Best Sony A6500 Lens for Product Photography
Y'all read the review of the Sony a6500 and picked one up of your own… and now it's time to complete your kit with a selection of lenses! There are so many options at unlike price points that information technology tin be hard to cull.
That'southward why I've washed the work for you and listed my height choices beneath.
Editor'due south Choice
Sony E 24mm f/1.viii 
Groovy low-low-cal performance, feather-low-cal, sturdy build quality and execeptional machine-focus makes this a must take lens for the Sony a6500.
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The first thing to consider when choosing lenses is what type of subjects yous like to shoot. Portrait photographers tend to want something on the medium to telephoto range to create nice bokeh.
Mural photographers usually tend to want something wide bending to capture large scenes.
If you're similar me, you lot shoot a variety of subjects and want several camera lenses to cover a broad range of focal lengths. In improver, you lot desire a exercise-all lens to keep on your camera near of the time to document a diversity of scenes.
If you've chosen the Sony a6500, most likely you appreciate a small class factor. It fits in your pocket, so you don't want to attach a big lens to information technology and make the camera less meaty.
Several of the options below pair well with the small trunk. Check out my superlative lenses for the Sony a6500 in the table below and read on for all the details.
Best Sony a6500 Lenses in 2022
| Paradigm | Production | Features | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Sony 24mm f/one.8 OUR #ane CHOICE |
| View Cost → |
 | Sony sixteen-70mm f/4 All-time ALLROUND ZOOM |
| View Price → |
 | Sony 20mm f/two.8 BEST FOR TRAVEL |
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 | Sony 10-18mm f/4 BEST WIDE Bending |
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 | Sony 35mm f/1.eight Best VALUE ALLROUNDER |
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 | Sony 50mm f/1.eight All-time FOR PORTRAITS |
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What Type of Lenses Work with the Sony a6500?
Sony a6500 with Sony xvi-70mm f/four
At that place are ii master types of lens for Sony 'E-mount' cameras: 'Fe' and 'East' lenses. The 'E-mount' itself simply refers to the mount on the camera body itself, where the lens attaches. (There'due south also a lesser known A-mount, made for Sony Translucent Mirror blazon camera bodies, only that won't come into play here.)
The difference between 'East' and 'Iron' lenses is simple: Eastward lenses were fabricated for Sony's crop sensor APS-C cameras (i.due east. the Sony alpha a6500 and other a6xxx cameras). Iron lenses were fabricated for Sony's full-frame line-ups (like the A7 serial).
Sony FE lenses can be used on all Sony mirrorless cameras whether full frame or non, but perform with a 1.five* focal length multiplication on APS-C cameras.
The only reason to buy Fe lenses for your a6500 is if you're planning to upgrade to a total-frame mirrorless Sony in the future or you already have i and desire to share lenses between the two. Otherwise, it's best to stick with the lenses designed for your system.
The E lenses are generallysmaller and lighter than their full-frame (Fe) counterparts. They're also much more affordable.
Sony a6500 Lens Reviews
For this review, I'1000 going to concentrate on native Sony lenses made for Sony cameras. Sure, there are enough of excellent third-party options out there, but I believe 'native' lenses tend to out-perform third-party options.
1. Sony Due east 24mm f/ane.8
Focal Length: 24mm (equivalent to 36mm)
Weight: 225g (seven.9 oz.)
Size (Bore x Length): 63 10 66mm (two.5 ten two.6in)
Filter Diameter: 49mm
Minimum Focus Altitude: 0.16m (6.3in)
This lens immediately impressed me with its sturdy build quality. Upon holding it, you tin experience the quality and know that information technology will last!
The quality feels like to other full frame Eastward-mountain lenses I own, despite the fact that this is a crop sensor lens designed for the a6500 series.
With the all-metal barrel, it feels solid, but it must have some plastic in the design because it is surprisingly light. I would compare it in experience to the Sony Iron 55mm f/1.eight.
This lens is 1 of the larger APS-C East-mount lenses, likely because of the fast aperture.
At f/ane.8, it lets in a lot of low-cal, pairing nicely with the Sony a6500's depression light photography functioning. Together they brand a great combo for dark shooting environments.
The focus band on the Sony 24mm f/1.8 feels shine and has a nice grip. Again, the metal design is a overnice impact. The autofocus is likewise fast and effective.
Additionally, this is an impressively sharp lens. Every bit a prime, I expect it to exist precipitous, but the quality exceeded my expectations.
Fifty-fifty at the widest aperture, the image was very usable across the whole frame. The sharpness improves at f/2.8 and maximum sharpness is reached at f/4.
