Best Lenses for Sony A7ii [2024 Review]

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Finding the best lens for a Sony A7ii might be a challenge. But if you are looking for a lens that will be great for your camera, be it for photos or videos, the search might not be difficult if you know what to look for. It’s always a good idea to rely on a much better lens compared to your factory defaults that come with your camera.

You deserve something that will give you the best in quality and performance so you can take the best pictures at the quickest rate of speed possible.

Before we get to the list of lenses that are considered the best on the market, we’ll be discussing what size lens you may need and how you can choose one for your own personal use.

Review of the Best Lenses For Sony A7ii

Below is a list of the best lenses for the Sony A7ii. These are among the best on the market based on various characteristics and features. As you look through the review list, find what sticks out in your opinion so you can make a decision on whether or not the lens will be beneficial for you in the long run or not.

Let’s begin with the first lens of choice — our “best overall”:

Brand
Sony SEL85F18
Sony Vario-Tessar
Sony SEL28F20 FE
Product
Sony SEL85F18 85mm F/1.8-22 Medium-Telephoto Fixed...
Sony 24-70mm f/4 Vario-Tessar T FE OSS...
Sony SEL28F20 FE 28mm f/2-22 Standard-Prime Lens...
Aperture
85mm
24-70mm
28mm
Focal Length
f/1.8-22
f/4
f/2-22
Brand
Sony SEL85F18
Product
Sony SEL85F18 85mm F/1.8-22 Medium-Telephoto Fixed...
Aperture
85mm
Focal Length
f/1.8-22
Brand
Sony Vario-Tessar
Product
Sony 24-70mm f/4 Vario-Tessar T FE OSS...
Aperture
24-70mm
Focal Length
f/4
Brand
Sony SEL28F20 FE
Product
Sony SEL28F20 FE 28mm f/2-22 Standard-Prime Lens...
Aperture
28mm
Focal Length
f/2-22

Best Overall: Sony SEL85F18 85mm F/1.8-22

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

PROS

  • Easy install
  • Focus is near-silent
  • Fast and smooth operation
  • Great for portrait-style photos
  • Superior sharpness and quality

CONS

  • May be a little too big for some users
  • Some question the actual stability at times
  • A few have complained that the depth is a bit too shallow

What Recent Buyers Report

New users were happy with the Sony SEL85F18 85mm F/1.8-22 and its ability to focus and zoom fast and without making a sound in the process. They said that the lens gave them the ability to produce beautiful and super sharp photos that were consistent no matter how many they took. One user said that he takes pictures as a hobby while venturing outdoors. He said that the zoom and focus were quite fast and he didn’t worry about making manual adjustments.

Why it Stands Out to Us

This lens is compatible with most cameras including the Sony A7ii. It’s easy to install and is the perfect size for taking portrait photos or even wide-angle photos as well. It’s lightweight, solid in construction, and proves itself beyond a doubt that it can take the sharpest, clearest pictures possible. If you want a lens that might be considered the best in the business, this could be your chance to get it.

Who Will Use This Most

This will be great for hobbyists and professionals. Regardless of what you do with your camera, this lens will deliver on (or well beyond) the promise of taking high-quality photos. You won’t be shocked in the slightest if you take more photos over time and the quality stays the same. If that’s what you want in a lens, this might be exactly what you are looking for.

Bottom Line

The Sony SEL85F18 85mm F/1.8-22 lens might just be one of the best lenses you can find for any kind of camera including the Sony A7ii. It’s always a good idea to invest in a lens that will guarantee you the best photo quality possible whether you are in a broad daylight or low-light situation.

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)

Runner-up: Sony 24-70mm f/4 Vario-Tessar

Sony 24-70mm f/4 Vario-Tessar T FE OSS...

PROS

  • Solid and well-constructed
  • Perfect for wide-angle shots
  • Compatible with most cameras
  • Great for outdoor use regardless of weather conditions
  • Lens is well-coated to ensure better protection and superior quality

CONS

  • Auto-focus tends to make some noise
  • Focus may be a bit slower indoors than outdoors
  • Some say the image quality in certain settings could be better

What Recent Buyers Report

According to most users, they said that Sony 24-70mm f/4 lens was pretty good in outdoor settings. No matter the weather, they were able to take clear quality pictures and let the lens itself adjust to its surroundings using the auto-focus. Overall, users said that the lens was lightweight and worked best for portability so they can take it anywhere on the go and attach it when needed.

