Which Sony a7r iii lenses should be the first for wildlife and portraits? Let’s discover the best camera lenses for Sony a7r iii.
Hey guys, in this video, I’m talking about the best lenses for sony a7riiii based on my own experience and review. Hope you enjoy the video! Let me know if you have any question about Sony a7riii.
Choosing which lens is best can be daunting. With so many options, the task of picking a lens comes with a lot of questions: What are the best lenses for Sony A7R III? Are they expensive? Do they last long? Well, don’t worry because here at Best Video Lens we’ve done the research for you.
Choosing the best Sony A7r III lenses can be a bit of a minefield. So many choices and opinions on what they’re good for. To help you find the best, I’ve compared 20+ lens options in this article. I also share my advice and tips, as well as some sample images shot with them for reference.
If you’re a wildlife and nature photographer, you may consider the new Sony FE 100-400mm f4.5-5.6 GM OSS lens as your next purchase. This is one of the most hyped lenses for Sony’s full-frame mirrorless cameras, especially for Sony a7rii owners. Here are some key facts provided by nikonrumors:
Best portrait lens for sony a7r iv
The Sony A7 series of full frame mirrorless cameras are excellent, especially the new a7r iii and a9 models. The problem is you can get very high quality lenses for them which makes it hard when deciding which one to buy.
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Do you already own the Sony a7R III? Or perhaps you are planning to buy one soon? Then you might be a little curious about which are the best E-mount lenses worth investing in.
The Sony a7R III is an full-frame E-mount camera for which there are many lenses available. I own quite a collection of E-mount lenses myself and have also read and watched far too many reviews, so I have a reasonable idea as to which lenses are worth adding to your gear collection and which ones you’ll want to leave alone.
Best Video Lens For Sony a7r iii
Top 10 Lenses
Here are my top 10 recommended lenses for the Sony a7R III.
Sony FE 12-24mm F4 G (SEL1224G)
Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM (SEL1635GM)
Sony FE 24mm F1.4 GM (SEL24F14GM)
Sony FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS (SEL24105G)
Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III RXD
Sony FE 85mm F1.4 G Master (SEL85F14GM)
Sony FE 85mm F1.8 (SEL85F18)
Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS (SEL90M28G)
Sony FE F4.5-5.6 100-400mm G Master (SEL100400GM)
Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS (SEL400F28GM)
Wide-Angle Lenses (12mm – 35mm)
A wide-angle lens generally refers to a lens that has 35mm focal length and wider on a full frame camera like the Sony a7R III, with 24mm and wider lenses often being referred to as ultra-wide-angle lens. These types of lenses allow more of the scene to be included in the frame. Both wide-angle and ultra-wide-angle lenses are popular choices with landscape, architectural and interior photographers.
Here are some of the best wide-angle and ultra-wide-angle lenses from 12mm to 35mm for the Sony a7R III and the Sony full-frame E-mount system of mirrorless cameras.
Sony FE 12-24 F2.8 GM (SEL1224GM)
Sony FE 12-24 F2.8 GM (SEL1224GM)
The Sony FE 12-24 F2.8 GM has not long been announced. As soon as reliable information about this lens is available this section will be updated.
Pros:
Cons:
Recommended Reviews:
Sample Photos:Sony Sample Gallery
Minimum Focusing Distance: 0.28 m (0.92 ft)
Minimum Aperture: f/22
Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
Aperture Blades: 9 circular
The angle of view (35mm): 122°–84°
Auto Focus: Yes
Stabilization: No
Filter Thread Size: No filter thread available.
Length: 137 mm
Diameter: 97.6 mm
Weight: 847 g (29.9 oz)
Sony FE 12-24mm F4 G (SEL1224G) Lens
The 12-24mm lens is an excellent ultra-wide-angle lens and the widest that Sony currently offers. It focuses and zooms internally so doesn’t grow in size and the autofocus is extremely fast.
