Best Lenses for Sony a6400 in 2024

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Best Lenses for Sony a6400 mirrorless camera. Here are our top recommended lenses for Sony a6400 APS-C format mirrorless camera.

Stable, fast, versatile, and compact, the new Sony a6400 mirrorless camera boasts the world’ s fastest AF acquisition of 0.02 seconds, Real-time Eye AF and Real-time Tracking capabilities, high-speed shooting up to 11 fps and silent shooting up to 8 fps, both with AF/AE tracking, an upgraded BIONZ X image processing engine, an LCD touchscreen that tilts 180° up and 74° down, UHD 4K movie recording with full pixel readout and no pixel binning, internal recording for time-lapse videos, and more.

Simply put, the Sony a6400 (B&H, Adorama) is well-suited for both photo and video creators, ranging from professionals to vloggers. So, in order to get a professional-like shot, the next thing is to find the best/right lenses for Sony a6400. Here are our top recommended lenses for Sony a6400 based on high image quality, good price and usefulness, including leading prime and zoom options from wide-angle to telephoto. You can choose the one you need.

Best Lenses for Sony a6400

If you just want to cut to the chase, here are some quick recommendations.

Best All-In-One Lenses for Sony a6400

Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD Lens

Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD Lens Specifications:

  • Mount: Sony E
  • Lens Format Coverage: APS-C
  • Focal Length: 18-300mm (27-450mm equivalent)
  • Image Stabilization: Yes
  • Maximum Aperture: f/3.5-6.3
  • Minimum Aperture: f/22-40
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 5.9″ (0.15m) (Wide)/39″ (0.99m) (Tele)
  • Maximum Magnification: 1:2 (Wide)/1:4 (Tele)
  • Optical Design: 19 Elements in 5 Groups
  • Diaphragm Blades: 7
  • Filter Size: 67 mm (Front)
  • Dimensions: 3 x 4.9″ / 75.5 x 125.6 mm
  • Weight: 21.9 oz / 620 g
  • Store links at B&H, Adorama.

Pros:

  • Stunning 16.6x zoom range covers wide to extreme telephoto
  • Advanced weather sealing with 9 seal points
  • Quick, quiet autofocus
  • Very little focus breathing
  • Optical stabilization
  • Low vignette
  • Low distortion outside of 18mm
  • Fluorine coating
  • Powerful VXD focus motor

Cons:

  • Narrow aperture limits low-light use
  • Raw photos require some correction

The Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD Lens is a versatile superzoom that caters to photographers looking for a single lens solution for various shooting situations. With its impressive 16.6x zoom ratio and a minimum focus distance of only 5.9 inches, it embodies Tamron’s “all-in-one” philosophy and is designed specifically for Sony E-mount mirrorless cameras.

One of the standout features of this lens is the fast and precise autofocus mechanism powered by Tamron’s VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive) linear motor. It delivers exceptional performance and ensures quick and accurate focusing for both still photography and videography. Additionally, the lens incorporates Tamron’s proprietary Vibration Compensation system, which effectively counters camera shake and allows for stable photography even at ultra-telephoto focal lengths.

The 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD is the first lens in the world for APS-C mirrorless cameras with a zoom ratio of 16.6x and an 18-300mm focal length range, equivalent to 27-450mm in full-frame terms. This extensive focal length range makes it highly versatile, allowing photographers to capture a wide range of subjects without the need to switch lenses.

The lens features a weather-sealed construction, providing protection in inclement conditions, making it suitable for outdoor photography. It also boasts a minimum focusing distance of 5.9 feet when fully zoomed out, enabling close-up shots, and a 1:2 maximum magnification ratio at the wide end of the zoom range for macro photography.

In terms of image quality, the lens produces crisp photos with the ability to blur backgrounds under the right conditions. While the narrow aperture range of f/3.5-6.3 may limit its low-light performance, the lens compensates with its ability to focus close for macro shots and its splash protection, instilling confidence when shooting in challenging environments.

Overall, the Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD Lens is a strong contender for photographers seeking a versatile all-in-one zoom lens. Its impressive zoom range, reliable autofocus, weather-sealed construction, and macro capabilities make it an excellent choice for travel, walkabout photography, and situations where capturing various subjects quickly is essential. Despite some technical compromises, this lens delivers excellent image quality, making it a recommended option for photographers looking for convenience and creativity in a single package.

Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD Lens for Sony E at B&H, Adorama.

Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Lens

A great long-zoom standard lens for travel photography and day-to-day shooting

Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Lens Specifications:

  • Mount: Sony E
  • Lens Format Coverage: APS-C
  • Focal Length: 18-135mm (27-202.5mm equivalent)
  • Image Stabilization: Yes
  • Maximum Aperture: f/3.5-5.6
  • Minimum Aperture: f/22-36
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 1.48′ / 45 cm
  • Maximum Magnification: 0.29x
  • Optical Design: 16 Elements in 12 Groups
  • Diaphragm Blades: 7, Rounded
  • Filter Size: 55 mm (Front)
  • Dimensions: 2.65 x 3.46″ / 67.2 x 88 mm
  • Weight: 11.5 oz / 326 g
  • Store links at B&H, Adorama.

Pros:

  • Versatile zoom range
  • Optical image stabilization
  • Excellent central sharpness at wider apertures
  • Low central CA
  • Lovely bokeh
  • Fast AF
  • Low distortion
  • Bright, colourful images
  • Compact and light

Cons:

  • High edge CA
  • No weather resistance
  • Soft at small apertures
  • Poor edges at 135mm

The Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Lens is a lightweight and versatile zoom lens designed for APS-C-format E-mount mirrorless cameras. With a zoom range equivalent to 27-202.5mm in 35mm format, this lens covers a wide range of subjects and situations, making it an ideal choice for travel photography. The built-in image stabilization helps to minimize camera shake, ensuring sharper images when shooting handheld.

Weighing just 326g, the Sony E 18-135mm lens offers the convenience of a “superzoom” without compromising on portability. It provides the same focal length range as a 28-200mm lens on a full-frame camera but in a much smaller form factor. This makes it perfect for everyday shooting and travel, allowing you to capture everything from wide-angle to telephoto shots with ease.

The lens performs well in various shooting scenarios, offering excellent close-up capabilities for flower studies and small object photography. The 18mm wide-angle allows for capturing architecture and landscapes, while the lens maintains sharpness and detail even at close distances.

While the lens performs admirably, there are some limitations to consider. At smaller apertures, such as f/16 and beyond, central sharpness may be compromised, and the edges may suffer when using longer focal lengths. However, these characteristics can be creatively utilized for portraiture and close-up shots.

With its 7.5x optical zoom, high-resolution optical design, and built-in optical image stabilization, the Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Lens offers versatility and convenience for a wide range of photography subjects. Its close focusing distance and pleasing background bokeh add to its appeal, allowing you to capture stunning close-ups with beautiful out-of-focus backgrounds.

Overall, this lens is a solid choice for general photography, delivering bright, sharp images. Despite its limitations, its versatility, compactness, and image stabilization make it a smart buy, particularly for APS-C-format camera users looking for an all-purpose lens.

Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Lens at B&H, Adorama.

Best Wide-Angle Zoom / Vlogging Lenses for Sony a6400

Sony E 10-20mm f/4 PZ G Lens

An ideal lens for for vlogging and content creation

Sony E 10-20mm f/4 PZ G Lens Specifications:

  • Mount: Sony E
  • Lens Format Coverage: APS-C
  • Focal Length: 10-20mm (15-30mm equivalent)
  • Image Stabilization: No
  • Maximum Aperture: f/4
  • Minimum Aperture: f/22
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 0.2m (AF), 0.13-0.17m (MF)
  • Maximum Magnification: 0.14x (AF), 0.18x (MF)
  • Optical Design: 11 Elements in 8 Groups
  • Diaphragm Blades: 7, Rounded
  • Filter Size: 62 mm (Front)
  • Dimensions: 2.7 x 2.2″ (69.8 x 55 mm)
  • Weight: 6.3 oz (178 g)
  • Store links at B&H, Adorama.

Pros:

  • Ultra-wide angle of view (15-35mm equivalent)
  • Constant f/4 maximum aperture
  • Great image quality and handling
  • Consistently excellent sharpness and contrast
  • Power zoom mechanism
  • Quality degree of weather sealing
  • Low focus breathing
  • Good flare resistance
  • Good bokeh rendering
  • Good control of chromatic aberrations
  • Extremely compact size

Cons:

  • No image stabilization
  • Focus and zoom rings too close and too similar
  • Strong barrel distortion at 10mm
  • Quite expensive

The Sony E 10-20mm f/4 PZ G Lens is a lightweight and versatile ultra-wide-angle zoom lens designed with the hybrid shooter in mind. It offers a full-frame equivalent focal length range of 15-30mm, making it an ideal choice for vlogging and content creation. With its compact and lightweight design, this lens is perfect for everyday shooting applications and is particularly well-suited for use with APS-C mirrorless cameras like the Sony ZV-E10.

One of the standout features of this lens is its Power Zoom mechanism, which allows for smooth zooming during video recording. The zoom can be controlled via the lens body, using either the zoom lever or the zoom ring, or from select camera bodies. The internal zoom and focus design keep the lens length consistent during operation, making it compatible with handheld gimbals and ensuring better performance.

In terms of image quality, the Sony E 10-20mm f/4 PZ G Lens excels. It features three aspherical elements and two ED elements, which help to achieve high sharpness, reduce distortion and chromatic aberrations, and improve color accuracy. The lens also has a circular diaphragm, resulting in smooth and natural bokeh.

The autofocus performance of this lens is lightning-fast and quiet, making it ideal for both video and stills shooting. The linear motor system provides quick and precise autofocus and tracking, and the internal focusing design ensures responsive performance. While the lens lacks optical stabilization, it compensates for this with Sony’s Active Steady Shot mode or the use of a powered stabilizer for handheld footage.

The Sony E 10-20mm f/4 PZ G Lens is impressively lightweight and compact, weighing only 6.3 oz and measuring 2.2″ in length. It also features dust and moisture resistance, making it suitable for use in various weather conditions. The lens offers intuitive handling with both a Power Zoom lever and a dedicated zoom ring for focal length adjustment.

While the lens has many strengths, there are a few drawbacks to consider. It does not have built-in image stabilization, which may be a limitation for some shooters. Additionally, the focus and zoom rings are positioned closely and have a similar feel, which may require some adjustment for precise control. At 10mm, there is noticeable barrel distortion, although this can be corrected in post-processing.

In conclusion, the Sony E 10-20mm f/4 PZ G Lens is an excellent choice for APS-C shooters looking for a video-oriented lens. Its Power Zoom feature, advanced optics, and intuitive handling make it a great tool for vlogging and content creation. While it may be a bit expensive, its compact size, superb image quality, and overall performance make it a worthwhile investment for hybrid shooters.

Sony E 10-20mm f/4 PZ G Lens at B&H, Adorama.

Tamron 11-20mm f/2.8 Di III-A RXD Lens

Tamron 11-20mm f/2.8 Di III-A RXD Lens Specifications:

  • Mount: Sony E
  • Lens Format Coverage: APS-C
  • Focal Length: 11-20mm (16.5-30mm equivalent)
  • Image Stabilization: No
  • Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
  • Minimum Aperture: f/16
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 5.9″ / 15 cm
  • Maximum Magnification: 0.25x
  • Macro Reproduction Ratio: 1:4
  • Optical Design: 12 Elements in 10 Groups
  • Diaphragm Blades: 7, Rounded
  • Filter Size: 67 mm (Front)
  • Dimensions: 2.9 x 3.4″ / 73 x 86.2 mm
  • Weight: 11.8 oz / 335 g
  • Store links at B&H, Adorama.

Pros:

  • Great wide angle zoom range
  • Fast and constant f/2.8 aperture
  • Relatively compact and lightweight
  • Fast, quiet, and accurate autofocus
  • Good coma control
  • Strong aberration control
  • Great build with weather sealing

Cons:

  • Some flare issues
  • No optical stabilizer

The Tamron 11-20mm f/2.8 Di III-A RXD Lens is an exceptional option for Sony E-mount APS-C mirrorless cameras, offering a fast-aperture ultra wide-angle zoom with remarkable performance. Designed for landscape, astrophotography, and architectural shooting, this lens delivers outstanding image quality and versatility.

One of the standout features of the Tamron 11-20mm lens is its constant f/2.8 maximum aperture. This bright aperture not only ensures consistent brightness throughout the zoom range but also provides greater control over depth of field, allowing for beautiful bokeh and enhanced low-light performance. The optical design incorporates advanced elements such as XLD (eXtra Low Dispersion), LD (Low Dispersion), and GM (Glass-Molded Aspherical) elements. These elements work together to minimize chromatic aberrations and image distortion, resulting in improved clarity and color accuracy.

Tamron’s BBAR-G2 (Broad-Band Anti-Reflection) coating is applied to the lens elements to suppress internal reflections, flare, and ghosting, resulting in greater contrast and color fidelity. This is especially beneficial when working in backlit or harsh lighting conditions, ensuring your images maintain exceptional quality and clarity.

Autofocus performance is quick, near-silent, and precise, thanks to the responsive RXD stepping drive motor. Whether you’re capturing stills or shooting video, you can rely on the lens to deliver accurate focusing without disturbing the scene.

The Tamron 11-20mm lens also excels in its close-up capabilities. With a minimum object distance of just 5.9 inches at the widest end of the zoom range, it enables powerful wide-angle macro shooting with a unique perspective that makes near objects appear larger and distant objects smaller. This adds another dimension to your creative possibilities.

Durability is not compromised with this lens. It features moisture-resistant construction, making it suitable for use in various weather conditions. Additionally, a fluorine coating on the front lens element protects against dust, dirt, and smearing, ensuring your lens stays clean and ready for action.

