Best Sony lenses for full frame mirrorless cameras
Looking for the best Sony lenses? We tell you everything! In 2013, Sony surprised quite a few people by stepping into Nikon and Canon territory with the release of a full frame sensor camera. While this type of camera was previously considered amateur equipment with a small sensor, Sony demonstrated that they could also bring something new to image professionals.
However, the first cameras had a lot of flaws: optical viewfinders not very clear and easily defectived, AF performances far inferior compared to DSLRs of the same price, a limited number of lenses which often required the addition of an aperture ring and often the loss of automatic functions, a ridiculously low autonomy… It took Sony a long time to make a place for itself in front of the tenors that were the DSLR.
To help you in your choices, we published a useful article to guide you towards some Sony lenses according to the type of photographer you are!
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However, Sony had an advantage: a small user base compared to the 2 leaders, which allowed them to take their time to develop their mirrorless ranges, while knowing that their sales could only increase over time. The second generation of full frame mirrorless cameras started to interest many users seeing how much this type of camera could develop and even overshadow DSLRs. The third generation definitely convinced, to the point that Nikon, Canon and Panasonic decided to release their own mirrorless cameras, the first two brands even doing it at the expense of their DSLR ranges.
Today, Sony is well established and the optical park they have developed attracts more and more fans. Another advantage, at the moment, of the Sony E-mount is that it has been opened to third-party brands that, since 2018, have understood the interest of entering this market. Among others, we can notice all the interesting releases offered by Sigma, Tamron and Samyang. By the way, we compiled a complete page that lists the best Sigma lenses for Sony E-mount.
So here is a list, in order of focal length (from shortest to longest), of what I consider to be the best lenses designed for full frame Sony bodies. These are focused primarily on their optical quality, and generally on their construction. No matter what camera you have, they will deliver the best images (technically) possible.
We wrote many articles to help you choose your Sony lens, both for specific focal lengths (24, 35, 50, 85mm) and for specific types of photos (wide-angle or macro, for example).
Best Sony wide-angle lenses
Here are, in my opinion, the detailed references if you are looking for a Sony wide-angle lens. Here they are summarized in the table below.
Here are the best wide-angle lenses I recommend for a Sony full-frame camera :
Sony 12-24mm f/2.8 GM
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The 12-24mm f/2.8 from Sony is the best ultra-wide angle zoom lens currently available on the E-mount. The image quality is excellent and relatively uncommon, at all focal lengths. It also offers a large aperture, adapted to Astrophotography or in low light, as well as an exemplary construction with a button to customize the AF. The latter is also excellent, although the uses of this kind of zoom are generally not for action photography.
Of course, a high-end branded lens always has the same drawback: its price. Expect to pay no less than 3300€ to buy one, which is a huge amount of money and therefore means that you have very high quality requirements. If you have the use and the means, you will not be disappointed.
Sony 14mm f/1.8 GM
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The Sony 14mm made a big noise when it came out, as it offered a maximum aperture rarely found on such a short focal length, although Sigma had already achieved this feat with their 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art. Here again, we are facing a very high quality lens, even if some weaknesses are visible on the edges at full aperture (but on a focal length of this type, it is already an excellent performance). It is the reference in ultra-wide angle, both in terms of optical quality, construction quality, AF and comfort features, since it offered a clickless aperture ring and a customizable AF button.
This time, we find a relatively correct price for such an ambitious manufacturer’s lens, since it comes in at around 1500€. Let’s remember that Sigma is used to release more affordable lenses and that its 14mm f/1.8 Art for DSLR was released at almost the same price. But here again, I advise you to think carefully about the use of such focal length.
Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN Art
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In 2019, Sigma decided to re-introduce its 14-24mm f/2.8 with a mirrorless-friendly design. Although longer focal lengths are a bit behind, we have here a very serious alternative to the 2 previously mentioned lenses since it offers a range close to the zoom as well as astro capabilities close to the latter, despite its lower maximum aperture, thanks to a good coma management. Moreover, the design is of high quality and has a customizable AF button, like the Sony GM lenses. Its AF is slightly less fast, which is not particularly annoying in most uses of this type of zoom.
The reason why it is so interesting compared to the two Sony lenses mentioned above is that it offers the same versatile range and maximum aperture as the former for half the price of the latter. An excellent alternative for those who use this type of focal length.
Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 GM
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A traditional zoom among manufacturers, even if Nikon and even Canon now offer small variations. Nikon had already decided to offer a 14-24mm range of DSLRs, while Canon chose with the RF-mount to go from 16 to 15-35mm. The Sony offers excellent optical quality, especially when the aperture is closed by one stop. The construction is top notch, with a customizable AF button. The AF is also at the level of the GM range, ie very fast.
Unfortunately, because it’s a manufacturer’s lens, we are also dealing with a high level price since it is offered at more than 2500€. Nevertheless, for those who prefer a lens covering a little less ultra-wide angle (but offering the much appreciated 35mm reportage focal length) or who prefer less long focal lengths, but more angle than a 24-70mm, this is currently the most qualitative zoom option.
Sony 16-35 mm f/4 PZ
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At the beginning of 2022, Sony decided to release a new wide-angle zoom lens: the 16-35mm f/4 G PZ to replace (in a way) the old one designed in collaboration with Zeiss (somewhat old and less performing). Until now, Sony was proposing a 16-35mm f/2.8 GM which was quite bulky and expensive. This new version offers significant improvements.
First, the 16-35mm f/4 G PZ is Sony’s first G-series zoom lens with a (clickless) aperture ring and a motorized zoom called PZ (PowerZoom), allowing electric control (via a button on the barrel) of the focal range. The optical quality of the lens is given as excellent at full aperture. However, there is some vignetting and distortion at the shorter focal lengths, which is usual for this type of zoom. The 16-35mm f/4 G PZ is also the lightest and most compact zoom if you are looking for a 16-35mm for your full frame Sony camera.
The improvements are definitely there, but this is reflected on the price. The lens is around 1500€, but it is still cheaper than the old Sony Zeiss which had inferior performances (even if it had stabilization, which is less and less useful with our stabilized sensors now).
For video, the 16-35mm f/4 G PZ is one of the best choices for content creators and vloggers. In summary, the 16-35mm f/4 G PZ is an excellent choice for those looking for a lightweight, compact wide-angle zoom lens with top-notch optical performance and enhanced features. However, if you’re looking for a cheaper but very good quality alternative for photography, the Sigma 16-28mm f/2.8 C is surely the better choice.
Sony 20mm f/1.8 G
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A nice focal length for landscape, architecture, and more recently vlogging. Sony decided to integrate this lens in the G-range, although its design is at the level of a GM, probably to leave a margin for a possible 20mm f/1.4. The full aperture is slightly behind, but the quality is exceptional, with a high-end design integrating a clickless aperture ring and a customizable AF button, an AF that is extremely fast.
At around 1000€, the price is already a little more “acceptable” compared to previous lenses. A choice lens for those looking for a high-end wide-angle without breaking the bank. Obviously, you will find more affordable alternatives if you accept to make a concession on the maximum aperture, like with the 20mm f/2.8 from Tamron. I wrote a full review of this 20mm Sony f/1.8 on our blog.
Sony 24mm f/1.4 GM
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A reference from Sony, often called the best 24mm ever by some photographers who have used other high-end 24mm from Nikon and Canon. Admittedly, though, these are among the focal lengths that benefit most from a mirrorless mount, and both Nikon and Canon ones are getting old. However, with this 24mm GM you get excellent image quality even at full aperture, with a design worthy of the GM range, the clickless ring and the customizable AF button. The AF is, again, very fast.
Available around 1300€, higher quality than the 20mm above and maximum aperture in my opinion justifies the price difference enough… if you feel that 24mm is not that different from 20mm and you are looking for the highest quality. Otherwise, there are serious alternatives at Samyang or Sigma for a lower budget.
Tamron 24mm f/2.8 Di III OSD
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Tamron was not used to prime lenses outside of its traditional 90mm macro. However, they decided to release 3 f/2.8 prime aperture lenses at once: the 20, 24 and 35mm. They stand out by their identical filter size and their 1:2 magnification ratio, almost allowing them to try macro photography, with somewhat unusual focal lengths for the field. Although not at the level of build quality and AF of the Sony G and GM, this 24mm has an all-weather build and offers very high optical quality from full aperture.
What spoils nothing is that it can be found today for 200€! If you don’t need a high speed AF and a very large maximum aperture, which is perfectly conceivable on a lens appreciated for landscape and architecture, there is no reason to pay more for another lens than this Tamron.
