Are you struggling to find the best lenses for Sony a6000? Do you want to know my favorite lenses I used with Sony a6xxx cameras?
If that’s the case, this article will help you to understand how to choose the right lens for your Sony camera.
I consider the Sony a6000 to be the most important camera model among all mirrorless cameras.
After years of steady development and progression in mirrorless system technology, the Sony a6000 skyrocketed the adoption of the new camera system even further. The camera represents the innovation and genius of Sony’s engineering and design. Sony managed to create a highly capable camera in such a small form at an incredibly low and affordable price.
Sony a6000 was released in 2014, but even today, it is the best-selling camera on Amazon. It recently became the most sold mirrorless camera of all time. Even though Sony released the a6100, a6300, a6400, a6500, and a6600 models in recent years, the a6000 is still one of the best choices for an entry-level camera with interchangeable lenses among both mirrorless and DSLR models.
When I started shooting with the Sony a6000 not long after it was released, the main stumbling block in Sony’s adoption was the lack of high-quality E-mount lenses. There were only a couple of options available on the market. But, over the years, the E-mount lens lineup has grown to include over 100 lens models.
Table of Contents
Quick Answer – Best Lens for the Sony a6000
- Sony 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 (Best Travel Lens)
- Sony 10-18mm f4 (Best Wide Angle Lens)
- Sony 16-70mm f4 (Best Landscape Lens)
- Sigma 30mm F1.4 (Best Portrait Lens)
- Sony 18-105mm f4 (Best Walk Around Lens)
- Sony 20mm F2.8 (Best Lens For Street Photography)
Understanding the Sony E-Mount
The uniqueness of Sony cameras is that both cropped and full frame sensor models use the same lens mount—the E-mount. This means that you can use lenses designed for full-frame cameras (marked EF) on your Sony a6000 camera body. But, I advise against it. The Sony EF lenses are big, expensive, and do not perform as well on cropped sensor cameras. Try to select lenses designed specifically for the APS-C cameras (marked E).
Differences Between the Sony a6000, a6100, a6300, a6400, a6500 and a6500
All a6xxx models use similar form factor bodies with the same lens mount. Sometimes, this makes it difficult to distinguish the models from one another. It also means that, no matter what model you choose, the selection of lenses available is identical.
Related: My favorite Sony a6000 Accessories
Best Travel Lens for Sony a6000, a6100 a6300, a6400, a6500, a6600
Let me explain how I identify the best travel lens for any camera system, not only for the Sony a6000. I ask myself, “If I had to go on an extensive trip and could only bring one lens, what lens would I take?”
The best travel lens for Sony a6000, a6300, a6400, a6500, or the a6600, my lens of choice would be the latest addition to the Sony E lens lineup—the Sony 18-135mm.
Filter Diameter: 55mm, Mount: E-Mount, Weight: 326g, Stabilized
Best Wide-Angle Lens for Sony a6000, a6100 a6300, a6400, a6500, a6600
The wide-angle lens is the cornerstone of landscape photography. If you have a passion for landscape photography, you absolutely must have a wide-angle model. The good news is that Sony has one of the best and most compact lenses among all APS-C camera systems—the Sony 10-18mm. It looks more like a pancake than a wide-angle lens. I currently shoot with a Fujifilm and my biggest regret is not being able to use the 10-18mm wide angle lens.
Filter Diameter: 62mm, Mount: E-Mount, Weight: 225g, Stabilized
Best Landscape Lens for Sony a6000, a6100, a6300, a6400, a6500, a6600
The Sony 16-70mm lens is the result of a collaboration between Sony and Zeiss. It is a beautiful and optically excellent lens. It was the most used lens I had in my collection.
Filter Diameter: 55mm, E-Mount, Weight: 308g, Stabilized
Best Portrait Lens for Sony a6000, a6100 a6300, a6400, a6500, a6600
Many photographers use 50mm lenses as their primary portrait lens, but I find that the 50mm focal length on APS-C sensor camera is a bit too restrictive. The 30-55mm focal length gives me more freedom to shoot close-up portraits as well as environmental portraits. My favorite portrait lens for the Sony a6000 is the Sigma 30mm f/1.4.
To be honest, it remains a mystery to me how Sigma managed to design such a quality lens at such a low price point.
Filter Diameter: 52mm, E-Mount, 265g, Non Stabilized
Best Walk Around Lens for Sony a6000, a6100, a6300, a6400, a6500, a6600
The Sony 18-105mm lens only has one shortcoming—it is a bit too big for the small Sony a6000 body. I would not take it on a long and demanding hike because of its size and weight. But, for everyday photography, it is a perfect lens for walking around.
