Sony a6600 Travel Lenses: My Top 10 Recommendations - A Complete Buying Guide

Sony a6600 Travel Lenses: My Top 10 Recommendations

A Complete Buying Guide
A photo of Pete R.
By Pete R.,
Updated on

Recently bought a Sony a6600 camera and looking for a few new lenses to buy for your next trips? The kit lens that comes with your camera may seem like enough at first, but trust me, you are barely touching the surface of what your little APS-C camera is capable of. To tap into its full potential, you are going to need to pair it with a good lens.

Within this article, I will take you through some of the best lenses for your Sony a6600, why these are great, and help you decide which one is the right lens you should buy for your next trip. The list is based solely on my personal experience shooting with Sony mirrorless cameras for more than a decade.

Without further ado, let's take a look at all the great lenses you can buy for the Sony a6600 below.

The Best Travel Lenses For Sony APS-C CamerasThe Best Travel Lenses For Sony APS-C Cameras

๐Ÿ“ธ Quick Summary: The best lenses to buy for the Sony a6600

Product
Sony 16-55mm f2.8 lens ๐Ÿ… Editor's Choice
Best All-Around Lens
Sony 16-55mm f2.8 lens
Features
  • Great focal length for general use
  • Produce sharp images
  • Fast aperture
Check PriceRead Our Review
Tamron 17-70mm f2.8 lens ๐Ÿ’ฐ Great Value
Best Value All-Around Lens
Tamron 17-70mm f2.8 lens
Features
  • Great focal length for general use
  • Affordable
  • Fast aperture
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Sony 18-105 mm f4 lens
Best Video Lens
Sony 18-105 mm f4 lens
Features
  • Internal zoom
  • Affordable
  • Optical Image Stabilization
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Tamron 11-20 mm f2.8 lens
Best Landscape/Architecture Lens
Tamron 11-20 mm f2.8 lens
Features
  • Ultra-wide field of view
  • Compact and lightweight
  • Fast Aperture
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Sony 10-20 mm f4 G lens
Best Vlogging Lens
Sony 10-20 mm f4 G lens
Features
  • Ultra-wide field of view
  • Compact and light-weight
  • Internal power zoom
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Sony E 11mm F1.8
Best Astro Lens
Sony E 11mm F1.8
Features
  • Ultra-wide field of view
  • Fast aperture
  • Small & Compact
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Sigma 56mm f1.4 ๐Ÿ… Editor's Choice
Best Portrait Lens
Sigma 56mm f1.4
Features
  • Beautiful bokeh
  • Light-weight and compact
  • Great image quality
Check PriceRead Our Review
Sony 35mm f1.8
Best Street Lens
Sony 35mm f1.8
Features
  • Affordable
  • Light-weight and compact
  • Nice Bokeh
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Sony 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 Super telephoto lens ๐Ÿ… Editor's Choice
Best Wildlife Lens
Sony 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 lens
Features
  • Amazing super-telephoto range
  • Relatively compact
  • Optical image stabilization
Check PriceRead Our Review
Tamron 70-300mm F4.5-6.3  Lens
Best Value Wildlife Lens
Tamron 70-300mm F4.5-6.3 Lens
Features
  • Very Cheap
  • Lightest telephoto lens
  • Great Image Quality
Check PriceRead Our Review

๐Ÿ‘ What Makes for a Good Travel Lens for Sony a6600?

A traveler with a camera

For me, what makes a good travel lens is the lens that strikes the perfect balance between high-quality glass, weight, and features that will help me take great photos in any situation in which I might find myself, without hindering my ability to travel effectively.

I'll be including lenses for different travel situations and shooting styles that reflect the type of traveler you are, such as street photography, wildlife, and general purpose. I'll also provide budget alternatives that will help your Sony a6600 reach its full potential.

Of course, feel free to mix and match and see which travel lenses fit your needs the most. Let's begin with the most important travel lens of all, the best all-around general-purpose lens that every travel photographer should have in their kit.

