Top 3 Sony Lenses for Stunning Food Photography (2025 Edition)

Not many people know this, but I have been dabbling in food photography for quite some time now. I've been co-running a food blog, Mints Meals, and have been directing the blog's photography since its inception.

It's been quite a journey, and I have learned a lot during that time. That's why I decided to write this post. Based on my experiences, I have narrowed down the 5 best lenses for food photography that will help you take your food photography game to the next level.

Since I am a Sony shooter, and I have been using Sony cameras for more than a decade, I will be focusing on Sony lenses. However, you should be able to find equivalent lenses from other camera brands like Canon or Nikon without any problems. Without further ado, here are the 5 best Sony lenses for food photography:

Looking for the best Sony camera to buy for your travel? Check out:The Best Sony Travel Cameras to Buy

Table of Contents

• 📸 Quick Summary: The best Sony lenses for food photography
• 👍 What to Consider When Buying Lenses for Food Photography?
• 🍱 Best All-Around Food Lens
• 🥘 Best Lens for Overhead Shots
• 🔍 Best Lens for Close-Up Shots
• Further Reading for Photography

Show More

📸 Quick Summary: The best Sony lenses for food photography

Image	Product	Features
	Best Full-Frame All-Around Lens Sony FE 24-70mm f2.8 GM II Lens	Features Great general range Fast aperture Lightweight	Check PriceRead Our Review
	Best APS-C All-Around Lens Sony 16-55mm f2.8 lens	Features Great focal length for general use Very Well-built Fast aperture	Check PriceRead Our Review
	Best Full-Frame Overhead Lens Sony FE 40mm F2.5 G Lens	Features Extremely Compact Fast Autofocus Quite Sharp	Check PriceLearn More
	Best APS-C Overhead Lens Sony 35mm f1.8	Features Affordable Lightweight and compact Great sharpness	Check PriceLearn More
	Best Full-Frame Macro Lens Tamron 90mm F/2.8 Di III VXD 1:1 Macro	Features Affordable 1:1 True Macro Magnification Sharp Comes with modern features	Check PriceLearn More
	Best APS-C Macro Lens Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS	Features Incredible Minimum Focusing Distance Beautiful subject separation Optical stabilization	Check PriceLearn More

👍 What to Consider When Buying Lenses for Food Photography?

First and foremost, we need to determine which camera system you are using so that I can recommend the right lens for the job. If you are using a Sony camera, there are primarily two systems: APS-C and full-frame. You can easily determine which one your camera has by checking its model name.

Generally, if your Sony camera's model name begins with a6XXX, whether it's a6000, a6500, or a6700 (as well as FX30 and ZV-E10), you are on the APS-C system. If it begins with a7, such as a7 IV, a7R V, or a7c (as well as a1 and all the other FX models), you are on the full-frame system.

Secondly, we need to find the right focal length for the type of application you want to shoot. For example, if you want a wide shot, you might look for a lens that has at least a 24mm focal length for a full-frame or 16mm for APS-C cameras, etc.

Lastly, you are going to need a lens with excellent optical performance that will enhance your food photography. Avoid lenses with issues like color casting, distortions, and poor sharpness, as they can negatively impact the way your food looks.

Now that we've covered those basics, let's start with the best all-around food lens, and then we'll explore more professional lenses for more specific applications. I will be recommending lenses for both the APS-C system and the full-frame system, so let's get started.

🍱 Best All-Around Food Lens

For Full-Frame Cameras: Sony FE 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens is, hands down, the best all-around lens you can get for food photography. The lens covers the extremely useful focal range of 24mm to 70mm, allowing you to shoot wide overhead shots as well as tighter close-up shots of food.

The optical performance of the Sony FE 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens is outstanding, featuring corner-to-corner sharpness, excellent build quality, and a fast aperture at F2.8. This lens allows for incredible subject separation, enabling captivating close-up shots of food with its ability to shoot in a shallow depth of field.

For those of you who are looking for one lens to do it all, this is the one to get. It is a little expensive, but considering its impressive versatility, I think you will definitely get your money's worth in no time.