Filter Diameter: 72mm, E-Mount, 427g, Stabilized
Best Street Photography Lens for Sony a6000, a6100 a6300, a6500, a6600
If you accompany the Sony a6000 with the 20mm package lens, you will have such a small combo that it looks like a point and shoot camera. You can fly under the radar without attracting any attention in a busy street environment.
Filter Diameter: 49mm, E-Mount, Weight: 69g, Non Stabilized
Best Lenses for Sony a6000, a6100 a6300, a6400, a6500, a6600
1. Sony E 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS
Filter Diameter: 55mm
Mount: E-Mount
Weight: 326g (11.5oz)
Size: 67 x 88mm (2.65 x 3.46″)
Price: Check the latest price here
The Sony 18-135mm F/3.5-5.6 OSS is a compact and lightweight lens, a perfect companion for your travels. It is the ideal replacement for the Sony 16-50mm kit lens for the Sony a6000 series and the newest addition to Sony’s APS-C Mirrorless camera lineup.
The 18 to 135mm focal length can handle quite a few situations. At 18mm, the lens is perfect for nature and landscape photography. Then, at 35-30mm middle zoom range, it is great for portrait shots. Many of you will also enjoy the mild telephoto. At 135mm, you can bring subjects closer than any other kit lens on the market.
As far as the image quality, this lens will not disappoint you. It’s not the sharpest lens you can buy, but it is an ideal travel lens at this price point, focal length, and size. Also, the built-in Optical Steady Shot will work in your favor to take sharp and clear images even if your hands are shaky.
Overall you will be surprised with its performance. The Sony 18-135mm does a pretty good job for a variable aperture lens.
What I like:
- Very good zoom range
- Small, Light, and Compact
- Good image quality
- Provides Image Stabilization
What I don’t like:
- Not weather sealed
2. Sony E 10-18mm F4 OSS
Filter Diameter: 62mm
Mount: E-Mount
Weight: 225g (8oz)
Size: 70 x 63.5mm (2.8 x 2.5″)
Price: Check the latest price here
For those who love nature and landscape photography, the Sony 10-18mm F4 is the lens missing from your camera bag. Given the small and compact size, it has amazing optics and fits on all Sony APS-C cameras. It is packed with Optical Steady Shot which works either with or without Sony’s in-body image stabilization.
The first thing you will notice when you hold this lens in your hands is the built quality. It has the right size and weight for a wide-angle lens. More features include a constant aperture of f/4, a zoom, and a manual focus ring. The Extra-Low Dispersion glass enhances image quality and reduces chromatic aberration.
In particular, the Sony 10-18mm produces very sharp images, especially at f/8 or f/11 aperture. However, taking photos of buildings or straight lines might cause a bit of rectilinear distortion. This can be fixed in post-process.
In conclusion, the Sony 10-18mm is not a new lens. It has been around in the market for more than 5 years. It is still considered one of the best ultra-wide lenses for the Sony E-mount system.
What I like:
- Very sharp lens
- Compact and Lightweight
- Smooth focus and zoom rings
- Optical Steady Shot
What I don’t like:
- It is not weather sealed
- It’s expensive
3. Sony E 16-70mm F4 OSS Zeiss
Filter Diameter: 55mm
Mount: E-Mount
Weight: 308g (11oz)
Size: 66.6 x 75mm (2.6 x 2.95″)
Price: Check the latest price here
The Zeiss 16-70mm is one of the sharpest zoom lenses for Sony. With an equivalent length of 24-105mm on a full-frame body, it is perfect for anyone who wants to photograph nature and landscapes! It has a constant aperture of f/4, a minimum focus distance of 35cm, and an Optical Steady Shot. It is compatible with all E-Mount cameras, APS-C, and Full Frame.
Landscape photographers will love this lens. The image quality is outstanding. Technical specifications don’t actually tell the whole story. You must go out there and take photos to see for yourself how it performs. Sharpness in apertures of f/5.6 to f/11 reach the highest levels, and the 16-70mm focal distance covers most aspects of the photographer’s needs.
With this lens, you get superior optical performance in the areas of contrast, color rendition, vignetting, and distortion. It is very sharp and provides extremely detailed pictures that are utterly crisp and have absolutely stunning colors and contrast.
Finally, the focus ring and the zoom ring are smooth and responsive. The autofocus works great too. So, if you need a great zoom lens with superior picture quality, the Zeiss 16-70mm f4 is the right lens for you.
