14 Best Lenses For Sony a7R III [Full 2024 Buying Guide!]

Bradley Williams
Written By:
Bradley Williams
Last Updated:
January 4, 2024
Here's a comprehensive guide to the 14 best lenses for Sony A7riii. Helping you to choose the perfect lens for the style of photography you have planned.
best lenses for Sony a7riii

Do you have the Sony a7riii? Or planning to buy one?

If so, you might be wondering what the best E-mount lenses are for the Sony a7riii.

Whether you’re looking for something from the Sony brand or prefer a third-party alternative, there’s something here for you today.

We have covered different types of lenses too, from a versatile zoom lens to specific choices for portrait or astrophotography. If you’re a traveller, the proper lens can help you get epic travel shots too.

There’s no need to feel intimidated by the sheer number of lens options out there. With this post, we hope to provide a comprehensive guide that can help you choose the best lens for your Sony a7riii.

Want a quick answer for our top pick?

Go for the Sony 50mm F/1.4 ZA.

Our top pick
overall best lens for Sony a7riii
A solid prime lens that can be used for a whole array of different shots. It might not be cheap, but then again, no great lens is. It's a solid investment that will pay dividends for years to come; regardless of whether you're a professional photographer or a beginner hobbyist.

**Wherever possible I have included prices below. These are accurate at the time of publication but may change over time. Also, some links below may be affiliate links. This means that we receive a small commission if you click one of these links and make a purchase; but this comes at no additional cost to you. However it does help support our blog, so thank you! You can learn more about this here.

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Different Type of Lenses For the Sony a7riii

It’s important to choose the right lens for the specific type of photography you enjoy. Here are the most common ones:

1. Zoom

If you want a versatile lens to use for a variety of shots, go for a zoom lens. This type of lens can be used for multiple kinds of photography, from street and events to portrait and wildlife. That’s because a zoom lens supports a range of focal lengths that lets you zoom to different lengths.

This means you can easily reframe any shot without having to move closer or farther away from the subject. It’s overall the perfect go-to lens for any beginner. Zoom lenses are also great to pair with your blogging camera.

Best Zoom lens
best Sony a7riii zoom lens
With a fast & reliable autofocus, coupled with incredible stability and weatherproofing, this really is the ultimate zoom lens. Perfect for capturing event photography as well as shooting epic sceneries.

2. Prime

A prime lens is the opposite of a zoom lens because it consists of a single, fixed focal length. You can’t zoom and it is made for a particular use. While it may not be as versatile, a prime lens offers higher quality photographs.

Yet this also means that you have to find out the best focal length for your specific needs. For example, we recommend 50mm for portrait photography and a shorter one, like 24mm, if you want to capture wide-angle scenes and landscapes.

Best Prime Lens
best Sony a7riii prime lens
As well as being our top overall pick for the Sony a7riii, this lens is also the top prime pick. It is best served in low light conditions, and is able to produce wonderfully crisp shots.

3. Portrait

Technically, you can use any lens to shoot portraits, but certain focal lengths and aperture sizes are better suited to produce more accurate images of your human subject.

A shorter lens of around 35mm can be used to take flattering portraits that include the background, but longer lenses of 85mm or above are perfect for blurred backdrops.

best portrait lens
best Sony a7riii portrait lens
The build quality on this wide-angle lens is truly outstanding. And with zero chromatic aberration and breathtaking sharpness, it is the perfect portrait lens for any environment. Even in darker locations the color rendition is truly flattering.

4. Macro

A macro lens may be a prime or zoom lens, depending on what you prefer. Either way, it is designed to capture extremely tiny objects and so you can shoot from up close. This means focusing on things that are very near to the lens.

If you enjoy macro photography, it means you love ultra-sharp and detailed images of various elements. From rugged textures in nature, to the smooth and extreme close-up shots of materials.

best macro lens
best Sony a7riii macro lens
From flowers to insects, the sharpness and detail captured with every shot is hard to beat. It's a versatile and powerful lens, perfect for both portrait and landscape macro photos.

