Best Lens for Sony A7iii – Zoom and Prime
The Sony alpha a7iii is one of the company's most critically acclaimed mirrorless cameras. Its 24.2MP full-frame sensor, up-to-date processor, and excellent ISO range up to ISO 51200 make it an ideal option for photographers and filmmakers alike. And a camera of this caliber needs to be matched with only the best lenses.
However, as the number of broad-angle lenses accessible for Sony's terrific Alpha 7 iii Mirrorless camera is vast, tapering them down to an individual first option becomes increasingly challenging.
This is why I've put together a list of the best lenses for Sony a7iii. Also, if you're looking for broad-angle lenses for your travel blog or a macro lens for professional-quality insect close-ups, there's a model for you. So, take a look at each of my top picks and see how you can make your camera produce even more beautiful images.
REVIEWS OF THE BEST SONY A7III LENSES
Choose your lens type here
BEST STANDARD PRIME LENSES FOR SONY A7III
1. SONY FE 85MM F1.4 G MASTER - BEST PORTRAIT LENS FOR SONY A7III
PRODUCT DETAILS:
FEATURES:
Wish to add some cinematic theme to your portrait photographs? Then, this lens will aid you. It's got that really wide aperture that will instantly add a cinematic feel to your shots.
And I don't think I need to say how 85mm is great for portraiture? I'm sure most of you will already be lovers to this focal length. If I have to select either an 85mm or a 135mm lens for portraits, my go-to choice will be 85mm because it's the best focal length for taking pictures of human subjects.
DESIGN:
To describe the build quality of this in just two words, I would "top notch!". This G Master lens feels so professional and also very stylish. It is made of high-quality plastic and comes with a weather sealing gasket on its backside.
So you may have to use a tripod or a monopod if you're to shoot for long hours. But that shouldn't stop you from purchasing this lens. It has so many design features that will convince you to make a purchase.
Are you in need of a de-clicked aperture control lens? Then this lens has that. You get a switch on the lens barrel for toggling between clicked and de-clicked aperture settings. Also, the manual focus ring and the aperture ring glides smoothly without producing any discernable sound.
PERFORMANCE:
Speaking about the image quality of this lens. You get some nice razor-sharp images when shooting wide-open with this lens. Yes, a little bit of CA is noticeable at wide apertures; however, these can be easily corrected with Photoshop or Lightroom.
The bokeh quality of this lens is what fascinated me. It's buttery smooth providing tack-sharp focus onto the subject only. Thanks to the 11-bladed aperture included in the lens's design! Your portrait shots will look very natural if you shoot with this lens on your A7III camera.
I know you're excited to know about the lens' AF speed and stuff. I'm coming to that point. The autofocus is highly accurate and reliable; however, don't expect a jet speed AF with this lens. It is a bit slow.
Image stabilization is not present with this lens. However, this is not an issue as the Sony A7iii mirrorless camera already has in-body stabilization.
If you feel this lens is too pricey, please consider the second option given below.
What I liked about this lens:
2. SONY - FE 50MM F1.8 - BEST 50MM LENS FOR SONY A7III
PRODUCT DETAILS:
FEATURES:
If you feel the 85mm Sony G master lens is over your budget. You can try this option. As for portraits, 85mm is the best, but the next option every photographer prefers is a nifty-fifty lens.
And most importantly you needn't spend much on this lens because it will cost only around $200. But for this price, it does give you good results. You can use the lens as an all-rounder for taking portrait and landscape shots or even for street photography.
DESIGN:
Beginners looking for a travel-friendly lens can buy this lens because it is very lightweight and also compact—it is only 160g. The lens has got a metal lens mount with no weather sealing gasket around it.
The seven-bladed aperture helps you to get a decent bokeh. The internal optical structure consists of 6 elements in 5 groups. There is an aspherical element inside to tackle the effects of chromatic aberration and distortion.
PERFORMANCE:
In terms of image quality, let me tell you my experience when I used my A7III camera. Sharpness, let's talk about that. At f/1.8, the center sharpness is moderate; however, the corners look a bit off.
When stooped down to f2.8, the color contrast and sharpness start to improve. At f/8, you are ready to ready to get crisp and clear shots with the lens.
