Sony Alpha 7 Lenses: Complete E-Mount Full-Frame Lens Guide

Practical Buying Tips: What to Look for When Buying an E-Mount Lens

Reader questions show us that Sony lenses often cause confusion. So let’s start with a quick rundown of the basics.

A-Mount vs. E-Mount - Difference

Sony lenses come with two different mounts: A-Mount and E-Mount.

The E-Mount is used on Sony’s mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras (Alpha 7 series, Alpha 6000 and Alpha 5000 series, as well as the NEX series).

The A-Mount only fits Sony’s DSLR cameras.

Not every Sony lens fits every Sony camera. So always make sure you buy an E-Mount lens if you own a Sony mirrorless camera.

This is usually listed clearly in online shops. If you’re unsure, check the product name. E-Mount lens names always start with “SEL,” while A-Mount lens names start with “SAL.”

Full Frame vs. APS-C - Difference

There are also differences among E-Mount lenses. While the Alpha 7 series cameras feature a full-frame sensor, the Alpha 6000, for example, uses an APS-C sensor.

This affects lenses too. When buying a lens for the Alpha 7, always make sure it says something like “suitable for full frame.” For Sony’s own lenses, the abbreviation “FE” tells you the lens is full-frame compatible.

All the lenses we cover in this sony alpha 7 lenses guide are specifically designed for full frame and are therefore ideal for the following cameras:

• Sony Alpha 1 (Foto Koch | Calumet | MPB)
• Sony Alpha 7 (Amazon | MPB)
• Sony Alpha 7 II (Amazon | MPB)
• Sony Alpha 7 III (Amazon | Foto Koch | MPB)
• Sony Alpha 7 IV (Foto Koch | MPB)
• Sony Alpha 7R
• Sony Alpha 7R II (Amazon | MPB)
• Sony Alpha 7R III (Calumet | MPB)
• Sony Alpha 7R IV (Calumet | MPB)
• Sony Alpha 7R V (Foto Koch | MPB)
• Sony Alpha 7S (MPB)
• Sony Alpha 7S II (MPB)
• Sony Alpha 7S III (Foto Koch | Calumet | MPB)
• Sony Alpha 7C (Amazon | Foto Koch | Calumet | MPB)
• Sony Alpha 7C II
• Sony Alpha 7C R
• Sony Alpha 9 (MPB)
• Sony Alpha 9 II (MPB)

Can I Use a Lens from the Sony Alpha 6000 on a Sony Alpha 7 Camera?

As mentioned above, there are E-Mount lenses specifically for full-frame cameras like the Alpha 7 IV and lenses for APS-C cameras like the Alpha 6000.

The mount is the same, though, so you can technically use all lenses on both systems.

However, the angle of view — and therefore the framing — changes depending on whether you use a given focal length on an APS-C or a full-frame camera. The crop factor is responsible for this. We explain exactly what that means here:

The Crop Factor: Explained Simply!

So: in principle, you can use all E-Mount lenses on both systems. We still recommend using lenses specifically designed for the respective format. You can find an overview of APS-C sensor lenses here:

Sony Alpha 6000 Lenses: Overview and Recommendations

Sony Alpha 7 Lenses from Third-Party Manufacturers

Most lenses for the Sony Alpha 7 series come from Sony itself.

But these days there’s a great selection from third-party manufacturers like Tamron and Sigma for Sony’s full-frame cameras.

Honestly, we have nothing but good things to say about third-party lenses. We personally love shooting with Tamron lenses, for example.

So you can confidently go for these lenses too — and you’ll usually save a decent amount of money compared to Sony’s own glass.

Standard Zoom Lenses for the Sony Alpha 7 Series

Let’s kick things off with the typical all-purpose focal lengths for the Sony Alpha 7 series. There’s quite a large selection in this range by now, so let’s jump straight to our top three picks.

The Best Value for Money: Tamron 28-75 mm, f/2.8 G2

Our best value pick!
Tamron has updated its popular fast standard zoom and improved it significantly.

