Best Lenses for Sony Alpha 1, Alpha 7 and Alpha 9 Cameras

In October 2013, Sony introduced the Sony α7 (Alpha 7, or A7 for short) as its first mirrorless interchangeable lens camera with a full-frame sensor and an E-mount. The current camera models include the compact Sony α7C, the mid-range α7 IV, the high-resolution α7R V, the video-centric α7S III,  the high-speed α9 III as the first full-frame camera with a global shutter, and the flagship Sony α1 with a 50 MP sensor and 8K video. Furthermore, the E-mount is used for professional video cameras such as the Sony α FX3.

This page provides an overview of the huge catalog of E-mount full-frame (aka FE) lenses. These are mostly autofocus lenses, but selected manual focus lenses may also be included. Manual focus lenses are marked by an asterisk (*), purely mechanical lenses with no digital coupling to the camera by a double asterisk (**). E-mount lenses with a smaller APS-C image circle are listed separately.

For every lens, the following major characteristics are given:

  • Focal length.
  • Maximum aperture. It has a strong influence on the lighting conditions under which the lens can be used, and how shallow the depth of field can be. Fast lenses also tend to be much bigger, heavier, and more expensive. Green labels indicate fast lenses (> f/2), red labels indicate slow lenses (< f/4).
  • Filter size. It serves as a representative of the length, diameter and weight of the lens. Green labels indicate compact lenses (filter size < 60 mm), red labels indicate big lenses (> 70 mm).
  • Minimum focus distance (MFD). It has a major influence on the magnification that can be achieved, as well as the depth of field.
  • Another important point is of course the price, but it is different in every market and currency. Instead, plenty of links to independent reviews are provided to help you find the best lens for your needs.

1 Prime lenses

Lenses with a fixed focal length.

1.1 Fisheye lenses

Ultra wide angle lenses with purposeful strong distortions.

Lens Filter ⌀ MFD Reviews
Sigma Art 15 mm 1.4 DG DN Diagonal Fisheye n/a 0.385 m

1.2 Wide angle lenses

Lens Filter ⌀ MFD Reviews
Laowa AF 10 mm 2.8 Zero-D FF 77 0.12 m
Sigma Art 14 mm 1.4 DG DN n/a 0.30 m
Sony FE 14 mm 1.8 GM n/a 0.25 m CL, LT, OL
Samyang AF 14 mm 2.8 FE n/a 0.20 m OL
Viltrox AF 16 mm 1.8 FE 77 mm 0.27 m OL
Sigma Contem­porary 17 mm 4 DG DN 55 mm 0.12 m CL, OL
Samyang AF 18 mm 2.8 FE 58 mm 0.25 m OL
Zeiss Batis 18 mm 2.8 77 mm 0.25 m LT, OL
Sigma Art 20 mm 1.4 DG DN 82 mm 0.23 m LT
Sony FE 20 mm 1.8 G 67 mm 0.19 m CL, LT, OL
Sigma Contem­porary 20 mm 2 DG DN 62 mm 0.22 m CL, LT
Tokina Firin 20 mm 2 FE AF 62 mm 0.28 m OL
Tamron Di III OSD M1:2 20 mm 2.8 67 mm 0.11 m CL, LT, OL
Viltrox AF 20 mm 2.8 FE 52 mm 0.19 m OL, TP
Sigma Art 24 mm 1.4 DG DN 72 mm 0.25 m
Sony FE 24 mm 1.4 GM 67 mm 0.24 m CL, OL
Samyang AF 24 mm 1.8 FE 58 mm 0.19 m LT
Viltrox AF 24 mm 1.8 FE 55 mm 0.30 m
Sigma Contem­porary 24 mm 2 DG DN 62 mm 0.245 m CL, LT
Samyang AF 24 mm 2.8 FE 49 mm 0.24 m LT
Sony FE 24 mm 2.8 G 49 mm 0.24 m CL, DP, LT
Tamron Di III OSD M1:2 24 mm 2.8 67 mm 0.12 m LT, OL
Sigma Contem­porary 24 mm 3.5 DG DN 55 mm 0.108 m LT
Zeiss Batis 25 mm 2 67 mm 0.20 m LT
Viltrox AF 28 mm 1.8 FE 55 mm 0.37 m TP
Sony FE 28 mm 2 49 mm 0.29 m LT, ML, OL
Sigma Art 35 mm 1.2 DG DN 82 mm 0.30 m CL, LT
Samyang AF 35 mm 1.4 FE II 67 mm 0.29 m
Sigma Art 35 mm 1.4 DG DN 67 mm 0.30 m CL
Sony FE 35 mm 1.4 GM 67 mm 0.27 m CL, DP, LT
Sony Zeiss Distagon FE 35 mm 1.4 ZA 72 mm 0.30 m CL, ML, OL
Sony FE 35 mm 1.8 55 mm 0.22 m CL, DP, LT, OL
Samyang AF 35 mm 1.8 FE 58 mm 0.29 m LT
Viltrox AF 35 mm 1.8 FE 55 mm 0.42 m
Sigma Contem­porary 35 mm 2 DG DN 58 mm 0.27 m DP, LT
Yongnuo YN 35 mm 2 S DF DSM 52 mm 0.35 m
Samyang AF 35 mm 2.8 FE 49 mm 0.35 m LT
Sony Zeiss Sonnar FE 35 mm 2.8 ZA 49 mm 0.35 m OL
Tamron Di III OSD M1:2 35 mm 2.8 67 mm 0.15 m OL

