5 Best Sony Prime Lenses in 2024!

A prime lens is one with a fixed focal length. You can’t zoom it in or out to increase or decrease magnification. To do that you have to physically move toward or away from the thing you’re trying to photograph. You can see why fixed lenses are not nearly as popular as zoom lenses. But, make no mistake, they have their place in a professional or highly skilled amateur photographers’ arsenal of lenses.

The prime lenses Sony offers are portable and lighter than zooms.

The benefits far outweigh the fixed focal length for those who take the time to master the setup and aperture before they click the shutter.

Sigma Sony prime lenses are a good option for an alternative manufacturer.

Benefits of a prime lens

• Better image quality
• Lower price
• Lighter weight
• Wider aperture
• Sharper image quality

Here are My Top Prime Lenses for Sony!

What to look for in the best Sony Prime lens

We’ll try to answer the most common questions both novices and professionals have when it comes to a Sony lens. Which are the best Sony prime lenses full frame format? Are there preferable e-mount prime lenses? Which Sony Prime telephoto lenses are the best buy? Is there more than one when it comes to the best E-mount prime lenses? How about the best Sony wide-angle prime lens? And for specific camera styles, what are the best prime lenses for Sony e-mount full frame?

Sony EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens

Best Sony 50mm prime lens

Why buy the Sony EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens

What prime lens review doesn’t start with the old standard, a fast aperture 50mm prime lens? The odds are you already have one of these or perhaps one a little quicker in the 1.4 or even 1.2 aperture range. The “Nifty Fifty” remains the single go-to lens that professional photographers who know they’ll always get a fantastic image when they pull it out of the bag. The Sony EF 50mm always makes the list for its wide 1.8 aperture and its low price. It’s not quite as fast at gathering light as an F-1.4 or F-1.2, but it won’t break the bank either. Progressively faster apertures, measured in .2 steps cost progressively more as well, sometimes exponentially more, than the basic price of this lens.

It’s light, weighing just 6.6 ounces, and it’s inexpensive, that’s why a 50mm is packaged with most cameras.

This is a basic Sony prime lens e-mount. The 50mm lens is versatile, gathers light well, stops the action, and shoots clear images at various angles. If you’re looking for a Sony prime lens 50mm this one is it.

What you’ll love about the Sony EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens

You won’t be able to beat the price, that’s the best part of buying this lens. It’s one of the least expensive lenses you can buy. At the low price, you’d expect lower quality, but that’s not the case with this one. You’ll soon discover it’s a great choice for a wide variety of photographic venues.

In portrait settings, it creates clear images across the periphery of the screen.

In outdoor action settings, the chances are that you’re going to shoot in automatic mode, but if you find the light a little challenging for the auto settings you can switch to manual, open the aperture to a full 1.8, and snap images in low light. Depth of field and contrast aren’t going to be as good as more expensive lenses with wider apertures.

Many photographers select the Sony EF 50mm for astrophotography. They set the shutter for long exposures and grab light all night. This lens can produce impressive dark sky images.

This is a prime lens with a shallow learning curve that will produce outstanding results.

This is the best Sony 50mm prime lens e-mount on a budget.

Among the many prime lenses for Sony E-mount cameras, this one is a good choice.

Many Sony prime lenses with image stabilization add a lot to the overall cost, with a 50mm this fast, you won’t have to worry about stabilizing your images.

So, if you’re looking for quality Sony prime lenses e-mount format, consider this one.

What you won’t love about the Sony EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens

There aren’t as many elements and groups as more expensive lenses, you might notice that in the periphery of your images if you have a keen eye. Elements multiplied by the number of groups are a good indicator of lens quality, and this one has less than you’ll find in models costing two and three times as much.

You won’t get as crisp an image as those with higher numbers of elements and more groups, but you can’t beat the laws of optics and this lens won’t be on the high side of image quality for a fixed 50mm. More glass always makes a better image. It’s a balance of price versus quality that you’ll have to decide for yourself.

Rokinon 35mm F1.8 Auto Focus Compact Full Frame wide-angle Lens

Best Sony Prime Lens 35mm

Why buy the Rokinon 35mm F1.8 Auto Focus Compact Full Frame wide-angle Lens

It’s not as glamorous as some venues, and it’s not nearly as much fun as sports or wildlife photography, but modern money is often found in commercial work. People, animals, street scenes, and concerts can be commercial subjects, but a growing segment of the market for professional photographers is advertising photography. A 35mm can be the best Sony prime lens for product photography, especially the odd combination of wide-angle and close-up this lens can provide.

Commercial images rely on unique angles to create the best image that can attract potential customers. Close-ups are used often in product photography. A minimum focusing distance of just eight inches makes this lens a champ in the world of “up close and personal.”