Why it Stands Out to Us

If you are planning on taking pictures outside, then this lens will adjust to the environment fairly quickly. Even on a cloudy day when the lighting isn’t the best, it can still give you more than enough to take high-quality color pictures and adjust the focus at the appropriate level. It’s fast, sharp, and will be great for any photographer that is just starting out.

Who Will Use This Most

This will be a good lens to have on hand if you are more of the outdoorsy type of person that loves taking photos. This will be great for you to use if you go on walks or hikes. It’s the best lens that can be used rain, snow, or shine. No matter where you go and how the weather cooperates, next to perfect quality photos are sure to follow.

Bottom Line

If you want a lens that will make your photos stand out better than before, the Sony 24-70mm f/4 Vario-Tessar might be the go-to lens of choice for you. You can tack this onto your camera and take the best outdoor pictures ever. And it’s great for beginners just starting out with photography as well.

Sony 24-70mm f/4 Vario-Tessar T FE OSS...
  • Angle of view (35mm): 84°-34° ; E-mount Lenses
  • Minimum aperture (F): F22
  • Minimum Focus Distance : 1.32 ft (0.4 m), Maximum Magnification ratio : 0.20x, 7 aperture blades

Best for the Money: Sony SEL28F20 FE 28mm f/2-22

Sony SEL28F20 FE 28mm f/2-22 Standard-Prime Lens...

PROS

  • Easy install
  • Very fast movements
  • Affordable for most budgets
  • Sharp photo quality every time
  • Great for indoor and outdoor use

CONS

  • Some distortion has been reported
  • Vignetting may happen from time to time
  • Minimal focus distance should be shorter than it is

What Recent Buyers Report

Most of the new users were looking for a lens that was not only affordable for most buyers but was able to take all kinds of pictures in both indoor and outdoor environments. Even in some low-light settings, this lens delivered a lot of sharp-quality photos that have impressed some of the seasoned professional photographers. The install was a cinch and the adjustments for focus and zoom were faster than anticipated.

Why it Stands Out to Us

What makes Sony SEL28F20 FE 28mm f/2-22 lens stand out is the speed of its operation. It can adjust to the right level of focus with ease and it saves you a whole lot of time that would otherwise be wasted on trying to manually adjust the focus yourself. Plus, the zoom is smooth and doesn’t even make a sound as you are zooming in and out. Not bad for a lens that is considered a “budget” lens.

Who Will Use This Most

While this is the best affordable lens you can find when it comes to quality and performance, it does a great job adjusting itself much faster than any other lens on the market (high-end or otherwise). If you want to take a few quick pictures and move on with the rest of your day, then this is the lens to do it. Perfect for hobbyists, professionals, and those who are journalists that have a deadline to meet.

Bottom Line

The Sony SEL28F20 lens might be one of the best lenses that you can afford in terms of quality and performance. But it’s no slouch when it comes to delivering the best possible shots. Whether you are indoor, outdoor, or in the middle of a rainstorm this lens will help you deliver the best photos possible (especially if you want something with excellent sharpness and clarity).

Sony SEL28F20 FE 28mm f/2-22 Standard-Prime Lens...
  • A perfect match for α7 series, 35mm full-frame E-mount cameras, Outstanding optical performance in...
  • Angle of view (35 mm)75 °,Angle of view (APS-C) 54 °.Minimum Focus Distance : 0.96 ft(AF) / 0.82...
  • Dust and moisture resistant design, 9-blade circular aperture contributes to gorgeous bokeh, ED...

4. Sony SEL2470GM FE 24-70 mm F2.8

Sony SEL2470GM E-Mount Camera Lens: FE 24-70 mm...

PROS

  • Build quality is really sturdy
  • Little to no chromatic aberration to report
  • Zoom lock features come in handy quite nicely
  • Zoom ring keeps itself nice and firm when in motion
  • Excellent image quality when paired with A7ii cameras

CONS

  • A bit too heavy for travel
  • May be a bit pricey for some users
  • Some distortion has been reported

What Recent Buyers Report

Sony SEL2470GM FE 24-70 mm F2.8 lens was not a disappointment for most users. They were able to use this for the purpose of shooting pictures outdoors more than indoors. The zooming and focus features were fast and were accurate most of the time, according to most users. One user said that he got a lot of excellent photos out of his A7ii camera using this lens (and probably much better than his previous camera).

