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

What to look for in a travel telephoto lens?

When it comes to picking a travel telephoto lens, there are four things you should look for before you pick one up: the price, the range it offers, its weight and size, and finally, the sharpness of the lens.

There are plenty of cheap and compact telephoto lenses out there, but when it comes to the quality of the image, you are really going to get what you paid for. Most cheap lenses, like the Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 lens, are very cheap at only $250 USD, but the images produced with the lens are too soft, especially at its narrowest end.

The key to picking the right telephoto lens is all about the balance between these 4 key points. The price has to be reasonable, the range has to be good, the weight and size have to be light enough for you to carry around when traveling, and finally, it has to produce sharp enough images.

With this understanding, let's look at why the Sony 70-350mm lens meets all the criteria and see how it performs in the field.

Want to know what I carry in my camera bag?What's In My Camera Bag in 2025?

Why the Sony E 70-350mm Lens Is the Best Purchase You Can Make For Your Sony APS-C Cameras

Light and Compact

If you are a light traveler like me, every weight you add to your travel load counts, and adding a telephoto lens to your already pretty heavy backpack is not a decision to take lightly. That is probably why I never bothered getting a telephoto lens until now.

With the release of the Sony E 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 lens in 2019, Sony really hit it out of the park with the incredible range-to-weight ratio of this lens. For the range you get at 70-350mm focal lengths or 105-520mm equivalent on a full-frame sensor, the lens comes in at only 77 x 142mm (3-1/8 x 5-5/8") in diameter and length and weighs in at 22.1 oz (625 g).

If you compare this lens to a full-frame lens with a similar range, the Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5–5.6 lens, which comes in at 93.9 x 205mm (3-3/4 x 8-1/8") in diameter and length and weighs only 49.3 oz (1,395 g), you start to see how light and compact the Sony E 70-350mm Lens actually is in relation to the reach you get.

There is simply nothing out there that can provide you with a similar reach while maintaining the compact dimensions and weight of the Sony APS-C lens lineup, like the Sony E 70-350mm lens.

Excellent Weather-Sealed Build Quality

Like the Sony 16-55mm lens, the Sony E 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 lens, the build quality is top-notch. It comes with a sturdy polycarbonate body, smooth rubberized focus and zoom rings, and a weather-sealed exterior to protect the lens against dust and splashes.

Having your lens weather-sealed while traveling assures you that the lens will still function, no matter what conditions the world throws at you. From the dusty roads of Bangkok to the rainy weather of Kanchanaburi, this Sony 70-350mm lens has survived with me through thick and thin, which goes to show just how well-built the lens actually is.

Produce Sharp Images

Before the release of this lens, the only good telephoto lens Sony had available was the 55-210mm kit lens. It is inexpensive, but the image quality is terrible, especially at the farthest focal length.

So when I first pixel-peeped a photo I took with the new Sony E 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 lens at its farthest 350mm focal length, I was surprised to see how sharp it is, especially at the center.

Mind you, the image quality is not as sharp throughout all the focal lengths like the incredible Sony 16-55mm F2.8 lens, but the Sony 70-350mm images are certainly sharp enough to be used professionally, and it definitely blew the old Sony 55-210mm out of the water.

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

Fast Autofocus

With the new double linear motors and a new drive system that Sony has perfected on its full-frame lens lineup, the Sony E 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 lens comes with a new autofocus system that is faster and quieter than any other old telephoto lens Sony has ever had.

With fast autofocus, you can easily rely on this lens to pick up your subject, and the lens will focus automatically for you, which is incredibly essential for travel or wildlife photography where your subject may or may not stay still for a long period of time. A good autofocus mechanism goes a long way for travel photography, and this lens surely delivers.

Comes with Optical Stabilization

One of the downsides of the previous awesome lens I just reviewed, the Sony 16-55mm F2.8, is the lack of optical stabilization, which is important for Sony APS-C camera owners who are using the Sony a6400, a6300, a6100, and a6000 – which I assume is the majority here.

With the Sony E 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 lens, Sony really went all in and added all the features you would come to expect from a lens released in 2019, including optical stabilization.

Having optical stabilization on a super-telephoto lens is a must because, at a focal length of 350mm (520mm full-frame equivalent), even a slight camera shake can create an undesired motion effect that can blur the photo. With a not-so-fast aperture of F6.3 at the farthest range, the camera will have to rely on the lens's capability to stabilize in order to keep the image sharp.

So, with the optical stabilization inside the Sony 70-350mm lens, you will have a much better chance of capturing a sharp image, even at the 350mm focal length, than if you use a lens without one.

Relatively Affordable

With the Sony E 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 lens, priced at 999 USD upon release, and comparing it to the Sony 16-55mm F2.8 lens, which was released at the same time but at a 1400 USD price point, the price point of the Sony 70-350mm lens is much easier to stomach than that of the 1400 USD lens.