Coming to the lens's autofocusing capability. I wouldn't say it's as good as the previous lens. AF is a bit slow with this lens. However, the AF tracking accuracy is appreciable.
So, I would recommend this lens for beginners and travel photography enthusiasts who are looking for a casual prime lens for their Sony A7III cameras.
What I liked about this lens:
3. SONY 55MM F1.8 SONNAR T FE ZA - BEST ZEISS LENS FOR SONY A7III
PRODUCT DETAILS:
The Sonnar FE 55mm Lens produces high-performance, normal-length prime and fast f /1.8 apertures to photographers. This Lens has extremely low aberrations and flares thanks to three Aspherical elements and Zeiss's legendary T* anti-reflective coating. The Lens has a nine-blade spherical diaphragm for polished, circular bokeh and is dust and moisture-proof too.
The structure of this Lens utilizes a seven-element design in five groups which aids to reach a wide f/1.8 aperture and at the same time alleviate flares and enhance contrast.
This 55mm Lens would be an excellent prospect for road photography, portraits, and general-purpose shooting and are intended as a standard length premium for full-frame E mount cameras. You can also use it in APS-C cameras, where you will get a focusing length of 82.5mm.
Moreover, its maximum aperture of f/1.8 makes it possible for the consumer to produce images with a low field depth and to operate with relative ease under low light conditions.
Zeiss T* anti-reflective coating is given on the lens surface to diminish reflections so that the disparity and accuracy of the image are increased.
Moreover, its linear autofocus engine and internal focal point design provide fast and accurate autofocus performance. At the same time, stronger stainless steel and dust-sealed layout allow functioning in unhealthy environments.
What I liked about this lens:
BEST STANDARD ZOOM LENSES FOR SONY ALPHA A7III
4. SONY 24-70MM F/4 VARIO-TESSAR LENS - BEST VIDEO LENS FOR SONY A7III
PRODUCT DETAILS:
FEATURES:
24-70mm lenses are always on demand because they are perfect for walk-around photography. If you stepped in this article to get a 24-70 lens for your Sony mirrorless A7iii camera, then this is that lens.
Almost every photographer requires at least one zoom lens that covers the general focus range that has the same properties appreciated by the use of mirrorless cameras to achieve smaller dimensions and lightweight benefits. And the Sony FE 24-70mm f/4 ZA Lens is that lens.
DESIGN:
The FE 24-70mm lens is neither heavy nor lightweight. It stands in between, weighing 426g. If I have to tell about the construction and build quality, it has an excellent design both artistically and functionally; the lens is completely made of metal, including the lens mount.
It has an image stabilizer to give you blur-free shots and videos. I know Sony Alpha a7iii already has this feature but trust me, your videos will be even smoother and rock-solid when you pair this lens with your Sony camera. Adding to it, the lens has a weatherproof design, so you shouldn't miss out on this lens.
Video makers will enjoy working with this lens because the focus and the zoom ring turns very smoothly and provides a good grip with your fingers.
PERFORMANCE:
I call this the best autofocus lens for Sony a7III because I really loved this lens's AF capability. The autofocus motor doesn't produce disturbing noises while also tracks the subjects accurately.
Many landscapes and cityscape photographers' equipment include this Sony FE 24-70mm lens in their kit. At 24mm, this lens offers a very wide angle of view, so be it beaches, family portraits, this focal length will get you covered. While at the 70mm end, you can even capture the distant mountains clearly that is too larger in size.
I was able to achieve razor-sharp images at wider angles; at 70mm, the pictures tend to become a bit soft; however, it doesn't degrade the image quality of the photographs; it only gives a pleasant look.
What I liked about this lens:
5. SONY FE 24-105MM F/4 G LENS
PRODUCT DETAILS:
FEATURES:
Sony's FE 24-105mm f/4 G lens is a wide-angle to short-telephoto zoom optimized for Sony mirrorless cameras with an E-mount. It is on the expensive side, costing about $1300, but it means that it will take your photography career.
DESIGN:
The lens is made of high-quality plastic and weighs over 663g. So it's a bit heavy lens. Moving on to other lens design features, it has an OSS image stabilization system, a Direct Drive Super Sonic wave AF motor, and an internal focusing mechanism.
