Mirrorless cameras like the Sony A6000. A6300 and the latest A6500 are the perfect alternative to a massive DSLR. They have all the same features, options and benefits along with the ability to change lenses.
The biggest challenge though is figuring out which lenses fit the camera and what options you have.
So, below I have found all the best Sony E mount lenses that work with these cameras, from ultra-wide to super-zoom. All you have to do is figure out the best lens for your photography situation.
Note: Just below this note are some quick explanations on the lenses and their specifications to help you understand what is what and how to decipher all the letters in the lens descriptions.
You can also click straight to a specific lens category via the quick navigation below.
Lens Information
Manufacturers love to make things complicated and hard to understand, so I thought I would add a quick breakdown of what all the terms mean and how they apply to your lens choice.
E or FE Lens
Both the E and FE lenses use the same E Mount system.
However, Sony uses E to designate lenses intended for their APS-C cameras (like the A6000) so the lenses are typically smaller, have less glass, are often cheaper and usually not as good quality as the FE lenses.
FE lenses are intended for the full frame cameras like the Sony Alpha series.The sensor on a full frame is a full 35mm size (about 1.5x larger than the APS-C sensor). These lenses can be used on the A6000 series, and have the benefit of being a bit better quality (as we are only using the center/best part of the lens). They only downside is they are heavier, larger and often cost more.
G Lens
Sony uses the G to designate their original top quality lenses. They apply their own specific technologies to these lenses with the aim of improving optical quality. You can read more about it here.
OSS Stabilisation
Sony will almost always included in-lens stabilisation which they call OSS. This is very handy if you are doing hand-held video or shooting at lower shutter speeds (or super far zooms). So, it's a nice benefit to have built in. Given the A6000 and A6300 both do not have in-body stablisation, it's even more important.
F Stop (F/number)
The F number on the lens specifies how wide the lens is in terms of F-stop. In practical terms, the smaller the F number the more light comes into the lens. This means it is better in lower light, but it also means that if you use that lens at it's smallest F-stop you will get a nice milky bokeh (out of focus background) which is perfect for things like portraits where you want to only focus on the subject.
Typically Prime Lenses have a lot smaller F-stop as they have less elements and can make a better lens. Big zooms also tend to have higher f-stops, but this is usually not a problem for most applications.
Telephoto Zoom Lenses
One of the most versatile lenses you can get for your camera is a telephoto lens. They enable you to shoot photos of a huge variety of subjects, from people up close to scenes at a distance, and all while standing in one spot. I love them, and it always high on my list of lenses to get after buying a camera.
The challenge with mirrorless cameras like the Sony A6000 is that manufacturers often don't make as many lenses for these cameras, so I have done my best to find all the options available for you.
Sony E 18-205mm F4 G OSS
This is probably one of the best telephoto ranges you can get without going super-zoom and getting really heavy. It is the equivalent of a 27-158mm in 35mm format with a 76 - 15 degree view.
It is still a little heavy and large, of course, but that will always be the case with such a zoom lens. Quality and zoom never come light or cheap.
This lens also features Sony's Optical Stabilisation which is quite handy when you are zooming because it is always harder to keep things steady.
Sony FE 24-240mm f/3.5-6.3 OSS Lens
If you want to really get your zoom happening, the 24-210mm (APS-C - 38 - 385mm) is another top quality FE (full frame) lens from Sony. Because it is meant for full frame cameras a lot of photographers love them for APS-C because it only uses the best part of the lens.
The low end of the aperture on this zoom is decent at 3.5 narrowing down to 6.3 at full zoom. There is the usual Sony OSS stabilisation, super handy for zoom users.
Sony FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS Lens
Stepping up the zoom quite a notch this zoom is actually a 105-450mm on a APS-C camera like the A6000. So, a huge zoom!
This model features a F-Stop range of 4.5-5.6, which is quite normal for such a zoom, but the quality of the glass is top-notch, with 9 elements and some low-dispersion. It also has Sony's OSS integrated to help decrease shake, which is almost a must for a zoom these days, even on a tripod (don't you hate when it's windy out!).
