I tested more than two dozen of the best lenses for the Sony a6000 and finally, I found that the Sigma 18–50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary is the best overall lens for this camera body.
I’ve spent more than twenty years as a professional photographer and many of those working with a Sony a6000, which is a popular mirrorless camera among photographers and videographers of all levels, including beginners, amateurs, and professionals.
When paired with a quality lens, the a6000 can keep up with almost any camera on earth, including those costing several times more than Sony’s affordable a6000.
Like the Sony camera body, Sigma’s 18-50mm F2.8 DC is feature-packed and delivers outstanding value at a modest price. Many popular lenses will cost twice or three times what a Sigma costs, with only marginal improvements in overall quality or optical design.
This lens delivers impressive optical quality, an artful bokeh effect, and a highly useful zoom range that makes this Sigma a proven performer for everything from portraits to landscapes to street photography.
Depending on your preferences and the photography styles you engage in, some lenses may be a better fit.
Keep reading to learn about why the Sigma 18–50mm F2.8 is my favorite, and what alternative options I recommend for the Sony a6000.
Top 25 List of the Best Lenses for Sony a6000
- Overall Best lens for Sony a6000: Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary
- Best all-around lens for Sony a6000: Sony E PZ 18-105mm f/4 G OSS
- Best all-around lens for professionals Sony a6000: Sony E 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 OSS
- Best standard prime lens for Sony a6000: Sony E 35mm F/1.8 OSS
- Best budget standard prime lens for Sony a6000: Sigma 30mm F2.8 DN Art
- Best Standard Zoom Lens for Sony a6000: Sony Zeiss Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm F4 ZA OSS
- Best Budget Standard Zoom Lens for Sony a6000: Tamron 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 Di III VC
- Best travel lens for Sony a6000: Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD
- Best portrait lens for Sony a6000: Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS
- Best budget portrait lens for Sony a6000: Sigma 60mm F2.8 DN Art
- Best wedding lens for Sony a6000: Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8
- Best prime lens for Sony a6000: Sony FE 28mm f/2
- Best wide-angle lens for Sony a6000: Samyang 12mm F2.0 AF
- Best Budget wide-angle lens for Sony a6000: Sigma 19mm F2.8 DN Art
- Best wide-angle lens for Professionals Sony a6000: Sony E 10-18mm F4 OSS
- Best wide-angle zoom lens for Sony a6000: Sony FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM
- Best vlogging lens for Sony a6000: Sigma 19mm F2.8
- Best Macro lens for Sony a6000: Sony E 30mm f/3.5 macro
- Best Macro lens for Professionals Sony a6000: Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS
- Best telephoto lens for sony a6000: Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS
- Best telephoto lens for professionals Sony a6000: Sony FE 70-200mm F4 G OSS
- Best super-telephoto zoom lens for Sony a6000: Tamron 150-500mm F5-6.7 Di III VC VXD
- Best video lens for Sony a6000: Tamron 17-70mm F2.8 Di III-A VC RXD
- Best landscape lens for Sony a6000: Tamron 11-20mm F2.8
- Best fisheye lens for Sony a6000: Rokinon 8mm F2.8
The Best Lenses for Sony a6000 Reviewed
Whether you’re shopping for a prime or a zoom, an ultra-wide angle, or a telephoto, there are tons of excellent lenses for E-mount Sony cameras like the a6000. We’ve checked out the top 25 best lenses for the a6000 to help narrow your search for the perfect lens.
1 – Overall Best Lens for Sony a6000: Sigma 18–50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary
The design of most constant aperture zooms, like the Sigma, is often inspired by dump trucks, making them quite bulky and difficult to handle. However, the Sigma 18-50mm is a game-changer! It has a sleek design that makes it look and perform beautifully on a Sony a6000, unlike other “trinity zooms” that are known for their bulkiness.
I love its innovative optical design that leverages 13 elements across ten groups, including three aspherical elements, which help Sigma reduce the lens’s overall size without compromising sharpness or clarity. This translates to rich and vivid images, and I enjoy how the subject jumps forward from the background in stark contrast.
Speaking of aperture, the lens delivers a fast constant aperture of f/2.8, which makes shooting under low light conditions pleasant. I’m constantly surprised by how bright this lens is under the most challenging lighting conditions. Its reasonably shallow depth of field makes it easy to isolate the subject against any background.
I appreciate that Sigma uses its TSC composite material to build the lens body, which is further enhanced by weather sealing throughout. This gives me the confidence to shoot in extreme weather conditions such as outdoor photography. The focus and zoom rings offer an excellent responsive and smooth feel, and I love the high-end feel of this lens during operation.
