So you’re looking for a new lens. You either just bought your shiny new a6000 or perhaps you’ve owned it for a while.
It’s been out since 2014, so there’s been a LOT of lenses released since then, from both Sony itself along with third party manufacturers.
There’s no such thing as a true “best” lens, so in this article I want to dive deep into all different aspects of photography and their associated gear. I’ve written a full review for each lens featured.
This is a massive article, so feel free to use the table of contents below to jump to whatever category is relevant to you. 🙂
Lets do it!
The Best All in One Lens for Sony a6000 (w/ full reviews)
So perhaps you’re just looking for the absolute best multi-purpose/do-it-all lens. Below are my personal favorites.
Do keep in mind that while zoom lenses may be ultra-versatile, you sacrifice either weight or image quality.
Summary (Scroll Down for Details)
Sony 16-55mm F2.8 | The BEST Overall Lens for Sony a6000
Pros
- Best in class sharpness
- Excellent build quality
- Blazing fast autofocus
- Fairly compact but versatile
Cons
- Expensive (generally around $1300)
- No image stabilization
Who is this lens for? For the photographer who wants the absolute best lens possible, the Sony 16-55mm F2.8 is the way to go. It’s way more expensive than any other APS-C lens, but you get what you pay for.
Sony 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 | The Most Versatile Zoom
Pros
- Extremely versatile zoom range
- Very compact, especially for a zoom lens
- Consistent and good sharpness
- Fairly affordable (cheaper when purchased used)
Cons
- Not quite as good as the Sony 16-55mm F2.8
- Not the sharpest lens out there
- Poor low light performance (due to tight aperture)
Who is this lens for? The Sony 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 is the perfect lens for photographers who simply want a compact lens that can do it all. It’s not the sharpest, but the versatility is unmatched.
Sigma 30mm F1.4 | Prime Lens (Low Budget)
Pros
- Incredible sharpness
- Reliable and quick autofocus
- Bright maximum aperture for low light (F1.4)
- Beautiful bokeh
- Compact & Affordable
Cons
- Not a zoom (although 30mm is a good focal length)
- Generic aesthetic and doesn’t have the greatest build quality
Who is this lens for? If you don’t need the versatility of a zoom lens, the Sigma 30mm F1.4 provides top tier image quality in a fairly compact and affordable lens. My personal pick unless you want the versatility of zooms.
Best Beginner Lens for Sony a6000 (w/ full reviews)
For photography noobs, I wouldn’t suggest going out and buying a mega-expensive lens.
Start small with something versatile and simple while you learn the ropes.
Summary (Scroll Down for Details)
Sony 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 | Versatile Learning Lens
Pros
- Best learning lens
- Very versatile
- Very small
- Extremely cheap
Cons
- Poor image quality
- Lackluster build quality
- Slow autofocus
Who is this lens for? The Sony 16-50mm F3.5-5.6, while suffering in image quality, is the perfect lens to learn on. For a new photographer who is still trying to figure out which focal length they like most, this lens is the perfect opportunity to try things out before upgrading to a better lens.
Sigma 30mm F1.4 | Best Sharpness for the Price
Pros
- Ridiculously sharp
- F1.4 Aperture w/ great bokeh
- Fast & Reliable Autofocus
- Lightweight especially w/o lens hood
Cons
- Not a zoom so not super versatile
- Generic appearance and average build quality
- Besides that, pretty much nothing
Who is this lens for? The Sigma 30mm F1.4 is the lens I personally started with. While it’s not a zoom lens, the 30mm focal length is very average and offers a good perspective for most types of photography. In addition, it is unbelievably sharp and very lightweight.
Neewer 35mm F1.7 | Manual Focus & Cheap
Pros
- Extremely cheap ($70)
- Super small
- Hefty and made of metal
- Manual focus forces you to slow down and think about your photos
Cons
- Manual focus can be hard to learn (but its worth it)
- Not quite as sharp as pricier alternatives
- Inconsistent quality control
- Tighter focal length can be limiting
Who is this lens for? The Neewer 35mm F1.7 fulfills a special purpose for beginners. It’s not the sharpest lens, but its very cheap and lacks autofocus. Having to manually focus every shot slows you down and makes you think a lot more before you take the shot. Using a manual lens when I was new to photography helped me learn. See our complete guide on manual focus if you want to learn more.