1.3 Standard lenses

Lenses with a focal length around the image sensor diagonal of 43 mm, delivering very natural looking images.

Lens Filter ⌀ MFD Reviews
Zeiss Batis 40 mm 2 CF 67 mm 0.24 m LT
Sony FE 40 mm 2.5 G 49 mm 0.28 m CL, DP, LT
Samyang AF 45 mm 1.8 FE 49 mm 0.45 m LT
Sigma Contem­porary 45 mm 2.8 DG DN 55 mm 0.24 m LT, OL
Sigma Art 50 mm 1.2 DG DN 72 mm 0.40 m
Sony FE 50 mm 1.2 GM 72 mm 0.40 m CL, LT
Samyang AF 50 mm 1.4 FE II 72 mm 0.40 m LT
Sigma Art 50 mm 1.4 DG DN 72 mm 0.45 m CL, LT, TP
Sony FE 50 mm 1.4 GM 67 mm 0.38 m CL, TP
Sony Zeiss Planar FE 50 mm 1.4 ZA 72 mm 0.45 m CL
7Artisans AF 50 mm 1.8 62 mm 0.50 m
Meike AF 50 mm 1.8 58 mm 0.63 m
Sony FE 50 mm 1.8 49 mm 0.45 m CL, LT, ML, OL
Viltrox AF 50 mm 1.8 FE 55 mm 0.55 m
Yongnuo YN 50 mm 1.8 S DF DSM 58 mm 0.45 m
Sigma Contem­porary 50 mm 2 DG DN 58 mm 0.45 m CL, LT
*Voigtländer APO-Lanthar 50 mm 2 49 mm 0.45 m CL
Sony FE 50 mm 2.5 G 49 mm 0.35 m CL, DP, LT
Sony Zeiss Sonnar FE 55 mm 1.8 ZA 49 mm 0.50 m CL, LT, ML, OL