Also, the lens shows weather resistance, so you will not have any issues while working in harsh climatic conditions with this lens.
Plus, a sophisticated optical structure, which utilizes Aspherical and extra-low dispersion glass elements, aid in monitoring color fringe, deformations, and a broad array of aberrations for better sharpness and transparency.
PERFORMANCE:
The best part I liked about this lens is that it shows zero focus breathing. Usually, zoom lenses suffer from this issue, but this lens doesn't have that.
Also, the sharpness of this lens is out of the world. Starting from the wide-end, 24mm to 105mm on the tele end, you will notice that the sharpness remains constant, which is nice.
When operating in harsh light, a Nano AR finishing has been further to subdue lens flare-up and ghosting for finer contrast and color accuracy.
Lastly, the AF motor provides fast and quiet focusing efficiency and natural manual focus control for both stills and video shooting.
With respect to the above-listed features, I consider this Sony 24-105mm lens one of the best zoom lenses for Sony a7iii cameras.
What I liked about this lens:
BEST MACRO LENS FOR SONY A7III
6. SONY SEL30M35 30MM F/3.5 LENS
PRODUCT DETAILS:
FEATURES:
Released in 2011, this lens is also in the movement today. What makes it very special? This macro lens is designed for Sony APS-C and Full-Frame mirrorless cameras. In a full-frame camera like Sony a7iii, you get an equivalent focal length of 45mm, which is a decent focal range for taking macro shots.
Adding to it has a 1:1 magnification and a minimum focus distance of 9.5cm, which will allow you to get close to the subject.
DESIGN:
The lens' design is straightforward, with no buttons switches on the lens barrel. The only control you will find is an excellent and smooth metallic focus ring. Also, the outer barrel is made of lightweight metal material and is coated in silver. A front filter thread accepts 49mm filters, but accessing the accessory thread requires removing the compact lens hood.
PERFORMANCE:
Image quality: First, let me start with its sharpness. I tested this lens on my 24.2 Sony A7iii camera, and I noticed that at f/3.5, the center sharpness is good, with some soft corners at the end. However, when stooped down to f/5.6-f/8, the results are excellent. Even now, the center sharpness is better than the corners, but you will notice that the lens shows a better color contrast now.
For getting better clarity while shooting close-ups, set the aperture between f/8-f/11.
What I liked about this lens:
BEST WIDE-ANGLE LENSES FOR SONY A7III
7. SONY E-MOUNT FE 24MM F/1.4 - BEST SONY A7III LENS FOR ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY
PRODUCT DETAILS:
FEATURES:
The Sony Alpha FE 24mm f/1.4 prime lens is the latest addition to Sony's G Master lens lineup; it was launched in September 2018. it's built for full-frame Sony E-mount mirrorless cameras as well as APS-C sensor versions. The lens is ideal for nature, architecture, streets, the interior, and even for astrophotography.
The 24mm perspective captures more of the scene without introducing too much visible distortion, while the f/1.4 maximum aperture provides increased depth of field control even in low-lights.
DESIGN:
I liked the way this lens is manufactured. The outer barrel is made of high-quality plastic, giving it a premium feel. The lens mount is made of metal, and mainly the lens is weather sealed.
This Sony a7iii wide angle lens also has a Direct Drive Super Sonic Motor system that provides fast, quiet, and high-precision AF output. Besides, it supports hybrid autofocus with both contrast and focal-plane phase-detection AF.
For better picture accuracy and clarity, three extra-low dispersion lenses and two extreme aspherical lens components have been added. Moreover, its 11-blade circular aperture brings out the best in this large-aperture prime lens, resulting in stunning images with the subject standing out against a smooth defocused foreground and background.
Lastly, the glass constituents are also Nano AR-coated to alleviate lens flashing and ghosting, thus, enhancing picture contrast and color neutrality even in low-light environments.
PERFORMANCE:
If you are probably thinking about how this is good for astrophotography, I'll tell you. You can notice that the lens has a very wide aperture of f/1.8; this aperture, when combined with the wide-angle focal length of 24mm, will allow you to take landscape pictures of the night sky effectively.
Taking pictures with this lens on a Sony A7 Mark III adds much fun! You can set the aperture using the aperture ring and control it via the camera settings.