Last but not least, I also like that Sigma 18-50mm features a premium AF motor that delivers lightning-fast and accurate autofocusing. For the videographers among us, you’ll also love how quiet the focus motor is, providing silent autofocusing while shooting video.
Overall, the Sigma 18-50mm stands out with its sleek design and outstanding performance on a Sony a6000. Its innovative optical design, fast constant aperture, and responsive focus and zoom rings make it a high-end choice for both photographers and videographers.
2 – Best All-around Lens for Sony a6000: Sony E PZ 18–105mm F/4 G OSS
The Sony E PZ 18-105mm boasts a remarkable zoom range capable of capturing any subject, combined with top-notch optics and Sony’s renowned reputation for quality. It’s an excellent choice for photographers hunting for a versatile, all-around lens.
One of the best things about this lens is despite its constant f/4 aperture and wide zoom range, this Sony lens has a small footprint and fits well on the a6000 body. This makes it easier for me on long days of shooting, as I wouldn’t want to carry a lens that has a monstrous size.
Another aspect I love about this modestly sized lens is its image stabilization feature, considering its zoom range. It dramatically reduces camera shake for clearer images. I love the freedom it provides to focus on capturing beautiful photos without worrying about my shakiness.
I also like its build quality, which far exceeds what I’d expect for a lens at this price. The lens body and mount are metal and beautifully finished, and the body doesn’t extend during zoom operation, making the lens unique. I love the sleek appearance the lens provides regardless of where you are along its range.
I find the Zoom function of the E PZ 18-105mm lens to be exceptional, and it’s fast, smooth, and silent. A slide on the lens body allows me to change the zoom speed, and I can control the zoom manually or automatically. Manual focusing is by wire, but it’s still fast and responsive, and AF is swift and quiet, which I love, especially for videography applications.
In conclusion, the Sony E PZ 18-105mm lens is a versatile and high-quality option for photographers looking for an all-around lens. The zoom function is exceptional, fast, smooth, and silent, and the lens is perfect for both photography and videography applications.
3 – Best All-Around Lens for Professionals Sony a6000: Sony E 18–200mm F/3.5–6.3 OSS
An excellent all-around lens that represents a slight step up from the Sony E PZ 18-500, The Sony E 18-200mm offers similarly excellent performance and a dramatic improvement in optical quality.
I am thrilled that this lens uses 17 elements across 13 groups, including two ED and four aspherical elements, to effectively counter image aberrations from multiple sources. As a result, the images produced are vivid and sharp.
I’m consistently impressed by the imaging capabilities of this lens. While there’s some distortion at 18mm and some chromatic aberration at either end of the zoom range, it’s both manageable and can be easily corrected in Photoshop or a similar editor.
The build quality of this lens is excellent, and it didn’t take me long to fall in love with the sleek metal lens housing. The zoom ring offers a nice tactile response, and while it’s a bit stiff, it effectively eliminates zoom creep.
AF operation is smooth and virtually inaudible, which is sure to come in handy for videography. For events, and especially weddings, the quiet and responsive AF makes it easy to deliver the best work.
Sony utilizes a dual-cam design, so the inner sections of the lens tuck neatly inside the lens housing and extend outward throughout the zoom range.
Overall, Sony E 18-200mm is an affordable lens that offers exceptional build quality and solid optical performance.
4 – Best Standard Prime Lens for Sony a6000: Sony E 35mm F/1.8 OSS
Sony E 35mm F/1.8 OSS is a versatile standard prime that boasts a lightweight design and exceptional optics. With its f/1.8 aperture, it’s the first lens I would recommend when in need of a 35mm.
I am impressed by the performance of this tiny lens. It features one ED element and two aspherical elements to fight various image aberrations, including astigmatism, field curvature, and coma. The resulting images are clear and crisp, and I was blown away by the sharpness, clarity, and resolution when I stopped down the aperture.
The hallmark feature of this lens is Optical Steady Shot, coupled with its fast and bright f/1.8 aperture, which delivers remarkable low-light performance. In testing, I was truly impressed by the detail and clarity of shots taken under low-light conditions.
This 35mm features a fairly rugged build, with an aluminum housing and focus ring. However, there’s no weather sealing, so you’ll want to avoid exposing this lens to moisture or excessive dust.
In conclusion, the Sony E 35mm F/1.8 OSS is an outstanding standard prime lens that I would recommend for anyone in need of a 35mm.
5 – Best Budget Standard Prime Lens for Sony a6000: Sigma 30mm F2.8 DN Art
Sigma’s 30mm f/2.8 DN Art lens is among the best values in the industry, and it’s a viable alternative to the 35mm Sony lens above for about half the price.
