Best Lenses for Sony a7c in 2023

Today we’re coving the best lenses for Sony A7C in 2023.

From budget to premium E-mount lenses, if you’re looking for great glass to pair with this awesome compact camera, this guide will help.

The Sony A7C is one of the most compact full-frame cameras on the market and has an impressive set of specs.

Once you have the camera body, it can be tricky to decide what lenses to get.

Or maybe you’ve been using the kit lens and are ready to upgrade to some higher image-quality glass.

With the main reason to get this camera being its compact size, I’ve tailored my selections to suit the ultralight Sony A7C.

Additionally, most of the lenses in this article will be relatively affordable in comparison to the cost of the body.

With that in mind, read on below to see my recommendation for lenses for Sony A7C.

• Related: Sony e-mount lenses list

What are the Best Lenses for Sony a7c in 2023?

1. Sony FE 16-35mm f/4 PZ

Stabilized: No
Weight: 353 g (12.5 oz.)
Size (Diameter x Length): 3.2 x 3.5″ / 81 x 88 mm
Filter Diameter: 82mm
Minimum Focus Distance: 0.24m (9.4 in)

The Sony 16-35mm f/4 PZ is my number one lens choice and one of the best lenses for Sony A7C.

Among the Sony wide angle lenses, it is a super compact wide angle zoom that has the flexibility to shoot wide landscapes and portraits.

At the 35mm end of the focal length, this lens will be more suited to capturing undistorted images at a medium distance. The ultra wide 16mm focal length will allow you to capture everything in the whole scene.

So many photographers love the 16-35mm focal length for its variety of uses but the Sony 16-35mm f/4 PZ has the advantage of being super compact which matches perfectly with the Sony A7C.

In addition to the focal length variety, the Sony 16-35mm f/4 PZ is very sharp throughout the aperture range and produces excellent image quality. Chromatic aberration and distortion are very well controlled.

In terms of build quality, this lens for the Sony A7C camera body is solid. It has a metal barrel with nice feeling rubber around the zoom & focus rings. This versatile lens is one of the best wide angle lenses for the Sony A7C. 

Initially, this lens felt a bit foreign because I don’t use power zoom lenses (PZ for short). The zoom ring is a “zoom by wire” design, so it doesn’t physically move the lens.

Instead, it sends a signal to the zoom motor that causes the lens elements to zoom in or out. 

While the zoom range is the same, it does not actually move the lens in/out like the zoom function on the GM version of this lens. The entire zoom range is within the lens so the lens does not extend as many wide angle lenses do for the sony A7C. 

Once you get familiar with the setup, it works quite well. For many people, this feature may be undesirable but I think it is a good tradeoff given the very compact size of this lens.

For many cameras, I recommend the slightly larger Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 GM lens but it feels a bit bulky in comparison with the Sony A7C.

The Sony 16-35mm f/4 PZ is a G rated lens. This is one step down from their top-of-the-line GM lenses in terms of build and image quality but it also means this lens is more affordable.

It does sacrifice a stop of light (f/4 vs f/2.8) from the GM version but this is a tradeoff for a more compact build.

The Sony 16-35mm f/4 PZ is my current favorite wide angle lens for the Sony A7C. If you want to get a wide angle look without the size and weight of a traditional 16-35mm lens, definitely check this one out!

2. Sony FE 28mm f/2

Stabilized: No
Weight: 200 g (7 oz)
Size (Diameter x Length): 2.5 x 2.4″ / 64 x 60 mm
Filter Diameter: 49mm
Minimum Focus Distance: 0.29m (11.4 in)

The Sony 28mm f/2 is another excellent medium to wide angle prime lens for the Sony A7C. It is not only ultra-compact and lightweight, but also very affordable. The lens delivers solid performance for its price range.

Initially, I overlooked this lens because I already had a 16-35 that covered the focal range. However, I have grown to appreciate its small size and affordability. It makes the Sony A7C a perfect everyday carry camera.

The 28mm lens is highly regarded by street photographers and photojournalists, coming in a close second to the 35mm. Its versatility is noticeable when shooting indoors, and its compactness makes it less intimidating when photographing people.

This lens offers excellent performance even though it is priced much more affordably than other lenses for Sony a7c.

The wide f/2 aperture makes it easy to shoot fast-moving subjects in low light conditions.

While the Sony 28mm f/2 may not provide a lot of bokeh due to its wide-angle perspective, it does provide some background separation when the subject is closer to the camera.

The Sony 28mm f/2 produces sharp images, particularly in the middle of the frame. However, the sharpness fades towards the edges of the frame when using the widest apertures.

Nevertheless, compared to a cheap kit lens, this lens provides a substantial upgrade in terms of sharpness.

