It's easy to name the mirrorless camera system with the most lens options. Sony began making APS-C mirrorless cameras in 2010 and added full-frame models a few years later. That's given the company plenty of opportunity to build out its system and cultivate support from third-party manufacturers. PCMag has covered the vast majority of Sony E-mount lenses over the last decade, so you can rely on our independent reviews to help you pick the best optic for your Sony mirrorless camera. Whether you are shopping for a standard zoom or a macro lens for close-ups, we recommend Editors' Choice winners in each category that are well worth your money. Not sure where to start? Read on below for an overview of Sony's lens system.
The Sony FE 28-70mm F2 GM matches the flexibility of a zoom with the image quality and background-blurring power of a prime, and somehow doesn't break your back in the process.
Sony FE 28-70mm F2 GM review
Lensbaby's Composer Pro II lens features a better build than the original and can be bought along with your choice of lens.
Lensbaby Composer Pro II review
The Sigma 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN Art's exceptionally bright aperture and impeccable picture quality make it a viable replacement for moderately wide to standard prime lenses.
Sigma 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN Art review
The Sigma 10-18mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary zoom lens snaps crisp wide-angle photos, works well for vlogging, and costs less than competitors.
Sigma 10-18mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary review
The Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 G is the company's first pro-grade zoom lens for its APS-C mirrorless system. It's been a long time coming, but proves to be worth the wait.
Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 G review
Tamron's 17-70mm F2.8 Di III-A VC RXD lens nets shots with blurred backgrounds and outstanding sharpness on both Fujifilm and Sony APS-C mirrorless cameras.
Tamron 17-70mm F2.8 Di III-A VC RXD review
The Tamron 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD is an all-in-one zoom lens that nets crisp photos, focuses close for macros, and has the weather protection outdoor photographers are after.
Tamron 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD review
The Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G lens focuses fast, produces gorgeous photos, and zooms out to capture broader views than other options for the E-mount system.
Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G review
The Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II lens packs phenomenal optics into a slim, carry-friendly package, but its high price is in line with its performance.
Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II review
The Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary is an affordable and very capable standard zoom for beginner photographers, with sharp, background-blurring optics and decent macro capabilities.
Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary review
Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN Art II
The Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN Art II delivers the picture quality and fast autofocus response of professional f/2.8 zooms for less money than name-brand alternatives.
The Tamron 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 Di III RXD is a full-frame zoom lens with a big 7.1x ratio. Its quality build and optics offer plenty of appeal for enthusiasts and pros looking for a one-lens solution.
Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD review
The Sigma 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary is an appealing lens for pros and enthusiasts who want to take advantage of the creative possibilities of an F2.8 aperture without carrying a bulky lens.
Sigma 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary review
The Sony E 15mm F1.4 G wide prime lens backs up its high price with sublime optics, quick focus motors, and strong weather protection.
Sony E 15mm F1.4 G review
The Tamron 35-150mm F2-2.8 Di III VXD skips wide angle coverage in favor of a brighter aperture, making it a strong lens for event and portrait photographers, especially those who favor the blurred-background look.
Tamron 35-150mm F2-2.8 Di III VXD review
Sony E PZ 10-20mm F4 G
The Sony E PZ 10-20mm F4 G is a slim, video-first power zoom lens for crop-sensor E-mount mirrorless cameras, but a lack of stabilization means vloggers likely need to add a gimbal to their setup.
Sony E 10-20mm F4 PZ G review
Sony's FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM lens capture wide views with stunning detail, even on high-resolution cameras. It's a rewarding tool for photographers that can afford its high price.
Sony FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM review
The Sony FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G manages to deliver satisfying ergonomics for photography while supporting power zoom for video and vlogs, making it one of our favorite lenses in the system.
Sony FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G review
The Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN Art's wide angle of view, well-corrected optical formula, and down-to-earth price makes it an ideal lens for creators, particularly astrophotograhpers.
Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG DN Art review
Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG DN Art
The Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG DN Art captures wide views with loads of detail, and offers weather protection, adding appeal for landscape and outdoor photographers.
Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG DN Art review
The Sony FE 16mm F1.8 G lens mixes bright prime optics with an epically wide angle of view and is well-suited for landscapes, architectural photography, and vlogging.
Sony FE 16mm F1.8 G review
The Sigma 14mm F1.4 DG DN Art's ultra-wide angle of view and bright f/1.4 optics help you capture stunning night sky pictures, as do features like a manual focus lock.
Sigma 14mm F1.4 DG DN Art review
Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G
The Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G is a sharp, bright lens with a wide angle of view. It's a top-end performer and a fine addition to your camera kit.
The high-end Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II lens focuses in an instant and captures sharp, wide-angle photos.
Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II review
Sony’s new FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II lens is lighter and optically superior to its predecessor, plus it has speedy linear focus motors that make it a good match for the company’s fastest mirrorless cameras.
Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II review
The Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports lens offers plenty of zoom power for capturing distant action, and is built tough for use in rough weather.
Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports review
Sony's exceptional FE 70-200mm F4 Macro G OSS II midrange zoom snaps sharp pictures, focuses close for macro shots, and works with teleconverters.
Sony FE 70-200mm F4 Macro G OSS II review
The Sony FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS telephoto lens backs its lofty price with a rare combination of superlative picture quality and quick focus in an exceptionally light frame.
Sony FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS review
The Tamron 50-400mm F4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD is a telezoom that you won't mind carrying, and thanks to a standard starting angle and 1:2 macro focus, it’s one of our favorites for creators looking for a single lens for nature, sports, and everything in between.
Tamron 50-400mm F4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD review
The Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* E 24mm F1.8 ZA is an exceptionally sharp, premium wide-angle lens for Sony's APS-C mirrorless system.
Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* E 24mm F1.8 ZA review
The Sigma 23mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary lens for APS-C cameras snaps exceptionally sharp photos and easily blurs backgrounds.
Sigma 23mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary review
Sigma's 56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary lens captures crisp images with a shallow depth of field and is a solid addition to your camera kit.
Sigma 56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary review
With excellent construction quality and sharp optics, the Viltrox AF 27mm F1.2 Pro brings the full-frame bokeh look to APS-C cameras.
Viltrox 27mm F1.2 Pro review
Sony E 35mm F1.8
The Sony E 35mm F1.8 OSS lens offers a bright aperture and standard angle of view for capturing sharp images with a shallow depth of field.
Sony 35mm f/1.8 Prime Lens review
Sony FE 24mm F1.4 GM
With a light, compact design and stellar optics, you can't ask or a better wide-angle prime lens than the Sony FE 24mm F1.4 GM.
The Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM lives up to its premium billing with absolutely exquisite optics and a sturdy, professional build.
Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM review
The Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM is the best standard prime lens available for the system, and the one to get if you use a top-end camera.
Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM review
The Sigma 24mm F2 DG DN Contemporary lens matches classic aesthetics with modern-day optics for sharp photos with softly defocused backgrounds.
Sigma 24mm F2 DG DN Contemporary review
The Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG DN Art's bright optics are perfect for blurred background and available light photos. It's a strong value, offering weather protection and excellent results for under $1,000.
Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG DN Art review
The Sony FE 40mm F2.5 G is a moderately wide prime that nets great photos without cutting corners in construction, placing it among our favorite small lenses for the Sony system.
Sony FE 40mm F2.5 G review
With superb optical performance, a background-blurring f-stop, and lightning-fast focus, the FE 85mm F1.4 GM II is the premiere short tele lens for portraiture and bokeh on Sony's mirrorless system.
Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM II review
The Sony FE 85mm F1.8 is an affordable lens in a focal length ideal for portraits. Images are crisp, with pleasing blurred backgrounds when shot at a wide aperture.
Sony FE 85mm F1.8 review
The Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN Art sports fantastic optics, a wide, bright aperture, and a classic focal length for portraiture—it's the lens to get if you don't want to spend on high-end Sony G Master or Leica glass.
Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN Art review
The Sigma 90mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary looks and feels like a vintage lens, but inside you'll find a modern, superb optic. We love its images and close-up focus, but action photographers will want a short telephoto prime with faster focus.
Sigma 90mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary review
The Sony FE 100mm F2.8 STF GM OSS lens features an APD element to smooth out-of-focus highlights, and is certain to appeal to serious portrait photographers.
Sony FE 100mm F2.8 STF GM OSS review
The Sigma 105mm F2.8 DG DN Macro Art offers everything you want in a macro lens, including near-perfect optics, 1:1 reproduction, and a professional fit and finish.
Sigma 105mm F2.8 DG DN Macro Art review
If you're looking for a 1:1 macro lens for your Sony Alpha mirrorless system, look no further than the FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS.
Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS review
The Tamron 90mm F2.8 Di III VXD Macro is a well-made macro lens with sound optics, 1:1 focus, and full weather protection.
Tamron 90mm F2.8 Di III VXD Macro review
The Lensbaby Sol 45 is an affordable art lens that draws images with a small, sharp area of focus, surrounded by blur, with adjustable blades to add texture.
Lensbaby Sol 45 review
The affordable Lensbaby Sweet 22 renders pleasing blur around a small area of focus and sees a wider view than any other lens of its type.
Lensbaby Sweet 22 review
The Zhongyi Mitakon Speedmaster 50mm F0.95 III captures photos with a thin sliver of focus and smooth, defocused backgrounds, but you'll need to practice focusing to get the most out of it.
