The Best sony camera lenses

Sony’s E-mount lens lineup is huge and spanning every image size, from a wide zoom to a long telephoto. Choosing the right one for your needs can be tricky, but the following tips can help you find the perfect lenses for your next shoot.

First, familiarize yourself with Sony’s lens abbreviations. You will likely see them printed on the barrel of the lens, or included in the product name, and knowing these terms can save you time when browsing Sony’s extensive range.

FE – Full (F) E-mount lenses cover Sony’s full frame digital sensors. These lenses are also used on APS-C-sized cameras with a 1.5x crop, though they may exhibit slightly more vignetting than their FE equivalents.

E – Extra-low dispersion (E) glass is used in these lenses to reduce chromatic aberrations. ED glass is significantly thinner and lighter than regular glass. FL – Fluoride (F) coating provides a defence that reduces the lens’ wettability, meaning it repels water and oil-based contaminants. This helps to keep the lens clean and free from dust.

SSM – Sony’s super sonic motor (S) is a ring-type piezoelectric drive that delivers quiet and precise autofocus. It is especially useful for fast-moving subjects. OSS – Optical stabilization (OSS) is an anti-shake mechanism built into some Sony lenses that effectively corrects blur caused by vibration. This is particularly helpful when shooting video with a hand-held camera.

OSS is combined with a focus hold button, making it possible to lock focus on your subject while you make exposure corrections in real time. Some lenses also have a de-clicked aperture ring that allows you to change aperture settings without taking your hands off of the lens.

The G-Master series are the highest quality range of Sony’s mirrorless lenses. They provide stunning image quality and beautiful cinematic bokeh, and they’re also built for the demanding world of 4K video shooting. The lenses are weather sealed to ensure they work in challenging environments, and they feature an enhanced optical design that improves contrast and sharpness over a larger image area.

Independent manufacturers have taken notice of Sony’s impressive performance and are now designing prime and zoom lenses that rival their own-brand counterparts for both image quality and price. Some of the latest models from Tamron and Sigma are capable of delivering similar or better image quality than Sony’s own-brand lenses, but they are typically undercutting their own-brand rivals for price.

The new Sony FE 40mm F2.5 G is an excellent example of this. It is a premium-quality, compact everyday lens with a great focal length for portraits and the street scene. It has a high degree of weather sealing and an all-metal construction, but is still relatively lightweight and small. It also offers a host of additional features that make it an appealing choice for any photographer.