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12 Best Sony E-Mount Lenses in 2024 (FE Lenses & E Lenses!)

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Last Update: January 5, 2024

If you’re looking for the best Sony E-mount lenses, you’re in luck! Whether you have a full-frame or APS-C Sony camera, there are a host of lens options to suit every type of photographer.

Sony has been in the full-frame mirrorless camera business longer than others, so it currently has a broader range of lenses than Canon or Nikon. But it hasn’t ignored the APS-C segment, as shown by the recent release of the excellent Sony a6700.

Sony FE 600mm F/4 GM OSS SEL600F40GM
Sony FE 600mm f/4.0 GM
All the reach and sharpness you need for wildlife and sports.

What Are the Best Sony E-Mount Lenses?

To find the best Sony E-mount lenses, you just need to understand the naming conventions. The company’s cameras are all mirrorless and have the same E-mount. But there are two different ranges of matching lenses:

  1. Sony FE Lenses (full-frame lenses)
  2. Sony E Lenses (APS-C lenses)

An FE lens will work on a Sony APS-C camera. But an E-mount lens won’t work on a full-frame camera as it can’t cover the larger sensor. This causes vignetting in the corners of the frame.

The whole point of APS-C systems is that they’re smaller, lighter, and less expensive than full-frame ones. That means it’s best to stick to the “right” lens—unless you plan to upgrade from an APS-C to a full-frame Sony camera.

Here’s a detailed guide to the best Sony E-mount lenses, split between full-frame (FE) and APS-C (E) ranges. We also have a FAQ section at the end to answer questions about these Sony lenses.

Our Top Choice
Sony FE 600mm F/4 GM OSS SEL600F40GM
Sony FE 600mm F/4 GM OSS SEL600F40GM
  • Fast autofocus optimized for Sony mirrorless cameras
  • Easy-to-remove tripod foot
  • Lightweight for its size
Best Lightweight Telephoto
Sony FE 400mm F/2.8 GM OSS SEL400F28GM
Sony FE 400mm F/2.8 GM OSS SEL400F28GM
  • Excellent sharpness
  • Rapid focus
  • Bright aperture
Best All-Around Lens
Sony FE 70-200mm F/2.8 GM OSS II SEL70200GM2
Sony FE 70-200mm F/2.8 GM OSS II SEL70200GM2
  • Corner-to-corner sharpness
  • Fast lockable autofocus
  • Excellent bokeh
  • Lightweight but robust
Best Short Zoom
Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II
Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II
  • Feature-rich
  • Fast AF with four focus motors
  • Small and lightweight
  • Good weather sealing
Most Versatile Telephoto
Sony FE 200-600mm F/5.6-6.3 G OSS SEL200600G
Sony FE 200-600mm F/5.6-6.3 G OSS SEL200600G
  • Very fast autofocus
  • Supersharp images
  • Dual-mode image stabilization
  • Weather-sealed
Best Portrait Lens
Sony FE 85mm F/1.4 GM SEL85F14GM
Sony FE 85mm F/1.4 GM SEL85F14GM
  • Excellent sharpness
  • Attractive bokeh
  • Low chromatic aberration
Most Versatile APS-C
Sony E 18-135mm F/3.5-5.6 OSS SEL18135
Sony E 18-135mm F/3.5-5.6 OSS SEL18135
  • Wide zoom range
  • Optical SteadyShot stabilization
  • Compact and lightweight
Best APS-C Wide-Angle Prime
Sony E 35mm F/1.8 OSS SEL35F18
Sony E 35mm F/1.8 OSS SEL35F18
  • Wide maximum aperture
  • Fast and quiet autofocus
  • Light and compact
Best APS-C Wide-Angle Zoom
Sony E 10-18mm F/4 OSS SEL1018
Sony E 10-18mm F/4 OSS SEL1018
  • Excellent sharpness
  • Optical stabilization
  • Compact and lightweight
Best Zoom for Video
Sony E PZ 10-20mm f/4.0 G Zoom Lens
Sony E PZ 10-20mm f/4.0 G Zoom Lens
  • PowerZoom function
  • Fast, quiet autofocus
  • Negligible focus breathing
Fastest APS-C Wide-Angle
Sony E 15mm f/1.4 G Prime Lens
Sony E 15mm f/1.4 G Prime Lens
  • Excellent sharpness and contrast
  • Compact size
  • Weather-sealed
Best Ultra Wide-Angle Prime
Sony E 11mm f/1.8 Prime Lens
Sony E 11mm f/1.8 Prime Lens
  • Excellent sharpness and contrast
  • Nice bokeh
  • Weather-sealed