Note that the Sony a7iii doesn't offer a button to toggle from auto to manual mode. However, the lens has a switch that will enable you to do that.
Lastly, the overall sharpness of the lens is excellent, even at wide apertures. And even more breathtaking is their color contrast. All pictures show a perfect color rendition at all apertures.
What I liked about this lens:
8. SONY 16-35MM VARIO-TESSAR T FE F4 ZA OSS
PRODUCT DETAILS:
FEATURES:
Photojournalists and other landscape photography enthusiasts looking for an ultra-wide-angle lens for your Sony a7 Mark III can choose this lens if you wish to spend more on a valuable lens.
The lens is branded by Zeiss for Sony and features an OSS image stabilization system which provides a big difference while still shooting photographs and videos.
DESIGN:
Metal is the material used in the construction of this lens. So you're going to get a durable lens for this high price. In the case of the internal optics of the lens, there are two extra-low dispersion elements, two XA (Extreme-aspherical) elements, and three aspherical elements to improve the image clarity.
PERFORMANCE:
The picture quality of this is impressive, especially at ultra-wide focal lengths. The sharpness is excellent even at 35mm, but the color contrast is better at 16mm.
You will notice some vignette/light fall-off throughout the zoom range; however, this wouldn't be a big issue if the Sony a7III in-camera corrections are turned on.
What I liked about this lens:
BEST TELEPHOTO LENSES FOR SONY A7III
9. SONY 18-135MM F/3.5-5.6 LENS
PRODUCT DETAILS:
FEATURES:
If you're planning to look for an APS-C lens that you can use with Sony mirrorless APS-C cameras and that can fit your Sony a7iii, then here is a solid option for you. The Sony 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6; you can use this lens on your Sony a7iii camera in crop mode.
The versatile 27mm to 202.5mm lens range is ideal for various subjects and situations, including landscapes, wildlife, portraits, and general day-to-day photography. All this makes it a formidable competitor in the list of Sony super zoom telephoto lenses. Now let's get into the lens design and performance.
DESIGN:
It is very surprising for a super zoom lens to be this lightweight (320g). Considering the affordable price and lightweight design, please don't underestimate the lens' durability.
Though the lens is made of plastic, it feels very tough and solid. The apparent reason is that high-quality plastic is used in its construction. The lens mounting, as your wish, is made of metal.
Internal optics: There are 2 ED elements and one aspherical glass included in its internal design, which helps to reduce chromatic aberration and hence improve the overall image clarity.
This lens has an Optical Steadyshot. When this lens is fitted with Sony a7iii, both the lens's and camera's stabilization system will work together, giving you highly smooth videos and still photographs.
Performance:
The Sony 18-135mm F/3.5-5.6 is a compact and lightweight zoom lens for APS-C E-mount cameras that offers outstanding edge-to-edge sharpness and smooth defocused bokeh to a variety of still movies applications.
Both the manual focus and the autofocus works accurately with this lens. While the electronically coupled focus ring aids in manual focus, the Linear AF Motor aids in providing a smooth and silent AF.
I feel landscape photographers can make the most out of this lens because you get the sharp corners in the images when stooped down to f/8.
So, the lens is excellent for travel, vacation, and those looking for a budget telephoto lens for Sony a7iii should never miss this lens.
What I liked about this lens:
10. SONY FE 70-200MM F4 G OSS - BEST SONY A7III SPORTS LENS
PRODUCT DETAILS:
FEATURES:
The Sony 70-200mm f/4 G is a wonderful lens for most photo genres like photojournalism, portraiture, sports, landscapes, and architecture photography.
DESIGN:
Considering this medium-telephoto focal range, the lens isn't very bulky or very heavy. It weighs 840 grams which I would say is not bad for a lens of this type.
In terms of build quality, it feels premium as it is made of metal with a little bit of plastic used here and there. Also, compared to the above lens, this is a step high because apart from providing an internal focus, it is also capable of zooming in internally.
Want to control the IS, AF/MF, and focus range from the lens? There are switches on the lens barrel which will help you do that.
The lens optical design consists of two ED elements, one SLD (Super Extra-Low Dispersion) element. Along with it, there are three aspherical glasses (of which one is an advanced aspherical element). All these glasses are given a Nano Crystal coating to tackle lens flaring and ghosting.