๐ŸŒŽ Best All-Around Travel Lens

The Sony 16-55mm F2.8 lens vertically on a table.

Pros
  • Light & Compact
  • Excellent sharpness
  • Fast autofocus
Cons
  • Expensive
  • No stablization
  • Bad Barrel Distortion at 16mm

Sony 16-55mm f2.8 lens: This is by far the best travel lens to buy for the Sony a6600 if you are looking for one lens to rule them all. The Sony 16-55mm lens comes with a constant f2.8 aperture, it is sharp edge-to-edge at all focal lengths, produces creamier bokeh, and yet, it is still in a relatively compact size.

It may not be as compact or as affordable as other lenses like the Sony 16-70mm F4 Zeiss Lens or as cheap as the Tamron 17-70mm f2.8 lens, but when it comes to image quality, no other lens can beat the Sony 16-55mm F2.8 lens.

If you are looking for a replacement for your kit lens that will give you the same flexibility, zoom range, and improved image quality, I highly recommend checking out the Sony 16-55mm F2.8 lens. For the price, you can check it out with the link below:

To sum it up, this is the best lens to get if you are looking for one APS-C lens to rule them all.

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A Traveler's Review: The Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 LensA Traveler's Review: The Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 Lens

๐ŸŒŽ Best Value All-Around Travel Lens

Tamron 17-70mm f2.8 lens for Sony APS-C Mirrorless Camera

Pros
  • Great range
  • Fixed and fast aperture
  • Affordable
Cons
  • Not the most compact and light lens
  • Not the sharpest

Tamron 17-70mm f2.8 lens: If you are looking for a cheaper alternative to the Sony 16-55mm F2.8, this is the next best lens to get. It produces exceptionally sharp images, has internal optical stabilization, and is excellent in low-light.

Best of all, it is half the price of the Sony 16-55mm F2.8 lens! Even though the lens may not be as tack sharp as the Sony 16-55mm, it definitely comes very close at half the price. If you are looking for a cheaper all-around travel lens and don't mind the compromises, get the Tamron lens instead of the Sony. For the price, you can check with the link below:

To sum it up, this is the best lens to get if you are looking for one affordable APS-C lens to rule them all.

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๐ŸŽฅ Best Video Lens

Sony 18-105 mm f4 lens best lens for videography

Pros
  • Great range
  • Power-zoom
  • Affordable
Cons
  • Quite old
  • Bulky and heavy
  • Not the sharpest
  • F4 aperture might not be enough for some

Sony 18-105mm f4 lens: This may be an old lens, but it is still one of the best video lenses to buy for your Sony a6600. It comes with all the features you expect from a lens for videos, like optical image stabilization, a flexible range, and best of all, it has an internal zoom barrel that doesn't extend out when you zoom in or out, which makes it great for gimbal use.

The lens may not be as sharp as the other zoom lenses, but when it comes to videos, it is unlikely that you will see any difference. Additionally, all the features that come with the lens will greatly benefit you more than having a slightly sharper lens. Plus, it is very affordable.

All in all, if you are looking for a video lens for your Sony a6600, there is no better deal than this lens. Hit the link below to see the recently discounted price for the lens.

To sum it up, this is the best lens to get if you are looking for a video lens to rule them all.

Check Price

๐Ÿ”๏ธ Best Landscape & Architecture Lens

Tamron 11-20 mm f2.8 lens for Sony APS-C Camera

Pros
  • Light & Compact
  • Fast aperture
  • Ultra-wide field of view
Cons
  • Not the sharpest
  • Not the fastest autofocus

Tamron 11-20mm f2.8 lens: For the best landscape/architecture lens for your Sony APS-C camera, you just can't beat the newly released Tamron 11-20mm f2.8 lens.

For one, this is the only available ultra-wide APS-C lens that has a fast aperture of F2.8, which makes it one of the best lenses out there for low-light situations like indoor architectural photography or sunrise/sunset landscape photography.

