The Best Sony A6400 Lenses for Video and Photography

The Sony A6400 uses the Sony E-mount.

Sony E lenses are made for the 24.2 megapixel APS-C sensor in the A6400.

Sony has made 8 prime lenses and 16 zooms, with 6 of them being Power Zoom (PZ) versions.

The A6400 was released in A6400, and can be found used for less than $700. It was designed with vlogging and content creation in mind, so lens recommendations will be targeted towards video.

Of course it is still a good camera for photography. With a fast aperture lens, like a f1.8, the A6400 can capture beautiful portraits with creamy bokeh.

The complete list of lenses is on the Sony E-mount page. It has the cheaper, older zooms with mediocre image quality and noticeable chromatic aberration.

Sony A6400 memory card compatibility

Sony A6400 Lens Compatibility

There are no lens compatibility problems with the Sony A6400.

Can the A6400 use full frame lenses?

Yes, full frame Sony FE lenses can be used.

The Sony A6400 has a 1.5x crop factor when using full frame lenses. So a full frame camera would need a 75mm lens to have the same field of view as a 50mm lens on the A6400.

That’s an advantage for telephoto zooms with fast autofocus motors and optical image stabilization.

It’s a disadvantage for ultra wide angle lenses because the field of view is cropped.

Lens Abbreviations

• E - Lenses designed for APS-C sensors.
• FE - Lenses designed for full frame sensors.
• SEL - Sony E-mount lens.
• OSS - Optical SteadyShot
• GM - G Master. Sony’s highest optical quality lenses.
• G - Gold. Formerly Sony’s highest optical quality lenses.
• ZA - Zeiss Alpha. Lenses designed with Zeiss.
• LE - Light Edition.

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Kit Lens (Sony E 16-50mm f3.5-5.6 PZ OSS II)

• Released 2024
• 116g, 40.5mm Filter Threads
• SELP1650

The Sony E 16-50mm f3.5-5.6 PZ OSS II was the kit lens for the Sony A6400. It’s an update to the first version, released in 2013.

The zoom range is perfect for vlogging, talking head, or general videos. It’ll also be great for general and travel photography.

It’s not heavy or large to begin with, but the lens will retract when powered off, making it even smaller.

If you want to save money, look for a used copy of the first version.

Wide Zooms

Wide zoom lenses are great for landscapes, architecture, travel, and video.

Sony E 10-18mm f4 OSS

• Released 2012
• 225g, 62mm Filter Threads
• SEL1018

The Sony 10-18mm f4 OSS is the lens to get if you want a zoom ring.

It has optical image stabilization, which is great for slow shutter speeds or video. Though, that doesn’t matter for if you want a landscape lens to use on a tripod.

There are used deals thanks to how long the lens has been sold.

Sony E PZ 10-20mm f4 G

• Released 2022
• 178g, 62mm Filter Threads
• SELP1020G

The Sony 10-20mm f4 G PZ is weather resistant! It’s such an attractive overall package if you are going to be shooting video.

The one missing feature is Optical SteadyShot. I think Sony skipped OSS because the expectation is that cameras will have in body image stabilization.

Keep in mind that the Sony A6400 does not have IBIS.

Sony E 16-55mm f2.8 G

• Released 2019
• 494g, 67mm Filter Threads
• SEL1655G

The Sony 16-55mm f2.8 G the best zoom lens for the A6400. It covers the same range as a full frame 24-70mm f2.8 lens, but in a smaller and lighter package.

The fast constant aperture is perfect for events, weddings, photojournalism, and other types of professional photography.

All-in-One Superzooms

Superzooms can do it all, from landscapes to wildlife. Modern lenses even have good image quality.

What’s hard to get around is the size and weight of these lenses. They can be uncomfortable to carry for long periods of time, making them potentially bad for travel.

Another issue is they only go as wide as 18mm. That’s the equivalent to 27mm on full frame, which is not very wide. Your phone likely has a wider angle lens than that.

Compared to a lens like the 69g Sony 20mm f2.8, superzooms will draw much more attention. Most of the primes and the Sony 55-210mm f4.5-6.3 OSS would be lighter than most of the superzooms.

Sony E 18-135mm f3.5-5.6 OSS

• Released 2018
• 325g, 55mm Filter Threads
• SEL18135

The Sony 18-135mm f3.5-5.6 can do it all. It’s a popular lens because of the wide range of photography it covers.

It has a linear motor, which provides fast and quiet autofocus. The 45cm minimum focus distance is good for closeups.

A good choice if you don’t need additional telephoto range.

Sony E 18-200mm f3.5-6.3 OSS

• Released 2010
• 524g, 67mm Filter Threads
• SEL18200

The Sony 18-200mm f3.5-6.3 OSS has an impressive zoom range and at an affordable price.

Image stabilization is helpful because the aperture range can be deceiving. The aperture is going to be small than expected when zooming towards the telephoto end of the zoom range.