Best Budget Lens for Sony a6000 (w/ full reviews)
For those on a budget, there’s still some extremely competitive lenses that won’t destroy your wallet.
Summary (Scroll Down for Details)
Sigma 30mm F1.4 | Best Budget Lens for Sony a6000
Pros
- Top tier sharpness
- Reliable & Fast Autofocus
- Bright maximum aperture (F1.4) and beautiful bokeh
- Compact and Affordable
Cons
- No image stabilization
Who is this lens for? The Sigma 30mm F1.4 is an excellent all-rounder lens that combines top tier sharpness with reliable & fast autofocus. Even though its not a zoom lens, the 30mm focal length provides a versatile and rather standard field of view. In addition, there is no zoom lens (within a reasonable price) that can come close to matching the optical quality of this Sigma.
Neewer 35mm F1.7 | Ultra Cheap & Small
Pros
- Good sharpness for the price
- Dirt cheap ($70 or less usually)
- Excellent metal build quality
- Extremely tiny
Cons
- Manual focus only (can be a turn-off for some)
- Can’t match image quality of more expensive alternatives
Who is this lens for? Although not the best lens out there, the Neewer 35mm F1.7 provides solid sharpness, excellent build quality, and an extremely tiny build, all wrapped up in a very affordable package. Additionally, it is entirely manual focus, which, while it may seem intimidating, it’s a great way to slow down and think about your shots. We have a full guide for manual focus if you’re interested in learning more. If you’re interested in seeing other budget manual focus lenses, check out our top list near the bottom of this post.
Sony 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 | The Lens to Learn On
Pros
- Super cheap
- Versatile zoom range helps you learn what focal lengths you like best
- Very tiny and lightweight
- Good stabilization
Cons
- Poor image quality
- Slow autofocus
- Flimsy build quality
Who is this lens for? The Sony 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 is on here for one reason: learning. If you’re searching budget lenses, you may be new to the photography field. This lens is so dirt cheap that it allows you to practice and get a feel for a large range of focal lengths so that in the future, you can be more educated in what lens you buy.
The Best Portrait Lens for Sony a6000 (w/ full reviews)
The a6k has some really interesting portrait lenses to play around with.
The Sigma 56mm F1.4 is pure gold while the Kamlan 50mm F1.1 offers (frankly rediculous) bokeh.
Summary (Scroll Down for Details)
Sigma 56mm F1.4 | Best Portrait Lens (High Budget)
Pros
- The sharpest lens for Sony a6000 series cameras (literally)
- Autofocus is reliable and quick
- Very compact & lightweight
- Bright F1.4 w/ amazing bokeh
Cons
- Fairly expensive for a prime lens
Who is this lens for? The Sigma 56mm F1.4 is quite literally the sharpest lens made for Sony APS-C cameras. It combines incredible image quality with amazing bokeh & quick autofocus. It does run a fairly hefty price though, but it is well worth it if you want the absolute BEST portrait lens for Sony a6000 series cameras.
Kamlan 50mm F1.1 | The BEST Manual Focus Portrait Lens
Pros
- Incredible bokeh, known as the “bokeh beast”
- Super sharp, especially when stopped down to F4
- Beautiful and hefty build quality
- Perfect weight/tension for smooth and precise focusing
Cons
- Pretty massive, especially with the lens hood on
- Very heavy (due to excellent build quality)
Who is this lens for? The Kamlan 50mm F1.1 is a bokeh beast that is one of the most unique lenses on the market. It’s incredibly sharp and is beautiful and solidly build. The incredibly bright F-stop is the shining factor of this lens however, creating just the most incredible and magical bokeh, earning it the well-deserved name of the “bokeh beast”.
Meike 50mm F2.0 | Cheap & Sharp (Ultra Low Budget)
Pros
- Dirt cheap (usually around $75)
- Excellent center sharpness
- Solid build quality (mostly metal)
- A nice focusing ring
Cons
- Manual focus may be a turn-off for some
- Corner softness is rather bad
- Has to be stopped down for good results
Who is this lens for? The Meike 50mm F2.0 isn’t the best lens out there, but for the price it provides excellent center sharpness and nice, creamy bokeh. Build quality is good and it’s dirt cheap. A good lens for the photographer who is looking to get into portraits on a budget. For those who are unsure about trying manual focus, consider reading our complete guide.
Best Prime Lens for Sony a6000 (w/ full reviews)
A prime lens is just a lens that can’t zoom (fixed focal length).
