5 Best Sony Lenses for Wedding Photography in 2024!

Weddings are a great venue for photographers to earn a little money, but also a venue where you’re going to work harder for that money than anywhere else. Weddings were once simple affairs to photograph. You waited until the ceremony was over, took an extra 45 minutes, and shot photos of the bride and groom at the alter and possibly a few more with the attending bridesmaids and groomsmen, then maybe a few of the immediate family.

Then everyone went off to enjoy the reception.

That all ended a generation ago with the arrival of social media, and carefully scripted “real-life television” programs like Bridezilla.

But there is money to be made if you have the patience, and a thick enough skin to handle the “Pinterest Generation.”

Finding the right lens for a wedding is no longer a singular term. You’re going to need a wide variety of lenses to capture the events leading up to the ceremony, to photograph the reception, the dance, and often many other additions that were once never part of the event at all, but that are now deemed essential.

What types of Sony lenses are for wedding photography?

We’ll start with a range of lenses for specific steps in the various sessions of a wedding, then move into specific lenses that meet these challenges. First, let’s break down the most common sessions in a wedding, and then we’ll review the type of lens needed for each of these.

Don’t think this is just an afternoon session for a few hours. If you’re hired as a wedding photographer this job can be spread out over individual sessions of a few hours over several months. But time means money.

This is a daunting list, but many weddings will have fewer sessions to photograph, while the “ultra-style” bride will demand many more. This may seem like an impossible photographic task, but as a photographer, you can generate quality images with just a few of the best wedding lenses Sony offers.

Now let’s break down the challenges the best Sony lens for wedding photography can face.

Wedding Sessions:

The challenges you’re going to face in selecting the correct lens for the ceremony and everything that comes before and after. Some will make you money, and you’ll sell a lot of images, and others will just be erased the next time you format your SD Card.

These are the most common shooting venues to expect at most modern weddings. Some will have fewer sessions, and many will have more. Fashion shots of first marriages with older 30-somethings often have glamor shots of the dog or dogs as part of the package they request for example.

Common Wedding Photography Venues:

• The proposal – usually shot outdoors
• Pre-wedding couple shots – can be studio or outdoors
• Glamor shots (brides side only) – indoors
• Rehearsal dinner – wide angle and closeup
• Restaurant/catering staff
• Outside processional to the church/outdoor venue
• The empty venue
• Audience as they approach and are seated.
• Behind-the-scenes photos of bride and groom parties preparing (95% bride)
• Step-by-step photos of bridesmaids and groomsmen as they take position.
• The ceremony from every available angle
• Limousine trip to the reception – ideally bridal party in one vehicle
• Step-by-step photos of the wedding party arriving at the reception
• The reception/cake cutting/garter toss
• The dance
• The departure of the new couple the next morning

Here are the five lenses that will cover the venues listed above.

These are must-have wedding photography lenses.

Sony lens comparison for wedding photography

• 24-70 mm F2.8
• 70-200mm zoom telephoto F2.8
• 50mm F1.8
• 85mm F1.8
• 28-135 zoom telephoto F 1.8
• 24-240mm telephoto F 3.5

Venues for specific types of Sony lenses

24-70mm standard zoom lens

• The proposal
• Pre-wedding couple shots
• Glamor shots
• Rehearsal dinner
• Restaurant/catering staff
• Outside processional to the church/outdoor venue
• The empty venue
• Audience as they approach and are seated.
• Behind-the-scenes photos of bride and groom
• Step-by-step photos of bridesmaids and groomsmen as they take position.
• The ceremony from every available angle
• Limousine trip to the reception
• Step-by-step photos of the wedding party arriving at the reception
• The reception/cake cutting/garter toss
• The dance
• The departure of the new couple the next morning

70-200mm zoom telephoto F2.8

• The proposal
• Restaurant/catering staff
• Audience as they approach and are seated.
• Step-by-step photos of bridesmaids and groomsmen as they take position.
• Step-by-step photos of the wedding party arriving at the reception
• The dance

50mm F1.8

• Glamor shots (brides side only)
• Limousine trip to the reception

85mm F1.8

• Glamor shots (brides side only)
• Limousine trip to the reception

28-135 zoom telephoto F 1.8

• Pre-wedding couple shots
• Behind-the-scenes photos of bride and groom parties preparing.
• The reception

24-240mm telephoto F 3.5

• The departure of the new couple the next morning
• Outside processional to the church/outdoor venue

Sony FE 24-70 mm F2.8 G Master Full Frame Standard Zoom Lens

Best Sony Lens For Wedding Photography

Why buy the Sony E-Mount 24-70 mm F2.8 G Master Full Frame Standard Zoom Lens for Wedding Photography

The Sony E-Mount 24-70 mm F2.8 G Master Full Frame Standard Zoom Lens is a versatile lens that is a great option for wedding photography. It delivers exceptional quality and performance, making it the perfect choice for capturing stunning images in a variety of settings. Whether you are shooting indoors or outdoors, this lens will perform well and provide you with the flexibility you need to capture all the important moments of a wedding.

