What Lens for Sony A6000 (A Comprehensive Guide to Your Perfect Choice)

Choosing the right lens for your Sony A6000 camera can greatly enhance the quality and creativity of your photography.

The A6000, with its compact size and versatile features, offers a variety of lens options to suit different types of photography, from portraits to landscapes and everything in between.

To maximize your camera’s potential, it’s crucial to invest in lenses that not only deliver excellent optical performance but also complement your specific photography needs.

Whether you prefer prime lenses, zoom lenses, telephoto, macro, or wide-angle options, there’s a perfect match for your Sony A6000 out there and ideal for various photography purpose.

Below the list of the best lenses for sony A6000 

  • Prime Lenses: Sony E 50mm f/1.8 OSS
  • Sigma 24-70mm  all rounder lens for sony A6000
  • Zoom Lens: Tamron 70-180mm best budget lens for sony A6000
  • Zoom Lenses: Sony E 16-55mm f2.8 G and the Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS.
  • Telephoto Lenses: Sony E 70-350mm f/4.5-6.3 G OSS.
  • Wide Angle Lenses: Tokina atx-m 11-18mm F2.8 E and the Sony E 10-18mm f/4 OSS.
  • Macro Lenses: Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS

Remember that investing in a quality lens is just as important as the camera itself. Take your time to explore your options and consider the specific requirements of your photography style.

With the right lens in hand, your Sony A6000 will capture stunning images and provide endless opportunities for creative expression.

What Lens for Sony A6000 (Key Factors to Consider)

When choosing a lens for your Sony a6000, it’s essential to consider several key factors. Some of the main aspects to keep in mind include focal length, aperture, weight, and size.

Focal Length

Focal length is the most important element that affects the composition and perspective of your photos.

Lenses with shorter focal lengths, such as 10-18mm, offer a wider field of view, making them ideal for landscape and architectural photography.

On the other hand, a lens with longer focal lengths, like 70-200mm, provides more magnification, perfect for capturing detailed portraits and distant subjects.

Aperture

The aperture of a lens determines the amount of light it can let in and plays a vital role in low-light performance and depth of field control.

Lenses with larger maximum apertures, such as f/1.4 or f/2.8, allow for faster shutter speeds and better performance in dimly lit environments, while also providing a shallower depth of field for a more pronounced bokeh effect.

However, keep in mind that lenses with larger apertures tend to be more expensive.

Weight and Size

Portability is another essential factor to consider, as it directly impacts your shooting experience. Lightweight and compact lenses are easier to carry around, allowing for more spontaneous and comfortable shooting sessions.

Although larger lenses may offer better image quality or a wider range of focal lengths, they may also be bulkier and heavier, which could weigh you down during longer photo shoots.

It’s essential to strike a balance between portability and performance when purchase a lens for your Sony a6000.

In summary, think about your photography needs and preferences when selecting a lens for your Sony a6000.

Consider focal length, aperture, weight, and size as key factors, and choose a lens that offers the right balance between performance and portability for your specific requirements.

Different Types of Lenses for Sony A6000

When choosing the perfect lens for your Sony A6000, it’s essential to consider the different types available. In this section, we’ll discuss the main categories of lenses that you might want to explore.

Prime Lenses

Prime lenses have a fixed focal length, meaning you can’t zoom in or out. However, they offer sharper image quality and usually have a wider aperture, which is great for capturing crisp images in low-light situations.

Some popular prime lenses for the Sony A6000 include the Sony E 50mm f/1.8 OSS and the Zeiss Sonnar T* FE 55mm f1.8 ZA.

Zoom Lenses

Zoom lenses provide versatility in framing by allowing you to change the focal length. This means you can get close-ups or wide shots without switching lenses.

Some highly recommended zoom lenses for the Sony A6000 are the Sony E 16-55mm f2.8 G and the Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS.

Telephoto Lenses

Telephoto lenses allow you to capture distant subjects with considerable magnification. If you’re into wildlife or sports photography, a telephoto lens should be in your kit.

A good option for the Sony A6000 is the Sony E 70-350mm f/4.5-6.3 G OSS.

Wide Angle Lenses

Wide-angle lenses have a shorter focal length, which allows you to fit more of the scene into your frame. This is perfect for landscape or architectural photography.