While there are plenty of good primes for a6k cameras, the Sigma lineup is frankly the best performing, even above the Sony OEM alternatives.
Summary (Scroll Down for Details)
Sigma 16mm F1.4 | Wide-Angle Focal Length
Pros
- Excellent Sigma sharpness
- Solid build quality
- Fast & Quiet Autofocus
- Bright F1.4 aperture
Cons
- Large for a prime lens
- No image stabilization
Who is this lens for? The Sigma 16mm F1.4 is for those who want a wide angle prime lens with excellent image quality who don’t care about weight or the lack of image stabilization.
Sigma 30mm F1.4 | Mid-Range Focal Length
Pros
- Ridiculously sharp
- F1.4 Aperture w/ great bokeh
- Fast & Reliable Autofocus
- Lightweight especially w/o lens hood
- Versatile focal length
Cons
- Generic appearance and average build quality
- Besides that, pretty much nothing
Who is this lens for? The Sigma 30mm F1.4 is one of my favorite lenses. It’s a versatile focal length with incredible image quality, reliable autofocus, and a compact footprint. As a bonus, it’s pretty cheap as well.
Sigma 56mm F1.4 | Telephoto/Tight Focal Length
Pros
- The sharpest lens for Sony a6000 cameras (literally)
- AF is reliable & quick
- Very compact
- Bright F1.4 aperture w/ incredible bokeh
Cons
- Tighter focal length may be limiting
- Quite pricey compared to others on this list
Who is this lens for? The Sigma 56mm F1.4 is the perfect lens for anyone who is looking for a tighter focal length with (literally) unmatched sharpness and quick AF in a small package.
Best Landscape Lens for Sony a6000 (w/ full reviews)
As for the best landscape lens, this partially comes down to personal preference.
A big zoom may give you the most flexibility, but if you’re hiking, many people (myself included) prefer to go with a lighter setup.
Summary (Scroll Down for Details)
Sony 16-55mm F2.8 | Versatile & Sharp (High Budget)
Pros
- Excellent sharpness across the zoom range
- Extremely versatile
- Reliable and great autofocus
- Excellent & rugged build quality (weather sealed)
- Fairly compact for a zoom
Cons
- No image stabilization
- Very expensive
- Still not as lightweight as a prime
Who is this lens for? The Sony 16-55mm F2.8 is an absolute monster of a lens that combines best in class sharpness with excellent & rugged build quality. However, it is very expensive and still pretty large. A perfect pick if you want the absolute best quality and are unconcerned about weight or price.
Rokinon 12mm F2.0 | Wide & Compact (Medium Budget)
Pros
- Great image quality
- Mostly excellent build quality (feels rugged)
- Very compact, especially with lens hood removed
- Perfect lens for astrophotography as well
Cons
- Manual focus can be a turn-off for some
- Has some issues with distortion, vignetting and flaring
- Lens hood feels cheap and flimsy
Who is this lens for? The Rokinon 12mm F2.0 is a great lens for those looking to get into landscape (also great for astrophotography). Despite the excellent build and image quality, the lens does struggle with some moderate distortion and other optical flaws, but nothing that can’t be largely fixed in Lightroom/Photoshop. Last thing to note is that some photographers may be turned away by the manual focus aspect, but I’d encourage you to read through my complete guide to manual focus and give it a try.
Meike 25mm F1.8 | Tiny & Sharp (Ultra Low Budget)
Pros
- Ultra budget (usually $75 or lower)
- Ridiculously small (perfect for hiking)
- Respectably sharp when stopped down to F8
- Not weather sealed, but has a nice metal build
Cons
- A bit on the tighter end (25mm) which may be limiting
- Lesser image quality compared to more expensive alternatives
- Manual focus can be a turn-off for some
- Moderate flaring & distortion issues
Who is this lens for? The Meike 25mm F1.8 is a rather unique choice in the fact that it is ultra cheap. If you’re a beginning photographer or simply just on a budget, its hard to go wrong with this lens considering it usually costs less than $75. While it is a bit on the tighter side (25mm) for landscape, it is still capable of capturing fairly wide, sweeping landscape views. For those hesitant about manual focus, read our aforementioned guide.
Best Wide Angle Lens for Sony a6000 (w/ full reviews)
Wide angle lenses are great for gaining a new perspective.
Generally they suffer from image distortion, but recent optical technology has really been conquering this age-old problem.