6 Best Sony Full-Frame Lenses (FE)

1. Sony FE 600mm f/4.0 GM

Sony FE 600mm F/4 GM OSS SEL600F40GM
Brand
Sony
Maximum Aperture
f/ 4.0
Focal Length Range
600 mm

The Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master lens is an exceptional telephoto and my go-to lens for professional wildlife photography. The lens can capture distant subjects clearly and create a beautiful, blurry background.

Its build quality is top-notch, and you can lift it with your little finger. But it is expensive!

If you’re a professional wildlife or sports photographer, the FE 600mm f/4 GM will impress you with its sharpness and speed. But it might not be practical for casual users due to its size and cost.

Pros
  • Fast autofocus optimized for Sony mirrorless cameras
  • Easy-to-remove tripod foot
  • Lightweight for its size
Cons
  • Expensive
  • Slight vignetting
  • Optical SteadyShot doesn’t add much stability

2. Sony FE 400mm f/4 GM

Sony FE 400mm F/2.8 GM OSS SEL400F28GM
Brand
Sony
Maximum Aperture
f/ 2.8
Focal Length Range
400 mm

The Sony FE 400mm f/4 G Master lens is a superb telephoto lens that was the first I bought when I switched from Nikon DSLRs to Sony mirrorless cameras. Its 400mm focal length is ideal for wildlife and sports photography, offering excellent reach.

The f/4 aperture allows for good low-light performance and background blur. It’s well-built and very light for a telephoto lens.

Although the FE 400mm f/4 GM is pricey, professionals love its excellent image quality and speedy autofocus. But it might be overkill for casual photographers due to its cost and lack of reach compared to the 600mm.

Pros
  • Excellent sharpness
  • Rapid focus
  • Bright aperture
Cons
  • Expensive
  • Only three stops of stabilization
  • Tripod foot isn't Arca-Swiss

3. Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II

Sony FE 70-200mm F/2.8 GM OSS II SEL70200GM2
Brand
Sony
Maximum Aperture
f/ 2.8
Focal Length Range
70-200 mm

The Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master OSS II lens is an all-in-one, high-performance telephoto zoom lens that has a place in my camera bag. Its 70-200mm focal range suits a range of photographic styles, from portraits to sports.

The lens is built to a professional standard, with weather sealing and durable construction. It’s relatively compact and lightweight for its class, making it suitable for travel and outdoor photography.

The bright f/2.8 aperture also ensures excellent low-light performance and beautiful background blur. The lens has Optical SteadyShot for steady handheld shots. Its autofocus is fast and precise.

Despite being expensive, the FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM offers excellent image quality and versatile zoom capabilities. It’s highly recommended for professional photographers.

Pros
  • Corner-to-corner sharpness
  • Fast lockable autofocus
  • Excellent bokeh
  • Lightweight but robust
Cons
  • Distortion
  • Autofocus could be faster
  • Softness in corners
  • Only two stops of stabilization

4. Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II

Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II
Brand
Sony
Maximum Aperture
f/ 2.8
Focal Length Range
24-70 mm
Pros
  • Feature-rich
  • Fast AF with four focus motors
  • Small and lightweight
  • Good weather sealing
Cons
  • Expensive
  • Failure to switch focus from distant to near objects
  • Vignetting
  • Some distortion

The Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II is a versatile, high-quality lens. The lens can capture a wide range of photos, from landscapes to portraits, with its 24-70mm zoom.