With 28 to 75 mm, the lens covers the most important focal lengths for everyday shooting, and a constant aperture of f/2.8 is absolutely fantastic.

A major plus is the low weight of just 540 grams.

But the very best thing is really the value for money — you can get the Tamron 28-75 for around 800 euros.

Check out the lens: Amazon | Foto Koch | Calumet

The Premium Zoom: Sony 24-70 mm, f/2.8 GM II

Our pick for the highest quality!

Probably the best — if also the most expensive — zoom lens for the Alpha 7 series is the 24-70 G Master II with a constant aperture of f/2.8.

Sony’s G Master lenses promise exceptionally high sharpness and outstanding bokeh. After a lot of back and forth, we picked up this lens and are absolutely thrilled.

The image quality sets the bar, and the constant f/2.8 aperture makes this lens a reliable companion even in poor lighting conditions.

We’d buy this lens again without hesitation — even if at around 2,400 euros it’s unfortunately not a bargain.

Check out the lens: Amazon | Foto Koch

More Affordable Premium Alternative: Sigma Art 24-70 mm, f/2.8

The Sigma 24-70 mm comes from Sigma’s Art series — lenses designed to meet the highest standards of image quality.

This one is no exception. It holds its own against the Sony 24-70 mm in every way: top image quality, fast, quiet, and slightly more compact and lighter than Sony’s G Master.

The best part: at 1,200 euros, the lens costs about 1,200 euros less than its Sony counterpart.

Check out the lens: Amazon

The Basic Kit Lens: Sony 28-70 mm, f/3.5-5.6

Even pro cameras come in kit bundles — who knew? Since it was barely more expensive than buying the body alone, we got our cameras in a kit with the 28-70 mm, f/3.5-5.6 zoom lens.

Some of you are probably rolling your eyes: “Why would you put a kit lens on such an expensive camera?”

Fair question — but this lens is better than no lens at all, and when it’s included in a kit for barely more than the body price, it’s a solid investment.

Outside of a kit deal, though, we wouldn’t buy it on its own — we’d go with the Tamron as a comparatively affordable entry point instead.

For example, all the photos from our Myanmar trip were taken with this lens. You can judge the image quality for yourself.

If you haven’t bought a Sony yet, we recommend getting the camera in a kit. You’ll get the lens cheaper that way than buying it separately. On its own, it currently goes for around 300 to 400 euros.

See the kit: Amazon | Foto Koch | Calumet

See the lens: Amazon | Foto Koch

The Very Compact Kit Lens: Sony 28-60 mm, f/4-5.6

This lens is also available in a kit with the Sony Alpha 7C or the Sony A7C II, two very compact full-frame cameras from Sony. The lens is correspondingly small.

It weighs just about 167 grams, fits in the tiniest bag, and won’t strain your shoulders on a long day out.

Of course, there are trade-offs. The maximum aperture is only f/4-5.6, it’s not weather-sealed against dust and splashing water, and there are lenses with better image quality out there.

That said, especially in a kit, this lens offers an affordable entry into full-frame photography. On the road, its compactness is a real strength. On its own, the lens currently costs 380 euros — a fair price, but you can save even more in a kit.

See the kit: Amazon | Foto Koch

See the lens: Amazon | Foto Koch | Calumet

The Larger Zoom Lens: Sony 24-105 mm, f/4 G

The 24-105 mm is one of the more recent zoom lenses Sony has brought to market.

With a zoom range of 24 to 105 mm, it covers the right focal length for a wide variety of situations. A big advantage is its relatively low weight of 663 grams — noticeably lighter than Sony’s other zoom lenses.

With these specs, this lens is a direct competitor to the Tamron above. It wins on zoom range, though it has a smaller maximum aperture.

Pricewise, it comes in at around 1,000 euros.

Check out the lens: Amazon | Foto Koch | Calumet

The Travel Zoom: Sony 24-240 mm, f/3.5-6.3

A true all-rounder for travel is the Sony 24-240 mm. It has the widest zoom range of any full-frame E-Mount lens.

