7 Best Lenses For Sony A7IV (…and 2 to avoid)

The a6700 is Sony’s top of the line crop sensor camera and features a 26 MP back-illuminated sensor and more features that put it in the same category with some of their pro-level cameras. So it’s important to have the right lens to get the most out of this camera.

My pick as the best lens for the Sony A7IV is the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 because of its combination of versatility, image quality and wide f/2.8 aperture make an exceptional choice for Sony users.

But keep reading for my full breakdown of that lens and more options that might be a better fit for your specific needs.

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Top Pick

1. Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2

This Tamron lens delivers exceptional image quality and a wide consistent max aperture that works for pro photos and hobbyists alike at a very reasonable price.

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The Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 lens is both impressive optically and comes in at an impressively affordable price. But it’s not the price alone that made it the top pick.

This is my top pick because of the combination of versatility, image quality, and relatively compact size.

Overall, this lens takes the place of the 24-70mm f/2.8 found in many professional’s bags (more on that below). It is probably the most used focal length range you’ll use which means if you’re looking for one lens to pair with your A74 then this is a great place to start.

You can shoot anything from wide-angle landscapes to longer focal-length portraits with this lens. Plus the f/2.8 max aperture means you’ll have a lot of control over depth of field for great looking bokeh and have the ability to shoot in low light.

Upgrade Option #1: If you want the top of the line at this focal range and aren’t worried about budget, then the Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II is an upgrade in terms of edge to edge sharpness and build quality, but it is also a little heavier and larger.

Let’s talk about image quality and how it stacks up to the much more expensive Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II lens…

In the center of the frame you’ll get almost perfect image quality and sharpness out of this lens. It’s actually really good on the edges too but the Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 does a little better on the edges, especially at the widest apertures (but it’s rare you ever need edge sharpness at wide apertures unless you’re shooting something like astrophotography).

So you can rest assured you’re getting near top of the line image quality out of this lens.

The autofocus is exceptional as well. It easily handled moving subjects in my testing and is certainly fast enough to capture fast moving kids or even sports.

On top of all that, this lens comes in lighter and smaller than the 24-70mm f/2.8 from Sony.

Budget Pick

2. Sony FE 50mm f/1.8

Affordable and fast lens with great optical quality at a focal length that you’ll probably use more than any other.

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The combination of a fast aperture, effective focal length, compact design, and affordability makes the 50mm f/1.8 an attractive option for both beginners and experienced photographers looking for a high-quality yet budget-friendly lens.

I think every photographer should have a ‘nifty fifty’ in their bag and it’s a great lens for someone getting started who is budget conscious.

I started my portrait photography business with a crop sensor camera and a 50mm f/1.8 lens.

The f/1.8 maximum aperture is excellent for low-light photography and allows for a shallow depth of field, creating a pleasing bokeh effect in the background. This is a great way to get that “pro look” without spending much on a lens.

Most primes are excellent optically and despite the low price tag, this is no exception. 50mm lenses are easier for manufacturers to make well and the result is a lens that is very sharp across the frame.

It is notably small and light, making it an easy lens to carry around when paired with a relatively compact mirrorless body. Despite the small size it has a decent basic build quality.

This lens provides smooth and relatively quiet autofocus performance which makes it a solid choice for video as well. But there’s no stabilization built into the lens.

Overall, this is an amazing option and one of the first lenses an aspiring photographer should pick up.

Upgrade Option: If you shoot portraits and are looking for more low light performance and bokeh in your lens then you may want to look at the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art lens. It’s bigger and more expensive than the f/1.8 above but its incredibly sharp and the f/1.4 max aperture is great for shooting shallow depth of field portraits.

But if you want something that is a bit longer and more geared towards shooting portraits, then this next lens might be right for you…

Best For Portraits

4. Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM II

A great focal length for shooting people paired with near perfect image quality and sharpness as well as great color rendition makes this the ultimate portrait lens from Sony.

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This 85mm f/1.4 prime lens is perfect for shooting portraits.

It delivers impeccable image quality and sharpness across all apertures (even wide open at f/1.4) and surpasses its predecessor the GM I in both sharpness and color rendition.

An underrated aspect of this lens is how well it maintains contrast even when shooting into light sources. I love to shoot portraits that are backlit by the sun but in order to do that, you need a lens that isn’t going to get washed out in those conditions.

I like the 85mm focal length for portraits more than any other because it is long enough to get the compression that is flattering to most people but also not so long that it forces you to get far away from the subject.

But if you want more reach and a unique look then try this one…

Alternate Option: If you’re looking for a portrait lens with a bit longer focal length for those “dreamy” individual compressed portrait shots, then Sony also offers a 135mm f/1.8 GM lens. The longer focal length is a little more limiting (especially for shooting larger groups) but it does give a very unique look that many photographers love.