The lens has a focal length of 24-70mm, which is perfect for wedding photography. This is because it allows you to capture a wide range of shots, from wide-angle shots of the entire wedding party to close-up portraits of the bride and groom. The constant aperture of F2.8 ensures that you can maintain a shallow depth of field and capture beautifully blurred backgrounds, which is essential for creating stunning wedding photos.

What you’ll love about the Sony FE 24-70 mm F2.8 G Master Full Frame Standard Zoom Lens

One of the standout features of this lens is its exceptional build quality. The lens is made with high-quality materials and features a robust construction that is built to withstand the rigors of professional use. This makes it a reliable choice for wedding photographers who need a lens they can rely on to deliver consistent results.

The lens features advanced optics, including XA (extreme aspherical) and ED (extra-low dispersion) glass elements that help to minimize distortion and chromatic aberration. This ensures that your images are sharp, clear, and free from any unwanted artifacts.

The lens is also equipped with a fast, accurate autofocus system that makes it easy to capture sharp, in-focus images, even in challenging lighting conditions. This makes it a great choice for photographers who need to work quickly and efficiently to capture all the important moments of a wedding.

What you won’t love about the Sony 24-70 mm F2.8 G Master Full Frame Standard Zoom Lens

One of the downsides of this lens is its weight. At around 3 pounds, it can be a bit heavy to carry around for extended periods of time, particularly if you are shooting handheld. However, this is a common trade-off for lenses with high-quality optics and a wide aperture.

Another potential downside is the price. This lens is quite expensive, which may be a barrier for some photographers, particularly those who are just starting out in wedding photography. However, for professionals or serious enthusiasts who require top-quality optics and performance, this lens is definitely worth the investment.

Overall, the Sony 24-70 mm F2.8 G Master Full Frame Standard Zoom Lens is an excellent choice for wedding photography. Its versatile focal length, fast aperture, and exceptional image quality make it a great option for capturing stunning images in a variety of settings. While it is quite expensive and a bit heavy, these are common trade-offs for lenses with this level of performance and quality. If you are a professional or serious enthusiast looking for a top-quality lens for wedding photography, this lens is definitely worth considering.

Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II Full-Frame Constant-Aperture Telephoto

Best Sony lens for wedding videography

Why buy the Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II Full-Frame Constant-Aperture telephoto

If you’re looking for versatility in the many sessions required for a modern wedding, look no further, this is the best Sony lens for weddings of all kinds and delivers extreme quality, albeit at an extreme price.

If you read through the list of recommended lens styles for the many sessions you have to shoot to capture a modern wedding, you came across the 70-200mm zoom telephoto with an aperture of 2.8 many times. The list includes 17 possible session venues, and this lens is judged the best for seven of them.

The versatility of a quality constructed 70-200mm zoom telephoto can’t be underestimated. This is the workhorse lens you’ll use for still photography, and Sony considers this the best lens they offer for video work as well. Why not have a lens that is home in both static photography and videography in an all-in-one, variable zoom package?

What you’ll love about the Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II Full-Frame Constant-Aperture telephoto

This is the apex of Sony lens technology. You’re not going to find a mid-range zoom telephoto with the advanced design, quality of glass, and enhanced number of elements as this lens. This is simply the best Sony e-mount lens for wedding photography.

Tipping the scales at a substantial 2.3 pounds, you can feel the quality in the heft of this lens. More weight translates to more glass, and Sony delivers a lens that maintains the effectiveness of a 2.8 aperture through the full range of the zoom. It won’t increase the F-stop as the lens extends as occurs in lower-quality zoom telephoto lenses.

They accomplish this with two aspherical elements, and one extreme aspherical element that ensures high resolution throughout the image area, and high resolution is what you’re after since wedding photography requires a lot more time on the computer enhancing images than you’ll find in street, sports or any other venue.

Sony even offers a 1.4 and 2.0 teleconverter that increases this lens to a 140-400mm zoom telephoto monster as a separate item.

This is a fast lens, rated at four times the speed of leading competitors and specifically designed to work in the high-speed, high-demand world of video capture.

This is a lens for all occasions, and specifically, it will deliver images that sell for you, while allowing you to be creative in what you capture.