It’s dust- and moisture-resistant and makes for a great all-purpose lens on your adventures, whether you’re shooting snapshots, landscapes, or wildlife. The only downside is the weight of 780 grams — though compared to a dedicated telephoto lens, that’s still relatively manageable.

In terms of quality, it naturally can’t match a specialized lens, but for travel it’s still a great choice. It currently retails for around 800 euros.

Check out the lens: Amazon | Foto Koch | Calumet

Travel Zoom Alternative: Tamron 28-200 mm, f/2.8-5.6

Tamron also has a versatile all-rounder like this in its lineup. The differences compared to the Sony are minimal.

The most notable distinction is that the Sony covers a slightly wider range at 24-240 mm, while the Tamron reaches 28 to 200 mm. In practice, that barely matters.

The area where the Tamron clearly wins is the minimum focus distance — the closest you can get to your subject and still achieve sharp focus. That’s 19 cm on the Tamron compared to 50 cm on the Sony. It’s not quite macro territory, but you can get much closer to small flowers or similar subjects.

The two lenses are otherwise very similar, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference. Pricewise, the Tamron is also around 800 euros, just like the Sony.

Check out the lens: Amazon | Foto Koch | Calumet

Wide-Angle Lenses for the Alpha 7 Series

The selection of wide-angle zoom lenses keeps growing. Sony itself offers three lenses in this category, all of which are excellent but unfortunately very pricey. There are also solid options from Tamron and Sigma. Here are our favorites.

Premium Performance: Sony 16-35 mm GM II, f/2.8

New to the market is a second-generation G Master version with a 16-35 mm focal length. With a constant aperture of f/2.8 and the image quality that G Master lenses are known for, this is the ultimate wide-angle lens for the Sony Alpha 7 series.

All of that naturally comes at a price — at around 2,400 euros, it’s pretty steep.

Check out the lens: Foto Koch | Calumet

Best Value: Tamron 17-28 mm, f/2.8

This lens isn’t just comparatively affordable — it’s genuinely affordable for a lens with these specs. It costs only 850 euros! That’s significantly cheaper than all the other wide-angle options listed here.

It’s very compact, weather-sealed against dust and splashing water, and even has a filter thread. On top of that, it offers a practical zoom range of 17-28 mm and excellent light-gathering ability at f/2.8.

Image quality is solid too. At this price, it’s a clear buy recommendation!

Check out the lens: Amazon | Foto Koch | Calumet

Sigma 16-28 mm, f/2.8

Another affordable and very capable alternative is the Sigma 16-28 mm f/2.8. Unlike the Tamron, the focal length starts at 16 mm.

Even if it’s only a small difference, in the wide-angle range even 1 mm makes a visible impact.

In terms of quality, it’s a great lens and roughly on par with the Tamron. Prices are also very similar, so just go with whichever suits your taste.

Check out the lens: Foto Koch | Calumet

Telephoto Lenses for the Alpha 7 Series

Here are our top picks among the telephoto lenses for the Alpha 7:

Premium Telephoto Zoom: Sony 70-200 mm, f/2.8 GM II

If you want the absolute best quality, Sony is the place to look. This is a classic telephoto zoom with a focal length of 70 to 200 mm and a fast aperture of f/2.8.

Sony’s updated model is top-class across the board. Even in terms of weight, this lens impresses — it comes in at just 1,045 g, which is quite light for a lens like this.

It’s by far the best option, but also one of the most expensive at around 3,000 euros.

Check out the lens: Foto Koch | Calumet

Best Value Pick: Tamron 70-180 mm, f/2.8 G2

The Tamron 70-180 mm is a seriously underrated option. The updated lens continues to offer an f/2.8 aperture combined with a focal length of 70 to 180 mm.

New to this version is a built-in image stabilizer, which is especially important for a telephoto lens. For this type of lens, it’s still very compact and weighs just 855 grams.

Image quality is very good, and thanks to the wide aperture, it’s well-suited for portraits in addition to sports photography.

We’d recommend this one without hesitation, and at around 1,500 euros it’s reasonably priced for what you get.

