Sony Alpha a7III is a premium full-frame camera with powerful features and functions. However, it does not mean you have to buy an expensive lens to further enhance its performance. Even a budget lens can help you create stunning images and videos with this camera. Therefore, our guide will cover the best budget lens for Sony a7III along with some other terrific models.
Sony a7III is a behemoth of a camera, offering features like a 24-megapixel sensor, high ISO range, 10fps burst rate, long battery life, extremely fast and accurate autofocus, 5-axis image stabilization, 4K videos, and much more. You would think that such an expensive camera would also require an equally expensive lens to give its best.
In reality, a budget lens is enough to boost the performance of this already brilliant camera.
Our Top 3 Choices for the Best Affordable Lens for Sony A7III
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Best Budget Lenses for Sony a7III
The following are the top lenses to get for the Sony a7III if you have budget constraints. Despite being cheap, these lenses deliver superb performance in most aspects such as low light images, autofocus, image stabilization, photo and video quality, aperture, and so on.
Let us start our list with our first lens without wasting any further time.
1. Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS: Best Budget Zoom Lens for Sony a7III
Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 Wide Angle Zoom lens is an affordable lens with superb zooming capabilities. It can automatically increase the zoom range to 24-70mm and that is why, it is a popular lens in landscape, wildlife, and nature photography.
Features
The maximum aperture is more than enough to create beautiful images in low light. Add excellent bokeh effect to the mix and you can make your subject truly stand out.
Sony SteadyShot stabilization combines with automatic ISO modes to ensure steady and smooth images even in low light. There is also no ghosting or hazy effects in the images.
Similarly, you can combine SteadyShot with Sony sensor-shit image stabilization to remove blurs and ghosts from handheld shots.
The lens features four aspherical and one ED glass element for multiple aberration reductions as well.
Extra low dispersion glass keeps the glitches and aberration to a minimum. You don’t need post-processing to remove these blemishes from your photos.
Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 is also a lightweight camera thanks to the variable aperture. The general purpose focal length range also makes it quite versatile. The camera is very cheap especially if you buy it in a kit.
Drawbacks
The biggest drawback is minimal compatibility. It only works with Sony E-mount. Therefore, you cannot use it for a vast range of Sony cameras. The autofocus performance is unreliable and there is strong barrel distortion at wide angle.
Our Verdict
Overall, it is one of the best zoom lenses for Sony a7III on a budget. Similarly, it delivers excellent stabilization as well as zooming capabilities.
Advantages
- Lightweight and affordable
- Variable aperture
- Five elements for minimum aberration
- SteadyShot sensor-shift stabilization
- Good performance in low light
- Excellent bokeh effect
- Best for wildlife, landscape, and nature, etc.
Disadvantages
- Only compatible with Sony E-mount
- Unreliable autofocus performance
- Strong barrel distortion at a wide angle
| Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 Wide Angle Zoom | Amazon.com |
| Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 Wide Angle Zoom | B&H Photo |
| Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 Wide Angle Zoom | Walmart |
| Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 Wide Angle Zoom | Adorama |
2. Sigma 16mm f/1.4 Wide Angle Lens: Best Wide Angle Lens for Sony a7III
You must consider Sigma 16mm f/1.4mm Wide Angle if you are looking for spectacular low light performance and good focal length to shoot stunning images.
Features
The extremely high and fast f/1.4 aperture delivers fantastic images with crisp and sharp details in low light. Similarly, it has an 83.2° angle of view courtesy of a 16mm focal length, allowing you to cover a wide area. As a result, you can take perfect landscape, wildlife, nature, and sports images and videos.
Another nice feature of the lens is its quiet, fast, and accurate hybrid autofocus. The stepping motor is not only quiet but also helps in fast and smooth focusing while shooting images and videos. It supports Sony Eye AF as well as all other Sony focusing technologies.
The lens delivers exceptional sharpness and contrast from f/2 and beyond. Similarly, the sharpness is great at f/1.4 as well. The flare resistance is also very strong.
The lens also has a multilayer coating to eliminate ghosting and chromatic aberration. It comprises 16 elements in 13 groups as well as 9 rounded diaphragm to further improve the quality of the pictures.
The small and lightweight lens is easy to carry, also making it a perfect choice for travel, outdoors, and action photography.
Drawbacks
Just like Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6, this lens is also compatible only with Sony E-mount. Secondly, it is not that great for macro work. It also leaves minor distortion even after correction.
Our Verdict
Sigma 16mm f/1.4mm Wide Angle is an ideal lens for use in low light. The wide aperture means it delivers exceptional and sharp results.