1.4 Telephoto lenses

Lens Filter ⌀ MFD Reviews
Sigma Contem­porary 65 mm 2 DG DN 62 mm 0.55 m CL, LT, OL
Samyang AF 75 mm 1.8 FE 58 mm 0.69 m LT
Samyang AF 85 mm 1.4 FE II 72 mm 0.85 m
Sigma Art 85 mm 1.4 DG DN 77 mm 0.85 m CL, OL
Sony FE 85 mm 1.4 GM 77 mm 0.85 m CL, ML, LT, OL
Meike AF 85 mm 1.8 STM 67 mm 0.85 m
Sony FE 85 mm 1.8 67 mm 0.80 m CL, LT, OL
Tokina atx-m 85 mm 1.8 FE 72 mm 0.80 m
Viltrox AF 85 mm 1.8 FE 72 mm 0.80 m
Yongnuo YN 85 mm 1.8 S DF DSM 58 mm 0.80 m
Zeiss Batis 85 mm 1.8 67 mm 0.80 m CL, OL
Sigma Contem­porary 90 mm 2.8 DG DN 55 mm 0.50 m CL, LT, OL
Sony FE 100 mm 2.8 STF GM OSS 72 mm 0.57 m OL
Samyang AF 135 mm 1.8 FE 82 mm 0.69 m LT
Sony FE 135 mm 1.8 GM 82 mm 0.70 m CL, LT
Zeiss Batis 135 mm 2.8 67 mm 0.74 m
Sony FE 300 mm 2.8 GM OSS TP
Sony FE 400 mm 2.8 GM OSS n/a 2.70 m TP
Sigma Sports 500 mm 5.6 DG DN OS 95 mm 3.20 m LT
Sony FE 600 mm 4 GM OSS n/a 4.50 m CL

1.5 Macro lenses

Lenses with a small minimum focus distance and a high magnification.

Lens Filter ⌀ MFD Reviews
**Laowa 2.5-5X Ultra Macro 25 mm 2.8 n/a 0.173-0.234 m
Sony FE 50 mm 2.8 Macro 55 mm 0.16 m
Sony FE 90 mm 2.8 Macro G OSS 62 mm 0.28 m CL, LT, ML, OL
Tokina Firin 100 mm 2.8 FE Macro 55 mm 0.30 m OL
Sigma Art 105 mm 2.8 DG DN Macro 62 mm 0.30 m CL, LT

2 Zoom lenses

Lenses with a variable focal length.

2.1 Wide angle zoom lenses

Lens Filter ⌀ MFD Reviews
Sony FE 12-24 mm 2.8 GM n/a 0.28 m CL
Sony FE 12-24 mm 4 G n/a 0.28 m CL, OL
Sigma Art 14-24 mm 2.8 DG DN n/a 0.28 m LT
Sony FE 16-25 mm 2.8 G 67 mm 0.17 m
Sigma Contemporary 16-28 mm 2.8 DG DN 72 mm 0.25 m CL, OL, TP
Sony FE 16-35 mm 2.8 GM 82 mm 0.28 m CL, OL
Sony FE 16-35 mm 2.8 GM II 82 mm 0.22 m LT, TP
Sony FE PZ 16-35 mm 4 G 72 mm 0.28-0.24 m CL, OL
Sony Zeiss Vario-Tessar FE 16-35 mm 4 ZA OSS 72 mm 0.28 m ML, OL
Tamron Di III RXD 17-28 mm 2.8 67 mm 0.19-0.26 m CL, OL
Tamron Di III VXD 17-50 mm 4 67 mm 0.25 m OL, LT, TP
Tamron Di III VXD 20-40 mm 2.8 67 mm 0.17-0.29 m CL, LT, TP

2.2 Standard zoom lenses

Zoom range from moderate wide angle to moderate telephoto.

