The BEST Sony APS-C Lenses to Buy for Travel in 2025

📸 Quick Summary: Best Sony APS-C lenses for travel

Image	Product	Features
	🏅 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
	💰 Great Value Best Value All-Around Lens Tamron 17-70mm f2.8 lens	Features Great focal length for general use Affordable Fast aperture	Check PriceLearn More
	Best Video Lens Sony 18-105 mm f4 lens	Features Internal zoom Affordable Optical Image Stabilization	Check PriceLearn More
	Best Landscape/Architecture Lens Tamron 11-20 mm f2.8 lens	Features Ultra-wide field of view Compact and lightweight Fast Aperture	Check PriceLearn More
	Best Lens for Gimbal Tamron 11-20 mm f2.8 lens	Features Ultra-wide field of view Compact and lightweight Fast Aperture	Check PriceLearn More
	🏅 Editor's Choice Best Vlogging Lens Sony 10-18 mm f4 lens	Features Ultra-wide field of view Compact and light-weight Optical-Stabilization	Check PriceRead Our Review
	Best Astro Lens Sony E 11mm F1.8	Features Ultra-wide field of view Fast aperture Small & Compact	Check PriceLearn More
	🏅 Editor's Choice Best Portrait Lens Sigma 56mm f1.4	Features Beautiful bokeh Light-weight and compact Great image quality	Check PriceRead Our Review
	Best Street Lens Sony 35mm f1.8	Features Affordable Light-weight and compact Nice Bokeh	Check PriceLearn More
	🏅 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

Basic Camera Lens Knowledge

There are two main things you need to learn about camera lens specifications that will help you pick the right lens for you: focal length and aperture.

Focal Length

1. Focal length, usually represented in millimeters (mm), determines how much of a scene will be captured. The higher the number, the narrower and higher the magnification. So, if you want a wide-angle lens, the lower the focal length, the better. Conversely, if you want a portrait or macro lens, the higher the focal length, the better.

To give you a point of scale, for a cropped sensor camera like the Sony a6700/a6600/a6400/a6100, 12mm will give you a super wide-angle shot, and 105mm will give you a very close-up shot from afar.

Sometimes, a lens may have a variable focal length, such as 16-70mm, which means that it is a zoom lens. You can adjust the focal length from 16mm (wide) to 70mm (narrow), giving you the flexibility you need.

Aperture

2. Aperture, usually represented by the f-number, determines how much light the lens can let in. The lower the f-number, the better it is for low-light situations, and the more blurry the bokeh effect becomes.

To give you a point of scale, on a cropped sensor camera like the Sony a6700/a6600/a6400/a6100, the f/1.4 lens, which often comes with a higher focal length (35mm, etc.), will perform very well under low-light conditions. It will also have a shallow depth of field (more bokeh effect), which is great for portraits.

Combining these 2 pieces of information, you should now be able to read the specification of a lens and know what it is for. For example, the 16-70mm f4 is a zoom lens that covers angles from wide to close-up, but it is not the best in low light. On the other hand, the 35mm f1.8 is a prime lens (a lens with a fixed focal length) that will give you a medium shot with a stunning bokeh effect and is excellent in low light.

Now that we have covered the basics, let's dive into the best lenses for the Sony a6700, a6600, a6400, a6500, a6400, a6300, and a6100.

Looking for camera accessories to help improve your travel photography game? Check out:14 BEST Sony Camera Accessories You Should Buy

📸 Best Lenses for Sony APS-C cameras

🌎 All-Around Best Lens for Everything

Sony 16-55mm f2.8 lens: I used to recommend the Sony 16-70mm F4 Zeiss Lens, but since then, Sony has not stopped releasing new lenses for the Sony e-mount camera. With the recent release of the Sony 16-55mm with f2.8 constant aperture, which is way faster than the f4 on the Sony 16-70mm Zeiss lens, resulting in sharper photo quality and creamier bokeh, while still being compact, it is hard not to recommend this lens.

This is by far THE BEST zoom lens you can get for the Sony APS-C camera, and the price sure reflects it, as it costs about 1,298.00 USD. If you are looking for the best portable lens to get for your Sony APS-C camera, this is the one to get.

This lens is recommended for the Sony a6700, a6600, and a6500. Unfortunately, the lens doesn't come with optical image stabilization, so it is not recommended for cameras without built-in stabilization, such as the Sony ZV-E10, a6000, a6100, a6300, and a6400.

