10 Best Lenses for Sony a7ii in 2023

This is a guide covering the best lenses for the Sony a7ii.

The Sony a7ii is a great camera. It is small, lightweight, and feels great to handle. The autofocus is fast and while it is not the most current camera in today’s landscape, it is still a great option.

Being a great camera, there are many great lenses that go with it.

Nearly a decade since its initial release, Sony A7 camera owners now have plenty of lens options at their disposal.

Sony A7ii users, in particular, will find that there’s a lens out there available, regardless of their preferences, budget, and priorities.

With that said, based on experience, we have found the best lens for Sony A7ii. Or, better yet, 10 of them. If you choose a lens outside of this list make sure it is a Sony E-mount lens as that is the lens mount system of the Sony a7ii.

Also, I wanted to note that the Sony a7ii is a full-frame camera that works best with Sony FE-lenses but I have also listed Sony E-lenses here that are designed for APS-C sensor bodies. When using a E-lens on a full-frame camera then there will be vignetting which some photographers love. If you don’t want that vignette then go into your camera settings and turn on APS-C shooting mode which will remove that vignette and “zoom in” on the image. I’ve listed these E-lenses because they are often cheaper so just something to be aware of if you’re new.

In a hurry? Here’s the quick rundown:

• ⭐ Best Overall Lens for the Sony a7ii
  • Sony FE 55mm f/1.8 ZA

• 👩 Best Portrait Photography Lenses for the Sony a7ii
  • Sony FE 55mm f/1.8 ZA
  • Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8
  • Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art
  • Sony 85mm f/1.8

• 🗺️ Best Travel Photography Lenses for the Sony a7ii
  • Sony FE 24-240mm f/3.5-6.3 OSS
  • Tamron 28-75 mm f/2.8
  • Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 G

• ⛰️ Best Landscape Photography Lenses for the Sony a7ii
  • Samyang 50mm f/1.4 AF
  • Sony FE 28mm f/2

• 👰 Best Event & Wedding Photography Lenses for the Sony a7ii
  • Sony FE 24-70 f/4 ZA OSS
  • Tamron 28-75 mm f/2.8

• 🚗 Best Street Photography Lenses for the Sony a7ii
  • Sony FE 28mm f/2
  • Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 G

• 💸 Best Budget Lens for the Sony a7ii
  • Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 G

How to Choose the Best Lens for the Sony a7ii?

Aperture: Look for a lens with a wide aperture (low f-stop number) such as f/1.8 or f/2.8. This will allow for a shallow depth of field and a nice bokeh effect, which is desirable in many photography scenarios.

Focal length: Consider the types of photography you will be doing and choose a lens with an appropriate focal length. For example, a wide-angle lens like a 14mm is great for landscape and architecture photography, while a telephoto lens like a 70-200mm is great for sports, action and wildlife photography.

Image stabilization: The Sony A7II has built-in image stabilization, but you may want to consider a lens with image stabilization technology for added stability when shooting in low light or at long focal lengths.

Compatibility: Make sure the lens is compatible with the Sony A7II camera.

Budget: Consider your budget and choose a lens that fits within it.

10 Best Lenses for Sony a7ii

1. Sony FE 55mm f/1.8 ZA

Specifications:

• Lens type: Prime lens
• Maximum aperture: F1.8
• Minimum aperture: F22
• Max Format size: 35mm FF
• Focal length: 55mm
• Image stabilization: No
• Lens mount: Sony FE
• Weight: 281g (0.62 lb)
• Diameter: 64mm (2.52″)
• Length: 71mm (2.8″)
• Materials: All-metal construction
• Sealing: Yes

An oldie-but-goodie, the Sony FE 55mm f/1.8 ZA was one of the first lenses announced by Sony for the A7 when it first released.

Yet, despite being relatively old, it remains the best 50mm-ish lense available for the Sony a7ii to date.

It’s not that fast.

However, it is one of the sharpest professional-grade lenses out there. The best part? Despite its metal construction and weather sealing, it has roughly the same dimensions and weight as other more flimsy plastic-made offerings from other brands.

As an added bonus, this lens’ Zeiss heritage all but guarantees that it’s a true daily driver fit for both professional and casual users alike.

Basically, what we’re trying to say here is that the Sony FE 55mm f/1.8 ZA is a must-have and arguably the best lens for Sony a7ii.

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2. Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8

Specifications:

• Lens type: Prime lens
• Maximum aperture: F1.8
• Minimum aperture: F22
• Max Format size: 35mm FF
• Focal length: 85mm
• Image stabilization: Yes
• Lens mount: Sony FE
• Weight: 475g (1.05 lb)
• Diameter: 105mm (4.13″)
• Length: 78mm (3.07″)
• Sealing: Yes

It’s a Zeiss in a classic portrait focal length with sought-after features like autofocus and image stabilization.

This means it’s worth it.

The Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 was released to seemingly meet the demand for a fast 85mm prime lens for Sony’s A7 line of cameras.

However, when it first went on the market, many fawned over its OLED display, which does come in handy for depth of field and focus distance.