Check out the lens: Amazon | Foto Koch | Calumet

Long Reach for Less Money: Sony 70-300 mm, f/4.5-5.6 G

The Sony SEL70300G offers a focal length of 70 to 300 mm. The maximum aperture of f/4.5 to f/5.6 isn’t particularly fast, but you’d have to spend considerably more to do better in the telephoto category.

On the plus side, at 850 grams it’s relatively light for a telephoto lens. It retails for around 1,100 euros, making it excellent value for money.

Check out the lens: Amazon | Foto Koch | Calumet

Widest Focal Length Range: Sony 200-600 mm, f/5.6-6.3 G

The Sony SEL200600G offers by far the widest focal length range of any Alpha 7 telephoto lens.

No other lens on the market reaches a maximum focal length of 600 mm. For that reach, you’ll need to budget around 1,700 euros.

Check out the lens: Amazon | Foto Koch | Calumet

Macro Lenses for Sony's Mirrorless Full-Frame Cameras

There are now several macro lenses available for Sony’s mirrorless full-frame cameras. Here are our favorites:

Sony 50 mm, f/2.8

Starting things off is the Sony 50 mm macro. This lens does an excellent job for close-up work.

If you’re into macro photography and looking for the right lens for the Alpha 7 series, this is a very good choice. At under 470 euros, the price is also reasonable.

Check out the lens: Amazon | Foto Koch | Calumet

Sigma Art 70 mm, f/2.8

Sigma’s macro lens with a focal length of 70 mm belongs to the Art series, which stands for the highest optical performance.

The lens is very sharp, though the autofocus isn’t the fastest. Still, you get a very capable lens for your money. It currently costs around 500 euros.

Check out the lens: Amazon | Foto Koch | Calumet

Sony 90 mm, f/2.8 G

At the upper end of the focal length range among autofocus prime lenses sits Sony’s 90 mm, specifically designed for the demands of macro photography.

Admittedly it’s quite large and not lightweight, but it does an outstanding job up close. Pricewise, it comes in at just under 1,000 euros.

Check out the lens: Amazon | Foto Koch | Calumet

Sigma Art 105 mm, f/2.8

This lens is a very good and slightly more affordable alternative to Sony’s 90 mm macro lens.

It belongs to Sigma’s Art series, which means it’s superbly built and delivers excellent image quality.

You also get various switches on the lens to manually adjust the aperture, change the autofocus mode, or use a customizable button you can program yourself.

For the performance and the price of around 750 euros, this is our recommendation for macro photography.

Check out the lens: Amazon | Foto Koch | Calumet

Prime Lenses for the Sony Alpha 7 Series

The selection of prime lenses for the Sony Alpha 7 series is considerably larger.

Not only Zeiss and Sony themselves are represented here, but also numerous third-party manufacturers.

There are well over 50 prime lenses for E-Mount full frame.

To keep this guide manageable, we’ll focus only on the lenses we consider to offer the best performance or the best value for money.

Everything from 14 mm to 135 mm is covered, sorted in ascending order by focal length. First, our top three:

Sony 14 mm, f/1.8 GM

The Sony 14 mm is the perfect lens for photographing the night sky. But of course it’s excellent during the day too.

With a focal length of 14 mm, this lens is firmly in the wide-angle category. It delivers incredible image quality, but unfortunately at a very high price — around 1,500 euros.

Check out the lens: Amazon | Foto Koch | Calumet

Sigma 17 mm, f/4

Sigma is building out a series of lenses in its I-Series — a product line characterized by very compact lenses that are beautifully built and real head-turners.

The Sigma 17 mm f/4 definitely fits that description. It gives you a dramatic wide angle, though with an f/4 aperture it’s not the fastest lens. For landscape shots, that’s not a concern at all.

The smaller aperture also allows for a compact design, and it weighs just 220 grams. The price, at around 600 euros, is not quite as compact.

Check out the lens: Amazon | Foto Koch | Calumet

Sigma Art 20 mm, f/1.4

After going a long time without E-Mount full-frame support, Sigma now has several prime lenses from the popular Art series available.