5. Wide-Angle

A wide-angle lens can be used to shoot sprawling sceneries, architecture, and night skies. Their wide focal field and short focal length of 24mm (or less) lets you capture as much of a scene as possible. Perfect for when you’re shooting epic picturesque landscapes in a country such as Ireland.

We also love wide-angle lenses for capturing astrophotography as it can expose longer and produce truly breathtaking results of the sky!

best wide-angle lens
best Sony a7riii wide-angle lens
from cramped interiors to sprawling landscapes, this is hands down the best wide-angle lens currently available for the Sony a7riii. Once again, it's not exactly cheap. But if you want the best of the best, then there really is no other choice.

6. Telephoto

Photographers are often painted with bulky lenses that weigh a ton. These are actually telephoto lenses, which lets you shoot objects that are super far away! For example, in sports and events.

You can also use a telephoto lens for capturing wildlife and nature without having to approach the subject. Note that these are usually more expensive and much heavier than other lenses. In other words, not the best choice for amateurs, and make sure you have a big enough camera backpack!

Best telephoto lens
best Sony a7riii telephoto lens
With outstanding focal range versatility, you probably won't find a better telephoto lens for the Sony a7riii anywhere else. It's a pricey lens, as are all telephotography lenses, so it's worth practicing and learning how to best use this lens in order to get the most out of your investment.

The 14 Best Lenses For Sony a7riii

1. Sony 50mm f/1.4 ZA - Best Prime Lens

Sony 50mm f/1.4 ZA lens

Minimum focusing distance: 0.45 m

Focal length: 50 mm

Aperture: f/16-f/1.4

Filter size (diameter): 72 mm

Weight: 780 g

Size (length x diameter): 108 mm x 83.5 mm

BEST DEALS ON Sony 50mm F/1.4 ZA

The Sony 50mm f/1.4 ZA boasts a fast max aperture of f/1.4, 11 aperture blades, and excellent build. In other words, it’s great for low-light conditions and can produce stunning bokeh, as well as impressive sharpness.

This can be your go-to choice for a standard prime lens that offers excellent image quality yet is still ideal for a variety of uses. The 50mm focal length has a natural enough angle of view and is one of the most popular lengths for a prime lens. Even Sony has three FE lenses at this length!

You can use the Sony 50mm f/1.4 ZA to capture a range of photo styles: fashion, portraits, weddings, sports, and even landscapes. We love that it performs well for both tight headshots and wider framings alike.

Moreover, as it belongs to Sony’s partnership lineup with Zeiss, this lens also flaunts a Zeiss T* anti-reflective coating that will reduce reflection for a clearer image with better contrast and accurate colors.

One minor downside is that the lens shows flaring when you shoot in bright conditions at f/16, though this is mostly fixable through some editing. It can also be quite expensive, while the weight may not be the most practical for casual photographers.

Pros of the Sony 50mm f/1.4 ZA

  1. Excellent image quality
  2. Fast f/1.4 aperture for low-light shooting
  3. 11 aperture blades produces unbeatable bokeh

Cons of the Sony 50mm f/1.4 ZA

  1. Some flaring at f/16
  2. Can be expensive
  3. Pretty heavy for a mirrorless camera
BEST DEALS ON Sony 50mm F/1.4 ZA

2. Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 - Best Zoom Lens

Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 lens
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Minimum focusing distance: 0.38 m

Focal length: 24-70 mm

Aperture: f/22-f/2.8

Filter size (diameter): 82 mm

Weight: 886 g

Size (length x diameter): 136 mm x 87.6 mm

If you’re looking for something with a more flexible zooming ability, we recommend the Sony 24-70mm f/2.8. It’s hands-down the best zoom lens for the Sony a7riii.

It is well-built, has professional weather-sealing to protect against dust and moisture, and an outstanding autofocus performance that is both fast and reliable. Your images will remain sharp at any zoom range, so you can use it for sceneries as well as event photography.

This mid-range zoom lens also features the signature Sony Nano AR Coating that can minimize the risk of flare and ghosting when in use. Plus, its 9-blade aperture offers pretty great defocusing effects.

While the bokeh is not bad, it’s not the best either, though as long as bokeh is not your priority, then the Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 will not disappoint.

