8 Of The Best Lenses for Sony a7 III [2024 Update!]

Sony has been changing the game when it comes to mirrorless cameras. The Sony a7III is one of the best professional mirror cameras out there, but that means you also need the best lenses for Sony a7iii cameras.

We’ve brought together the 8 best lenses for the Sony E-mount system. The Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II Lens is easily our pick for the best of the best, but what lens should you get?

Let’s jump right into the best lenses for Sony’s A7III camera!

1. Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II Lens: Best Overall Lens for Sony a7iii

Our pick for the top of the best lenses for Sony a7iii cameras has to be the Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II lens. This is the best versatile lens for Sony a7iii because it offers everything you need whether you’re getting started or a seasoned pro.

This is one of Sony’s flagship lenses. It has a very flexible focal length as well as a great adventure which makes it ideal for everything from casual photography to working several weddings a week.

This lens also comes packed with Sony’s latest technology. You have 4 XD focus motors with a floating focus which means that you never have to worry about getting an out-of-focus shot ever again.

This lens was also built for crystal-clear images. It comes with multiple coatings and optical elements which help to reduce distortion as well as chromatic aberration.

This makes the perfect choice for a first lens or a single lens kit. The vast majority of professional photography jobs can honestly be taken care of with just this lens.

This lens is especially good if you’re looking to graduate up from your standard issue kit lens. There are plenty of options out there, but this is the best when it comes to nailing video and photo when you’re used to those generic lenses that come with cameras.

This is also the best travel lens for Sony a7iii. It’s flexible enough for landscapes and portraits all in one lens. It’s the perfect single lens to take with you on any vacation or trip.

This lens does have a few trade-offs that we need to consider.

The first thing that you’re going to notice about this lens is that it is very expensive. This is a professional lens and the Sony a73 is a professional camera, but if you’re looking to save money there are other lenses on this list that might be better for you.

This is a great utility lens that is very versatile and works for most situations, but it is outclassed when it comes to wide angle and tell if a toggle feed by other lenses. You might need to take a look at other options if you’re into a more specialized style of photography.

Pros

• Extremely useful focal length range
• Four XD focus motors with floating focus
• 22% lighter and smaller than the first version
• Multiple coatings and optical elements

Cons

• Might cost more than the camera
• Versatile, but not specialized
• Compelling budget alternatives

2. Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art Lens for Sony E: Best 3rd Party Lens for Sony a7iii

When photographers start to shop for a third-party lens, they often make a few mistakes. The Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art lens for Sony E is a great lesson in how to find the best sigma lenses for Sony a7iii and know how to shop outside of the brand name.

Whether it’s Sigma or the best Tamron lenses for Sony a7iii cameras, most people make a big mistake when shopping third-party. They try to compare the Sigma lens with the Sony equivalent.

This is not only our pick for the best budget lenses for Sony a7iii cameras, but it’s also an all-around great lens. We’re highlighting it at number two because it genuinely was a contender for the top spot.

This lens features 11 optical elements that reduce distortion in your images. That’s more than many name-brand lenses bother to include.

It’s also got an 11-bladed diaphragm. Again, that’s a feature you don’t usually even see in GM or L-glass lenses.

This lens from Sigma is also extremely budget-friendly. For what you’re getting, this lens is basically coming in at half the price it could be selling for.

Now, we need to look at why this Sigma lens didn’t just outright take the top spot.

Sigma does have a brand reputation as being a “knock-off” lens. A Sony or Canon lens has a sense of sophistication that just doesn’t come with the Sigma brand.

This lens also doesn’t come with any support from Sony. Your Sony lens can be covered by company warranties, and you might even be able to get tech support, but that won’t work on a third-party lens.

All in all, this is one of the best lenses out there. You’ll be able to get professional-quality pictures with a Sigma lens, but you will have to be okay with leaving aspects of the Sony brand name behind.