Why it Stands Out to Us

If you are looking for a lens that will not only churn out high-quality photos but can also handle most of nature’s worst elements like rain or snow then you may want to consider this putting this lens to the test.

You can tack this on your camera and head outdoors for the day to take the best quality pictures while hiking or just taking a walk. The zoom and focus features are quiet, which is fitting for anyone wanting to enjoy a peaceful walk somewhere outdoors (or maybe in the woods).

Who Will Use This Most

If you are looking for a lens that will be more useful outdoors and you’ve got a camera like the Sony A7ii, then you’ll be quite happy with this lens. There is probably no other camera on the market that will be compatible with this lens, thus making it a unique pair. When a Sony lens works with a Sony camera, great things can happen.

Bottom Line

If you want a lens that will be super useful for a high-quality camera like the A7ii, then the SEL2470GM E-Mount Camera Lens will probably be worth taking a closer look. You’ll get some super smooth focus and zooming abilities like nothing else. Not only that, you’ll notice that your pictures will be much sharper and pop out more than ever. Compare your shots to this lens compared to the other cameras you’ve used in the past and you’ll know what we mean.

Sony SEL2470GM E-Mount Camera Lens: FE 24-70 mm...
  • SONY EMOUNT LENS: 35mm full frame format, instant auto / manual focus selection, focus hold button....
  • NATURAL, LIFELIKE IMAGERY: ED and Super ED glass elements deliver breathtaking texture and detail
  • REDUCED ABERRATION: Two aspherical elements and an extremely precise XA element maximize resolution

5. Sony SEL90M28G FE 90mm f/2.8-22 Macro

Sony SEL90M28G FE 90mm f/2.8-22 Macro G OSS...

PROS

  • Really solid construction
  • Very sharp from edge to edge
  • Smooth and really sharp auto-focus
  • Does a good job taking close-up shots
  • Adjustable range focus is easy and fast

CONS

  • Manual focus may be difficult at times
  • Glass is said to be very expensive, thus making it somewhat pricey
  • Some report that the critical parts are made from plastic and have lesser quality

What Recent Buyers Report

As expected, new buyers were satisfied with the Sony SEL90M28G FE 90mm f/2.8-22 lens overall. They said that it was a pretty solid lens that delivered superior quality and sharpness in every shot. One user said that she was taking pictures outside and was able to capture some up-close shots of snowflakes, which turned out a lot better and sharper than she expected.

Why it Stands Out to Us

What makes this lens stand out is that you are able to take some really high-quality close up shots. And you can pick up every little detail each time you take those photos. It doesn’t matter if you are indoors or outdoors, you will be super impressed with what you can take pictures of even if you have it locked in on an item of interest. If you want a lens that just might do it all, this could be what you need for your Sony A7ii camera.

Who Will Use This Most

This lens will definitely take the cake if you are looking for a versatile lens that will take pictures of those special occasions of those candid moments that no one knows about until they see the photos. It’s the lens that can capture the true emotions and can tell a story about that person.

Bottom Line

The SEL90MG28G FE is one of the best lenses for all of those up close and personal and those standard shots that will produce the perfect quality photos that can fill up any photo album. Once you add this to your camera, you’ll be ready to take photos at a moment’s notice and be able to capture every little detail. Your photos are guaranteed to “pop” once you take them at any given place.

Sony SEL90M28G FE 90mm f/2.8-22 Macro G OSS...
  • A perfect match for α7 series, 35mm full-frame E-mount cameras, 90mm Macro with a bright F2.8...
  • Minimum Focus Distance : 0.92 ft (0.28 m), Maximum Magnification ratio : 1.0x, Focal Length : 90 mm....
  • Optical Steady Shot image stabilization for handheld shooting, Instant manual/auto focus selection...

Comparison of the Best Lenses For Sony A7ii

What Size Lens Do I Need?

The short answer: it depends. It will depend on the size of your camera. The larger the size, the wider your frame will be for photos. Consider what size photos and the angles you plan on working with before choosing a lens. Remember, not every lens is created equal and always come in different measurements.