Moreover, like many other lenses we’ll feature today, this one has no optical stabilization. But the in-body image stabilization of your Sony a7riii should be enough to stabilise the sensor for sharp stills and smooth videos.

If this is important to you, check out our guide on the best DSLR camera gimbals which will provide true stability while recording.

Pros of the Sony 24-70mm f/2.8

  1. Impressive image quality and sharpness
  2. Fast and accurate autofocus
  3. Well-built

Cons of the Sony 24-70mm f/2.8

  1. Soft edges when shooting wide open
  2. Some flare resistance
  3. Can be quite heavy

3. Sony 20mm f/2.8 - Best Budget Prime Lens

Sony 20mm f/2.8 lens
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Minimum focusing distance: 0.2 ms

Focal length: 20 mm

Aperture: f/16-f/2.8

Filter size (diameter): 49 mm

Weight: 69 g

Size (length x diameter): 20.32 mm x 62.48 mm

The Sony 20mm f/2.8 is what they call a pancake lens, aka a flat and thin lens with an extremely short barrel. This super compact lens offers a superb performance while being ultra-lightweight and portable.

With a 20mm focal length that’s equivalent to 30mm and decent max aperture of f/2.8, this is the perfect lens for those who want to travel and take stunning photos without worrying about the size and weight. In fact, this lens can make your a7riii feel like a practical point and shoot!

You can still use it to shoot gorgeous images with a shallow depth-of-field, even in low-light conditions, and remain sharp at narrow apertures.

In addition to the slim design and size superiority of the Sony 20mm f/2.8, we love that it comes with three three aspherical elements for reduced distortion and color aberration. Meanwhile, the quiet autofocus is also smooth and fast.

It also comes with 7 aperture blades to produce stunning bokeh. Not to mention that all these features and performance come at a pretty affordable price tag, making it an ideal option for beginners.

We also recommend taking the Sony 20mm f/2.8 to accompany you on backpacking trips, for instance to places like Bali.

Pros of the Sony 20mm f/2.8

  1. Very compact and lightweight
  2. Ultra-sharp optics
  3. Wide field of view

Cons of the Sony 20mm f/2.8

  1. Visible barrel distortion
  2. Not dust and splash-resistant
  3. No optical stabilization

4. Sony 70-200mm f/4 - Best Budget Zoom Lens

Sony 70-200mm f/4 lens
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Minimum focusing distance: 1 m

Focal length: 70-200 mm

Aperture: f/22-f/4

Filter size (diameter): 72 mm

Weight: 840 g

Size (length x diameter): 175 mm x 80 mm

The Sony 70-200mm f/4 is not only our favorite budget zoom lens, it also happens to be an excellent choice for a high quality telephoto lens.

Admittedly, this isn’t the best choice for shooting low-light conditions, but is perfect if you want an affordable telephoto zoom lens. It can give you stunning bokeh, but the real game changer is its incredibly sharp images from edge to edge.

This lens comes with Sony’s very own Optical SteadyShot image stabilization to help you capture sharp stills of fast-moving objects, as well as the Sony Nano AR Coating for reduced flare and ghosting effects.

Though at 840g it may seem annoyingly heavy and massive at first, it is a telephoto lens and so this weight is actually quite reasonable for its function.

If you’re travelling and want to capture wildlife or other faraway subjects, the Sony 70-200mm f/4 won’t weigh you down too much. It’s even dust and moisture-resistant design, making it the perfect companion for your outdoor adventures.

Pros of the Sony 70-200mm f/4

  1. Very sharp image
  2. Excellent build with dust and moisture resistance
  3. Pretty lightweight for a telephoto zoom lens

Cons of the Sony 70-200mm f/4

  1. Not great for shooting in low-light 
  2. Some distortion
  3. Still very bulky to pair with a mirrorless

5. Sony FE 12-24 F2.8 GM - Best Wide-Angle Lens

Sony FE 12-24 F2.8 GM lens

Minimum focusing distance: 0.28 m

Focal length: 12-24 mm

Aperture: f/22-f/2.8

Filter size (diameter): No filter thread

Weight: 847 g

Size (length x diameter): 137 mm x 97.6 mm

If you’re looking for a wide-angle lens, the Sony FE 12-24 F2.8 GM is hands-down our top pick for the Sony a7riii. You can use it to capture expansive landscapes, cramped interiors, and sprawling architecture.