Best Sony standard lenses
Below I present what I consider to be the best Sony standard lenses, including both prime and zoom lenses in the 24-105mm range. They are summarized in the table below.
Here is the list of the best Sony FE standard lenses that I recommend:
- Sony 20-70mm f/4 G
- Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II
- Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art
- Sony 24-105mm f/4 G OSS
- Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary
- Tamron Di III 28-75mm f/2.8 VXD G2
- Sigma 35mm f/1.2 DG DN Art
- Sony 35mm f/1.4 GM
- Sony 50mm f/1.2 GM
- Sony Zeiss 50mm f/1.4
- Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary série I
Sony 20-70mm f/4 G
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At the beginning of 2023, Sony released a zoom lens which is a bit atypical since they decided to release a standard zoom lens but which starts at 20mm instead of the usual 24 or 28mm. It comes to face the 24-105mm f/4 of the brand and the 28-70 and 28-75mm f/2.8 proposed by Sigma and Tamron.
It is more expensive than the others mentioned, but benefits from the latest optical treatments of the brand, which allows it to be light and rather compact while offering a high level of image quality. Reviews show that it is indeed capable of competing with the best GM zooms and has a clickless aperture ring and a customizable button, just like recent GMs and the 16-35mm f/4 G. The AF is very fast, like all most G or GM lenses, and has little focus breathing. Optical defects seem to be well controlled, which is not easy with a standard zoom lens covering such a short focal length. Note that distortions are very present if you don’t activate the software corrections…but who wouldn’t do it on his camera?
For its price, the 20-70mm f/4 G is an excellent choice for those who tend to travel with 16-35 and 24-105 f/4 but may favor the weight and the fact that they only have to carry one lens instead of two, as the 20-70mm focal lengths cover a wide range of photography, such as landscape, portrait and street. In this case, we get them not only with one lens, but with a remarkable quality.
Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II
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In the middle of 2022, Sony decided to renew its 24-70mm f/2.8, standard pro zoom lens in full frame, although the previous version was only released in 2016 (6 years of life for a pro version of a lens is relatively short, which shows that the 1st version was really flawed).
This new version, released at the same price as the previous version, is therefore much more expensive than the Sigma Art version, but, unlike the GM I, it delivers better performance on almost all points. It is lighter, a little shorter when folded, offers excellent image quality from full aperture at all focal lengths, has the features of the GM I and the Sigma Art and more (clickless aperture ring and “IRIS lock” switch), an even more efficient AF and an even closer minimum focusing distance with almost no focus breathing.
The Sigma Art is still an excellent choice but, this time, if you are willing to spend the price of the GM I, it will clearly be much more relevant to buy this GM II to have the top of what Sony can offer.
Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art
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Traditional zoom lens appreciated for reportage, the 24-70mm f/2.8 adapts to many situations. Although Sony offers a GM version, it is not particularly convincing, especially against the recent Nikon and Canon ranges (the second version is better on all points though). In the meantime, Sigma offers its own version which is much more interesting, with a very good optical quality, especially once the aperture is closed by one stop, a very good construction and a customizable AF button. The AF is not at the level of a GM, but it is still very fast.
The Sony GM is still very expensive, while this Sigma will only cost you a little more than 1000€. So much to say that, currently, it is the best choice in 24-70mm f/2.8 (except the Sony Mk II which is more expensive).
Sony 24-105mm f/4 G OSS
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A versatile zoom lens popular for travel, the Sony 24-105 has earned a good response. Where most zooms that are a bit “too” versatile are declining in quality quickly, this Sony offers very good image quality from full aperture at all focal lengths. It is well built with a good AF, has a customizable AF button and a stabilization that can be combined with the one integrated in the sensors.
Its price around 1300€ is still high since, for less money, you can find 24-70s that don’t offer as many long focal lengths, but have an f/2.8 aperture. In situations where the stabilization will bring a plus, typically fixed subjects, the stabilization of the 24-105 can nevertheless make the difference.
Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary
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Seeing Tamron’s success with their lightweight and relatively compact 28-75mm f/2.8, Sigma decided to release something similar. However, they tried to make up for the Tamron’s shortcomings by integrating a faster AF, superior optical quality and an AF/MF switch. It even has the luxury of being a little lighter than the Tamron.