With all the new technologies, designs, and outstanding optics all crammed into the compact body of the Sony 70-350mm lens, I personally think that the price point is reasonable for what you get.

And if you wait for a second-hand one, as I did, you can get it for only 750 USD, which is a steal in my opinion, considering how new it is. When I saw one listed for that price, I just had to snatch it, and I'm glad I did. It is one of the best lenses ever.

What I Personally love About the Sony E 70-350mm Lens As A Traveler

The Incredible Range It Gives

The Sony E 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 lens gives me the reach I never knew I needed. With the 70-350mm focal lengths, I was able to frame a landscape shot in a way that I have never been able to with other lenses. This lens can see things that my eyes can't!

No matter if I'm shooting cityscapes or landscapes, with this lens, I can pinpoint any detail I want to capture, leaving all the unimportant elements out of the frame, and really focusing on the main subject. This allows me to create uncompromised minimal photos that I was unable to achieve with my other lenses.

I can also use this lens to shoot wildlife, which I sometimes encounter while hiking in the mountains, without startling them away. I just wish I had this lens back when I was in Kruger National Park doing a safari tour. Imagine all the photos I could have taken!

And not just that, with this lens, I was able to capture some really stunning candid moments of the locals when I was at the Mon Bridge in Sankhlaburi, Thailand, almost half a bridge away. Plus, with the 350mm focal length, the bokeh you get from it, even at an F6.3 aperture, is just beautiful, which leads to my next point.

The Stunning Creamy Bokeh at Its Narrowest End

I had always wondered why some photos are able to have their background thrown so beautifully that you can see the subtle round curvature of the lens in the bokeh area.

I thought I would need a very expensive lens to reproduce such an effect, but the moment I saw the first photo I took with the Sony E 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 lens at a 350mm focal length, I knew right away that it is, in fact, the focal length that creates such an effect, not how expensive the lens is.

The bokeh and subject separation of this lens allow me to create such a unique look in my photography that I had never been able to achieve before. It has opened me up to so many opportunities for experimentation with my travel photography. You can expect to see more unique-looking photos in my future travel guides 😉.

Easy to Travel With

Although the Sony E 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 lens is larger than any of the lenses I was carrying, it is actually not as difficult to travel with as it may initially seem. The dimensions fit perfectly well within my medium-sized camera compartment, and the lens is light enough for me to hang it from my neck without discomfort.

I can't say the same for other super-telephoto lenses out there. Have you seen that beast of a lens that the Sony full-frame camera owners have to carry? I'd take this lens with me on my travels over any other full-frame lenses any day.

A Delight to Handle and Use

It is such a delight to handle and use the Sony E 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 lens. The weight is not too heavy, the build is sturdy, and the focus and zoom rings are smooth and buttery. It also has a zoom ring lock button to prevent zoom creep, a hold-to-lock-focus button, and 2 switches to turn autofocus and stabilization on and off.

That said, I did have to get used to having the zoom ring in front of the focus ring, which none of the lenses I own have. However, I do understand why they did it this way from a design point of view.

The Drawbacks of the Sony E 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 Lens

Slow Aperture, Not Great in Low-Light

One of the greatest drawbacks of the Sony E 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 lens, and maybe a dealbreaker to some, is its slow aperture speed. At a 70mm focal length, the aperture will be set to F4.5, which is not so great already. However, when you increase the focal length to 350mm, the aperture creeps to F6.3. This is where you will start to see the limitation of this lens.

With such a slow aperture, you will have trouble capturing a sharp photo of wildlife in a thick forest on an overcast day, as there will be very little light to accommodate the slow aperture. Your camera might need to increase its ISO, resulting in noisier images.

I understand why Sony didn't build this lens to have a faster aperture. To do so, they would have to increase the size, weight, and price point, which, in my opinion, defeats the purpose of this lens.

Without its lightweight, compactness, and reasonable price point, people would probably go with the full-frame lenses instead. It is just a sacrifice we have to make to have a super-telephoto lens that is affordable and lightweight. Sony can't please us all.

Sample Images from the Sony E 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 Lens

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

Overall, This Is an Easy Recommend For Sony APS-C Camera Users

All in all, I believe that if you are already on the lookout for a telephoto lens for your Sony APS-C cameras, buying the Sony E 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 lens is a no-brainer. It was one of the best purchases I made this year, and I think you will feel the same.

Even if you think you do not need a telephoto lens when you travel, just look at all the sample photos I took above and see how different they all are from the photos in my previous travel guides. Think of all the possibilities you will have with such a reach that is not possible with any other lens of this size.

The lens is great for portraits, allowing you to capture candid moments of locals when you travel; it's also great for landscapes, allowing you to be minimal and frame your shot as you like. Finally, it's great for wildlife, allowing you to capture animals and birds without startling them.

The retail price, as of writing this, is around $999 USD. I'm sure it will be cheaper if you wait for discounts and promotions, or you can also buy one used, as I did, for only around $750 USD. Hit the link below to check the latest price of the Sony 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 Lens.