For a 12mm focal length, we love how lightweight this lens is, making it travel-friendly. It’s a great wide-angle option to add to your collection of lenses.

While it can be quite expensive, the excellent central and edge-to-edge sharpness is worth it. This lens also produces minimal distortion and aberration even when you are shooting at the max aperture.

The Sony FE 12-24 F2.8 GM is also resistant to dust and moisture, so you can easily take it with you for any outdoor photo sessions.

On the downside, the protruding lens of its exterior design does leave it incompatible with front filters. This means you have to buy a filter holder first before putting on any lens filter. It can be a bit of a nuisance, but shouldn’t be a dealbreaker.

Pros of the Sony FE 12-24 F2.8 GM

  1. Stunning AF performance
  2. No distortion and minimal color aberration
  3. Excellent edge-to-edge sharpness

Cons of the Sony FE 12-24 F2.8 GM

  1. Can be quite expensive
  2. Incompatible with lens filters
  3. Doesn’t have aperture ring

6. Sony FE 85mm F1.4 G Master - Best Portrait Lens

Sony FE 85mm F1.4 G Master lens

Minimum focusing distance: 0.8 m

Focal length: 85 mm

Aperture: f/16-f/1.4

Filter size (diameter): 77 mm

Weight: 820 g

Size (length x diameter): 107.5 mm x 89.5 mm

Looking for the best portrait lens for the Sony a7riii? The Sony FE 85mm F1.4 G Master is your answer. It’s a truly magnificent lens we recommend for any portrait photographer.

It offers brilliant sharpness, flare resistance, no chromatic aberration, and superb build quality. The color rendition is flattering and will make your portraits look even more beautiful.

The bright f/1.4 aperture also lets you capture beautiful shots even in darker environments, while the dust and moisture-resistance means it is protected against minor weather elements.

On the other hand, this Sony lens does come with a pretty slow autofocus, although the eye autofocus may come in handy.

It’s also a shame this lens is quite large and heavy, weighing at 820 g. This may be too impractical for everyday, amateur photographers who want to take stunning portraits, but can be worth it for professionals looking to up their game.

Pros of the Sony FE 85mm F1.4 G Master

  1. Excellent edge-to-edge sharpness
  2. Flattering colors for portraiture
  3. One of the most stunning bokeh results

Cons of the Sony FE 85mm F1.4 G Master

  1. Slow autofocus
  2. Quite expensive
  3. Big and heavy for a portrait lens

7. Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS - Best Macro Lens

Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS lens
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Minimum focusing distance: 0.28 m

Focal length: 90 mm

Aperture: f/22-f/2.8

Filter size (diameter): 62 mm

Weight: 602 g

Size (length x diameter): 130.5 mm x 79 mm

In addition to being among the best macro lenses for the Sony a7riii, the Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS is also one of Sony’s sharpest lenses. And it can take superb portrait shots, thanks to that unrivalled sharpness.

With that said, the macro performance of this lens is like no other. You can use it to capture impressive details of any subject, from insects to flowers, and enjoy shallow depth-of-field focus and beautiful bokeh. Meanwhile, the f/2.8 max aperture is pretty good for low-light conditions too.

In terms of drawbacks, we can’t find many from the Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS. While the Direct Drive DDSSM ensures that the autofocus is ultra-silent, it is not the fastest. 

Plus, the manual focus could be better if it supported minor adjustments. Although this shouldn’t be a problem if you’re mostly capturing portraits.