But, in truth, it’s not really the main selling point. Instead, it’s the mere fact that it’s a Zeiss with quick and accurate autofocus.

In terms of performance, the Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 is sharper and a better performer than most lenses, especially for portraits.

Also, check out the full list of best Sony portrait lenses.

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3. Tamron 28-75 mm f/2.8

Specifications:

• Lens type: Zoom lens
• Maximum aperture: F2.8
• Minimum aperture: F22
• Max Format size: 35mm FF
• Focal length: 28–75mm
• Image stabilization: No
• Lens mount: Sony E, Sony FE
• Weight: 540g (1.19 lb)
• Diameter: 76mm (2.99″)
• Length: 118mm (4.65″)
• Sealing: Yes

The Tamron 28-75mm F/2.8 is a good investment. Especially compared to Sony’s very own 24-70mm F4.

The difference isn’t necessarily night and day, but it’s enough to make Sony’s offering feel like a waste of money.

For starters, the Tamron is both smaller and lighter without feeling a loss in quality.

Measuring just as large as your typical soda can yet weighing only 550g with a polycarbonate body, Tamron did a good job hiding the budget-oriented nature of this lens.

They even managed to tack on a fluoride coating on top of this lens’ moisture-resistant construction that helps keep water out and minimize grime.

Now, the argument does indeed exist that the Tamron is not the best lens for Sony A7ii.

Compared to Sony’s offerings, it’s not as sharp and lacks bokeh.

However, it does have excellent central sharpness for the entirety of its zoom range, which is pretty much what counts for most photographers.

If you want the best lens for Sony A7ii, you’ll want to look elsewhere, but if you want the most value out of your money, this Tamron lens can be had for far less.

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4. Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 G

Specifications:

• Lens type: Zoom lens
• Maximum aperture: F2.8
• Minimum aperture: F22
• Max Format size: APS-C / DX
• Focal length: 16–55mm
• Image stabilization: No
• Lens mount: Sony E
• Weight: 494g (1.09 lb)
• Diameter: 73mm (2.87″)
• Length: 100mm (3.94″)
• Sealing: Yes

If you’re looking for your very first pro-grade camera lens for your Sony A7ii camera but don’t necessarily want to commit to something that’s for a specific use, the Sony E 16-55mm F2.8G is an excellent all-arounder.

Essentially an equivalent to a 24-82.5mm, this compact and light lens boasts superb sharpness and image quality in all corners.

It also checks all of the right boxes, especially if you’re only starting to fill out your camera lens case.

In addition to its sharpness and contrast, the image quality and bokeh of this lens are magnificent, to say the least, and its refined handling belies its versatile nature.

Featuring fast and accurate autofocus, with the kind of build quality expected from one of Sony’s pro-grade lenses, the only two downsides of this lens is it lacks specialization and optical stabilization.

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5. Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art

Specifications:

• Lens type: Prime lens
• Maximum aperture: F1.4
• Minimum aperture: F16
• Max Format size: 35mm FF
• Focal length: 50mm
• Image stabilization: No
• Lens mount: Sony FE
• Weight: 815g (1.80 lb)
• Diameter: 85mm (3.35″)
• Length: 100mm (3.94″)

Sony’s very own Planar T* FE 50mm F.14 ZA optic is an excellent choice.

Not everyone can invest in this lens. Luckily, for photographers who desperately need a wide f/1.4 aperture, the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art is a capable alternative.

One of the first prime lenses by Sigma that they designated with the “Art” name as part of their Global Vision line-up, the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art lens is a top-grade 50mm lens through and through.

Although it lacks weather seals and optical stabilization, it still has that professional-grade feel to it, mostly thanks to its solid construction quality and quiet but fast autofocus system.

Provided that you’re okay with the added bulk that this lens has over other 50mm f/1.4 lenses, this is one of the best lenses for Sony a7ii.

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6. Sony FE 24-240mm f/3.5-6.3 OSS

Specifications:

• Lens type: Zoom lens
• Maximum aperture: F3.5-6.3
• Minimum aperture: F22-40
• Max Format size: 35mm FF
• Focal length: 24–240mm
• Image stabilization: Yes
• Lens mount: Sony FE
• Weight: 780g (1.72 lb)
• Diameter: 81mm (3.17″)
• Length: 119mm (4.67″)
• Sealing: No

In an ideal world, every photographer would be more than happy to swap lenses on their camera depending on what they’re going to use it for.

However, between the risk of exposing the camera’s image sensor and the fact that not every photographer can afford to have a full bag of camera lenses, nearly every photographer is on the lookout for a lens that they can use for multiple purposes.

If this statement holds true for you, then the Sony FE 24-240mm f/3.5-6.3 OSS is well worth a look.

True, this isn’t the best lens for Sony A7ii as far as image quality goes.

You’ll have to be willing to make some compromises, especially in terms of sharpness.

But that’s to be expected for a lens with a 10x zoom range that can fulfill the role of everything from a wide-angle lens to a telephoto lens.

