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So, you just got yourself the incredible Sony a7V and are now looking for the perfect lenses to pair with it for your next trip? If so, you've come to the right place. In this guide, I'll walk you through my favorite Sony lenses for travel and help you choose the right one based on the kind of traveler and photographer you are.
From versatile zooms to lightweight prime lenses, here are 14 of the best lenses for the Sony a7V that can handle just about any situation your travels throw at you. But first, let's start with a quick summary:
📸 Quick Summary: The best lenses for Sony a7V?
👍 What Makes for a Good Travel Lens for Sony a7IV?
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 I might find myself in, without hindering my ability to travel around 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. Additionally, I'll provide budget alternatives that will help your Sony a7V 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.
🌎 Best All-Around Travel Lens
- Extremely Light & Compact
- Packed with Features
- Very sharp at almost every focal length
- Expensive
- Distortion
Sony FE 24-70mm f2.8 GM II Lens: This is, hands down, the best travel lens you can get for your Sony a7V camera. The Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II is an updated version of the wildly popular but aging Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM, bringing new features and technologies to an already excellent all-purpose lens while keeping it lightweight and compact.
The focal range of this lens is extremely versatile, allowing you to shoot wide at 24mm, which is great for architecture and landscapes, while also giving you the option to zoom in to 70mm for portraits.
The Sony FE 24-70mm f2.8 GM II's optical performance is outstanding, with excellent corner-to-corner sharpness, superb build quality, and a fast F2.8 aperture. The lens produces stunning bokeh and subject separation while still allowing you to capture sharp images in poor lighting conditions.
The best part about this lens is its form factor. Sony calls it the world's lightest full-frame F2.8 constant-aperture standard zoom lens, weighing only 690 g, which is unheard of for such a versatile lens.
For those of you looking for the best and lightest travel lens for your Sony a7V, this is the one to get. It is a little expensive, but considering the impressive quality-to-size ratio, I think it is well worth the price tag. This lens truly is the one lens to rule them all.
🌎 Best Budget All-Around Travel Lens
- Lightweight
- Affordable
- Fast aperture
- 28mm might not be wide enough
- Not as compact
Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 G2 Lens: If you are looking for a more affordable alternative, I recommend you check out the Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 G2 lens. It is an excellent all-around travel lens that delivers around 85% of the performance you get from premium lenses like Sony's G Master series, but at a much more accessible price point.
Tamron recently updated this popular lens with a new version featuring improved optics and autofocus technology, significantly enhancing both image quality and autofocus performance while keeping the price similar to the previous generation. This makes it one of the best budget-friendly all-around travel lenses available today.
Although the focal range is not as wide as the Sony 24-70mm F2.8 GM II, you are paying less than half the price of Sony's premium option. If you do not shoot at 24mm very often, there is arguably no better value-for-money option out there than this Tamron lens.
🏔️ Best Landscape & Architecture Lens
- Light & Compact
- Extremely fast autofocus
- Very sharp at almost every focal length
- Stunning sunstar
- Expensive
- Vignette & Distortion
Sony FE 16-35mm f2.8 GM II Lens: If you are looking for a lens for your Sony a7V to capture landscapes and architecture during your travels, the Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II, the latest iteration of Sony's beloved versatile wide-angle lens, is hard to beat.
With its ultra-wide 16mm focal length, you will be able to capture more of the landscapes and architecture around you, giving your photos a perspective that is difficult to replicate with other lenses, including all-purpose zooms like the Sony 24-70mm F2.8 GM II.
As you would expect from Sony's latest GM lenses, the image quality produced by this lens is incredibly sharp from corner to corner throughout almost the entire focal range. The constant F2.8 aperture also makes it highly versatile in all lighting conditions, which is especially useful for travel photography where you are often shooting in unpredictable environments. It is also an excellent lens for sunrise and sunset photography, as well as astrophotography. Truly, another one lens to rule them all.
Not to mention that Sony managed to reduce the weight significantly while also improving sharpness, autofocus speed, and the minimum focusing distance. It is a better lens than its predecessor in almost every way.
This lens covers focal lengths that general-purpose lenses, like the Sony 24-70mm F2.8 GM II, simply cannot reach, making it the perfect secondary lens to pair with your all-around travel lens.