One of them is the 20 mm with an aperture of f/1.4 — ideal for landscape and architectural photography as well as astrophotography, and priced at around 800 euros.

Check out the lens: Amazon | Foto Koch | Calumet

Sony 20 mm, f/1.8

With the 20 mm lens, Sony delivers a great focal length for landscape photography. It’s also well-suited for travel thanks to its compact dimensions and low weight of 373 grams.

The maximum aperture of f/1.8 is also very fast. Plus, you can adjust the aperture directly on the lens — something we find really handy.

For around 900 euros, you get a seriously high-performing lens.

Check out the lens: Amazon | Foto Koch | Calumet

Sony 24 mm, f/1.4 GM

Sony’s G Master lenses are the company’s premium glass — really excellent, but also really expensive.

For the 24 mm prime, for example, you’ll need to shell out just under 1,400 euros. But for that, you get an outstanding lens that performs brilliantly even in poor lighting conditions thanks to its fast aperture.

Check out the lens: Amazon | Foto Koch | Calumet

Sigma Art 24 mm, f/1.4

The Sigma Art vs. Sony GM battle runs through the entire prime lens lineup. Sigma also offers a 24 mm prime.

Just like the Sony GM, the Sigma’s image quality is outstanding. For the absolute best performance, you’ll want the Sony — but Sigma comes in a very close second and offers a significantly more affordable option at 900 euros.

Check out the lens: Amazon | Foto Koch | Calumet

Sony 28 mm, f/2

This lens is a great entry point into the world of prime lenses if you don’t want to spend serious cash right away. With its f/2 aperture, it’s very fast and delivers great shots even in low-light conditions.

The autofocus is reliable, and at a price of under 400 euros, you really can’t go wrong.

Check out the lens: Amazon | Foto Koch | Calumet

Sony 35 mm, f/1.4 GM

A 35 mm lens is one of our favorite focal lengths. It’s so versatile — landscapes, portraits, street photography, and so much more.

Sony offers, as usual, the best option for a fast prime. The Sony 35 mm GM is comparatively light and compact and very fast at f/1.4.

Image quality is at the highest level — as is the price. The lens costs around 1,600 euros.

Check out the lens: Amazon | Foto Koch | Calumet

Sigma Art 35 mm, f/1.4

Sigma’s Art series delivers the second-best option for a 35 mm prime. It’s a bit larger and heavier, but delivers nearly the same image quality as the Sony GM.

If the extra weight doesn’t bother you, you’ll also enjoy a significantly lower price of around 850 euros.

Check out the lens: Amazon | Foto Koch | Calumet

Sigma 35 mm, f/2

We already introduced you to the Sigma 17 mm lens. From that same I-Series, there’s also a 35 mm prime with a maximum aperture of f/2 — still a solid value that lets you achieve a nice shallow depth of field.

Another plus is the low weight of about 325 grams. By comparison, the Sigma Art 35 mm weighs 645 grams — nearly twice as much. The price difference isn’t quite as dramatic, but it’s noticeably cheaper at just under 600 euros.

Check out the lens: Amazon | Foto Koch | Calumet

Sony 50 mm, f/1.2 GM

The 50 mm is the quintessential standard prime lens. Sony offers an exceptional option here.

The 50 mm f/1.2 is something special. The aperture is extremely fast, giving you tremendous creative control over sharpness and blur.

At the same time, the lens is relatively heavy and definitely quite expensive. It costs around 2,300 euros, making it one of the priciest lenses in our roundup. But it’s also very, very good.

Check out the lens: Amazon | Foto Koch | Calumet

Sony 50 mm, f/1.4 GM

Compared to the previous lens, this Sony prime is almost a bargain.

It’s also a 50 mm prime with a maximum aperture of f/1.4 — equally well-suited for moody portraits and nighttime photography.

Image quality is pretty much perfect. It’s lighter and significantly more compact than the f/1.2 version.

And then there’s the price. At 1,600 euros, it’s certainly still quite expensive — but less so than the f/1.2.