Looking for a complete review of this lens? Check out:A Traveler's Review: Sony 24-70mm F2.8 GM II Lens

For APS-C Cameras: The Sony 16-55mm f2.8 lens is similar to the Sony 24-70mm F2.8 but is specifically designed for APS-C systems. It offers a comparable set of features to its full-frame counterpart, with a versatile focal range of 16-55mm, equivalent to 24-70mm on a full-frame camera.

It comes with a constant f2.8 aperture, is sharp edge-to-edge at all focal lengths, and produces excellent subject separation with its stunning bokeh effect. Basically, it incorporates all the impressive features of the Sony 24-70mm, but is built for the Sony a6XXX series of cameras. If you are looking for an all-purpose lens for your APS-C camera, click the link below for more details.

For a complete review of this lens, check out:A Traveler's Review: The Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 Lens

🥘 Best Lens for Overhead Shots

For Full-Frame Cameras: The Sony FE 40mm F2.5 G lens is one of my favorite lenses to use for overhead scene food photography. I often find myself using a lightweight lens with a focal length of around 35mm for such shots, and this Sony lens ticks all the boxes.

For one, this lens is extremely compact and lightweight, with the body measuring only about 43mm in length and weighing about 173 grams. This makes it easy to mount on your overhead rig. Although the 40mm focal length is not very wide, it is the most natural focal length that doesn't introduce unwanted distortion, which is often prevalent in lenses wider than 35mm.

It also has a focal length of F2.5, which is not as fast as other lenses like the Sony 35mm F.14 GM lens. However, for overhead shots, you do not need that fast of an aperture. You will probably be shooting at a higher aperture anyway to keep everything in focus, so you might as well save the money and invest it elsewhere.

If you are looking for an excellent food lens to shoot overhead shots that is light, compact, and relatively affordable, this is the lens for you.

For APS-C Cameras: There are not many great APS-C lenses in the 24mm range (35mm equivalent on full-frame) that don't have distortion. However, if you don't mind going a little tighter to about 35mm (50mm equivalent on full-frame), the Sony 35mm f1.8 is definitely a great option for you.

The Sony 35mm f1.8 has a focal length of 35mm, equivalent to 52mm on a full-frame camera. While it may be a bit tight, it is still an excellent lens for overhead shots as it doesn't introduce any distortion. It is extremely compact and is optically superior to most lenses in this range. Click the link below for more details:

🔍 Best Lens for Close-Up Shots

For full-frame cameras: If you are looking for a lens to shoot close-up shots of food, we now have the option to choose between the OG Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS lens or the more modern and affordable Tamron 90mm F/2.8 Di III VXD 1:1 Macro Lens and I think Tamron is a much better deal for food photography, especially if you have a full-frame camera.

This Tamron lens checks all the boxes for macro photography enthusiasts. It offers true 1:1 magnification, allowing you to capture life-sized images of your subject directly on the camera sensor, perfect for getting extremely close to food and revealing stunning detail without losing focus. It delivers excellent sharpness, comes in a lighter and more compact body, and includes modern features that the decade-old Sony 90mm macro lens lacks. Best of all, it’s available at a more affordable price point than the Sony.

It has a close focusing distance of 23.1 cm (9.1 inches), which is shorter than the Sony’s, and features a fast f/2.8 aperture that delivers excellent sharpness, essential for close-up photography. It is an incredible lens with a very specific function that no other lens on this list can replicate.

One thing the Tamron lacks is built-in optical image stabilization. However, most modern Sony full-frame cameras now feature IBIS (in-body image stabilization), so this shouldn’t affect your macro shooting experience. If you’re just getting started with macro food photography, this lens is an excellent choice to begin with. For the latest price, be sure to check it out using the link below:

For APS-C cameras: This is a hard one. Although there are a handful of macro lenses designed specifically for APS-C cameras, they have not all been updated for years. Many of these lenses, like the Sony 35mm F3.5, are based on old technologies and cannot keep up with newer APS-C cameras like the Sony a6700.