Summary (Scroll Down for Details)
Sigma 16mm F1.4 | Wide & Sharp
Pros
- Top tier Sigma sharpness
- Good build quality (if a bit generic in appearance)
- Quick & Quiet Autofocus
- Bright F1.4 Aperture
Cons
- Could be a bit too tight for some at 16mm
- No image stabilization
- Somewhat large for a prime lens
Who is this lens for? The Sigma 16mm F1.4 is for those who want the absolute best image quality and are unconcerned with price or size. May be a bit to tight of a focal length for some users.
Rokinon 12mm F2.0 | Wider & Compact
Pros
- Great image quality
- Mostly excellent build quality (feels hefty)
- Very compact
- Perfect lens for astrophotography
Cons
- Manual focus can be a turn-off for some
- Has some issues with distortion, vignetting and flaring
- Lens hood feels cheap and flimsy
Who is this lens for? The Rokinon 12mm F2.0 is a great lens for those looking to get into astrophotography or any other wide angle venture. Despite the excellent build and image quality, the lens does struggle with some moderate distortion and other optical flaws, but nothing that can’t be largely fixed in Lightroom/Photoshop. Last thing to note is that some photographers may be turned away by the manual focus aspect, but I’d encourage you to read through my complete guide to manual focus and give it a try.
Laowa 9mm F2.8 | Ultrawide without Distortion
Pros
- Good sharpness & image quality
- Incredible distortion control
- Ultrawide without any sort of fisheye effect
- Very small & lightweight
Cons
- Has to be stopped down a bit for sharpness
- Extremely strong vignette
- Quite expensive compared to tighter alternatives
- Manual focus can be a turn-off for some
Who is this lens for? The Laowa 9mm F2.8 is a rather interesting lens. Its able to deliver virtually distortion-free images despite its very wide 9mm focal length. Additionally, it provides pretty solid image quality when stopped down and is quite compact. For those hesitant about manual focus, read our aforementioned guide.
The Best Manual Focus Lens for Sony a6000 (w/ full reviews)
Manual focus is awesome. It’s really fun to use and it’s a great way to save a LOT of money on lenses.
If you’re interested in learning more, check out my main a6000 manual focus guide.
Summary (Scroll Down for Details)
Neewer 35mm F1.7 | Best Manual Focus Lens for Sony a6000
Pros
- Solid sharpness for the price
- Extremely cheap (usually around $70)
- Excellent metal build quality
- Very tiny
- Great versatile focal length
Cons
- Not quite as sharp as some more expensive alternatives
- Clickless aperture can be bumped out of place on occasion
Who is this lens for? The Neewer 35mm F1.7 combines respectable sharpness with a cheap price and solid build quality. The focusing ring feels good to use, and the clickless aperture ring turns smoothly and appears to be accurate. The price is essentially unbeatable for what you get.
Kamlan 50mm F1.1 | The BEST Manual Focus Portrait Lens
Pros
- Incredible bokeh, known as the “bokeh beast”
- Super sharp, especially when stopped down to F4
- Beautiful and hefty build quality
- Perfect weight/tension for smooth and precise focusing
Cons
- Pretty massive, especially with the lens hood on
- Very heavy (due to excellent build quality)
Who is this lens for? The Kamlan 50mm F1.1 is a bokeh beast that is seriously one of the coolest lenses I’ve ever used. It’s incredibly sharp and is beautiful and solidly build. The incredibly bright F-stop is the shining factor of this lens however, creating just the most incredible and magical bokeh. The BEST manual focus portrait lens.
Rokinon 12mm F2.0 | Best Wide Angle Manual Focus Lens
Pros
- Great image quality
- Solid build quality (feels rugged)
- Very compact when lens hood is removed
- Great for both landscape & astrophotography
Cons
- Has some issues with distortion, vignetting and flaring
- Lens hood feels a bit cheap and flimsy
Who is this lens for? If you’re looking for a wide angle manual focus lens, the Rokinon 12mm F2.0 is the way to go. It’s a bit on the pricier side, but image quality is fantastic, build quality is nice, and it’s very compact.
Conclusion
So yeah, there’s technically no “best lens” for anyone, as it really comes down to what you’re shooting.
If you shoot many different subjects/genres, then consider biting the bullet and lugging around a large and heavy zoom.
If you like to keep things simple and small, go for a prime lens.
Or, if you can afford it, just buy as much as you want! 😉
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