I am impressed by Sigma’s ability to deliver remarkable optical quality with this 30mm lens, which is affordably priced.
This lens utilizes three aspherical elements, and each one is multi-coated to suppress image aberrations. It’s exceptionally sharp, especially when stopped down, and the tiny amount of CA, distortion, and vignetting present is quite reasonable, given the affordability of this lens.
The build quality is reasonably good, and I love how the lens looks, with its two-tone brushed and polished finish.
Manual focusing is a challenge, as there are no aperture markings and the ring will rotate infinitely, making it easy to get lost. Still, this 30mm from Sigma is worth a closer look for the money.
On the downside, this budget lens lacks image stabilization, so despite the otherwise solid low-light performance, camera blur will be a problem at slower shutter speeds.
Under more ideal field conditions, the Sigma 30mm punches well above its weight class, delivering performance on par with lenses that are twice the price.
Overall, I would highly recommend the Sigma 30mm for its affordability and exceptional performance.
6 – Best Standard Zoom Lens for Sony a6000: Sony Zeiss Vario-Tessar T* E 16–70mm F4 ZA OSS
This Sony zoom offers optimal focal lengths and delivers superior Zeiss optics for professional-quality images in a variety of styles.
I love the quality and versatility of this Sony lens provides. Sixteen elements are arranged in twelve groups, with four aspherical elements, and each one is treated to suppress internal reflections. The resulting images are sharp, with excellent clarity and contrast.
Autofocus performance on this lens is beyond good, and it has no trouble working through its full focus range in under a second. I’m blown away by how quickly this lens focuses, especially in challenging lighting conditions. Plus, it does so in a whisper, so it’s an excellent choice for videography work.
This lens also offers OSS stabilization, enabling crisp and clear shooting at much slower shutter speeds.
I find the build quality of this Zeiss lens to be sufficient. Despite the metal lens housing covering plastic components, it offers a better feel than cheaper lenses. Additionally, the manual focus system is smooth and responsive, offering a better experience than other by-wire systems.
In conclusion, this Sony Zeiss lens offers superior optics, quick autofocus, OSS stabilization, and sufficient build quality, making it a great choice for professional-quality images in various styles.
7 – Best Budget Standard Zoom Lens for Sony a6000: Tamron 18–200mm F3.5–6.3 Di III VC
Whether you’re shooting travel photos and sports or just looking for a highly versatile zoom that covers a wide range, this inexpensive lens from Tamron could be an ideal pick for you.
I’m impressed with the sharpness and clarity of this lens from Tamron. The 17 elements across 13 groups make it possible to bring any subject to life with ease, and I love the versatility that comes with its wide zoom range. Although there’s some barrel distortion at 18mm, it improves at longer focal lengths.
The headline feature of this Tamron lens is its optical vibration control, which reduces camera blur when shooting at slower shutter speeds. This is especially important given the lens’s f/6.3 maximum aperture at the far end of the zoom range.
The vibration control system is highly responsive, and I love that it enables me to ace challenging shots that would be a problem without stabilization.
Compared to its predecessor, Tamron has beefed up the build quality of this lens, and it has a more substantial feel. Despite its robust build, it’s still lighter than comparable lenses from Sony and Sigma. The lightness of this lens makes it easy to pack and easy to shoot with, even on my longest days.
Overall, I highly recommend Tamron 18–200mm to anyone in need of a versatile and reliable zoom lens.
8 – Best Travel Lens for Sony a6000: Tamron 28–200mm F/2.8–5.6 Di III RXD
Superzoom lenses like this Tamron 28-200mm are usually plagued by poor optical quality, but this particular lens is an exception. Ideal for travel and sports photography, this lens offers versatility to accommodate various photography styles.
I was impressed by the image quality of this lens which boasts 18 elements arranged in 14 groups, each treated with Tamron’s BBAR coating to combat flare and internal reflections. The resulting images are crisp and clear, and aberrations are well-controlled throughout the zoom range, surpassing the competition.
However, the lack of image stabilization in this lens is a drawback. Although the in-camera stabilization of the a6000 is functional, I found myself wishing for in-lens stabilization, especially when shooting at longer zoom lengths or at lower shutter speeds.
The build quality of this Tamron lens is also notable. It’s a polycarbonate body, but it offers a sturdy feel, and it features weather sealing and a fluorine-coated front element to resist moisture and smudges. I felt confident shooting in any conditions with this lens, and if it weren’t for the lack of stabilization, it might be my favorite lens for the a6000.
Overall, the Tamron 28-200mm lens is a reliable option for photographers looking for a versatile lens that offers excellent image quality and durability.
9 – Best Portrait Lens for Sony a6000: Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS
The Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS is an excellent portraiture performer and boasts optical stabilization and solid optics.
