When it was first announced, the Sony a6700 was a bit of a head scratcher to me.
Here was Sony’s best APS-C camera ever, finally getting all the bells and whistles from their full frame line, including Sony’s best in class tracking AF plus an AI chip to help with tracking focus.
But – and this is what threw me off – it also kept growing in size, where it was now pretty much the same size as the full frame Sony A7C/A7C II.
Next to my Sony a6400, the size difference is pretty noticeable. But, the size increase does come with a few pluses over the a6400 – a front dial (finally), and the use of Sony’s excellent FZ100 battery. The battery alone is probably a good enough reason for the size increase. But, even compared to its predecessor (Sony a6600, which uses the same battery), the a6700 body has grown ever slightly thicker.
But, as someone who doesn’t care a lot about the video features (which are excellent though, the a6700 is one of the best hybrid cameras out right now), the a6700 was a bit of a hard sell over a similarly priced and similarly-sized full-frame Sony A7C.
That is, until I started thinking about total system size and weight. When I started making a list of the best small lenses for the Sony a6700, it was clear that APS-C still held a weight and size advantage.
While high-performance lenses often come with bulk and weight (especially in full-frame land), the Sony APS-C system has now grown to the point where there is now an excellent selection of small and compact lenses that satisfy my portability requirements without sacrificing image quality or haptics. These small lenses are perfect for photographers like me who value discretion, travel light, and demand versatility from their gear.
Size and weight is something that is often overlooked when starting out with photography, but it is actually quite important.
Lightweight lenses are easy to carry around, which increases your photography opportunities and experiences, and also reduces fatigue, especially when you’re out all day.
Another overlooked advantage is that having lighter lenses means you can use smaller, lighter tripods and gimbals, which increases your equipment options.
Below, I’ve split the smallest lenses for the Sony a6700 into three groups:
Best Standard lenses (walk-around zooms and primes)
Best Ultra-wide lenses
Best Telephoto lenses
Best Compact Walk Around Lenses (standard zoom lenses and normal primes) for the Sony a6700
Standard zooms, typically covering the same field of view as a 24mm to 70mm for full frame, offer a versatile focal length that closely mimics the human eye’s perspective.
Normal prime lenses, typically equivalent to the field of view of 35mm-50mm lenses, also closely mimic this perspective. While they don’t have the versatility of a zoom, they are much smaller in size than zoom lenses, while offering brighter apertures.
Standard zooms and normal primes are the typical choices for walk around lenses, since their coverage makes them suitable for a wide range of photography styles, including portraits, street photography, and everyday snapshots.
Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN
The perfect lens to replace the 16-50mm kit lens.
For a while, Sigma seemed content with just porting its legendary trio of f/1.4 primes to different APS-C mounts. The trio – made up of the Sigma 16mm f/1.4, 30mm f/1.4 and 56mm f/1.4 lenses – have, sometimes singlehandedly, ‘saved’ a lot of APS-C systems with limited first-party lenses (Canon EF-M, cough, cough).
They’re relatively inexpensive, have great optics and are all f/1.4. Up to this day, the trio remains a staple in many photographers’ bags.
But, when the Sony full frame E-mount started taking over the world, Sigma started focusing on full frame lenses, and was relatively quiet on the APS-C front. Until this lens came along.
Just reading the specs, the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary lens seems pretty pedestrian. Here is a 27-75mm equivalent zoom for APS-C. It’s a constant f/2.8. Cool, right? But, nothing too exciting. It’s been done before. Sony has their own 16-55mm f/2.8 G lens, for example. It’s just Sigma’s take on the usual 24/28mm-70mm standard zoom, right?
That’s what I thought, too. But when the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary lens was announced a few months after the Sony 16-55mm, one thing really stood out: This was a really tiny lens!
Here is a constant aperture, f/2.8 zoom lens, with a size only slightly larger than a full frame 50mm f/1.8 prime! It’s about the same size as the Fujifilm 18-55mm f/2.8-4, if you are familiar with that lens. The Fujifilm is physically shorter when the lenses are set to 18mm, but once you zoom all the way out, the lenses are roughly the same length.
Uses and Advantages:
The Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN lens is a versatile zoom lens that covers the most commonly used focal ranges for everyday shooting.