Pros

• Half the cost of the brand-name alternative
• 11 optical elements to reduce distortions
• Bright aperture
• Sealed to resist dust and moisture
• Programmable AF-L button

Cons

• Not Sony brand which is a downside for some
• Fewer features
• No official Sony support

3. Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II Lens: Best Zoom Lens for Sony a7iii

If you want to really get the best zoom lens for Sony a7iii, you’re going to need to pick up the Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens. This lens has everything to be the best wildlife and the best sports lens for Sony a7iii. Here’s why.

We picked this lens for the best telephoto lens for Sony a7iii because it really does have everything you need to tackle far-away subjects.

The bright aperture combines with the excellent range of focal distances to allow photographers to nail anything from portraits to long-distance work like sports and wildlife.

This lens also has had a streamlining since the last edition came out. It’s now 29% lighter than the previous model.

This is going to be a huge benefit for photographers that spend a whole day holding up this large lens.

You’ve also got your choice of custom buttons and quick settings on the barrel of the lens. You can quickly flip through anything from custom button settings or toggle some of the telephoto-specific features.

Even the best wildlife lenses for Sony a7iii cameras have a few downsides that we need to talk about.

The first thing that holds this lens back is the price tag. It’s just so expensive that it might even be too expensive for some photographers. You can easily find cheaper alternatives, but the more you save, the more features you lose out on.

Naturally, this lens also has no wide-angle performance. There’s a total absence of anything below 70mm. This might not be a bad thing, but that depends on what you need this lens for. It’s not going to be your first choice if you’re looking for a lens with all-around performance.

The last downside we have for this lens is still the tradeoff with the size. It’s a bit larger than the mirrorless frame feels comfortable with.

This has always been an issue with these larger lenses, but it does mean having to buy a tripod or be very careful when doing run and gun shooting.

Pros

• 29% weight reduction from the first generation of this lens
• Bright f/2.8 aperture
• Multiple coatings and optical elements
• Dust and moisture sealing
• 11-bladed diaphragm
• Quick settings and custom buttons

Cons

• Very expensive
• No wide-angle performance
• Still a bit heavy on the mirrorless camera frame

4. Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM Lens: Best Wide-angle Lens for Sony a7iii

The best wide-angle lens for Sony a7iii is easily the Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM lens.

Now we’re talking the best of the best when it comes to a wide-angle zoom lens for the Sony E-Mount.

First up, we’re talking about the build quality of this lens. It’s got everything from seven optical elements to multiple coatings which protect both your lens—and your photographs.

Then there’s the aperture. It’s flexible enough to give great bokeh at the brightest end and sharp enough to let you tackle detailed landscapes.

That’s really the beauty of this lens. It can handle ultra-wide angle photography including things on the more artistic side to creative portraits and street photography on the other. That’s right, this lens can even handle being a creative everyday lens if you don’t mind 35mm being your top end.

This is also a surprisingly good choice for video. The Direct Drive Super Sonic Wave AF motors are fast and responsive. This allows you to keep focus while filming without having to worry about distracting your actors or subjects.

Let’s talk about a few things you’re going to need to carefully consider before adding this lens to your photography bag.

The first is that this is very much a wide-angle lens. Even though you can use the 35mm top end for other types of photo and video, you’re mostly going to get value out of shooting much wider.

This might not be right for everyone. If you want an all-purpose lens, something flexible for your vacation, or something more designed for weddings, this won’t be the right lens for you.

That 16mm wide end could have gone a bit wider. 14mm would have been a welcome addition to a wide-angle zoom that’s trying to do it all.

The beauty of this lens is that, while it focuses on wide-angle, it’s still one of the best choices for daily shooting even if you want to move into video or portraits.

Pros

• Two Extra-Low Dispersion Elements
• Three Aspherical and Two XA Elements
• Flexible f/2.8 to f/22 aperture
• 11-bladed diaphragm
• Direct Drive Super Sonic Wave AF Motors
• Weather sealed
• Unique pick for an everyday lens

Cons

• Dedicated to wide angle
• Could have been a bit wider

5. Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS Lens: Best Macro Lenses for Sony a7iii

The Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS lens is one of the best macro lenses for Sony a7iii cameras. If you’re looking to take great, larger-than-life, pictures of some of the smallest subjects possible, this lens will take you to new places.