Advantages
- 24mm equivalent focal length
- Amazing low-light performance
- Multi-layer coating minimizes ghosting and chromatic aberration
- 83.2° angle of view
- Very fast aperture
- Terrific low light performance
- Beautiful bokeh effect
- Excellent image and video quality
- Largest in-class maximum aperture
- Best budget wide-angle lens
Cons
- Only compatible with Sony E mount
- Not great for macro work
- Leaves some distortion
| Sigma 16mm f/1.4mm Wide Angle | Amazon.com |
| Sigma 16mm f/1.4mm Wide Angle | B&H Photo |
| Sigma 16mm f/1.4mm Wide Angle | Walmart |
| Sigma 16mm f/1.4mm Wide Angle | Adorama |
3. Sony – FE 50mm f/1.8 Standard Lens: Best Budget 50mm Lens for Sony A7III
Sony – FE 50mm f/1.8 is the lens for brilliant macro landscape photos as well as portraits. However, it is suitable for a wide range of photography types due to its wide aperture and a host of other features.
Features
The lightweight and compact lens is not only compatible with the Sony A7 series but also with NEX cameras. The wide 7-blade circular aperture enables beautiful defocusing effects and creates stunning defocused bokeh as well.
The f/1.8 wide aperture ensures brilliant photos in low light. It internally stabilizes and smoothens colors, eliminating the need to use manual ISO modes.
Focusing is also accurate because of the DC brushless motor.
The built-in aspherical elements minimize coma and aberration. Similarly, the double-glass configuration removes distortion and field curvature. The lens produces extremely curved and sharp images both for landscape and portrait photography.
The lens works with APS-C sensors where it has a focal length of 75mm and a 32° angle of view.
Metal mounts make the lens very sturdy and look sophisticated. The rubber around the metal protects it from splash and sand.
Drawbacks
Autofocus is accurate but not that fast. It also makes some noise which may be frustrating for some users. There is no direct mechanical focus ring as well.
Our Verdict
In short, Sony – EF 50mm f/1.8 is among the best cheap Sony lenses for a7III. Yet, it delivers superb camera performance for landscape and portrait photography. Similarly, it produces sharp stills without cutting corners.
Advantages
- Excellent image quality
- Wide f/1.8 aperture
- Compact and lightweight
- Best for portraits and landscapes
- Sturdy and robust
- Very cheap lens
- Great low light performance
- Beautiful bokeh effect
Cons
- Not a zoom lens
- No direct manual focus ring
- Autofocus makes some noise
| Sony – FE 50mm f/1.8 Standard Lens | Amazon.com |
| Sony – FE 50mm f/1.8 Standard Lens | B&H Photo |
| Sony – FE 50mm f/1.8 Standard Lens | Walmart |
| Sony – FE 50mm f/1.8 Standard Lens | Adorama |
4. Samyang SY14M-E 14mm f/2.8: Great Lens for Landscape Photography
Samyang SY14M-E 14mm f/2.8 is yet another affordable wide-angle lens on our list. It is a lightweight and compact lens weighing only 1.2 pounds. The wide-angle lens with a high aperture of f/2.8 and 115° angle of view is ideal for landscape photography.
Features
The minimum focusing distance of 11” or 0.28m only also makes it a perfect choice for outstanding macro photographs.
Two ED lens elements ensure clear and sharp images by keeping ghosts, flares, and, aberrations at bay. Similarly, there is little to no distortion resulting in crisp and detailed images.
The f/2.8 ape is wide enough to capture excellent low-light photos. However, the lens is no match for Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 and Rokinon 50mm f/1.4 when it comes to taking beautiful photos in the dark.
Drawbacks
Another drawback of the lens is the lack of built-in image stabilization. Therefore, we recommend using a camera stabilizer or a tripod while taking images. The autofocus is particularly fast though, helping you track and focus objects accurately in quick time.
The focusing is all manual and the lens has a fixed hood as well.
Our Verdict
In general, Samyang SY14M-E 14mm f/2.8 is a great choice if you are into landscape and macro photography. It is cheap but packs a lot of features for taking sharp and clear images.
Advantages
- Great aperture for landscape and outdoor images
- Excellent macro images
- Amazing built quality
- Sharp and clear images
- Affordable lens
- Reasonable low light performance
- Lightweight and compact
Cons
- No built-in image stabilization
- All manual lens
- Fixed hood
- Some distortion
| Samyang SY14M-E 14mm f/2.8 | Amazon.com |
| Samyang SY14M-E 14mm f/2.8 | B&H Photo |
| Samyang SY14M-E 14mm f/2.8 | Walmart |
| Samyang SY14M-E 14mm f/2.8 | Adorama |
5. Sony 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6: Best Lens for Sony A7III Video and Photography
Sony 28-70mm f/3.5-5 is a sensible choice if you are in search of a standard zoom lens. It offers an excellent focus on nearby and distant objects as well as mid-range zooming.