What you won’t love about the Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II Full-Frame Constant-Aperture telephoto

You’re going to have to be a serious photographer to make this lens pay. It is very expensive. It is a lens that works best in manual settings, so if you’re trying to earn a few bucks with point-and-shoot, automatic settings, and autofocus, you can spend your money much wiser elsewhere.

It is a large lens 13 inches long and requires a steady hand or a tripod to use effectively. At maximum focal length, the slightest jitter as you hold the camera will blur the image. The lens is a marvel at autofocus tracking, but it has to be stable to reach its full potential.

If you have the cash, and the venues lined up this lens will make you money. If you’re just trying wedding photography for the first time, this is a huge outlay of cash to experiment with a new venue.

Sony FE 50mm F1.8 Standard Lens

Best Budget Sony Lens for wedding photography

Why buy the Sony – FE 50mm F1.8 Standard Lens

Is a 50mm lens good for weddings? Is there a photographic venue where a wide aperture 50mm lens isn’t one of your “go-to” lenses? The venerable “nifty fifty” doesn’t get much respect these days in the era of autofocus, automatic setting zoom monster lenses, but in the hands of a professional, there isn’t a better lens out there for many settings.

The what you see is what you get aspect of the 50mm focal length can’t be beaten.

Many weddings buy several dozen disposable cameras at every table at the reception hoping to catch candid shots of the fun. What they get are shots made by eight-year-olds who take great pictures of feet, table legs, the ceiling, and occasionally the back of someone’s head.

The impromptu goal of these cheap cardboard cameras is almost always a waste, but you as the photographer can step in with your 50mm, wide open at F1.8 and you can snap away for a few hundred frames and generate exactly what the bride hoped for with those disposable cameras. Your creativity, ingenuity, and willingness to make this wedding special (just like all the rest) will usually be rewarded in more finished photographs on the order form.

What you’ll love about the Sony – FE 50mm F1.8 Standard Lens

Since the daguerreotypes of the mid-19th century, wedding photographers have been at work trying to carefully capture the feel of the ceremony.

The venue has changed from glass plates to 35mm and now the digital realm, but the work remains the same. Versatility is the name of the modern wedding photography game, with video as important as still imagery.

You’re going to like the price of this FE 50mm and odds are you already have it in your camera bag. It comes as a standard addition in most camera packages.

Whether you’re shooting traditional, digital wedding photographs or switching to video, this lens captures the most realistic imagery of what is going on since it matches what you and everyone else are seeing.

If Uncle Matt has made one too many trips to the open bar and is now doing his best imitation of Saturday Night Fever moves on the dance floor, the video you’ll capture with this lens will be priceless.

When it comes time to embarrass Uncle Matt at future family gatherings, this lens creates much better videos than a cell phone when you upload it to YouTube.

Dim light and odd angles are great with this Sony FE 50mm prime lens.

What you won’t love about the Sony – FE 50mm F1.8 Standard Lens

Prime lenses require constant movement and change of angles to capture images. You can’t just zoom and shoot as you do with a telephoto. If you’re not familiar with this type of action photography with a fixed lens you’re going to have a steep learning curve at first.

The elements in this lens are adequate, but far from exceptional. The quality on the periphery of the images reflects the lower number of elements limiting edge crispness.

But, for a budget lens for wedding photography, you can’t beat this inexpensive, easy-to-operate option.

Sony 85mm F1.8 Portrait Lens

Recommended lens for wedding photography in a studio or empty church

Why buy the Sony Portrait Lens Fixed Focal 85mm F1.8 Full Frame

Not all photographs are taken in the church, at the practice dinner, or at the reception. A growing number of brides demand portrait-quality photographs of the engagement in a studio setting. In addition, low light settings that still require crisp images, with high contrast have to be made. A prime 85mm lens, such as the Sony SEL-85F18 will deliver in these conditions.

Many times, it seems like the wedding is just an afterthought with all the pre-nuptials, staged proposal images, glamor shots of the bride (and often the bride’s mother, sisters, daughters, and any other female relative), in addition, the empty venue with just the ambient light pouring in through the stained glass windows of the church in an afternoon shoot can be remarkable. You’ll sell these images, perhaps more of them than photographs of the actual marriage ceremony.

These appeal to the key women in the marriage party, so infinite care must be taken to meet their standards. For the groom, as long as they arrive on time and are wearing pants, their part of the ceremony is complete.

What you’ll love about the Sony Fixed Focal 85mm F1.8 Full Frame

A prime lens is powerful, it creates crisper, more radiant images than the best zoom telephoto and it requires a skilled hand. If you meet these criteria, a prime 85mm lens is a great choice for almost every indoor venue. The fast 1.8 aperture grabs light, the impressive arrangement of glass elements creates full-frame images free of distortion in every direction and the quality just can’t be compared when used correctly.