When paired with the fast and accurate autofocus of the Sony A7C, this lens produces sharp and silent images. Despite being an older lens, it can keep up with the latest technology.

 

While it’s easy to focus on the flaws of a lens, I believe that the Sony 28mm f/2 offers excellent value for money. It is ideal for compact cameras like the Sony A7C, while working equally well as a great lens for Sony a7R IV or higher resolution cameras.

If you’re just starting out with prime lenses or looking to upgrade from your kit lens, the Sony 28mm f/2 is a great choice for the popular 24-35mm focal range on the Sony A7C.

• What is the best lens for Sony a6100?

3. Sony FE 35mm f/1.8

Stabilized: No
Weight: 281 g (9.9 oz)
Size (Diameter x Length): 2.6 x 2.9″ / 66 x 73 mm
Filter Diameter: 55mm
Minimum Focus Distance: 0.22m (8.7 in)

If you want a medium/wide angle lens that is a little higher quality than the one mentioned above, definitely check out the Sony 35mm f/1.8.

For professional jobs, this lens is my go-to. Paired with the Sony A7C, it is excellent!

I start almost every photo shoot with this lens on my camera and it often stays there for the majority of the day.

If I could only have one lens, this would be it. The Sony 35mm f/1.8 has it all: lightweight, compact, relatively affordable, high quality, and fully featured making it one of the best lenses for Sony A7C.

This makes it especially well suited to variable situations like street photography.

First off, this lens is an excellent balance of size/weight for the Sony A7C camera body. It is only a little heavier than the Sony 28mm f/2 mentioned above but offers a step up in image quality.

I knew when it was released that it would become a staple in my kit. You can read more about it in my Sony 35mm f/1.8 review.

With a wide maximum aperture of f/1.8, it excels in low light but is much more compact than an f/1.4 or f/1.2 lens.

When I have to carry my bag up a mountain, the difference between carrying ultra-fast lenses like the Sony 50mm f/1.2 and an f/1.8 version is significant. My bank account also appreciates the slightly narrower aperture lenses.

With close subjects, this lens will produce a nicely blurred backdrop and give you the separation/bokeh you expect from a high quality, low aperture lens.

The sharpness of this lens is excellent. The only time you might notice some loss of sharpness is toward the edges of the frame when shooting wide open. This isn’t really a problem since the majority of subjects won’t be at the outer edges of the frame.

When photographing weddings or events, this lens is my go-to. I can use it to shoot distortion free portraits or wider scenes if I have room to move back. The simplicity of a prime lens makes me focus on the subject instead of wondering if I should zoom in or out.

If you want a lens that can be used in almost any scenario and has the benefits of a fast prime, check out the Sony 35mm f/1.8 lens for the Sony A7C!

• Comparison of 3 popular Sony 35mm lenses

4. Sony FE 55mm f/1.8

Stabilized: No
Weight: 281 g (9.9 oz)
Size (Diameter x Length): 2.5 x 2.8″ / 65 x 71 mm
Filter Diameter: 49mm
Minimum Focus Distance: 0.5m (1.64 ft)

When it comes to prime lenses, a 50mm is a classic. Almost every set of lenses includes this iconic focal length and the Sony E-mount is no exception.

There are several choices in the Sony lineup but which is one of these lenses for Sony A7C should you get?

The Sony 55mm f/1.8 is one of the most compact lenses in the focal range, making it an excellent pair for the Sony A7C. 

If you want a “nifty fifty” to go with your Sony A7C, definitely check this lens out. It is affordable, super sharp, and very compact/lightweight.

As with some of the other prime lenses in this article, you will quickly notice the sharpness of this lens when compared with cheaper kit zoom lenses. I’ve found it to be one of the sharpest lenses at all apertures and across the frame.

At under 10 oz (281g), this lens is very nicely balanced on the Sony A7C and works really well as a video lens. I love how easily this combination tucks into a pocket or small camera bag. 

I primarily use this lens when I want a little more subject isolation than the Sony 35mm f/1.8 can provide. It takes excellent full length portraits and you can get in close to isolate details.

I wouldn’t specifically call it a portrait lens but it is a flexible prime lens that can cover many different types of subjects. It is simply one of the best lenses for the Sony A7C. 

The Sony 55mm f/1.8 has excellent bokeh when shot wide open and will give that classic full frame look that people come to expect with professional photographs. Although it isn’t as wide as the Sony 50mm f/1.2, it does surprisingly well at blurring the backdrop. 

When it comes to low light, this lens is great. Typically bokeh and low light performance are why you choose a prime lens and this is an excellent choice for the Sony A7C. The aperture range is actually wider than the Sony 50mm f/1.2 because it extends from f/1.8 all the way to f/22.

