Lens guide · Sony E-mount

The Best Lenses for the Sony a7C II

The a7C II is a full-frame camera that weighs 514g (1.13 lb) ready to shoot. Put the wrong lens on it and it stops being a small camera. Every pick below shows what it does to the total you carry — weight, length and price — not just the lens on its own.

Updated · Picks from 110 full-frame autofocus E-mount lenses in our database · How we chose

We haven't shot with these lenses for this guide, so we don't rate sharpness or autofocus — the picks are made on published specifications, and we say which one decided each pick. Some links go to Amazon; as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Quick picks

ForLensLens weightWith a7C IILengthLaunch price
Everyday zoomSony FE 24-50mm f/2.8 G
Check price on Amazon
440g (15.5 oz)954g (2.10 lb)92.3mm (3.6 in)$1,099
Smallest zoomSony FE 28-60mm f/4-5.6
Check price on Amazon
167g (5.9 oz)681g (1.50 lb)45mm (1.8 in)$499
Wide f/2.8 zoomTamron 20-40mm f/2.8 Di III VXD
Check price on Amazon
365g (12.9 oz)879g (1.94 lb)86.5mm (3.4 in)$699
Small primeSony FE 40mm f/2.5 G
Check price on Amazon
173g (6.1 oz)687g (1.51 lb)45.5mm (1.8 in)$599
BudgetSony FE 50mm f/1.8
Check price on Amazon
186g (6.6 oz)700g (1.54 lb)59.5mm (2.3 in)$249
PortraitSony FE 85mm f/1.8
Check price on Amazon
371g (13.1 oz)885g (1.95 lb)82mm (3.2 in)$599
Travel / all-in-oneSigma 20-200mm F3.5-6.3 DG Contemporary
Check price on Amazon
540g (1.19 lb)1054g (2.32 lb)115.5mm (4.5 in)$999
Wide & videoSony FE PZ 16-35mm f/4 G
Check price on Amazon
353g (12.5 oz)867g (1.91 lb)88.1mm (3.5 in)$1,199
TelephotoTamron 50-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD
Check price on Amazon
665g (1.47 lb)1179g (2.60 lb)150mm (5.9 in)$699
MacroSony FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro
Check price on Amazon
236g (8.3 oz)750g (1.65 lb)98.5mm (3.9 in)$499

What you actually carry

Lens weight on its own hides the point. Here is each pick on the camera, next to two lenses that appear on several other a7C II lens lists. The Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II Lens alone weighs 135% of the body; the Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II weighs 2.0× the body.

  1. Smallest zoomSony FE 28-60mm f/4-5.6
    681g (1.50 lb)
  2. Small primeSony FE 40mm f/2.5 G
    687g (1.51 lb)
  3. BudgetSony FE 50mm f/1.8
    700g (1.54 lb)
  4. MacroSony FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro
    750g (1.65 lb)
  5. Wide & videoSony FE PZ 16-35mm f/4 G
    867g (1.91 lb)
  6. Wide f/2.8 zoomTamron 20-40mm f/2.8 Di III VXD
    879g (1.94 lb)
  7. PortraitSony FE 85mm f/1.8
    885g (1.95 lb)
  8. Everyday zoomSony FE 24-50mm f/2.8 G
    954g (2.10 lb)
  9. Travel / all-in-oneSigma 20-200mm F3.5-6.3 DG Contemporary
    1054g (2.32 lb)
  10. TelephotoTamron 50-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD
    1179g (2.60 lb)
  11. Often recommendedSony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II Lens
    1209g (2.67 lb)
  12. Often recommendedSony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II
    1559g (3.44 lb)
Body weight is Sony a7C II with battery and memory card: 514g (1.13 lb). Lens weights are manufacturer figures.

Best everyday zoom: Sony FE 24-50mm f/2.8 G

Sony FE 24-50mm f/2.8 G

24–50mmf/2.8440g (15.5 oz)92.3mm (3.6 in) long$1,099

On the a7C II: 954g (2.10 lb)

The 24–50mm keeps f/2.8 through its whole range and weighs 440g (15.5 oz), so the camera and lens together come to 954g (2.10 lb), and it is 92.3mm (3.6 in) long. It is dust- and moisture-resistant and has a physical aperture ring.

Why this one: of the 4 f/2.8 zooms in our E-mount data that start at 24mm or wider and go past 40mm, it is both the lightest and the shortest. The trade-off is reach — it stops at 50mm, where the other standard zooms in the table below go to 70 or 75mm.