In conclusion, the Tamron 11-20mm f/2.8 Di III-A RXD Lens is a highly capable and versatile ultra wide-angle zoom lens. Its exceptional optical performance, fast aperture, compact design, and reliable autofocus make it a top choice for photographers looking to explore the possibilities of wide-angle shooting. While it may have some minor flare issues and lacks optical stabilization, its overall performance and image quality make it a valuable addition to any photographer’s gear bag.

$130 off on Tamron 11-20mm f/2.8 Di III-A RXD Lens for Sony E at B&H, Adorama.

Best Wide-Angle Prime Lenses for Sony a6400

Sony E 15mm f/1.4 G Lens

Sony E 15mm f/1.4 G Lens Specifications:

  • Mount: Sony E
  • Lens Format Coverage: APS-C
  • Focal Length: 15mm (22.5mm equivalent)
  • Image Stabilization: No
  • Maximum Aperture: f/1.4
  • Minimum Aperture: f/16
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 6.7″ (17cm)
  • Maximum Magnification: 0.15x
  • Optical Design: 13 Elements in 12 Groups
  • Diaphragm Blades: 7, Rounded
  • Filter Size: 55 mm (Front)
  • Dimensions: 2.6 x 2.7″ (66.6 x 69.5mm)
  • Weight: 7.7 oz (219 g)
  • Store links at B&H, Adorama.

Pros:

  • f/1.4 maximum aperture
  • Superb image quality
  • Consistently excellent sharpness and contrast
  • Fast, quiet focus
  • Low focus breathing
  • Excellent flare resistance
  • Dust and splash protection
  • Nicely built lens with great handling
  • Compact and lightweight

Cons:

  • Slightly expensive
  • Heavy barrel distortion
  • No stabilizer

The Sony E 15mm f/1.4 G Lens is an exceptional wide-angle prime lens that offers a versatile focal length equivalent to 22.5mm, making it suitable for a wide range of photography genres such as travel, landscapes, street photography, and even vlogging. With its fast f/1.4 maximum aperture, this lens excels in low-light conditions and allows for beautiful shallow depth-of-field effects and selective focusing techniques.

The lens features advanced G Series optics, including three aspherical elements that deliver high sharpness and effectively suppress distortion and spherical aberrations. Additionally, one Super ED and two ED elements contribute to greater clarity and color accuracy by minimizing chromatic aberrations. The rounded 7-blade diaphragm further enhances the bokeh quality, producing smooth and natural-looking background blur.

The build quality of the Sony E 15mm f/1.4 G Lens is excellent, with dust- and moisture-resistant design, making it suitable for use in various weather conditions. The lens is compact and lightweight, perfectly matching the sleek design of Sony’s APS-C format mirrorless camera bodies.

In terms of handling, this lens offers intuitive controls, including an aperture control ring and a customizable focus hold button on the lens barrel. The linear motor system ensures fast, quiet, and precise autofocus performance, while the internal focusing design maintains a consistent lens length during operation. The lens also supports manual focus with natural and responsive control.

Optically, the Sony E 15mm f/1.4 G Lens produces outstanding image quality. It delivers sharp and detailed images with minimal distortion, thanks to the camera’s in-built lens correction capabilities. The lens is also compatible with Sony’s Breathing Compensation function, ensuring compositional accuracy when changing focus.

While the price of the Sony E 15mm f/1.4 G Lens may be on the higher side, it offers excellent performance and features that make it worth the investment. It outperforms its competitors, such as the Sigma 16mm f/1.4, in terms of image quality, compactness, and lighter weight. Overall, this lens is highly recommended for photographers and vloggers seeking high-performance wide-angle optics for both stills and video applications.

Sony E 15mm f/1.4 G Lens at B&H, Adorama.

Sony E 11mm f/1.8 Lens

Sony E 11mm f/1.8 Lens Specifications:

  • Mount: Sony E
  • Lens Format Coverage: APS-C
  • Focal Length: 11mm (16.5mm equivalent)
  • Image Stabilization: No
  • Maximum Aperture: f/1.8
  • Minimum Aperture: f/16
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 4.7″ (12cm)
  • Maximum Magnification: 0.2x
  • Optical Design: 12 Elements in 11 Groups
  • Diaphragm Blades: 7, Rounded
  • Filter Size: 55 mm (Front)
  • Dimensions: 2.6 x 2.3″ (66 x 57.5mm)
  • Weight: 6.4 oz (181 g)
  • Store links at B&H, Adorama.

Pros:

  • Lightweight and extremely compact
  • Wide-angle view
  • Quick, quiet autofocus
  • Consistently excellent sharpness and contrast
  • Quality degree of weather sealing (8 seal points)
  • Almost no focus breathing
  • On-lens function button
  • Excellent flare resistance
  • Good bokeh rendering
  • Good control of chromatic aberrations
  • Affordable price tag

Cons:

  • Strong barrel distortion
  • Fairly heavy vignette
  • No aperture control ring
  • No image stabilization

The Sony E 11mm f/1.8 lens is a versatile and high-quality option for photographers and videographers alike. With its sleek and lightweight design, it is easy to handle and perfect for travel, vlogging, architectural subjects, landscapes, and more.

One of the standout features of this lens is its wide aperture of f/1.8, allowing for shallow depth of field shots and excellent performance in low-light conditions. The optical design of the lens ensures impressive sharpness and clarity, minimizing color fringing and other aberrations.

The lens’s autofocus system, powered by two linear stepping motors, delivers fast, quiet, and precise autofocus performance, making it suitable for both stills and movie capture. The internal focusing design ensures responsive focusing and maintains a consistent lens length during operation.

With a minimum focusing distance of 4.7 inches (0.2x magnification in manual focus mode) or 5.9 inches (0.13x magnification in autofocus mode), the lens is also suitable for close-up shooting. The close focusing capability opens up new creative possibilities for unique and dramatic viewpoints.

The lens’s weather-sealed construction provides protection against dust and moisture, making it suitable for shooting in various conditions. It also features a customizable focus hold button on the barrel for convenient access to select settings.

While the lens excels in many areas, it does exhibit noticeable barrel distortion, which can be corrected using post-processing or lens correction profiles. However, this minor drawback is outweighed by the lens’s overall performance and affordable price point.

Overall, the Sony E 11mm f/1.8 lens is a highly recommended option for those seeking a wide-angle prime lens for their Sony APS-C mirrorless camera. Its compact size, excellent image quality, and versatile features make it a valuable addition to any photographer or videographer’s kit.

Sony E 11mm f/1.8 Lens at B&H, Adorama.

Laowa 10mm f/4 Cookie Lens

A great wide-angle lens for travel photography and vlogging

Laowa 10mm f/4 Cookie Lens Specifications:

  • Mount: Sony E
  • Lens Format Coverage: APS-C
  • Focal Length: 10mm (15mm equivalent)
  • Image Stabilization: No
  • Maximum Aperture: f/4
  • Minimum Aperture: f/22
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 3.9″ / 10 cm
  • Maximum Magnification: 0.15x
  • Optical Design: 12 Elements in 8 Groups
  • Diaphragm Blades: 5
  • Focus Type: Manual Focus
  • Filter Size: 37 mm (Front)
  • Dimensions: 2.4 x 1″ / 59.8 x 25 mm
  • Weight: 4.6 oz / 130 g
  • Store links at B&H, Adorama.