It can focus as close as 8.3 to 11.8 inches (21 to 30 cm). Its fast f/2.8 aperture is also perfect for low-light situations and creates a pleasing background blur.

Professionals love this lens because it’s strong and can handle tough conditions. It’s built well and has weather sealing. The lens is small, light, and has fast and accurate autofocus, making it reliable in different shooting situations.

RAW files have some distortion but still have excellent sharpness and color. It makes the FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM  a top Sony lens for photographers who want the best, even if it’s expensive.

Pros
  • Feature-rich
  • Fast AF with four focus motors
  • Small and lightweight
  • Good weather sealing
Cons
  • Expensive
  • Failure to switch focus from distant to near objects
  • Vignetting
  • Some distortion

5. Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS

Sony FE 200-600mm F/5.6-6.3 G OSS SEL200600G
Brand
Sony
Maximum Aperture
f/ 6.3
Focal Length Range
200-600 mm

The Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens is an excellent telephoto zoom lens for capturing distant subjects. With a broad 200-600mm focal range, it’s versatile enough for wildlife, sports, and distant landscapes.

The camera doesn’t have a wide aperture, but it has built-in Optical SteadyShot (OSS) stabilization. This helps in low light and prevents shaky shots.

This lens is light and balanced, so it’s good for shooting while holding it. The autofocus is quick and reliable, ensuring you can capture moving subjects effectively. It also offers excellent optical performance.

The FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G is not as fast, sharp, or light as more expensive lens options. But it offers a fantastic balance of performance and affordability.

Pros
  • Very fast autofocus
  • Supersharp images
  • Dual-mode image stabilization
  • Weather-sealed
Cons
  • Reduced contrast when shooting wide open
  • No full-time manual focus override
  • Heavy to handhold for long
  • Large due to Internal zoom

6. Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM

Sony FE 85mm F/1.4 GM SEL85F14GM
Brand
Sony
Maximum Aperture
f/ 1.4
Focal Length Range
85 mm

The Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 G Master lens is a superb choice for portrait photographers who can afford it. The 85mm focal length makes subjects stand out with a nice background blur and flattering perspective. The wide f/1.4 aperture excels in low light and produces creamy, artistic bokeh.

With a professional build, this lens is durable and weather-sealed with a built-in aperture ring. Autofocus is fast and accurate, so the lens captures clear portraits without focusing on the eyelashes instead of the eyes.

It’s costly and weighs a lot. But the E 85mm f/1.4 GM lens captures stunningly sharp and colorful photos, even when the aperture is wide open.

Pros
  • Excellent sharpness
  • Attractive bokeh
  • Low chromatic aberration
Cons
  • Expensive
  • Heavy
  • Bulky

6 Best Sony APS-C Lenses (E)

We list the full-frame equivalent (FFE) focal length of some of these APS-C lenses  (crop-frame).

 

7. Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS

Sony E 18-135mm F/3.5-5.6 OSS SEL18135
Brand
Sony
Maximum Aperture
f/ 5.6
Focal Length Range
18-135 mm
Pros
  • Wide zoom range
  • Optical SteadyShot stabilization
  • Compact and lightweight
Cons
  • Variable aperture
  • Softness around the edges when zoomed in
  • No weather sealing

The Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS lens is a versatile and budget-friendly option for photographers looking for an all-around lens. It can zoom from 18mm to 135mm, which is good for different photography styles. This includes landscapes, portraits, and everyday shooting.

Although not the fastest, this lens has OSS stabilization to reduce blur in low light and when shooting handheld. The lens is also compact and lightweight, so it’s easy to carry around. But there’s no weather sealing.

The autofocus is decent but not very fast. And when shooting in RAW, there is obvious vignetting in the corners and some purple fringing in harsh light.

But the lens provides very sharp images from the center to the corners at all focal lengths. That makes the E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 a convenient and affordable solution for those who don’t want to carry multiple lenses.

