The Best Lenses for Sony a6400 (from a pro photographer)
You’re about to purchase the Sony a6400, and want to figure out which lens should you get with it?
Or maybe you’ve already had your camera for a while, and you’re looking for your new lens?
Then this guide of the best lenses for Sony a6400 is exactly what you need!
Buying a lens is an investment, and I’m here to make sure you’ll buy the correct one FOR YOU.
I’ve reviewed dozens and dozens of lenses to write this guide. In the end I’ve picked 23, split in 12 different categories.
Ready? Let’s see the best Sony a6400 lenses!
No Time to Waste? Here’s My #1 Favorite!
- Great focal range
- Fast lens with f/2.8 max aperture
- Incredibly sharp
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- The Best Sony a6400 Lenses – Comparison Table
- Top 10 List of the Best Lenses for a6400
- 🥇 The Best Lens for Sony a6400: Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8
- 🔍 The Best Zoom Lenses for Sony a6400
- 👩🏽 The Best Portrait Lenses for Sony a6400
- 🎥 Video Lenses – Sony a6400 Best Lenses
- 🤳 The Best Vlogging Lenses for Sony a6400
- ✈️ The Best Travel Lenses for Sony a6400
- ⛰ Wide Angle Lenses – Best Lenses for Sony Alpha a6400
- 🔭 Telephoto Lenses – Best Sony Lenses for a6400
- 🔬 Macro – Best Sony a6400 Lenses for Photography Up Close
- ✨ Best Low Light Lenses for Sony a6400
- 🥞 The Best Pancake Lenses for Sony a6400
- 🐠 The Best Fisheye Lenses for Sony a6400
- ❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Final Thoughts
The Best Sony a6400 Lenses – Comparison Table
Choosing the right lens can be quite complicated.
The fact that there are 23 lenses in this “Sony a6400 best lenses” guide should be proof enough.
I’ve selected for you the best lenses in 12 different categories. If you know exactly what you’ll be shooting (landscapes, portraits, video, macro, …), then go to the right section to get the perfect pick for you.
But if just like me, you’re shooting a variety of subjects, in different situations, then I recommend getting 3 lenses: a wide-angle, a mid-range, and a telephoto.
Here are the must have lenses for Sony a6400 to face most situations:
Top 10 List of the Best Lenses for a6400
Truth is, there isn’t one single best lens for a6400.
A lens is a tool, and just like a tool, you need to pick the right one for the job.
Sure, you could get the Swiss army knife lens that will cover most situations; in fact, it’s the one I’m ranking as the #1 best overall. But in some cases, you’ll have no choice but to pull out a set of pliers or even a jigsaw.
I’ve selected for you the best lenses for a6400, for 12 different situations.
Which lens is best for Sony a6400?
🥇 Overall Best: Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8
🔍 Best Zoom Lens: Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8
👩🏽 Best Portrait Lens: Sigma 56mm f/1.4 DC DN
🎥 Best Video Lens: Sony E PZ 18-105mm f/4 G OSS
🤳 Best Vlogging Lens: Sony E 10-18mm f/4 OSS
💰 Best Budget Lens: Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN
✈️ Best Travel Lens: Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8
⛰ Best Wide Angle Lens: Tamron 11-20mm f/2.8
🔭 Best Telephoto Lens: Sony 70-350mm f/4.5-6.3 G
🔬 Best Macro Lens: Sony FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro
✨ Best Low Light Lens: Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN
🥞 Best Pancake Lens: Sony 20mm f/2.8
🐠 Best Fisheye Lens: Rokinon 8mm f/2.8
Want to go more in-depth about these Sony a6400 compatible lenses? Or see the top 3 choices for each category?
Then let’s dive in the reviews!
🥇 The Best Lens for Sony a6400: Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8
- World’s first high-speed standard zoom lens for APS-C cameras with the focal length range of...
- Outstanding optical performance with 16 elements in 12 groups featuring two GM (Glass Molded...
- Upgraded VC effective in combination with Sony APS-C mirrorless cameras, leveraging AI for video...
Focal length: 17-70mm
Aperture range: f/2.8 to f/16
Weight: 525g (1.16 lbs)
Size (Ø x L): 74x119mm (2.9×4.7″)
Filter size: 67mm
Format: crop
Autofocus: yes
Image stabilization: yes
If I could get only 1 lens, this is the lens I’d buy. The Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 is the best lens for Sony 6400 overall.
The large focal range, from 17 to 70mm, is perfect to cover most situations. At 17mm, it’s wide enough to get some beautiful landscape photos, and at 70mm it’s great for portraits or zooming in on details.
It has a max aperture of f/2.8, which lets a lot of light in. Great to shoot in low-light, and it creates a nice separation between your subject and the background.
Even if the a6400 doesn’t have image stabilization, this lens has it built-in to compensate. It’s also weather sealed, meaning you won’t have to worry about the elements when you’re out shooting.
What about image quality? It’s absolutely fantastic across the focal range, and photos come out tack sharp. You can check some example shots here.
Great value for money
Large focal range
Image stabilization
Weather-sealed
Heavy distortion at 17mm
Onion ring bokeh
👉 See price + reviews on Amazon or on B&H Photo
See this lens in action on the field, with some example shots in the Youtube video below:
🔍 The Best Zoom Lenses for Sony a6400
Zoom lenses are versatile lenses, where you can change the focal length (as opposed to prime lenses).
They’re great to cover a wide variety of situations, from where you need a wide-angle shot, to getting a tighter shot.
These lenses are typically the kind of lens you can leave on your camera all day, and the best choice if you can get only 1 lens.
Here are the best lenses for Sony a6400 – in the zoom lenses category 🔍
The BEST Zoom Lens for a6400: Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8
- World’s first high-speed standard zoom lens for APS-C cameras with the focal length range of...