Pros:

  • Tiny size and light weight
  • Affordable price
  • Stylish aesthetic
  • Excellent center and mid-frame sharpness
  • Focus and aperture rings move smoothly
  • Very low distortion
  • Great flare resistance overall
  • Good magnification and close focus performance

Cons:

  • Strong vignetting and poor edge sharpness
  • No weather sealing
  • No electronics
  • Manual focus ring can be a little hard to find by feel

The Laowa 10mm f/4 Cookie Lens by Venus Optics is a compact and lightweight pancake wide-angle prime lens designed for APS-C mirrorless cameras. With its ultra-wide perspective and versatile focal length of 15mm (35mm equivalent), this lens is perfect for capturing stunning architectural and landscape images, as well as everyday photography. The lens’s remarkable 109.3° angle of view allows you to explore the beauty of your surroundings and document epic moments in your everyday life.

Weighing only 130g and measuring just 25mm in length, the Laowa 10mm f/4 Cookie lens is incredibly portable, making it an ideal choice for travel photography and vlogging. It offers a unique combination of a wide field of view and a compact form factor, making it stand out among its competitors.

Optically, this lens delivers excellent image quality with minimal distortion, thanks to its four extra-low dispersion glass elements and two aspherical glass elements. It also features a 4″ minimum focusing distance, enabling you to capture wide-angle macro shots. Additionally, the five-blade aperture creates beautiful 10-point sun stars when shooting towards a bright light source.

While the Laowa 10mm f/4 Cookie lens offers great optical performance and image quality, it does have some limitations. It lacks autofocus and weather sealing, which may be important considerations for some photographers. The manual focus ring can be a bit hard to locate by feel, but the short focal length and large depth of field make zone focusing a viable option.

Overall, if you’re looking to experiment with an affordable ultra-wide manual focus lens that offers a unique perspective and character, the Laowa 10mm f/4 Cookie lens is a great choice. It may not excel in every aspect, but its compact size, affordability, and excellent image quality make it a compelling option, particularly for APS-C camera users. Whether you’re a seasoned photographer or a beginner looking to add some creativity to your camera bag, this lens is worth considering.

Laowa 10mm f/4 Cookie Lens for Sony E at B&H, Adorama.

Best Portrait Lenses for Sony a6400

Sigma 56mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary Lens

Sigma 56mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary Lens Specifications:

  • Mount: Sony E
  • Lens Format Coverage: APS-C
  • Focal Length: 56mm (84mm equivalent)
  • Image Stabilization: No
  • Maximum Aperture: f/1.4
  • Minimum Aperture: f/16
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 1.6′ / 50 cm
  • Maximum Magnification: 0.14x
  • Optical Design: 10 Elements in 6 Groups
  • Diaphragm Blades: 9, Rounded
  • Filter Size: 55 mm (Front)
  • Dimensions: 2.62 x 2.34″ / 66.5 x 59.5 mm
  • Weight: 9.88 oz / 280 g
  • Store links at B&H, Adorama.

Pros:

  • Compact and lightweight
  • Beautifully built lens with some weather sealing
  • Large, bright maximum aperture.
  • Exceptional sharpness across the frame
  • Fast, silent autofocus
  • Very high contrast
  • Good color rendition
  • Excellent flare resistance
  • Excellent focus accuracy (including with Eye AF)
  • Very reasonably priced

Cons:

  • Pronounced pincushion distortion
  • The bokeh is a little busy

The Sigma 56mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary Lens is a standout performer in its class. With its fast aperture, excellent sharpness, and affordable price, it offers great value for both professionals and casual photographers. The lens is designed for use with APS-C-format Sony E-mount mirrorless cameras, providing an 84mm equivalent focal length, making it perfect for portraits and subject separation effects.

One of the lens’s key strengths is its optical performance. The use of two aspherical elements and one special low dispersion (SLD) element effectively reduces spherical and chromatic aberrations, resulting in greater sharpness and color accuracy. The super multilayer coating minimizes flare and ghosting, ensuring high contrast and color-neutral imagery even in strong lighting conditions. The lens also features a rounded nine-blade diaphragm, which produces a smooth and pleasing bokeh quality.

In terms of build quality, the Sigma 56mm f/1.4 DC DN C impresses. The metal body, rubberized focus ring, and basic sealing contribute to its durability and resistance to dust and moisture. The lens’s autofocus is quick, accurate, and virtually silent, making it suitable for both photography and videography.

While the lens exhibits some pincushion distortion and vignetting at wider apertures, these can be easily corrected in post-processing. Manual focusing may not be as precise at shorter focus distances, but the overall performance of the autofocus compensates for it.

The lens’s compact and lightweight design makes it a perfect companion for mirrorless cameras, and its affordability adds to its appeal. The Sigma 56mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary Lens is a versatile and well-performing lens that delivers impressive image quality, making it highly recommended for photographers looking for a fast, short telephoto lens.

Sigma 56mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary Lens for Sony E at B&H, Adorama.

Sony E 50mm f/1.8 OSS Lens

Sony E 50mm f/1.8 OSS Lens Specifications:

  • Mount: Sony E
  • Lens Format Coverage: APS-C
  • Focal Length: 50mm (75mm equivalent)
  • Image Stabilization: Yes
  • Maximum Aperture: f/1.8
  • Minimum Aperture: f/22
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 1.28′ / 39 cm
  • Maximum Magnification: 0.16x
  • Optical Design: 9 Elements in 8 Groups
  • Diaphragm Blades: 7, Rounded
  • Filter Size: 49 mm (Front)
  • Dimensions: 2.44 x 2.44″ / 61.98 x 61.98 mm
  • Weight: 7.13 oz / 202 g
  • Store links at B&H, Adorama.

Pros:

  • Wide f/1.8 aperture
  • Affordable and portable
  • Image stabilization
  • Minimal distortion
  • Crisp optics
  • Excellent build quality
  • Near silent super smooth autofocus

Cons:

  • Some softness
  • Omits weather sealing
  • Image quality not as good as Sony’s high-end lenses

The Sony E 50mm f/1.8 OSS Lens is a versatile short telephoto prime lens designed for Sony’s APS-C mirrorless cameras. With its effective focal length of 75mm, it is well-suited for capturing stunning portraits. The fast maximum aperture of f/1.8 allows for excellent low-light performance and the ability to achieve a shallow depth-of-field for beautiful background blur. The optical performance of this lens is outstanding, delivering sharp images, and the inclusion of Sony’s Optical SteadyShot (OSS) image stabilization ensures shake-free photos in various shooting conditions.

One thing to be cautious about is that the silver exterior of this lens, like other silver E-series lenses, is prone to scuffs and scratches, so it requires careful handling and protection.