With a focal range of 11-20mm, you have the super-wide focal lengths that are missing from the other lenses mentioned here. The super-wide-angle field of view allows you to capture all the beautiful details of architecture or an expansive landscape, all in one frame.

Tamron lenses are also known for being sharp edge-to-edge, and this is the case for this lens as well. It weighs only 330 grams, comes in this well-built and weather-sealed body, and the autofocus works great, making it one of the best lenses you can get for travel. Hit the link below to check the price.

To sum it up, this is the best lens to get if you enjoy taking photos of landscapes and architecture.

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๐Ÿคณ Best Vlogging Lens

Sony e 10-20mm F4 g lens

Pros
  • Light & Compact
  • Power-Zoom
  • Ultra-wide field of view
Cons
  • F4 aperture might not be enough for some.

Sony 10-20mm f4 G lens: Now, if you are looking for a great lens to vlog with, I highly recommend getting the new Sony 10-20mm f4 G lens over the Tamron 11-20mm f2.8 lens, as I previously recommended.

Yes, the Tamron lens is great and all, but it isn't exactly compact and lightweight like the Sony 10-20mm F4 G lens. It also doesn't come with an internal power zoom feature, which, when combined with the Sony dedicated Bluetooth vlogging grip, the GP-VPT2BT, can be extremely useful as you can zoom in and out electronically right on the grip without having to do it manually.

Plus, the 10-20mm focal length is great for vlogging as it is wide enough for you to hold your camera out and capture both yourself and the environment in one frame, all the while giving you the flexibility to zoom to 20mm and adapt to whatever situation you might need your camera for. It is the ultimate vlogging lens you are looking for, and you can check the recent price with the link below:

To sum it up, this is the best lens to get if you are looking for a lens to vlog with.

Check Price

A Traveler's Review: The Sony 10-18mm F4 LensA Traveler's Review: The Sony 10-18mm F4 Lens

โญ๏ธ Best Astrophotography Lens

Sony E 11mm F1.8  best astrophotography lens for Sony APS-C Camera

Pros
  • Small & Compact
  • Fast aperture
  • Ultra-wide field of view
  • Affordable
Cons
  • Lacks manual controls
  • Distortions

Sony E 11mm F1.8: For the best astrophotography lens, the new Sony E 11mm F1.8 is the best option available. It is extremely well-built and compact, making it a great lens for travel.

With the 11mm focal length, you will be able to capture the expansiveness of the night sky as well as allow you to use the landscape as a foreground subject, giving your night sky photo epic scale.

The fast F1.8 aperture will also allow you to let in more light, which in turn lowers your ISO and ultimately produces sharper images. If you are looking for a great astrophotography lens that isn't too expensive, you can't go wrong with the Sony E 11mm F1.8 lens. Hit the link below to see the recent price.

To sum it up, this is the best lens to get if you love astrophotography and want to take expansive photos of stars.

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๐Ÿ˜ƒ Best Portrait Lens

Sigma 56mm F1.4 best portrait lens for Sony APS-C Camera

Pros
  • Small & Compact
  • Beautiful Bokeh
  • Great image quality
Cons
  • No stabilization
  • Lack manual controls

Sigma 56mm f1.4: I used to recommend the Sony 50mm f1.8, but that lens is as old as time. With more competition from third-party manufacturers like Sigma, the company has really given Sony a run for its money.

The Sigma 56mm f1.4 boasts a tighter focal length, a significantly faster aperture compared to the Sony equivalent, and it supports autofocus through its electronic connection. The result even surpasses what is mentioned on paper.

It is great in low light, produces great colors, is extremely sharp from corner to corner, and with its compact size and reasonable price range, the Sigma 56mm f1.4 is the best lens you can get for your Sony APS-C camera.

Plus, this lens produces one of the prettiest bokeh effects I have ever seen on an APS-C camera, and if you are looking for that kind of blurry background effect, this lens won't disappoint. To see how much it is right now, click the link below.

To sum it up, this is the best lens to get if you enjoy taking portraits of people.