Besides, outside of the workable lack of sharpness and some color fringing around the corners, the image quality of this lens remains great overall.

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7. Samyang 50mm f/1.4 AF

Specifications:

• Lens type: Prime lens
• Maximum aperture: F1.4
• Minimum aperture: F16
• Max Format size: 35mm FF
• Focal length: 50mm
• Image stabilization: No
• Lens mount: Sony E
• Weight: 585g (1.29 lb)
• Diameter: 74mm (2.89″)
• Length: 98mm (3.85″)
• Sealing: No

The Samyang 50mm f/1.4 AF is a strong contender for the title of the best lens for Sony A7ii for bokeh.

Sure, it’s bigger and heavier compared to the 50mm f/1.8 of Sony.

But, if you’re looking for the best background blur performance, the big f/1.4 aperture of the Samyang is definitely worth it.

The big f/1.4 aperture isn’t the only reason for this lens’ excellent bokeh performance though. It’s probably also because of how it’s designed.

Either way, despite only being 50mm, bokeh shots on the Samyang lens is of better quality than that of other offerings from Sony, Sony-Zeiss, and Zeiss Batis.

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8. Sony FE 24-70 f/4 ZA OSS

Specifications:

• Lens type: Zoom lens
• Maximum aperture: F4
• Minimum aperture: F22
• Max Format size: 35mm FF
• Focal length: 24–70mm
• Image stabilization: Yes
• Lens mount: Sony FE
• Weight: 426g (0.94 lb)
• Diameter: 73mm (2.87″)
• Length: 95mm (3.74″)
• Materials: All-metal construction
• Sealing: Yes

Once you’re ready to move on from your plastic kit lens, you’ll want something that’s probably just as versatile but also significantly better at the same time.

For the Sony A7ii, that lens is the Sony FE 24-70 F/4 ZA OSS.

It’s got everything that anyone could ever need in a reliable and sturdy daily driver.

Solid construction? Check. Image stabilization? It’s got it. It even has quick autofocus performance with weather-sealing properties, and most important of all, the image quality is nothing but solid.

As an added bonus, at 426g, it packs just enough weight to make you feel like you have a lens attached to your camera and at the same time, it’s not too heavy so as to hinder you from moving quickly to take one shot after another.

For professional photographers, we recommend the bigger, faster, and better version: the 24-70mm F/2.8 G Master.

However, unless you need the extra light-stopping feature of the G Master variant, the F/4 version should be good enough to be a staple of your lens kit.

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9. Sony FE 28mm f/2

Specifications:

• Lens type: Prime lens
• Maximum aperture: F2
• Minimum aperture: F22
• Max Format size: 35mm FF
• Focal length: 28mm
• Image stabilization: No
• Lens mount: Sony FE
• Weight: 200g (0.44 lb)
• Diameter: 64mm (2.52″)
• Length: 60mm (2.36″)
• Sealing: No

The Sony FE 28mm F/2 is the best lens for Sony A7ii users who recently switched over to Sony’s side.

Weighing only around 200g, this is a lens that you can literally fit inside your pockets.

At the same time, it won’t hurt your pocket as much too.

This makes it a steal compared to other wide-angle lenses with similar specs from other manufacturers.

At first glance, it’s easy to think that this lens will be your daily driver and that it won’t see much action for professional shoots.

However, after spending some time with it, you’ll quickly realize that the 28mm is just perfect for letting you get close enough to see the entire picture without limiting the amount of room you have to work with on the background.

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10. Sony 85mm f/1.8

Specifications:

• Lens type: Prime lens
• Maximum aperture: F1.8
• Minimum aperture: F22
• Max Format size: 35mm FF
• Focal length: 85mm
• Image stabilization: No
• Lens mount: Sony FE
• Weight: 371g (0.82 lb)
• Diameter: 78mm (3.07″)
• Length: 82mm (3.23″)
• Sealing: Yes

From an excellence standpoint, the Sony 85mm f/1.8 won’t top anyone’s list of the best lens for Sony A7ii.

Sure, it’ll probably be considered, but it’s more of an afterthought, especially when compared to its brethren.

However, from a pure value perspective, the Sony 85mm f/1.8 is hard to beat.

Although it’s not as fast nor as sharp as, let’s say, the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 Art, nor does it produce as good of image quality as the Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM, it presents itself as an excellent compromise without being as heavy as the former when compared to the latter.

Everything about the Sony 85mm f/1.8 is above-average if not great. This includes its autofocus performance, build quality, as well as weight, and even sharpness.

If you’re looking for a fun and value-centric lens to add to your kit, look no further than this lens.

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FAQ

Concluding Remarks

The best lens for Sony A7ii is relative to the user. It all depends on what you need, and more importantly, how much you can afford.

Despite the subjective and time-consuming nature of choosing the best lens for Sony A7ii, we did try our best to make sure that we rounded up some of the best lenses on the market that money can buy.

Although you won’t find every lens for the Sony A7ii out there, you’ll now at least know what lenses are compatible with Sony A7ii and which of them are worth buying.

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