The Sony E 50mm f/1.8 OSS Lens offers a desirable combination of features, including a wide aperture, high-quality ED glass, optical stabilization, and a silent and smooth focus motor. Its 50mm focal length (75mm equivalent) is particularly well-suited for portrait photography, allowing for great subject isolation and background separation. The lens performs exceptionally well, delivering sharpness at the center and producing attractive bokeh.

While it may not be the best choice for general-purpose photography, the Sony E 50mm f/1.8 OSS Lens excels in its intended applications, especially portraiture. When paired with a wider prime lens, such as the Zeiss Sonnar T* E 24mm F1.8 ZA, it becomes a valuable addition to your lens collection.

In terms of build quality, the lens features a sturdy metal body and a metal focus ring, giving it a premium feel. Its internal focus design ensures that the lens does not change in length during focus operations, and the optical image stabilization is a valuable feature for low-light shooting.

Priced at under 300EUR/US$, the Sony E 50mm f/1.8 OSS Lens offers a compelling package with its impressive image quality, stabilization capabilities, and overall performance. It is an excellent choice for portrait photographers and represents a great value for the price.

Sony E 50mm f/1.8 OSS Lens at B&H, Adorama.

If you have a preference for Sony lenses or are considering a future transition to a full-frame system, the FE 50mm f/1.8 is a suitable choice.

Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 Lens at B&H, Adorama.

Best Macro Lenses for Sony a6400

ZEISS Touit 50mm f/2.8M Macro Lens

ZEISS Touit 50mm f/2.8M Macro Lens Specifications:

  • Mount: Sony E
  • Lens Format Coverage: APS-C
  • Focal Length: 50mm (75mm equivalent)
  • Image Stabilization: No
  • Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
  • Minimum Aperture: f/22
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 5.91″ / 15 cm
  • Maximum Magnification: 1x
  • Macro Reproduction Ratio: 1:1
  • Optical Design: 14 Elements in 11 Groups
  • Diaphragm Blades: 9, Rounded
  • Filter Size: 52 mm (Front)
  • Dimensions: 2.95 x 3.58″ / 75 x 91 mm
  • Weight: 10.23 oz / 290 g
  • Store links at B&H, Adorama.

Pros:

  • Fantastic Image quality
  • Extremely well-built and solid lens made of solid metal and rubber
  • Extremely fun and easy to use
  • Very nice and smooth bokeh at close focusing distances
  • Resists flare and controls vignetting well
  • Focuses down to 1:1 magnification for true macro shooting

Cons:

  • No manual MF/AF or focus limiter switches
  • Slow focusing when in the macro range
  • Working distance at 1:1 is extremely short
  • Noisy autofocus if trying to use for video

The ZEISS Touit 50mm f/2.8M Macro Lens is a highly capable short telephoto prime lens that excels in both portraiture and close-up photography. With its 75mm-equivalent focal length, it provides a versatile perspective for various shooting scenarios. As a macro lens, it offers a life-size 1:1 maximum magnification ratio and a minimum focusing distance of 5.9 inches, enabling detailed close-up shots. The advanced Planar optical design, featuring two aspherical elements and two low dispersion elements, ensures excellent image quality by minimizing aberrations, distortion, and color fringing.

The lens’s construction is sturdy, with a solid metal and rubber build that exudes durability. Its well-built design adds to the overall user experience, making it both fun and easy to use. The lens also exhibits impressive resistance to flare and effectively controls vignetting. When shooting at close focusing distances, the bokeh is smooth and pleasing.

While the ZEISS Touit 50mm f/2.8M Macro Lens delivers fantastic image quality, it does have a few drawbacks. It lacks manual focus/auto focus and focus limiter switches, which may limit the level of control users have over their shots. Additionally, focusing can be slow when working in the macro range, and the working distance at 1:1 magnification is very short. For video work, the autofocus can be noisy, which may impact the quality of audio recordings.

Overall, the ZEISS Touit 50mm f/2.8M Macro Lens impresses with its image quality, build quality, and macro capabilities. It’s a reliable option for photographers looking to capture stunning close-up details or create beautiful portraits. However, those specifically seeking a lens for video work may need to consider the autofocus noise and limitations in focusing speed when shooting in the macro range.

ZEISS Touit 50mm f/2.8M Macro Lens for Sony E at B&H, Adorama.

Laowa 65mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO Lens

Laowa 65mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO Lens Specifications:

  • Mount: Sony E
  • Lens Format Coverage: APS-C
  • Focal Length: 65mm (97.5mm equivalent)
  • Image Stabilization: No
  • Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
  • Minimum Aperture: f/22
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 6.69″ / 17 cm
  • Maximum Magnification: 2x
  • Macro Reproduction Ratio: 2:1
  • Optical Design: 14 Elements in 10 Groups
  • Diaphragm Blades: 9
  • Focus Type: Manual Focus
  • Filter Size: 52 mm (Front)
  • Dimensions: 2.24 x 3.94″ / 57 x 100 mm
  • Weight: 11.82 oz / 335 g
  • Store links at B&H, Adorama.

Pros:

  • Relatively small and lightweight
  • Sharp as a Savile Row suit
  • Focuses to infinity
  • 2x magnification
  • Amazing microcontrast
  • Excellent image quality
  • APO design delivers stunningly good optical performance
  • Nice bokeh
  • Low distortion and vignette
  • Robust construction
  • Fantastic price-to-performance ratio

Cons:

  • No automatic /preset aperture
  • No electronic contacts / EXIF
  • No stabilization
  • No weather-sealing

The Laowa 65mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO Lens is a remarkable option for photographers interested in close-up and macro photography. Designed for APS-C-format Sony E-mount mirrorless cameras, this lens offers a 2:1 maximum magnification ratio and a minimum focusing distance of 6.7 inches, allowing you to capture incredible details of your subjects. Its optical construction, which includes three extra-low dispersion elements, ensures exceptional sharpness, color accuracy, and clarity with minimal chromatic aberrations.

Weighing just 335 grams, the Laowa 65mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO Lens is lightweight and compact, making it a convenient tool for both leisure and professional photography. Its apochromatic optical design effectively minimizes chromatic aberrations, delivering high-quality images with excellent resolution and contrast from center to corner. The lens also boasts a nine-blade diaphragm, contributing to a pleasing bokeh quality for attractive background blur.

While the lens lacks autofocus, electronic contacts, and image stabilization, it compensates with its superb image quality and affordable price. The manual focus design and focus distance scale assist in precise focusing control, particularly beneficial for macro shooting where autofocus is less crucial. The lens’s solid build construction adds to its appeal, providing durability for long-term use.

Overall, the Laowa 65mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO Lens offers fantastic value for its price, delivering outstanding sharpness, clarity, and magnification capabilities. It is an excellent option for macro enthusiasts, whether you’re a newcomer or an experienced photographer looking for a versatile and affordable macro lens.

Laowa 65mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO Lens for Sony E at B&H, Adorama.