Looking for a complete review of the Sony 16-55mm F2.8 lens from a traveler's perspective?A Traveler's Review: The Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 Lens

🌎 All-Around Best Budget Lens for Everything

Tamron 17-70mm f2.8 lens: This is the next best lens to get if you are looking for an all-around travel lens that can produce high-quality images and has internal optical stabilization, which is perfect for those with the Sony a6000, a6100, a6300, and a6400, which lack in-body image stabilization.

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.

This lens is recommended for the Sony ZV-E10, a6000, a6100, a6300, a6400, a6500, a6600, and a6700. With its internal optical stabilization, this is the best all-around lens to get if you are using the Sony a6000, a6100, a6300, and a6400 cameras.

🎥 All-Around Best Lens for Videos

Sony 18-105mm f4 lens: This is the best video lens you can get because of its similar features to the Sony 16-70mm Zeiss lens, but with an internal zoom barrel that doesn't extend out when you zoom in, and at half the price.

The lens may not be as sharp, but when it comes to video, you won't notice the difference, and with the internal zoom barrel, the lens is perfect for gimbal work. Basically, for videographers, there is no better deal than this lens.

This lens is recommended for the Sony ZV-E10, a6700, a6600, a6500, a6400, a6300, a6100, and a6000.

See also:My advanced travel filmmaking gear guide for 2018

🏔️ Best Lens for Landscape & Architecture

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 super wide focal lengths that are missing from the other lenses mentioned here. The super wide-angle field of view allows you to truly capture all the beautiful details of architecture or expansive landscapes, all in one frame.

Tamron lenses are also known for being sharp edge-to-edge, and this is also the case for this lens as well. It weighs only 330 g, 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.

This lens is recommended for the Sony ZV-E10, a6700, a6600, a6500, a6400, a6300, a6100, and a6000. The lens lacks image stabilization, but with such a wide-angle field of view, you should have no trouble getting sharp images even on a camera body that lacks image stabilization.

⚖️ Best Lens for Gimbal Use

Tamron 11-20mm f2.8 lens: Again, I have to give it to the Tamron 11-20mm F2.8 lens when it comes to gimbal use. They really knocked it out of the park here with the compact size, lightweight body, and ultra-wide field of view that works well with any gimbal you throw this camera on. Highly recommended.

This lens is recommended for the Sony ZV-E10, a6700, a6600, a6500, a6400, a6300, a6100, and a6000.

🤳 Best Lens for Vlogging

Sony 10-18 mm f4 lens: Now, if you are looking for a great lens to vlog with, I would still recommend that you get the Sony 10-18mm F4 lens instead of the Tamron 11-20mm F2.8 lens.

Yes, the Tamron lens is great and cheap, but it lacks optical stabilization, something the Sony 10-18mm F4 lens has, which is essential for vlogging. When filming yourself walking and talking at the same time, it is important to have optical stabilization to keep your footage smooth and not distracting. Therefore, you will need the optical stabilization from the Sony 10-18mm F4 lens.

Plus, the 10mm focal length is also 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. If you are looking for the best vlogging lens, the Sony 10-18mm F4 lens is the best one to get.

This lens is recommended for the Sony ZV-E10, a6700, a6600, a6500, a6400, a6300, a6100, and a6000.

⭐️ Best Lens for Astrophotography

Sony E 11mm F1.8: For the best astrophotography lens, the new Sony E 11mm F1.8 is the best lens you can buy. It is extremely well-built, and compact, which makes it great for traveling.

With the 11mm focal length, you will be able to capture the expansiveness of the night sky, as well as allowing you to use the landscape as a foreground subject to give your night sky photo an 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.

This lens is recommended for Sony ZV-E10, a6700, a6600, a6500, a6400, a6300, a6100, and a6000. Since you will likely be using this on a tripod for astrophotography, cameras with image stabilization should work just fine.

😃 Best Lens for Portrait

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 has a tighter focal length, and a much faster aperture than the Sony equivalent, and it supports autofocus with its electronic connection. The result even surpasses what is 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.

This lens is recommended for the Sony ZV-E10, a6700, a6600, a6500, a6400, a6300, a6100, and a6000.

I have written a comprehensive review of this lens so be sure to check it out:The Sigma 56mm F1.4 is the Best Street/Portrait Travel Lens For Sony APS-C Cameras

🚶‍♂️ Best Lens for Street Photography

Sony 35mm f1.8: If you want to shoot street photography while you are traveling, the Sony 35mm f1.8 will give you the most natural look since the 35mm focal length is what the human eyes see. With an f1.8 aperture, you will be able to get great subject separation and a stunning bokeh effect too.