All of the best lenses for Sony a7iii cameras share a few things in common. They have great specs, quality build, and help photographers unlock their skills behind the camera. This lens nails all three points.

Macro photography is the art of taking ultra-close-up pictures. These pics let us see 1:1 magnifications of everything from nature to product photography. This style does require a specialized lens.

The Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro features true 1:1 magnification which is what you want for macro. Anything less than 1:1 doesn’t really make the cut.

Internal focus is also big for macro photographers. This means that the moving elements that make your lens focus are all internal. Your lens won’t get any larger or smaller when focussing.

This lets you maintain your 11’’ minimum focal distance in any condition.

You’ve also got a Focus Range Limiter which locks the focus distance into a preset range. This is great for working with small subjects and needing to focus in often tight conditions.

11 inches is pretty standard for a minimum focal distance, but we’ve seen better. This is only a G lens, not a GM lens which means it’s not quite at Sony’s top shelf. However, getting even half an inch closer could unlock a lot of potential.

Some beginner-friendly macro lenses come with a built-in LED ring light. This is very useful as macro photographs are traditionally very hard to light. This lens does not come with one of these lights which means you’ll need to bring your own light source.

Pros

• 1:1 Magnification Ratio
• Internal focus
• Sliding Focus Ring for AF/MF Selection
• Focus Range Limiter
• Optical SteadyShot Image Stabilization
• Several optical elements

Cons

• 11″ minimum focusing distance could be closer
• No beginner-friendly LED ring light

6. Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM Lens: Best Prime Lens for Sony a7iii

We’re picking the Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM lens as the best prime lens for Sony a7iii cameras.

What does it take to be the best 35mm lens for Sony a7iii cameras? Your lens needs to be able to both handle the demand of a prime lens while offering some of the most dedicated and focused features out there.

The Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM is one of the cleanest 35mm prime lenses we’ve ever seen. Canon is usually at the top of the lens game, but this Sony lens redefines what it means to be a good, versatile, prime lens.

It’s all about stats. This lens has a stunning f/1.4 aperture which means that it can handle any shooting situation from the darkest events to sunny portraits with smooth bokeh.

The high-tech features don’t stop there. This lens has Dual XD Linear AF Motors which combine with an internal focus. This means you can quickly snap to a new focus even when working with challenging subjects.

This lens comes equipped with multiple coatings and optical elements. These prevent both damage to the lens and help you take clearer photos.

We also have to look at the quality of life features. This lens is designed for working photographers which means it’s got plenty in the way of additional bonuses.

The aperture ring de-click button is one of those features. This button turns off the clicking sound in your aperture ring. This makes it much easier to focus and maintain a low profile. That’s ideal for street photography, portraits, and not drawing attention to yourself at events like weddings.

Now for the downsides to a nearly perfect lens.

First off is that this lens has a very specific focal length. While 35mm is good for almost any style of photography and videography, it’s not the best when it comes to other styles like sports or wide-angle shooting.

The price of this lens is also very high. You can find budget alternatives if you’re okay going with less bright apertures or other trade-offs like more limited features.

The budget options are also getting very impressive. We’re starting to see third-party lenses come in at half the cost with very few setbacks. It’s getting tough for these pro-tier lenses that have high price tags when the budget options are so convincing.

Pros

• Bright aperture of f/1.4
• Dual XD Linear AF Motors with internal focus
• Multiple coatings and elements
• Dust and moisture-resistant sealing
• Aperture ring de-click switch
• 11-bladed diaphragm
• 35mm is a great focal length

Cons

• Not always the right choice depending on your style
• Price is high
• Budget alternatives are available

No matter if you’re into video, family photos, or want to try out classic street photography, this lens will serve you well for years to come.

7. Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 Lens: Best Lens for Sony a7iii for Portraits

Our pick for the best lens for Sony a7iii for portraits is the Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 lens.

One of the best lenses for Sony a7iii cameras is all about portrait photography. Portraits are only growing in popularity thanks to social media, dating apps, and online job sites. This means a quality portrait lens can unlock lots of cash for a budding pro photographer.

We picked this lens as the best 85mm lens for Sony a7iii cameras because it has all the basics you need to get started with portraits and at a price that anyone can pick up.