I was impressed by the fast and accurate performance of the f/1.8 50mm. Its low-light performance is excellent, and the addition of Optical Steady Shot (OSS) stabilization provides a significant advantage by allowing for up to two to three F stops when shooting at slower shutter speeds.
Optically, Sony employs nine elements across eight groups to counter aberration from many sources. My images are sharp and crisp, with excellent contrast. Distortion and CA are virtually non-issues, and I love having less work to do in Lightroom or Photoshop to get an image where it needs to be.
I was thrilled with the overall build quality of this lens. Its glossy metal case and rubberized focus ring give it a premium look that I appreciate. While the manual focusing is responsive, it is a focus-by-wire system and lacks stops on the focus ring, making manual focusing a bit challenging initially.
Like other Sony lenses, this 50mm delivers an industry-leading bokeh quality that’s soft and artful, bringing the subject forward in stark contrast from the background. I don’t think any non-Sony lenses on the market deliver the same bokeh quality, which I love about this 50mm.
Overall, the Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS is an excellent choice for anyone looking to take their portrait photography to the next level, and I highly recommend it.
10 – Best Budget Portrait Lens for Sony a6000: Sigma 60mm F2.8 DN Art
The Sigma 60mm F2.8 is an excellent lens from the Sigma art line that delivers best-in-class optical quality. If you’re looking for a top-notch lens, it’s worth considering this 60mm from Sigma.
One thing I love about this lens is it boasts the simplest optical setup on our list, with eight elements arranged in six groups, with one aspherical and one xSLD element. Despite the simplicity, this lens is most effective at controlling CA, distortion, and other aberrations.
This lens outclasses other lenses costing triple the money for clarity, sharpness, and contrast, and I was blown away by the image quality this inexpensive lens offers.
I also like this lens boasts a sturdy and simplistic design. The entire lens body is brushed aluminum and is available in black or silver. The manual focus ring is the whole lens body, and it will probably take some getting used to if you’re accustomed to a knurled focus ring.
Autofocusing is accurate, albeit a bit slow, and I wasn’t impressed by how long it takes to work through its focus range. It takes at least a second, which is significantly slower than top-performing portrait lenses.
Speaking of the downside, there are two issues with it: slow autofocusing and a lack of optical stabilization.
Overall, despite these two issues, the lens is an excellent choice for anyone shopping for a budget-short telephoto.
11 – Best Wedding Lens for Sony a6000: Sony FE 24–70mm F/2.8 GM
For professionals looking to take a step up in quality, this fast and versatile zoom from Sony’s coveted G Master series is an excellent choice.
I was consistently impressed by the clarity and sharpness of the optics of this lens, which was one of the first in the G Master series. It possesses the optical quality the series is known for, with 18 elements arranged in nine groups treated with Sony’s Nano AR coating to help suppress surface reflections and image aberrations.
This 24-70mm offers a beefed-up build, with weather sealing throughout and heavy-duty internals compared to Sony’s more budget-friendly lenses. There are convenient stops throughout the zoom range, Sony’s nifty programmable AF Hold button, and a focus lock. I immediately loved how comfortable and familiar this lens felt on first use.
I’m highly impressed by the AF performance of this lens, thanks to Sony’s Direct Drive Super Sonic AF motor. It’s speedy and accurate with minimal focus breathing and among the quietest systems on the market. For weddings and videography purposes, it’s a handy feature to have.
In conclusion, the Sony 24-70mm G Master lens is an excellent choice for professionals looking to upgrade their photography or videography equipment. Whether it’s for weddings, videography, or any other project, this lens is sure to deliver stunning results.
12 – Best Prime Lens for Sony a6000: Sony FE 28mm F/2
Many photographers stay away from 28mm lenses, adopting the thinking that the field of view is too narrow for landscapes but too wide for anything else.
However, this 28mm prime lens is actually suitable for both landscapes and architecture and is great for general use and portraiture, as long as you are willing to get close to your subject.
I love the clarity I get from images shot with this lens, which offers a simple optical design. With nine elements across eight groups and premium glass used throughout, including one AA element and two XLD and aspherical elements, the resulting images offer impressive sharpness, excellent resolution, and well-controlled image aberrations.
Another handy feature of this 28mm is it accepts front-mounted conversion lenses. You can quickly transform this 28mm into a 16mm fisheye or an ultra-wide angle of 21mm. I love the versatility this provides, making the lens significantly more useful.
Sony delivers an excellent build with this lens. The entire lens housing is aluminum, including the knurled focus ring. The lens is sealed throughout, with a moisture and smudge-resistant front lens coating. I love knowing I can bring this lens anywhere in any field conditions and not have to worry about damaging my equipment.