This lens is perfect for photographers seeking a single lens solution for multiple scenarios. Its wide to short telephoto range allows for seamless transitions between different types of photography without the need to change lenses. The constant aperture is the big selling point, making sure we get the shot in varying lighting conditions, but the compact design is the cherry on top.
All in all, this is a lens that doesn’t really come with a catch. It’s fast, it’s small, it’s priced very well. The only thing I’d ding it for is the lack of full weather sealing. Sigma only gives us a gasket around the lens mount, and no other seals. But, aside from that, I find very little to complain about here.
Key Features:
• Versatile Focal Range: Covers wide-angle to short telephoto, accommodating landscapes, portraits, street and travel photography. It’s a true jack of all trades.
• Constant f/2.8 Aperture at a compact size: f/2.8 lenses are a dime a dozen. Every system has them. But, f/2.8 zooms with a really useful range and at a size that is easy to carry, making it ideal for travel and everyday use? This lens is then only game in town.
• Excellent value: Coming in at less than half the price of the Sony 16-55mm f/2.8 G, the Sigma 18-50mm is one of the best value lenses in all of E mount right now. Given the useful range and the constant aperture, this is a lens that I use every single day.
Check the current street price of the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary lens on Amazon.
Sony FE 35mm f/1.8 OSS
An oldie but a goodie. This lens was first released in 2012! Making it one of the first lenses released for Sony’s then fledgling E-mount.
With a field of view roughly equivalent to a 52mm lens, it covers the classic standard angle of view that a ‘nifty fifty’ prime lens would on full frame body.
Uses and Advantages:
The Sony 35mm f/1.8 OSS excels in scenarios where size/weight and low-light performance are paramount. The f/1.8 aperture is more than enough for portraits with a blurred background, while the OSS feature allows for handheld shooting in dim environments. But remember, OSS helps minimize camera shake from slow shutter speeds – so it’s useful for static subjects, not moving subjects. For moving subjects, you want the opposite = faster shutter speeds.
It’s one of Sony’s older lenses, but it is still a great lens. The compact size + fast aperture + OSS + excellent AF, makes it an excellent choice for photographers who require high-quality performance without the bulk.
Key Features:
• Fast f/1.8 Aperture: Enables excellent low-light performance and shallow depth of field (background blur)
• Optical SteadyShot (OSS): Minimizes camera shake, ensuring sharp images even in handheld shooting. Depending on what you usually shoot, OSS working in tandem with IBIS (as on the a6600 and a6700) would help more than an f/1.4 aperture. Plus, f/1.4 lenses in this range, like the Sigma 30mm f/1.4, are also much bigger (see size comparison below).
• Compact and Lightweight: Easily fits into any camera bag or a pocket. It can hang on your neck or shoulder all day without pulling the camera down, or you can stick it in the corner of your bag, ready for when the sun goes down.
Above, you can see the small Sony 35mm f/1.8 OSS vs the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 (with hood, but you get the idea). Below you can see another image of the 35mm OSS, this time compared with a pancake lens.
Check the current street price of the Sony 35mm f/1.8 OSS on Amazon.
NOTE: Sony also makes a Sony 35mm f/1.8 FE for full frame cameras. Make sure you get the right one. Both lenses will work the same on an APS-C body, but the full frame lens is much larger, much more expensive, and doesn’t have optical image stabilization (OSS).
Sony E 20mm f/2.8 Pancake Lens
The Sony E 20mm f/2.8 is a true pancake lens, celebrated for its ultra-compact design and featherweight construction. With a size that’s barely larger than a lens cap, it’s a favorite among minimalist photographers.
One of only two true pancake lenses for E mount made by Sony, this lens has found a place in many shooters’ bags. The only other pancake is the Sony 16mm f/2.8 – which is NOT recommended as it doesn’t work with phase detect AF in any Sony camera. I don’t know why Sony still insists on selling that lens.
This 20mm f/2.8 on the other hand (equivalent to a 30mm FOV) is a tiny lens that delivers the goods.
It’s less than an inch thick when mounted, and it transforms your camera into a point and shoot. Except you’re still getting best-in-class Sony AF compared to pretty much any other camera in this size range. A lot of photographers also pair this with their full frame cameras (set to crop mode) as a daily walk around lens for casual snapshots. On a full frame a7c II (33 megapixels) you’ll be getting roughly 15 megapixels in crop mode. On a full frame a7c (24 megapixels) you’re left with roughly 11 megapixels in crop mode. Still more than enough for daily snapshots.