85mm is actually the perfect focal length for portraits when it comes to photography. While it might sound too awkward to use, it’s too tight for street or general use and too wide for telephoto.

This lens has a flexible aperture that allows you to work in dim conditions, create smooth bokeh, and go to a higher f-stop for group shots.

This lens also has dust and moisture sealing which means you can take it out in tough conditions without getting worried about wrecking your new lens.

The Double Linear AF Motor, Focus Hold Button, and 9-Blade Diaphragm are all features that create a better experience for both the photographer and your portrait subjects.

This is where we get to a few of the problems of this lens.

First off, we need to clarify that these aren’t really problems, but they are more accurately the tradeoffs that you make with a budget-friendly lens. There are definitely more expensive versions of this lens out there, but they deliver very close results.

They say that a talented photographer with budget equipment can get the same results as a novice with high-end gear—and this lens is here to prove it.

However, you could always save up some extra money and get the big version of this lens. You’d get better bokeh, better low-light performance, and more high-tech features for some extra money down on the price tag.

Pros

• Flexible aperture of f/1.8 to f/22
• Dust and moisture sealing
• Double Linear AF Motor
• Focus Hold Button
• 9-Blade Diaphragm

Cons

• Aperture a little less bright than the GM version of this lens
• AF motor could be better
• There are lenses with an 11-bladed diaphragm

It really comes down to where you are at in your career. This lens is perfect for anyone who doesn’t want to break the bank but is still ready to make the jump to professional-ready photography.

8. Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM Lens: Best Lenses for Sony a7iii for Video

If you want the best lenses for Sony a7iii for video, you need to start off with the Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM lens.

The best video lens for Sony cameras needs to be responsive enough for the fast-paced world of video while also being stable enough for wedding videography and other common styles of video filming.

This is the best vlogging lens for Sony a7iii. Vlogging is all about creating that personal connection with your audience and 50mm is considered to be one of the natural focal lengths that the human eye sees on a daily basis.

This means that 50mm will make your audience feel like they are right there in the room with you!

We also have to look at the specs. Video needs to have a good aperture to handle dark conditions like events and poorly light rooms. This lens has an f-stop of f/1.2 which is beyond amazing for video.

That 11-bladed diaphragm is also ideal for knocking out great bokeh and ensuring that all of your shots are nice and clear.

The de-click switch is also great for video. You don’t want to have annoying clicking sounds popping up in your on-set audio!

The four XD linear AF motors also make for near-silent autofocus. This is also perfect for shooting video without that annoying focusing sound in your audio.

Now, this isn’t one of the best cinematic lenses for Sony a7iii. A cinema lens is a special type of lens used only for professional, Hollywood-moving style filming. The brand Rokinon makes cine lenses for Sony cameras, but they can cost thousands of dollars each.

Videography, documentaries, and even indie movies can all make great use of this lens. You don’t really need a full-on cine lens unless you’re working with a team to create a pro-level film.

We also need to consider the focal length options for this lens. 50mm is great, but going wider might be necessary depending on your shooting conditions. You could also want to go a little tighter for creative close-ups.

This means you might be better off with a lens like our top pick if you want versatility more than precision performance.

Pros

• Several optical elements including three XA elements
• Four XD Linear AF Motors paired with internal focus
• 11-bladed diaphragm
• De-click switch
• Dust and moisture resistant

Cons

• Our top pick might be a better video lens for some
• Not a true cinema lens—but this could be a good thing!

Conclusion – Which lens should I buy for my Sony a7 III?

You have plenty of options when it comes to picking the right lens for Sony a7 III cameras.

We went with the Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II Lens for our top pick because of its versatile utility and its amazing picture quality. On the other hand, the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art Lens for Sony E Mount is a tempting choice for budget-conscious shoppers.

If you’re looking for something more specialized, the Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II Lens is ideal for telephoto while any of the other lenses are all the best of the best when it comes to their niche.

Which of the best lenses for Sony a7iii is the one that you’ll be adding to your photography kit? Let us know and make sure to check out our other articles for best tips for camera lenses!