Working with lenses on a budget can sometimes be difficult. Because you need to find an option with great zoom capabilities that will help you capture stretched images while maintaining crispness and sharpness. However, there are some good lenses for your Sony A7iii at an affordable price.
Hello folks! My name is Lavelle and I am a professional photographer and videographer. For the past fourteen years, I have been shooting all types of commercial photography for customers across the United States.
In this article, I will go over the best budget lenses for the Sony A7iii camera. I will cover some of the things you should look for through a good, budget lens and I will share a few tips I’ve learned throughout my career.
Contents
Key Takeaways
- When choosing a budget lens for your Sony A7iii, look for a lens that is compatible with the camera and has good image quality and optical performance.
- Focal length is an important consideration when looking for a budget lens.
- It is important to understand what you will be using the lens for, to determine which lens best suits your needs.
Yes, the Sony A7 series cameras are all compatible with E-mount lenses.
What is the difference between a mirrorless camera and a DSLR?
Primarily, the mirrorless system is a single autofocus system while the DSLR is a dual autofocus system. DSLR systems use dedicated autofocus sensors behind the mirror of the camera.
How much should a good budget lens cost?
That is a difficult question to answer. It depends on the use and design of the lens. Typically speaking, the lower end is around $250 and the price goes up from there.
What Makes the Best Budget Lens for Sony A7iii
When looking for a budget lens for the Sony A7iii, there are a few important points to consider.
- Compatibility: Compatibility with the camera is the most important thing to look for. Many budget lenses are not compatible with the Sony A7iii. Therefore, you must ensure compatibility with the camera before making a purchase.
- Image Quality/Optical Performance: Another important consideration is the image quality and optical performance of the lens. When looking for an affordable lens, you should examine these features closely and ensure that quality doesn’t suffer because of price.
- Focal Length: Likewise, the lens you choose should have a wide range of focal lengths to meet your photography needs unless you are looking for a lens that is specifically designed for one type of shoot. Typically, versatility is a good choice when choosing budget lenses.
- Value/Affordability: It should go without saying that when you are looking for the best lens, you want to consider value for the price point. The cheapest lens isn’t always the best and it isn’t always the worst. You have to consider overall use and value to make the best choice for your needs.
The 6 Best Budget Lenses for Sony A7iii
Here is my list of the best budget lenses for your Sony A7iii.
1. Sony 28-70mm F3.5-5.6 FE All in One (Best All Around)
- Maximum Focal Length: 70mm
- Minimum Focal Length: 28mm
- Focus Type: Stepper motor
- Lens Type: Zoom
My #1 choice for a great budget lens is the Sony 28-70mm F3.5-5.6. This mid-range zoom lens is a great option for a full-frame lens. It is compact and lightweight and offers excellent flexibility for various types of shoots.
Sony 28-70mm F3.5-5.6 FE gives you an impressive focal length combined with a superior design. You can shoot a wide of subjects and it is dust and moisture-resistant, giving you great protection in less-than-desirable environmental conditions.
The thing that I like about this option is the optical image stabilization. The gyro sensors that are built into the lens give you excellent protection against the smallest movements. Additionally, lens stabilization also helps to produce exceptional video quality.
The main concern is the difficulty you find when trying to conduct full-range zooming. The lens is not designed to provide the user with zoom capability at any range. Therefore, you are somewhat limited in fully maximizing the zoom options.
My Verdict: This is easily the best all-around lens to use with the Sony A7iii. It is affordable and allows you to use it under varying conditions and in several circumstances. It’s a great option for users of all experience levels.
2. Sigma 16mm F1.4 Wide Angle (Best for Low-Light)
- Maximum Focal Length: 16mm
- Minimum Focal Length: 16mm
- Focus Type: Autofocus
- Lens Type: Wide angle
My next choice is the Sigma 16mm F1.4 Wide Angle lens. This is an excellent option for shooting events and nature. It is compact and versatile. The F1.4 aperture makes it a great choice for low-light conditions.
This lens is compatible with all Sony E-mount cameras and accommodates the hybrid AF. It is also usable with Canon EOS mirrorless cameras. The versatility of this lens is quite remarkable.
The thing that I like about Sigma 16mm F1.4 Wide Angle is its ability to work so well in low-light conditions. It also provides a quick and smooth focus return. Additionally, this lens offers exceptional optical quality.
The only drawback I see is that it is limited to the e-mount lenses only for the Sony brand. The fixed focal length of 16mm is also limited with this lens.
My Verdict: Sigma lens is a perfect choice for photographers who specialize in nature and event photography. The aperture setting on this lens makes it a great option for shooting events in low light and for early morning nature shots.