Sony FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro Lens

Sony FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro Lens Specifications:

  • Mount: Sony E
  • Lens Format Coverage: Full-Frame
  • Focal Length: 50mm (75mm equivalent on APS-C cameras)
  • Image Stabilization: No
  • Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
  • Minimum Aperture: f/16
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 6.3″ / 16 cm
  • Maximum Magnification: 1x
  • Macro Reproduction Ratio: 1:1
  • Optical Design: 8 Elements in 7 Groups
  • Diaphragm Blades: 7
  • Filter Size: 55 mm (Front)
  • Dimensions: 2.79 x 2.8″ / 70.8 x 71 mm
  • Weight: 8.32 oz / 236 g
  • Store links at B&H, Adorama.

Pros:

  • Excellent edge to edge sharpness
  • Minimal distortion
  • 1:1 magnification
  • Very low central CA
  • Resistant to flare
  • Weather-sealed design
  • Focus limiter function
  • Light and compact

Cons:

  • Fairly slow AF
  • Omits optical stabilization
  • Short working distance

The Sony FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro Lens is a versatile and high-performing lens that excels in both macro and general photography. With a 1:1 maximum magnification and a 6.3″ minimum focusing distance, it offers excellent close-up capabilities and the ability to capture sharp and detailed images of subjects at a true macro scale.

The lens’s optical performance is impressive, with high resolution and minimal distortions. The edge-to-edge sharpness is excellent, making it suitable for various shooting scenarios. The lens’s bokeh quality is also pleasing, allowing for attractive background blur. The build quality of the lens is solid, and it features dust and moisture resistance, providing added durability in challenging conditions.

While the autofocus speed is not the fastest, it is still capable of delivering accurate focusing results. However, the lens lacks optical stabilization, which may pose a challenge when shooting handheld in low-light conditions.

The Sony FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro Lens is compact and lightweight, making it easy to carry and handle. Its versatility extends beyond macro photography, as it can also be used as a general-purpose prime lens for portraiture or other distant subjects. The lens offers convenient controls, including a focus range limiter switch and a focus hold button, enhancing the shooting experience.

In conclusion, the Sony FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro Lens is an excellent performer that delivers outstanding image quality, particularly in macro photography. Its edge-to-edge sharpness, minimal distortions, and weather-sealed design make it a reliable and versatile lens for various shooting needs. While it may have some limitations, such as slower autofocus and the absence of optical stabilization, it remains a highly recommended choice for those seeking a versatile macro lens that can also handle general photography.

Sony FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro Lens at B&H, Adorama.

Best Standard Zoom Lenses for Sony a6400

Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary Lens

A small, light, and bright standard zoom for landscapes, portraits, street photography, architecture, and events

Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary Lens Specifications:

  • Mount: Sony E
  • Lens Format Coverage: APS-C
  • Focal Length: 18-50mm (27-75mm equivalent)
  • Image Stabilization: No
  • Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
  • Minimum Aperture: f/22
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 0.12m (W) 0.3m (T)
  • Maximum Magnification: 0.36x (W) 0.2x (T)
  • Macro Reproduction Ratio: 1:2.8
  • Optical Design: 13 Elements in 10 Groups
  • Diaphragm Blades: 7, Rounded
  • Filter Size: 55 mm (Front)
  • Dimensions: 2.5 x 2.9″ / 64.5 x 74.5 mm
  • Weight: 10.2 oz / 290 g
  • Store links at B&H, Adorama.

Pros:

  • Compact size and light weight
  • Useful focal range with constant F2.8 aperture
  • Close focus for 1:2.8 macro
  • Quick, quiet autofocus
  • Minimal focus breathing
  • Low amounts of chromatic aberrations
  • Good sharpness across zoom range
  • Nice bokeh in most situations
  • Fairly good coma performance
  • Nicely made with a weather sealing gasket
  • Reasonably priced

Cons:

  • No optical stabilization
  • Fairly strong barrel distortion at 18mm

The Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary Lens is a versatile and impressive standard zoom lens designed for crop-sensor mirrorless cameras. With its compact size, lightweight design, and bright f/2.8 aperture, this lens is an excellent choice for a wide range of photo and video applications, including landscapes, portraits, street photography, architecture, and events.

One of the standout features of this lens is its optical quality. It incorporates three high-precision glass-molded aspherical elements and a special low dispersion element to minimize distortion, spherical aberrations, and chromatic aberrations. This results in sharp, clear images with accurate rendering and minimal color fringing.

The lens’s constant f/2.8 aperture is another advantage, providing excellent low-light performance and the ability to create a shallow depth of field for impactful results. It also features a rounded seven-blade diaphragm, which produces a pleasing bokeh quality, adding a nice background blur to your images.

Autofocus performance is exceptional thanks to the lens’s stepping motor, offering fast and quiet operation. This makes it particularly useful for video recording or capturing fast-moving subjects like children and animals. Additionally, the lens has a minimum focusing distance of just 4.8″, allowing for macro-style close-up photography.

In terms of size and weight, the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary Lens is incredibly compact, measuring less than 3 inches in length and weighing just over 10 ounces. This makes it ideal for travel and day-to-day shooting, as it won’t weigh you down or take up much space in your camera bag.

While the lens lacks full weather sealing and a fluorine coating, its affordable price and excellent performance more than make up for these minor drawbacks. It offers a significant improvement over kit lenses and provides a more versatile and capable option for beginner photographers.

In summary, the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary Lens is a highly recommended choice for Sony APS-C photographers who value compactness, optical quality, and affordability. Whether you’re upgrading from a kit lens or looking for a versatile standard zoom, this lens delivers impressive results and punches well above its weight.

Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary Lens for Sony E at B&H, Adorama.

Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD Lens

Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD Lens Specifications:

  • Mount: Sony E
  • Lens Format Coverage: APS-C
  • Focal Length: 17-70mm (25.5-105mm equivalent)
  • Image Stabilization: Yes
  • Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
  • Minimum Aperture: f/16
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 7.5″ / 19 cm
  • Maximum Magnification: 0.21x
  • Optical Design: 16 Elements in 12 Groups
  • Diaphragm Blades: 9, Rounded
  • Filter Size: 67 mm (Front)
  • Dimensions: 2.9 x 4.7″ / 74.6 x 119.3 mm
  • Weight: 1.2 lb / 525 g
  • Store links at B&H, Adorama.

Pros:

  • Great zoom range
  • Maintains F2.8 aperture
  • Pleasing image quality
  • Excellent image stabilization (VC)
  • Fast, quiet, and accurate autofocus
  • Good flare resistance
  • Strong aberration control
  • Good build with weather sealing
  • Excellent price

Cons:

  • Largest and heaviest lens in the class, a little bulky
  • Sharpness could be better at some settings
  • Noticeable distortions when uncorrected

The Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD lens is a highly versatile and impressive lens for Sony E-mount APS-C mirrorless cameras. With its wide to short-tele zoom range and constant f/2.8 aperture, it excels in various shooting situations and offers enhanced control over depth of field. The lens incorporates advanced optics, including aspherical and low dispersion elements, resulting in sharp, clear, and color-accurate images. The BBAR coating effectively minimizes flare and ghosting when shooting in challenging lighting conditions.

