Best Lenses for Sony a6500 – Top 10 Picks (2023 Ultimate Guide)

This is a guide covering the best lenses for the Sony A6500.

The Sony A6500 is such a wonderful pick for those who like a handy camera. It comes with a 24.2 MP APS-C Exmore CMOS sensor coupled with the ability to shoot videos in 4K.

This makes it a favorite not only by photographers but also by videographers as well. It shoots fast at 11fps not to mention a 5-axis body-based image stabilization feature.

To maximize the A6500, you need the best E-mount lens for the right situation. We’ve come up with 10 of the best lenses for Sony A6500.

This way, you can make the right pick for your needs.

Also, I wanted to note that the Sony a6500 is an APS-C camera that works best with Sony E-lenses but I have also listed Sony FE-lenses here that are designed for full-frame camera bodies. When using a FE lens on an APS-C camera then they will still work but will provide a 1.5x crop magnification. For example, a 50mm FE lens will look like a 75mm lens on an APS-C sensor camera but the quality will still look great — just something to be aware of if you’re new.

In a hurry? Here’s a quick rundown:

• ⭐ Best Overall Lens for the Sony A6500
  • Sony – E 50mm F1.8

• 👩 Best Portrait Photography Lenses for the Sony A6500
  • Sony – E 50mm F1.8
  • Sigma 30mm F1.4
  • Sony SEL35F18 35mm f/1.8
  • VILTROX 85mm F1.8

• 🌄 Best Landscape Photography Lenses for the Sony A6500
  • Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6
  • Sony E PZ 18-105mm F4
  • Sony – E 10-18mm F4

• 🚗 Best Street Photography Lenses for the Sony A6500
  • Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3
  • Rokinon 12mm F2.0

• ⚾ Best Sports Photography Lenses for the Sony A6500
  • Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3

• 🌹 Best Macro Photography Lenses for the Sony A6500
  • Sony E PZ 18-105mm F4
  • Sony SEL30M35 30mm f/3.5

• 💸 Best Budget Lens for the Sony A6500
  • Sony – E 50mm F1.8

How to Choose the Best Lens for the Sony A6500?

Focal length: The focal length of a lens determines its zoom range and field of view. For example, a wide-angle lens (e.g. 10-18mm) is great for landscapes and architecture, while a telephoto lens (e.g. 70-200mm) is ideal for portraits and sports.

Aperture: The aperture of a lens determines how much light it lets in and also affects the depth of field. A lens with a wide aperture (e.g. f/1.8) is great for low light and creating a shallow depth of field, while a lens with a narrow aperture (e.g. f/16) is better for landscape photography with a deep depth of field.

Image stabilization: The Sony a6500 has built-in image stabilization, but some lenses also include this feature. Image stabilization is useful when shooting in low light or when using a longer focal length.

Quality: It’s important to choose a lens that is well-built and produces sharp images. Look for lenses from reputable manufacturers like Sony, Zeiss, and Sigma.

10 Best Lenses for Sony a6500

1. Sony – E 50mm F1.8

Lens Specifications:

• Lens type: Prime lens
• Max Format size: APS-C / DX
• Focal length: 50 mm
• Image stabilization: Yes (4 stops claimed)
• Lens mount: Sony E
• Maximum aperture: F1.8
• Minimum aperture: F22
• Weight: 202 g (0.45 lb)
• Diameter: 62 mm (2.44″)
• Length: 62 mm (2.44″)
• Sealing: No

The best overall lens for Sony A6500 is the Sony – E 50mm F1.8.

If you are looking for the best Sony A6500 lenses, we believe that you shouldn’t forget to miss out on 50mm prime lenses.

The Sony- E 50mm F1.8 OSS Portrait Lens comes in with the versatility that you need whether you are shooting portraits, landscapes, or doing a bit of macro photography.

It has a wide aperture that is functional in both indoor and outdoor environments. Plus, you also get a beautiful bokeh that can get the subject to pop out.

It also comes with a SteadyShot image stabilization that gives you peace of mind in case you don’t have a tripod and you don’t have steady hands.

A few things however that we noticed is that it is not as sharp as some users wanted it to be. However, it does a good job when you use smaller apertures.

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2. Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6

Lens Specifications:

• Lens type: Zoom lens
• Max Format size: APS-C / DX
• Focal length: 16–50 mm
• Image stabilization: Yes (OSS)
• Lens mount: Sony E
• Maximum aperture: F3.5–5.6
• Minimum aperture: F22–36
• Weight: 116 g (0.26 lb)
• Diameter: 65 mm (2.56″)
• Length: 30 mm (1.18″)
• Sealing: No

The best budget lens for Sony A6500 is the Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6.

Is it possible to buy the best lenses for Sony A6500 even if you don’t have a large budget? Definitely. If you are looking to get the best bang for your buck, then might as well check the Sony 16-50mm f3.5-5.6 OSS lens.