Check Price For Sony 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 Lens

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

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 Resources

Looking for more articles to help you with your travel, whether it be camera gear or clothing? Here is a collection of articles you might like:

• 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?
• 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 EVF in the world! Check out my review: A Traveler's Review: The Sony a7C Camera
• For APS-C camera owners out there, check out: What's In My Camera Bag? - A Gear Guide to the Sony APS-C Cameras.
• Looking to buy a new travel camera but not sure where to start? Check out our camera guide on 10 Best Travel Cameras to Buy.
• Bought a new camera and not sure what camera accessories to buy? Check out: 14 BEST Sony Camera Accessories You Should Buy.
• Looking for a good-looking and functional camera strap to buy? You are going to love the Langly Tactical, Premium Leather, and Paracord camera straps. Check out my review here: A Traveler's Review: Langly Camera Straps.
• 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.
• Finding a great camera bag you can travel with is not as easy as it sounds. If you are looking for one, here are the 10 Best Camera Bags for Travel, Backpacking, and Hiking You Should Buy.
• Now, if you are looking for a camera sling/shoulder bag instead of a full-fledged camera backpack to travel with, here are the 11 Best Camera Sling/Shoulder Bags For Travel.
• Looking for the most versatile camera sling bag? Check out: A Traveler's Review: WANDRD Roam (Rogue) Sling.
• For a smaller setup, the Nomatic McKinnon Sling is a great camera bag to check out. Here is A Traveler's Review: Nomatic McKinnon Camera Sling 8L.
• If you are looking for gifts to buy for your photographer loved ones, check out: 12 Cool Gifts To Buy For Travel Photographers.
• Traveling light with camera gear is all about balancing between what you need and what you want. Here are the 8 Best Tips For Traveling Light With Camera Gear.
• After years of research, I finally found the most beautiful camera backpack of all! Check this out: A Traveler's Review: Langly Alpha Globetrotter Camera Backpack
• If you are looking for a great camera accessory to help improve your travel photography skills, check out: 14 BEST Sony Camera Accessories You Should Buy.
• Are you looking for the best travel camera for your next trip? Why not consider the Sony a6500? Here's why the Sony a6500 is the best travel camera.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Wondering which lenses to buy for your Sony cameras? Check out The Best Travel Lenses For Sony a7III, a7C, a7RIV, and More.
• 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.
• If you are looking for a review of the first Sony 24-70mm F2.8 GM lens and want to see if it is worth buying now, check out: A Traveler's Review of the Sony 24-70mm F2.8 GM 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.
• 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
• 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 a great drone to travel with? Why the DJI Mavic Mini is the Best Drone for Travelers.
• The best travel drone just got even better. Here is A Traveler's Review of The DJI Mini 2 and why it is the best travel drone to buy.
• Already have a Mavic Mini or looking to buy one? Here are 25 Tips and Tricks for New DJI Mavic Mini Owners.
• For more travel drone options, make sure to check out the 8 Best Drones For Travel To Buy In 2025.
• Looking for the best travel wireless earbuds or headphones? Here are the 7 Best Travel Wireless Earbuds & Headphones to Buy.
• You can't travel without a backpack, and if you are looking for one, check out my guide on the best Herschel Supply backpacks for travelers.
• If you like hiking and going on adventures for weeks on end, you are going to need a bigger backpack. Here is Why the Osprey Atmos AG is the Best Hiking Backpack to Buy.
• Looking to go on a short trip and want a backpack that has enough capacity but is small enough to use as a carry-on? Here is Why You Should Check Out the Herschel Supply Buckingham Backpack - A Traveler’s Review.
• If you are into making travel videos, here is my ultimate advanced filmmaking gear guide.
• Planning to go on your first-ever hiking trip? Here is How to Pack for Hiking and Camping.
• Technical hiking gear doesn't have to be ugly. Here is a guide to hiking gear that actually looks good on you.
• If you are a light-weight traveler and are looking for powerful gear to go with your setup, check out the extremely lightweight photography gear guide.
• Looking for gift ideas for your traveler friends or family members? Here are 16 Best Gifts to Buy for Travelers/Backpackers.
• Or if you are into gadgets, here is a quick guide on 7 tech gadgets you should buy this year.
• Are you a Fujifilm camera user and currently looking for lenses to buy for your next travel? Check out The Best Travel Lenses For Your Fuji Cameras.
• If you are a blogger as well and are looking for free travel images to spice up your content, check out the 9 Best Websites to Find Free Travel Images.
• Want to know the secrets on how to travel the world cheaply? Check out: 16 Best Tips on How to Travel the World Cheaply.
• Looking for an Airbnb alternative for a better and more authentic stay in a place you are visiting? Here are the 8 Best Airbnb Alternatives to Use.
• Looking to plan your first backpacking trip around the world? Check out: How to Plan a Backpacking Trip.
• For more resources like this, visit my Resources page.
• 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.