In conclusion, this 28mm prime lens is a great choice for photographers who are looking for a versatile and reliable lens.
13 – Best Wide-Angle Lens for Sony a6000: Samyang 12mm F2.0 AF
The original f/2.0 12mm lens from Samyang, despite lacking autofocus, was still one of the best wide-angle lenses on the market. The upgraded version with added autofocus and some notable build upgrades, making it an even better choice for wide-angle photography.
One advantage I love about this lens is its strong optical performance. It features 12 elements across ten groups, including three XLD elements, an aspherical element, and a hybrid-aspherical element. The resolution, crispness, and contrast are all excellent, and it does an exceptional job of controlling chromatic aberrations and other distortions. The images I capture with this lens are always striking.
As you’d expect from such a tiny lens, the design is minimalistic, with no switches or buttons. The only on-lens control is the manual focus ring, which has a diamond texture that provides a more premium feel than a typical knurled lens. Weather sealing is applied to the front and rear elements and the lens mount is metal. Overall, I love the premium look and feel of this lens.
Samyang employs a linear STM autofocus motor which is exceptionally fast and responsive. It operates at a whisper, and you won’t have to worry about focus noise if you’re shooting video, which is noteworthy for specialty video applications like shooting extreme sports.
All in all, I highly recommend this lens for anyone who wants to take their wide-angle photography to the next level.
14 – Best Budget Wide-Angle Lens for Sony a6000: Sigma 19mm F2.8 DN Art
Sigma’s ultra-wide 19mm has been an excellent option for over a decade, and with the brand rolling out some new lenses recently, this well-built 19mm is more affordable than ever.
I would describe this lens as fast and bright, thanks to its f/2.8 aperture. Sigma has used eight elements across six groups in its construction, each of which has received a durable multi-coating to help prevent lens flare and ghosting. Although the optics are not exceptional, they are still quite usable.
While I cannot say that I am in love with the sharpness or contrast of this lens, it is certainly more than acceptable for its price point.
Like other Sigma lenses, this one is highly minimalistic. The entire lens is aluminum with a matte black finish, and the focus ring is essentially the whole lens body. This lens isn’t winning any beauty pageants for its appearance, and manual focus operation takes some getting used to for first-time Sigma users.
A linear AF engine provides adequate autofocus performance, but it’s nothing to write home about. It takes about a second to run through its focus range, which is slightly below average.
Overall, while this lens isn’t a standout by any measure, it’s solid in every aspect, making it a smart choice for any photographer shopping for an affordable wide-angle lens.
15 – Best Wide-Angle Lens for Professionals Sony a6000: Sony E 10–18mm F4 OSS
This ultra-wide-angle zoom from Sony is a versatile performer with excellent optics at a fair price, so there’s plenty to like about this 10-18mm f/4.
I am impressed with the optical performance of this lens. It consists of ten elements arranged in eight groups, including one super ED and three aspherical elements. Resolution is excellent, as is sharpness and clarity.
Image aberrations are well controlled throughout the zoom range, and there are notable improvements to edge sharpness when stopped down. I am truly enamored with the images captured by this lens, especially in challenging shooting conditions.
The build quality is excellent, as you’d expect from a premium Sony lens. The lens body is made from aluminum, with two knurled rings to control zoom and manual focusing.
If you’re looking for weather sealing, you’ll need to step up to one of Sony’s even-pricier G Master lenses, which bums me out a bit.
This lens features Optical Steady Shot image stabilization, which is useful for shooting at slower shutter speeds and capturing video. I love being able to leave my tripod at home so I can pack lighter without compromising my ability to get the shot.
In conclusion, if you’re looking for an ultra-wide-angle zoom lens, you can’t go wrong with the Sony 10-18mm f/4.
16 – Best Wide-Angle Zoom Lens for Sony a6000: Sony FE 12–24mm F2.8 GM
One of the crown jewels of Sony’s coveted G Master lens series, this 12-24mm has a unicorn feature set and all the premium appointments you’d expect from such a high-end lens.
Despite its impressive 17 elements across 14 groups, it’s relatively lightweight, making it easy for me to carry on my travels. The lens is equipped with three XA and two super ED elements, which work together to eliminate image aberrations from every axis.
I was amazed by the clarity and sharpness of the images I captured with this lens, all thanks to Sony’s Nano AR II coating that reduced ghosting and flare.
I had reservations about this lens, given its incredibly high price tag, but I was still absolutely blown away by the quality of the raw images this lens can shoot.
I was impressed by the fast and quiet autofocus performance of the Sony lens, which utilizes a linear XD focus motor and has its focusing groups divided into two sections for improved accuracy.