Check out the lens: Amazon | Foto Koch | Calumet

Sigma Art 50 mm, f/1.4

If you want to save a little money, the Sigma Art 50 mm f/1.4 is the answer. Again, image quality is on a level that’s barely distinguishable from the Sony lens.

It’s a bit larger and heavier, but at 950 euros it’s once again significantly more affordable.

Check out the lens: Amazon | Foto Koch | Calumet

Sony 50 mm, f/1.8

A very light and fast lens at just 186 grams — perfectly comfortable even for beginners. It produces very sharp images at wide-open aperture and creates beautiful bokeh.

We picked up this lens at a store closing sale for even less than its already low price. The image quality for the money is simply outstanding — the one catch is that the autofocus is unfortunately very slow and noisy. If you can live with that, this lens at under 200 euros is absolutely a worthwhile investment.

Check out the lens: Amazon | Foto Koch | Calumet

Sigma 50 mm, f/2

If maximum aperture isn’t your top priority, Sigma has a neat little 50 mm lens in its lineup for you.

Image quality is very good. But the real standout is the feel of the lens — it’s mostly metal construction and just feels wonderful in hand. Working the manual aperture ring is genuinely enjoyable.

At just 345 grams it’s very light, and at around 700 euros it won’t break the bank either.

Check out the lens: Amazon | Foto Koch | Calumet

Sony 55 mm, f/1.8

This lens offers superb image quality even in low-light conditions, beautiful bokeh, and fast autofocus.

Sharpness, contrast, and color rendering are reproduced almost perfectly — and at around 750 euros, this lens is practically a steal.

Check out the lens: Amazon | Foto Koch | Calumet

Sony 85 mm, f/1.4 GM

The 85 mm G Master for Sony E-Mount is probably one of the best portrait lenses currently on the market. At 821 grams, it’s not exactly lightweight, but it delivers exceptionally good shots.

The autofocus is highly precise, and the sharpness and detail are simply outstanding. Every single hair on your subject will be visible in the photo — that’s how sharp this lens shoots.

All of this comes at a price, of course. You’ll need to spend around 1,500 euros for this premium glass.

Check out the lens: Amazon | Foto Koch | Calumet

Sigma Art 85 mm, f/1.4

As with other lenses in this guide, this Sigma is a slightly more affordable alternative to its Sony counterpart.

Sigma applies the same uncompromising quality standards here, so you can buy it with full confidence and expect performance that’s on par with Sony’s G Master lens.

You’ll also save some money in the process — this lens costs around 1,000 euros, a good 600 euros less than the Sony.

Check out the lens: Amazon | Foto Koch | Calumet

Sony 85 mm, f/1.8 G

Alongside the premium lens, Sony also has a second 85 mm option in its lineup.

It offers an f/1.8 aperture and surprisingly good image quality. At a price of around 500 euros, it’s definitely the portrait lens with the best value for money on the market.

Check out the lens: Amazon | Foto Koch | Calumet

Sigma Art 105 mm, f/1.4

Another Sigma Art lens — and a portrait lens in a class of its own. With a focal length of 105 mm and a wide-open aperture of f/1.4, it enables beautiful bokeh and leaves little to be desired.

The only thing likely to give some buyers pause is the price of around 1,400 euros. Once you hold this lens in your hands, though, you’ll understand exactly why it costs that much!

Check out the lens: Amazon | Foto Koch | Calumet

Sony 135 mm, f/1.8 GM

In our view, the Sony 135 mm is the better alternative to the Zeiss 135 mm. The main difference is the faster aperture of f/1.8, which makes it noticeably easier to achieve background separation.

The autofocus is also said to be faster than the Zeiss, making it more practical for portrait shots in poor light or with moving subjects.

At around 1,600 euros, it’s more expensive than the Zeiss — but the premium is worth it.

Check out the lens: Amazon | Foto Koch | Calumet

Note: We receive a lot of emails asking which lens is best for a particular use case. Please understand that we’re unable to respond to all of them — as a small team, we simply don’t have the capacity. If you have questions, feel free to leave a comment below and we’ll do our best to help you as quickly as possible. Deal?