Sigma has placed its 28-70mm very well since it is priced at 850€, slightly more expensive than the Tamron but offering slightly better in all aspects. It would have been able to take the place of the Tamron, if they had not decided to renew it quickly.
Tamron Di III 28-75mm f/2.8 VXD G2
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To react to Sigma’s 28-70, Tamron chose to quickly release a 28-75mm f/2.8 G2. It is quite rare to see a lens being renewed so quickly, a sign that the Sigma was really starting to overshadow the previous version. So Tamron decided to slightly modify the optical formula and the AF engine to catch up with the Sigma, and even added a customizable AF button (but still no AF/MF switch, curiously). The lens also incorporates a USB-C port to update the firmware and customize some options, like turning the focus ring into an aperture ring.
Tamron obviously couldn’t price it similarly to their first version, and they felt it should be interesting enough than the Sigma to be sold around €1000, which is still a very decent price for this type of lens with such performance.
Sigma 35mm f/1.2 DG DN Art
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Sigma surprised everyone by releasing this 35mm. It is indeed the first Sigma lens offering an f/1.2 aperture. It is heavy and bulky, but does not make any concession on the image quality, excellent from full aperture, with a good AF and a serious construction featuring a clickless aperture ring and a customizable AF button found on the Sony GM range.
Available around 1350€, the price may seem high, but we should not forget that it is a lens opening at f/1.2. The manufacturer’s lenses offering the same focal length at f/1.4 are often much more expensive – the proof…
Sony 35mm f/1.4 GM
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Recently released, the Sony range was missing a high quality 35mm f/1.4 (there was a 35mm f/1.4 Sony Zeiss, but that apparently didn’t live up to its ambitions, let alone its price). So Sony released a very high quality 35mm f/1.4, optically even better than the Sigma f/1.2 at the largest apertures, a high speed AF and a high-end construction. Like all GM’s, it obviously features the clickless aperture ring and the customizable AF button.
As mentioned in the Sigma paragraph, its price is quite high since it is around 1700€. It is lighter and smaller than the f/1.2 Art, but Sigma also released, almost at the same time as Sony, a 35mm f/1.4 slightly less good than the two 35mm mentioned here, but twice cheaper than the Sony.
Sony 50mm f/1.2 GM
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While everyone thought, wrongly, that the E-mount didn’t allow to offer lenses opening at f/1.2 (Sigma already proved it before with the 35mm f/1.2 Art…), Sony put everyone in agreement by offering their 50mm f/1.2 following the release of the 50mm f/1.2 Z and RF. This one is very high level, with exceptional quality from full aperture, a high-end design and all the comforts of the GM range, offering a detachable aperture ring and a customizable AF button.
Of course, such an exceptional lens comes with an exceptional price tag, as it will cost no less than 2300€. However, Sony is to be congratulated when we see that their 50mm f/1.2 is the most compact and lightest in its category, of better quality, but with the same dimensions and weight as the 50mm Sony Zeiss, yet f/1.4.
Sony Zeiss 50mm f/1.4
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Before the Sony 50mm f/1.2 GM came out, the Sony Zeiss was the highest end 50mm with the largest aperture. Its optical quality and construction are both very high-end, with a detachable aperture ring but no customizable AF button. Obviously, we’re waiting to see what the 50mm f/1.4 II that Samyang recently revealed, or a possible 50mm f/1.4 Art from Sigma, will do.
The price of the Sony Zeiss is very high, reaching 1500€. Unless you have an absolute reverence for the 50mm focal length, there are other more affordable alternatives. And if you are really a Zeiss fan, there is also a very good 55mm f/1.8 Sony Zeiss that is almost half the price (and opens a bit less).
Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary série I
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Sigma has decided with its I series to offer high quality prime lenses while remaining reasonable concerning maximum aperture in order not to add too much weight, size and price. However, they decided to propose an atypical focal length with this 65mm, so it had to be seriously different from all the 50mm and 85mm focal length options. And it is the case, since we have a very high quality construction as well as an exceptional optical quality from full aperture. The lens also offers an aperture ring and an AF/MF switch, but no customizable button.
Available for around 650€, its build quality and the images it delivers are remarkable. If you can appreciate this particular focal length, it will not disappoint you, although videographers may regret the clickless aperture ring (as on all Sigma I series lenses) which could have been added without drastically changing the design…
Best Sony telephoto lenses
Below you will find all the telephoto lenses for a Sony camera that I consider very interesting to take a closer look at. Here they are summarized in the table below.