My other favorite aspect of this lens is the color and contrast that really accentuate how sharp it really is. The image quality is outstanding. Over time, you will begin to recognize that each lens has a different feel and I have come to love the character of the Sony 55mm f/1.8.

This lens is clearly a top performer and fits the bill for a fast mid focal range prime lens for the Sony A7C. If you are looking to get a 50mm lens, definitely give this one a look!

• What is the best lens for Sony a7III?

5. Sony FE 85mm f/1.8

Stabilized: No
Weight: 371 g (13.1 oz)
Size (Diameter x Length): 3.1 x 3.2″ / 78 x 82 mm
Filter Diameter: 67mm
Minimum Focus Distance: 0.8m (2.62 ft)

If you plan to capture portraits or headshots with your Sony A7C, you’ll want to take a hard look at the Sony 85mm f/1.8 lens. It is my choice for the best portrait lens that balances image quality, price, and size/weight, and one of my favorite lenses for Sony A7C.

Most of the lenses in this article will have a bigger more expensive G-Master lens that is higher performance but I tend to opt for the cheaper alternative.

In this case, the Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM lens is nearly triple the price but only a 2/3 of a stop faster in aperture. That is definitely not a trade I will be making.

Sure, if you want the best and the price is no concern, go for the best. The image quality will be superb but you will also have a much bigger/heavier lens to carry around. 

When you choose a camera body like the A7C, clearly, you are interested in lightweight/compact equipment. The Sony 85mm f/1.8 fits that category.

My experience with the Sony 85mm f/1.8 is tack sharp images, excellent color rendition, and such a compact size that you won’t hesitate to bring it in your backpack.

This lens also completes my prime trio of 35mm, 55mm, and 85mm. Each has a distinct look and feel that helps me create a certain type of image.

The Sony 85mm f/1.8 is my go to lens for close up portraits because of the way an 85mm lens portrays subjects without distortion.

(Try taking a close up portrait with a 35mm focal length and you will see why the 85mm is the best at this style image.)

Additionally, I often use this lens for compression in a landscape. It allows you to make the subject feel closer to the background when shooting with your Sony A7C.

Last but not least, the bokeh of this lens is why most people reach for it. I love this portrait lens when capturing images with city lights in the background. Those lights will turn into beautiful blurry bokeh backdrops that are classic in so many Hollywood scenes.

At the widest aperture of f/1.8, backgrounds fall nicely out of focus which draws your attention to the sharpest portion of the image. When shooting portraits, I love the fast autofocus of this lens when paired with the eye autofocus of the Sony A7C.

(See my full Sony 85mm f/1.8 lens review for more sample images.)

Portrait and event photographers should strongly consider the Sony 85mm f/1.8!

6. Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II

Stabilized: No
Weight: 695 g (1.5 lb)
Size (Diameter x Length): 3.5 x 4.7″ / 88 x 120 mm
Filter Diameter: 82mm
Minimum Focus Distance: 0.2m (8.3 in)

If you are not sure what you’ll be photographing or want one lens that does it all, check out the Sony 24-70 f/2.8 GM II.

It is a wide angle lens and a telephoto lens, and an all in one zoom lens. The zoom range covers almost everything you might need.

This super high quality mid range zoom lens covers a wide focal range and does the job of three prime lenses. The f/2.8 aperture may not be as fast as most prime lenses but it trades that for the flexibility of having all those focal lengths accessible with a quick rotation of the zoom ring.

If you photograph fast moving subjects in fast paced environments, you’re likely going to want a 24-70 lens. If you’re using a Sony A7C, my recommendation is the new Sony 24-70 f/2.8 GM II lens. 

This zoom lens certainly isn’t cheap (more expensive than the Sony A7C camera body, in fact), but it will hold its value, and a good lens can last much longer than a camera body.

Camera bodies will need to be upgraded over time, but a good-quality lens can be used with each subsequent body.

Recently re-designed by Sony, the Sony 24-70 f/2.8 GM II is the latest version of the 24-70 zoom range and has the best optical performance and image quality.

It covers a wide zoom range all the way from 24mm to 70mm making it a highly versatile zoom lens. 

I love this highly versatile lens because it is tack sharp. If you have ever looked at the first generation version of this lens from Sony, you’ll notice the new one is significantly lighter and more compact. About 200 grams lighter, in fact.

It may be a bit on the heavy side for a compact camera body but the image quality is superb when paired with the Sony A7C.

Paired with the A7C, this lens is a workhorse. It can capture a wide variety of shots all with the quick rotation of the zoom ring.

I find this video lens especially useful when shooting because I can get a different shot without having to re-balance my gimbal after changing lenses. At 70mm it makes a decent telephoto lens and at 24mm it is a solid wide angle lens. 