- Outstanding optical performance with 16 elements in 12 groups featuring two GM (Glass Molded...
- Upgraded VC effective in combination with Sony APS-C mirrorless cameras, leveraging AI for video...
Focal length: 17-70mm
Aperture range: f/2.8 to f/16
Weight: 525g (1.16 lbs)
Size (Ø x L): 74x119mm (2.9×4.7″)
Filter size: 67mm
Format: crop
Autofocus: yes
Image stabilization: yes
As you’ve seen above, the Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 is the #1 best all around lens for Sony a6400.
You can scroll up just a bit and you’ll see the review.
Great value for money
Large focal range
Image stabilization
Weather-sealed
Heavy distortion at 17mm
Onion ring bokeh
👉 See price + reviews on Amazon or on B&H Photo
Luxury Zoom – Best Lens for a6400: Sony 16-55mm f/2.8 G
- Standard zooms with outstanding corner-to-corner G lens resolution
- Constant F2.8 Max aperture maintains exposure and depth of field
- Two advanced aspherical plus two aspherical elements suppress aberration
Focal length: 16-55mm
Aperture range: f/2.8 to f/22
Weight: 494g (1.09 lbs)
Size (Ø x L): 73x100mm (2.87×3.94″)
Filter size: 67mm
Format: crop
Autofocus: yes
Image stabilization: no
The Tamron is my number one pick because it’s extremely well-priced, and it has image stabilization which is needed on the a6400 (the camera doesn’t have it).
But if you’re not planning to shoot videos, and don’t care about budget, then the Sony 16-55mm f/2.8 G is the zoom lens for you.
It’s the best lens for Sony a6400 photography only. The image quality is downright excellent: excellent sharpness, smooth bokeh, minimal distortion, low aberration, and prevents ghosting. In short, the image quality is top-notch.
Large focal range
Excellent image quality
Smooth bokeh
Weather-sealed
Expensive
No image stabilization
👉 See price + reviews on Amazon or on B&H Photo
Superzoom – Best Lens for Sony 6400: Sony 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 OSS
- High-magnification zoom with image stabilization
- Minimum focus distance0. 3 (Wide) –0.5 m (Tele) (0.99 [Wide]) –1.64 feet[Tele]); Maximum 0.35 x,...
- 18 mm wide-angle to 200 mm telephoto assures coverage to capture any scene
Focal length: 18-200mm
Aperture range: f/3.5-6.3 to f/22-40
Weight: 460g (1.01 lbs)
Size (Ø x L): 68x97mm (2.68×3.82″)
Filter size: 62mm
Format: crop
Autofocus: yes
Image stabilization: yes
The 2 zoom lenses included above are great for most situations, but they have a maximum focal length of 70mm. What if you want to zoom even more?
Well then, you should get the Sony 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 OSS.
It has a huge focal range, from 18 to 200mm, making it truly the most versatile lens ever; a great all in one lens for Sony a6400! With this on, you can shoot wide-angle landscape photos, and with a flick of the wrist, capture some wildlife from very far away.
Despite its impressive focal range, it’s lighter and more compact than the 2 other zoom lenses above.
The main downside to this lens is the image quality, which is definitely not the greatest. It works great for everyday use, social media, and other digital usages, but probably not for professional work.
Huge focal range
Constant sharpness through focal range
Image stabilization
Light & compact
Poor image quality
👉 See price + reviews on Amazon or on B&H Photo
👩🏽 The Best Portrait Lenses for Sony a6400
Let’s move on the our second category, the best portrait lenses for Sony a6400.
For a good portrait lens, you’re looking for 2 main features:
- A max aperture of at least f/2.8, to separate your subject from the background
- A fast & reliable autofocus, to get tack-sharp images focused on your subject
Any lens combining the 2 will be great to shoot portraits.
Here are the best lenses for Sony a6400 photography – in the portrait lenses category 👩🏽
The BEST Portrait Lens for a6400: Sigma 56mm f/1.4 DC DN
- Featuring compact design, Light weight and outstanding image quality offered in sigma’s...
- N addition, this lens is characterized by smooth and quiet autofocus ideal for video shooting....
- By using the face recognition or eye AF functions of the camera, focus Will continuously be on the...
Focal length: 56mm
Aperture range: f/1.4 to f/16
Weight: 280g (0.62 lbs)
Size (Ø x L): 67x59mm (2.62×2.34″)
Filter size: 55mm
Format: crop
Autofocus: yes
Image stabilization: no
The Sigma 56mm f/1.4 DC DN is the overall best Sony a6400 lens for portraits.
It has everything a portrait lens needs: a max aperture of f/1.4 (one of the only 3 lenses for a6400 that open this wide), a fast & reliable autofocus, and a beautiful bokeh.
And on top of that, it’s still an affordable lens, which comforts its #1 ranking.
The 2 cons of this lens are the lack of image stabilization, and the lack of weather sealing.
Fast f/1.4 aperture
Excellent sharpness
Great bokeh
Fast & quiet autofocus
No image stabilization
Not weather-sealed
👉 See price + reviews on Amazon or on B&H Photo
Luxury Portrait Sony Lens for a6400: Sony Sonnar FE 55mm f/1.8
- Diaphragm Blades 9, Rounded. Lens Groups / Elements is 5/7
- Focal Length: 55mm, Filter Diameter: 49mm
- Minimum Focus Distance: 19-11/16 inches (.50m)
Focal length: 55mm
Aperture range: f/1.8 to f/22
Weight: 281g (0.62 lbs)
Size (Ø x L): 65x71mm (2.54×2.78″)
Filter size: 49mm
Format: full frame
Autofocus: yes
Image stabilization: no
Budget is no concern? Then go for the high-end Sony Sonnar FE 55mm f/1.8.