Here is a summary of the best Sony FE telephoto lenses. Click on the name of the lens to learn more about it:
Tamron Di III 70-180mm f/2.8 VXD
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In the absence of equivalent competition in 70-200mm f/2.8, we can only go for this 70-180mm. Fortunately, in many cases, we will not lose in the exchange. Indeed, Tamron chose to limit its zoom to 180mm in order to keep the f/2.8 aperture AND the filter diameter found on the 2 other zooms (17-28 and 28-75mm) of the brand. They also chose an extended design, as Canon did on its 70-200mm RF, to further save weight and size. The 70-180mm nevertheless delivers very high quality images, better than Sony’s first 70-200mm GM a priori, although the longer focal lengths are slightly worse. The AF is also very fast, but less reliable than the Sony GM since it has a slightly higher waste rate. It has a good construction, but no artifice, not even an AF/MF switch, which deprives some comfort.
For around 1200€, its price is largely lower than what we have to pay for the 70-200mm Mark I from Sony. However, we are waiting to see what Sigma could possibly propose if they decide to design a mirrorless version of their 70-200mm f/2.8 Sport.
Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II
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Sony has recently released a new version of their 70-200mm f/2.8, the first one being, as mentioned above, in competition with the Tamron, which is a bit insulting for a high-end lens, especially if it costs more than twice as much… So Sony has revised its copy and released an excellent 70-200mm GM II, with a remarkable image quality, a formidable AF and an excellent construction, managing to save 500g compared to their first version. And all this without using an extended design as Canon did. So it manages to be lighter than Canon’s f/2.8 RF without losing the balance, comfort and robustness of a constant size. Obviously, all the options of the GM lenses are there, switches for the focus, 3 stabilization modes, a distance limiter and, first on a Sony zoom, an aperture ring!
For a price of 3000€, you get the top 70-200mm manufactured by Sony. If the investment is high, its performance is unmatched in this frame.
Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art
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THE reference of the 85mm in Sony E-mount currently. Although Sony offers an 85mm f/1.4 GM, this one is not as good, bigger, heavier, slower and costs much more. This Sigma delivers excellent image quality from full aperture, has a very good AF and a high-end construction with the comforts of the Sony GM and Sigma Art prime lenses, with a clickless aperture ring and a customizable AF button.
For just over $1000, it’s hard not to recommend it, although Samyang offers a slightly lower quality 85mm f/1.4 that is almost half the price of the Sigma. The Sigma does have a faster AF, but if that’s not essential for you, the Samyang is an excellent option.
Sony 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS
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It seems that Sony didn’t want to target sports or wildlife photographers when they released their first full frame mirrorless cameras, which is understandable considering the few customers specialized in this field at Sony as well as the difficulties to offer an AF capable of competing with DSLRs. Since then, Sony’s AF has improved considerably and they were able to try to enter this market with the release of the A9. Nevertheless, it took them a long time before they started to offer adequate lenses. This 100-400mm is a high-end telephoto lens despite its relatively average maximum aperture, with a first class construction, an ultra-fast AF and a very good image quality, from full aperture and at all focal lengths.
Due to the “GM standard”, it is proposed at a price of 2800€, which seems expensive, but is quite logical for a zoom of this type and range (according to rumors, Sony would develop a 150-400mm f/4, so you can see how the price of this 100-400 can be considered as relatively “correct”). Unless you have high level requirements with sporty bodies like the A9 or A1, there are interesting alternatives in third-party brands like Tamron and Sigma.
Sigma 105mm f/2.8 DG DN Art macro
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Sigma has accustomed us to offer a 105mm macro from the beginning of the DSLRs, the DG HSM version being very appreciated, in particular for its aggressive price. However, by moving this macro into the Art range, we could expect to see a higher price but also an even higher optical and build quality. And Sigma did not disappoint since, optically, it is probably one of the best macro. Its AF is however not the fastest, which is not a surprise on a macro lens, but we would have appreciated to have better performances on this level. It is also less comfortable for macro use than others, such as the Sony 90mm GM, due to the lack of indication on the focusing distance or magnification, and it is not stabilized.
However, its price makes it very attractive since it is around 750€. We can however hope to see a 90mm macro lens from Tamron which could be in the same range, but with more interesting macro functions.