Pros of the Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS

  1. Great for both macro and portrait photography
  2. One of the sharpest Sony lenses
  3. Beautiful color rendition

Cons of the Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS

  1. Not the focus AF
  2. Manual focus can be improved

8. Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS - Best Telephoto Lens

sony fe 70-200mm f2.8 gm oss lens

Minimum focusing distance: 0.96 m

Focal length: 70-200 mm

Aperture: f/22-f/2.8

Filter size (diameter): 77 mm

Weight: 1480 g

Size (length x diameter): 200 mm x 88 mm

If you are looking to shoot faraway objects from a long distance, look no further than the Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS. With excellent sharpness and autofocus, it’s the best telephoto lens for the Sony a7riii.

Sports events, concerts and performances, wildlife… you name it. This lens has a versatile focal range that lets you capture not only distant subjects, but also stunning portraits. It can even produce beautiful bokeh effects!

You can pair this lens with a travel drone to get both panoramic shots of the environment and close-up looks of the animals in their natural habitat.

In terms of price, we do realize that telephoto lenses can be very expensive, and this one is no exception. In addition to its weight and size, the Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS may not be the best choice for beginners.

With that said, if you’re looking for the best possible telephoto performance, you won’t be disappointed by this Sony lens.

It even comes with optical stabilization, a focus lock, and tactile button to switch between manual and autofocus, which is reliable, fast, and silent.

Pros of the Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS

  1. Excellent image sharpness and quality
  2. Recommended for professionals
  3. Also great for portrait photography

Cons of the Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS

  1. Very expensive, so not ideal for beginners
  2. Extremely heavy and large
  3. Not portable

9. Sony FE 24mm F1.4 GM - Best Astrophotography Lens

Sony FE 24mm F1.4 GM lens
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Minimum focusing distance: 0.24 m

Focal length: 24 mm

Aperture: f/16-f/1.4

Filter size (diameter): 67 mm

Weight: 445 g

Size (length x diameter): 92.4 mm x 75.4 mm

The Sony FE 24mm F1.4 GM is the perfect choice for astrophotography, thanks to its impressive f/1.2 max aperture and wide angle.

This lens also performs impeccably in low-light conditions. You can get sharp and noise-free photos even in a dark environment. Not to mention the beautiful bokeh.

Coupled with its light weight and portability, this can be your new tool to document exciting travels to exotic countries with breathtaking night skies like Thailand!

Especially because the 24mm prime lens is an ideal length for shooting landscapes. Wherever you are in the world, you can use the Sony FE 24mm F1.4 GM to commemorate picturesque scenes in high definition.

In addition, we love the fast and accurate autofocus of this Sony lens.

There aren’t many downsides to this lens, except for the fact that it has no optical stabilization. But with the in-body image stabilization of the a7riii, this should not be a problem.

Alas, the lens can be quite expensive too, though we think the combo of top-notch performance and light weight is well worth it!

Pros of the Sony FE 24mm F1.4 GM

  1. Excellent low-light performance
  2. Stunning bokeh
  3. Professional weather-sealing

Cons of the Sony FE 24mm F1.4 GM

  1. There’s no optical stabilization
  2. Can be pricey
  3. Minor color fringing

10. Sony FE 28mm F2 - Best Travel Lens

Sony FE 28mm F2 lens
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Minimum focusing distance: 0.29 m

Focal length: 28 mm

Aperture: f/22-f/2

Filter size (diameter): 49 mm

Weight: 200 g

Size (length x diameter): 60 mm x 64 mm

When looking for the best travel lens for your Sony a7riii, the key is to find a balance of weight, size, and performance. For this, we’ve found the Sony FE 28mm F2 to be the perfect candidate.

Not only is it one of the most compact options for your camera, it’s also very affordable and versatile. The focal length makes it a great prime lens you can use to capture wide-angle shots and other everyday scenes.

In short, the only camera lens that a beginner needs. We also love that this Sony lens is among one of the best video lenses too. You can take smooth videos without having to make your mirrorless much heavier too.

In addition to the excellent autofocus, the Sony FE 28mm F2 is made to perform in low-light conditions and produce stunning bokeh.

Despite the relatively affordable price tag, this lens still offers razor-sharp images even when you are shooting at the max aperture.

All in all, this Sony lens is quite a popular option among globetrotters everywhere. We also think it’s an ideal lens to document your most awesome road trips!