Those carefully imaged menus that make everything a mouthwatering dilemma to the diner sell a lot less than the enticing fare at local and chain restaurants. Most of the time what arrives on the plate isn’t even close to the images on the menu in front of you. The truth doesn’t matter once you’ve ordered, these images sell the meal.

This 35mm lens, with a maximum F-1.8, gives the photographer a chance to get close-ups in all lighting conditions. Aside from menus, and commercial food suppliers, other products rely on proper mood, and nothing conveys a mood as well as the proper lighting.

This lens can do that well, making the flattest item on the menu seem to be fit for a king.

What you’ll love about the Rokinon 35mm F1.8 Auto Focus Compact Full Frame wide-angle Lens

This is an easy lens to use for both close-ups and limited wide-angle shots. It might seem an oxymoron to shoot wide and close with the same prime lens, but it’s all in the placement of the shot, not in the zoom for a professional photographer.

This is a clear lens, you’ll enjoy the images it produces. The 35mm focal length is able to create those high contrast, heavy DPI print images necessary for print-ready art. This makes it the best Sony prime lens for product photography.

This is a great lens for video work as well. Many consider the 35mm focal length lens the best Sony prime lens for video.

While many inexperienced photographers question the use of a 35mm lens, the truth is that this length may be the best Sony prime lens for landscape photography, as well as the best Sony prime lens for street photography. It is versatile when used correctly.

If you’re looking for a non-Sony prime lens alternative, this is a good choice.

What you won’t love about the Rokinon 35mm F1.8 Auto Focus Compact Full Frame wide-angle Lens

This is a short, fixed focal length lens, it’s not nearly as versatile as a 50mm or even an 85 or 105mm lens, but it does have specific uses. This is not a one-size-fits-all lens that can handle the majority of settings, it is a lens that requires skill to use, and you’ll spend a lot of time learning to master this one.

The price is moderate is one of the best features of the lens, but so is the usage in the hands of a professional.

For wide-angle and close-up shots, this lens gets the job done, and it’s a great choice for video, but in the wide range of photographic venues, this fits only a handful of shooting niches.

Sony 85mm F/1.8-22 Medium-Telephoto Fixed Prime Camera Lens

Best Sony Prime Lens For Portraits

Why buy the Sony SEL85F18 85mm F/1.8-22 Medium-Telephoto Fixed Prime Camera Lens

Many professional photographers consider the Sony SEL85F18 85mm F/1.8-22 Medium-Telephoto Fixed Prime Camera Lens as the go-to lens for portraits. The 85mm focal length is versatile enough to capture the subject’s personality, especially with its wide aperture range of f/1.8 to f/22. The wide aperture provides sharp and detailed images with a beautiful bokeh effect, making it ideal for capturing portraits, weddings, and events.

This lens is also great for low-light photography. The large maximum aperture of f/1.8 allows for more light to enter the camera, resulting in better images in low-light environments. The lens’s sharpness and contrast are impressive, ensuring that every image you capture with it is of high quality.

What you’ll love about the Sony SEL85F18 85mm F/1.8-22 Medium-Telephoto Fixed Prime Camera Lens

The lens’s compact and lightweight design makes it easy to handle and carry around, making it a favorite among photographers. Its build quality is excellent, and the lens is durable, ensuring that it lasts for years. The autofocus system is fast and accurate, making it easy to capture sharp images quickly.

This lens is also budget-friendly, making it an excellent choice for photographers looking for high-quality lenses without breaking the bank. It is a prime lens, meaning that it doesn’t have zoom capabilities. However, this makes the lens simpler to use and allows photographers to focus on framing the shot rather than worrying about zooming in or out.

What you won’t love about the Sony SEL85F18 85mm F/1.8-22 Medium-Telephoto Fixed Prime Camera Lens

The lens’s narrow focal length may not be suitable for all photography needs, especially for those who prefer wider or narrower angles. Although the lens is versatile, it may not be the best option for capturing action or sports photography, where a telephoto zoom lens may be more appropriate.

The lens also lacks image stabilization, which may be an issue when shooting in low-light environments or when capturing images at slower shutter speeds. However, this can be mitigated by using a tripod or increasing the ISO settings.

Is this the best Sony prime lens you can buy? It depends on your photography needs. However, the Sony SEL85F18 85mm F/1.8-22 Medium-Telephoto Fixed Prime Camera Lens is an excellent choice for photographers who specialize in portrait photography or those looking for a versatile lens that can handle low-light environments.

In conclusion, the Sony SEL85F18 85mm F/1.8-22 Medium-Telephoto Fixed Prime Camera Lens is an exceptional lens that provides sharp, high-quality images with a beautiful bokeh effect. Its compact design, fast autofocus, and budget-friendly price make it an excellent choice for photographers looking to upgrade their gear.

Sony Carl ZEISS Sonnar T E 24mm F1.8 ZA E-Mount Prime Lens

Best Sony Zeiss Prime Lenses

Why buy the Sony Carl ZEISS Sonnar T E 24mm F1.8 ZA E-Mount Prime Lens

Many photographers consider a focal length of 24mm to be in the perfect range for Sony wide-angle prime lenses.

