The Must Have, Best Sony A7 Lenses

The first Sony A7 was released in 2013. Along with the A7R, it was the first full frame camera to use the Sony E-mount.

Sony is currently selling 74 different E-mount lenses. If third party manufacturers are included, there are hundreds of options.

The Sony A7 classic is worth around $400. Lens recommendations are going to make sense in terms of a likely budget and what the A7 is still good at.

With a larger budget, upgrading to another camera in the Sony A7 series makes sense. Newer versions have better high ISO performance, video features, and autofocus.

Sony A7 Lens Compatibility

The Sony A7 is compatible with full frame E-mount lenses. It’s a bayonet style lens mount that does not have a physical aperture ring.

Fully compatible Sony lenses will have FE in the name.

Sony A7 memory card compatibility

Full Frame vs APS-C Lenses

Lenses designed for APS-C sensors will work on the Sony A7. The A7 will go into a “crop mode.” A smaller section of the sensor will be used, reducing the image resolution. Instead of 24 megapixel photos, they’ll be 10 megapixels.

That’s not ideal, which is why I do not recommend using lenses designed for APS-C cameras.

Lens Abbreviations

• FE - Full frame lenses.
• 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. They’re older than GM lenses.
• ZA - Zeiss Alpha. Lenses designed with Zeiss.

Adapting Minolta/Sony A-mount lenses

Before switching to mirrorless cameras, Sony made DSLR and SLT cameras. They used the A-mount.

A-mount lenses can be used on the Sony A7 with an adapter.

There are so many to choose from because they provide different features. Some only support contrast detection autofocus. They also do not have built-in focus motors, need to power the autofocus in a lens.

• LA-EA1 - No AF motor.
• LA-EA2 - No AF motor. No eye AF.
• LA-EA3 - Built-in AF motor.
• LA-EA4 - Built-in AF motor and sensor.
• LA-EA5 - Built-in AF motor.

What are the differences between the LA-EA1, LA-EA2, LA-EA3, LA-EA4, LA-EA5 lens mount adapters? (Sony.com)

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Kit Lens

• 295g
• 55mm Filter Threads
• Product Number: SEL2870

The Sony FE 28-70mm f3.5-5.6 OSS was the kit lens offered with the Sony A7.

They are easy to find used and will be one of the cheapest lenses out there. The build quality won’t blow you away, but at least it’s lightweight.

Having optical image stabilization makes it a great choice for casual shooting, events, and travel.

A couple of downsides are that it’s on 28mm wide and it will be f5.6 for most of the focal range.

All-in-One Zooms

These lenses were designed to do it all. These make excellent travel and event lenses.

They have a reasonable size, weight, and price. Faster f2.8 version are available at much higher prices.

Tamron 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 Di III RXD

• 575g
• 67mm Filter Thread
• Product Number: A071

The Tamron 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 Di III RXD is a great travel lens. The focal range covers almost all types of photography, while not being too heavy to carry around all day.

It was released in 2020. The optical design has 18 elements in 14 groups. 3 elements are special dispersion elements and 4 are aspherical elements.

Sony FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS

• 663g
• 77mm Filter Threads
• Product Number: SEL24105G

This focal range is so popular, every manufacture offers a comparable lens. Being 24mm on the wide end allows so much more to be captured compared to 28mm.

It’s great for travel, if you know you won’t be able to get closer to your subject. For instance in places with heavy tourism, where there are barriers or if you want to capture people during an activity.

Sony FE 24-70mm f/4 ZA OSS Zeiss Vario-Tessar T*

• 426g
• 67mm Filter Thread
• Product Number: SEL2470Z

The smaller size, and lighter weight make this lens better for urban travel. It will draw less attention and be more comfortable to carry around for long periods of time.

When you have the space to move, the shorter focal range won’t be an issue.

It’ll pair well with Tamron 70-300mm because they have the same filter thread size.

Fast and Versatile Primes

A prime lens has a fixed focal length. They are smaller, lighter, and have better image quality than a zoom lens.

Many have large, fast apertures that can create bokeh. They’re also a better choice for low light, like indoors.

Sony FE 50mm f1.8

• 186g
• 49mm Filter Threads
• SEL50F18F

50mm is my favorite focal length. I also prefer f1.8 versions because they keep the size and weight down.

Leave in on the Sony A7 and it’ll always be ready to go.

It’s perfect to learn photography with. Framing is easy because 50mm in a 4:3 aspect ratio is similar to what you see.

Sony FE 35mm f1.8

• 280g
• 55mm Filter Threads
• SEL35F18F

A complex optical design is needed to make 35mm focal length lenses.

This lens has 11 elements in 9 groups which correct field curvature and reduce chromatic aberrations.

An aspherical element has been used so images are sharp, corner to corner.

Unfortunately, all that comes at a cost. Even used, they are more expensive than the 50mm or 28mm.