In Sony lens comparisons this one ranks at the top for all indoor venues using ambient light. It works well with a strobe too, but its power is in the crisp images in dim light.

What you won’t love about the Sony 85mm F1.8 Lens

For a prime lens, this one has an impressive cost. It is expensive, and you might be tempted to use a shorter focal length zoom telephoto for many of the same shots to reduce the cost.

This is a great lens for wedding photography but if you don’t have a large bank account, it can be prohibitive and you can substitute lower-cost lenses in most settings, even the budget minded 50mm can do some of the same quality work.

Sony 28-135mm FE PZ F4 G OSS Full-Frame E-Mount Power Zoom Lens

Top three Sony e-mount lenses for wedding photography

Why buy the Sony 28-135mm FE PZ F4 G OSS Full-Frame E-Mount Power Zoom Lens

You want prime quality, but you can’t get all the shots you need from limited positioning at the event, that’s where a mid-range, high-quality zoom telephoto like the Sony 28-135mm comes in.

This is one of the best Sony wedding lenses you can carry because of its versatile focal length. Many consider this one of the best lenses for wedding photography Sony offers that work in moderate light. It’s not as great in dimly lit conditions, but most modern venues benefit from lighting that wasn’t available a generation ago.

What you’ll love about the Sony 28-135mm FE PZ F4 G OSS Full-Frame E-Mount Power Zoom Lens

Two key aspects of this lens are a minimized angle of view variation when focusing and no shifting or axial displacement of the focus during a zoom.

You’re going to like the speed of this lens. It focuses quickly, and its full-time F-4 setting makes it a great choice for video work. The contrast and depth of field are remarkable for a zoom telephoto, and you won’t find it among competing models of similar quality.

For mixed video and still shots this is the perfect lens for wedding photography.

What you won’t love about the Sony 28-135mm FE PZ F4 G OSS Full-Frame E-Mount Power Zoom Lens

This baby comes at a steep price, and while the 2.68-pound heft reflects the high-quality glass inside, it is difficult for smaller photographers to handle with its relatively short six-inch length.

This is a lens for specific telephoto opportunities, and it zooms in crisply, but the fixed 4.0 aperture will take time to master, and requires practice.

Sony FE 24-240mm f/3.5-6.3 OSS Zoom Lens for Mirrorless Cameras

One of the best mirrorless Sony e-mount lenses for wedding photography

Why buy the Sony FE 24-240mm f/3.5-6.3 OSS Zoom Lens for Mirrorless Cameras

Wide angle or far away magnification, this lens offers both at an ample aperture of 3.5. This is a lens usually reserved for sporting events and outdoor daylight venues, but with the growing number of outdoor receptions, and garden weddings, this is a lens that can deliver quality over a wide area and at a low cost.

What you’ll love about the Sony FE 24-240mm f/3.5-6.3 OSS Zoom Lens for Mirrorless Cameras

You’ll love the price of this lens. It’s still a bit beyond consumer level but it’s affordable for most. The lens is versatile in a wedding session but extends to street, sports, and wildlife with ease. It is for mirrorless cameras, but those are growing in popularity and lowering in price steadily.

For versatility, or if you’re relegated to a tight shooting area, this is a lens that will do the footwork for you.

What you won’t love about the Sony FE 24-240mm f/3.5-6.3 OSS Zoom Lens for Mirrorless Cameras

It’s a lens for mirrorless cameras, if yours is not, it won’t do you any good to look. This has a maximum aperture of 3.5, limiting its use in dim settings, and possibly entirely at evening or night shoots.

For those that ask is a 35mm lens good for weddings, you can answer that question on the tight end of the focal length with this one.

Conclusion

Sony lenses for weddings are widely available, and in a myriad of styles, and that’s marvelous. But I have to admit I don’t shoot weddings any longer. My last wedding was about 10 years ago, and the fuss of the bride’s attending party was too much for me.

I did a good job with just three lenses, a prime 50mm, a short 24-135mm zoom telephoto, and an old manual workhorse a 24-300mm zoom telephoto.

I much prefer the feedback of an elk or coyote in the wild, or the action of a track meet, football game, or volleyball match to the pressure of a wedding.

Weddings paid well, much better than other venues, but the increase in bad behavior, bordering on insanity drove me away.

But that’s me. If you have the patience, the eye, and the endurance to shoot weddings you can make a lot of money. Just shoot a lot, have backup camera bodies, and use a lot of SD Cards to prevent accidental loss.

Good luck.

Also, you can check out my best Sony lenses article.