Lens guide · Sony E-mount APS-C
The Best Lenses for the Sony a6000
The a6000 is a 344g (12.1 oz) APS-C camera from 2014 that is still widely used — and it has no in-body stabilisation. That one fact changes lens choice more than anything else: on this body, a lens with optical stabilisation (Sony's OSS, Tamron's VC) is the only stabilisation you get. Every table below shows which lenses have it, alongside the full-frame-equivalent focal length, weight on the body and price.
We haven't shot with these lenses for this guide, so we don't rate sharpness or autofocus. Picks are made on published specifications, checked against Sony, Sigma and Tamron data. Some links go to Amazon; as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Quick picks
What the a6000 itself changes about lens choice
- No in-body stabilisation. Stabilisation has to come from the lens. Of the 37 autofocus APS-C E-mount lenses in our data, 12 have it. A fast prime without it can still help in low light — a wider aperture lets you use a faster shutter speed — but at longer focal lengths, where camera shake shows more, a stabilised lens matters most.
- Video tops out at 1080p (Full HD), and the a6000 has no microphone input — so for video, a lens can help with framing and smooth zooming, not with sound.
- APS-C framing: every lens frames about 1.5× tighter than on full frame, which is why the tables show the full-frame equivalent. Full-frame E-mount lenses also fit; they frame the same 1.5× tighter and are usually heavier.
- 344g (12.1 oz) with battery and card — lenses in this guide add between 67g (2.4 oz) and 625g (1.38 lb).
Source for body features: Wikipedia, Sony α6000 (citing Sony's specification pages and DPReview).
Upgrading from the 16-50mm kit lens
The a6000 was sold as a kit with the Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS — a 116g (4.1 oz) power zoom, f/3.5–5.6, with OSS. It is small; what it gives up is light. At its long end it is f/5.6; an f/2.8 zoom gathers two stops more there.
| Lens | Full-frame equiv. | Aperture | Stabilised | Weight | With a6000 | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS | 24–75mm | f/3.5–5.6 | Yes | 116g (4.1 oz) | 460g (1.01 lb) | $299 |
| Tamron 17-70mm F/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD (Sony E) | 26–105mm | f/2.8 | Yes | 525g (1.16 lb) | 869g (1.92 lb) | $799 |
| Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary | 27–75mm | f/2.8 | — | 290g (10.2 oz) | 634g (1.40 lb) | $599 |
| Sony E PZ 18-105mm f/4 G OSS | 27–158mm | f/4 | Yes | 427g (15.1 oz) | 771g (1.70 lb) | $599 |
| Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS | 27–203mm | f/3.5–5.6 | Yes | 325g (11.5 oz) | 669g (1.47 lb) | $699 |
| Sony E 16-55mm f/2.8 G | 24–83mm | f/2.8 | — | 494g (1.09 lb) | 838g (1.85 lb) | $1,299 |
17–70mm (26–105mm equiv.)f/2.8525g (1.16 lb)119.3mm (4.7 in) long$799
On the a6000: 869g (1.92 lb)
Our pick: Tamron 17-70mm F/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD (Sony E). 26–105mm equivalent at a constant f/2.8, with Tamron's VC stabilisation — the only stabilised f/2.8 zoom among the APS-C E-mount lenses in our data. On a body without in-body stabilisation, that combination is what the kit lens can't give you. The trade-off is size: 525g (1.16 lb), 409g (14.4 oz) more than the kit lens.
- Lighter f/2.8: the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary is 290g (10.2 oz) and $599, but it isn't stabilised (Sigma puts "OS" in the name of lenses that are) — and on the a6000, nothing else stabilises it.
- Stabilised, constant f/4, power zoom: the Sony E PZ 18-105mm f/4 G OSS — 27–158mm equivalent, $599.
- Stabilised, more reach, lighter: the Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS — 27–203mm at 325g (11.5 oz).
Tamron 17-70mm specs: Tamron specification page.
What each pick adds to the a6000
- PancakeSony E 20mm f/2.8413g (14.6 oz)
- Kit lensSony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS460g (1.01 lb)
- Stabilised primeSony E 35mm f/1.8 OSS498g (1.10 lb)
- Wide / landscapeSigma 10-18mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary599g (1.32 lb)
- Low-light primeSigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary609g (1.34 lb)
- PortraitSigma 56mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary624g (1.38 lb)
- TravelSony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS669g (1.47 lb)
- VideoSony E PZ 18-105mm f/4 G OSS771g (1.70 lb)
- Kit-lens upgradeTamron 17-70mm F/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD (Sony E)869g (1.92 lb)
- TelephotoSony E 70-350mm f/4.5-6.3 G OSS969g (2.14 lb)
Best for low light: Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary
30mm (45mm equiv.)f/1.4265g (9.3 oz)73.3mm (2.9 in) long$349
On the a6000: 609g (1.34 lb)
45mm equivalent at f/1.4 for $349. Against the kit lens at its wide end (f/3.5), that is 2⅔ stops more light: at the same ISO, a shutter speed about 6× faster. It isn't stabilised (no "OS" in Sigma's name), which matters less at this focal length than at telephoto.