The a6700 and this lens would weigh just 562 grams, a mere 50 grams heavier than the Fujifilm X100VI. Pair it with the smaller and lighter Sony a6400, and you have a killer combo that weighs under 500 grams!
Uses and Advantages:
The Sony 20mm f/2.8 pancake lens is ideal for photographers who prioritize portability without compromising on performance. Its discreet size allows for unobtrusive shooting, making it perfect for street photography, candid photography and everyday snapshots.
It’s not just the weight, having such a low profile lens that is barely thicker than a body cap goes a long way in making a camera feel less lumpy. If you’ve ever used small cameras like the Sony RX1 or Leica Q3, you’ll know that there is a difference in handling between these cameras vs a similarly sized body with a non-protruding lens like the Fuji X100VI.
Small and light cameras with a protruding lens will always feel more lumpy than a camera with a low profile lens.
Even when overall weight is the same, having a lens that sticks out more just feels more annoying. If you’re the type who just leaves the camera in the bag and taking out for the occasional shot, thats probably not an issue. But, if you’re like me who likes having the camera around my neck or hanging on my shoulder, having a low profile lens makes a big difference, especially for city walks and nature hikes.
I love it for street shooting. Its barely there, doesn’t look threatening, very low profile. Even when I have my camera slung around one shoulder, it’s not in any danger of hitting anyone in crowded sidewalks.
Below, you can see that the 20mm pancake is a fair bit smaller than the already small Sony 16-50mm OSS kit lens. So, why not just use the kit lens? Sure, that’s always an option, and the ability to zoom is nice to have. BUT – take note, the kit lens physically gets longer when it’s activated for shooting. It’s only the size below when the camera is powered off.
Key Features:
• Ultra-Compact Design: It’s less than an inch thick. Adds minimal bulk to the camera setup.
• f/2.8 Aperture: Balances low-light capability with a lightweight form.
• Versatile Focal Length: With a 30mm-equivalent field of view, that puts it in between the classic 28mm-equivalent lens of a Ricoh GR and the 35mm-equivalent lens on a Fuji X100VI. It’s suitable for wide-angle street photography and environmental portraits and everyday family shots.
Check the current street price of the Sony 20mm f/2.8 pancake lens on Amazon.
Best Compact Ultrawide Lenses for the Sony a6700
Ultrawide lenses are the go-to for vlogging, landscapes, car photography, architecture, and interior photography, offering expansive fields of view and creative perspectives. UWA’s are the lenses for big skies and dramatic perspectives.
Sony 11mm f/1.8
The Sony E 11mm f/1.8 is one of the most important additions to Sony’s APS-C lineup, in my opinion. It’s tiny, relatively cheap, with exceptional sharpness and low-light performance.
This lens was announced at the same time as the Sony 15mm f/1.4 G lens. Compared to that lens, the 11mm is quite a bit more bare bones. No aperture ring, and a more plastic-y build quality. But – the 11mm f/1.8 is a mere 181 grams, and is over a half an inch shorter in length vs the 15mm f/1.4.
This 11mm f/1.8 is one of Sony’s sleeper hits. It’s one of the most fun lenses I own.
Uses and Advantages:
With a wide 11mm focal length (16.5mm equivalent), it captures expansive scenes with minimal distortion, making it perfect for walk and talk vlogs, landscapes, interiors and astrophotography.
Wide field of view and bright aperture usually translates to a large lens. But, the Sony 11mm squeezes both in a lens that is under $600.
It’s excellent for vlogging, or for anything requiring both wide coverage and low-light capabilities. Night and astrophotography, interior/indoor low light scenarios etc..
Its compact size also makes it a perfect companion for travel photographers. It’s small enough that you can just stick it in a corner of your bag, and won’t feel bad about taking it even if you only end up using it sparingly.
Key Features:
• Wide Aperture: The f/1.8 aperture allows for excellent low-light performance and shallow depth of field control for an ultra wide.
• Compact Design: 200 grams and 2.6 x 2.28 inches (W X L). Despite its wide aperture, the lens maintains a relatively compact and lightweight form factor. It’s small enough to fly on a gimbal all day long, and small enough to keep in a bag, just in case.
