Cameras that can swap out lenses, like those in Sony's mirrorless system, don't work with just any lens. You need to shop for one that's made for your camera. If you opt for the Sony system, you benefit from a decade's worth of lens development, which means there are oodles of optics from which to choose.
It's a robust, complete lens system that benefits from Sony's early bet on mirrorless, along with support from numerous third parties. Ultra-wide, macro, telephoto—it's all covered, in one form or another. But figuring out which lens is right for you can be tough, especially if you're just getting started with the system.
Two Sensors Sizes, One Mount
Sony sells two types of mirrorless cameras. The a6000 series and ZV-E10 are built around the APS-C size, while the a1, a7, and a9 cameras use the larger full-frame format. Because of this, you need to be a bit careful to ensure that you buy the right lens for your camera. Sony consistently names its APS-C lenses with an E designation, while full-frame options get FE, but third parties don't always follow suit.
You should also consider the lens family. Sony gives its better optics a G designation and reserves the GM (G Master) moniker for its highest-quality lenses. If you own a high-resolution a1 or a7R model, it's often worth it to splurge on a GM lens, but you can usually get excellent results with more affordable lenses if you work with an a7 or a6000 camera.
We help you suss out which lenses are best for which camera models here and decide what type of lens you should add to your kit.
The Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 G is the company's first pro-grade zoom lens for its APS-C mirrorless system. It's been a long time coming, but proves to be worth the wait.
Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 G review
Tamron's 17-70mm F2.8 Di III-A VC RXD lens nets shots with blurred backgrounds and outstanding sharpness on both Fujifilm and Sony APS-C mirrorless cameras.
Tamron 17-70mm F2.8 Di III-A VC RXD review
Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS
The Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS is a compact zoom lens with excellent optics, stabilization, and a broad range of coverage.
The Tamron 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD is an all-in-one zoom lens that nets crisp photos, focuses close for macros, and has the weather protection outdoor photographers are after.
Tamron 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD review
The Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary is an affordable and very capable standard zoom for beginner photographers, with sharp, background-blurring optics and decent macro capabilities.
Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary review
The Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G lens focuses fast, produces gorgeous photos, and zooms out to capture broader views than other options for the E-mount system.
Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G review
The Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II lens packs phenomenal optics into a slim, carry-friendly package, but its high price is in line with its performance.
Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II review
The Tamron 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 Di III RXD is a full-frame zoom lens with a big 7.1x ratio. Its quality build and optics offer plenty of appeal for enthusiasts and pros looking for a one-lens solution.
Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD review
Sigma 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary
The Sigma 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary is an appealing lens for pros and enthusiasts who want to take advantage of the creative possibilities of an F2.8 aperture without carrying a bulky lens.
Sigma 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary review
The Tamron 35-150mm F2-2.8 Di III VXD skips wide angle coverage in favor of a brighter aperture, making it a strong lens for event and portrait photographers, especially those who favor the blurred-background look.
Tamron 35-150mm F2-2.8 Di III VXD review
The Sony E 15mm F1.4 G wide prime lens backs up its high price with sublime optics, quick focus motors, and strong weather protection.
Sony E 15mm F1.4 G review
Sony E PZ 10-20mm F4 G
The Sony E PZ 10-20mm F4 G is a slim, video-first power zoom lens for crop-sensor E-mount mirrorless cameras, but a lack of stabilization means vloggers likely need to add a gimbal to their setup.
Sony E 10-20mm F4 PZ G review
Sony's FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM lens capture wide views with stunning detail, even on high-resolution cameras. It's a rewarding tool for photographers that can afford its high price.
Sony FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM review
Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG DN Art
The Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG DN Art captures wide views with loads of detail, and offers weather protection, adding appeal for landscape and outdoor photographers.
Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG DN Art review
Sigma 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary
The affordable, bright, and wide Sigma 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary zoom has no equivalent in the L-mount system and outperforms the Sony E-mount competition.
Sigma 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary review
The Sony FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G manages to deliver satisfying ergonomics for photography while supporting power zoom for video and vlogs, making it one of our favorite lenses in the system.
Sony FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G review
Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN Art
The Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN Art's wide angle of view, well-corrected optical formula, and down-to-earth price makes it an ideal lens for creators, particularly astrophotograhpers.
Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN Art review
The high-end Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II lens focuses in an instant and captures sharp, wide-angle photos.
Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II review
The Sigma 17mm F4 DG DN Contemporary lens puts crisp, extra-wide optics into a metal barrel with old-school style at a reasonable price.
Sigma 17mm F4 DG DN Contemporary review
Sony FE 12-24mm F4 G
The Sony FE 12-24mm F4 G captures images with an incredibly wide field of view, and is much smaller and lighter than lenses for full-frame SLR systems.
Sony FE 12-24mm F4 G review
The Sony FE 14mm F1.8 GM lens captures ultra-wide photos with a bright aperture to defocus backgrounds. It's smaller than a zoom, a plus for use on drones and gimbals.
Sony FE 14mm F1.8 GM review
The Tamron 50-400mm F4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD is a telezoom that you won't mind carrying, and thanks to a standard starting angle and 1:2 macro focus, it’s one of our favorites for creators looking for a single lens for nature, sports, and everything in between.
Tamron 50-400mm F4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD review
Sony’s new FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II lens is lighter and optically superior to its predecessor, plus it has speedy linear focus motors that make it a good match for the company’s fastest mirrorless cameras.
Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II review
Sony's exceptional FE 70-200mm F4 Macro G OSS II midrange zoom snaps sharp pictures, focuses close for macro shots, and works with teleconverters.
Sony FE 70-200mm F4 Macro G OSS II review
Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports
The Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports lens offers plenty of zoom power for capturing distant action, and is built tough for use in rough weather.
Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports review
Sony FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS
The Sony FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS is a solid telezoom lens for full-frame mirrorless cameras, but a narrow aperture limits use in dim light.
Sony FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS review
The Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD lens cuts a little bit of zoom power and drops stabilization, but costs less than half of what Sony charges for its 70-200mm F2.8 GM.
Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VXD review
Sigma 16mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary
The Sigma 16mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary lens, available for Micro Four Thirds and Sony APS-C mirrorless cameras, delivers tack sharp photos, even when shot at f/1.4.
Sony E 20mm F2.8
The E 20mm F2.8 is the ideal wide-angle pancake lens for your Sony mirrorless camera.
The Sigma 23mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary lens for APS-C cameras snaps exceptionally sharp photos and easily blurs backgrounds.
Sigma 23mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary review
Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* E 24mm F1.8 ZA
The Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* E 24mm F1.8 ZA is an exceptionally sharp, premium wide-angle lens for Sony's APS-C mirrorless system.
Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* E 24mm F1.8 ZA review
Sigma 56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary
Sigma's 56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary lens captures crisp images with a shallow depth of field, and is a solid addition to your camera kit.
Sigma 56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary review
Sigma 30mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary
The Sigma 30mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary is a bright, crisp, standard-angle lens for Sony and Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras.
Sony E 35mm F1.8
Sony 35mm f/1.8 Prime Lens
The Sony E 35mm F1.8 OSS lens offers a bright aperture and standard angle of view for capturing sharp images with a shallow depth of field.
Sony 35mm f/1.8 Prime Lens review
Sony E 30mm F3.5 Macro
Sony 30mm f/3.5 Macro Lens
The Sony E 30mm F3.5 Macro is an affordable, lightweight macro lens. It focuses really close, but be wary of its short working distance.
Sony 30mm f/3.5 Macro Lens review
Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS
The Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS is a short telephoto lens for APS-C mirrorless cameras. It's a strong performer thanks to sharp optics and optical stabilization.
Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS review
Sony FE 24mm F1.4 GM
With a light, compact design and stellar optics, you can't ask or a better wide-angle prime lens than the Sony FE 24mm F1.4 GM.
The Sigma 24mm F2 DG DN Contemporary lens matches classic aesthetics with modern-day optics for sharp photos with softly defocused backgrounds.
Sigma 24mm F2 DG DN Contemporary review
The Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM lives up to its premium billing with absolutely exquisite optics and a sturdy, professional build.
Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM review
Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG DN Art
The Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG DN Art's bright optics are perfect for blurred background and available light photos. It's a strong value, offering weather protection and excellent results for under $1,000.
Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG DN Art review
Sigma 35mm F1.2 DG DN Art
You might not like the bulk, but you won't find many faults with the optics inside Sigma's 35mm F1.2 DG DN Art lens.
Sigma 35mm F1.2 DG DN Art review
The Sony FE 40mm F2.5 G is a moderately wide prime that nets great photos without cutting corners in construction, placing it among our favorite small lenses for the Sony system.
Sony FE 40mm F2.5 G review
The Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM is the best standard prime lens available for the system, and the one to get if you use a top-end camera.
Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM review
The Sony FE 50mm F2.5 G is a small lens with a featherweight build, splash protection, and exemplary optics.
Sony FE 50mm F2.5 G review
Sony FE 85mm F1.8
The Sony FE 85mm F1.8 is an affordable lens in a focal length ideal for portraits. Images are crisp, with pleasing blurred backgrounds when shot at a wide aperture.
Sony FE 85mm F1.8 review
Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM
The Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM is an absolutely phenomenal short telephoto lens, ideal for portraiture. It blurs backgrounds with aplomb and delivers exceedingly sharp results.
Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM review
Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN Art
The Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN Art sports fantastic optics, a wide, bright aperture, and a classic focal length for portraiture—it's the lens to get if you don't want to spend on high-end Sony G Master or Leica glass.
Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN Art review
Rokinon 85mm F1.4 AF Sony E
The Rokinon 85mm F1.4 AF Sony E costs a lot less than Sony's G Master 85mm and captures just as much light, but is held back by spotty autofocus accuracy.
Rokinon 85mm F1.4 AF Sony E review
The Sigma 90mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary looks and feels like a vintage lens, but inside you'll find a modern, superb optic. We love its images and close-up focus, but action photographers will want a short telephoto prime with faster focus.
Sigma 90mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary review
Sony FE 100mm F2.8 STF GM OSS
The Sony FE 100mm F2.8 STF GM OSS lens features an APD element to smooth out-of-focus highlights, and is certain to appeal to serious portrait photographers.
Sony FE 100mm F2.8 STF GM OSS review
The Sigma 105mm F2.8 DG DN Macro Art offers everything you want in a macro lens, including near-perfect optics, 1:1 reproduction, and a professional fit and finish.
Sigma 105mm F2.8 DG DN Macro Art review
Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS
If you're looking for a 1:1 macro lens for your Sony Alpha mirrorless system, look no further than the FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS.
Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS review
Voigtlander Macro APO-Lanthar 110mm F2.5
The Voigtlander Macro APO-Lanthar 110mm F2.5 lens focuses close enough for life-size macro capture, but doesn't offer the convenience of autofocus.
Voigtlander Macro APO-Lanthar 110mm F2.5 review
Lensbaby's Composer Pro II lens features a better build than the original and can be bought along with your choice of lens.
Lensbaby Composer Pro II review
The Lensbaby Sol 45 is an affordable art lens that draws images with a small, sharp area of focus, surrounded by blur, with adjustable blades to add texture.
Lensbaby Sol 45 review
The Zhongyi Mitakon Speedmaster 50mm F0.95 III captures photos with a thin sliver of focus and smooth, defocused backgrounds, but you'll need to practice focusing to get the most out of it.
Mitakon Speedmaster 50mm F0.95 III review
Meyer Optik Gorlitz Trioplan 100 F2.8 II
The Meyer Optik Görlitz Trioplan 100 F2.8 II is an all-mechanical lens that captures soft, glowing photos with bright, bubbly defocused backgrounds.
Meyer Optik Gorlitz Trioplan 100 F2.8 II review
Lensbaby Obscura 16
The Lensbaby Obscura 16 is a wide-angle pinhole lens, perfect for landscapes, but its abstract look isn't for everyone.
Lensbaby Obscura 16 review
The Sony FE 35mm F1.8 is proof that you don't need an exotic f/1.4 lens to get crisp shots with blurred backgrounds.
Sony FE 35mm F1.8 review
The Lensbaby Velvet 85 is an old-school manual lens with a soft focus look that's lovely for portraits and macro shots, but isn't for everyone.
Lensbaby Velvet 85 review
Lensbaby Omni Creative Filter System
The Lensbaby Omni Creative Filter System attaches to the front of your lens and includes attachments to bend light, add color, and more. It's a powerful tool when put in the hands of creative photographers.