Features
It creates a superb bokeh effect to remove minor blurs caused by handheld shooting. Similarly, it has an equivalent focal length of 35mm with optical zoom.
The extra-low dispersion glass maintains extreme color depth and high contrast throughout the focal range.
The ED glass ensures sharp and crisp images of faraway objects by canceling out chromatic aberration. The SteadyShot image stabilization further removes camera shakes and steads the images.
The linear stepping motor offers quiet, accurate, and smooth focusing of the objects. The controlled access of the focus ring and a quiet motor also makes it a great lens for videography.
The lens allows you to create breathtaking portraits and photographs with the right settings.
Drawbacks
The lens has a narrow aperture and lacks switches and buttons that may make it difficult to use. It is not compatible with A-mount cameras well.
Our Verdict
In short, Sony 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 is the best budget lens for Sony a7III in terms of mid-range zooming.
Advantages
- Excellent image and video quality
- Superb SteadyShot stabilization
- Admirable bokeh effect
- Fast and accurate autofocus
- Deep colors with high contrast
Cons
- Not compatible with A-mount cameras
- No switches or buttons
- Narrow aperture
| Sony 28-70mm f/3.5-5 | Amazon.com |
| Sony 28-70mm f/3.5-5 | B&H Photo |
| Sony 28-70mm f/3.5-5 | Walmart |
6. Sigma 70mm f/2.8 Art Deco Macro Lens: Best Sigma Lens for Sony A7III
Sigma 70mm f/2.8 is a highly impressive lens in terms of picture quality and sharpness. You don’t need any converters to use it with an E-mount lens because it is compatible with them by default.
Features
The Art Deco Macro lens enables you to take spectacular 1:1 images both in bright and dark conditions using its wide aperture of f/2.8. Needless to say, the macro shots have extreme details and precision as well.
Similarly, images of wildlife, bugs, and flowers are sharp and steady even if you are shooting them from a distance. The versatile focus-by-wire ring technology helps you take excellent landscapes too.
The nicest feature of the lens is the ability to use manual focus even in autofocus mode. It further allows you to fine tune the focus of your subjects. The quiet brushless DC motor facilitates a wide angle of rotation while minimizing focal distortions and lens aberrations.
The pioneering two-group focus allows you to easily switch between distances as well as shooting modes. Similarly, you can switch between macro and normal photography in a jiffy.
The affordable lens has an ergonomic design besides sturdy hardware in general. The brass mount construction makes the lens durable and reliable.
Drawbacks
It is primarily a macro lens and therefore, may not perform well in other scenarios. Similarly, it has to physically extend to focus which slows its performance. There is no optical stabilization as well.
Our Verdict
Sigma 70mm f/2.8 is the best budget lens for Sony a7III if you want a single lens to capture distant and near objects. It has tremendous macro capabilities besides a good focal length for faraway objects.
Advantages
- Sturdy and durable lens
- Excellent macro capabilities
- 1:1 macro magnification
- 9-blade diaphragm
- Auto resolution enhancement for close-up photography
- Compatible with Canon lens aberration correction
- Manual and autofocus
- Affordable lens
Cons
- Primarily designed for macro shooting
- Comparatively slow focus
- No optical stabilization
| Sigma 70mm f/2.8 Art Deco Macro Lens | Amazon.com |
| Sigma 70mm f/2.8 Art Deco Macro Lens | B&H Photo |
| Sigma 70mm f/2.8 Art Deco Macro Lens | Walmart |
| Sigma 70mm f/2.8 Art Deco Macro Lens | Adorama |
7. Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8: One of the Best Tamron Lenses for Sony A7III
Available for around $800, the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 is the most expensive lens on our list. However, it is worth its price as it offers exceptional image quality and great value for money.
Features
It is an everyday travel-friendly zoom lens, weighing only 550g. It also offers massive improvements on the Sony a7III kit lens which is Sony FE 28-70mm f/3.6-5.6. The most obvious upgrade is the faster and constant aperture of f/2.8. Therefore, the lens delivers spectacular images in low light besides creating a mouthwatering bokeh effect.
The lens also excels when it comes to shooting videos but its main suit is the fantastic image quality. Stills are sharp with impressive color contrast throughout the zoom range. It maintains edge-to-edge sharpness even at f/2.8.
Autofocus is very accurate, quiet, and fast and the distortion is kept to the minimum. It is also a good lens for macro shots courtesy of the closest focusing distance of 0.62ft. Similarly, you can take brilliant shots of faraway objects using the maximum magnification ratio of 0.34x.