• Perfect for hybrid shooters: This is a lens that will please both photographers and video creators alike. If you do both, then you probably already have this in your bag.
Check the current street price of the Sony 11mm f/1.8 on Amazon.
TTArtisan 14mm f/3.5 AF
This one came as a bit of a surprise. A proper third party AF pancake lens for Sony E-mount! And it’s a true pancake, too. It’s about an inch thick and weighs just 98 grams. TTArtisan even managed to throw in an aperture ring!
Equivalent to the angle of view of a 21mm full frame lens (about 92 degrees). For comparison, the full frame Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G lens has an angle of view of about 94.5 degrees. If you’ve ever used the Ricoh GW-4 wide angle converter on the Ricoh GR III, this gives you a similar field of view. (the Ricoh GW-4 gives the GR III about a 90 degree angle of view)
Not only is this TT Artisan lens smaller and lighter than the Ricoh GW-4, it’s cheaper too! For the Ricoh, you also need to buy the GA-1 lens adapter in order to use the GW-4 on the Ricoh GR3. That set-up is actually longer than having this TTartisan lens mounted on an a6700 or a6400.
Pair this TTArtisan 14mm f/3.5 with the Sony 20mm f/2.8 pancake lens (discussed above) and you’ve basically got a Sony Ricoh GR III kit! It’s not as small as the GR 3, but you get way better autofocus! The GR3 plus the GW-4 adapter gives you 21mm-equivalent and 28mm-equivalent. Having this lens (TTartisan 14mm f/3.5) and the Sony 20mm f/2.8, gives you 21mm and 30mm-equivalents, in a kit that is nearly as compact!
Uses and advantages:
21mm-equivalent field of view is a nice sweet spot for those who like ultra wides for street scenes. It’s wide enough to be really dramatic, but not too wide that you start entering “hard to use” territory.
And, it also gaps well with a lot of lenses. Whether you want to pair it with the Sony 20mm pancake, a zoom like the Sigma 18-50mm, or a bright prime like the Sigma 23mm f/1.4, this lens is easy to just throw in the bag.
I’d even consider pairing it with a similar focal length like the Sigma 16mm f/1.4! The Sigma 16mm f/1.4 for most things, then switch it for the TTArtisan when size really matters. Maybe you’re the type who doesn’t like using larger lenses like the Sigma 16mm f/1.4 in crowded places like a festival or a market, then you can quickly switch to this lens without a drastic change in focal length.
Key Features:
• A true pancake lens: At less than an inch thick, this thing is barely larger than a body cap.
• Aperture ring: Just like on their other AF pancake – the TTARtisan 27mm f/2.8 pancake lens – they also throw in a rather nice aperture ring.
Sony 10-20mm f/4 PZ
With a field of view equivalent to a 15-30mm lens, the compact Sony 10-20mm f/4 power zoom (PZ) G lens is a versatile lens. Interiors, real estate, landscapes, street photography. It can even work as a walk around lens for travel photography. Its a favorite among hybrid content creators who want a small and sharp ultrawide zoom.
If you’re a stills only shooter, don’t be scared off by the power zoom mechanism. It really doesn’t feel that much different from a real zoom. Personally, for a lens like this, I’d rather have the small size and non-extending barrel of this power zoom than a mechanically coupled zoom. It’s vastly improved from older iterations of power zooms, this one feels natural and precise. It’s linear and doesn’t have the detached feeling that a lot of electronic zooms have.
Uses and Advantages:
With a length of only 55mm (just over 2 inches), this lens remains one of the smallest, if not the smallest ultra-wide APS-C zoom lens in the world right now. It pairs beautifully with the a6700 or a6400.
It’s smaller than the Sigma 10-18mm f/2.8 (below) and the older Sony 10-18mm f/4 OSS that it replaces. However, unlike the older 10-18mm f/4, this new lens doesn’t have optical image stabilization (OSS). But the loss of OSS does result in a really light lens, coming in at an astounding 178 grams.
If you do video or plan on vlogging, the power zoom will be a big plus as it gets rid of the jerkiness of a manual zoom. Hybrid content creators who use a Sony ZV-E10 or ZV-E10 II, can even use the zoom control around the shutter button to smoothly operate the zoom while recording.