Third-party lenses are also not as great, with the Sigma 70mm F2.8 lens being released way back in 2018, and the technology it is based on is from an even older DSLR era. That is why I would still recommend you to get the Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS lens even if you are on the Sony APS-C system.

With the APS-C magnification factor of 1.5, a 90mm lens effectively becomes 135mm, making it noticeably tighter. However, since many Sony APS-C cameras lack IBIS, a lens with built-in optical stabilization is essential. The Sony 90mm Macro lens is the only one that’s truly reliable, offering image stabilization, and excellent sharpness. The trade-off is definitely worthwhile compared to the subpar performance of other macro lenses.

When it comes to food photography, you can always “zoom out” with your feet. So if you're looking for a macro APS-C lens to shoot food, the Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS lens remains the best option, especially if you're using a Sony APS-C camera without IBIS. However, if your camera does feature in-body image stabilization, you might want to consider the Tamron 90mm F/2.8 Di III VXD 1:1 Macro Lens instead.

Want to take your photography game to the next level? Here are some resources to help you upgrade your work and photography gear:

Lightroom Presets: If you are looking for a quick way to make your travel photos look like mine, you should check out my newly released Lightroom Preset Collections.

Camera: Sony a7R V, the highest resolution full-frame camera out there, is my go-to camera when I travel. All of my recent photos and videos are all from this beast.

All-Around Travel Lens: Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens is the lens I mounted on my camera the most. The lens covers most of the ranges I need for travel from wide to telephoto. If I have to take only one lens with me on my travel, it would be this lens.

Ultra-Wide Lens: Sony 16-35mm F2.8 GM II Lnes: An ultra-wide lens I often use to shoot expansive landscapes and capture massive architecture I stumble upon while traveling.

Telephoto Lens: Sony 70-200mm F2.8 GM II lens is one of the most versatile lenses to have. It is great for picking out details in landscapes and capturing wildlife when combined with the Sony FE 2x teleconverter.

Portrait Lens: Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN Lens is the most compact and lightweight 85mm F1.4 lens out there. It's sharp and produces stunning bokeh for subject separation, perfect for portraits and street photography.

Drone: DJI Mavic Mini 2, a perfect drone for those who travel light. It weighs less than 250g and smaller than an iPhone when folded and can capture 4K video as well as 12 megapixels RAW photos. More than enough for its size.

Bag: Langly Alpha Globetrotter is a camera bag I use to carry all these lenses as well as other essentials when I'm traveling.

Further Reading for Photography

Looking for more photography articles like this? Here is a collection of articles you might like:

• For a complete list of travel lenses to buy for Sony Full-Frame cameras, check out: The Best Travel Lenses For Sony Full-Frame Cameras.
• Just bought the Sony a7IV camera and looking for a lens to go with the new camera? Check out: 13 Best Sony a7IV Lenses for Travel
• Looking for the best Sony zoom lenses to buy? Here are the 18 Best Sony Zoom Lenses to Buy in 2025.
• To expand your horizon as a photographer, you are going to need a telephoto lens in your kit. Here are the 10 Best Sony Telephoto Lenses to Buy in 2025.
• For the best image quality, you just can't beat images shot on prime lenses. Here are the 10 Best Sony Prime Lenses to Buy in 2025.
• For the best image quality, you just can't beat images shot on prime lenses. Here are the 10 Best Sony Prime Lenses to Buy in 2025.
• For the best budget Sony lenses to buy, check out: 10 Best Sony Budget Lenses to Buy.
• Old but gold, the Sony a7III has been one of the most popular cameras Sony has ever produced. If you own one of these gems and would like to breathe new life into the camera, here are the 13 Best Sony a7III Lenses for Travel.
• For vloggers and content creators out there, if you own the Sony ZV-E1 camera and are looking for a lens to pair it with, check out: 13 Best Sony ZV-E1 Lenses for Travel to Buy.
• Looking for new lenses to buy for your Sony a7C II camera? Check out: 13 Best Sony a7C II Lenses for Travel to Buy.
• For the best lenses to buy that can handle the high-resolution sensor of the Sony a7C R, check out: 7 Best Sony a7C R Lenses for Travel to Buy.
• One of my favorite Sony cameras, the Sony a7C, is a lightweight and compact camera that is made for travel. Check out some of my favorite lenses for the Sony a7C: 13 Best Sony a7C Lenses for Travel.
• If you have the Sony a7RV and are looking for a high-quality, sharp lens to pair with it, here are the 7 Best Sony a7RV Lenses for Travel to Buy.
• The Sony a7RIV is one of the best landscape photography cameras out there, and it comes with a massive 62.2 MP sensor that requires lenses capable of retaining sharpness on such a large canvas. To help guide you, here are the 7 Best Sony a7RIV Lenses for Travel.
• Despite its age, the Sony a7RIII, a 42.2 MP landscape camera, is still used by many. If you are one of those people and are looking to spice it up a little, why not get a new lens and breathe new life into your beloved camera? Here are the 7 Best Sony a7RIII Lenses for Travel.
• King of travel filmmaking, the Sony a7SIII is a fan favorite for filmmakers on the road, and if you own one of this beast, be sure to check out the 7 Best Sony a7SIII Lenses for Travel.
• If you just bought the Sony FX3 and want to buy some new lenses to take your storytelling skills to the next level, check this out: 7 Best Sony FX3 Lenses to Buy.
• Wondering which Sony Mirrorless camera is right for you? The Best Sony Travel Cameras to Buy in 2025.
• Just bought a new Sony mirrorless camera? Check out: 15 Tips & Tricks For Your New Sony a7C, a7III, and More.
• For the best hybrid travel camera to buy, the Sony a7R V with its 61-megapixel sensor and video capabilities is hard to beat. Check out my review here: A Traveler's Review: The Sony a7R V Camera
• If you are looking for a secondary camera to vlog or help you with time-consuming processes like timelapse, you might want to check this out: A Traveler's Review: DJI Osmo Pocket 3.
• Looking for the very best travel full-frame camera to buy for your next trip? How about the Sony a7C, the smallest full-frame camera with an EVF in the world! Check out my review: A Traveler's Review: The Sony a7C Camera
• The king of travel lenses has arrived. The Sony 24-70mm F2.8 GM II lens is, hands down, the best travel all-purpose zoom lens I have ever owned. Here's why: A Traveler's Review: Sony 24-70mm F2.8 GM II Lens.
• Sony 70-200mm F2.8 GM II OSS lens is, hands down, the best telephoto lens to get for your Sony cameras but with an extremely high price tag. Here is a complete traveler's review of the lens: A Traveler's Review: Sony 70-200mm F2.8 GM II OSS Lens.
• Looking for a lightweight and affordable landscape/architecture travel lens that is also extremely capable? Here is A Traveler's Review of the Sigma 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN Lens.
• Looking for the best travel portrait lens to buy for your next trip? You can't beat the Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN lens. Here is A Traveler's Review of the Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN Art Lens.
• Looking for a compact and lightweight travel telephoto lens for wildlife and landscape? You are going to love this lens. Here is A Traveler's Review of the Tamron 70-300mm F4.5-6.3 lens.
• Ever wondered what a full-time travel blogger like myself carries in my camera bag? Check out: What's In My Camera Bag in 2025?
• Wondering which Sony Mirrorless camera is right for you? The Best Sony Travel Cameras to Buy in 2025.
• Just bought a new Sony mirrorless camera? Check out: 15 Tips & Tricks For Your New Sony a7C, a7III, and More.
• Bought a new camera and not sure what camera accessories to buy? Check out: 14 BEST Sony Camera Accessories You Should Buy.
• Want to start a YouTube channel and looking to buy new cameras for travel vlogging? Check out: 8 Best Cameras for Travel Vlogging to Buy.
• Want to learn how I was able to take so many good pictures of myself while I travel solo? Check out: How To Take Great Pictures of Yourself.
• For more photography resources like this, visit my Photography page.