However, I was disappointed by the amount of focus breathing present in this lens. Despite this, it remains one of my favorite lenses and I couldn’t find anything else remotely disappointing about it.
I feel confident shooting in any weather conditions with the Sony GM lens as the company has pulled out all the stops in building it. It features weather sealing throughout and the exposed lens elements are coated with a proprietary substance that resists dust, moisture, and smudges.
In conclusion, if you’re looking for a top-notch ultra-wide-angle lens, the Sony 12-24mm G Master is an excellent choice.
17 – Best Vlogging Lens for Sony a6000: Sigma 19mm F2.8
This budget-friendly 19mm lens from Sigma offers an ultra-wide field of view, and is tailor-made for 21st-century content creation.
I am impressed with the construction of this lens, which contains eight elements across six groups and three aspherical elements to minimize spherical aberrations and distortion. The multi-coated elements effectively combat lens flare and ghosting, resulting in clarity and center sharpness for both stills and videos. The optical quality of this lens is remarkable.
Like most Sigma lenses, the build quality remains to be desired. The minimalist design is simple, with an aluminum housing and a manual focus ring that’s essentially the entire lens body.
Manual focusing can be a pain to get used to, but if you’re primarily using this lens for video, there’s very little to worry about.
At well under $200, most critiques of this lens feel like splitting hairs, and it delivers exceptional value for the money. To take a step up in performance and quality, you’ll need to invest about triple the cost of this affordable and value-packed Sigma lens.
In conclusion, the Sigma 19mm lens is a must-have for content creators who are looking for a budget-friendly option that delivers high-quality results.
18 – Best Macro Lens for Sony a6000: Sony E 30mm F/3.5 Macro
The Sony f/3.5 30mm lens offers versatility and solid macro performance that makes it an attractive option for photographers seeking a cost-effective solution for their macro photography needs.
I find this lens to be efficient with its simple optical configuration of seven elements in six groups. It provides lightning-fast autofocusing and its lightweight design, including one XLD and three aspherical elements, effectively addresses chromatic aberrations and other image imperfections. The result is a small and light lens that still delivers outstanding image quality.
As a macro lens, this one can be tricky to work with. Sony advertises the working distance at 3.7”, but that distance is calculated from the image sensor, not the front lens element. The effective working distance is only about 1”, which will prove challenging when working with sensitive subjects like insects.
In that sense, it’s helpful to think of this lens as a solid all-arounder with excellent macro capabilities, more so than a dedicated macro lens. While it’s pretty solid for general use, it doesn’t have an exceptionally bright aperture, so it doesn’t offer excellent low-light performance.
Overall, while the Sony E 30mm might fall slightly short as a Macro lens, its affordable price, versatile focal length, and robust build make this lens an excellent choice as a budget prime.
19 – Best Macro Lens for Professionals Sony a6000: Sony FE 90mm F/2.8 Macro G OSS
Professionals looking for a lens that delivers excellent performance as a macro or prime lens will appreciate this 90mm lens, which receives the high-end fit and finish of the G Master series.
I love the incredibly clear and crisp photos this prime lens in the optics department produces, with excellent resolution. It utilizes 15 elements arranged in 10 groups, including two ELD elements, a super ED element, and an aspherical element, and every lens surface is coated with Sony’s Nano AR coating to further counter image aberrations. Whether I’m using it for macro, portraiture, or headshots, I am always impressed with the results.
Sony employs a nine-blade diaphragm in their signature rounded profile, which produces a beautiful and soft bokeh effect that’s critical when shooting portraits or utilizing selective focus techniques. I love how soft and artfully deployed the bokeh is, and while other lenses offer excellent bokeh, no other brand can equal the quality Sony provides.
AF performance is excellent, providing fast and silent focusing with minimal focus breathing courtesy of the direct drive SSM focus motor. There’s also Sony’s legendary AF hold button, which I can program to handle various functions depending on my needs.
This feature alone is worth the extra money a G Master lens commands, and I love how much time it saves me. Instead of shuffling through the camera menu, my most used command is available at the press of a button.
Rounding out this lens is the excellent build quality we expect from Sony’s G lenses. The lens body is quality metal, with controls for the AF hold button, focus limiter, and OSS stabilization. Everything offers a premium feel, and I love how light this lens is despite all the heavy glass inside.
In conclusion, the Sony 90mm G Master lens is a top-notch choice for professionals who require a lens that delivers excellent performance for macro and prime photography.
20 – Best Telephoto Lens for Sony a6000: Sony E 55–210mm F4.5–6.3 OSS
A solid telephoto that covers a wide focal range at a bargain price, the Sony E 55-210mm is an excellent choice, and the optics are more than adequate for most applications.