Build quality is excellent and it weighs just 565 g, which is 47 g more than the popular Sony 16-35 f/4 FE lens. The lens has very impressive corner sharpness even when wide-open at f/4, there’s minimal distortion and almost no COMA for night photography. However with a widest aperture of f/4 the 16-35 F2.8 GM lens or the 24mm F1.4 GM lens are more likely to be the first choice for astro shooters.
Unfortunately like many ultra-wide lenses, the Sony 12-24 has a bulbous glass front element, meaning that it protrudes from the front of the lens. This makes it difficult to attach filters and there is no filter thread. However, thankfully there are now several companies making filter holders for this lens.
The 12-24 Sony lens is not a G-Master, but with the performance that is delivers it really should be. This is most definitely a lens that I would like to own myself.
Pros: Excellent central sharpness, low chromatic aberration, fast and accurate autofocus, great build quality
Cons: f/4 maximum aperture, high price, requires special filter holder
Recommended Reviews: Colby Brown
Sample Photos: Flickr
Minimum Focusing Distance: 0.28 m (0.92 ft)
Minimum Aperture: f/22
Maximum Aperture: f/4
Aperture Blades: 7 circular
Auto Focus: Yes
Stabilization: No (But you can use IBIS on the a7R III)
Filter Thread Size: N/A. Requires Special 12-24 Filter Holder.
Length: 117.4 mm
Diameter: 87 mm
Weight: 565 g (1.25 lbs)
Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN Art
The Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN Art lens has been designed exclusively for mirrorless cameras instead of being adapted from their SLR lenses.
The build quality is excellent and the lens is weather sealed, there’s also an integrated rear holder for gel filters, unfortunately, there is no filter thread for conventional filters although NiSi doeses make an adapter.
At f/2.8 and 14mm both the center of the frame and corners are extremely sharp and remain sharp through f/11. At 24mm it’s a similar story with excellent central sharpness with the corners being just a little softer at f/2.8 but these sharpen up at f/4.
There is some barrel distortion and vignetting at 14mm and f/2.8 but this improves by f/5.6, and at 24mm there is a little pincushion distortion. However, for JPEG shooters if you have in-camera corrections turned on this will be fixed for you.
Pros: Great build quality, sharpness across the frame, low coma and vignette
Cons: No traditional filters
Sample Photos:Sigma | Flickr
Lens Construction: 18 elements in 13 groups
The angle of View (35mm): 114.2-84.1°
Aperture Blades: 11 rounded
Minimum Aperture: f/22
Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
Minimum Focusing Distance: 28cm / 11 in.
Maximum Magnification Ratio: 1:7.3
Auto Focus: Yes
Stabilization: No
Filter Thread Size: N/A (The lens comes with a rear filter holder for attaching sheet type rear filters)
Length: 131mm / 5.2 in.
Diameter: 85mm / 3.3 in.
Weight: 795g / 28.0oz.
ZEISS Batis 2.8/18 Lens
The Zeiss Batis 18mm f/2.8 has very few competitors for the price. It’s a very lightweight lens that has been built to Zeiss’s very high standards and this really shows. Optically it’s an exceptional lens. There is a little distortion and vignette, but this is easy to correct in post. Extreme corners aren’t quite as sharp as the center but they are sharp enough.
The autofocus is fast and quiet and the lens is also weather sealed to help keep dust and moisture out. There is an infinite scroll focus ring for when you want to focus the lens manually, and also an innovative OLED display that shows the distance and depth of field to ensure the focusing range can always be perfectly set.
Coma performance is also very good even wide open at f/2.8. However vignetting is pretty heavy which may impact astro shots.
Pros: Great build quality, weather-sealed, fast and quiet autofocus, excellent sharpness across the frame, chromatic aberrations well controlled
Cons: Moderate distortion, strong vignette at wide apertures, expensive
Sample Photos: Flickr
Minimum Focusing Distance: 0.25 m (0.82 ft)
Minimum Aperture: f/22
Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
Aperture Blades: 9 circular
Auto Focus: Yes
Stabilization: No (But you can use IBIS on the a7R III)
Filter Thread Size: 77 mm
Length: 95 mm with lens cap, 80 mm without the lens cap
Diameter: 100 mm
Weight: 330 g (0.74 lbs)
Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G (SEL20F18G)
The Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G is well built, compact and weighs next to nothing at only 373g (13.2oz). It’s also weather sealed, has a customizable function button and a de-clickable aperture ring.