The image quality is absolutely exceptional. In fact, Dxomark has rated it the #7 best lens of all time, all camera brands/lens brands included. It’s also part of the short list of weather sealed lenses for Sony a6400.
The only con to this lens for the a6400 is the lack of image stabilization, which could be a major negative point if you want to take mostly low-light portraits.
Exceptional sharpness
Fast & reliable autofocus
Almost no distortion/vignetting
Weather sealed
Expensive
No image stabilization
👉 See price + reviews on Amazon or on B&H Photo
Budget Portrait – Best Sony a6400 Lens: Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN
- SONY E-mount
- With nine rounded aperture blades, a stepping ring motor, and compact design
- Perfect paring of high performance and pricing, Contemporary compactness, Art line Image Quality
Focal length: 30mm
Aperture range: f/1.4 to f/16
Weight: 265g (0.58 lbs)
Size (Ø x L): 65x73mm (2.55×2.89″)
Filter size: 52mm
Format: crop
Autofocus: yes
Image stabilization: no
Just like the Sonnar was the luxury pick, the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN is the budget option.
It’s part of the same series as the #1 best portrait lens, the Sigma 56mm f/1.4 DC DN; and as expected, it shares all the same features. However it’s 40% cheaper, and 75% cheaper than the Sonnar!
Which one you’d pick between the 56mm and the 30mm only comes down to personal preference (and budget). I personally prefer having a longer focal length to shoot portraits, for more compression, but that’s up to you.
Incredible value for money
Fast f/1.4 aperture
Great sharpness
No image stabilization
Not weather sealed
👉 See price + reviews on Amazon or on B&H Photo
🎥 Video Lenses – Sony a6400 Best Lenses
The Sony a6400 is a great camera for video work, and many purchase it solely to shoot videos.
If this is your case, you’re probably looking for a good video lens.
Since the a6400 doesn’t have image stabilization, you’ll need a lens with image stabilization (often called OSS on Sony, for Optical SteadyShot).
On top of that, you need to make sure the lens has a fast & reliable autofocus, to always keep your subject in focus.
Let’s see the Sony Alpha a6400 best lenses for video 🎥
The BEST Video Lens for a6400: Sony E PZ 18-105mm f/4 G OSS
- High performance E mount lens with excellent contrast; Minimum Aperture (F): 22
- Minimum Focus Distance : 1.48 (Wide) 3.12 ft (Tele), Maximum Magnification ratio : 0.11x, Focal...
- Versatile 27 158mm (35mm equiv.) zoom range. Angle of view (APS C): 76° 15°. Number of aperture...
Focal length: 18-105mm
Aperture range: f/4 to f/22
Weight: 427g (0.94 lbs)
Size (Ø x L): 78x110mm (3.07×4.33″)
Filter size: 72mm
Format: crop
Autofocus: yes
Image stabilization: yes
My personal favorite lens for videos on the a6400 is the Sony E PZ 18-105mm f/4 G OSS.
It has a huge focal range, from 18 to 105mm. This allows for a lot of creativity when filming, switching from wide-angle to zoomed in scenes, and you’ll be able to film subjects from a distance.
The most important feature is the f/4 fixed aperture: when you’re zooming in, the aperture stays the same, and will result in smooth transitions.
Image stabilization is built-in, and the autofocus is fast, reliable and quiet.
My 2 main regrets are first that the lens can only open up to f/4 (not best to shoot in low-light), and the heavy weight & bulkiness of the lens.
Great focal range
Image stabilization
Fixed aperture
Smooth & quiet autofocus
Heavy & bulky
Only f/4 max aperture
👉 See price + reviews on Amazon or on B&H Photo
Best a6400 Lens for Video with Gimbal: Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN
- Compatible with Sony E mount cameras
- Perfect for nature & event photography
- Large f/1.4 aperture for superb lowlight performance
Focal length: 16mm
Aperture range: f/1.4 to f/16
Weight: 405g (0.89 lbs)
Size (Ø x L): 72x92mm (2.84×3.63″)
Filter size: 67mm
Format: crop
Autofocus: yes
Image stabilization: no
Another good lens for Sony a6400 to consider for video work is the Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN.
Yes, it lacks image stabilization. But if you have a gimbal, it’s a great choice.
The lens opens up to f/1.4 for maximum light, and the image quality is excellent. All while being very well-priced.
Be aware that the autofocus makes a small noise; if you’re planning to use the camera to record sound directly, it might be annoying. But if you’ll use it for cinematic videos where you’ll add sound after, it’s not a big deal.
Great value for money
Excellent sharpness
Fast f/1.4 aperture
No image stabilization
Small autofocus noise
👉 See price + reviews on Amazon or on B&H Photo
Budget Video – a6400 Best Lens: Sony 50mm f/1.8 OSS
- Built-in Optical SteadyShot image stabilization and 7-blade circular aperture for beautiful defocus...
- Minimum Focus Distance : 1.28 ft (0.39 m), Maximum Magnification ratio : 0.16x, Focal-Length : 50 mm...
- Large F1.8 maximum aperture enables beautiful defocusing effects. Angle of View (APS-C) : 32°
Focal length: 50mm
Aperture range: f/1.8 to f/22
Weight: 202g (0.44 lbs)
Size (Ø x L): 62x62mm (2.44×2.44″)
Filter size: 49mm
Format: crop
Autofocus: yes
Image stabilization: yes
And finally, the 3rd best Sony lens for a6400 I’d recommend for video: the Sony 50mm f/1.8 OSS.
