Best Prime Lenses for Sony A6000 [2024 Review]

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Are you a professional, or learning your way through photography?

Either way, a great lens option for you will be a Prime Lens.

Your desire to get sharp pictures even in low light will be fulfilled if you choose a Prime Lens and Sony A6000 wants to make it possible by offering high compatibility with Prime Lenses. 

Review of the Best Sony A6000 Prime Lenses

We went through all the available options on the market for you and have made a list for you to pick from and find your ideal lens.

Brand
Sony SEL35F18
Sony SEL-20F28
Sony - FE
Product
Sony SEL35F18 35mm f/1.8 Prime Fixed Lens
Sony SEL-20F28 E-Mount 20mm F2.8 Prime Fixed Lens
Sony - FE 50mm F1.8 Standard Lens (SEL50F18F),...
Aperture
35mm
20mm
50mm
Focal Length
f/1.8
f/2.8
f/1.8
Brand
Sony SEL35F18
Product
Sony SEL35F18 35mm f/1.8 Prime Fixed Lens
Aperture
35mm
Focal Length
f/1.8
Brand
Sony SEL-20F28
Product
Sony SEL-20F28 E-Mount 20mm F2.8 Prime Fixed Lens
Aperture
20mm
Focal Length
f/2.8
Brand
Sony - FE
Product
Sony - FE 50mm F1.8 Standard Lens (SEL50F18F),...
Aperture
50mm
Focal Length
f/1.8

Best Overall: Sony SEL35F18 35mm f/1.8

Sony SEL35F18 35mm f/1.8 Prime Fixed Lens

PROS

  • It produces sharp results
  • Has a lightweight and compact build
  • Able to capture distortion-free photos
  • It has optical stabilization which helps in preventing shaky pictures
  • Features a wide aperture which means you can take great pictures in low light

CONS

  • Not suitable for a full-frame camera
  • Doesn’t have any weather protection
  • It has a little off-center softness due to wide aperture

What Recent Buyers Report

The recent buyers only have praise for Sony SEL35F18 35mm f/1.8 lens. They love the results and believe it to be a great professional lens that produces very sharp pictures. They got very bright and sharp images, even in low light, and they simply love the quality of the lens and the images taken from it.

Why it Stands Out to Us

It stands out to us for having the best and finest prime lens features and putting them all together in a sustainable way. It has a wide aperture that makes it great for low light pictures, and it also has optical stabilization. Furthermore, it produces very vibrant and sharp images.

Who Will Use This Most

It can be used by both professionals and amateurs. It has the resulting quality of a professional camera, but at the same time, it provides the ease to be used by an amateur. The only people who shouldn’t use it are people who operate in wet environments like rain, lakes, or rivers.

Bottom Line

If you are looking for a bright aperture with a standard view angle for taking sharp and vibrant pictures, then you should get this Sony lens. It also provides optical stabilization and a decent blur behind your subject to enhance your pictures further.

Sony SEL35F18 35mm f/1.8 Prime Fixed Lens
  • Compact, lightweight fixed F1.8 lens.Angle of View (APS C) 44 °
  • Minimum Focus Distance : 0.99 ft (0.3 m), Maximum Magnification ratio : 0.15x, Focal Length : 1.38...
  • New optical design for excellent peripheral sharpness and contrast, Built in image stabilization

Runner-up: Sony SEL-20F28 E-Mount 20mm F2.8

Sony SEL-20F28 E-Mount 20mm F2.8 Prime Fixed Lens

PROS

  • Slim, compact, and lightweight body
  • Has very sharp optics for sharp results
  • It has a full view of the field due to its wide-angle
  • Works well with wide-angle converters and fisheye
  • Has a circular aperture that enhances bokeh effect

CONS

  • Lacks optical stabilization
  • Has a little barrel distortion
  • It doesn’t have splash or dust protection

What Recent Buyers Report

A lot of the recent buyers call it a very versatile, well-built, sharp, and compact lens and are highly satisfied with both the body and picture quality of the Sony SEL-20F28 20mm f/2.8 lens. They really enjoy taking photos of a low light environment. They even believe it to be great for video making.

Why it Stands Out to Us

We find the wide-angle and sharpness of this lens outstanding. It can take very sharp images of a wide field of view in low light. Furthermore, it’s build quality and compactness is a standout point that makes it very long-lasting and durable. It is an ultra-slim lens, after all.

Who Will Use This Most

This will be an ideal product for people who love to travel and carry their cameras around since it is an ultra-slim compact lens. Furthermore, it will be suitable for people who love the wide-angle lens and wide-angle photography since Sony SEL-20F28 E-Mount 20mm F2.8 is distinguished in that area as well.