It features Sony’s newest XD linear focus motor that can be found in much more expensive telephotos lenses, this is both fast and virtually silent.
Distortion is very well controlled even with in-camera corrections turned off. There is a little vignetting at f/1.8 but this is gone by f/2.8. Chromatic aberrations are well controlled along with flaring.
The focus ring is silky smooth with a throw of around 160 degrees, however it does suffer from focus breathing most likely due to its very close focusing distance of just 0.59 ft / 0.18 m when focusing manually.
DPReview are calling this a “near-perfect lens”.
Pros: Size, sharpness, autofocus, distortion
Cons: Price
Sample Photos:DPReview
Minimum Focusing Distance: 0.63 ft (AF), 0.59 ft (MF) (0.19 m [AF], 0.18 m [MF])
Minimum Aperture: f/22
Maximum Aperture: f/1.8
Aperture Blades: 9 circular
Auto Focus: Yes
Stabilization: No
Filter Thread Size: 67 mm
Length: 3-3/8 in (84.7mm)
Diameter: 3 in (73.5mm)
Weight: 13.2 oz (373 g)
Sony FE 24mm F1.4 GM (SEL24F14GM) Lens
By creating the Sony FE 24mm F1.4 GM lens Sony has proven that you can build an excellent lens into a very small package. The lens is extremely well built, weather sealed against dust and moisture and weighs in at only 445 g. On the lens itself you will find a focus hold button that can be customized, an AF on/off switch, an aperture selection ring and a click on/off switch for the aperture ring.
a7R III + 24mm F1.4 GM @ 1/200 | f/16 | ISO 320 | Shadows recovered in LR | ** Full Resolution SOOC Download: JPEG | RAW
a7R III + 24mm F1.4 GM @ 1/100 | f/1.4 | ISO 100 | ** Full Resolution SOOC Download: JPEG | RAW
a7R III + 24mm F1.4 GM @ 1.3 sec | f/16 | ISO 100 | ** Full Resolution SOOC Download: JPEG | RAW
This lens is extremely sharp across the frame even when wide open at its maximum aperture of f/1.4. Distortion is well controlled as is the coma making this a great lens for astro photography. The bokeh is silky smooth and possibly the best of all the current 24mm f/1.4 lenses available. Autofocus is fast, quiet and super accurate. I own this lens myself and absolutely love it. I’ll be writing a review for it just as soon as I get a little free time.
Pros: Very sharp across the frame wide open, beautiful bokeh, size & weight, aperture ring, fast autofocus
Cons: Strong vignetting wide open, flare resistance
Sample Photos:Flickr
Minimum Focusing Distance: 0.24 m (0.79 ft)
Minimum Aperture: f/16
Maximum Aperture: f/1.4
Aperture Blades: 11 circular
Auto Focus: Yes
Stabilization: No (But you can use IBIS on the a7R III)
Filter Thread Size: 67 mm
Length: 92.4 mm with lens cap
Diameter: 75.4 mm
Weight: 445 g (0.98 lbs)
Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM (SEL1635GM) Lens
If you are looking for the best possible wide-angle zoom lens then you don’t need to look any further than the Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM. This certainly isn’t a lightweight lens though, as it weighs in at a hefty 680g.
Thankfully the build quality is excellent and it’s weather sealed against dust and moisture. The 11 circular aperture blades delivers ultra-smooth bokeh, focusing is fast and silent, and the sharpness is excellent across the frame. I own this lens myself and it very rarely leaves my gear bag.