The Godox V1 betters first-party flashes with its round head and rechargeable battery, and undercuts premium alternatives on price.
Godox V1 review
The Peak Design Travel Tripod rethinks what a go-anywhere tripod looks like, eschewing the fold-up designs of competitors to more easily fit into your pack.
Peak Design Travel Tripod (Carbon Fiber) review
The DJI RSC 2 is a compact gimbal for mirrorless cameras with a smart, folding design and superbly smooth stabilization.
DJI RSC 2 review
The Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG DN Art lens captures great-looking photos with loads of detail and defocused backgrounds at a price that undercuts first-party glass.
Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG DN Art review
Sigma 65mm F2 DG DN Contemporary
The Sigma 65mm F2 DG DN Contemporary sits somewhere between standard angle and portrait focal lengths, ideal for photographers who find typical standard lenses a bit too wide.
Sigma 65mm F2 DG DN Contemporary review
Sony FE 135mm F1.8 GM
Sony's pricey FE 135mm F1.8 GM lens incorporates the latest optical and focusing technologies to deliver sharp, crisp images.
Sony FE 135mm F1.8 GM review
Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS
The FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS fills a telephoto gap in Sony's premium lens lineup, packing crisp optics, fast autofocus, and strong image stabilization into a compact, lightweight telezoom.
Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS review
Atomos Ninja V
The Atomos Ninja V is an add-on recorder for digital cameras that opens up more video features when recording to a memory card, so you can get the absolute best video quality.
Atomos Ninja V review
Flashpoint Xplor 300 Pro TTL R2
The Flashpoint Xplor 300 Pro TTL R2 offers enough power to be used in the studio and outdoors, and offers battery power to make on-location shoots a bit easier to manage.
Flashpoint Xplor 300 Pro TTL R2 review
The unique Rode Wireless Go II allows for easy two-mic wireless recording on the go, and works with cameras, smartphones, and tablets.
Rode Wireless Go II review
Flashpoint Xplor 100 Pro TTL R2
The Flashpoint Xplor 100 Pro TTL R2 straddles the line between flash and studio strobe. It's small enough to fit in your camera bag, but delivers the power and the off-camera operation you expect from a monolight.
Flashpoint Xplor 100 Pro TTL R2 review
The easy-to-use Sennheiser MKE 200 microphone delivers a clear, crisp directional signal for cameras and mobile devices.
Sennheiser MKE 200 review
The Sony FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS is a premium zoom lens. Its focal length is an ideal fit for wildlife and sports specialists, and an internal zoom design sets it apart from lesser-priced alternatives.
Sony FE 200-600mm F5-6-6.3 G OSS review
Tamron's 11-20mm F2.8 Di III-A RXD lens is a wide, weather-protected zoom for Fuji X and Sony E mirrorless cameras with sharp, but not stabilized, optics.
Tamron 11-20mm F2.8 Di III-A RXD review
The Sony E 11mm F1.8 should appeal to landscape specialists and vloggers who want a wide lens that delivers characterful bokeh highlights.
Sony E 11mm F1.8 review
The Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS is everything a high-end telephoto lens should be—sharp, quick to focus, and with a bright aperture for use in tough light. Of course, like any other lens in its class, it doesn't come cheap.
Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS review
Sony FE 600mm F4 GM OSS
The Sony FE 600mm F4 GM OSS is a big, serious lens for capturing distant action, but its price makes it purely for professionals and very serious enthusiasts.
Sony FE 28-60mm F4-5.6
The Sony FE 28-60mm F4-5.6 is the first truly small zoom for a7 full-frame cameras. It delivers crisp images in a compact form factor, but uses a relatively small f-stop to get there.
Sony FE 28-60mm F4-5.6 review
The Tamron 20-40mm F2.8 Di III VXD lens pairs well with gimbals for the vlogging crowd, and features an extra-wide view that photographers can appreciate too.
Tamron 20-40mm F2.8 Di III VXD review
Sony E 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 G OSS
The Sony E 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 G OSS is a compact telezoom lens built for APS-C cameras. It's sturdy and sharp, with a price to match.
Sony E 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 G OSS review