Sony A6500 + Sony 24mm f/1.8 | 1/800 f/4 ISO 200
The only drawbacks of this lens are that it is slightly heavier and not as compact equally some others. This is likely due to the improved build quality and sharper optics.
I'll take college quality and sharper over lightweight in almost every scenario. If you're looking for a do-all, loftier-quality prime lens for your Sony a6500, the Sony 24mm f/1.8 is information technology.
I chose this as my favorite because of the focal length. Over the past 8 years, I've shot with a lot of lenses but have homed in on the 35mm focal length.
With an equivalent focal length of 36mm, this lens is a perfect partner to the a6500.
It'due south great for shooting portraits, landscapes, family, and travel. It just works so well for so many subjects!
Talk to most photojournalists and they will tout the flexibility and utility of the 35mm focal length.
A lot of people tell you your first lens should be "bang-up fifty", but I retrieve a 35mm is a much amend option!
ii. Sony East 16-70mm f/four
Focal Length: 16-70mm (equivalent to 24-105mm)
Weight: 308g (ten.ix oz.)
Size (Bore ten Length): 67 x 75mm (2.6 ten 3 in)
Filter Diameter: 55mm
Minimum Focus Distance: 0.35m (xiii.8in)
Everyone loves a mid-range zoom. It's the lens that tin stay on your camera all the time and be set to shoot any subject.
Personally, I am a fan of prime lenses, but if you're looking at a zoom, the Sony 16-70mm f/4 is the one to get for your Sony a6500. It covers a wide range of focal lengths and has a constant f/4 aperture.
At the broad terminate, this lens is great for shooting landscapes. At the telephoto terminate, it does an awesome task at creating smooth bokeh for a clean, sharp portrait.
Another feature is the compact blueprint. It tucks nicely into a pocket or jacket, making information technology the i lens y'all can take with y'all to shoot a multifariousness of scenes. Mounted on the meaty body of the Sony a6500, this makes a superb travel combo.
If you are looking for an extremely compact setup, I'd recommend going with a prime lens, simply if you want a wide range zoom, the sixteen-70mm is a great choice.
Additionally, I was very satisfied with the sharpness of this lens. It provides infrequent quality for the wide range of focal lengths.
Sony A6500 + Sony 16-70mm f/iv | 1/4000 f/4 ISO 200
Like the above lens, I'm a big fan of the metallic-feeling design. It is the heaviest lens in this review, but the quality/flexibility are worth information technology.
The autofocus of this lens is awesome for outdoor scenarios, but slowed downward slightly indoors due to the maximum aperture of f/4.
The faster prime lenses in this review are slightly more constructive in dark situations.
While the weight is a drawback, the Sony 16-70mm f/ii.8 even so weighs 150g (5 oz) less than the a6500 photographic camera torso.
This provides a nice balance while remaining much lighter than equivalent setups from other camera manufacturers.
Because of the APS-C ingather cistron, the lens has to have a wider focal length to achieve the equivalent of a full frame photographic camera. This causes the lens to have more distortion at the wider focal lengths.
The distortion is acceptable – information technology just creates a slightly dissimilar look than you would come across from the full frame equivalent. Information technology doesn't bother me besides much, but is worth knowing near.
Overall, the Sony 16-70mm f/two.viii is the about versatile zoom lens and a great choice for someone looking to utilize one lens for everything.
iii. Sony E 20mm f/2.8
Focal Length: 20mm (equivalent to 30mm)
Weight: 69g (2.iv oz.)
Size (Diameter x Length): 63 x 20mm (two.five ten 0.8in)
Filter Diameter: 49mm
Minimum Focus Altitude: 0.2m (7.8 in)
Of all the lenses in this review, I find myself gravitating towards this one because of its amazingly compact design.
Mounted on the Sony a6500, it feels more like a signal-and-shoot photographic camera than a high quality mirrorless setup.
The pancake design is crawly for creating images in an incognito state of affairs.
If you're looking to have a photographic camera setup that puts the smallest camera between you and your subject field, the Sony 20mm f/2.viii is it!
Similar to the Sony 24mm f/i.eight mentioned to a higher place, this lens has a actually nice focal length. Although I prefer 35mm, this 30mm equivalent lens is a close 2d.
The Sony 20mm f/2.8 straddles the line between a 50mm "normal" lens and broad bending, giving you the best of both worlds.
It's perfect for travel, family, portraits, and landscapes – information technology'due south a do-all lens for a wide multifariousness of subjects.