Pros of the Sony FE 28mm F2

  1. Extremely lightweight and portable
  2. Fast and reliable AF performance
  3. Excellent value for money

Cons of the Sony FE 28mm F2

  1. Soft edges when shooting wide open
  2. Slight aberration when wide open

11. Sigma 14mm 1.8 DG HSM Art Lens - Best Ultra-Wide Angle Lens

Sigma 14mm 1.8 DG HSM Art Lens
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Minimum focusing distance: 0.27ms

Focal length: 28 mm

Aperture: f/16-f/1.8

Filter size (diameter): 49 mm

Weight: 1170 g

Size (length x diameter): 126 mm x 95.4 mm

The Sigma 14mm 1.8 DG HSM Art Lens is the best Sony a7riii ultra-wide angle lens, if only because of its unique combo of super wide angle of view and shallow depth of field, all thanks to its f/1.8 aperture.

You can get extremely beautiful bokeh and background blurring. Not to mention stunning details with virtually no distortion so you can immortalize all those breathtaking sceneries.

The optical performance is no doubt the main star of this lens, but the build quality is no less impressive. It feels very sturdy and durable, and will last you for a long time indeed. The solid barrel is made of premium metal and plastic, which might make its hefty weight well worth it.

When it comes to capturing yourself and a loved one in the scenic landscape of romantic spots across the world, you can’t go wrong with this Sigma lens.

Unfortunately, there might be some coma when you shoot at max aperture, which is a spherical aberration that can cause a comet-like blur on your image. The good news is it’s quite minor and can be easily fixed in post-processing.

Overall, we truly love the Sigma 14mm 1.8 DG HSM Art Lens and recommend it for anyone wanting a high performance ultra-wide angle lens. Oh, and for astrophotography, it also takes excellent shots of the night sky!

Pros of the Sigma 14mm 1.8 DG HSM Art Lens

  1. Ultra-wide-angle lens with large f/1.8 aperture
  2. Incredible sharpness
  3. Excellent build quality

Cons of the Sigma 14mm 1.8 DG HSM Art Lens

  1. Very huge and bulky
  2. Some chromatic aberration and vignetting
  3. Visible coma at wide open

12. Sony FE 100mm F2.8 STF GM OSS

Sony FE 100mm F2.8 STF GM OSS lens

Minimum focusing distance: 0.85 m

Focal length: 100 mm

Aperture: f/20-f/2.8

Filter size (diameter): 72 mm

Weight: 700 g

Size (length x diameter): 118.1 mm x 85.2 mm

The Sony FE 100mm F2.8 STF GM OSS is a magnificent lens that you can also use for portrait photography. It offers excellent sharpness, image stabilization, and an exceptional build quality.

Sony also considers this mid-range prime lens a telephoto lens, which means you can use it to capture subjects that are farther away.

Meanwhile, the unique built-in APD (optical apodization) filter can darken and limit the light filtering into the sensor. The result is spectacular bokeh effects that are dark on the edges. This is especially visible when shooting at f/2.8.

While this APD filter can add to the beauty of the resulting images, it unfortunately affects the lens’ ability to transmit light.

Pros of the Sony FE 100mm F2.8 STF GM OSS

  1. Excellent sharpness
  2. Built-in APD filter for a smooth background
  3. Gorgeous bokeh
  4. Optical stabilization

Cons of the Sony FE 100mm F2.8 STF GM OSS

  1. Quite expensive
  2. Not the best light-gathering ability
  3. Pretty heavy

13. Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 Lens

Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 Lens
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Minimum focusing distance: 0.80 m

Focal length: 85 mm

Aperture: f/22-f/1.8

Filter size (diameter): 67 mm

Weight: 452 g

Size (length x diameter): 92 mm x 92 mm

Another brand you shouldn’t miss when looking for a good lens is Zeiss. The Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 is a good quality prime lens with a wide aperture range, which means you can take great shots even in low-light conditions.

It’s lightweight, takes excellent wide-angle images, and can be great for videos too. Meanwhile, the autofocus is fast, accurate, and silent.

It may not be the most affordable lens, but for the performance it offers, this Zeiss lens really does give a reasonable value for the price.