Sony E 18-200mm f3.5-6.3 OSS LE

• Released 2012
• 460g, 62mm Filter Threads
• SEL18200LE

The Sony 18-200mm f3.5-6.3 OSS LE is 64g lighter. (2.25 ounces)

For a “Light Edition,” I would have expected a larger weight savings.

Like the previous version, it doesn’t have weather sealing.

Sony E PZ 18–200 mm f3.5-6.3 OSS

• Released 2012
• 694g, 67mm Filter Threads
• SEL-P18200

The Sony 18–200 mm F3.5-6.3 OSS PZ was designed with video in mind.

It has internal focusing and circular aperture blades.

There is some loss of sharpness at 200mm. The f6.3 aperture will be difficult to use indoors due to a lack of light.

Telephoto Zooms

A telephoto lens is great for sports, action, and wildlife photography.

Lenses with Optical SteadyShot image stabilization will help get sharp images when hand holding. There are floating lens elements that help counteract camera shake.

Sony E 55-210mm f4.5-6.3 OSS

• Released 2011
• 345g, 49mm Filter Threads
• SEL55210

The Sony 55-210mm f4.5-6.3 OSS is a great cheap option that pairs well with another lens. That’s why is was commonly sold as a second kit lens along side the 16-55mm.

It has a slightly longer reach than the superzooms, while being lighter and less expensive.

It’s the best choice to try out wildlife photography or outdoor sports.

Sony E 70-350mm f4.5-6.3 G OSS

• Released 2019
• 625g, 67mm Filter Threads
• SEL70350G

The Sony 70-350mm f4.5-6.3 G OSS offers an impressive reach that is great for sports, action, and wildlife.

It’s a G lens, which means it has weather sealing and is very sharp.

Being designed for APS-C, it is compact, lightweight, and relatively inexpensive for the zoom range.

Primes

There are 8 APS-C prime lenses for the Sony A6400.

I like that the first 6 released all use 49mm filter threads.

Sony E 11mm f1.8

• Released 2022
• 181g, 55mm Filter Threads
• SEL11F18

The Sony 11mm f1.8 is an impressive ultra wide lens. Not just for it’s image quality, but light weight.

It’s a weather sealed lens, making it an excellent choice for landscapes and architecture.

The fast aperture makes it good for astrophotography and video.

Sony E 15mm f1.4 G

• Released 2022
• 219g, 55mm Filter Threads
• SEL15F14G

The Sony 15mm f1.4 G is small, sharp, and has less distortion than the 11mm.

It has the fastest aperture of any Sony APS-C lens, making it the best for low light.

There is the option to have a clickless aperture and the autofocus motor is very quiet. The lens is well suited for video use.

Sony E 16mm f2.8

• Released 2010
• 67g, 49mm Filter Threads
• SEL16F28S or B (silver/black)

The Sony 16mm f2.8 is the lightest lens for the Sony A6400.

The cheap price makes it good if you want to try out architecture or landscapes.

With an equivalent focal length of 24mm, it is likely a little too wide for street photography.

Sony E 20mm f2.8

• Released 2013
• 69g, 49mm Filter Threads
• SEL20F28B or S (black/silver)

The Sony 20mm f2.8 is another small lens, that might be a more usable focal length.

It won’t draw attention, making it a good option for street photography. The 30mm equivalent is similar to 28mm, which is very popular for street and travel.

Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* E 24mm F1.8 ZA

• Released 2011
• 225g, 49mm Filter Threads
• SEL24F18Z

The Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* E 24mm F1.8 ZA has minimal distortion while remaining sharp corner to corner.

It’s an incredible value used that can be found for less than half the MSRP.

The aperture is fast enough to create a blurry background to help isolate your subjects.

Sony E 35mm f1.8 OSS

• Released 2012
• 154g, 49mm Filter Threads
• SEL35F18

The Sony E 35mm f1.8 OSS is a perfect for everyday shooting. It has a “standard” focal length, meaning framing images will be easy and feel natural.

Auto focus is fast and accurate. Though the 30cm close focusing distance isn’t that close.

Sony E 50mm f1.8 OSS

• Released 2011
• 202g, 49mm Filter Threads
• SEL50F18

The Sony E 50mm f1.8 OSS is the best portrait lens for the A6400. It will produce images with smooth bokeh.

The affordable price, small size, and light weight make it a great value.

Watch out when buying a used one. The larger full frame Sony FE 50mm f1.8 lens will show up.

Sony E 30mm f3.5 Macro Lens

• Released 2011
• 225g, 49mm Filter Threads
• SEL30M35

The Sony 30mm f3.5 macro is the only APS-C macro lens offered by Sony. Used copies are an excellent value.

At 1x magnification it has a working distance of 2.4cm. That’s not a ton of room, but the lens is going to be great for close-up photography.

It’s also not weather sealed.

For more working distance, weather sealing, and a better build, there’s the more expensive Sony FE 90mm f2.8 Macro G OSS.