A Sony prime wide-angle lens gives you a lot of options when it comes to street photography, close-up shots, portrait photography, and even horizon-to-horizon astrophotography. This Zeiss lens brings the reputation for excellence that Zeiss is renowned for to your Sony lens inventory.

This is a quality lens, in a fisheye format that can easily capture those memorable images of concerts, landscapes, and skyscapes that separate the average from the gifted when it comes to photography.

This is a great lens.

What you’ll love about the Sony Carl ZEISS Sonnar T E 24mm F1.8 ZA E-Mount Prime Lens

This wide-angle lens has an excellent aperture of 1.8 for low-light settings, and lower light is often the situation with a wide-angle shot.

Zeiss quality can’t be beaten, it might be equaled by rival manufacturers, but it is never surpassed. The elements and groups in this lens create nearly aberration free images, all the way from edge to edge, that’s a rarity in a wide-angle fisheye lens.

What you won’t love about the Sony Carl ZEISS Sonnar T E 24mm F1.8 ZA E-Mount Prime Lens

The price is a little high, which will deter a lot of photographers who don’t have the need for a dedicated wide-angle lens that often.

The fisheye nature of the wide-angle is a problem for some clients who want the panoramic effect of a wide-angle lens without the spherical elements created with a curved fisheye lens.

In the right hands, this is still a great lens for capturing wide images.

Sony FE 135 mm f/1.8 GM | Full-Frame, Telephoto

Best Mid-Distance Prime Telephoto Lens

Why buy the Sony FE 135 mm f/1.8 GM | Full-Frame, Telephoto?

The pros can tell a quality prime lens just by picking it up. Weight doesn’t always translate to quality, but in a prime lens, it usually does. This one tips the scales at just over two pounds, that’s a dense lens in a five-inch total length. That weight comes from glass, lots of it packed into the lens body. That glass translates into quality, without aberration. The more glass, the higher the image quality. That’s been true since the days of Galileo and it remains true in the modern world of Sony prime lens photography.

Why buy a 135mm prime lens? The primary reason is the distance from your subject. You can crawl into a river full of hippos and become another nominee for the Darwin Awards, or you can shoot these aggressive river horse from a safe distance. The same is true with a 135mm prime lens on the sidelines of a football game. You can catch the action without becoming part of it with a longer lens.

What you’ll love about the Sony FE 135 mm f/1.8 GM | Full-Frame, Telephoto

You’re going to love the wide aperture, at 1.8 it’s not something you usually encounter in a telephoto lens, but this one has it. The Sony FE 135mm magnifies objects almost three times, making it a perfect lens for aberration-free wildlife, concerts, and sporting venues. A 1.8 aperture in the hands of a skilled photographer will bring night into day in a lot of settings. The 11-blade aperture, in conjunction with the extreme aspherical elements, super extra-low dispersion, and standard extra dispersion glass elements create an advanced optical design that is unparalleled in resolution, clarity, and contrast. These all combine to create the style of photographs that made Margaret White and Ansel Adams work go beyond simple photographs and into the realm of art. This lens can bring out the artist in you as well.

This is a lens that produces professional results, at a professional price. If you’re serious about photography and need a medium telephoto in your arsenal of lenses, this one is worth the price.

What you won’t love about the Sony FE 135 mm f/1.8 GM | Full-Frame, Telephoto

No matter how you slice it, a prime telephoto lens is tough to master. Shorter prime lenses in the 24mm, 50mm, and even the 85mm can be adjusted with camera placement and distance from the subject. A 135mm lens isn’t as easy to move into range. The 2.6 magnification is great for animals or athletes at distances of 50 to 75 yards away, but when they move closer, or farther away you’re not going to have the option of widening or tightening the shot that you’ll have with a zoom telephoto that extends above and below the 135mm focal length.

Learn to place your camera before you take the shot with a 135mm prime lens or you’re likely to become frustrated quickly.

Conclusion

I’ve had the chance to use prime lenses. It took me a while to get adjusted to the so called limitations of a prime lens, but after a few hours of experimentation, especially in a studio setting the benefits of a prime lens became clear. Sony’s best prime lenses produce studio-quality effects in nearly every venue.

There are uses for a zoom telephoto lens of various focal lengths, but a prime lens, in the proper setting with the proper light, is impossible to beat, even with the highest quality zoom lenses.

Related: 10 Best Sony Lenses

I’ve used the 50mm “Nifty Fifty” so many times, that I lost count a long time ago, and while Sony makes a 90mm rather than the 85mm that is standard with Canon, Nikon, and Pentax bodies, the results are the same. This is my favorite focal length for a prime lens. Add a fast aperture of 1.8 or higher and you’ve got a lens that gets the job done in just about every setting.