I believe that the value of this lens is tremendous, considering its utilization of 13 elements across nine groups and two XLD and two aspherical elements to combat image aberrations. The optics are strong and the common pincushion distortion in telephotos is effectively controlled.
Optical Steady Shot is a welcomed inclusion on this lens, as it is on the heavier side, and this feature provides excellent control over camera blur. Whether shooting handheld video, or stills at slower shutter speeds, I love that the crispness and clarity of images are retained.
I am impressed by the seven-blade diaphragm that provides exceptional bokeh quality, making this lens a reliable option for portrait photography. I also appreciate the clear distinction between the subject and the background that this lens produces.
The build quality is pretty good, although it omits weather sealing, and there is a bit of rattling internally when handling the lens.
In conclusion, the Sony E 55-210mm is a cost-effective telephoto lens that covers a wide focal range, making it an excellent option for photographers.
21 – Best Telephoto Lens for Professionals Sony a6000: Sony FE 70–200mm F4 G OSS
A bright telephoto lens that covers a broad zoom range, the Sony FE 70-200mm from Sony’s G series is one of the best values in the industry.
I was pleasantly surprised by the weight of this lens, considering that it contains 21 elements across 15 groups. Despite the impressive amount of glass, it only weighs 1.8 pounds. Although there is some slight distortion, common in telephotos, and minor CA, they are both easily correctable. Taking into account its broad range coverage, I am thoroughly impressed by the optics of this lens.
The build quality is excellent, although the surplus of on-lens controls may take some getting used to. There are switches to control OSS, focus mode, focus range, and mode, along with a programmable AF hold button. I love being able to map the functionality of this button differently depending on what I’m shooting, and the focus and zoom rings offer a satisfying response when operating.
Optical Steady Shot helps render camera blur a non-issue, and the AF engine utilizes dual linear motors to move the elements into place as quickly as possible. I was thoroughly impressed by how speedy and quiet the system is, which makes this lens an excellent choice for sensitive video applications.
Given the premium coated glass inside these lenses and the luxurious G series appointments, this telephoto is one of the best values in Sony’s lens catalog.
In conclusion, the FE 70-200mm from Sony’s G series is a fantastic telephoto lens that covers a broad zoom range, making it one of the best values in the industry.
22 – Best Super-Telephoto Zoom Lens for Sony a6000: Tamron 150–500mm F5-6.7 Di III VC VXD
One of the most affordable super-telephoto lenses available is also one of the best options on the market. The Tamrom 150-500mm f/5-6.7 is a monstrous zoom that delivers fantastic optics and premium appointments.
I am impressed with the sheer number of elements, 25 in total, arranged in 15 groups, in this lens. The utilization of Tamron’s BBAR-G2 coating to suppress ghosting, reflections, and lens flare are noteworthy. The optics are remarkable, offering a center resolution that comes close to legendary level when stopped down slightly. Each image captures sharpness, edge resolution, and clarity.
The optical stabilization is excellent and enables blur-free images at speeds as slow as 1/15th of a second. This Tamron is the one super-telephoto I feel comfortable shooting handheld with for that reason.
The build quality is excellent, with multi-coated lens elements, weather sealing throughout, and a smartly located selection of on-lens controls. It’s a comfortable lens that I immediately felt at home using, and given the fit, finish, and quality of every aspect of the lens, it’s remarkably affordable.
In conclusion, the Tamron 150-500mm f/5-6.7 is an exceptional lens that offers fantastic optics, premium appointments, and affordability, making it one of the best options in the super-telephoto market
23 – Best Video Lens for Sony a6000: Tamron 17–70mm F2.8 Di III-A VC RXD
A fast and bright lens that covers an ideal zoom range for videography, this excellent lens from Tamron is a wise choice for video and anyone who needs a versatile zoom as a daily driver.
I find that this f/2.8 lens is reasonably bright and the optical quality is impressive. Tamron has utilized 16 elements arranged in 12 groups, including two LD elements and two aspherical elements. All of these elements are treated with Tamron’s BBAR coating to minimize internal reflections and lens flare. The outcome is stunning images with crisp definitions and remarkable contrast, which I thoroughly appreciate.
The biggest standout of this lens is its high resolution. The resolution is remarkable through f/11 and begins to fall off from there as you stop down further. Compared to other zooms in this price range, I was blown away by how much better the performance is from this Tamron.
Another winning feature of this lens is its build quality. Instead of aluminum, this lens is built from heavy polycarbonate with weather sealing throughout and a fluorine front lens coating to resist dust, smudges, and moisture. I feel confident bringing this lens along when I’m shooting in less-than-ideal conditions, and it’s served me well on every shoot.