Sony FE 28mm f2

• 200g
• 49mm Filter Threads
• SEL28F20

Makes sense to pair with the 50mm because they have the same filter threads. That will mean you won’t need multiple circular polarizers or other types of filters.

The 28mm field of view is popular for street, travel, landscapes, indoors, and general everyday use. If you like primes, you can’t go wrong. The image quality is great for the price.

Portrait Lenses

There are other mid range telephoto lenses, but they’re very expensive.

Manual focus third part lenses are cheaper.

Sony FE 85mm f1.8

• 371g
• 67mm Filter Threads
• SEL85F18

This is the entry level portrait lens. It’ll be capable of getting professional results.

Shot wide open, the depth of field will be shallow enough to easily create bokeh. Backgrounds will be blurry and out of focus.

99% of the time as faster lens won’t get a better result.

Sigma 85mm f1.4 DG DN Art

• 625g
• 77mm Filter Threads
• Product Number: A2020

Wide open the depth of field is going to be shallower than someone’s head. I think people look better in photos when their nose and ears are both in focus.

Larger lenses look impressive. If I was charging for photography, the Sigma Art is going to leave a better impression.

Telephoto Lenses

Telephoto lenses are good for sports, action, and wildlife photography.

Unfortunately, even the mid range have complicated optical designs, making them expensive. A Sony telephoto prime lens, like the 400mm f2.8, is costs over $8,000 used.

Lenses are heavy due to the number and size of lens elements involved. They are not going to be comfortable being hand held for long periods of time. A monopod or other form of support will be needed.

I would look to upgrade to a A7 III or original A9 with any of these:

• Sigma 100-400mm f5-6.3 DG ND OS - $750
• Sony 100-400mm f4.5-5.6 GM OSS - $1,500
• Sony 200-600mm f5.6-6.3 G OSS - $1,500
• Sigma 150-600mm f5-6.3 DG DN OS Spots - $1,100

If you need the 600mm of reach, you can adapt Canon EF lenses to the A7.

• Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD A011 - $500
• Tamron SP 150-600mm f5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 (A022) - $750

Tamron 70-300mm F4.5-6.3 Di III RXD

• 545g
• 67mm Filter Threads
• Product Number: A047

This is the most affordable telephoto lens for the Sony E-mount. It has been designed specifically for mirrorless cameras.

The RXD (Rapid eXtra-silent stepping Drive) motor is fast enough to keep up with advanced autofocus systems.

It is able to handle difficult lighting situations. Chromatic aberration is well controlled thanks to the 15 elements in 10 groups.

At more than 300g lighter than the Sony, the longer you carry it, the more you’ll notice the difference.

Sony FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS

• 854g
• 72mm Filter Threads
• Product Number: SEL70300G

This is the most “affordable” Sony FE telephoto zoom. That seems crazy because for the price, you could buy a DSLR and older 70-300mm lens.

It’s not like the price difference is meaningless. The excellent optics, combined with optical image stabilization mean images are going to be sharp corner to corner.

Wide Angle

Landscapes, architecture, street, video.

These are also useful for video.

Viltrox 20mm f2.8

• 157g
• 52mm Filter Threads
• Product Number: AF 20/2.8 FE

The light weight, wide field of view, internal focus, are a great combo. What’s shocking is that for the price, it’s an autofocus lens.

It’s perfect for travel, walks, hikes, or whenever you just want a few wide shots. I would pair it with a 50mm or 35mm.

Viltrox makes other lenses, such as a 85mm. Watch out because many of them are not full frame lenses.

Sony 16-35mm ZA T* f4 OSS

• 518g
• 72mm Filter Threads
• Product Number: SEL1635Z

The only downside of this lens is that it isn’t weather sealed. Though, to be fair, neither is the Sony A7.

At 16 mm, there will be some vignetting shot wide open. That’s similar to other ultra wide zooms.

Stopping down will get rid of vignetting and improve sharpness across the frame. If you shoot it at f8, everything is going to look great.

Macro Lenses

These macro photography lenses are capable of achieving 1:1 magnification with razor sharp detail.

Sony FE 50mm F2.8 Macro

• 236g
• 55mm Filter Threads
• Product Number: SEL50M28

This would be my choice for close-up “table top” photography. It can capture detailed shots, while still being within arm’s reach of the subject.

Overhead shots will be possible without a step stool or ladder.

Sony FE 90mm f2.8 Macro G OSS

• 602g
• 62mm Filter Threads
• Product Number: SEL90M28G

It has a dust and moisture-resistant design, but the Sony A7 isn’t. That takes away from it’s usefulness as a field lens, unless you’re planning on a upgrade.

All of the later generations of the Sony A7 series have some kind of weather sealing.

In a studio environment, it’s going to be superb. There will be enough working distance at 1:1 magnification for lighting.