It’s my budget pick for a video lens. At less than $400, it has all the features needed: image stabilization built-in and a reliable autofocus. It’s also very lightweight and pretty compact, perfect to ease the strain on your body when filming.
Being a prime lens, you can’t zoom in/zoom out. It might be limiting to some, but having a fixed focal also means one less thing to worry about when filming.
Best value for money
Image stabilization
Lightweight & compact
Long focal
Not weather sealed
👉 See price + reviews on Amazon or on B&H Photo
🤳 The Best Vlogging Lenses for Sony a6400
While shooting videos and vlogging have a lot in common, a good video lens is not necessarily a good vlogging lens.
A great vlogging lens has the same features as a video lens, but it needs more:
- Image stabilization, to avoid shaky footage
- Fast & reliable autofocus, to always keep you in focus
- Quiet autofocus, to avoid noise in your recordings
- Wide angle focal length, to be in the shot when holding the camera
Let’s see the lenses compatible with Sony a6400 that have all of these 4 features!
The BEST Vlogging Lens for a6400: Sony E 10-18mm f/4 OSS
- Angle of View (APS-C) - 109 ° – 76 °
- Minimum focal length of 10 mm (15 mm in 35 mm-camera equivalency)
- Minimum Focus Distance : 0.82 ft (0.25 m), Maximum Magnification ratio : 0.1x
Focal length: 10-18mm
Aperture range: f/4 to f/22
Weight: 225g (0.50 lbs)
Size (Ø x L): 70x64mm (2.76×2.5″)
Filter size: 62mm
Format: crop
Autofocus: yes
Image stabilization: yes
It’s easy to see why this lens is the best a6400 lens for vlogging; it ticks all the boxes.
The Sony E 10-18mm f/4 OSS has all the features needed to be a great vlogging lens. A wide-angle focal range, image stabilization, great autofocus, short minimum focus distance, and it’s even lightweight.
Truth is, there’s only 1 reason to not pick this lens for vlogging, and that’s if you can’t afford it. Oh and maybe if you plan to vlog mostly in low-light situations, then you’d need a lens with a higher max aperture and better autofocus in low-light.
Image stabilization
Fast & quiet autofocus
Short minimum focus distance
Lightweight
Expensive
Issues to focus in low-light
👉 See price + reviews on Amazon or on B&H Photo
Budget Vlog – Best Sony a6400 Lens: Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN
- Compatible with Sony E mount cameras
- Perfect for nature & event photography
- Large f/1.4 aperture for superb lowlight performance
Focal length: 16mm
Aperture range: f/1.4 to f/16
Weight: 405g (0.89 lbs)
Size (Ø x L): 72x92mm (2.84×3.63″)
Filter size: 67mm
Format: crop
Autofocus: yes
Image stabilization: no
If you can’t afford the lens above, or if you plan to shoot mostly in low-light, then the right pick for you is the Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN.
It costs less than 1/3 of the Sony, and it does the job well. It has a wide focal length, a performant autofocus, and a short minimum focus distance. It even opens up all the way to f/1.4, which creates beautiful bokeh and is excellent in low-light situations.
However there’s no image stabilization, it’s heavy & bulky (which makes the lack of image stabilization even more annoying), and it’s a prime lens where you can’t zoom.
If you plan to have your camera on a tripod to record you it’s perfect. Or if you’re moving, it’s great if you can mount it on a gimbal. Worst case scenario you’ll have to carry it handheld, but even then the shake isn’t too noticeable, nothing that editing software can’t fix.
Great value for money
Great bokeh with f/1.4 aperture
Excellent sharpness
Short minimum focus distance
No image stabilization
Heavy & bulky
Can't zoom in/zoom out
👉 See price + reviews on Amazon or on B&H Photo
✈️ The Best Travel Lenses for Sony a6400
Who loves travel? 🙋🏻♂️🙋🏻♂️🙋🏻♂️ I definitely do!
What do we mean by travel lens? Well, to me, a travel lens should:
- have a large focal range to make it the only lens you’ll need on your trip
- be lightweight & compact
Sounds like what you’re looking for?
Then let’s see the best lenses for Sony Alpha a6400 for travelling!
The BEST Travel Lens for a6400: Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8
- World’s first high-speed standard zoom lens for APS-C cameras with the focal length range of...
- Outstanding optical performance with 16 elements in 12 groups featuring two GM (Glass Molded...
- Upgraded VC effective in combination with Sony APS-C mirrorless cameras, leveraging AI for video...
Focal length: 17-70mm
Aperture range: f/2.8 to f/16
Weight: 525g (1.16 lbs)
Size (Ø x L): 74x119mm (2.9×4.7″)
Filter size: 67mm
Format: crop
Autofocus: yes
Image stabilization: yes
This lens again? Yep, this lens again.
Not only it is the a6400 best lens overall, the best zoom lens, it’s also the best travel lens for a6400!
The reason is quite simple. The Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 has a large focal range to cover most situations, making it the only lens you’ll need with you on your trip.
The image quality is excellent, it has built-in image stabilization so you can easily shoot in low-light and even shoot videos.
For travel, the main downside is that it’s heavier and bulkier than other lenses. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still highly portable, but you can find more compact.
Great focal range
Fast f/2.8 lens
Image stabilization
Heavy distortion at wide angle
Heavier & bulkier than other lenses
👉 See price + reviews on Amazon or on B&H Photo
Most Portable Travel Lens for a6400: Zeiss 16-70mm f/4
- Carl Zeiss mid-range zoom lens; Compatible with E-mount Full Frame cameras and E-mount APS-C cameras
- Minimum Focus Distance : 1.15 feet (0.35 m), Maximum Magnification ratio : 0.23x, Focal Length :...