If you want stabilisation in a prime: the Sony E 35mm f/1.8 OSS (53mm equivalent, f/1.8, 154g (5.4 oz), $449) and Sony E 50mm f/1.8 OSS (75mm, $299) both have OSS. On the a6000 that is rare in a prime: 2 of the 21 autofocus APS-C E-mount primes in our data are stabilised.
Best portrait lens: Sigma 56mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary
56mm (85mm equiv.)f/1.4280g (9.9 oz)59.5mm (2.3 in) long$449
On the a6000: 624g (1.38 lb)
85mm equivalent — the classic portrait framing — at f/1.4 for $449, 280g (9.9 oz). For a stabilised, cheaper alternative, the Sony E 50mm f/1.8 OSS frames like 75mm at f/1.8 for $299.
Best wide-angle: Sigma 10-18mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary
10–18mm (15–27mm equiv.)f/2.8255g (9.0 oz)64mm (2.5 in) long$699
On the a6000: 599g (1.32 lb)
15–27mm equivalent at a constant f/2.8, 255g (9.0 oz), $699. It isn't stabilised, but wide angles show camera shake least, so that costs less here than on a telephoto.
| Lens | Full-frame equiv. | Aperture | Stabilised | Weight | Filter | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sigma 10-18mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary | 15–27mm | f/2.8 | — | 255g (9.0 oz) | 67mm | $699 |
| Sony E 10-18mm f/4 OSS | 15–27mm | f/4 | Yes | 225g (7.9 oz) | 62mm | $749 |
| Tamron 11-20mm F/2.8 Di III-A RXD (Sony E) | 17–30mm | f/2.8 | — | 335g (11.8 oz) | 67mm | — |
| Sony E 11mm f/1.8 | 17mm | f/1.8 | — | 181g (6.4 oz) | 55mm | $549 |
| Sigma 12mm F1.4 DC Contemporary | 18mm | f/1.4 | — | 225g (7.9 oz) | 62mm | $629 |
| Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary | 24mm | f/1.4 | — | 405g (14.3 oz) | 67mm | $449 |
For night skies, a fast wide prime gathers more light: the Sony E 11mm f/1.8 (17mm, f/1.8), the Sigma 12mm F1.4 DC Contemporary (18mm, f/1.4) and the Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary (24mm, f/1.4). We don't list a launch price for the Tamron 11-20mm: we couldn't confirm Tamron's official US price.
Smallest lenses (pancakes)
30mm equiv. · f/2.8 · 69g (2.4 oz) · 20.4mm (0.8 in) · $299
With a6000: 413g (14.6 oz)
24mm equiv. · f/2.8 · 67g (2.4 oz) · 22.5mm (0.9 in) · $249
With a6000: 411g (14.5 oz)
The lightest autofocus APS-C E-mount lens in our data with a published weight.
Our pick is the Sony E 20mm f/2.8: 30mm equivalent in a 69g (2.4 oz) lens that keeps the a6000 at 413g (14.6 oz).
TTArtisan's AF 27mm f/2.8 (about 41mm equivalent) is another small autofocus option; TTArtisan gives its weight only as "around 88–100g" across mounts, so we don't list one.
Best travel zoom: Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS
18–135mm (27–203mm equiv.)f/3.5–5.6325g (11.5 oz)88mm (3.5 in) long$699
On the a6000: 669g (1.47 lb)
27–203mm equivalent with OSS, 325g (11.5 oz), $699. For more reach, the Tamron 18-300mm F/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD (Sony E) goes to 450mm equivalent with VC stabilisation, at 620g (1.37 lb) (we couldn't confirm Tamron's official US launch price, so none is listed).
Best telephoto: Sony E 70-350mm f/4.5-6.3 G OSS
70–350mm (105–525mm equiv.)f/4.5–6.3625g (1.38 lb)142mm (5.6 in) long$799
On the a6000: 969g (2.14 lb)
105–525mm equivalent with OSS — at these focal lengths, on a body without in-body stabilisation, the stabilisation does the most work. 625g (1.38 lb), $799, dust- and moisture-resistant. The Sony E 55-210mm f/4.5-6.3 OSS is the budget option: 82–315mm with OSS for $349.