If you want more range or a lower price

LensRangeApertureWeightLengthPriceSealedAperture ring
Sony FE 24-50mm f/2.8 G24–50mmf/2.8440g (15.5 oz)92.3mm (3.6 in)$1,099YesYes
Tamron 20-40mm f/2.8 Di III VXD20–40mmf/2.8365g (12.9 oz)86.5mm (3.4 in)$699Yes—
Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary28–70mmf/2.8470g (1.04 lb)103.5mm (4.1 in)$899Yes—
Sony FE 20-70mm f/4 G20–70mmf/4488g (1.08 lb)99mm (3.9 in)$1,099YesYes
Tamron 28-75mm F/2.8 Di III VXD G228–75mmf/2.8540g (1.19 lb)117.6mm (4.6 in)$799Yes—

Smallest zoom: Sony FE 28-60mm f/4-5.6

Sony FE 28-60mm f/4-5.6

28–60mmf/4–5.6167g (5.9 oz)45mm (1.8 in) long$499

On the a7C II: 681g (1.50 lb)

At 167g (5.9 oz) and 45mm (1.8 in), this is the zoom that keeps the a7C II closest to its bare size — the pair weighs 681g (1.50 lb). It is the lightest autofocus zoom in our full-frame E-mount data.

The trade-off: it is a variable-aperture zoom (f/4–5.6, as the name says), so it gathers less light than the f/2.8 zooms above.

Small primes (the pancake option)

If you're happy with one focal length, these keep the whole kit under 690g (1.52 lb).

Sony FE 24mm f/2.8 G

Sony FE 24mm f/2.8 G

f/2.8 · 162g (5.7 oz) · 45mm (1.8 in) · $599

With a7C II: 676g (1.49 lb)

Weather-sealed. Aperture ring.

Sony FE 40mm f/2.5 G

Sony FE 40mm f/2.5 G

f/2.5 · 173g (6.1 oz) · 45.5mm (1.8 in) · $599

With a7C II: 687g (1.51 lb)

Weather-sealed. Aperture ring.

Sony FE 50mm f/2.5 G

Sony FE 50mm f/2.5 G

f/2.5 · 174g (6.1 oz) · 45.5mm (1.8 in) · $599

With a7C II: 688g (1.52 lb)

Weather-sealed. Aperture ring.

Viltrox AF 26mm f/2.8 EVO

f/2.8 · 130g (4.6 oz) · 24mm (0.9 in) · $299

With a7C II: 644g (1.42 lb)

Aperture ring. The shortest autofocus lens in our full-frame E-mount data.

Our pick is the Sony FE 40mm f/2.5 G: 40mm sits between the classic 35mm and 50mm, and at 173g (6.1 oz) it adds 34% to the body. The three Sony G primes are all 45–45.5mm long, so adding the 24mm or 50mm later barely changes the size of the kit. The Viltrox AF 26mm f/2.8 EVO is the alternative at $299 — 24mm (0.9 in) long.

Best on a budget

Sony FE 50mm f/1.8

50mmf/1.8186g (6.6 oz)59.5mm (2.3 in) long$249

On the a7C II: 700g (1.54 lb)

The Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 costs $249 and weighs 186g (6.6 oz). f/1.8 is 1⅓ stops brighter than the f/2.8 zooms, and on a full-frame sensor a wide aperture gives a shallow depth of field.

Every full-frame autofocus E-mount lens in our data that launched under $300:

LensFocalApertureWeightPriceSealed
Viltrox AF 14mm f/4.0 AIR14mmf/4170g (6.0 oz)$199Yes
Sony FE 50mm f/1.850mmf/1.8186g (6.6 oz)$249—
Viltrox AF 85mm f/2.0 EVO85mmf/2340g (12.0 oz)$275Yes
Sony FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS28–70mmf/3.5295g (10.4 oz)$299—
Samyang AF 18mm f/2.8 FE18mmf/2.8128g (4.5 oz)$299—
Samyang AF 45mm f/1.8 FE45mmf/1.8162g (5.7 oz)$299—
Viltrox AF 26mm f/2.8 EVO26mmf/2.8130g (4.6 oz)$299—

For portraits on a budget, the Viltrox AF 85mm f/2.0 EVO is $275 at 340g (12.0 oz), weather-sealed and with an aperture ring. The Sony FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS ($299) is the cheapest zoom on the list.

Best portrait lens: Sony FE 85mm f/1.8

Sony FE 85mm f/1.8

85mmf/1.8371g (13.1 oz)82mm (3.2 in) long$599

On the a7C II: 885g (1.95 lb)

85mm at f/1.8 for $599, 371g (13.1 oz), weather-sealed. The longer focal length lets you stand further back for a head-and-shoulders frame, and the wide aperture separates the subject from the background.