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The Sigma 56mm F1.4 is the Best Street/Portrait Travel Lens For Sony APS-C CamerasThe Sigma 56mm F1.4 is the Best Street/Portrait Travel Lens For Sony APS-C Cameras

๐Ÿšถโ€โ™‚๏ธ Best Street Photography Lens

Sony 35mm f1.8 best street photography lens for Sony APS-C Camera

Pros
  • Light & Compact
  • Nice Bokeh
  • Affordable
Cons
  • No stabilization
  • No weather protection
  • Could be sharper

Sony 35mm f1.8: If you want a compact lens that allows you to be more discreet and shoot street photography while you are traveling, the Sony 35mm f1.8 will give you the most natural experience as it is closer to what your eyes actually see. With an f1.8 aperture, the lens will allow for much better subject separation than others and produce creamy bokeh.

Also, since the lens is so small and lightweight, it also pairs really well with the small Sony a6600 body and is easy to carry around as a backup lens for when you want to take your camera to places that require you to be more discreet, like a restaurant or a club at night.

It is also very affordable, and if you are looking for another lens to go with your all-around zoom lens, the Sony 35mm F1.8 should be a great addition to your camera gear arsenal. For the most recent price, you can check with the link below:

To sum it up, this is the best lens to get if you love street photography and environmental portraiture.

Check Price

๐Ÿ”Ž Best Telephoto Lens

The Sony 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 lens exterior vertically from the side.

Pros
  • Amazing range
  • Relatively compact
  • Optical stabilization
Cons
  • Variable slow aperture
  • Not compatible with teleconverters

Sony 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 Super telephoto lens: If you want to start shooting wildlife, go bird-watching, or you happen to be going on a safari in Africa and you are looking for a telephoto lens to take close-up shots of animals, I highly recommend you get the new Sony 70-350mm super-telephoto lens, which should cover the telephoto focal range that is missing for all the other lenses I mentioned in this list.

With its extremely compact size (relative to the other telephoto lenses at this range) and its incredible reach of 350mm or a whopping 525mm equivalent on a full-frame format, this lens will allow you to reach your subject without requiring you to be close, which is perfect for wildlife or a safari trip where you are unable to move closer to your subject.

Not to mention, it also comes with optical image stabilization, which is extremely useful at keeping your shot stabilized while at the 350mm range. For the most recent price, be sure to click the link below and check on Amazon.

To sum it up, this is the best lens to get if you love wildlife photography and looking for a lightweight solution.

Check Price

A Traveler's Review: The Sony E 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 LensA Traveler's Review: The Sony E 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 Lens

๐Ÿ”Ž Best Value Telephoto Lens

The Tamron 70-300mm lens of a table

Pros
  • Amazing range
  • Very lightweight and compact
  • Affordable
Cons
  • No stabilization
  • Not compatible with teleconverters
  • Slow aperture
  • Can struggle to focus sometimes

Tamron 70-300mm F4.5-6.3 Lens: Yes, technically speaking, this is a full-frame lens, but due to how affordable, lightweight, and compact it actually is, this Tamron lens makes for a great alternative to the more expensive Sony 70-350mm lens I recommended above.

Despite being designed for a full-frame camera, Tamron has managed to make the lens even lighter and more affordable than the Sony APS-C lens, which is pretty mind-boggling.

The lens has a great flexible focal range of 70-300mm, which is great for most wildlife shots. However, it doesn't come with optical image stabilization like the Sony lens, which is what made the lens so light and compact. But, since the Sony a6600 already has an IBIS system, that should be enough to help keep your shot steady.

This Tamron lens is also known for producing sharp images, almost on par with the Sony 70-350mm lens. So, if you like the reach of a super-telephoto lens and do not have the budget for the Sony lens, the Tamron 70-300mm lens is the way to go. For the latest price, you can check with the link below:

To sum it up, this is the best affordable lens to get if you love wildlife photography and looking for a lightweight solution.

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Further Reading for Photography

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