Tamron’s RXD autofocus motor is also a notable inclusion, and it provides fast, accurate, and quiet autofocus with very little focus on breathing. Manual focusing is much more of a chore with this lens, so I tend to stick to the AF modes, which are accurate and reliable.
In conclusion, the Tamron f/2.8 lens is a fantastic choice for videographers and photographers who are in need of a versatile and reliable lens.
24 – Best Landscape Lens for Sony a6000: Tamron 11–20mm F2.8
With excellent performance, quality optics, and a heavy-duty build, this Tamron 11-20mm is a serious contender to the Sony 10-18mm F4 OSS lens, and it’s more affordable to boot.
I find that Tamron continues to make waves with its exceptional optical designs, and this lens is a shining example of that. It comprises 12 elements arranged in ten groups, utilizing XLD, LD, and GM glass to effectively reduce image aberrations of all forms. The lens elements are coated with Tamron’s BBAR-G2 coating to minimize lens flare and ghosting, ensuring that the resulting images are clear and vibrant.
The resulting images show excellent clarity, contrast, and sharpness, and the rounded seven-blade diaphragm provides an excellent bokeh quality. I was impressed by the fine details this lens can bring to life for landscapes and architecture, and it’s undeniably at the top of the heap for wide-angle applications.
The build quality is also top-notch with this lens. Each lens element is coated, and the front lens element receives a fluorine coating to resist smudges, moisture, and dust. Weather sealing is applied throughout, which makes this lens an excellent performer for all-weather shooting.
The only glaring omission from this lens is image stabilization, which is disappointing when shooting under challenging conditions or at slower shutter speeds. Sony’s 10-18mm provides OSS but doesn’t offer the heavy-duty build of the Tamron lens.
In conclusion, the Tamron 11-20mm lens is a fantastic option for photographers who are looking for a high-quality, wide-angle lens that won’t break the bank.
25 – Best Fisheye Lens for Sony a6000: Rokinon 8mm F2.8
Whether you need an ultra-wide angle for action sports, landscapes, or underwater photography, a fisheye lens is an excellent specialty tool. This 8mm from Rokinon is the best in the business.
I am astounded by the optical performance of this tiny lens that packs some premium components. It comprises eleven elements organized into nine groups, each of which has been treated with Rokinon’s UMC coating to enhance light transmission and reduce ghosting and lens flare. The optics of this lens are excellent, especially given its price point, and I have been thoroughly impressed by its performance in a wide range of shooting scenarios.
This 8mm is a standout performer for architecture and interior photography where the sun isn’t an issue. Flaring is a significant concern with this lens when shooting in direct sunlight. Still, this is the only scenario where this lens falls a bit short. By every other measure of optical quality, this Rokinon is an excellent performer.
There’s no autofocusing with this lens, nor is there image stabilization, so it’s a reasonably utilitarian outfit. But for the money, it isn’t easy to find a fisheye lens that can compete with the excellent optics or performance of the Rokinon 8mm F/2.8.
In conclusion, if you’re looking for a fisheye lens that can deliver excellent optics, exceptional image quality, and a solid build, look no further than the Rokinon 8mm F/2.8.
FAQs
Q: Which E-mount lenses can be used on the Alpha 6000 series cameras?
A: Sony Alpha 6000 series cameras use Sony’s E-mount lens bayonet and can use any of the 66 E-mount lenses. However, lenses designed specifically for the APS-C sensor are more compact and cheaper. Full-frame lenses can be used on APS-C cameras, but whether it’s worth it depends on individual needs and budget. In most cases, we recommend the APS-C lenses.
Q: Which lenses are suitable for beginners?
A: As a beginner, it’s important to start with lenses that are versatile and easy to use. Here are some lens options that you might consider:
- A good standard zoom lens: It’s a bit more expensive but has better image quality.
- A standard prime lens: It has good image quality with a large aperture.
- A telephoto lens: it can capture subjects from distance.
Conclusion
The Sony a6000 is still one of the most popular platforms available, and there’s no shortage of excellent lenses for this camera body. Wily Sony, Tamron, and Samyang all offer some excellent lenses that are viable contenders for the title of the best lens for the Sony a6000; it’s Sigma who delivers us the best overall option.
The Sigma 18–50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary delivers the perfect mix of features, optical quality, and value. The lens frame is well made and feels excellent in hand, the glass quality in all the lens elements is very high, and the 18-50mm zoom range makes for an incredibly versatile lens that will perform remarkably well for various styles.
If you’re ready to step up to the Sigma 18–50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary, take a closer look at this impressive lens here.