Drawbacks
The major shortcomings of the lens are vignetting when shooting at 28mm and visible color fringing at corners. However, you can remove these blemishes in post-processing.
Our Verdict
It is difficult to find such an affordable zoom lens that offers top-notch performance without costing you a lot of money. Of all the a7III lenses on our list, Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 offers the best value for your money as well.
Advantages
- Great value for money
- Impressively sharpness
- Fast, quiet, and accurate autofocus
- Amazing video quality
- Stunning bokeh
- Minimal distortion
- Weather-sealed
- Lightweight and compact
Cons
- Some vignetting at 28mm
- Some color fringing
| Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 | Amazon.com |
| Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 | B&H Photo |
| Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 | Walmart |
| Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 | Adorama |
8. Sony SEL35F18 85mm f/1.8: Best Portrait Lens for Sony a7III
Sony SEL35F18 85mm f/1.8 is one of the best lenses for a7III in many aspects. It is much better than the Samyang 85mm f/1.4 manual focus lens but costs twice as much money as well. Still, it is quite an affordable lens, available only for $479.
Features
Primarily designed for Sony Full-Frame cameras, the lens can also work with APS-C sensors. In the latter case, it has an effective focal length of 127.5mm, excellent focal coverage for portraits.
The best feature of the lens is the autofocus. It does have manual focusing but only experts with a sharp eye should use this feature. Coming back to autofocus, it is powered by a Double linear autofocusing motor, ensuring accurate and fast tracking of the objects.
The larger and faster f/1.8 aperture means the lens delivers spectacular images in low light. It also creates a delightful bokeh effect, blurring the background to highlight the subject.
The low dispersion element reduces aberration and distortions, further improving the image quality.
Drawbacks
The fixed focal length may be a deal breaker for some and not for others. There is no image stabilization and the lens is bulky.
Our Verdict
Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 is a great budget lens if you want to create fascinating portraits and beautiful bokeh effects.
Advantages
- Fast and wide aperture
- Excellent low light performance
- Great focal length for portraits
- Minimum aberration and distortion
- Manual/autofocusing
- Dust and moisture resistant
Cons
- No built-in image stabilization
- Bulky lens
| Sony SEL35F18 85mm f/1.8 | Amazon.com |
| Sony SEL35F18 85mm f/1.8 | B&H Photo |
| Sony SEL35F18 85mm f/1.8 | Walmart |
| Sony SEL35F18 85mm f/1.8 | Adorama |
9. Sony SEL35F18 35mm f/1.8: Best Budget Prime Lens for Sony a7III
Sony SEL35F18 35mm f/1.8 is a wonderful everyday prime lens with fantastic low light performance and excellent image quality.
Features
Weighing just 280g, it is the lightest lens on our list, making it an ideal travel and outdoor lens. The ability to switch between manual and autofocus is highly impressive for such a small lens.
The wide f/1.8 aperture means it is the perfect lens for night photography or astrophotography. It delivers amazing pictures of the night sky as well as celestial objects like stars, galaxies, and Northern Lights.
The built-in image stabilization ensures steady images. Similarly, images have brilliant sharpness and contrast thanks to the new optical design. The photos are distortion free as well.
The overall focus is fast and quiet, ideal for shooting movies. The autofocus operation is superb, to say the least.
The lens is also compatible with Sony APS-C cameras where it has an equivalent focal length of 52.5mm.
Drawbacks
The photos may have off-center softness at wider apertures. There is no weather sealing as well. Again, some people do not like using a prime lens.
Our Verdict
Sony SEL35F18 35mm f/1.8 is a dependable, affordable, and worthy lens to consider depending on your photography preferences and needs.
Advantages
- Excellent focusing performance
- Manual/autofocusing
- Built-in image stabilization
- Lightweight and compact
- Very fast and wide aperture
- Excellent low light performance
- Best for capturing the night sky
- Ideal for shooting movies
- Compatible with Sony APS-C cameras
Cons
- The lens is not zoomable
- Off-center softness at wide apertures
- No weather protection
| Sony SEL35F18 35mm f/1.8 | Amazon.com |
| Sony SEL35F18 35mm f/1.8 | B&H Photo |
| Sony SEL35F18 35mm f/1.8 | Walmart |
| Sony SEL35F18 35mm f/1.8 | Adorama |
10. Sony E 55-210 f/4.5-6.3: Best Budget Telephoto Lens for Sony a7III
You must consider Sony E 55-210mm f/4.5-5.6 if you are looking for a good sports lens. However, you can also use the multipurpose lens for landscape and astrophotography because of its sweet focal range.