What I like:
- Outstanding image quality and sharpness
- Useful zoom range
- Constant aperture of f/4
- Built quality and responsiveness
What I don’t like:
- No weather sealing
- It could have a wider f/2.8 aperture
4. Sigma 30mm F1.4
Filter Diameter: 52mm
Mount: E-Mount
Weight: 265g (9.4oz)
Size: 65 x 73.3mm (2.6 x 2.9″)
Price: Check the latest price here
When Sigma introduced the new 30mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary lens, everyone was amazed. If you don’t have a prime lens and you’re looking to buy one, this lens should be your first choice. Since it doesn’t support Image Stabilization like the Sony 35mm f/1.8 OSS, it is unsuitable for videos. However, for portraits, it is the sharpest lens for the Sony APS-C cameras confirmed by DXOmark.com and other camera distributors.
Related: Sony a6000 vs a6100 – Selecting Best Entry Level Camera
The Sigma can get as close as 30cm in terms of the minimum focusing distance. It is 45mm equivalent on a full frame body and goes from f/1.4 to f/16. The autofocus is fast and works great in both stills and video. Those who want to use it for video might need to acquire a gimble for better image stabilization. Overall build quality is impressive, and the focusing ring is also very smooth.
The lens is ideal for full-body portraits and group photos. You can use it for closeup shots, but you may notice a small face distortion. Wide open at f/1.4, the Sigma 30mm produces nice bokeh, although some chromatic aberration seems to appear on the background blur.
Finally, if you have a Sony a6000 and you want to upgrade the image quality of the kit lens, the Sigma 30mm is the best choice.
What I like:
- Very Sharp from Corner to Corner
- Good Built Quality
- Wide Aperture at f/1.4
- Smooth and Responsive Focus Ring
What I don’t like:
- Lack of Image Stabilization
- Out of Focus Blur Isn’t the smoothest
5. Sony 18-105mm F4
Filter Diameter: 72mm
Mount: E-Mount
Weight: 427g (15oz)
Size: 78 x 110mm (3.1 x 4.3″)
Price: Check the latest price here
The Sony 18-105mm is the best all-around lens for the Sony a6000. Even though the Sony 16-70mm is a superior lens, the Sony 18-105 is not far behind concerning image quality. Plus, it is more affordable and has a better zoom range. It is arguably the best replacement for the Sony kit lens.
Effective image stabilization benefits those who want to take both photos and video. The focal range of 18-105mm is more than enough to take it with you anywhere you go, no matter what type of photography you do. It has fast autofocus and produces clean images.
One of the downsides of the Sony 18-105 is its size and weight. If you’re looking for a more compact and lightweight combination of camera and lens, the 18-105mm is probably not the right choice for you.
To summarize, the Sony 18-105mm is a good all-around lens. It will cover most of your everyday needs without having to dig deep into your pockets.
6. Sony 20mm F2.8
Filter Diameter: 49mm
Mount: E-Mount
Weight: 69g (2.4oz)
Size: 62.6 x 20.4mm (2.5 x 0.8″)
Price: Check the latest price here
Street photography couldn’t become easier. The Sony 20mm f/2.8 is an ultra-slim prime lens, specifically for those who want to carry a light camera system with them. Mounted on the Sony a6000, it looks smaller than the kit lens. It has a 49mm filter thread, 20cm minimum focusing distance, and weighs only 69 grams.
Related: Top Rated Sony Alpha a6300 Bundle Deals
Most prime lenses feature a standard polygon-shaped aperture. Yet, the Sony 20mm has a 7-blade circular aperture for better and smoother bokeh. Besides the small size, it has refined optical performance with fast and agile focusing. The aspherical lens elements within reduce distortion and aberration.
The lens produces great photos in natural light. Overall, the images are sharp, vibrant, and in focus. Street photography requires fast apertures and shutter speeds. In aperture priority mode, you can control the depth of field. Even at f/2.8, the Sony will deliver great images with a little bit of softness in the corners.
You can’t demand everything from this well-designed pancake lens. Sony has tried to squeeze quality and overall performance into a tiny lens. At this price range, it will give you more than what you expected.
What I like:
- Small and Light
- Good Image Quality
- Fast Focusing
- Wide Aperture f/2.8
What I don’t like:
- Soft in the corners at f/2.8
- A bit Pricey
The Sony a6000 In-body Image Stabilization
Neither the Sony a6000 nor the Sony a6300 has in-body image stabilization. Sony only introduced in-body stabilization in the a6500 and later in a6600. This means that if you shoot with an a6000, a6100, a6300, or a6400, you have to rely on the built-in image stabilization of your lenses. Among my selection of the best lenses for the a6xxx cameras, only the Sigma 30mm 1.4 is not stabilized. This means you have to be extra aware when using it.
Best Lenses for Sony a6000 | Final Thoughts
The Sony a6000 is a great camera for anyone looking to upgrade from a point-and-shoot or smartphone. It features high-quality construction, a fast autofocus system, and excellent image quality. With the right lens, the a6000 can be used for everything from everyday snapshots to professional-level photography.