How Do I Choose a Sony A7ii Lens?

It’s important to know which features and characteristics will make your lens of choice stand out. You should keep an eye out for the following so you can determine which ones are “dealmakers” and which ones are “dealbreakers”. Here’s what you need to look for:

Price

The price might be one of the biggest concerns for anyone on a budget. But if you are looking for a lens that will be fitting for what you can afford, you’ll need to place high importance on quality and performance. Find the best quality you can afford (but don’t confuse that for sacrificing quality because of a cheap price tag).

black camera and lenses with white background

Source

Lens Speed

The lens speed is something that should be worth the look. This will allow light to refract and allow you to take pictures that will turn out great depending on the amount of lighting. As a key rule, the lower the number (i.e. f/2.0) the faster the speed will be. Plus, it will also allow you to make adjustments for focus and zooming fast and easily.

Zoom Distance

If you are looking to take pictures from a good distance and have your eye on something, the zoom distance might be what you need to pay close attention to. You should consider the length based on the closest distance to your farthest distance. The lower the number as far as the closest distance goes, the better. 

Pros and Cons of Buying a New Lens

Below are the primary pros and cons of buying a new lens:

Pros

Knowing which common pros for a new lens is key. Here are some of those pros you can find in a new lens:

Immediate Improvement in Photos

Compared to default lenses that come with your camera, installing a new lens will improve your photo’s overall quality. The sharpness, the colors, and all the in-between will most likely stand out much better compared to factory defaults. 

Easy to Carry Around

Most of the time, these new lenses will be lighter in weight. And that’s good for you if you are one of the types of people who want to carry their cameras wherever they go. Whether you hike, walk, or bike you’ll never know when you can come across a picture-perfect moment. 

Solid Construction

Every lens that is considered more of an upgrade will be better in terms of construction and structural integrity. These lenses are guaranteed to not fall apart and will stay on your camera for as long as you need them. Just tack them on and remove them easily when you are done. From there on, it’s rinse and repeat. 

sony camera in white background

Sony SEL85F18 85mm F/1.8-22

Cons

With the pros come the cons. Here are some common shortcomings a new lens might have:

Some May Be Pricey

Indeed, a new camera lens may be pricey. But you can find one that will match your intended budget. One thing that could make it high in price could be the overall size and weight of the lens. Also, the glass included in the lens may also be expensive to replace as well. So it’s important to take good care of your lens at times when you need to clean them.

May Be Difficult to Disassemble For Cleaning And Maintenance

When it does come time to clean them, it would also mean taking them apart. And that alone is a difficult task. So you may need to find an alternative method of cleaning them if possible. Disassembly may lead to the potential of damaging some of the critical inner parts of the lens. 

People Also Ask

Below is a list of questions that are frequently asked by new buyers. Use these questions below as a guide so you have a better understanding of how these Sony A7ii lenses work so you make a more well-informed decision. Here are the following questions:

Is Sony A7ii Full-Frame?

The Sony A7ii is a mirrorless full-frame camera. The frame is measured at 24.3 megapixels and provides high-quality photos with a high light sensitivity of ISO 25600.

Does Sony A7 Use E Mount Lenses?

Yes. In fact, the Sony lenses use two mounts: the E-Mount and the A-Mount. Your mirrorless cameras will be more compatible with the E-mount. 

Can You Put Canon Lenses on a Sony?

Surprisingly enough, you can. But they need to be a specific type of lens. One such example is the Canon EF lenses. They will be compatible with mirrorless cameras like the Sony A7. 

How to Update Sony A7ii Firmware?

In order to install the firmware of the Sony A7ii, you can connect your camera to your computer using a USB cable. Go to the system upgrade page and click “download”. Follow the instructions after installing it. This also includes turning off the camera and turning it back on to ensure that it is installed properly.

When Did The Sony A7ii Come Out?

The Sony A7ii was first released in 2014.

Conclusion

Finding the right lens is important. Especially when it’s for your Sony A7ii. This is your starting point in finding the right kind of lens for this camera in particular. So if one of these stood out to you in some way, you’d be crazy to pass up the chance to give it a closer look. Find a lens that will fit your needs and preferences and you won’t get enough of putting it to good use.