🏔️ Best Budget Landscape & Architecture Lens
- Light & Compact
- Affordable
- Fast Aperture
- Not the fastest autofocus
- Distortion
- Doesn't zoom to 35mm
Sigma 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN Lens: Once again, G Master lenses are not cheap, and it may not make sense to buy one, especially if you are just starting out. So, for those of you looking for an excellent yet affordable wide-angle lens for architecture and landscape photography while traveling, I highly recommend checking out the Sigma 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN lens.
Even though the Sigma 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN lens is much cheaper than Sony's 16-35mm GM lens, it still delivers excellent image quality that is surprisingly comparable to Sony's premium GM glass in many situations, all while coming in a lighter and more compact package that is perfect for travel.
Unlike the Tamron 17-28mm F2.8 lens I recommended earlier, the Sigma lens goes all the way down to 16mm, which makes a huge difference for travel photography, especially when shooting landscapes, architecture, and tight indoor spaces. While it does not zoom in as far as the Sony GM lens with its 35mm focal length, I am more than happy to sacrifice a little reach for a lens that is smaller, lighter, and easier to travel with.
Best of all, this lens costs less than half the price of the Sony 16-35mm F2.8 GM lens, making it one of the best-value wide-angle lenses you can buy for the Sony system. With such an attractive price point, this Sigma lens even made a Sony fan like myself seriously reconsider spending over 2,000 USD on the GM version.
I actually ended up buying this lens after breaking my Sony G Master lens while traveling in Austria, and it became my main wide-angle lens throughout a 6-month trip across Europe. It served me incredibly well the entire time, and I can confidently recommend it if you are looking for something cheaper, lighter, and more compact.
🎥 Best Video Lens
- Light & Compact
- Power-Zoom
- Quite Sharp
- F4 Aperture might be too slow for some
Sony PZ 16-35mm F4 G Lens: If you are primarily a video shooter and are looking for a travel lens that is wide enough for landscapes and architecture while also being lightweight enough to use comfortably on a gimbal, the Sony PZ 16-35mm F4 G lens is definitely worth considering.
The Sony PZ 16-35mm F4 G lens is part of Sony's power zoom lineup, which allows you to electronically control the zoom. This enables you to capture smooth zoom transitions while filming, making it an incredibly useful feature for video creators.
The lens also features an internal zoom mechanism, meaning the barrel does not extend or retract while zooming. This is especially useful when using the lens on a gimbal since you do not have to constantly rebalance the setup every time you zoom in or out.
Thanks to the power zoom feature and its versatile focal range, you can also pull off some really creative video techniques, such as the cinematic dolly zoom technique often seen in Hollywood films by legendary directors like Alfred Hitchcock.
On top of that, the lens is impressively sharp, which pairs perfectly with a high-resolution camera like the Sony a7V. If video is your main focus, there is arguably no better travel video lens for the Sony a7V than this one.
🤳 Best Vlogging Lens
- Versatile focal range
- Fast fixed aperture
- Affordable
- Not the fastest autofocus
- Some distortion
Tamron 20-40mm F2.8 Lens: If you are looking for a lens to vlog your travels with your Sony a7V, the Tamron 20-40mm F2.8 is an excellent lightweight option that performs extremely well while remaining reasonably priced. Its unique 20-40mm focal range also makes it incredibly flexible, allowing you to adapt to different shooting situations while traveling. This versatility makes it a perfect starter lens for anyone beginning their travel vlogging journey.
The lens weighs only around 367 g, which is nearly half the weight of the Sony 16-35mm F2.8 GM lens, another popular choice among vloggers. This makes it much more comfortable to hold for long periods while filming yourself on the go.
It also features a fast F2.8 aperture, allowing you to create beautiful background blur and bokeh while vlogging. This helps separate you from the background and keeps your viewers focused on the subject, whether that is you or a product you are reviewing.
Overall, this is a highly versatile lens designed with vloggers in mind, and if you are looking for a travel-friendly vlogging lens that will not make your arms work overtime, the Tamron 20-40mm F2.8 lens is my recommendation 😂.
😃 Best Portrait Lens
- Light & Compact
- Beautiful Bokeh
- Extremely Sharp
- Pincushion & Vignetting
- Not the cheapest
Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN Lens: This is probably one of the lightest and most compact 85mm F1.4 lenses out there. It weighs only around 630 g (22.2 oz), which is around the same weight as the Sony 85mm F1.4 GM II lens, but way more affordable. It is also only slightly larger than the Sony FE 85mm F1.8 while offering a much wider F1.4 aperture, which is honestly mind-boggling to me. Quite an engineering feat!