Another great feature of this lens is its trademark Batis OLED display, which allows you to track stats like the depth of field on the lens barrel. This can prove to be extremely useful when you’re focusing.

Moreover, the built-in image stabilization makes shooting at low speed much easier, while the top-notch weather-sealing means you can safely take this lens for your outdoor trips.

Pros of the Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8

  1. Includes image stabilization
  2. Top grade weather-sealing
  3. Signature Zeiss OLED display

Cons of the Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8

  1. Minor distortion is visible
  2. Can be expensive

14. Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III RXD

Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III RXD lens
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Minimum focusing distance: 0.19 m

Focal length: 28-75 mm

Aperture: f/22-f/2.8

Filter size (diameter): 67 mm

Weight: 550 g

Size (length x diameter): 117.8 mm x 73 mm

There are also Tamron lenses for the Sony a7riii that you shouldn’t overlook, including the Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III RXD. This powerful zoom lens is proof that you don’t always have to stick to the Sony brand to yield incredible results.

It’s relatively compact and lightweight, has excellent sharpness and incredible AF performance, as well as minimal chromatic aberration.

The image quality is truly stunning considering it’s only half the price of the Sony FE 24-70 F2.8, a lens with similar focal range and aperture range. If you’re on a budget, this is always a great option to still enjoy beautiful and crisp photos.

This Tamron lens also features a Broad-Band Anti-Reflection coating that minimizes flaring and ghosting, and works really well for outdoor usage.

Overall, you can use the Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III RXD for shooting portraits, street scenes, nature, and even close-up images.

It is an ideal lens for a huge range of photography, making it perfect to take on any hiking trip or long journey, especially in geographically diverse countries like India.

Pros of the Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III RXD

  1. Smooth bokeh
  2. Sharp images
  3. Relatively lightweight

Cons of the Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III RXD

  1. Some distortion
  2. Visible vignetting

What Makes a Good Sony a7riii Lens?

You have the options, but what makes a good lens? Here are the most important factors to consider before choosing your lens!

Correct Type

When choosing the right lens for your Sony a7riii, you should think about the type of photography that you will be doing. If you like shooting portraits, it makes no sense to buy a macro lens. Likewise, a long zoom lens will do you no good if you want to capture wide landscapes. Be sure that the lens you have chosen is suitable for your needs!

Suitable Focal Length

The next step is to pay attention to the focal length, which is essentially the optical property that determines the angle of view of your lens.

For shooting wildlife and faraway objects, go for a longer focal length with a narrow angle. On the other hand, you should choose a shorter lens for wide-angle shots and landscape photography.

Best Aperture

The aperture refers to the amount of light that can get through a lens sensor. A low aperture number of f/1.4 means you can shoot sharper images in low-light conditions, and these lenses are more expensive.

But this doesn’t mean you have to get the widest aperture! In fact, if shooting in the dark isn’t your priority, you can save a lot of money by choosing the f/4 version instead of f/2. Lenses with a “worse” max aperture are also much lighter.

Lightweight & Compact

Don’t forget that the Sony a7riii is a mirrorless camera. At only 657 g, it has a pretty lightweight body that makes it great for everyday photography and travelling. If potability is one of your priorities, it makes sense to get a lens that is equally lightweight and compact.

Unless you’re looking for a professional-grade telephoto lens, a heavy and bulky lens will only offset the benefits of a mirrorless.

Autofocus

This probably should not be a determining factor, as most lenses today have a good autofocus performance. However, in some cases, you might want to have the fastest or quietest AF. Especially if you’ll be shooting in a dynamic or silent environment.

Suits Your Budget

Lastly, never overlook the price of a camera lens! How much are you willing to spend for it? Our advice is to consider your priorities and skip fancy features or technology that you don’t need.

There is no need to spend an extra thousand bucks for an f/1.4 aperture if you are mostly capturing in well-lit conditions. It’s all about knowing what you will use your camera for and adjusting accordingly.

How to Care For Your Camera Lens

Another crucial aspect of owning a camera lens is caring for it. Below are some of our top tips to make our lenses last as long as possible.