 

8. Sony E 35mm f/1.8 OSS

Sony E 35mm F/1.8 OSS SEL35F18
Brand
Sony
Maximum Aperture
f/ 1.8
Focal Length Range
35 mm
Pros
  • Wide maximum aperture
  • Fast and quiet autofocus
  • Light and compact
Cons
  • Softness around the edges at wide apertures
  • Electronic rather than mechanical focus ring
  • No weather sealing

The Sony E 35mm f/1.8 OSS lens (52.5mm FFE) is a compact and affordable standard prime. It’s perfect for capturing everyday moments with style. Its wide f/1.8 aperture excels in low light and creates a beautiful background blur, enhancing a subject’s prominence.

This lens is lightweight and great for street photography or lifestyle portraits. The three-stop Optical SteadyShot (OSS) stabilization reduces blurriness when shooting handheld. It’s especially helpful in challenging lighting conditions.

Autofocus is generally quick, accurate, smooth, and silent, making it suitable for photos and videos. Images are sharp (even in the corners, except wide open), with good contrast and color reproduction and very little distortion.

The E 35mm f/1.8 is not a high-end lens. But it offers excellent value for money.

 

9. Sony E 10-18mm f/4 OSS

Sony E 10-18mm F/4 OSS SEL1018
Brand
Sony
Maximum Aperture
f/ 4.0
Focal Length Range
10-18 mm
Pros
  • Excellent sharpness
  • Optical stabilization
  • Compact and lightweight
Cons
  • Some distortion
  • Low-light autofocus problems
  • No weather sealing

The Sony E 10-18mm f/4 OSS lens is an excellent wide-angle zoom lens, ideal for video. It also captures landscapes, architecture, and creative wide-angle shots.

The constant aperture helps with the zoom. The focal range is 10-18mm (15-27mm FFE), providing a wide field of view. But the focal range is reduced to 12-18mm on a full-frame camera.

There’s no weather sealing or manual switches. But the lens is compact and lightweight, making it very portable. The three-stop Optical SteadyShot (OSS) stabilization prevents blurry videos without a gimbal.

The stepping motor autofocus is also fast, smooth, and silent. This makes the lens suitable for both stills and video.

The E 10-18mm f/4 has a fixed f/4 aperture, which is not particularly fast. But it still performs well in good lighting conditions. Image quality is impressive, with sharpness and minimal distortion—although that comes at a price.

 

10. Sony E PZ 10-20mm f/4.0 G

Sony E PZ 10-20mm f/4.0 G Zoom Lens
Brand
Sony
Maximum Aperture
f/ 4.0
Focal Length Range
10-20 mm
Pros
  • PowerZoom function
  • Fast, quiet autofocus
  • Negligible focus breathing
Cons
  • Obvious barrel distortion when zoomed out
  • Focus and zoom rings hard to tell apart
  • No image stabilization

The Sony E PZ 10-20mm f/4 G lens is a compact, versatile, wide-angle Sony E-mount zoom lens. This is mainly for videographers who want to capture wide scenes. But photographers can use it too.

Its 10-20mm (15-30mm FFE) focal range offers a broad field of view. This makes it ideal for landscapes, architecture, and creative shots.

The lens is lightweight and has weather sealing and an internal power zoom feature. This almost eliminates focus breathing and is handy for videography as the lens doesn’t extend or retract.

Its constant f/4 aperture provides consistent performance in various lighting conditions. Autofocus is also quick and accurate and holds focus when zooming in and out.

The E PZ 10-20mm f/4 G‘s image quality is good, with sharpness right across the frame. But it may not match the quality of more expensive lenses. There’s also no stabilization, and the zoom and focus rings are hard to tell apart when using the viewfinder.

 

11. Sony E 15mm f/1.4 G

Sony E 15mm f/1.4 G Prime Lens
Brand
Sony
Maximum Aperture
f/ 1.4
Focal Length Range
15 mm
Pros
  • Excellent sharpness and contrast
  • Compact size
  • Weather-sealed
Cons
  • Quite expensive
  • Obvious barrel distortion
  • No anti-smudge fluorine coating

The Sony E 15mm f/1.4 G lens is a compact and fast E-mount prime lens with an aperture ring. The lens has a 15mm focal length and wide f/1.4 aperture.