Versus the Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM II: the G Master gains two-thirds of a stop (f/1.4), and weighs 271g (9.6 oz) more and costs $1,200 more. On the a7C II, the kit goes from 885g (1.95 lb) to 1156g (2.55 lb).

Lighter still: the Samyang AF 75mm f/1.8 FE at 232g (8.2 oz) — the lightest autofocus prime between 75mm and 135mm in our E-mount data.

Best travel / all-in-one zoom

Two superzooms, both $999 at launch, cover wide-angle to telephoto in one lens. They are close; which one fits depends on what you shoot.

LensRangeWidest apertureWeightLengthClosest focusMax magnification
Sigma 20-200mm F3.5-6.3 DG Contemporary20–200mmf/3.5540g (1.19 lb)115.5mm (4.5 in)17cm0.5×
Tamron 25-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Di III VXD G225–200mmf/2.8575g (1.27 lb)118.6mm (4.7 in)17cm0.4×
  • Choose the Sigma for the wider 20mm end, 35g (1.2 oz) less weight and 0.5× close-up magnification.
  • Choose the Tamron for f/2.8 at the wide end — two-thirds of a stop more light than the Sigma's f/3.5.

Neither lens has optical stabilisation, but the a7C II has in-body stabilisation, which works with any lens you mount.

Best wide-angle (and for video): Sony FE PZ 16-35mm f/4 G

Sony FE PZ 16-35mm f/4 G

16–35mmf/4353g (12.5 oz)88.1mm (3.5 in) long$1,199

On the a7C II: 867g (1.91 lb)

A 16–35mm at 353g (12.5 oz) — 194g (6.8 oz) lighter than the Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II that several other a7C II guides recommend, and $1,100 cheaper. The "PZ" means a motorised power zoom. Weather-sealed.

The trade-off is one stop of light: f/4 against the G Master's f/2.8. If you need f/2.8 without the weight, the Sigma 16-28mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary is 450g (15.9 oz) and $899, but stops at 28mm.

For vlogging

Held at arm's length, a wider focal length fits more of you and the background into the frame. The a7C II records 4K60p with a crop, which narrows the view further — another reason to start wide. The 16mm end of the Sony FE PZ 16-35mm f/4 G or the 20mm end of the Tamron 20-40mm f/2.8 Di III VXD both leave room for that. The body's in-body stabilisation works with either lens.

Best telephoto: Tamron 50-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD

Tamron 50-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD

50–300mmf/4.5–6.3665g (1.47 lb)150mm (5.9 in) long$699

On the a7C II: 1179g (2.60 lb)

Reaches 300mm at 665g (1.47 lb) for $699 — the lightest lens that reaches 300mm in our E-mount data. It has optical stabilisation.

If you want a constant f/4 aperture across 70–200mm, the Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 Macro G OSS II is 794g (1.75 lb) and $1,799, with 0.5× close-up magnification. The Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II brings the kit to 1559g (3.44 lb).

Best macro: Sony FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro

Sony FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro

50mmf/2.8236g (8.3 oz)98.5mm (3.9 in) long$499

On the a7C II: 750g (1.65 lb)

Life-size (1×) magnification at 236g (8.3 oz) and $499 — the lightest 1:1 macro lens in our E-mount data. At 50mm you work close to the subject; the Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Di III VXD Macro — 500g (1.10 lb), $799, weather-sealed — gives more working distance at the same magnification.

The lenses other guides recommend — and what they weigh

Several popular a7C II lens lists lead with G Master lenses. We don't measure image quality, so this isn't an argument about optics — only about what each one does to a camera you probably bought for its size.

LensWeightWith a7C IILens vs bodyLengthPriceLighter pick here
Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II Lens695g (1.53 lb)1209g (2.67 lb)1.35×119.9mm (4.7 in)$2,298Sony FE 24-50mm f/2.8 G · 440g (15.5 oz)
Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II547g (1.21 lb)1061g (2.34 lb)1.06×111.5mm (4.4 in)$2,299Sony FE PZ 16-35mm f/4 G · 353g (12.5 oz)
Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM II642g (1.42 lb)1156g (2.55 lb)1.25×107.3mm (4.2 in)$1,799Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 · 371g (13.1 oz)
Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II1045g (2.30 lb)1559g (3.44 lb)2.03×200mm (7.9 in)$2,799Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 Macro G OSS II · 794g (1.75 lb)

Questions

Can the a7C II use APS-C lenses?

Yes — APS-C E-mount lenses mount and autofocus, but the camera records only the APS-C-sized centre of the sensor. That is about 1/2.25 of the area, so roughly 14MP instead of 33MP. Every lens in this guide covers the full frame.