This zoom lens is a good investment. It comes with built-in image stabilization, ED glass, plus a smooth performance whether you are zooming in or zooming out.

It also allows you to have a handy lens that you can rely on when you are taking photos outside. It means that you can get a wide-angle lens and a portrait lens (check out the best Sony portrait lenses) in one.

However, because it doesn’t have a wide aperture, you can only use it when there is enough sunlight.

Who tends to gravitate towards this lens if it doesn’t have a wide aperture that works well indoors? Studio photographers love this lens.

With proper lighting inside a studio, you get beautiful shots using this lens.

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3. Sigma 30mm F1.4

Lens Specifications:

• Lens type: Prime lens
• Max Format size: APS-C / DX
• Focal length: 30 mm
• Image stabilization: No
• Lens mount: Canon EF-M, Sony E
• Maximum aperture: F1.4
• Minimum aperture: F16
• Weight: 265 g (0.58 lb)
• Diameter: 65 mm (2.56″)
• Length: 73 mm (2.87″)
• Sealing: No

The best portrait lens for the Sony A6500 is the Sigma 30mm F1.4.

Great for both wide-angle shots and for shooting portraits, the Sigma 30mm F1.4 DC DN Lens is a great option for most situations.

Though it comes from a third-party brand, it deserves to be mentioned in our list of best lenses for Sony A6500 for many reasons. First, you have superb image quality. You get sharp results and great vibrant colors.

Next, the motor provides fast and accurate autofocus that allows you to capture the subject without missing moments.

And because it is a stepping motor that performs quietly, it is also suited even for those who are looking to take videos from their A6500.

There are a few things that we’ve noticed when using the Sigma A6500 lens it tends to produce softer images if you use the F1.4 aperture.

Also, some users noted that the barrel distortion can be considered a deal-breaker. But if you are looking for a robust and handy portrait lens, then you might as well stick with this option.

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4. Sony SEL35F18 35mm f/1.8

Lens Specifications:

• Lens type: Prime lens
• Max Format size: APS-C / DX
• Focal length: 35 mm
• Image stabilization: Yes (OSS)
• Lens mount: Sony E
• Maximum aperture: F1.8
• Minimum aperture: F22
• Weight: 155 g (0.34 lb)
• Diameter: 63 mm (2.48″)
• Length: 45 mm (1.77″)

The best landscape lens for Sony A6500 is the Sony SEL35F18 35mm f/1.8.

A wide-angle lens comes in handy whether you are looking to shoot beautiful sceneries while hiking or you simply want to capture beautiful cities.

When it comes to having a prime lens for landscapes and cityscapes, we believe that the Sony SEL35F18 35mm F1.8 lens stands out. It is a compact and lightweight lens that performs well both outdoors and indoors. It comes in handy whether you are shooting at night or during day time.

And also, you get a lens that can double down as a portrait lens. It’s a versatile option especially if you are using the smaller aperture.

It produces sharp results perfect for shooting landscapes. It also comes with an accurate autofocus motor that can capture your subject without any problem.

So what’s the biggest concern about this lens?

For videographers, some users noted that they were able to catch the noise produced by the motor while taking videos.

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5. Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3

Lens Specifications:

• Lens type: Zoom lens
• Max Format size: APS-C / DX
• Focal length: 55–210 mm
• Image stabilization: Yes (4 stops claimed)
• Lens mount: Sony E
• Maximum aperture: F4.5–6.3
• Minimum aperture: F22–32
• Weight: 345 g (0.76 lb)
• Diameter: 64 mm (2.52″)
• Length: 108 mm (4.25″)

Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 lens is the ideal pick for those who need to shoot from afar from their subjects. It can be used not for wildlife photography (check out the list of best lenses for wildlife photography) and sports photography.

But what makes it a good choice for photographers is the fact that it can give you vibrant colors and sharp images.

This Sony lens is also known for its smooth and quiet autofocus known for precision and for accuracy in locating the subject.

One of the biggest issues when dealing with zoom lenses is stabilization. You don’t have to worry about the Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 lens because you can use it with or without a tripod.

It comes with an optical steady shot image stabilization feature that works not only well with photographers but even for videographers working without a gimbal.

Though we consider it one of the best lenses for Sony A6500, it comes with a few issues that you need to be aware of.

For starters, you need to ensure proper lighting when using this lens. The widest that it can go is F4.5 which isn’t exactly the best indoors or when the sun is about to set.

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6. Rokinon 12mm F2.0

Lens Specifications:

• Lens type: Prime lens
• Max Format size: APS-C / DX
• Focal length: 12 mm
• Image stabilization: No
• Lens mount: Sony E
• Maximum aperture: F2
• Minimum aperture: F22
• Weight: 260 g (0.57 lb)
• Diameter: 73 mm (2.85″)
• Length: 59 mm (2.32″)

Rokinon 12mm F2.0 NCS CS Ultra Wide Angle Lens comes in handy if you wish to get a wider perspective of beautiful cities and landscapes.