3. Sony 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 Wide Angle (Best Zoom)
- Maximum Focal Length: 50mm
- Minimum Focal Length: 16mm
- Focus Type: Automatic
- Lens Type: Zoom
The Sony 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 Wide Angle is a powerful and smooth zoom lens that is the best in its class for telephoto and full-range zoom capabilities. The built-in image stabilization is also a nice addition to this lens.
This lens is also a great option for macro filmmaking. The extra-low dispersion glass elements produce exceptional quality and are remarkable at reducing inherent noise. The bokeh effects are also impressive and help to greatly reduce chromatic aberrations and enhance depth effects.
Another thing that I like about this lens is that it has five elements that help you to get sharp images. The ED glass element and the four aspherical elements combine to create multiple aberration reductions, which helps to produce exceptional overall quality.
Unfortunately, this lens is limited to e-mount Sony cameras only. It is not compatible with Sony A-mount cameras.
My Verdict: For telephoto and zoom quality, this lens is a superior choice. It has a powerful zoom quality and allows you to shoot smooth, crisp images.
4. Sony – FE 50mm F1.8 Portrait (Best Portrait)
- Maximum Focal Length: 50mm
- Minimum Focal Length: 50mm
- Focus Type: Automatic
- Lens Type: Normal
When it comes to portrait needs, the Sony FE 50mm F1.8 is the top of the line. This 50mm portrait lens offers exceptional quality for portrait and macro landscape scenes. It is surprisingly versatile and can be used in several shooting modes.
The large f-stop of 1.8 gives you some great defocusing effects. The Sony – FE 50mm F1.8 Portrait also has a notable view angle and exceptional aspherical elements. The double-gauss configuration helps to suppress curvature and reduces distortion.
Another outstanding feature is its wide aperture setting, which helps to produce smooth images with defocusing elements that are built into its design. The bokeh effect helps to maintain contrast in shots and retains color very well when defocusing.
The main con here is the limited focal range. It is also not a good option for sports photography. With its limitations, it requires you to keep several other lens options available for switching out when shooting.
My Verdict: For its intended use, this 50mm lens is a great choice. It produces some of the best portrait quality of any lens. It is also good for large landscape areas. While the uses of this lens are limited, it is a good option for specific shooting needs.
5. Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 Telephoto (Best for Sports)
- Maximum Focal Length: 210mm
- Minimum Focal Length: 55mm
- Focus Type: Manual
- Lens Type: Zoom
The Sony E 55-210 Telephoto is an exceptional telephoto lens with a 4.5-6.3 f-stop, which is a great choice for sports photography and nature landscapes. Its wide aperture makes for some nice high contrast and sharp images.
Remarkably, this lens offers some high-quality uses for videography needs. The optical steady shot image stabilization feature gives it great stability for video shooting. The sensors and motors in the lens are synced for reducing blur and for better image stabilization.
The standout feature of Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 Telephoto is the multiple AA element that provides impressive sharpness and depth quality. The focal range of this lens is also very impressive. It does not lose quality as you zoom in on subjects at their maximum range.
The primary concern is the quality that you lose when capturing near-field objects. The lens is not designed with this function in mind and limits your ability to shoot objects in this range.
My Verdict: This lens is a great choice for shooting natural landscapes and for capturing sports moments. The wide aperture and autofocus locking feature produce nice, sharp, high-contrast images.
6. Sigma 70mm F2.8 Art DG Macro (Best Macro)
- Maximum Focal Length: 70mm
- Minimum Focal Length: 70mm
- Focus Type: Automatic
- Lens Type: Macro
The last choice on my list, but certainly not a bad option, is the Sigma 70mm F2.8 Art DF Macro. This lens is great for shooting 1:1 photos in close-up scenarios and offers precise, detailed images.
The Sigma 70mm F2.8 Art DG Macro is also compatible with some Canon cameras and is a great option for shooting nature and wildlife subjects. It is designed to minimize aberration corrections and focal distortions. Additionally, this lens allows switching between modes with its two-group focus mechanism.
I like that with this lens you can capture far and near images without switching out the lens. By rotating the focus ring, you can get sharp and symmetric images quickly and easily.
It is only compatible with Sony E (NEX) and Sony FE series cameras. Additionally, it is also limited to only being used for macro shots.
My Verdict: This is the perfect lens for macro shooting. It is well-designed and has impressive features for this category of photography. It is a very sturdy lens and its brass mount construction makes it extremely durable.
Final Thoughts
The Sony A7iii camera is a versatile and powerful camera that can capture stunning images with the right lens. Keep in mind the zoom capabilities of the lens, which also help you capture stretched images while maintaining crispness and sharpness.
Each lens I discussed above has its primary use, but all are good choices for the Sony A7iii camera. Whether you are an experienced photographer or are new to the photography field, there are some great lenses to add to your bag.
What’s your “go-to” lens for Sony A7iii? Share your experiences with us and leave a comment below.
Until next time, capture great moments!