Key Features:
• Linear AF motors: The constant Sony advantage. Sony’s linear AF motors are always a huge plus when using first-party Sony lenses (vs third party lenses that use stepper motors) since they just work a bit better especially when tracking a subject moving across different planes of focus. Even when compared to third party linear motors (such as Tamron’s VXD motor), Sony’s dual linear or XD linear motors just work better when tracking. This may or may not be a big deal to you, depending on what you shoot.
• Constant Aperture: Maintains a consistent f/4 aperture across the zoom range, so exposure won’t change as you zoom in and out.
• Weather-Sealed Construction: Weather seals on the mount and around rings and switches protects against dust and moisture, so we can all keep shooting in most environments.
Check the current street price of the Sony 10-20mm f/4 PZ on Amazon.
Sigma 10-18mm f/2.8 DC DN
The companion to Sigma’s excellent 18-50mm f/2.8 standard zoom, Sigma’s 10-18mm f/2.8 DC DN lens offers an impressive balance of performance and portability.
It doesn’t quite have the edge sharpness of the Sony 10-20mm above, but, it is a full stop brighter at f/2.8 across the entire zoom range. That really is its main selling point, a full stop can mean the difference between a useable ISO 6400 shot vs an unsalvageable ISO 12800 shot. Depending on what you like to shoot, that one stop difference can be a big deal on an APS-C camera like the a6700 or a6400.
Compared to the Sony 10-20mm f/4 PZ (above), the Sigma is only heavier and slightly bigger (260 grams and 62mm long). Compared to the Tamron 11-20mm f/2.8, the Sigma is lighter and significantly smaller, while allowing for a wider field of view (15mm-equivalent vs 16.5mm equivalent). The Tamron does go longer (30mm equivalent vs 27mm equivalent on the Sigma) but I think that for most people, the wider field of view will be more useful. That’s why you bought an UWA in the first place, right?
Although built really well, the Sigma is a bit more bare bones. It does away with any kind of switch or button on the body. Aside from the zoom and focus ring, you don’t get anything else.
The Sigma does have one quirk that may or may not annoy you, the lens is at its collapsed (shortest) position when set to 18mm (27mm-equivalent) and it grows longer as it zooms out to 10mm (15mm-equivalent). Not a biggie though, the barrel only extends about 10mm or so.
Uses and Advantages:
The Sigma 10-18mm f/2.8 DC DN is ideal for photographers who want the advantages that a constant aperture of f/2.8 provides in an UWA lens, in a compact form.
It has a short zoom range, but it’s a useful zoom range that is perfect for capturing dramatic landscapes, astrophotography, and creative architectural shots.
The lightweight design makes it a practical choice for those who prioritize portability without compromising on low light performance.
Its verrrry hard to not recommend this lens for most photographers. It’s tiny, it’s f/2.8 and has superb optics that punches well above its asking price.
Key Features:
• Fast Aperture: The constant f/2.8 aperture provides excellent low-light performance and depth of field control (for an UWA lens).
• Compact and Lightweight: It’s hard to overstate this. Its hard to imagine a lens this small and light is a constant f/2.8.
• Killer Duo: It makes for an excellent pair with the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 standard zoom (below). Can you imagine having coverage from 15mm-equivalent all the way to 75mm-equivalent, with a constant f/2.8 aperture at a combined weight of under 600 grams?!
Check the current street price of the Sigma 10-18mm f/2.8 DC DC Contemporary Lens on Amazon.
Best Compact Telephoto Lenses for the Sony a6700
Telephoto lenses are essential for capturing distant subjects, offering magnification and compression effects that enhance portraiture, wildlife, and sports photography. Here are the top telephoto lenses suitable for the Sony A6700:
Sigma 56mm f/1.4 DC DN
The Sigma 56mm f/1.4 is one of Sigma’s best selling lenses across multiple camera mounts. And with good reason. This is a great budget lens that does not skimp on quality at all.
On the Sony a6700 or a6400 (or any Sony APS-C body), this lens works like an 84mm short telephoto prime. This is typically the focal length of choice for portraits, especially indoor portraits since it’s long enough to not distort faces, but not too long that you run out of space when using it indoors.