Lens Filter ⌀ MFD Reviews
Sony FE 20-70 mm 4 G 72 mm 0.30-0.25 m CL, LT, OL, TP
Samyang AF 24-70 mm 2.8 FE 82 mm 0.35 m LT, OL
Sigma Art 24-70 mm 2.8 DG DN II 82 mm 0.18 m CL
Sony FE 24-70 mm 2.8 GM 82 mm 0.38 m
Sony FE 24-70 mm 2.8 GM II 82 mm 0.21-0.30 m CL, OL
Sony Zeiss Vario-Tessar FE 24-70 mm 4 ZA OSS 67 mm 0.40 m OL
Sony FE 24-105 mm 4 G OSS 77 mm 0.38 m LT, OL
Sigma Art 28-45 mm 1.8 DG DN 82 mm 0.30 m
Sony FE 28-60 mm 4-5.6 40.5 mm 0.30-0.45 m
Sigma Contem­porary 28-70 mm 2.8 DG DN 67 mm 0.19-0.38 m CL, OL
Sony FE 28-70 mm 3.5-5.6 OSS 55 mm 0.45 m OL
Tamron Di III VXD G2 28-75 mm 2.8 67 mm 0.18-0.38 m CL, LT, OL
Sony FE PZ 28-135 mm 4 G OSS 95 mm 0.40-0.95 m TP
Samyang AF 35-150 mm 2.0-2.8 FE 82 mm 0.33-0.85 m
Tamron Di III VXD 35-150 mm 2.0-2.8 82 mm 0.33-0.85 m CL

2.3 Superzoom lenses

Like standard zooms, but with an approximately 10x zoom range.

Lens Filter ⌀ MFD Reviews
Sony FE 24-240 mm 3.5-6.3 OSS 72 mm 0.50-0.80 m CL, ML
Tamron Di III RXD 28-200 mm 2.8-5.6 67 mm 0.19-0.80 m CL

2.4 Telephoto zoom lenses

Lens Filter ⌀ MFD Reviews
Tamron Di III VC VXD 50-300 mm 4.5-6.3 67 mm 0.22-0.90 m TP
Tamron Di III VC VXD 50-400 mm 4.5-6.3 67 mm 0.25-1.50 m CL, TP
Sigma Sports 60-600 mm 4.5-6.3 DG DN OS 105 mm 0.45-2.60 m CL, TP
Tamron Di III VC VXD G2 70-180 mm 2.8 67 mm 0.85 m LT, TP
Sigma Sports 70-200 mm 2.8 DG DN OS 77 mm LT
Sony FE 70-200 mm 2.8 GM OSS 77 mm 0.96 m OL
Sony FE 70-200 mm 2.8 GM OSS II 77 mm 0.40-0.82 m CL, LT, OL
Sony FE 70-200 mm 4 G OSS 72 mm 1.00-1.50 m OL
Sony FE 70-200 mm 4 Macro G OSS II 72 mm 0.26 m CL, LT, OL, TP
Sony FE 70-300 mm 4.5-5.6 G OSS 72 mm 0.90 m ML, OL
Tamron Di III RXD 70-300 mm 4.5-6.3 67 mm 0.80-1.50 m
Sony FE 100-400 mm 4.5-5.6 GM OSS 77 mm 0.98 m CL, OL
Sigma Contem­porary 100-400 mm 5-6.3 DG DN OS 67 mm 1.12-1.60 m CL, OL
Tamron Di III VC VXD 150-500 mm 5-6.7 82 mm 0.60-1.80 m CL, LT, OL
Sigma Sports 150-600 mm 5-6.3 DG DN OS 95 mm 0.58-2.80 m CL
Sony FE 200-600 mm 5.6-6.3 G OSS 95 mm 2.40 m CL, OL

3 Teleconverters

Teleconverters extend the focal length of matching telephoto lenses by a certain factor.

Lens Filter ⌀ MFD Reviews
Sony 14TC 1.4x n/a n/a
Sony 20TC 2x n/a n/a

Notes

The color labels should not be interpreted in a way that a lens like the Sony FE 35 mm f/1.8 with two green labels is better than the Sony FE 100-400 mm f/4.5-5.6 GM with two red labels. If the zoom lens had the same speed as the 35 mm prime, the diameter of its front element would be at least 222 mm instead of 77 mm, so it is actually a rather compact lens. Color labels are therefore comparable for similar focal lengths only.

References

The linked reviews are by Amateur Photographer (AP), CameraLabs (CL), DPReview (DP), LensTip (LT), OpticalLimits (OL), The Phoblographer (TP), and others. LensTip and OpticalLimits focus on laboratory testing, the others on real-world photography.