What is the lightest lens you can put on the a7C II?

In our data, the lightest full-frame autofocus E-mount lens is the Sony Sonnar T* FE 35mm f/2.8 ZA, a 35mm f/2.8 prime at 120g (4.2 oz). On the camera, that is 634g (1.40 lb).

Do I need a lens with OSS?

Not for stabilisation to work: the a7C II stabilises the sensor itself, so every lens is stabilised. Of the ten quick picks, only the Tamron 50-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD has optical stabilisation as well.

Is the Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II Lens too heavy for the a7C II?

That's your call, but here are the numbers: it weighs 695g (1.53 lb) on a 514g (1.13 lb) body, for 1209g (2.67 lb). The Sony FE 24-50mm f/2.8 G gives up 50–70mm and saves 255g (9.0 oz) and $1,199.

Every full-frame E-mount lens under 500g

50 autofocus lenses in our data weigh 500g (1.10 lb) or less. Sorted by weight, with the total on an a7C II.

LensFocalApertureWeightWith a7C IILengthPriceSealed
Sony Sonnar T* FE 35mm f/2.8 ZA35mmf/2.8120g (4.2 oz)634g (1.40 lb)36.5mm (1.4 in)$799—
Samyang AF 18mm f/2.8 FE18mmf/2.8128g (4.5 oz)642g (1.42 lb)61.8mm (2.4 in)$299—
Viltrox AF 26mm f/2.8 EVO26mmf/2.8130g (4.6 oz)644g (1.42 lb)24mm (0.9 in)$299—
Sony FE 24mm f/2.8 G24mmf/2.8162g (5.7 oz)676g (1.49 lb)45mm (1.8 in)$599Yes
Samyang AF 45mm f/1.8 FE45mmf/1.8162g (5.7 oz)676g (1.49 lb)73.4mm (2.9 in)$299—
Sony FE 28-60mm f/4-5.628–60mmf/4167g (5.9 oz)681g (1.50 lb)45mm (1.8 in)$499—
Viltrox AF 14mm f/4.0 AIR14mmf/4170g (6.0 oz)684g (1.51 lb)56.4mm (2.2 in)$199Yes
Sony FE 40mm f/2.5 G40mmf/2.5173g (6.1 oz)687g (1.51 lb)45.5mm (1.8 in)$599Yes
Sony FE 50mm f/2.5 G50mmf/2.5174g (6.1 oz)688g (1.52 lb)45.5mm (1.8 in)$599Yes
Sony FE 50mm f/1.850mmf/1.8186g (6.6 oz)700g (1.54 lb)59.5mm (2.3 in)$249—
Sony FE 28mm f/228mmf/2200g (7.1 oz)714g (1.57 lb)60mm (2.4 in)$449—
Samyang AF 24mm f/1.8 FE24mmf/1.8213g (7.5 oz)727g (1.60 lb)69.7mm (2.7 in)$599—
Sigma 45mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary45mmf/2.8215g (7.6 oz)729g (1.61 lb)46.2mm (1.8 in)$599—
Samyang AF 16mm f/2.8 P FE16mmf/2.8225g (7.9 oz)739g (1.63 lb)64.5mm (2.5 in)$349—
Sigma 24mm f/3.5 DG DN Contemporary24mmf/3.5225g (7.9 oz)739g (1.63 lb)61.4mm (2.4 in)$549—
Sigma 17mm f/4 DG DN Contemporary17mmf/4225g (7.9 oz)739g (1.63 lb)61.4mm (2.4 in)$549—
Samyang AF 75mm f/1.8 FE75mmf/1.8232g (8.2 oz)746g (1.64 lb)78mm (3.1 in)$399—
Sony FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro50mmf/2.8236g (8.3 oz)750g (1.65 lb)98.5mm (3.9 in)$499—
Sony FE 35mm f/1.835mmf/1.8280g (9.9 oz)794g (1.75 lb)73.7mm (2.9 in)$749Yes
Sony FE 55mm f/1.8 ZA55mmf/1.8281g (9.9 oz)795g (1.75 lb)70.5mm (2.8 in)$998—
Sigma 50mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary50mmf/2290g (10.2 oz)804g (1.77 lb)68mm (2.7 in)$499—
Sony FE 28-70mm F3.5-5.6 OSS II28–70mmf/3.5293g (10.3 oz)807g (1.78 lb)—$598Yes
Sony FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS28–70mmf/3.5295g (10.4 oz)809g (1.78 lb)83mm (3.3 in)$299—
Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Lite Zero-D FF AF12mmf/2.8322g (11.4 oz)836g (1.84 lb)71.8mm (2.8 in)$799Yes
Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary35mmf/2325g (11.5 oz)839g (1.85 lb)65.4mm (2.6 in)$599Yes