It uses the same design brief as the other Sigma f/1.4 primes for APS-C: Excellent optics, bright aperture, at an affordable price. Sure, there’s lots of plastic, but it’s solidly built. It has a metal mount and nothing flexes or creaks. There are no buttons here, no aperture ring. It’s not fully weather sealed, but there is a gasket around the mount. Sigma made the right choices here. They could have put everything in there, but it would have upped the price quite a bit. As it is, I’m happy with the trade-offs they made.
In a way, this is what the Sigma “Contemporary” lens line is all about. Optics capable of producing professional level results, in a compact, and no-frills package.
Uses and Advantages:
Short telephoto lenses are pretty versatile. The most obvious use-case is as a portrait lens. And this lens definitely delivers. It’s sharp, it focuses fast and produces some very creamy, yet very neutral looking bokeh.
But, like an 85mm prime for full frame, it’s not just limited to portraits. Product photography, pet photography, it’s also a popular option for street photography. Although my preference is for wider angles and deep depth of field for street shooting, I do occasionally enjoy the moody looks that a fast f/1.4 aperture can provide for street shots.
Here you can see the Sigma 56mm f/1.4 compared to the Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 full frame lens. Note that the Sigma with its hood on, will give you roughly the same foot print as the 85mm without hood.
Key Features:
•Fast f/1.4 aperture: That’s a full two stops faster than an f/2.8 lens. It’s not just about isolating subjects and blowing backgrounds out of focus. A fast aperture also allows you to keep shooting at night or in low light situations. It also allows you to keep shooting at higher shutter speeds, minimizing risk of blurry shots.
• Fantastic value: Punches well above its weight. There’s a reason why this is one of Sigma’s most popular lenses. You’re getting pro-level optics with a no-frills body at a steal.
• Versatility: A short telephoto is suitable for everything from portraits, events, details and street scenes. It also pairs well with pretty much most any walk around lens. If you want to walk around with an 18-50mm, an UWA zoom, a 16mm or 23mm prime? The Sigma 56mm will take care of your telephoto and low light needs.
Check the current street price of the Sigma 56mm f/1.4 Contemporary lens on Amazon.
Sigma 90mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary
The Sigma 90mm f/2.8 DC DN is actually a full frame lens. But, you wouldn’t know it with its size. On an APS-C body, it is equivalent to a 135mm lens on full frame. That puts you firmly in telephoto/outdoor portrait territory.
While the f/2.8 aperture may scare some people off, those who know, know that it’s more than enough to produce stunning portraits. No, it won’t be as buttery as a 135mm f/1.8 on full frame, but it is a small price to pay for having such a small and light lens with this focal length.
And, have you seen the size and cost of 135mm f/1.8 lenses? 135mm-equivalent is just not an everyday focal length for the majority of photographers. Unless you’re a dedicated portrait shooter (in which case you probably already own the Sony 135mm f/1.8 GM), it just makes no sense to spend as much money to carry around a 135mm f/1.8 lens that isn’t going to be used everyday. Even the “cheapo” Samyang 135mm f/1.8 comes in at almost 800 grams and retails for just under $USD 800. Not exactly something I would throw in my camera bag, “just in case”.
Meanwhile, this Sigma 90mm f/2.8 comes in at a mere 300 grams. It feels beautiful in the hand, with a metal body and a very nice, and very clicky aperture ring. You can even get a magnetic lens cap for it.
Uses and Advantages:
The Sigma 90mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary is perfect for anyone who wants a compact telephoto lens that’s longer than your typical 85mm-equivalent.
It’s great for outdoor portraits and for distant landscapes or urban photography. At a 135mm-equivalent field of view on the a6700 or any Sony APS-C body, you are getting the exact same compression effect that you would on a real 135mm lens on a full frame body.
Yes, exactly the same. Compression is affected solely by distance to subject, so you will get the exact same compression. This is great for creating dramatic landscapes or enhancing scale. When shooting ‘scapes or urban scenes, compression can create a stacking effect where mountains, buildings, or other elements appear layered and closer together, adding depth and drama to an image. Distant objects like the moon or a prominent landmark can appear larger and more prominent, creating striking visual effects.
There’s a reason the new 5x telephoto lens on the iPhone Pro series is well loved by a lot of photographers. The iPhone’s telephoto lens is a 120mm-equivalent lens, so its slightly shorter than the 135mm-equivalent of this one, but in use, they are going to be the same.
