Last Updated on 07/27/2020 by Mark Beckenbach
There are some cracking lenses for those who use Sony APS-C cameras like the A6100, A6400, and A6600.
Sony APS-C cameras are small, yet incredibly powerful cameras that pack some of the best autofocus technologies in the business, and they are capable of delivering fantastic images too. While you can use full-frame lenses on cameras like the a6100, a6300, a6400, and a6600, the weight of them can often harm the user experience. However, fear not, as Sony and some third-party lens makers have some pretty fantastic APS-C specific lenses that can help you get the most out of your camera. After the break, we will take a closer look at nine lens options for those of you who are thinking about switching to, or who currently use Sony APS-C cameras.
When we say there are some fantastic dedicated lenses for Sony APS-C cameras, we mean it. You can get everything from ultra-wide primes to zooms that reach out into super-telephoto lengths. All these lenses are brilliant optically, solidly built, and pretty affordable. Whether you’re an enthusiast or professional, there are lenses below that will suit your needs and help you get the most out of the a6000, a6100, a6300, a6400, and the IBIS infused a6500, and a6600.
Table of Contents
Venus Optics Laowa 9mm f2.8 Compact Dreamer
Here are the pros and cons from our full review:
Pros
- Decent image quality
- Sharp
- Keeps the distortion down a whole lot
- With a lens like this you’re either focusing up close and personal or far away. There is no in between.
Cons
- The colors are just adequate
- Distortion around the corners is a bit annoying
Buy now: $499
Sigma 16mm f1.4 DC DN Contemporary
Here are the pros and cons from our full review:
Pros
- Fast aperture
- Weather sealing to a point
- Fast autofocus performance for the most part
- Nice bokeh
- Sharp, surprisingly sharp
Cons
- To be honest, nothing
Buy now: $381
Sony 20mm f2.8
Here are the pros and cons from our full review:
Pros
- Itty bitty size makes most E mount Alpha cameras feel like a point and shoot
- Fast focusing
- Really good color rendition
- Pretty darned good sharpness for a pancake
Cons
- A bit more pricey than we’d like it to be
Buy now: $348
Sigma 30mm f1.4 DC DN Contemporary
Here are the pros and cons from our full review:
Pros
- Great color
- Pretty sharp
- Fast and accurate focusing in good light
- Lightweight
- An overall great option for Sony APS-C E mount and Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera owners.
Cons
- More purple fringing than expected for a Sigma lens
Buy now: $270
Pro Tip: These lenses for Sony APS-C cameras are great, but not all of them are weather sealed. If you would like to take these lenses out when the weather gets rough, we highly recommend you use this affordable yet incredibly protective weatherproof camera and lens cover. Slip one of these over your gear, and you will be good to go.
Sigma 56mm f1.4 DC DN Contemporary
Here are the pros and cons from our full review:
Pros
- Excellent sharpness
- Gorgeous bokeh
- Lightweight & compact design
- Fast and accurate autofocus
- One of three widest maximum aperture (f1.4) lenses currently available for Crop Sensor Sony E Mount (besides Sigma’s own 16mm and 30mm offerings)
- Dust and splash proof design with a rubber gasket integrated found around the lens mount
- 35mm equivalent focal length of 84mm very nearly matches the 85mm focal length preferred by many portrait photographers
- It’s less than $500
Cons
- Lacks optical stabilization
- Pincushioning is especially noticeable in RAW files, although correctable during post-production
Buy now: $398
Sony 16-55mm f2.8 G
Here are the pros and cons from our full review:
Pros
- Image quality is very good
- Autofocus speed on Sony’s latest cameras is great
- Weather sealed
- Convenient and small every day carry lens
- It’s great for events
Cons
- With Sony’s level of innovation, We’re amazed they didn’t give this lens a faster aperture to compete with Sigma’s options.
Buy now: $1,298
Sony Zeiss 16-70mm f4
Here are the pros and cons from our full review:
Pros
- Super sharp wide open
- Fairly compact size
- Nice feel in the hand
- You’ll never want to stop it down due to the balance between sharpness and bokeh
- Fairly good distortion control at the wider focal lengths
- Fast and flawless focusing
Cons
- Only f4
- Wish that the lens incorporated some sort of weather sealing
Buy now: $998
Sony 18-135mm f3.5-5.6 OSS
Here are the pros and cons from our full review:
Pros
- Variety of focal lengths in a small body
- Lightweight
- Fun
- Pretty darned good image quality
Cons
- Price could be a bit lower
Buy now: $648
Pro Tip: Like all other lenses ever made, these Sony APS-C specific lenses are not immune to dirt, dust, grease, and all other nasties. If you want your lenses to last, you’re going to have to take care of them. Clean the front element before every use with a soft microfiber cloth, and do a deep cleaning on all of your glass at least bi-weekly. A lens cleaning kit like this one is all you need, and the best part is that it’s cheap!
Sony 70-350mm f4.5-6.3 G OSS
Here are the pros and cons from our full review:
Pros
- Sharp image output
- Light and easy to carry around
- Excellent image stabilization
- Attractive price point
- Very fast and very quiet XD Linear autofocus motor
- Bright, bold, vibrant colors that will please wildlife photographers
- Some weather sealing and good build quality overall
Cons
- We wish it had a slightly faster maximum aperture
Buy now: $898