One of the standout features of this lens is the Vibration Compensation image stabilization system, which reduces camera shake and enables steady photo and video recording, particularly in low-light environments. The RXD stepping motor ensures quick and nearly silent autofocus performance, complemented by full-time manual focus override and a minimum focusing distance of 7.5 inches. The lens is also weather-sealed and features a fluorine coating on the front element to protect against moisture, fingerprints, and smudges.

The Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD lens offers exceptional value for its price. Its wide zoom range makes it an excellent choice for travel photography, and the bright aperture allows for pleasing background blur and sharp nighttime images. The lens performs admirably in terms of sharpness and autofocus, though improvements could be made in areas such as bokeh, distortion, flare, and color fringing.

Despite a few minor drawbacks, such as its slightly bulky size and noticeable distortions when uncorrected, the Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD lens is an excellent investment for photographers and videographers seeking a versatile, all-purpose lens. Its broad focal length range, combined with its image quality, image stabilization, and weather resistance, make it a compelling option for everyday shooting and various genres of photography. Whether capturing portraits, street scenes, landscapes, or close-ups, this lens delivers outstanding results, and its nostalgic feel adds to the overall experience.

Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD Lens for Sony E at B&H, Adorama.

Sony E 16-55mm f/2.8 G Lens

Sony E 16-55mm f/2.8 G Lens Specifications:

  • Mount: Sony E
  • Lens Format Coverage: APS-C
  • Focal Length: 16-55mm (24-82.5mm equivalent)
  • Image Stabilization: No
  • Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
  • Minimum Aperture: f/22
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 1.08′ / 33 cm
  • Maximum Magnification: 0.2x
  • Optical Design: 17 Elements in 12 Groups
  • Diaphragm Blades: 9, Rounded
  • Filter Size: 67 mm (Front)
  • Dimensions: 2.87 x 3.94″ / 73 x 100 mm
  • Weight: 1.09 lb / 494 g
  • Store links at B&H, Adorama.

Pros:

  • Excellent build quality
  • Fast and constant f/2.8 aperture
  • Excellent image quality
  • Quick, quiet autofocus
  • Dust and splash protection
  • Fluorine coating
  • Lightweight and travel-friendly
  • High-end, weather-sealed construction

Cons:

  • Pricey
  • No image stabilization
  • Fair amount of distortion without corrections

The Sony E 16-55mm f/2.8 G lens is a highly anticipated addition to the Sony APS-C E-mount mirrorless camera system, and it delivers on the expectations. This versatile lens covers a wide range of focal lengths, making it suitable for a variety of subjects, from landscapes to portraits. With its constant f/2.8 maximum aperture, it provides excellent low-light performance and depth of field control.

One of the standout features of this lens is its image quality. It delivers sharpness and contrast throughout the zoom range, even when shooting wide open at f/2.8. The lens also produces beautiful bokeh when needed, thanks to its 9-blade aperture.

Build quality is top-notch, with weather-sealing that adds to its professional credentials. The lens feels solid and reliable, and it features a customizable focus hold button for added convenience. Autofocus is fast, accurate, and virtually silent, while manual focusing is intuitive with Sony’s Linear Response MF feature.

Despite its many strengths, the Sony E 16-55mm f/2.8 G lens does have a couple of downsides. It lacks built-in optical stabilization, which may be a concern for some photographers, especially with cameras that don’t have in-body image stabilization. Additionally, there is noticeable barrel distortion at the shorter end of the zoom range if not corrected in-camera or during raw processing.

Overall, the Sony E 16-55mm f/2.8 G lens is an impressive addition to Sony’s APS-C lens lineup. It caters to both professional stills and movie shooters, offering excellent image quality, fast autofocus, and a durable build. While it comes with a professional-level price tag, it delivers on its promises and is a worthwhile investment for those seeking a high-quality standard zoom lens.

Sony E 16-55mm f/2.8 G Lens at B&H, Adorama.

Best Sports and Wildlife Lenses for Sony a6400

Sony E 70-350mm f/4.5-6.3 G OSS Lens

A great telephoto zoom for sports, wildlife, and landscape photography

Sony E 70-350mm f/4.5-6.3 G OSS Lens Specifications:

  • Mount: Sony E
  • Lens Format Coverage: APS-C
  • Focal Length: 70-350mm (105-525mm equivalent)
  • Image Stabilization: Yes
  • Maximum Aperture: f/4.5-6.3
  • Minimum Aperture: f/22-32
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 3.61′ / 1.1 m
  • Maximum Magnification: 0.23x
  • Optical Design: 19 Elements in 13 Groups
  • Diaphragm Blades: 7
  • Filter Size: 67 mm (Front)
  • Dimensions: 3.03 x 5.59″ / 77 x 142 mm
  • Weight: 1.38 lb / 625 g
  • Store links at B&H, Adorama.

Pros:

  • Excellent Weather-Sealed Build Quality
  • Compact size and weight for the zoom range
  • Consistently excellent sharpness and contrast
  • Sharp across frame and across zoom range
  • Extremely fast and quiet autofocus
  • Built-in optical stabilization
  • Good tracking capabilities
  • Great bokeh rendering
  • Excellent control of chromatic aberrations
  • Low vignette

Cons:

  • Slightly expensive
  • Flare prone
  • Some pincushion distortion
  • Not compatible with teleconverters

The Sony E 70-350mm f/4.5-6.3 G OSS Lens is a highly versatile and compact telephoto zoom lens designed for APS-C-format E-mount cameras. With its 105-525mm equivalent zoom range, this lens is ideal for sports, action, and wildlife photography, as well as capturing stunning landscapes. The built-in Optical SteadyShot image stabilization ensures sharp and blur-free handheld shots, even at super-telephoto settings or slower shutter speeds.

The lens features a lightweight and sturdy construction, making it a reliable choice for outdoor photography. It incorporates one aspherical element to reduce distortion and spherical aberrations, resulting in sharp and highly-detailed images. The XD Linear Motor System provides fast and accurate autofocus performance, while the intuitive manual focus control allows for precise adjustments.

Despite its modest aperture rating of f/4.5-6.3, the lens delivers impressive image quality throughout its zoom range. The maximum focal length of 525mm is remarkable considering the lens’s compact and lightweight design. It performs well in handheld shooting, with effective image stabilization allowing for sharp shots even at slower shutter speeds.

The Sony E 70-350mm f/4.5-6.3 G OSS Lens offers excellent value for its price, particularly for sports, action, and wildlife photographers who prefer the APS-C format. While it may not have the ultimate reach or brightness of larger and more expensive lenses like the 200-600mm or 100-400mm, it provides respectable image quality and focusing speed at a more affordable price point. It strikes a good balance between portability and performance, making it a practical choice for photographers on the move.