Performance:
With Sony's FE 70-200mm f/4 G Lens, you can click paramount remote subjects while holding your kit light. The end-to-end sharpness of this lens is excellent.
Even at 70mm wide-open, the images look very sharp. While increasing the focal range, you might notice some fall in contrast, but that's usual with almost all telephoto lenses, so not a big issue. You can correct the adverse effects in post-production with your Sony a7iii camera.
Seeing the aperture value, please don't think the lens isn't capable of producing a shallow depth of field. The nine-bladed circular diaphragms will help you get a pleasing bokeh effect when zoomed in to the subject.
What I liked about this lens:
11. SONY FE 100-400MM F/4.5–5.6 LENS
PRODUCT DETAILS:
Another contender to the list of the best alpha a7iii lenses is this Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 lens. It is designed especially for sports, wildlife, and action photographers. Also, it will please many photographers and videographers looking for a bit more scope with their full-frame E-mount camera.
The lens structure incorporates two LD components and one Super ED component, which help to supervise chromatic aberrations and diminish color fringing for enhanced visibility and color accuracy. Moreover, to improve contrast and color rendering in harsh lighting conditions, a Nano AR Coating has been added.
Lastly, a quick, silent, and accurate autofocus output is offered by a Direct Drive Super Sonic wave Motor AF mechanism and internal focus system, which also contributes to more general and innate manual focus control.
What I liked about this lens:
HOW TO CHOOSE A LENS FOR YOUR SONY A7III CAMERA
Below I have mentioned some factors you need to consider while purchasing a Sony A7III lens. Make sure you read them carefully and choose one wisely.
1. focal length
While choosing a lens, it is essential you know the uses of a particular focal length range. Because you cannot purchase a wide-angle lens and expect it to perform like a large-telephoto zoom. Are you getting my point?
In my article types of lenses, I have given a clear idea about the different focal range, their uses, and their price range. Please go through it and choose the one that will best fit your shooting style and needs.
2. APERTURE
After choosing the focal length, the following vital feature to consider is the maximum aperture value of the lens. As you photographers already know wider the aperture, the brighter the shots will be.
But fast lenses (wide-apertures) are very costly in terms of their price and also heavy. So, if you are a beginner, just stepping into the world of photography, having an f/4 lens will do. But if you are specific about purchasing a lens for indoor photography, then having a lens with an aperture greater than f/2.8 is a must.
3. LENS COMPATIBILITY
What lenses are compatible with Sony a7iii? Well, Note that the Sony A7III is a mirrorless Full-Frame camera that uses the standard E-mount. So, you could use both FE and E lenses with it. However, you have to use a crop sensor lens with the crop mode in A7III turned on.
NOTE: " If the above listed products didn't make up your mind to purchase, try using Sigma lenses for Sony a7iii. These third party lenses go well with your Sony A7III camera. But keep in mind is to see if the particular lens is for Sony E mount cameras."
3. STABILIZATION
You can also bypass this feature if you feel the in-body stabilization in your Sony A7III camera is sufficient. However, you will get rock-steady footage and videos when both the IS of the lens and camera work together.
I would always prefer purchasing a lens with OSS because it will help in low-light shooting scenarios.
4. WEATHER SEALING
It is crucial to understand the difference between weather resistance and weather sealing here. Remember, the Sony a7iii is only weather resistant which means it can withstand water or dust. However, too much exposure to these will affect your camera.
On the contrary, weather-sealed cameras are made to be used under rain, snow, heat, etc. So, it is better to purchase a lens that has weather sealing in it.
5. SIZE AND WEIGHT
Sony a7iii, as you know, is a reasonably compact camera weighing only 650g. So, pairing them with lightweight lenses will make your photography more accessible. However, there is no thumb rule that you shouldn't use heavy lenses with lightweight and compact cameras. It all depends on your choice.
CONCLUSION
Time to give this article a wrap. I hope you found this list of best Sony A7III lenses informative and interesting. You must have that I have included native Sony lenses for a7iii because I feel for getting the best out of this camera it is always preferable to go for native lenses. Please share your comments and feedback in the comments below. I hope to see you in my next article. Good day!