Bottom Line

For those looking for easy to carry lens that is ultra-slim and compact, then you should buy this Sony 20mm lens. It even has a circular aperture to eliminate the bokeh effect and produce sharper and more vibrant pictures. Furthermore, it is highly travel-friendly.

Sony SEL-20F28 E-Mount 20mm F2.8 Prime Fixed Lens
  • Superior Image Quality
  • Minimum Focus Distance : 0.66 feet (0.2 m), Maximum Magnification ratio : 0.12x
  • Focal Length- 20 mm, Compact Length; Lens not Zoomable

Best for the Money: Sony – FE 50mm F1.8

Sony - FE 50mm F1.8 Standard Lens (SEL50F18F),...

PROS

  • It offers the best value for money
  • Produces images with minimal distortion
  • Has a lightweight and very compact body
  • A great quality lens in terms of the sharpness
  • It has a robust and durable build and includes a lens hood

CONS

  • Reported to have a slow focus
  • It doesn’t have optical stabilization
  • Has reduced sharpness with wider apertures

What Recent Buyers Report

The Sony - FE 50mm f/1.8 lens is backed by several positive user feedback. The buyers of this unit are delighted with the quality of the lens. It’s not the best quality, but considering its affordability, it provides the best quality to its buyers in terms of the value it provides them. They find it sharp and fast while being durable and long-lasting.

Why it Stands Out to Us

It stands out to us for the value it provides to its customers. It produces sharp and vibrant images with minimal distortion. It also has a slim and compact body that is also durable and strong. Furthermore, it delivers crisp images from edge to edge without any distortion.

Who Will Use This Most

We would strongly recommend this to people who want excellent quality in a lens without paying a high price for it. It will be great for people on a budget while it produces crisp and sharp images without any distortion. Furthermore, it’s strong build makes it suitable for clumsy people.

Bottom Line

In conclusion, this is a full-frame lens that produces excellent quality images. The sharpness of the photos, along with the compact body of this unit, undoubtedly stands out. It has a slim, light, yet really robust and durable build. Furthermore, it produces crisp images without any distortion.

Sony - FE 50mm F1.8 Standard Lens (SEL50F18F),...
  • Large F1.8 maximum aperture enables beautiful defocusing effects, 7-blade circular aperture creates...
  • Compact, lightweight design ideal for full-frame E-mount cameras, Aspherical element controls...
  • Double-gauss configuration suppresses field curvature & distortion, Metal mount adds solid...

4. Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 STM

85mm f/1.8 STM Full Frame Auto Focus...

PROS

  • It has a seamless auto-focus assimilation
  • Significantly quicker than its competitors
  • Produces great overall sharpness in its images
  • Produces great creamy images with beautiful Bokeh effect
  • Has a solid and durable construction of metal tubing and ring

CONS

  • Has a tight focus ring
  • It might strain your neck if you use it for long

What Recent Buyers Report

A considerable lot of the buyers of Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 product are highly satisfied with the metal construction and durable build of the lens. Even though it is heavier, the buyers love its durability and easy functionality that even makes it suitable for beginners. They really enjoy taking pictures with it, and they also love the results.

Why it Stands Out to Us

We find the solid metal construction that makes it a highly durable and impressive feature. It makes it strong enough to withstand harsh conditions. Furthermore, its images are highly sharp and vibrant, and it also has smooth auto-focus for easy functioning.

Who Will Use This Most

It will be an excellent choice of product for professionals who need sharper images and easy auto-focus. Even though it is a bit heavy and straining, it is also suitable for beginners due to its easy functionality and convenience with auto-focus and other functions. Furthermore, it’s strong build makes it good for clumsy people.

Bottom Line

If you are looking for a highly durable and solidly built lens that produces great quality images, then you should check out this Viltrox lens. It has a solid and durable build. Plus, it produces sharp and vibrant images with seamless auto-focus and beautiful Bokeh effect.

85mm f/1.8 STM Full Frame Auto Focus...
  • This Full Frame Auto Focus Medium-telephoto Portrait Lens Fits Sony E-mount Camera A7III A7RIII...
  • STM autofocus system help you get quiet, fast and precise auto focusing. Support eye focus function...
  • 85mm focal length make it easy for shooting both a half-length portrait and a full-length portrait....

5. Sony SEL85F18 85mm F/1.8-22

Sony SEL85F18 85mm F/1.8-22 Medium-Telephoto Fixed...