As you would expect from a lens with such a wide aperture, it produces absolutely beautiful bokeh and subject separation. It is also impressively sharp in most situations, outperforming even Sony's own 85mm F1.4 GM lens in certain use cases. Best of all, it costs almost 700 USD less.
Of course, there are a few trade-offs that come with such a compact and lightweight design, such as some noticeable pincushion distortion, but that can easily be corrected in Lightroom. For the size and weight savings you get, it is more than worth the compromise.
I honestly do not know how Sigma pulled this off, but they absolutely knocked it out of the park with this lens. If you are looking for the best travel-friendly portrait lens for your Sony camera, there is arguably no better option than the Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN lens.
😃 Best Budget Portrait Lens
- Light & Compact
- Beautiful Bokeh
- Affordable
- Not the best build quality
- Strong Vignetting
Sony FE 85mm F1.8 Lens: Even though the Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN is arguably the best portrait lens you can get, it is neither as light nor as affordable as this lens. If you are looking for a compact and lightweight travel portrait lens that is still capable of producing stunning bokeh, the Sony FE 85mm F1.8 is a much better option for you.
The Sony FE 85mm F1.8 lens weighs only 371 g, making it an incredibly lightweight setup when paired with your Sony a7V. It also retails for around 550 USD, which is nearly half the price of the Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN lens.
Despite its affordable price, the lens is still capable of producing impressively sharp images, as you would expect from a native Sony lens. Even though the aperture is one stop slower than the Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN, the depth of field and subject separation you get from this lens are still gorgeous. It allows you to capture tack-sharp portraits while beautifully blurring out the background, creating that satisfying cinematic look everyone loves.
Considering its compact size and affordable price point, it is hard to beat the Sony FE 85mm F1.8 lens when it comes to value for money. If you want to save some cash, I highly recommend going with the Sony 85mm F1.8 and putting the money you save toward another lens instead.
I used this lens for years before upgrading to the Sigma version, and it was so light and compact that I never had to think twice about throwing it into my bag whenever I was out and about.
🚶♂️ Best Street Photography Lens
- Light & Compact
- Very fast aperture at F1.4
- Extremely Sharp
- Expensive
Sony FE 35mm f1.4 GM Lens: When it comes to street photography, you are often running around capturing spontaneous moments and fast-moving subjects. You need a lens with a natural-looking focal length, a compact and unobtrusive design, and a fast aperture. That is why I highly recommend the Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM lens.
The Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM lens features a 35mm focal length, which closely resembles the natural field of view of the human eye. Because of this, the images you capture tend to feel more immersive and natural, making them especially well-suited for street and documentary-style photography.
Thanks to its compact size, lightweight design, and unobtrusive profile, you can easily blend into crowds and capture candid moments while traveling, moments that might be harder to capture with larger and more intimidating lenses.
The fast F1.4 aperture is also perfect for the run-and-gun nature of street photography, allowing you to shoot comfortably in low light while creating beautiful subject separation when needed. All of this makes the Sony 35mm F1.4 GM one of my favorite street lenses ever!
🚶♂️ Best Budget Street Photography Lens
- Versatile focal range
- Fast fixed aperture
- Affordable
- Not the fastest autofocus
- Some distortion
Tamron 20-40mm F2.8 Lens: When it comes to the best value lens for street photography, I have to give it to the Tamron 20-40mm F2.8. This lens features a unique 20-40mm focal range that covers the classic 35mm field of view while also giving you extra flexibility to react quickly to fast-changing situations on the streets.
Thanks to its compact size, lightweight body, and discreet design, you can blend into crowds more easily and capture candid street moments without drawing too much attention to yourself. Best of all, the lens is very affordable at around 680 USD retail. Considering the amount of versatility you get from this lens, it offers incredible value for the price.
The lens also comes with a constant F2.8 aperture, which is more than fast enough for the run-and-gun shooting style that street photography often requires. With its excellent balance of price, flexibility, portability, and discreet design, the Tamron 20-40mm F2.8 is easily one of the best-value street photography lenses you can get for a Sony full-frame camera.
