When I first got into astrophotography, I quickly realized how important it is to have the right lens for my Sony APS-C cameras. Choosing lenses like the Sony E 11mm F1.8 (SEL11F18) or the Sony E 15mm F1.4 G can make a huge difference in capturing clear, sharp night skies with beautiful bokeh and minimal distortion. Astrophotography demands lenses with wide apertures and excellent low-light performance, and these Sony E mount lenses deliver just that. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned shooter, understanding which lenses suit APS-C sensors best can elevate your starry night shots and open up new creative possibilities for your photography and video projects.
🏆 Best Overall: Sony E 15mm F1.4 G APS-C Wide-Angle Lens — $848.00
💰 Best Value: Samyang SY12M-E-BK 12mm F2.0 Ultra Wide Angle Lens — $199.00
⚡ Best Performance: Sony E 11mm F1.8 APS-C Ultra-Wide Prime (SEL11F18) — $648.00
How I Chose These Sony E Mount Lenses for Astrophotography
I focused on lenses designed specifically for Sony E mount APS-C cameras, prioritizing wide apertures like F1.4 and F1.8 for excellent low-light capability, which is crucial for astrophotography. I also considered focal lengths ideal for capturing expansive skies and landscapes, typically ultra-wide to wide angles from 10mm to 15mm.
Image sharpness across the frame, minimal distortion, and reliable autofocus or manual control options were essential. Durability and size also played a role since I often shoot in outdoor conditions and prefer gear that’s easy to carry..
Sony E 11mm F1.8
Compact and lightweight ultra-wide-angle 11mm APS-C prime with large F1.8 aperture, fast quiet AF, and sharp corner-to-corner image quality.
I’ve found the Sony E 11mm F1.8 to be a fantastic lens for astrophotography and wide-angle shots. Its ultra-wide 11mm view opens up so much space in your frame, perfect for capturing sweeping night skies or landscapes.
The large F1.8 aperture makes a noticeable difference in low light, letting you pull in more stars without cranking the ISO too high. Plus, it’s surprisingly compact and light, so it doesn’t weigh down my camera during those long shooting sessions.
Whether you’re shooting stills or video, the autofocus is quiet and quick, which really comes in handy. If you’re into vlogging or need a lens that can handle tight spaces while still giving you that beautiful bokeh effect, this one’s a solid pick.
The lens is great for everyday shooting, vlogging, and especially night sky photography. Its lightweight build makes it less of a hassle to carry on long shoots, and the constant lens length prevents surprises while focusing.
Why I Like It
Ultra-wide 11mm field of view which is perfect for expansive astrophotography shots
Large F1.8 aperture helps capture more light during night shoots
Compact and lightweight design makes it easy to carry all night
Fast and quiet autofocus ideal for both stills and video
Consistent lens length while focusing improves handling and balance
Current Price: $648.00
Rating: 4.5 (total: 275+)
Sony E 15mm F1.4 G
Sony E 15mm F1.4 G
Wide-angle 15mm APS-C prime with large F1.4 aperture, sharp corner-to-corner image quality, fast and quiet AF, ideal for stills and video.
The Sony E 15mm F1.4 G lens quickly became my go-to prime for astrophotography and everyday shooting on my Sony E-mount APS-C cameras. That ultra-wide-angle 15mm gives you just the right perspective — not too stretched out, but wide enough to capture stunning night skies or cityscapes. The large F1.4 aperture really shines in low-light, letting in plenty of light without cranking up ISO, which is perfect for catching stars or those subtle Milky Way details.
I also love how compact and lightweight this lens is; it feels balanced on my camera and doesn’t wear me down during long sessions outside at night. The autofocus is impressively fast and whisper quiet, so it won’t interrupt your shot or video.
Plus, the manual aperture ring is a great touch, especially for quick exposure changes while shooting on the move. Whether you’re capturing stills or video, this lens handles both with ease and gives you that beautiful creamy bokeh when you want it.
Why I Like It
Large F1.4 aperture pulls in plenty of light for night and astrophotography
Compact, lightweight design pairs perfectly with Sony APS-C and Super35 cameras
Fast, precise, and quiet autofocus ideal for both stills and video
Manual aperture ring offers smooth or click adjustments for better control
Constant lens length during focusing helps with balance and handling
Current Price: $848.00
Rating: 4.7 (total: 143+)
Sony E 10–18mm F4 OSS
Super wide-angle zoom lens with constant F4 aperture and Optical SteadyShot for steady shots, perfect for sweeping landscapes and creative astrophotography.