Examples of wide-angle lenses for the Sony A6000 include the Tokina atx-m 11-18mm F2.8 E and the Sony E 10-18mm f/4 OSS.

Macro Lenses

Macro lenses are designed for close-up photography, allowing you to capture small details and subjects with remarkable clarity.

If you’re into photographing flowers, insects, or product details, consider investing in a macro lens for your Sony A6000.

You can explore options like the Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS for exceptional close-up performance.

By considering the different types of lenses available and the specific requirements of your photography, you can select the most suitable lenses for your Sony A6000 and enhance your photographic capabilities.

Top Lenses for Specific Photography for Sony A6000

Portrait Photography

For portrait photography, the Sigma 56mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary is the top pick. With its f/1.4 aperture, you can achieve beautiful bokeh and shallow depth of field.

This lens will help you capture stunning images of your subjects, providing excellent sharpness and pleasing colors.

Street Photography

When it comes to street photography, a compact and versatile lens is essential.

The Sony E 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS is an affordable option that offers an ideal focal length range for capturing the hustle and bustle of city life.

Its Optical SteadyShot image stabilization helps reduce camera shake, allowing you to shoot handheld even in lower light situations.

Travel Photography

For travel photography, you’ll want a lens that’s versatile and lightweight. The Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary is an excellent choice, offering a wide focal length range and a relatively fast aperture.

It’s great not only for landscapes and cityscapes but also for some closer subjects as well. Its compact size makes it an ideal travel companion.

Architecture and Interior Photography

In architecture and interior photography, wide-angle lenses are crucial to capture the entirety of a building or room.

The Sony E 10-18mm F4 OSS is perfect for this purpose, offering an ultra-wide focal length without sacrificing image quality.

Its constant f/4 aperture allows for consistent exposure throughout the zoom range, while the Optical SteadyShot stabilization helps minimize camera shake for sharp and clear images.

How to Understand The Lens Specifications?

The APS-C Format

When selecting a lens for your Sony a6000, it’s crucial to understand that it’s an APS-C format camera.

APS-C sensors are smaller than full-frame sensors, which means that lenses designed for full-frame cameras will have a different field of view when used on your a6000.

To calculate the equivalent focal length, multiply the lens’ focal length by the crop factor (1.5 for Sony APS-C cameras).

For example, a 50mm full-frame lens would have an equivalent focal length of 75mm on your Sony a6000.

Lens Distortion

Lens distortion refers to the deformation of the image caused by the lens design. There are two common types of distortion: barrel distortion, where straight lines appear curved outward, and pincushion distortion, where straight lines appear curved inward.

Some lenses are more prone to distortion than others. When choosing a lens for your Sony a6000, consider how much distortion is acceptable for your photography needs and whether post-processing can correct any potential issues.

Chromatic Aberration

Chromatic aberration is a type of optical distortion caused by the lens failing to focus all colors of light at the same convergence point. This can result in noticeable color fringing around the edges of objects in your images.

High-quality lenses often have better chromatic aberration correction, limiting the fringing effect. Look for lenses with low chromatic aberration ratings or specialized glass elements to help reduce this issue.

Vignetting

Vignetting is a gradual darkening of image corners due to light falloff. This can occur due to the lens design or the physical obstruction of light by the lens barrel.

Some amount of vignetting is normal, but excessive vignetting may detract from the overall image quality.

While selecting a lens, consider its vignetting performance and whether this effect fits your style or can be corrected in post-processing.

Image Stabilization

Image stabilization helps minimize camera shake, allowing you to shoot at slower shutter speeds without introducing motion blur.

This feature can be particularly useful when shooting in low-light situations or when using telephoto lenses. Some Sony a6000 lenses have built-in image stabilization, while others rely on the camera’s in-body stabilization.

Ensure the lens you choose has the necessary stabilization features to match your shooting style and requirements.

Budget Alternatives and Inexpensive Lenses Options for Sony A600

Beginner Camera Lenses

When you’re just starting out with your Sony A6000, it’s essential to find affordable and high-quality lenses to help you explore your new camera.

Here you’ll find some budget-friendly options for beginners with an emphasis on quality and versatility.

One excellent option is the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 Contemporary DC DN Prime Lens for Sony E, which offers a wide aperture for low-light conditions and creates stunning bokeh, all for a reasonable price.