Mitakon Speedmaster 50mm F0.95 III review
Meyer Optik Gorlitz Trioplan 100 F2.8 II
The Meyer Optik Görlitz Trioplan 100 F2.8 II is an all-mechanical lens that captures soft, glowing photos with bright, bubbly defocused backgrounds.
Meyer Optik Gorlitz Trioplan 100 F2.8 II review
Lomography New Petzval 55mm f/1.7 MKII
The Lomography New Petzval 55mm f/1.7 MKII is inspired by lenses from the 19th century, capturing photos with swirling backgrounds and an ethereal look.
Lomography New Petzval 55mm f/1.7 MKII review
The Lensbaby Velvet 85 is an old-school manual lens with a soft focus look that's lovely for portraits and macro shots, but isn't for everyone.
Lensbaby Velvet 85 review
Lensbaby Omni Creative Filter System
The Lensbaby Omni Creative Filter System attaches to the front of your lens and includes attachments to bend light, add color, and more. It's a powerful tool when put in the hands of creative photographers.
The Godox V1 betters first-party flashes with its round head and rechargeable battery, and undercuts premium alternatives on price.
Godox V1 review
The Peak Design Travel Tripod rethinks what a go-anywhere tripod looks like, eschewing the fold-up designs of competitors to more easily fit into your pack.
Peak Design Travel Tripod (Carbon Fiber) review
The DJI RS 4 gimbal provides amazing stabilization for handheld recording and is easy to operate, making it an indispensable tool for vlogging and serious video work with midsize cameras.
DJI RS 4 review
The Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG DN Art lens captures great-looking photos with loads of detail and defocused backgrounds at a price that undercuts first-party glass.
Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG DN Art review
Sony's pricey FE 135mm F1.8 GM lens incorporates the latest optical and focusing technologies to deliver sharp, crisp images.
Sony FE 135mm F1.8 GM review
Flashpoint Xplor 300 Pro TTL R2
The Flashpoint Xplor 300 Pro TTL R2 offers enough power to be used in the studio and outdoors, and offers battery power to make on-location shoots a bit easier to manage.
Flashpoint Xplor 300 Pro TTL R2 review
The DJI Mic 2 mic system produces clean wireless audio from up to two sources, comes with lots of useful accessories, and works well with just about any recording device you might use.
DJI Mic 2 review
Flashpoint Xplor 100 Pro TTL R2
The Flashpoint Xplor 100 Pro TTL R2 straddles the line between flash and studio strobe. It's small enough to fit in your camera bag, but delivers the power and the off-camera operation you expect from a monolight.
Flashpoint Xplor 100 Pro TTL R2 review
The easy-to-use Sennheiser MKE 200 microphone delivers a clear, crisp directional signal for cameras and mobile devices.
Sennheiser MKE 200 review
The heavyweight Sigma 300-600mm F4 DG OS Sports zoom lens matches an extreme telephoto angle of view with a bright f/4 optical formula to bring distant subjects into close, clear view, even in fading light.
Sigma 300-600mm F4 DG OS Sports review
The Sony E 11mm F1.8 should appeal to landscape specialists and vloggers who want a wide lens that delivers characterful bokeh highlights.
Sony E 11mm F1.8 review
The Sony E 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 G OSS is a compact telezoom lens built for APS-C cameras. It's sturdy and sharp, with a price to match.
Sony E 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 G OSS review
The weather-sealed Sigma 500mm F5.6 DG DN OS Sports is as light a lens you can find for telephoto subjects and backs up its high price with exceptional picture quality.
Sigma 500mm F5.6 DG DN OS Sports review
The Sony FE 50-150mm F2 GM breaks new ground by putting F2 optics in a telezoom lens and should be a hit among well-funded photographers who specialize in weddings, portraits, and indoor sports.
Sony FE 50-150mm F2 GM review
The Sony FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS lens provides the extreme telephoto reach that bird and wildlife photographers require in a premium design with weather protection and internal zoom.
Sony FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS review
The Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS is a short telephoto lens for APS-C mirrorless cameras. It's a strong performer thanks to sharp optics and optical stabilization.
Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS review
The Viltrox AF 50mm F2 Air delivers sharp, full-frame pictures with softly defocused backgrounds for less money than you'll pay for a first-party Nikkor Z or Sony FE lens.
Viltrox AF 50mm F2 Air review
Voigtlander Macro APO-Lanthar 110mm F2.5
The Voigtlander Macro APO-Lanthar 110mm F2.5 lens focuses close enough for life-size macro capture, but doesn't offer the convenience of autofocus.
Voigtlander Macro APO-Lanthar 110mm F2.5 review