I’ve found the Sony E 10–18mm F4 OSS to be a solid choice when I want that ultra-wide-angle perspective, especially for astrophotography with Sony E-mount cameras. The zoom range covers from 10mm, which is great for capturing expansive night skies, to 18mm, giving you some framing flexibility without changing lenses. The constant F4 aperture isn’t the fastest, but paired with the built-in Optical SteadyShot image stabilization, it really helps keep shots sharp when you’re working in low-light or long exposures.
I also like how it handles distortion and chromatic aberration pretty well, especially once the camera’s in-built corrections kick in. It’s a bit larger than prime lenses like the SEL11F18, but having that zoom is super convenient when you’re out under the stars and want to quickly adjust your composition. Whether you’re capturing Milky Way panoramas or wide-angle nightscapes, this lens balances performance and ease of use nicely.
What Makes It Stand Out
Ultra-wide 10–18mm zoom covers a versatile focal range for landscapes and night skies
Constant F4 aperture combined with Optical SteadyShot keeps images sharp in low light
Built-in image stabilization helps when shooting handheld astrophotography or long exposures
Compact zoom flexibility means you can frame shots quickly without swapping lenses
Circular aperture blades create smooth bokeh and nice light rendering
Current Price: $895.76
Rating: 4.6 (total: 323+)
Samyang 12mm F2.0 Ultra Wide
Samyang 12mm F2.0 Ultra Wide
Ultra wide-angle 12mm f/2.0 lens designed for Sony E-mount, ideal for low-light and astrophotography with manual focus and excellent optics.
The ultra-wide 12mm view (which is about 18mm full-frame equivalent on APS-C) really opens up your framing, perfect for capturing expansive night skies or dramatic landscapes. Plus, its lightweight aluminum build makes it easy to carry on those late-night shoots or weekend adventures. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly lens made for Sony E-mount that performs well under low light, this one’s worth considering.
Why I Like It
Bright F2.0 aperture great for shooting in low-light and night skies
Fantastic price at only $199!
Ultra-wide 12mm focal length (18mm equivalent on APS-C) captures sweeping views
Manual focus with smooth ring offers precise control once you get used to it
Durable aluminum alloy body keeps it lightweight yet sturdy
Nano Coating System reduces flare and ghosting for clear night shots
Current Price: $199.00
Rating: 4.3 (total: 523+)
How Should I Decide Between a Prime Lens Like the Sony 11mm F1.8 and a Zoom Lens for Astrophotography on Sony E Mount Cameras?
I usually lean towards prime lenses like the Sony 11mm F1.8 because of their wider apertures and generally better image quality at a given focal length. That F1.8 aperture really helps in low-light conditions, letting me reduce exposure times and capture more stars with less noise.
Zoom lenses, like Sony’s 10–18mm F4, offer flexibility in framing but often have smaller maximum apertures, which means less light intake -something to consider when shooting the night sky. Plus, primes tend to have less distortion and better corner sharpness, which is important for crisp star images.
However, if you want versatility for other types of photography during the day or prefer not to switch lenses, a zoom can be handy. It’s really about balancing your astrophotography needs with overall use.
For me, the prime with F1.8 aperture is the better tool for dedicated night sky work.
Are There Any Practical Tips for Using the Sony E 11mm F1.8 Lens on APS-C Cameras for Night Sky and Astrophotography?
Absolutely. From my experience, first make sure to use manual focus and set it to infinity, but don’t just trust the infinity mark — use live view magnification to fine-tune focus on a bright star or distant light.
Also, because the lens is so wide, you can use relatively longer exposure times without star trailing, which helps improve image brightness and detail. I recommend shooting in RAW so you have more flexibility in post-processing to correct the lens’s barrel distortion and any chromatic aberrations.
Since the Sony 11mm F1.8 is lightweight and compact, pairing it with a sturdy tripod and a remote shutter release or a timer helps avoid camera shake. Lastly, watch out for lens flare from bright light sources nearby and consider using a lens hood or shielding the lens with your hand for cleaner night shots. With these tips, this lens becomes a powerful tool for capturing stunning astrophotography images with Sony APS-C cameras.