Features
The aperture features an automatic focus ring for high-contrast and sharp captures. Similarly, the circular aperture blades create a beautiful bokeh effect further adding to the beauty of wide-angle shots. Therefore, it is easier to highlight your subject while defocusing everything in the background.
It may be one of the best budget lenses for Sony a7III video courtesy of Optical SteadyShot image stabilization. It superbly stabilizes videos of all kinds, resulting in smooth and steady footage. Gyro sensors detect the tiniest of movements quite admirably and adjust shots in microseconds.
The magnifying ED glass reduces low color saturation and chromatic aberration better than anything else. Similarly, the lens increases saturation levels and improves image contrasts in distant videos and images.
The maximum magnification ratio of 0.23x also makes it a great lens for telephoto shots.
Drawbacks
The only problem with the lens is the rather long minimum focusing distance of 3.28 feet. Therefore, it struggles to capture near-field objects beautifully.
Just like the above lens, it also lacks weather protection.
Our Verdict
Sony E 55-210mm f/4.5-5.6 is a great multipurpose lens that you can especially use for sports and telephoto shots.
Advantages
- Fast and effective internal focusing
- Excellent image stabilization
- Great for videos
- Bokeh effect thanks to the circular aperture
- Great for sports and landscapes
- Excellent zoom range
- Brilliant color contrast and saturation
Cons
- Compatible only with Sony E-mount
- Performance limitations in capturing near-field objects
- No weather protection
| Sony E 55-210mm f/4.5-5.6 | Amazon.com |
| Sony E 55-210mm f/4.5-5.6 | B&H Photo |
| Sony E 55-210mm f/4.5-5.6 | Walmart |
| Sony E 55-210mm f/4.5-5.6 | Adorama |
How to Buy the Best Budget Lens for Sony a7III?
Purchasing a budget lens doesn’t mean you should compromise on image quality. You still need to consider quite a few factors while choosing an affordable lens for the Sony a7III.
Aperture
The first thing you should consider is aperture. Sony a7III itself delivers beautiful images in low light conditions. Therefore, you can pair it with a lens having a wide and fast aperture such as f/1.8 or even f/1.4 to further complement its performance.
Image Stabilization
Image stabilization is necessary for keeping your handheld shots steady and smooth. It minimizes camera shakes and removes blurs and distortion from your pictures. Although Sony a7III has a built-in 5-axis image and a lens with IS can further enhance stabilization
Build Quality
The lens you buy should be sturdy, dependable, and durable. It is hard to find affordable lenses with weather-sealing or moisture resistance but some cheap lenses offer these features. Similarly, try to buy a lightweight and compact lens that is easy to carry.
Compatibility
Sony a7III is compatible with a wide range of lenses. Therefore, it should not be a problem for you to find a compatible lens. However, you must also determine whether or not the lens’s features can enhance the performance of the camera.
Also Read: Best Budget Camera For Product Photography In 2024
Frequently Asked Questions
Can E-Mount lenses be used on the Sony a7III?
E-Mount lenses are designed specifically for Sony’s mirrorless camera range, including the Sony A7III. The A7III uses a full-frame sensor and is fully compatible with E-Mount lenses, allowing for a wide range of lens options for various photography needs.
Are E-mount lenses compatible with A-mount cameras?
E-mount lenses are not directly compatible with A-mount cameras, as they use different mounting systems. However, Sony offers adapters, such as the LA-EA4 or LA-EA5, that enable the use of E-Mount lenses on A-mount camera bodies, albeit with some potential limitations in autofocus performance and features.
What is the ideal focal length for wide-angle photography?
For wide-angle photography, the ideal focal length typically ranges from 14mm to 35mm on a full-frame camera like the Sony A7III. This range provides a broad field of view, making it suitable for landscapes, architecture, and interior photography without introducing excessive distortion.
What is the best budget travel lens for Sony A7III?
The best budget travel lens for the Sony A7III would be one that is versatile, lightweight, and offers a wide range of focal lengths. The Sony FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS is a popular choice, offering a decent zoom range, optical stabilization, and good image quality at an affordable price.
What is the best Sony lens for portraits on a budget?
For budget-friendly portrait photography with the Sony A7III, the Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 is highly recommended. It offers a flattering focal length for portraits, a fast aperture for beautiful bokeh, and sharp image quality, all at a relatively affordable price compared to other portrait lenses in the market.
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Final Thoughts
With this, we conclude our guide to the best budget lens for Sony a7III. We hope you are now better informed about which lens to buy for the Sony a7III according to your requirements, preferences, and photography style after reading this article.