a7R II + FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM @ 30sec | f/6.3 | ISO 400 | ** Full Resolution SOOC Download: JPEG | RAW
Pros: Excellent sharpness across the frame, beautiful sun stars, very little coma and distortion, well-controlled chromatic aberration
Cons: Weight, price
Sample Photos: Flickr
Minimum Focusing Distance: 0.28 m (0.92 ft)
Minimum Aperture: f/22
Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
Aperture Blades: 11 circular
Auto Focus: Yes
Stabilization: No (But you can use IBIS on the a7R III)
Filter Thread Size: 82 mm
Length: 121.6 mm
Diameter: 88.5 mm
Weight: 680 g (1.50 lbs)
Sony Vario-Tessar T* FE 16-35mm F4 ZA OSS (SEL1635Z) Lens
If the price of the Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM lens makes your eyes water, then the Sony Vario-Tessar T* FE 16-35mm F4 ZA lens is a little more budget friendly. Although not quite as sharp as the GM lens and with a maximum aperture of only f/4, this Zeiss lens is still one of the most popular lenses for landscape photographers. Both smaller in size and lighter than the GM (it weighs only 518g), this is an excellent lens for when you are backpacking and every extra gram counts.
The images it produces have excellent color, contrast and impressive sharpness across the frame. Sadly the lens is not weather sealed like its larger GM brother, so you need to be a little more careful when the rain comes down. I also own this lens myself although it is collecting dust since I picked up the GM version.
Pros: Very good sharpness across the frame and zoom range, built in stabilization, well built, fast and accurate autofocus
Cons: Flare resistance, not weather sealed
Recommended Reviews: Jordan Steele
Sample Photos: Flickr
Minimum Focusing Distance: 0.28 m (0.92ft)
Minimum Aperture: f/22
Maximum Aperture: f/4
Aperture Blades: 7 circular
Auto Focus: Yes
Stabilization: Yes
Filter Thread Size: 72 mm
Length: 98.5 mm
Diameter: 78 mm
Weight: 518 g (1.14 lbs)
Tamron 17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD (A046) Lens
After Tamron’s success with their 28-75mm F2.8 Di III RXD lens they now bring us a wilder alternative in the Tamron 17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD. Similar to the 28-75mm this lens offers great sharpness wide-open in a compact lightweight body and at a very reasonable price point.
Pros: Very good sharpness across the frame at 17mm and f/2.8, coma performance, flare resistance, size/weight
Cons: Color cast in the corners, distortion
Recommended Reviews: Phillip Reeve | Chris Turner (YouTube)
Sample Photos: FlickR
Lens Construction: 13 elements in 11 groups
Angle of View: 103°41′-75°23′
Aperture Blades: 9 rounded
Minimum Aperture: f/22
Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
Minimum Focusing Distance: 0.19m (7.5 in) (WIDE) – 0.26m (10.2 in) (TELE)
Maximum Magnification Ratio: 1:5.2 (Wide) / 1:6 (Tele)
Auto Focus: Yes
Stabilization: No
Filter Thread Size: 67mm
Length: 99mm
Diameter: 73mm
Weight: 420g / 14.8 oz
Sony FE 35mm F1.8 (SEL35F18F) Lens
If you are looking for a small, compact and very light weight fast 35mm prime lens then you don’t need to look much further than the Sony FE 35mm F1.8.
Weighing in at only 280g (9.9 oz) you’ll have to check your a7R III to believe that you actually have a lens attached.
Despite its small size Sony have not held back when it comes to optical quality or autofocus performance. The autofocus motor is both fast and silent and the focus ring is very smooth.
At its maximum aperture of f/1.8 it has good sharpness across the frame, this improves at f/2 and is excellent when you hit f/2.8.
Bokeh at short to medium distances is very pleasing to the eye (although always subjective) and the lens displays minimal pin-cushion distortion. Unfortunately the lens is let down a little when it comes to vignetting, but with in-camera corrections turned on this will not be an issue.
Pros: Sharpness, size and weight, bokeh
Cons: Vignetting, price
Sample Photos:Sony| Flickr
Minimum Focusing Distance: 0.22 m (0.73 ft)
Minimum Aperture: f/22
Maximum Aperture: f/1.8
Aperture Blades: 9 circular
Auto Focus: Yes
Stabilization: No
Filter Thread Size: 55 mm
Length: 73 mm
Diameter: 65.6 mm
Weight: 280g (9.9 oz)
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