- High lens technology in a compact body. Filter Diameter (mm) - 55 mm
Focal length: 16-70mm
Aperture range: f/4 to f/22
Weight: 308g (0.68 lbs)
Size (Ø x L): 67x75mm (2.62×2.95″)
Filter size: 55mm
Format: crop
Autofocus: yes
Image stabilization: yes
Speaking of more compact lenses, the Zeiss 16-70mm f/4 is the most portable travel lens you can get, without sacrificing image quality.
It’s 41% lighter than the Tamron, and 28% smaller.
It has the same focal range, 16 to 70mm, making it the only lens you’ll need to bring on your trip.
However the gain in weight & size comes from the drop of max aperture. Only f/4 vs f/2.8 for the Tamron. If you plan to shoot a lot in low-light situations, or to take a lot of portraits, then the Tamron is better. But for street photography, architecture, landscapes, or other kind of photography, this is the best choice if portability is your main focus.
Great focal range
Image stabilization
Lightweight & small
Only f/4 max aperture
Softness on the edges of images
👉 See price + reviews on Amazon or on B&H Photo
⛰ Wide Angle Lenses – Best Lenses for Sony Alpha a6400
Moving on to our next category, the best wide angle Sony a6400 lenses for photography.
Wide-angle lenses have a wide focal range, which is usually lower than 20mm on the Sony a6400.
This allows the photographer to capture a lot of the scene in the frame; it’s the perfect lens for shooting landscapes and architecture.
The BEST Wide Angle Lens for a6400: Tamron 11-20mm f/2.8
- F2.8 ultra wide-angle zoom lens for APS-C mirrorless cameras
- Compact and lightweight for superior usability (3.4" long and 11.8 oz.)
- Close focusing capability with MOD of 5.9" at 11mm and 9.4" at 20mm with 1:4 Max. Mag. Ratio at 11mm
Focal length: 11-20mm
Aperture range: f/2.8 to f/16
Weight: 335g (0.74 lbs)
Size (Ø x L): 74x86mm (2.9×3.4″)
Filter size: 67mm
Format: crop
Autofocus: yes
Image stabilization: no
Recently released in mid-2021, the Tamron 11-20mm f/2.8 took the spot of #1 best wide angle lens for a6400.
It has a wide focal length, as wide as 11mm, and can zoom in to 20mm; great to always frame the perfect shot!
This is the first of the wide-angle zoom E-mount lenses for Sony a6400 to have a f/2.8 max aperture. The lens has great image quality, is pretty sharp, and as a bonus it’s weather sealed to take all worries off shooting in adverse conditions.
I regret the lack of image stabilization on this lens, which is its main con. If you plan to shoot both photos & videos with your wide angle lens, look at the Sony 10-18mm f/4 OSS instead.
Great focal range
Fast f/2.8 lens
Great sharpness
Weather sealed
No image stabilization
👉 See price + reviews on Amazon or on B&H Photo
Prime Wide Angle – Best Lens Sony a6400: Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN
- Compatible with Sony E mount cameras
- Perfect for nature & event photography
- Large f/1.4 aperture for superb lowlight performance
Focal length: 16mm
Aperture range: f/1.4 to f/16
Weight: 405g (0.89 lbs)
Size (Ø x L): 72x92mm (2.84×3.63″)
Filter size: 67mm
Format: crop
Autofocus: yes
Image stabilization: no
For ultimate image quality, I recommend the Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN.
Glass on prime lenses is usually superior than on zoom lenses, and this one is no exception.
Image quality is downright excellent, with great sharpness all across the range. It opens up to f/1.4, perfect to shoot in low-light conditions, and even to capture stars.
To be honest, there’s a lot I don’t like about this lens. It’s the heaviest & bulkiest of the wide-angle lenses I recommend for the a6400, even though it’s a prime lens (prime lenses are usually more compact & lighter). Obviously it’s a fixed focal length, so no room for zooming in/zooming out, and last negative point is the lack of image stabilization, annoying if you plan to shoot videos.
All in all, priced a solid 56% cheaper than the Tamron, this prime lens is a great pick for landscape photographers looking for the best image quality.
Great value for money
Excellent sharpness
Fast f/1.4 aperture
Heavy for a prime lens
Fixed focal length
No image stabilization
👉 See price + reviews on Amazon or on B&H Photo
Budget Wide Angle – Best Lens a6400: Rokinon 12mm f/2.0 AF
- Focuses to 7.9" (0.2m) and Accepts 67 Filters
- 98.9 Degree Angle of View / 18mm (35mm Equivalent
- Fast f/2.0 Maximum Aperture Benefits Working in Low-Light Conditions
Focal length: 12mm
Aperture range: f/2 to f/22
Weight: 245g (0.54 lbs)
Size (Ø x L): 72x59mm (2.85×2.33″)
Filter size: 67mm
Format: crop
Autofocus: no
Image stabilization: no
If you want to go even cheaper, get the Rokinon 12mm f/2.0 MF Silver.
For less than $250 you can get yourself a nice high-quality wide-angle lens. The image quality is excellent, it opens up to f/2.0, and it’s a nice light & compact lens that will fit just right in your backpack.
To get such a low price for a great image quality, you’ll have to sacrifice on the autofocus though. For a landscape photographer who has time to set up each shot, probably on a tripod, this might not be a big deal – it’s up to you to see if you can manage manual focus.
Best value for money
Excellent image quality
Light & compact
Manual focus
👉 See price + reviews on Amazon or on B&H Photo
🔭 Telephoto Lenses – Best Sony Lenses for a6400
Alright, we just saw wide-angle lenses, now it’s time to go on the other side of the spectrum to check the best telephoto lenses!