Also, since the lens is so small and lightweight, this is the kind of lens you don't mind carrying as your second lens while traveling.

This lens is recommended for the Sony ZV-E10, a6700, a6600, a6500, a6400, a6300, a6100, and a6000.

🐯 Best Lens for Wildlife (Telephoto)

Sony 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 Super telephoto lens: If you enjoy observing wildlife, such as bird-watching and safaris while traveling, I highly recommend getting the new Sony 70-350mm super-telephoto lens. It covers telephoto focal lengths that aren't covered by any of the lenses mentioned above.

With its extremely compact size (relative to the other telephoto lenses in 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 for keeping your shot stabilized while in the 350mm range.

This lens is recommended for the Sony ZV-E10, a6700, a6600, a6500, a6400, a6300, a6100, and a6000.

Here is a complete review of the Sony E 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 Lens:A Traveler's Review: The Sony E 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 Lens

🛒 Which Camera Lens Should You Pick?

Now that you have all of the information, which one should you pick? Well, that will depend on the type of travelers you are.

If you are a photographer, videographer, or both, pick any of the all-around lenses as your main lens. If you are more into nature than cities, go with a wide-angle lens. If not, go with a street photography lens as your second lens. Do you like camping and hiking? If you do, go with an astrophotography lens as your third lens.

The combination I am using now is the Sony 16-55mm F2.8 lens as my main lens since I am into both photography and videography and I want to travel as light as possible. Additionally, I use the Sony 35mm f1.8 lens as my second lens for street photography, the Sigma 56mm f1.4 lens as my portrait lens due to its incredible bokeh, and the Rokinon 12mm f2 lens for astrophotography, landscape, and architecture. I find this combination to be the most flexible for the type of traveler I am while keeping the setup light and portable.

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 are a collection of articles you might like:

• Recently bought the Sony ZV-E10 camera to start travel vlogging and looking for the right lens to do so? Check out: 8 Best Sony ZV-E10 Lenses for Travel
• Recently bought the new Sony a6700 and looking for travel lenses to pair it with? Look no further. Check out: 10 Best Sony a6700 Lenses for Travel to Buy.
• Looking for a great content creation lens for the Sony FX30? Check out: 9 BEST Sony FX30 Lenses to Buy.
• Just bought the Sony a6600 camera and looking for a new lens to buy? Check out: 10 Best Sony a6600 Lenses for Travel
• Old but gold, the Sony a6500 has been my trusty travel camera for many years, and when paired with a good lens, you have one hell of a highly capable and lightweight travel camera machine. Here are the 10 Best Sony a6500 Lenses for Travel.
• One of the most popular travel cameras, the Sony a6400, has proven to be both capable and highly adaptable. In order to utilize it to its full potential, you are going to need a good lens for it. For the best lenses to buy, here are the 8 Best Sony a6400 Lenses for Travel.
• Despite it being one of the oldest Sony cameras out there, many people still own the Sony a6000. If you are one of those people and are looking for a new lens to breathe new life into your beloved camera, here are the 8 Best Sony a6000 Lenses for Travel.
• For APS-C camera owners out there, check out: What's In My Camera Bag? - A Gear Guide to the Sony APS-C Cameras.
• 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.
• If you want to carry just one lens when you travel, here is why the Sony 16-55mm F2.8 is the best travel lens to get for your Sony a6600 or a6500.
• This is the one lens I never knew I needed, but now that I have it, I can't travel without it! A Traveler's Review: The Sony E 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 Lens.
• An ultra-wide lens is perfect for travel, and there is no better lens than the Sony 10-18mm F4 lens. Here is why: Traveler's Review: Sony 10-18mm F4 lens.
• Full-frame or APS-C Cameras? Here’s my take on which camera format to pick for travel: 5 Reasons Why I'm Sticking With a Sony APS-C Camera
• Looking for a compact and lightweight travel telephoto lens for wildlife and landscapes? You are going to love this lens. Here is A Traveler's Review of the Tamron 70-300mm F4.5-6.3 lens.
• 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 it comes 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.
• Picking a camera body is one thing, but picking the lenses is a whole different game. Here is the ultimate guide to the best travel lenses for the Sony a6500.
• Looking for the best street and travel photography lens? Here is why the Sigma 56mm F1.4 is the best travel photography lens for Sony APS-C.
• Want to learn how I was able to take so many good pictures of myself while traveling solo? Check out: How To Take Great Pictures of Yourself.
• For more photography resources like this, visit my Photography page.