I regularly use the entire zoom range and find the focal length to be helpful because of how quickly I can adapt to different scenes.

For the Sony A7C, this zoom lens is expensive and it can be tempting to go with a Tamron lens or Sigma lens to save money but I think the image quality is superior with the Sony Lens. It is simply one of the best zoom lens options.

The build quality of this lens is top notch, something you would expect from a lens released in  2022.

It has all the features you can ask for in a lens: smooth zoom ring, quality focus ring, aperture ring, af/mf switch, focus hold button, and even an aperture de-clicking switch. As a wide angle to telephoto lens, this zoom range covers it all.

If you’re on a tighter budget, there’s an f/4 version of this focal length from Sony (see my review of the Sony 24-70mm f/4), which offers great sharpness and decent overall performance in a lighter package, but there’s simply no denying it – the f/2.8 is better in every way.

If you want a mid-range zoom that will last several generations of camera bodies, check out the Sony 24-70 f/2.8 GM II. It is superior to the offerings from Sigma, Samyang, and Tamron.

• What is the best lens for Sony a6500?

7. Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM

Stabilized: Yes
Weight: 1480g (52.21oz)
Size (Diameter x Length): 3.5 x 7.9″ / 88 x 200 mm
Filter Diameter: 77mm
Minimum Focus Distance: 0.96m (3.15 ft)

Last up in my suggested lenses for the Sony A7C is the Sony 70-200 f/2.8 GM.

This lens covers a very nice telephoto zoom range for capturing far-off subjects or creating compression against a backdrop.

As the third lens in the zoom trio: Sony 16-35mm f/2.8, Sony 24-70 f/2.8, and Sony 70-200 f/2.8, this lens is an essential piece in many photographers kits. 

It excels as a portrait lens in the 70-100mm focal range. At 200mm, it creates awesome compression, giving the feeling that faraway backdrops are right behind your subject. I find this especially useful when capturing action sports in the mountains. 

Additionally, the minimum aperture of this telephoto lens is f/2.8 which is great for isolating subjects against the backdrop. Even at the minimum aperture, this lens is especially sharp making your subject pop.

This telephoto lens is fully featured, offering a selectable focus range, optical image stabilization mode selection, auto/manual focus switch, and a focus hold button! The zoom/focus rings also feel smooth but stable.

This is the only zoom lens in this roundup of lenses for the Sony A7C with optical image stabilization. Because the Sony A7C has in body image stabilization, optical image stabilization isn’t as important until you get to the longer focal lengths.

With the entire telephoto zoom range, you get the advantage of dual stabilization which can help get the sharpest images and smoothest video.

Because of this stabilization technology and the wide maximum aperture, this is one the best telephoto lens in this focal length.

If image quality in low light is the most important thing, you might opt for a prime lens over a zoom lens but the stabilization will be very useful if you plan to shoot video. 

Paired with the compact Sony A7C this lens will definitely be on the heavier side but it does have excellent image quality. It comes with a tripod ring to provide a more balanced mounting point when using a fluid head or gimbal.

If you want a cheaper telephoto lens alternative, the Sony 70-200 f/4 is an older lens but still offers excellent quality.

The main sacrifice is a full stop of light at the minimum aperture of f/4 vs f/2.8, so if you ever want to shoot in low light with a zoom lens, I’d opt for the faster lens.

If weight savings is your priority, the 70-200 f/4 may be a better choice.

For those that want a super high-quality telephoto lens, the Sony 70-200 f/2.8 GM is a great option. If you have the budget, definitely check this lens out!

• What is the best lens for Sony a7S iii?

Final Words

With a wide range of choices when it comes to lenses in the Sony E-mount system, it can be hard to decide what to get for your Sony A7C.

Since the a7C camera body is so compact, I think it is important to think about lenses that will feel balanced on this camera.

Most of the lens options I provided above are going to feel great on the Sony A7C.

From a wide angle prime lens, to an ultra wide lens with a versatile zoom range, to a fantastic portrait lens, I hope you find what you’re looking for.

I’m always asking myself what tools are going to help me best create, and my hope is that this guide will narrow the choices to help you decide what will be best for you.

Aside from the two pro zooms mentioned at the end, which are more for professionals and those with larger budgets, most of the lenses in this article are relatively affordable.

They will hold their value quite well if you decide to sell them and get something else.

I love the characteristics of each of these lenses, and they all have a place in my camera bag for different reasons. I think the most important things to consider are: what do you shoot? and what is your style? 

By answering these questions, you’ll be able to evaluate the above lenses to see which are right for you. I wish you luck in finding the best lenses for Sony A7C.

I’d love to hear from you in the comments if you think there are other lenses for the a7C worth considering!