A telephoto lens has a long focal range – anything from 70mm, to as long as you can find.
The longer the focal length, the further away you can shoot. This is the kind of lens you’ll need to get photos of the wildlife from a safe distance.
Let’s see the best Sony lenses for a6400 – in the telephoto category 🔭
Telephoto – The Best Lens for Sony a6400: Sony 70-350mm f/4.5-6.3 G OSS
- Telephoto zoom with outstanding corner-to-corner G lens resolution
- Lightweight (22oz.) remarkably Easy to handle 5x super-telephoto zoom
- 70-350Mm (105-525mm full-frame equiv.) super-telephoto zoom
Focal length: 70-350mm
Aperture range: f/4.5-6.3 to f/22-32
Weight: 625g (1.38 lbs)
Size (Ø x L): 77x142mm (3.03×5.59″)
Filter size: 67mm
Format: crop
Autofocus: yes
Image stabilization: yes
Let’s start with the Sony 70-350mm f/4.5-6.3 G, one of my 3 favorite lenses for Sony a6400 camera. Along with the Tamron 11-20mm and the Tamron 17-70mm, this Sony telephoto lens is the 3rd essential lens for me.
The focal range is extremely large, from 70 to 350mm, and it’s perfect to cover a lot of ground. The image quality is great across the range, but I did note some loss of sharpness at the longest range (350mm). The autofocus is fast & reliable, and there’s even image stabilization built-in, which is pretty needed when shooting at such long focal length.
Compared to other telephoto lenses I’ve reviewed, this one is surprisingly compact & light, especially given its large focal range.
I guess the relative light weight is the reason Sony didn’t include a tripod mount, but it’s still an annoying lack of feature for the landscape photographer in me that likes to put everything on tripods.
Great value for money
Fast & accurate autofocus
Image stabilization
Compact for such a long focal length
Sharpness loss at 350mm
Significant distortion & vignetting
No tripod mount
👉 See price + reviews on Amazon or on B&H Photo
Extreme Zoom: Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS
- Outstanding g lens resolution throughout the Zoom range
- 5x ED (extra-low dispersion) glass elements Reduces flare & ghosting
- Direct drive Supersonic Wave Motor for fast, quiet, precise focus
Focal length: 200-600mm
Aperture range: f/5.6-6.3 to f/32-36
Weight: 2115g (4.66 lbs)
Size (Ø x L): 112x318mm (4.39×12.52″)
Filter size: 95mm
Format: full frame
Autofocus: yes
Image stabilization: yes
Oh you think 350mm is not enough for you?
Well then, why don’t you try the Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS?
This bad boy is a full-frame lens; this means that when mounted on the a6400, it becomes a 300-900mm full frame equivalent. In other words, you’ll be able to spot a spider chilling on its web from across the forest!
Image quality is nothing short of exceptional on this premium lens, and it’s hard to go back to any other telephoto lens once you’ve used it. To me for telephoto lenses, if budget is no concern, then it’s the best lens a6400 can have on.
Absolutely massive focal length
Excellent sharpness
Image stabilization
Expensive
Big and heavy
👉 See price + reviews on Amazon or on B&H Photo
Budget Telephoto: Sony E 55-210mm f/4.5-6.3 OSS
- Wide zoom range (82 - 315mm 35mm equivalent) ideal for sports or nature;Aperture blades : 7
- Internal focusing for smooth, quiet operation - perfect for video capture.Direct manual focus with...
- Optical Steady Shot image stabilization for stable video capture and low light performance
Focal length: 55-210mm
Aperture range: f/4.5-6.3 to f/22-32
Weight: 345g (0.76 lbs)
Size (Ø x L): 64x108mm (2.51×4.25″)
Filter size: 49mm
Format: crop
Autofocus: yes
Image stabilization: yes
What if you want to be able to zoom from far away, but you don’t have 1 grand to spend on a lens?
Then you’ll love the Sony E 55-210mm f/4.5-6.3 OSS!
Yes, the image quality is significantly lower than the 2 other lenses above. But so is the price!
For personal use, digital use and all around amateur work, the image quality does just fine. And this lens packs a punch, allowing you to zoom all the way to 210mm (315mm full-frame equivalent).
All in all, it’s the best lens to buy with Sony a6400 for a budget telephoto lens; perfect to get a big zoom if you don’t care too much about image quality.
Best value for money
Lightest option
Image stabilization
Poor image quality
Sharpness loss from 135mm
👉 See price + reviews on Amazon or on B&H Photo
🔬 Macro – Best Sony a6400 Lenses for Photography Up Close
Macro lenses are pretty specific lenses. They have 2 main features:
- A 1:1 magnification ratio, so that subject appear in real size on the image
- A short minimum focus distance, to be able to focus on subjects close to the lens
These lenses are usually used to take photos of flowers, bugs, insects, or details of objects.
If this sounds like the type of photography you’d like to do, then let’s see the best macro lenses for Sony a6400!
The BEST Macro Lens for a6400: Sony FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro
- Full-frame 50mm macro lens with 1:1 magnification, F2.8 max. aperture for low-light and shallow...
- ED glass effectively compensates for axial chromatic aberration, Robust and reliable dust and...
- Distance scale, Magnification scale and Distance index, Compact (2.78”) and lightweight (8.3 oz.)...
Focal length: 50mm
Aperture range: f/2.8 to f/16
Weight: 236g (0.52 lbs)
Size (Ø x L): 71x71mm (2.79×2.8″)
Filter size: 55mm
Format: full frame
Autofocus: yes
Image stabilization: no
For macro, the overall best lens Sony a6400-compatible is the Sony FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro.
