The Best Lenses for the Sony A9 II

The first Sony A9 II (ILCE-9M2) was released in 2019. It was released at $4,498 for the camera without a lens.

Being able to shoot 20 fps is still impressive. That’s more than enough for sports, action, and wildlife.

The Sony A9 II is worthy of the best E-mount lenses available.

Sony A9 II Lens Compatibility

The Sony A9 II 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 A9 II memory card compatibility

Full Frame vs APS-C Lenses

Lenses designed for APS-C sensors will work on the Sony A9 II. The A9 II 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.
• E - For APS-C cameras.
• SEL - Sony E-mount lens.
• OSS - Optical SteadyShot
• G - Gold. Formerly Sony’s highest optical standard. It was used before GM and is still being used.
• GM - G Master. Sony’s highest optical quality 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 A9 II 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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Best Prime Lenses

These are the best versions of each focal length. There are cheaper options with smaller apertures, like lenses for the Sony A7.

Sigma 28mm f1.4 DG HSM Art

• 865g
• 77mm Filter Threads
• SKU: 441

Sigma Art lenses are some of the best lenses that Sigma makes. They have all the features needed for professional photography or video.

Low-dispersion glass ensures you’ll get stunning images, corner to corner. The 9 rounded aperture blades mean beautiful bokeh, even stopped down.

It’s ready to go anywhere as it is dust and splash resistant.

The HSM motor provides and and quite autofocus.

Watch out when buying used. It’s also sold with Canon EF, Sigma SA, Nikon F, L lens mounts.

Sony FE 28mm f2

• 200g
• 49mm Filter Threads
• Product Number: SEL-28F20

This is the only 28mm prime lens that Sony makes for the E-mount. It’s a great choice if you want a small, compact lens, that isn’t going to draw lots of attention.

It’s a popular choice for street, travel, landscapes, indoors, and general everyday use. If you like primes, you can’t go wrong. It has great image quality for the price.

Sony FE 35mm f1.4 GM

• 524g
• 67mm Filter Threads
• Product Number: SEL-35F14GM

It was released in 2021 so it has all the fanciest optical tech. There is an extra-low dispersion glass element and two aspherical elements.

The 11 circular aperture blades mean that it has beautiful bokeh, even stopped down.

Autofocus is driven by a XD liner motor that provides fast and quiet focusing. It can handle the most demanding continuous autofocus needs in photography and video.

There is a less expensive 35mm f1.8.

Sony FE 50mm f1.2 GM

• 778g
• 72mm Filter Threads
• Product Number: SEL-50F12GM

It’s big, impressive, and it will draw attention out in public. It’s probably not the best choice for street photography.

The depth of field at f1.2 is going to be very shallow. It can be challenging to use wide open.

On the other hand, there isn’t a better lens for low light shooting. It’s perfect for events and shooting at night.

Sony FE 50mm f1.4 GM

• 516g
• 67mm Filter Threads
• Product Number: SEL-50F14GM

The 50mm f1.4 is going to be more usable than the f1.2 version. It’s going to be noticeably smaller, which makes it easier to handle.

Low light won’t be an issue. It will create a shallow depth of field shot wide open if that’s what you want. Stopped down, it’s going to be hard to see the differences with the f1.2.

Sony FE 85mm f1.4 GM II

• 642g
• 77mm Filter Threads
• Product Number: SEL-85F14GM2

It was released in 2024, which is why it’s so light weight.

The fast aperture creates beautiful bokeh.

It has two XD linear motors for fast autofocus. There is a switch to turn the aperture ring ‘click’ off.

Best 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.

Sony FE 12-24mm f2.8 GM

• 847g
• No Filters
• Product Number: SEL-1224GM

This is the widest zoom lens available. It is weather and dust sealed.

Sony has done a great job of controlling chromatic aberrations and flare. It can capture beautiful sun stars.

The autofocus is fast and accurate, perfect for video.

Comparable primes are the 14mm f1.8 GM and 24mm f1.4 GM.

Sony FE 16-35mm f2.8 GM II

• 547g
• 82mm Filter Threads
• Product Number: SEL-1635GM2

If 12mm is wider that what you need, you can save 300 grams of weight with this lens. In addition to that, Sony improved the optics.

For general video use, 16-35mm is going to be a more usable focal range. It also has 4 XD linear focus motors for blazing fast autofocus.

Sony FE 24-70mm f2.8 GM II

• 695g
• 82mm Filter Threads
• Product Number: SEL-2470GM2

It has exceptional image quality across the entire zoom range. The optical designs reduces focus breathing while zooming.

At f2.8 it has great bokeh and limited vignetting. The closest it can focus is 21cm (8.3″).

It’s a professional workhorse of a lens.

Sony FE 28-70mm f2 GM

• 918g
• 86mm Filter Threads
• Product Number: SEL-2870GM

Sony’s response to the Canon RF 28-70mm f2L.

While it can replace primes, it’s a large heavy lens, that costs more than a couple GM primes.

Aside from those two downsides, the lens is a stunning example of modern optical design with 20 elements in 14 groups. Included are 3 Super ED, 1 ED, 3 aspherical, and 3 XA (eXtreme Aspherical) lens elements.

At f2, the image quality is what would be expected of a prime lens.

Sony FE 70-200mm f2.8 GM OSS II

• 1045g
• 77mm Filter Threads
• Product Number: SEL-70200GM2

Sony has been focused on making their second generation of G Master lenses lighter. It’s impressive what they’ve done as it is lighter than versions by Canon and Nikon.

Stunning image quality thanks to the 11 rounded aperture blades.

It has 5 stops of optical image stabilization, with 3 modes. (Standard, panning, and active.)

It’s the best 70-200mm lens for the E-mount.

Sony FE 200-600mm f5.6-6.3 G

• 2115g
• 95mm Filter Threads
• Product Number: SEL-200600G

For a few years this was the largest telephoto zoom made by Sony. It’s very useful for sports, action, birds, and wildlife photography.

Chromatic aberration is well controlled.

While it’s not cheap, it is compared to the Sony FE 600mm f4 GM. For non-professional use, the 200-600mm is about the max it makes sense to spend.

Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS

• 2475g
• 105mm Filter Threads
• Product Number: SEL-400800G

It’s an absolutely massive lens. A monopod will help reduce fatigue from handling the lens.

The tripod foot is held in place with a thumb screw. No tools are required to remove the tripod foot.

As long as you’re willing to deal with that size, it’s a great lens. We’re so lucky to have so much competition in the market.

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.

Macro Lenses

These macro photography lenses are capable of achieving 1x magnification, a flat field of view, and 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 and odd angle shots will be possible without a step stool.

Sony FE 90mm f2.8 Macro G OSS

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

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

For field use, it is weather and dust sealed. Plus it has internal focus, which improves handling.