But back to the 85mm f/1.4 GM II…

In addition to the image quality improvements, this lens also comes in lighter and smaller (though only slightly) than its GM I predecessor. This makes it not only better but easier to work with as well.

Of course if you want to focus on places more than people, then this next lens is probably better for you.

A unique feature that’s popular among video shooters is the power zoom. This allows for smooth zooming providing a cinematic quality to zooming movements.

Best For Landscapes

5. Sony 16-35mm f/4 G

This lens delivers the perfect focal length for shooting wide angle landscapes on your a6700.

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The Sony 16-35mm f/4 G is an excellent, compact, lightweight, and affordable option for Sony A7IV users to shoot landscapes.

This lens is essentially a more affordable option to the Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 GM lens. So unless you really need that f/2.8 max aperture, it is a great option.

Upgrade Option: If you want edge to edge sharpness and a wider max aperture of f/2.8 then you may want to try the bigger and more expensive Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 GM lens.

In terms of sharpness, this lens is exceptionally sharp throughout the focal and aperture range. You will see very slight softness at the very edges, so if you shoot astrophotography and the edges are important, then you may want to spend a little more.

I tend to like f/4 lenses like this for shooting landscapes because it is rare that I would need a very wide aperture and the f/4 max aperture lets Sony make the lens smaller, lighter, and less expensive.

The size and weight make it a great option for adventure landscape shooters. Having a lighter kit makes it much easier to hike out to remote landscape shooting locations.

Best Telephoto

6. Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VXD

A full frame lens that works perfect with the a7IV, this telephoto is perfect for sports and wildlife.

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The Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VXD is a telephoto zoom lens that’s part of Tamron’s lineup designed for full-frame Sony E-mount cameras. This lens is notable for its relatively compact size, fast aperture, and high-quality optics.

The 70-180mm range provides a telephoto reach. This is ideal for shooting subjects like sports and wildlife, and portrait photography.

The constant f/2.8 makes shooting fast moving subjects easier because you can use faster shutter speeds even when you’re not shooting in bright daylight.

Compared to other f/2.8 telephoto lenses this Tamron lens is relatively compact and lightweight, making it more manageable for handheld shooting and travel.

But the biggest draw for this particular lens is that it gives you an f/2.8 telephoto lens at a fairly affordable price. You’ll get excellent sharpness, color rendition, and a fast focus motor.

While the optical quality isn’t quite as good as the pro-level 70-200mm GM lens, its still exceptional in its own right. You have to zoom in significantly to see any difference and this lens is much much less expensive.

Upgrade Option: If you want the best possible image quality plus an extra 20mm at the long end (and are willing to pay a premium for it) then check out the Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II.

One feature that was a pleasant surprise was the close focusing capability, which will let you explore macro photography as well.

Long Telephoto Pick

7. Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD

With a huge focal length range and great sharpness, this lens is has the reach for shooting things like sports but also the range on the wide end to make it a “do everything” carry around lens.

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Normally, I tend to avoid “super zooms” like this. In order to have such a wide focal length range there usually have to be compromises in terms of image quality and sharpness, but that is not the case with this lens at all.

Overall, this is one of the most useful lenses I have ever used and it can be found for a very affordable price. I recently took it on a trip to the zoo and despite bringing other lenses, I used this one all day.

I was quite impressed with the sharpness at all apertures and found the compact size of the lens makes it a great option to leave on your camera when you

The 50-400mm F4.5-6.3 VC is incredibly compact with a length of just 183.4mm (7.2in) and a weight of 1,155g (40.7oz). In fact, this lens is both smaller and lighter than the Nikon Z 100-400mm lens.

The f/4.5-6.3 max aperture can be somewhat limiting at times, especially if you want to shoot moving subjects in low light situations. But this lens has great vibration control which helps you use slower shutter speeds for still subjects and the Nikon Z6III handles higher ISO settings pretty well, so you can always use the ISO in those situations.

2 Lenses You Should Avoid For Your Sony A7IV

These aren’t necessarily bad lenses, but I listed them here because they seem to be pushed a lot by retailers and you can do a lot better for a similar cost with the options above.

Sony FE 28-70 3.5-5.6 OSS

Like most of the lenses I recommend to avoid, this isn’t necessarily a “bad” lens and on the pro side of things, it is very affordable and is often bundled with the a7IV for even more of a discount.

However, it will leave you a little disappointed when paired with a 33 megapixel camera like the Sony a7IV. It just can resolve enough sharpness to get the most out of your camera.

If you’re going to invest in a $2000+ camera like the Sony a7IV then you don’t want to put glass in front of the sensor that will be limiting. If budget is a concern then you’ll be much better served going with one of the prime lenses above.

Sony FE 24-240mm F3.5-6.3 OSS

Just like the lens above, this is one that is very affordable and sometimes bundled with the camera at a discount.

But also like the lens above, you’ll likely be disappointed with the sharpness and overall image quality, especially on a camera like the Sony a7IV.