Unlike 35mm or 28mm wide-angle lenses, you get to see more from Rokinon 12mm F2.0 NCS CS Ultra Wide Angle Lens. Just imagine a 110-degree perspective on your shots. Plus, the F2.0 aperture signifies that you can use it when taking photos under low light conditions.

However, the catch with this lens is that it doesn’t come with an autofocus motor. It means that you will have to do it on your own.

If you are only shooting landscapes, then this isn’t going to be an issue. But for those who are used to having AF, you might have to adjust a bit when using this lens.

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7. Sony E PZ 18-105mm F4

Lens Specifications:

• Lens type: Zoom lens
• Max Format size: APS-C / DX
• Focal length: 18–105 mm
• Image stabilization: Yes (OSS (Optical Steady Shot))
• Lens mount: Sony E
• Maximum aperture: F4
• Minimum aperture: F22
• Weight: 482 g (1.06 lb)
• Diameter: 78 mm (3.07″)
• Length: 110 mm (4.33″)

The Sony SELP18105G E PZ 18-105mm F4 G OSS is the preferred lens by many individuals who don’t want to be switching lenses every time they need to take a shot.

It allows you to have a wide-angle lens, portrait lens, and even a macro lens that works well in a well-lighted environment.

With F4 as its widest aperture, you don’t expect this to give you the best performance indoors or when you don’t have any aid of flash or other light sources.

It comes with a quiet motor that allows fast and accurate focus on your subjects.

And whether you are looking to zoom in or zoom out, you also notice that the lens is working smoothly. You also get to enjoy vibrant colors and sharp results from this lens.

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8. Sony SEL30M35 30mm f/3.5

Lens Specifications:

• Lens type: Prime lens
• Max Format size: APS-C / DX
• Focal length: 30 mm
• Image stabilization: No
• Lens mount: Sony E
• Maximum aperture: F3.5
• Minimum aperture: F22
• Weight: 138 g (0.30 lb)
• Diameter: 62 mm (2.44″)
• Length: 56 mm (2.19″)

The Sony SEL30M35 30mm F3.5 lens is a preferred option by those photographers who shoot cityscapes and by those who love to shoot street photography.

It is a compact 6-group 7-element lens that stands out from the rest of the best lenses for Sony A6500. It works well during the daytime producing sharp images and vibrant colors.

It’s a versatile lens that can replace a 50mm prime lens but the catch is that it doesn’t open up wide enough to produce beautiful bokeh.

The internal mechanism on this lens makes use of an internal stepping motor plus a rear-focusing design specifically made for videographers.

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9. VILTROX 85mm F1.8

The Viltrox 85mm F1.8 Mark II lens comes in as a favorite pick by people who shoot their subjects from afar.

It comes in with perks because it can get your subject to feel more comfortable plus you can also be more discreet when shooting candid photographs. This is also why it is one of those favorite picks by wedding photographers.

It comes in handy for capturing beautiful moments while the photographer keeps his or her distance to not feel too invasive.

The Viltrox 85mm F1.8 Mark II lens also has a wide aperture giving you the ability to blur the background and give focus mainly on the subject. Apart from portraits, you can also use them for macro photography.

It gives you the chance to capture small details of products.

Focusing is also something that stands out from the rest of the best lenses for the Sony A6500. It has a quiet stepping motor that accurately focuses on the subject minimizing the chances that you lose precious moments.

Unfortunately, the autofocus can be a hit or miss at times. If you use it in low-light situations, we’ve noticed that the autofocus also tends to miss a lot. You might as well go for manual focusing indoors.

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10. Sony – E 10-18mm F4

Instead of buying individual wide-angle lenses, some photographers go for the Sony- E 10-18mm F4 OSS wide-angle lens instead.

We considered it as one of the best lenses for Sony A6500 because it gives you a wide perspective allowing you to be creative whether you are shooting landscapes, cityscapes, or even group shots.

This ultra-wide zoom lens can give you results that a 28mm and a 35mm lens can’t give. The only thing that you need to worry about is lighting.

You can’t just use it indoors without proper lighting. Other than that, it’s a good pick for photographers.

It comes with an image stabilization feature that allows the user to work even without a tripod.

Plus, you also get great results with its sharp images and vibrant colors. It also comes with a quiet motor that helps focus on the subject with ease.

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FAQ

Concluding Remarks

Choosing the best Sony A6500 lenses can help give you the best results whether you want to shoot photos or videos.

However, the best lenses for A6500 can get too overwhelming if you don’t know what you are looking for.

To get the best bang for your buck, be sure to check the pros and cons and even compare the price of these lenses.

Some of these e-mount lenses weren’t made by Sony but it doesn’t mean that these are inferior to Sony-made lenses.

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