Sony A6500 + Sony 20mm f/2.8 | 1/800 f/4 ISO 200
The build on the Sony 20mm f/ii.viii is equally rugged as I'd like it to be. This is probably due to its compact, super-light design.
If feels like its mostly made of plastic. Nonetheless, the fact that information technology's and then lightweight might help information technology survive a drop.
The broad angle distortion is evident but non overwhelming. I find information technology tolerable, especially for shooting landscapes and close-up activity sports.
The autofocus of this lens is fast and effective, something that surprises me considering how affordable this lens is.
At f/two.eight, the moderately fast aperture was handy, allowing me to shoot in darker scenarios – if you shoot a lot in lowlight, you lot might want to consider the Sony 20mm f/1.eight (review), which offers another cease of light.
An added bonus is the lens hood, which adds some other caste of protection to the Sony 20mm f/2.8's front element. If you ever forget your lens cap, this hood makes a world of difference in protecting your lens. It likewise protects it a bit from rain and snow when shooting in inclement weather.
Terminal verdict? A very effective lens in an ultralight parcel!
four. Sony E x-18mm f/4 OSS
Focal Length: 10-18mm (equivalent to xv-27mm)
Weight: 225g (vii.9 oz.)
Size (Bore x Length): seventy ten 63mm (2.8 10 2.5in)
Filter Bore: 62mm
Minimum Focus Distance: 0.25m (ix.8in)
Being a fan of wide angle lenses, this was the get-go lens I owned for my Sony a6500.
It allows you lot to create dramatic landscape images with an equivalent focal length like to the 16-35mm full frame lens (my favorite Sony zoom lens).
The Sony x-18mm f/four is for creating Instagram-worthy images featuring person dwarfed by a huge landscape.
This wide to super-wide zoom range volitionimmerse the viewer in the frame, capturing sweeping vistas with ease.
The other advantage of this lens over other broad angles is the compact size. I spend a lot of fourth dimension skiing with information technology zipped in my jacket or climbing with information technology hanging off my harness.
Sony A6500 + Sony 10-18mm f/iv | i/2000 f/vi.iii ISO 400
The build quality of this lens is adequately decent. I'd prefer more than metal in the design. Nevertheless, I've put this lens through a lot and it'southward held up through everything.
I employ it a lot while camping ground/hiking and information technology didn't have any bug.
The all-round sharpness of the Sony 10-18mm f/4 is excellent for the price.
The autofocus works every bit expected and takes advantage of the overall strengths of the excellent a6500 AF system. Fifty-fifty working at the wide-angle end of the focal length, I rarely had bug with hunting or seeking. My subjects ever came out in focus.
For a wide angle zoom at this price point, the Sony 10-18mm f/4 is surprisingly abrupt throughout the frame, especially if you focus at or beyond its hyper-focal range of 1.v meters (5 ft).
With its constant f/4 discontinuity, the Sony 10-18mm f/iv suffers a footling in low light situations.
If you lot're looking for an astrophotography lens, I'd propose something similar the Rokinon 12mm f/ii. Information technology has a manual focus, but performs amazingly when shooting the nighttime sky.
Nonetheless, for all intents and purposes the Sony 10-18mm f/4 is a fantastic zoom at a more than off-white price. Itsversatility and awesome perspective brand it a expressionless ringer for whatever a6500 kit.
five. Sony E 35mm f/1.eight OSS
Focal Length: 35mm (equivalent to 52.5mm)
Weight: 154g (five.5 oz.)
Size (Bore x Length): 63 ten 45mm (2-1/ii x ane-13/16in.)
Filter Diameter: 49mm
Minimum Focus Distance: 0.3m (0.99ft)
Read almost any photography how-to guide and it volition suggest that beginners learn with a standard 50mm lens.
The Sony 35mm f/one.8 is a keen option for those looking for a 50mm equivalent on their a6500.
This nifty fifty equivalent will encourage you to zoom with your anxiety and frame up subjects with more purpose.
It fits the bill for an cheap, fast prime lens, and should definitely be on the shopping list of all Sony a6500 owners.
Sony A6500 + Sony 35mm f/i.8 | 1/640 f/4 ISO 200
The Sony 35mm f/one.8 has a nice compact design that pairs well with the a6500. Its f/1.8 discontinuity allows you to shoot in low light and capture night scenes.
The 50mm focal length is a smashing blend of a portrait lens and an everyday lens that performs relatively well at both.
The bokeh is polish and consequent with some sharpness towards the middle of the frame.