In terms of image quality, the lens exhibits high sharpness, particularly between 70mm and 250mm. However, there is a slight drop in quality at 350mm. Pincushion distortions are noticeable in RAW files, but image auto-correction can effectively handle this issue. The bokeh rendering is smooth in the background, although out-of-focus highlights can be somewhat rough, which is common for telephoto zoom lenses.

Overall, the Sony E 70-350mm f/4.5-6.3 G OSS Lens is a highly versatile super-telephoto zoom lens that offers exceptional image quality, fast autofocus, effective stabilization, and a weather-resistant build. It is a recommended choice for sports, action, and wildlife photographers using Sony E-mount APS-C cameras. While it may have some minor drawbacks, its compact size, lightweight design, and affordable price make it an attractive option for photographers seeking a telephoto lens with excellent performance.

Sony E 70-350mm f/4.5-6.3 G OSS Lens at B&H, Adorama.

Sony E PZ 18-105mm f/4 G OSS Lens

Sony E PZ 18-105mm f/4 G OSS Lens Specifications:

  • Mount: Sony E
  • Lens Format Coverage: APS-C
  • Focal Length: 18-105mm (27-157.5mm equivalent)
  • Image Stabilization: Yes
  • Maximum Aperture: f/4
  • Minimum Aperture: f/22
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 1.48′ / 45 cm
  • Maximum Magnification: 0.11x
  • Optical Design: 16 Elements in 12 Groups
  • Diaphragm Blades: 7, Rounded
  • Filter Size: 72 mm (Front)
  • Dimensions: 3.1 x 4.3″ / 78 x 110 mm
  • Weight: 15.1 oz / 427 g
  • Store links at B&H, Adorama.

Pros:

  • Excellent build quality
  • Excellent sharpness in the centre of the frame
  • Relatively lightweight
  • Effective optical stabilisation

Cons:

  • Lack of sharpness towards the edges of the frame at 105mm
  • High CA levels
  • Wild distortion at 105mm

The Sony E PZ 18-105mm f/4 G OSS Lens is a versatile mid-range zoom lens designed for APS-C-format E-mount cameras. With a focal length range equivalent to 27-157.5mm, this lens covers a wide range of shooting scenarios, from wide-angle landscapes to short telephoto portraits. The constant f/4 aperture provides consistent performance throughout the zoom range, allowing for greater control over focus position and shallow depth-of-field techniques.

One of the notable features of this lens is the power zoom mechanism and Handycam technology, which deliver smooth and quiet zooming and focusing. This makes it an excellent choice for video shooters, providing seamless transitions and control over the zoom speed.

The lens incorporates two extra-low dispersion elements and three aspherical elements to combat aberrations and ensure crisp and clean images. The optical design minimizes chromatic aberrations, color fringing, astigmatism, field curvature, and other monochromatic aberrations, resulting in improved clarity and color accuracy.

Additionally, the lens features Optical SteadyShot image stabilization, which effectively reduces the appearance of camera shake, especially at longer focal lengths. This stabilization system can also be combined with select camera’s sensor-shift type image stabilization for enhanced control over camera blur.

While the Sony E PZ 18-105mm f/4 G OSS Lens excels in video applications, it does have some optical compromises for still photography. Users may notice softness towards the edges of the frame at the telephoto end and distortion at 105mm. However, if shooting in JPEG or working with Raw files in post-processing software like Lightroom, these issues can be corrected to a large extent.

In terms of build quality, the lens boasts excellent construction and a relatively lightweight design, making it comfortable to handle and carry around. The 72mm filter size is a standard feature among Sony lenses.

In summary, the Sony E PZ 18-105mm f/4 G OSS Lens offers a versatile focal length range, smooth power zoom, and effective image stabilization. While it may have some optical drawbacks for still photography, its video capabilities and overall performance make it a solid choice for APS-C-format E-mount camera users, particularly those who prioritize versatility and smooth zooming for their video work.

Sony E PZ 18-105mm f/4 G OSS Lens at B&H, Adorama.

Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VXD Lens

Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VXD Lens Specifications:

  • Mount: Sony E
  • Lens Format Coverage: Full-Frame
  • Focal Length: 70-180mm (105-270mm equivalent on APS-C models)
  • Image Stabilization: No
  • Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
  • Minimum Aperture: f/22
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 10.63″ / 27 cm
  • Maximum Magnification: 0.5x
  • Macro Reproduction Ratio: 1:2
  • Optical Design: 19 Elements in 14 Groups
  • Diaphragm Blades: 9, Rounded
  • Filter Size: 67 mm (Front)
  • Dimensions: 3.19 x 5.87″ / 81 x 149 mm
  • Weight: 1.78 lb / 810 g
  • Store links at B&H, Adorama.

Pros:

  • Light, comparatively compact
  • Smaller filter size than the competition
  • Bright f/2.8 aperture
  • Excellent sharpness and uniformity at all apertures and focal lengths
  • Very good resolution
  • Nice Bokeh
  • Reliable and fast AF tracking, extremely fast static AF
  • Low vignetting and minimal distortions
  • Very usable close-up performance at 180mm focal length
  • Extensive weather sealing plus fluorine coating against moist and dust
  • Low price when compared with other F2.8 options

Cons:

  • Significant flare and ghosting except at 180mm
  • No internal zooming
  • Some distortion at longer focal lengths
  • No AF/MF switch, relies on camera menu
  • Incompatible with teleconverters

The Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VXD Lens is a versatile and compact telephoto zoom lens designed for Sony E-mount mirrorless cameras. With its constant f/2.8 aperture, this lens offers excellent control over depth of field and performs well in low-light conditions. The lens features a sophisticated optical design with six low dispersion elements and three aspherical elements, resulting in improved clarity, color accuracy, and reduced aberrations.

The VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive) linear motors provide fast, accurate, and quiet autofocus performance, making it suitable for both stills and video applications. The lens has a minimum focusing distance of 2.8′ at all focal lengths, allowing for close-up shots, and it offers a maximum magnification ratio of 1:2 at the 70mm focal length. The lens also features a floating elements system to maintain consistent image quality throughout the focusing range.

In terms of build quality, the Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 lens is moisture-resistant and features a fluorine coating on the front element to protect against dust and smudging. It has a zoom lock switch to prevent barrel extension during transportation. The nine-blade diaphragm contributes to a pleasing bokeh quality.

While the lens offers exceptional image quality and a compact size, it does have a few drawbacks. Flare and ghosting can be significant, especially at longer focal lengths, and there is no internal zooming mechanism. Some distortion may be noticeable at longer focal lengths as well. The lens lacks an AF/MF switch and relies on the camera menu for switching between autofocus and manual focus modes. Additionally, it is not compatible with teleconverters.

Overall, the Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VXD Lens provides excellent image quality, a bright aperture, and fast autofocus performance in a compact and affordable package. It is a compelling alternative to Sony’s more expensive 70-200mm f/2.8 lens, offering comparable performance at a lower price point. With its versatility and impressive optical performance, it is a recommended choice for photographers looking for a high-quality telephoto zoom lens.

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

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