⭐️ Best Astrophotography Lens
- Ultra-wide focal length
- Extremely fast aperture for such a wide focal length
- Extremely Sharp
- Quite heavy
- Expensive
Sony FE 14mm f1.8 GM Lens: When it comes to astrophotography, you are going to need an ultra-wide-angle lens that allows you to capture both the landscape and the night sky together in a single frame, giving your photos a real sense of scale. You will also need a fast aperture to keep the stars sharp while shooting in extremely dark conditions.
The Sony 14mm F1.8 GM lens is built specifically for that purpose. With its ultra-wide 14mm focal length, you can capture vast landscapes together with the expansive night sky, creating truly immersive astrophotography compositions.
The fast F1.8 aperture also allows you to capture sharper images of the Milky Way without having to push your ISO too high, while still keeping your shutter speed fast enough to avoid star trails.
This is probably the widest and fastest native lens you can get for your Sony a7V. If you are serious about astrophotography and want the best lens possible for capturing the Milky Way while traveling, this is the one to get.
To sum it up, this is the best lens to get if you love astrophotography and want to take expansive photos of stars.
⭐️ Best Budget Astrophotography Lens
- Wide focal length
- Fast aperture for such a wide focal length
- Compact and Lightweight
- Affordable
- Corner Sharpness at Wide Apertures could be better
Now that Sony has released the 16mm f/1.8 G lens, we finally have an astrophotography lens that is wide enough at 16mm, fast with its f/1.8 aperture, and still lightweight and compact.
Even better, the price point is significantly lower, making it far more accessible for beginner astrophotographers who are just starting their stargazing journey. Of course, there are some compromises, such as slightly softer corner sharpness when shooting wide open, which may not satisfy professionals.
But for hobbyists and travelers like myself, the image quality is more than good enough. If you are looking for a budget-friendly lens to take your astrophotography to the next level, this is the one to get.
🐯 Best Wildlife Lens
- Very versatile range
- Compact size for the range
- Works with teleconverters
- Quite heavy
- Variable aperture
- Expensive
Sony FE 100-400mm f4.5-5.6 OSS G Master Lens: If you are looking for the absolute best telephoto lens for wildlife photography and neither budget nor weight is an issue, then the crown has to go to the Sony 100-400mm f4.5-5.6 G Master lens. With its incredible 100-400mm focal range, this lens allows you to get much closer to your subject than almost any other travel-friendly telephoto lens out there.
The Sony FE 100-400mm f4.5-5.6 lens is definitely not small or lightweight, but considering the amount of reach it offers, it is surprisingly manageable for travel. It is also one of the sharpest telephoto lenses Sony has ever made, allowing you to capture incredibly crisp and detailed photos of wildlife, whether you are photographing birds, distant animals, or the Big Five on a safari trip.
If you still have a bit of room left in your backpack, around 2,500 USD to spare, and want the very best wildlife lens with exceptional reach and image quality, this is the one to get. I just wish Sony had plans to release a Mark II version soon, as this lens is definitely starting to show its age and could really use an upgrade.
🐯 Best Budget Wildlife Lens
- Amazing range
- Very lightweight and compact
- Affordable
- Optical stabilization
- Not compatible with teleconverters
- Slow aperture
Tamron 50-300mm F4.5-6.3 Lens: For those of you looking for a more compact and affordable wildlife lens, the Tamron 50-300mm F4.5-6.3 is exactly the lens you should consider. It is the successor to the Tamron 70-300mm F4.5-6.3, one of my favorite budget telephoto lenses, and improves upon the previous version in almost every way.
This new lens now starts at 50mm instead of 70mm, giving you much more flexibility when photographing wildlife. It also finally includes optical stabilization, something I always wished the previous version had. With the wider focal range, you can quickly zoom in to capture distant animals or zoom out to include more of the environment without having to switch lenses, which is incredibly useful for wildlife and safari photography.
The lens is slightly heavier than its predecessor, weighing around 665 g, and it also costs a bit more at around 700 USD. However, the added versatility on the wider end and the inclusion of optical stabilization easily justify the higher price, especially for travel and wildlife photography.
I brought the previous version with me on several safari trips across East Africa, and despite being a budget lens, it still allowed me to capture some incredible wildlife shots. With all the improvements Tamron made to this new version, it can only get better. If you are looking to get into wildlife photography without spending over 2,000 USD on a lens, the Tamron 50-300mm F4.5-6.3 lens is, hands down, one of the best options available.
To sum it up, this is the best budget zoom lens to get if you enjoy wildlife photography and are looking for a lightweight solution.
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