Sony's A7 Series full-frame mirrorless cameras are an instant hit amongst travel photographers who need the quality imagery that full-frame DSLRs produce minus the bulk associated with it. The only limiting factor it had when it was released in 2013 was the selection of lenses it needed to compete with already established brands such as Canon and Nikon.
The limited variety of FE lenses made it a deal breaker for most travel photographers who need the versatility and coverage of various zoom and prime lenses. However, it didn't take long for Sony to come up with a wide selection of optics for the A7 Series such as the Alpha A7R III (and the venerable Sony A7 III) to win the hearts of many travel photographers, myself included.
Here we will cover the best travel lenses for the Sony full-frame mirrorless cameras. Several factors go into our picks. Resolving power and resolution isn't the only and main factor we use to determine the best "travel" lens. Things like weight, price (especially if you're a budget traveler), and how convenient it is to use the lens should be taken into greater account. So, with that in mind, let's get to it.
The Best Sony E Mount Lenses for Full-frame Cameras
Sony FE 24-240 mm f/3.5-6.3
Most professionals will balk at this lens. Regarding optical performance, it's not the best in the market. There are some distortions at certain focal points, and the auto-focus isn't the fastest. That's not the fault of the manufacturer or the engineers that designed the lens, it's just the laws of physics that optics such as these can't break. What you're gaining in weight savings and convenience you are going to sacrifice some quality.
How much of a sacrifice? Not so much! The majority of my top selling stock photos are shot with the 24-240 mm, and it's the lens I pick up most to compose a shot before switching to a different lens (if I do). This lens will allow you to travel light and shave off lots of weight from having to carry multiple lenses. You would have to pixel peep a lot to tell a shot taken from this lens vs. a shot that was made from a $3,000 prime lens. In most, if not all, situations this lens is more than adequate enough. The no-frills and functional use of this lens make it a favorite and top choice for travel photography.
Sony FE 24-240mm f/3.5-6.3 |
|
|---|---|
| Image Quality | 3 |
| Weight and Size | 5 |
| Convenience | 5 |
| Autofocus | 3 |
| Ergonomics | 4 |
| Where To Buy: Amazon | B&H Photo |
Sony FE 24-105 mm f/4
This lens will make a perfect one and only lens in your bag if you want to go ultralight travel with decent coverage. It's not the fastest lens, but the constant f/4 aperture means you can retain the same brightness and speed across all focal points. The optics on this lens isn't too shabby either, and it keeps the sharpness on all four corners.
You'll be torn between this and the Sony 24-70 mm below or the Sony 24-240 mm above. As it stands, it's the one in the middle and rightly so - it's sharper than the 24-240 mm but slower than the 24-70 mm below. If you can't see yourself shooting above 100 mm and don't need the extra stop then this lens is a no-brainer - It can quickly become your one and only go to lens for travel.
Sony FE 24-105 mm f/4 |
|
|---|---|
| Image Quality | 4 |
| Weight and Size | 5 |
| Convenience | 4 |
| Autofocus | 4 |
| Ergonomics | 5 |
| Where To Buy: Amazon | B&H Photo |
Sony FE 24-70 mm f/2.8 GM
MSRP:Â $2,199
Type: Wide-normal/Portrait
Weight: 31.25 oz.
Filter thread: 82 mm
Pros: Very sharp images for a zoom lens and great for videos
Cons:Â Limited coverage, heavy, and expensive
Posted from my blog with SteemPress : https://www.alwayswanderlust.com/sony-e-mount-lenses/