With its sharp image quality and compact design, this lens is perfect for various photography styles, including portraits, street, and even landscapes.

Another great choice is the Sony 55-210mm f/4.5-6.3 OSS E-Mount Lens. This telephoto zoom lens provides you with a versatile range to capture distant subjects, making it ideal for wildlife, sports, and travel photography.

The Optical SteadyShot (OSS) feature helps stabilize your shots, ensuring crisp and clear images even at longer focal lengths.

For wide-angle photography enthusiasts, the Tamron 20mm f/2.8 Di III OSD Wide-Angle Prime Lens is a fantastic affordable option for your Sony A6000.

With its sharp image quality and compact design, this lens allows you to capture stunning landscapes, architecture, and more. The fast f/2.8 aperture also works nicely in low-light situations.

When considering budget lens options, remember that some factors may affect your decision, such as your photography style, the type of subjects you wish to capture, and your available budget.

By exploring these inexpensive beginner camera lenses for your Sony A6000, you can start building your kit and develop your skills without breaking the bank.

What Is Sony A6000 Compatibility with Other E-mount Cameras?

A6100

The Sony A6000 is compatible with lenses designed for its newer sibling, the A6100. Both cameras feature the same E-mount system, allowing you to interchange the lenses between them.

When using A6100 lenses, you’ll benefit from the improved autofocus and image stabilization performance that the newer model offers.

A6300

Similarly, the A6300 lenses are also compatible with your A6000 camera, as both belong to the APS-C E-mount range.

These lenses will work seamlessly between the two models, providing you with an extensive collection of high-quality options.

A6400

The A6400, another camera in the Sony’s APS-C E-mount lineup, shares the same compatibility with your A6000.

You can make use of A6400 lenses without any issues, allowing you to expand your photographic capabilities and explore the creative features offered by these lenses.

A6500

With the A6500 being part of the same E-mount family, you can continue using your A6000 camera while taking advantage of the A6500 lenses.

Always, keep in mind that the A6500 has in-body image stabilization, which may not be available on some A6000 lenses, but overall compatibility remains unaffected.

A6600

Lastly, the A6600 lenses are also well-suited for your A6000 camera as both share the same E-mount standards.

Enjoy the benefits of cutting-edge lens technology and expand your photography skills while using these lenses interchangeably between the A6000 and A6600 models.

FAQ

Is Sony a6000 a mount or E-mount?

The Sony a6000 is an E-mount camera. This means that it is compatible with Sony’s E-mount lenses and some third-party lenses designed for the E-mount system.

How do I take professional pictures with my Sony a6000?

To take professional pictures with your Sony a6000, follow these tips:

  1. Use a high-quality lens: Invest in the best lenses for the Sony a6000 to ensure sharp, vibrant images.
  2. Understand exposure: Learn how to balance aperture, shutter speed, and ISO to achieve the desired results.
  3. Shoot in RAW format: This allows you to capture more data and have greater flexibility in post-processing.
  4. Master composition: Apply the rule of thirds, leading lines, and other compositional techniques to create eye-catching images.
  5. Use manual mode: Gain full control over your camera settings to make conscious decisions about your images.

Which are the top prime lenses for the Sony a6000?

Some of the top prime lenses for the Sony a6000 include the Sigma 56mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary for portraits and the Sony E 50mm f/1.8 OSS for general photography.

Which is the best zoom lens for travel photography?

The Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS is a popular choice for travel photography with the Sony a6000. It offers a versatile focal range, decent image quality, and a relatively compact size.

Can you recommend a wide-angle lens for Sony a6000?

The Sony E 10-18mm f/4 OSS is a highly recommended wide-angle lens for the Sony a6000. It is suitable for landscape and architectural photography.

Can I use Canon lens on Sony a6000?

Yes, you can use Canon lenses on your Sony a6000 with the help of an adapter. You can find adapters that are specifically designed for connecting Canon lenses to Sony E-mount cameras, such as the Metabones or Fotodiox adapters.

What are the best third-party lenses for the Sony a6000?

There are several third-party lenses that are compatible with the Sony a6000 and offer excellent performance.

Some options include the Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary and the Tamron 17-70mm F/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD. These lenses provide a good balance between quality and price.