It can focus as close as 6.7 inches (17 cm). It is great for landscape photography, especially in low light. But it is more expensive than other options.

The use of plastic makes this lens lightweight and easy to carry, making it great for on-the-go shooting. Autofocus is fast and accurate, suitable for both photos and videos. The image quality is very sharp, with excellent color reproduction.

The 15mm f/1.4 G may not be very common. But the equivalent full-frame focal length of 22.5mm almost matches the more familiar 24mm wide-angle lenses.

 

12. Sony E 11mm f/1.8

Sony E 11mm f/1.8 Prime Lens
Brand
Sony
Maximum Aperture
f/ 1.8
Focal Length Range
11mm mm
Pros
  • Excellent sharpness and contrast
  • Nice bokeh
  • Weather-sealed
Cons
  • Noticeable barrel distortion
  • Heavy vignetting
  • Ghosting in backlit shots

The Sony E 11mm f/1.8 lens is a fairly pricey ultra-wide-angle prime lens. The camera has a wide field of view and captures high-quality images. It can focus as close as 4.7 to 5.9 inches (12 to 15cm) and works well in low light for dramatic landscapes and creative shots.

This lens is compact and lightweight, making it easy to carry around for on-the-go shooting. Autofocus is fast, accurate, and quiet, making it versatile for photos and videos.

There’s no built-in stabilization. And the 11mm focal length (16.5mm FFE) is not for everyone and may lead to distortion. But it offers a distinctive and eye-catching perspective—especially for wildlife close-ups.

Our Verdict

I’ve been using Sony a1 full-frame mirrorless cameras for a few years. And this article is mostly about my own experience using their lenses.

As a wildlife photographer, I get the most use out of my 600mm and 70-200mm lenses. But I always carry my 400mm prime and 24-70mm zoom with me, just in case!

The versatile 18-135mm zoom lens is a good choice if you have a Sony camera with an APS-C sensor. Also, other prime lenses and zoom lenses are available for wider shots.

Sony FE 600mm F/4 GM OSS SEL600F40GM
Sony FE 600mm f/4.0 GM
All the reach and sharpness you need for wildlife and sports.

 

Best Sony E-Mount Lenses FAQs

We answer common questions about Sony E-mount camera lenses to help you decide which lens to buy.

Which Is Better, Sony A-Mount or E-Mount?

Neither is better or worse than the other. They’re simply found in different cameras.

The A-mount is found in Sony full-frame and APS-C models with a mirror or a translucent mirror. A-mount lenses start with SAL and can only be used on an E-mount body with a mount adaptor.

The E-mount is found in Sony full-frame and APS-C mirrorless models. E-mount lenses start with SEL and can’t be used on an A-mount body.

A-mount cameras with Sony Translucent Mirror Technology have full-time phase-detection autofocus. E-mount cameras have a short flange back distance that makes it possible to make them smaller and lighter.

Photographer sitting in a safari jeep taking wildlife photos using one of the best Sony E-mount lenses, the 70-200mm
Nick Dale, using his Sony FE 70-200mm lens on a safari.
 

What Is the Best Hybrid Lens for Sony E-Mount?

In general, mirrorless cameras tend to offer excellent stills and video, and that’s almost always the case with Sony bodies. With that said, the internal power zoom on the Sony E PZ 10-20mm f/4 G lens makes it one of the best all-rounders.

What Is the Sharpest Sony FE lens?

Sony’s G Master (or Gold Master) lenses comprise the premium, pro-grade range and offer excellent sharpness. But the top-end prime lenses, like the 400mm and 600mm, are probably the sharpest when paired with a suitable full-frame body like the Sony a1.

Is Sony a7 IV an E-Mount?

Yes. Like all Sony full-frame mirrorless cameras, the a7 IV has an E-mount.

Try our post on best Sony APS-C cameras or Sony vs Fuji cameras next!

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