My main complaint is that this lens isn't the sharpest. It suffers most at the wider apertures and doesn't become much sharpness until y'all stop down a lot. For a prime number lens, this is rather frustrating.
What information technology lacks in sharpness, it makes up for in only how affordable this lens is, and its lightweight and compact design.
The build quality on the Sony 35mm f/i.8 is pretty adept, although information technology does experience similar a mostly plastic blueprint. Still, I've dropped min a few times and it'southward even so going strong!
The autofocus easily matches the infrequent performance of the Sony a6500. Information technology finds its target quick and fast. No complaints there!
Final a verdict? The Sony 35mm f/one.8 is a fantastic option for those looking for the classic "bully 50" for their Sony a6500!
6. Sony Eastward 50mm f/1.eight OSS
Focal Length: 50mm (equivalent to 75mm)
Weight: 202g (seven.ane oz.)
Size (Diameter x Length): 62x 62mm (2.4 x ii.4 in)
Filter Diameter: 49mm
Minimum Focus Distance: 0.39m (15.3 in)
This lens surprised me. At first, I wasn't certain I would similar it, simply it quickly grabbed my attention.
It's not typically a favorite focal length for a prime number lens, simply I establish myself picking it up on several occasions. The 75mm equivalent will compress a scene and directly the viewer'south middle.
Lens compression really aids in bringing backgrounds closer to the viewer. The overall effect makes it seem like a backdrop is closer than information technology really is.
Additionally, the f/1.8 aperture on the Sony 50mm f/one.eight will allow you to create dreamy bokeh that isolates your field of study from the backdrop.
The other lenses in this mail service don't come anywhere shut to creating that classic portrait expect.
Likewise, the telephoto focal length of the Sony 50mm f/one.8 will create pleasing images that show proper proportions of faces in portraits.
This lens is a great choice for photographing people, whether you're doing mainly headshots or total body portraits.
Sony A6500 + Sony 50mm f/1.8 | i/800 f/iv ISO 200
For its speed and focal length, this lens is surprisingly compact. In fact, it'due south considerably lighter than other comparable lenses.
Considering itsdepression price point, the sharpness of this lens is actually pretty extraordinary. For me, it performed much amend than expected.
The build quality is pretty similar to the Sony 35mm f/1.8 – lite and mostly plastic. Notwithstanding, considering the pocket-sized size of the Sony a6500, this isn't a bad matter, every bit it balances well on the camera body,
Final verdict? If you're looking for a lens that takesbeautiful portraits while not breaking the banking concern, the Sony 50mm f/one.viii is your guy.
In fact, if you haven't yet bought any lenses for your Sony a6500, this is probably i of the first lenses you should get.
Often Asked Questions
What is the all-time lens for Sony a6500?
Which lens will piece of work best for you actually depend on what y'all shoot. If you're doing a little of everything, the Sony 24mm f/1.eight is our elevation selection. It's a versatile focal length, had excellent build quality, and images come out nicely sharp.
What Sony lens is all-time for portraits?
Our favorite portrait lens for the Sony a6500 is the Sony 50mm f/one.8. Information technology delivers that classic portrait wait, with beautiful, creamy bokeh that separates subjects nicely from the background.
Can I use full frame lens on Sony a6500?
Yes, all Sony FE (full frame) lenses can be used with the Sony a6500. Simply be enlightened that the focal lengths won't quite match – you lot have to apply a 1.5* focal length multiplication.
What is the sharpest Sony lens?
If you're looking for a razor-sharp prime lens, we'd recommend the Sony 24mm f/ane.eight. On the zoom side of things, the wide bending Sony 10-18mm f/four is our zoom of selection.
Best Sony a6500 Lenses | Final Words
The Sony a6500 with Sony sixteen-70mm f/iv
There are and then many lens options for the Sony a6500, it can be difficult to wade through them all. I hope I've narrowed down the field for you a bit with my list of thehalf-dozen best lens choices available.
To cull the best lens for you, you'll need to consider what you're going to be using it for, and then weight that against its features, price, size/weight, and over all performance.
One nice thing about investing in camera lenses, is that they tend to hold their value. That means y'all tin can ofttimes sell information technology pretty easily if y'all discover it doesn't piece of work for you.
Know of any nifty Sony a6500 that aren't on this list? Let united states of america know in the comments below.
Editor's Option
Sony East 24mm f/1.eight
Great low-lite performance, plumage-light, sturdy build quality and execeptional auto-focus makes this a must accept lens for the Sony a6500.
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Disclaimer: All recommendations are impartial and based on user experience, with no bias to the products or the brand. The products in this post may contain chapter links.
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