Getting new photography equipment is always exciting, but it’s not always cheap. The cost of a quality camera, such as the Sony A7iii, is one thing, but when you throw in all of the expenses involved in getting geared up with lenses, accessories, and editing software, you’re looking at quite the investment.
Those costs are why it’s helpful to save some money when getting quality camera gear. A good way to do that is to look for budget lenses. In this guide, you will find some of the best affordable options for the Sony A7iii. Each one will provide you with great performance and increase the camera’s inherent versatility.
Contents
Quick Summary
- The Rokinon 50mm F1.4 Lens for Sony E Mount is a great budget version of a similar Sony lens that costs quite a bit more. This is an autofocusing lens that produces sharp and accurate photos.
- For an affordable lens with a lot of great qualities, take a look at the Meike 50mm F1.7 Full Frame Lens for Sony FE E Mount. This delivers quality results at a low cost.
- The Samyang SY14M-E 14mm F2.8 Ultra Wide Lens for Sony E-Mount is a budget lens that will give you wide-angle capabilities. It features a durable design and has a built-in hood.
Who Should Get This?
If you own a Sony A7iii camera, you own a great camera that will surely open up new horizons within your photography career. That being said, you need to get a variety of lenses in order to open up the camera’s true potential. Most lenses are not cheap and the budget options you’ll find here offer great value at a more inviting price. If you’re on a budget or just looking to save some cash, the models here are great for both.
Even though the models on this list are all quite affordable, the ones that Sony makes specifically for the A7iii are of higher quality overall. You will pay a lot more for those lenses, but if you want the options specifically designed by the camera maker, you might want to stick with that option.
Best Budget Lenses for Sony A7III: What to Consider
Compatibility
One initial consideration to take into account when getting a budget lens for any camera is compatibility. You always want to ensure the lens you purchase will actually fit on your camera. When you get a lens from a different manufacturer than your camera, there’s always a possibility the two won’t be compatible. The lenses on this list are all compatible with the A7iii but if you look at other options, make sure they are as well.
Quality
Even though you’re looking at a budget lens, you don’t want those savings to equate to lesser quality. That can sometimes be the case with budget lenses because cheaper materials are used to pass on savings to the customer. The lenses you’ll see here make the cut because even though they come in at an affordable price, they are still high quality and give you capabilities similar to their Sony-specific counterparts.
Aperture
Aperture is a major consideration when getting any lens, budget option or not. That refers to how much light the lens will let in, and most photographers have a variety of lenses with different apertures for different situations. The smaller the number you see in front of the ‘F’ in a lens description, the more light it lets in. Higher aperture lenses tend to be cheaper but they won’t be as good in low light situations.
Cost
If you’re looking for a budget camera lens, then cost is another important consideration. There are plenty of budget options out there, but some are much better than others. Even though saving money is ideal, you don’t want to end up with a bad product. The lenses in this guide are all affordable, but they manage that lower price tag without sacrificing any quality.
Best Budget Lenses for Sony A7III: Our Picks
1. Rokinon 50mm F1.4 Lens for Sony E Mount
This Rokinon 50mm lens is a great budget option for the A7iii camera. This option’s standard 50mm focal length allows for versatile performance in a range of situations and gives you the ability to capture sharp, clear images thanks to the aspherical and hybrid aspherical lens elements. On top of that, the f1.4 aperture allows you to secure quality images in low lighting.
Other key features include a removable hood, Ultra Multi Coating for improved light transmission, an internal focus, and full-frame sensors. This isn’t the cheapest lens option out there, but it will give you the most bang for your buck thanks to its amazing performance and high-quality design.
Pros:
- Affordable-yet-powerful lens
- 50mm focal length
- F1.4 aperture
- Removable hood
- Ultra Multi Coating
- Internal focus
- Great value
Cons:
- Not the cheapest budget lens
2. Meike 50mm F1.7 Full Frame Lens for Sony FE E Mount
This Meike 50mm lens is another top option that will provide you with both versatility and durability in a number of different situations. The F1.7 aperture is more than capable of getting quality images in low light and the multi-layered design makes the lens easy to adjust. A multi-coated front element helps to reduce ghosting and flare, while the structure of six elements in five groups helps you capture the perfect image.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Versatile 50mm focal length
- F1.7 aperture allows for quality low light images
- Multi-coated front element
- Compatible with Sony A7iii
- Good bokeh
Cons:
- Some users report inconsistent focus
3. Samyang SY14M-E 14mm F2.8 Ultra Wide Lens for Sony E-Mount
If you’re looking for a budget wide-angle lens for your Sony A7iii, the Samyang SY14M-E is a great option. This is a 14mm ultra wide-angle lens that has a F2.8 aperture and boasts a 115.7-degree field of view making it awesome for landscape shots. This is also a good lens for shooting stars at night thanks to its ability to shoot clear and sharp images with minimal distortion.
Pros:
- Great budget wide-angle lens
- Good option for landscape and night sky photography
- 115.7-degree field of view
- Low distortion, flare, and ghost
- Built-in hood
- Affordable
Cons:
- Have to use an adapter to mount on Sony A7iii
Useful Tips & Resources
If you’re new to the world of photography, there’s a lot to take in. You need to have an eye for it, of course, but you also need to know how to use your camera and any lenses you have to capture the best images you can. It’s not an exact science, but there are certainly some things you need to know to become a better photographer. Always look for some good information about camera lenses to help you improve your skills.
Final Words
You don’t have to spend an outrageous amount of money to get a quality lens for your Sony A7iii camera. The options you’ll find on this list are all affordable and make for a great value with their quality performance at a budget price. If you want quality that won’t break the bank, it’s hard to do better.
Do you have a favorite budget lens you don’t see here? Let us know in the comments below!