Short-Mid Range Zoom Lenses
Sometimes the best lenses lie in these ranges. Mid-ranges are great everyday lenses. I use one on my camera when I don't know what I will be shooting, or just want to have a lens that is not bulky or heavy, but offers a large enough range of focal lengths to capture most things I see. I love this kind of lens for travel & street photography especially.
Then there are also some shorter range zooms, in the wide angle category. They are obviously more useful for landscapes, architecture and even real estate, where capturing as wide an angle as possible is the key to an awesome image.
Sony Vario-Tessar T E 16-70mm F4 ZA OSS
I absolutely love this focal range, it gives you almost everything you need - except for super far away, but then you have to swap for a nice zoom (above). Such is a photographer's life.
This lens is not only a great everyday mid-range zoom, it also features Zeiss glass, so you know it will be very sharp. And with Sony's OSS stabilisation, it's got you covered even if things get a big shaky.
If you only buy one zoom for your A6000, this should be the one.
Sony 10-18mm Wide-Angle Zoom Lens
A variable zoom lens at this wide an angle is not something most people are looking for, but if you shoot a lot of wide angle shots, it could come in handy. The only thing I would be concerned about at this wide an angle is som
Prime Lenses
Prime lenses can be a great way to improve your photography as they force you to think more about the shot, the framing and the camera settings than just sitting in one spot and shooting.
Having said that, they are not for everyone. A lot of photographers hate prime lenses because of their limitations, but they also come with a huge range of benefits. Optical quality, a very large aperture and light weight. This means you get super sharp images and a nice and creamy "bokeh" on your shots. Something that is very "in" with Instagramers these days!
Either way, having a high quality fixed focal length prime in your bag is always a nice weapon to have in your photography arsena.
Sony 50mm f/1.8 Fixed Prime Lens
This is around a 75mm equivalent, so slightly zoomed and quite handy for getting up close - so people, portraits etc. It is not the size I would normally choose for a fixed lens as it's not the more natural human view of 50mm (see below).
It is also heavier and larger than the 35mm below, so unless you specifically need it, I would go with a 35mm.
Sony 35mm f/1.8 Fixed Prime Lens
Although this is a 35mm, remember it's a cropped sensor so it works as around a 50mm. This is a popular focal length to get because it is meant to be what we as humans see naturally. So, as a photographer having 50mm means you can shoot what you see easily and quickly, simply moving around to get the photo you want.
I find such a lens can be great for travel or city photos, some street photography (where sneaky zooms are not needed) and portraits. The huge bokeh (out of focus background) you get with a lens like this f/1.8 will blow your mind. Especially if you are not used to such high quality.
They also have the Sony OSS stabilisation, although it often won't be as necessary and the lens is super light, especially compared to the beefy zooms above.This 35mm (50mm equivalent) is of course slightly shorter in focal length and might suit people who like to shoot movies or generally have a slightly wider view in their prime lens. The autofocus is nice and quiet, which is always great, especially for video.
The same benefits apply with this lens as with the 50mm - light, compact, high quality with a creamy bokeh due to the f/1.8
Sony E 20mm F2.8 Prime Fixed Lens
At around a 30mm equivalent, this is a wider lens that will suit people who shoot landscapes, cityscapes or who just need to get more of the scene in general. Unlike the other primes above, the f-stop on this lens is not as wide, but for the type of photography it is meant for, it should be perfectly fine.
As yet another prime it comes with all the benefits (weight, accuracy, quality) and is the smallest yet (of course, being 20mm). In fact, it's so thin, at less than an inch, you might even lose it in your camera bag.
Sony E 16mm F2.8 Prime Fixed Lens
This is the more serious wide angle from Sony with a 24mm equivalence, so really handy for landscape photographers like me :> It is still on the border of being fisheye, but should not have any distortion at the edges at this focal range.