It’s a great all around macro lens, with good image quality, limited distortion, and of course the 1:1 magnification. I like the focus lock button on the side of the barrel, useful to lock your focus once you’ve found it.
This good piece of glass is well-priced, which makes me rate it as #1 overall macro lens.
However I disliked the lack of image stabilization, and the autofocus isn’t the best. It’s slow at time, and makes noise, which could disturb some live subjects.
Great image quality
No distortion
Focus lock button
No image stabilization
Slow & loud autofocus
👉 See price + reviews on Amazon or on B&H Photo
Luxury Macro: Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS
- A perfect match for α7 series, 35mm full-frame E-mount cameras, 90mm Macro with a bright F2.8...
- Minimum Focus Distance : 0.92 ft (0.28 m), Maximum Magnification ratio : 1.0x, Focal Length : 90 mm....
- Optical Steady Shot image stabilization for handheld shooting, Instant manual/auto focus selection...
Focal length: 90mm
Aperture range: f/2.8 to f/22
Weight: 602g (1.33 lbs)
Size (Ø x L): 79x131mm (3.11×5.14″)
Filter size: 62mm
Format: full frame
Autofocus: yes
Image stabilization: yes
If you have the right budget, you can correct all the cons of the lens above by getting the Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS.
Let’s start with image quality: it’s the sharpest lens ever produced for Sony cameras, period.
Unlike the previously reviewed lens above, this one has image stabilization built-in, and the autofocus is fast and quiet.
Such premium quality does come at a price, though, which is the main con of this lens, along with the heavy weight and bulkiness.
Exceptional image quality
Image stabilization
Fast & quiet autofocus
No distortion
Expensive
Heavy & bulky
👉 See price + reviews on Amazon or on B&H Photo
Budget Macro: Sony 30mm f/3.5 Macro
- Lens not Zoomable
- Filter diameter (mm): 49 mm
- Exceptionally portable and versatile for everyday use
Focal length: 30mm
Aperture range: f/3.5 to f/22
Weight: 138g (0.30 lbs)
Size (Ø x L): 62x56mm (2.44×2.19″)
Filter size: 49mm
Format: crop
Autofocus: yes
Image stabilization: no
On the contrary, if you have a tight budget, I recommend the Sony 30mm f/3.5 Macro.
It’s definitely not the best lens to shoot live subjects, such as insects & bugs. This is because of the short focal length and short minimum focus distance, which will force you to be very close to your subjects when shooting.
But for anything else, such as flowers, natures, details, objects, this budget macro lens works great. Image quality is great, the autofocus is reliable, in short a great pick to get started in macro photography without spending too much.
Great value for money
Fast & quiet autofocus
No distortion
Light & compact
No image stabilization
Too short minimum focus distance
👉 See price + reviews on Amazon or on B&H Photo
✨ Best Low Light Lenses for Sony a6400
Our next category is dedicated to low-light lenses.
Shooting in low-light is challenging, and if you don’t have the right tools it will be a nightmare.
If you’re interested in this kind of photography (night, indoors, low-light, stars), then you’ll need a lens with a high max aperture, f/2.8 or higher. This will ensure as much as light as possible is entering the camera, to get sharp photos without too much noise.
The BEST Low Light Lens for a6400: Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN
- Compatible with Sony E mount cameras
- Perfect for nature & event photography
- Large f/1.4 aperture for superb lowlight performance
Focal length: 16mm
Aperture range: f/1.4 to f/16
Weight: 405g (0.89 lbs)
Size (Ø x L): 72x92mm (2.84×3.63″)
Filter size: 67mm
Format: crop
Autofocus: yes
Image stabilization: no
If you’ve read the other parts of this guide, then you’re already familiar with this lens. The Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN is a great product, and it’s recommended in many categories.
With its f/1.4 max aperture, it’s no surprise it made the cut as the best all round lens for Sony a6400 for shooting in low light conditions. It has excellent sharpness, the autofocus is quick & reliable, even at night, and the lens is pretty cheap.
For shooting most things in low-light, this Sigma lens is my favorite. If you’re interesting in shooting exclusively portraits in low-light, get the Sigma 56mm f/1.4 DC DN instead.
And if you want to take photos of the stars, check out the lens below.
F/1.4 max aperture
Excellent sharpness
Great value for money
Quick & reliable autofocus
Bulky for a prime lens
Chromatic aberration & coma
👉 See price + reviews on Amazon or on B&H Photo
The Best a6400 Lens for Astrophotography: Rokinon 12mm f/2.0 AF
- Compatible with all Sony E-Mount Mirrorless cameras.
- Aperture range of F2.0-22; Glass is ultra multi-coated (UMC) and Lens is constructed of 12 elements...
- Minimum focusing distance of 7.48 inches and has a filter size of 62mm.
Focal length: 12mm
Aperture range: f/2 to f/22
Weight: 213g (0.47 lbs)
Size (Ø x L): 71x58mm (2.8×2.3″)
Filter size: 62mm
Format: crop
Autofocus: yes
Image stabilization: no
While the lens above is the best overall for most low-light situations, based on my reviews it’s not the best for taking photos of the stars. For this, I’d recommend the Rokinon 12mm f/2.0 AF.
First it’s a wider focal length, which means you can take a longer exposure without the stars becoming blurry in the shot due to the motion of the earth (max shutter speed 28″ with f/2.0 ISO1600)
And second, the stars come up much crisper and sharper on this lens; there’s low distortion, limited chromatic aberrations, and low coma.
F/2.0 max aperture
Excellent image quality
Light & compact
Weather sealed
Soft in the corners
Can't reverse hood for storage
👉 See price + reviews on Amazon or on B&H Photo
🥞 The Best Pancake Lenses for Sony a6400
Aah I see you getting hungry over there.