Sony 135mm f/1.8 GM
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For portraits, this 135mm is THE Sony reference. Although the 85mm focal length is also popular, many portrait photographers also love the 135mm, a focal length that Nikon and Canon have also covered with the 135mm f/2 DC and the renowned 135mm f/2L. The Sony is exceptional in every way, optically from full aperture, magnificently built like all GM’s with all the comforts of the range as well as extremely fast AF.
Available at about 1850€, it is not for everyone, but you will have all the best of Sony in this 135mm, if the focal length matches your requirements of course. Zeiss proposed the Batis 135mm f/2.8, but the maximum aperture is less interesting considering that it is the same on some zooms and that its price is quite high. If you want to spend 1500€, you might as well spend the difference on the Sony GM, but if you don’t want to spend that much you now have an alternative choice with the following lines.
Samyang 135mm f/1.8 AF
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Released in early 2022, Samyang finally decided to offer a 135mm in Sony E-mount. “Finally” because they offered a 135mm f/2 but that was an adaptation of the DSLR version, excellent quality but manual. It competes with the Sony GM on image quality and even better on some points like flare or chromatic aberrations, and offers a very good construction and a lower weight than the Sony and even more than the Sigma Art (which is also an adapted DSLR version). Samyang even provides a distance limiter to facilitate autofocus and a customizable button like the Sony G/GM and some Sigma lenses, new on a Samyang lens. We might as well say that Samyang has played a master stroke with this expected focal length by placing itself exactly where it should be with its performance for its price.
For 950€, almost half the price of the GM, only if you are looking for a sporty AF you might regret not taking the Sony. However, the Samyang’s AF is still more than decent and it is possible that it could be improved with some firmware updates.
Best Sony super telephoto lenses
Finally, here are the serious references to consider if you are looking for a super telephoto lens for your Sony body. They are summarized in the table below.
Here is a summary of the best Sony FE super telephoto lenses :
Sigma 60-600mm f/4.5-6.3 S OS DG DN
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In early 2023 Sigma released a new telephoto lens for Sony, the 60-600mm f/4.5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports, sometimes amusingly referred to as the “Bigma” (it already existed in EF and F mount). This new super telephoto lens offers several significant improvements over the 150-600mm Sport. In terms of optical quality, this 60-600mm outperforms the 150-600mm and other Sony telephoto lenses. In addition, its new autofocus is said to be very fast and accurate, almost competing with Sony’s top of the line G and GM autofocus. The lens stabilization also allows up to 7 stops stabilization. This lens, exclusively designed for Sony full frame mirrorles cameras, offers outstanding image quality from full aperture. It offers high optical performance across the entire focal length range (which is rare…). The lens is also built to resist to dust and water splashes.
Despite a rather average flare resistance, chromatic aberrations are well controlled and easy to correct in post processing. Compared to the 150-600mm, the 60-600mm offers better optical quality, better autofocus, and improved stabilization. The extra weight could be a downside for some photographers, but it’s still manageable in my opinion.
In conclusion, if you are looking for one of the best Sony lenses for wildlife photography, then the Sigma 60-600mm is an excellent choice. It is versatile and offers superb image quality. You might think that its price is still high compared to the 150-600mm, but its high-end performance and quality explains why!
Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG DN S OS
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Recently, Sigma released its new version of the 150-600mm designed for mirrorless. Tamron offered a 150-500mm with more concessions compared to the DSLR version, as they decided to go to 500mm instead of 600, with a maximum aperture of f/6.7 instead of f/6.3 at full zoom. The mirrorless version of Sigma has the luxury of being lighter than the DSLR version, although it is still heavy with more than 2 kg, but nothing surprising with a zoom of this type. The image quality is very good, although slightly inferior to the 100-400mm of Sony, but the gain of long focal lengths is an important argument. The Sigma’s design is top notch, better than Tamron’s 150-500, with a fairly fast AF but not as fast as Sony’s 100-400 and 200-600, and comfort options aplenty as it offers an AF/MF switch, a customizable AF button, 3 stabilization modes, a distance limiter and a switch to change the fluidity of the zoom ring.
With a price of 1400€, it is 2x cheaper than the 100-400 and 600€ cheaper than the 200-600 from Sony. It is even cheaper than Tamron’s 150-500, which offers less overall, but Tamron may react and lower the price of its 150-500 soon.
Sony 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS
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