PROS

  • It has a fast and efficient aperture
  • Covers the full-frame sensor efficiently
  • Has significantly outstanding sharpness
  • Great for creating excellent quality bokeh
  • Weather sealed and protected, can withstand any kind of weather

CONS

  • It doesn’t have a DOF
  • It doesn’t have auto-focus
  • Might produce flare in images

What Recent Buyers Report

The recent buyers are highly satisfied with the weather-proofed durable build of the Sony SEL85F18 85mm f/1.8-22 lens. Even though it is heavier than the alternatives, the buyers love its durability and easy functionality that is supported in all kinds of weather. They really enjoy taking pictures with it, and they also love the outstanding sharp results.

Why it Stands Out to Us

It stood out to us for its weather-sealed and proofed construction that makes it highly durable and makes it strong enough to withstand any harsh conditions, whether it be splash or dust. Furthermore, its images are highly sharp and vibrant, and it also has a smooth aperture for easy functioning.

Who Will Use This Most

This lens is made for professionals who need sharper images and quick and efficient aperture. It will also be ideal for people who work in all kinds of weather conditions, whether its rain, dust, or any other weather ordeals. Furthermore, photographers with fast aperture needs should get it.

Bottom Line

Summing it up, if you are looking for a highly durable and weatherproofed lens, then the Sony lens qualifies. It has a solid and durable build. Also, it produces sharp and vibrant images with a fast aperture. The durability of this lens will add great value to your money.

Sony SEL85F18 85mm F/1.8-22 Medium-Telephoto Fixed...
  • Wide F1.8 maximum aperture enables beautiful defocusing effects
  • 9-blade circular aperture creates beautiful round defocused bokeh
  • ED glass element for corner-to-corner sharpness,Minimum Focus Distance:2.63 feet (0.8 m)

Comparison of the Best Prime Lenses for Sony A6000

What is a Prime Lens and What is it Used For?

Prime lenses provide their users with a few distinctive benefits over simple zoom lenses. Zoom lenses are the most popular lens for most people because of their usefulness and flexibility. However, when they are compared with prime lenses, they fail to compete with the sharpness and focus speed. A prime lens is known for its wide aperture, fixed focal lengths, and raw power.

These are usually used by professionals, and these are a great representation of a photographer’s skill level. A prime lens uses your polished skills to produce the best results in minimal lighting.

How to Choose a Sony A6000 Prime Lens

Before buying a Prime Lens for your Sony A6000, there are several factors that you need to keep in mind.

Aperture

An essential factor to ponder when purchasing a lens is the aperture. It is basically the amount of light a lens can collect and capture. A bigger aperture means the lens can gather more light. This will further suggest that the lens can produce excellent results even in low light. Some lenses have a variable aperture, but a prime lens usually has a fixed aperture.

black camera with white background

Source

Focal Length

The focal length of a lens is not a simple phenomenon. Sometimes, lenses alter their performance according to the camera. The main reason for such behavior is that the focal length is affected by the camera’s sensor. Hence, you should keep this factor in mind. Furthermore, the higher the focal length, the bigger the zoom, the lower the focal length, the wider the angle for shots.

Full-frame or APS-C

Another factor to consider before buying a lens for Sony A6000 is the type of body the camera has. Some brands offer both body types – APS-C and Full-frame. However, some don’t provide both, and you need to pick between both. While APS-format is small and light, the full-frame is large and expensive.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Prime Lenses

Pros

Prime Lens has some distinctive benefits over other lenses that you should be aware of before buying.

Learn Better and Faster

Even though Prime Lens is usually used by professionals, they can help beginners develop their skills faster and better. This is because you won’t have the extensive and convenient features of a zoom lens. This will lead you to put more work and effort into every picture. 

Sharper Images

Prime Lenses are a lot sharper than other lenses. This is mainly because they don’t have a zoom glass inside of them. Hence, less diffraction happens inside the camera, and you ultimately get a sharper image. 

Low Light is the Highlight

Prime lenses have wider apertures, which means they capture more light from their surroundings, leading to beautiful low light pictures. 

Cons

Prime lenses have a few drawbacks that you should consider before buying them.

Fixed Focal Length

Prime Lenses have a fixed focal length, and it can’t be adjusted. You will have to move yourself a lot to take the picture the lens won’t adjust. It can also be expensive to have multiple lenses for various focal lengths. 

Need Physical Mobility

In time or places where a person can not move, a lot of prime lenses are not useful.

Conclusion

The prime lenses on our list offer amazing features from seamless auto-focus to efficient aperture, metal build to weather protection. You should figure out your needs and find out the lens most suitable for you from the list of best lenses above. There is something for everyone.