to note that employing these teleconverters results in a reduction of light by one or two stops.

Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter at B&H, Adorama.

Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter at B&H, Adorama.

Compatible Lenses:

  • FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS
  • FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II
  • FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS
  • FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS
  • FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS
  • FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS

Thank you for exploring our Sony a9 III lens guide. We hope that our recommendations have been helpful in your quest to find the ideal lens for enhancing your creative pursuits. Your feedback is crucial to us as we strive to provide guides that are informative and up-to-date, tailored to meet your specific needs. We highly value your personal experiences and perspectives, as they are not only important to us but also beneficial for our readers. If you have had the chance to use any of the recommended lenses, we would greatly appreciate hearing about your firsthand experiences. Your insights can significantly assist others in making well-informed decisions when choosing the perfect lens for their photography requirements.

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