No, a pancake lens is not a type of food.
A pancake lens draws its name from the similarity with the pastry: it’s rond & flat.
It’s a type of lens that is extremely flat, and you almost won’t notice it’s on your camera. Perfect for shooting street without anyone noticing, or for going light.
The BEST Pancake Lens for Sony a6400: Sony 20mm f/2.8
- Superior Image Quality
- Minimum Focus Distance : 0.66 feet (0.2 m), Maximum Magnification ratio : 0.12x
- Focal Length- 20 mm, Compact Length; Lens not Zoomable
Focal length: 20mm
Aperture range: f/2.8 to f/16
Weight: 69g (0.15 lbs)
Size (Ø x L): 62x20mm (2.46×0.8″)
Filter size: 49mm
Format: crop
Autofocus: yes
Image stabilization: no
Let’s be honest, the only reason you’d choose this lens over any other lens available for the a6400 is size. If you’re trying to go minimal gear, then the Sony 20mm f/2.8 is perfect for you.
It weighs only 69g/2.4oz, you’ll barely feel it in front of your camera. And with the 20mm length (0.8″), you might even not notice it’s there!
Image quality is OK, and the autofocus is performant. Sharpness is good across the frame, and with the f/2.8 max aperture you can easily capture action shots and take photos in low light situations.
The lack of image stabilization is the main con for me, otherwise it would have been perfect for video too.
Incredibly lightweight & compact
Good image quality
Fast & quiet autofocus
No image stabilization
No weather sealing
👉 See price + reviews on Amazon or on B&H Photo
Budget a6400 Pancake Lens: Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS
- E-Mount Lens/APS-C Format - 24-75mm (35mm Equivalent) (White Box, Kit Lens)
- Aperture Range: f/3.5-5.6 to f/22-36 - One ED Element; Four Aspherical Elements
- Optical SteadyShot Image Stabilization - Power Zoom Mechanism
Focal length: 16-50mm
Aperture range: f/3.5-5.6 to f/22-36
Weight: 116g (0.26 lbs)
Size (Ø x L): 65x30mm (2.55×1.18″)
Filter size: 40.5mm
Format: crop
Autofocus: yes
Image stabilization: yes
The Sony 20mm pancake lens isn’t too expensive; but if you want to go even cheaper, you can get the Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS.
It’s the kit lens, the one sold most often with the camera when you buy it. I’ve included it in this section because it’s lightweight, and pretty flat (30mm/1.18″).
Sure, the image quality is quite poor. But it has image stabilization built-in, a large focal range to zoom in/zoom out, and it’s a great budget lens.
Overall, it’s probably the best starter lens for Sony a6400. It’s perfect if you’re starting photography, not sure yet what your style is, and want to experiment with different focal lengths for cheap.
Lightweight & compact
Image stabilization
Large focal range
Poor image quality
👉 See price + reviews on Amazon or on B&H Photo
🐠 The Best Fisheye Lenses for Sony a6400
And finally, you’ve reached the last category of this guide, the best fisheye lenses for a6400.
A fisheye lens is a very wide lens, wider than 10mm, that creates distorted images. They’re great for creative shots, and it’s a nice lens to switch things up a bit.
The BEST Fisheye Lens for a6400: Rokinon 8mm f/2.8
- Rokinon 8mm/2.8 UMC Fisheye Lens - Front Lens Cover - Rear Lens Cap - Lens Pouch - User Manual -...
- 180 degrees, with a 12mm (35mm equivalent) field of view.
- 10 lens elements, 8 groups, 1 ASP and 2 ED elements for optimum optical performance.
Focal length: 8mm
Aperture range: f/2.8 to f/22
Weight: 265g (0.58 lbs)
Size (Ø x L): 60x65mm (2.36×2.54″)
Filter size: N/A
Format: crop
Autofocus: no
Image stabilization: no
If you’re looking for a fisheye lens, you probably have a specific type of photography in mind that you’d like to try out. Or maybe it’s just to have a fisheye lens in your kit in case you need to fit a large scene in the frame.
In any case, the Rokinon 8mm f/2.8 is my go-to fisheye lens for the Sony a6400.
At 8mm wide, this compact lens has great image quality and will do exactly what you expect. I regret the lack of autofocus on this one, but overall it’s the best camera lens for Sony a6400 in the fisheye category.
Fast f/2.8 lens
Lightweight & compact
Ultra wide angle
Manual focus
No image stabilization
👉 See price + reviews on Amazon or on B&H Photo
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use Sony FE lenses on a6400?
Yes you can. Sony FE lenses are specifically made for full-frame cameras (Sony A7S, A7R, …), but they can also be used on APS-C cameras like the Sony a6400.
The focal length of FE lenses will change when mounted on the a6400 (multiply by 1.5).
Can you use a full frame lens on a Sony a6400?
Yes you can. Any full-frame lens noted as “FE-mount” can be used with the Sony a6400.
The focal length of FE lenses will change when mounted on the a6400 (multiply by 1.5).
Can I use Nikon lenses on Sony a6400?
Yes you can, but you need an adapter, like this one.
Final Thoughts
So there you have them all, the best lenses for Sony a6400!
With a selection of the top lenses for Sony a6400 for no less than 11 categories, I’m sure you’ll find the right pick for you.
After carefully reviewing more than 100 lenses, the overall best is the Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8.
Of course there are some situations where it will not be the right tool, but it’s a great lens that will fit most situations, with its large focal range and fast aperture. For everyday use, if you were to get only 1 lens, this is undoubtedly the one I’d recommend.
Pin this to Pinterest!
Enjoyed this guide? Then help a fellow traveler and pin it! They'll most definitely love you for it, 100% guarantee.