Buy a good lens cleaning kit

After you choose and buy your new lens, it’s best if you also get a high-quality lens cleaning kit. This usually consists of an air blower and lens brush, which you can use to remove any dirt and dust from the lens surface.

You can even buy a lens cleaning pen, which is a versatile tool that has a brush and special tip to keep your lens clear and clean.

Try UV lens filter

Many people like putting a UV lens filter on their lens. This can protect it from dust and dirt while also shielding it from weather elements. Not to mention extra protection if your lens ever bumps into anything hard, or if you drop it!

On the downside, a UV filter might affect the photos you take, albeit only slightly. For most, the change is pretty much indiscernible and can be fixed in post-processing, which you can complete with a travel laptop even when on-the-go.

Never use hands to clean lenses

One of our #1 tip when it comes to handling a camera lens is to never use your bare hands. It may be tempting to brush away any sand or dirt with your finger, but you will only risk scratching the fragile glass surface. Instead, always use your cleaning brush or pen!

Store properly

Another important thing is to store your lens correctly. This includes choosing the best camera bag that can safely transport your camera. Sometimes, this means using a hard case with proper compartments and organization that can protect your lens as you’re travelling.

Handle with care

Finally, it is the simple fact of handling your lens with care. From taking it out, using it, to how you set it down on rough surfaces and change the lenses, you should always be deliberate about your actions and movements.

For example, when changing the lens, you should be careful not to let any debris get into the camera mechanism. That is why it’s best to change the camera lens at home or indoors, instead of when you’re out and about on a safari adventure in somewhere like Sri Lanka!

Sony a7riii lenses FAQ

What are the best lenses for Sony a7riii?

When choosing the best lens to pair with your Sony a7riii camera, it’s always important to consider what you’ll be using it for. The Sony 50mm f/1.4 ZA is an overall solid option if you want a good prime lens to cater a range of shoots, although it can be quite expensive.

For a budget prime lens you can use for everyday photo sessions, we recommend the Sony 20mm f/2.8. It is an outstanding prime lens that is slim, compact, and extremely lightweight. Of course, if you’re into specific types of photography, the right lens for you will vary.

What lens mount is Sony a7riii?

The Sony a7riii uses the E-mount, which is the same lens you will use on any Sony mirrorless camera, including the Sony a7iii. Meanwhile, the A-mount is compatible only with DSLRs, so make sure to buy the right lens for your camera!

What lenses are compatible with Sony a7riii?

The lenses we have included on our guide today, whether from Sony, Tamron, or Sigma, all use E-mounts. This means all the lenses, including the Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 and budget-friendly Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III RXD, are compatible with the Sony a7riii.

What is the sharpest Sony lens?

It’s always desirable to take sharp photos, which means focused subjects with crisp details, vibrant colors, and no blurry shots. You can easily get a sharp image with a reliable autofocus, a stable hand and camera, and good lens.

If you’re looking for the sharpest Sony lens, look no further than the Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS. This awesome lens will give you beautiful portrait and macro shots, and an impressive low-light performance.

Which is better: Sony a7iii or a7riii?

Both the Sony a7iii and a7riii are incredible mirrorless cameras that won’t disappoint; it is just a matter of choosing the better fit for you. We recommend the a7iii if you want the better value for your money as it’s more affordable. It has better autofocus and performance in high ISO conditions.

Meanwhile, the a7riii is better for those who want more image resolution for printed photos, as it supports 42MP in comparison to the a7iii’s 24MP. It also comes with a better viewfinder and pixel shift, which can be good for architectural or archival-like jobs.

Which Sony Lens Are You Choosing?

Thus concludes our guide for buying your own Sony a7riii lens! We hope it can shed some light on the entire process.

Remember: choosing the right lens isn’t difficult or overwhelming, as long as you know what you want and what to look for.

Whether you’re interested in a compact pancake lens for your everyday shots, or a heavy-duty one to capture long distance photos, there is something for you.

Just think about your budget, feature preference, priorities, and the important factors we’ve mentioned.

Did we miss out on any of your favorite lenses for the Sony a7riii?

Make sure to leave your thoughts in the comment section!

Other lens reviews:

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