Viltrox AF 85mm f/2.0 EVO85mmf/2340g (12.0 oz)854g (1.88 lb)76mm (3.0 in)$275Yes
Sony FE PZ 16-35mm f/4 G16–35mmf/4353g (12.5 oz)867g (1.91 lb)88.1mm (3.5 in)$1,199Yes
Viltrox AF 35mm f/1.8 II EVO35mmf/1.8355g (12.5 oz)869g (1.92 lb)76mm (3.0 in)$395Yes
Sigma 24mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary24mmf/2360g (12.7 oz)874g (1.93 lb)74mm (2.9 in)$549—
Tamron 20-40mm f/2.8 Di III VXD20–40mmf/2.8365g (12.9 oz)879g (1.94 lb)86.5mm (3.4 in)$699Yes
Viltrox AF 55mm f/1.8 EVO55mmf/1.8370g (13.1 oz)884g (1.95 lb)76mm (3.0 in)$370Yes
Sigma 20mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary20mmf/2370g (13.1 oz)884g (1.95 lb)74.4mm (2.9 in)$549—
Sony FE 85mm f/1.885mmf/1.8371g (13.1 oz)885g (1.95 lb)82mm (3.2 in)$599Yes
Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G20mmf/1.8373g (13.2 oz)887g (1.96 lb)84.7mm (3.3 in)$899Yes
Sony FE 16mm f/1.8 G16mmf/1.8394g (13.9 oz)908g (2.00 lb)84.5mm (3.3 in)$1,099Yes
Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary65mmf/2405g (14.3 oz)919g (2.03 lb)89.5mm (3.5 in)$699Yes
Samyang AF 50mm f/1.4 FE II50mmf/1.4419g (14.8 oz)933g (2.06 lb)73.3mm (2.9 in)$699—
Tamron 17-28mm F/2.8 Di III RXD17–28mmf/2.8420g (14.8 oz)934g (2.06 lb)99mm (3.9 in)$799Yes
Sony Vario-Tessar T* FE 24-70mm f/4 ZA OSS24–70mmf/4426g (15.0 oz)940g (2.07 lb)94.5mm (3.7 in)$1,299—
Samyang AF 35mm f/1.4 FE35mmf/1.4435g (15.3 oz)949g (2.09 lb)99.5mm (3.9 in)$649—
Sony FE 24-50mm f/2.8 G24–50mmf/2.8440g (15.5 oz)954g (2.10 lb)92.3mm (3.6 in)$1,099Yes
Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM24mmf/1.4445g (15.7 oz)959g (2.11 lb)92.4mm (3.6 in)$1,399Yes
Sigma 16-28mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary16–28mmf/2.8450g (15.9 oz)964g (2.13 lb)102.6mm (4.0 in)$899—
Tamron 17-50mm f/4 Di III VXD17–50mmf/4460g (1.01 lb)974g (2.15 lb)86.2mm (3.4 in)$799Yes
Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM14mmf/1.8460g (1.01 lb)974g (2.15 lb)99.8mm (3.9 in)$1,499Yes
Viltrox AF 85mm f/1.8 II FE85mmf/1.8464g (1.02 lb)978g (2.16 lb)92mm (3.6 in)$449—
Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary28–70mmf/2.8470g (1.04 lb)984g (2.17 lb)103.5mm (4.1 in)$899Yes
Sony FE 20-70mm f/4 G20–70mmf/4488g (1.08 lb)1002g (2.21 lb)99mm (3.9 in)$1,099Yes
Samyang AF 85mm f/1.8 P FE85mmf/1.8490g (1.08 lb)1004g (2.21 lb)95mm (3.7 in)$399—
Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Di III VXD Macro90mmf/2.8500g (1.10 lb)1014g (2.24 lb)117mm (4.6 in)$799Yes

Want every compatible lens, including heavier ones and APS-C? See all lenses that fit the Sony a7C II.

How we chose

  • The body sets the budget. The a7C II is bought for its size, so weight and length on the camera count first, then aperture, range and price.
  • Specs, not impressions. We haven't tested these lenses for this guide. We don't claim one is sharper or focuses faster; we say which published spec decided each pick.
  • Every number comes from our database and links to the lens's full spec page. Weights are manufacturer figures; the body is weighed with battery and card: 514g (1.13 lb).
  • Prices are launch prices (MSRP) in US dollars. Street prices vary and change often.
  • "Lightest" and similar claims are computed against the 110 full-frame autofocus E-mount lenses we track, and are checked every time this page is rebuilt.