Best for video: Sony E PZ 18-105mm f/4 G OSS
18–105mm (27–158mm equiv.)f/4427g (15.1 oz)110mm (4.3 in) long$599
On the a6000: 771g (1.70 lb)
A power zoom (the "PZ") for smooth, motor-driven zooms, a constant f/4 so exposure doesn't change as you zoom, and OSS — which, on the a6000, is the only stabilisation your footage gets. 27–158mm equivalent, 427g (15.1 oz).
Every autofocus APS-C E-mount lens under $500
Autofocus APS-C E-mount lenses in our database with a confirmed launch price under $500, cheapest first.
| Lens | Full-frame equiv. | Aperture | Stabilised | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TTArtisan AF 27mm f/2.8 | 41mm | f/2.8 | — | 85g (3.0 oz) | $99 |
| 7Artisans AF 27mm f/2.8 | 41mm | f/2.8 | — | 170g (6.0 oz) | $129 |
| TTArtisan AF 23mm f/1.8 | 35mm | f/1.8 | — | 210g (7.4 oz) | $149 |
| TTArtisan AF 35mm f/1.8 II | 53mm | f/1.8 | — | 120g (4.2 oz) | $149 |
| TTArtisan AF 56mm f/1.8 | 85mm | f/1.8 | — | 235g (8.3 oz) | $149 |
| Viltrox AF 35mm f/1.7 AIR | 53mm | f/1.7 | — | 170g (6.0 oz) | $180 |
| Viltrox AF 9mm f/2.8 AIR | 14mm | f/2.8 | — | 175g (6.2 oz) | $199 |
| Sony E 16mm f/2.8 | 24mm | f/2.8 | — | 67g (2.4 oz) | $249 |
| Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS II | 24–75mm | f/3.5–5.6 | Yes | 109g (3.8 oz) | $249 |
| Sony E 50mm f/1.8 OSS | 75mm | f/1.8 | Yes | 202g (7.1 oz) | $299 |
| Sony E 20mm f/2.8 | 30mm | f/2.8 | — | 69g (2.4 oz) | $299 |
| Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS | 24–75mm | f/3.5–5.6 | Yes | 116g (4.1 oz) | $299 |
| Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary | 45mm | f/1.4 | — | 265g (9.3 oz) | $349 |
| Sony E 55-210mm f/4.5-6.3 OSS | 82–315mm | f/4.5–6.3 | Yes | 345g (12.2 oz) | $349 |
| Sony E 35mm f/1.8 OSS | 53mm | f/1.8 | Yes | 154g (5.4 oz) | $449 |
| Sigma 56mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary | 85mm | f/1.4 | — | 280g (9.9 oz) | $449 |
| Sigma 23mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary | 35mm | f/1.4 | — | 330g (11.6 oz) | $449 |
| Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary | 24mm | f/1.4 | — | 405g (14.3 oz) | $449 |
| Samyang AF 12mm f/2 E | 18mm | f/2 | — | 213g (7.5 oz) | $449 |
Questions
Does the a6000 have image stabilisation?
Not in the body. Only lenses with optical stabilisation (OSS on Sony lenses, VC on Tamron) stabilise the image.
Can I use full-frame (FE) lenses on the a6000?
Yes. They mount directly and frame about 1.5× tighter, like every lens on APS-C; they are usually larger and heavier than APS-C lenses of similar framing.
What is the best cheap lens for the a6000?
For low light, the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary ($349). With stabilisation, the Sony E 50mm f/1.8 OSS ($299). The full list under $500 shows every option with its stabilisation.
Is the 16-50mm kit lens worth keeping?
At 116g (4.1 oz) it is one of the lightest zooms, and it is stabilised. What it gives up is light (f/3.5–5.6).
How we chose
- Built around the body. The a6000 has no in-body stabilisation, so every table shows which lenses are stabilised.
- Specs, not impressions. We haven't tested these lenses for this guide and don't claim one is sharper or focuses faster.
- Checked data. Sony lens weights were checked against published spec summaries, and Sigma, Tamron and TTArtisan lenses against the makers' own spec pages, on October 26, 2026.
- Prices are launch prices (MSRP) in US dollars where we could confirm them; "—" means we couldn't.
- Weights are manufacturer figures; the body is weighed with battery and card: 344g (12.1 oz).