The Sigma 90mm f/2.8’s compact and lightweight design (295 grams!) makes it a practical choice to pair with a walk around zoom like the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 if you want something longer than an 85mm-equivalent.
Key Features:
• Premium design: Being a newer design, this lens is a clear step up in build quality vs Sigma’s older Contemporary line lenses like the 56mm f/1.4 above. A metal build, a very nicely made aperture ring. If Voigtlander made AF lenses, it would be something like this.
• Fast f/2.8 Aperture: Don’t be scared that it’s “only” f/2.8. At this focal length, that’s more than enough for subject-background separation.
• Superior Haptics: Metal build, very nicely done aperture ring, well dampened focus ring. There’s really a lot to like with this lens, and all the recent Sigma Contemporary lenses with a similar build. If you’re like me and you care about how a lens feels in use, this is pretty much as good as it gets for an AF lens.
Check the current street price of the Sigma 90mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary Lens on Amazon.
Sony FE 70-350mm f/4.5-6.3 G OSS
Strictly speaking, this isn’t a small lens. But, it is small for what it is. And what it is, is an excellent 105-525mm equivalent focal length equivalent lens, that features optical image stabilization (OSS) and Sony’s excellent XD linear motors to ensure fast focusing and compatibility with future AF improvements in future bodies.
All that comes in at a mere 625 grams of weight. In comparison, the full frame Sigma 100-400mm DG DN is 1135 grams. While that lens also comes with Sigma’s optical stabilization (OS), it also comes with a more inferior stepper AF motor. Sony’s own 100-400mm GMaster lens comes in at a hefty 1400 grams, more than double the weight of the 70-350mm. The 100-400mm GMaster also sells for a whopping $2500.
Uses and Advantages:
The Sony 70-350mm lens is an excellent choice for photographers who require a long reach without the heft of traditional telephoto lenses. Its versatile focal range allows for capturing distant subjects with ease – wildlife, daylight sports, urban landscapes etc.. it can even double as a portrait lens if you have the space.
The excellent image stabilization is pretty much needed for a lens with this much range, and it helps maintain image sharpness especially in challenging conditions.
The lens’s compact design (especially compared to full frame lenses with similar coverage) also makes it suitable for travel and outdoor photography, where portability is essential. This is a lens that you won’t mind bringing with you for family vacations, it’s not a big bulky lens that you only want to carry for paid jobs.
Don’t be scared of the slower apertures. That’s the price you pay for having a portable lens. 350mm (525mm-equivalent) is very long, and is more than enough to get some subject-background separation. It’s not the lens for low light sports (where you want fast shutter speeds), but in good light, it is a joy to use.
Key Features:
• Extensive Focal Range: 70-350mm range provides flexibility for various shooting scenarios, from wildlife to sports.
• Optical SteadyShot (OSS): Helps ensure sharp images especially at longer focal lengths and when using slower shutter speeds in low-light conditions.
• Lightweight and Compact: Despite a whopping 105-525mm-equivalent coverage, it remains relatively lightweight. It’s as small as m43 lenses!
Ultrawide Lenses like the Sony FE 11mm f/1.8, Sony 10-20mm f/4 PZ, and Sigma 10-18mm f/2.8 deliver expansive views and creative flexibility, perfect for landscapes and architecture. Normal Lenses such as the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN, Sony FE 35mm f/1.8 OSS, and Sony E 20mm f/2.8 Pancake offer versatility and high image quality for a wide range of photography styles. Telephoto Lenses including the Sigma 90mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary and Sony FE 70-350mm f/4.5-6.3 G OSS provide the reach and precision needed for detailed close-ups and distant subjects.
Check the current street price of the Sony 70-350mm OSS G Lens on Amazon.
Why use small lenses for the Sony a6700?
Less gear, more freedom. Even when I shot big, bulky DSLR’s, I’ve always gravitated towards small lenses. That was mostly because my first love was street photography. Small gear is simply less obtrusive, less likely to draw attention, more likely to make subjects comfortable with some guy with a camera walking the streets.
But, now, that I shoot more than just street photography, I still mostly favor smaller and lighter gear. But, for different reasons. Smaller and lighter gear is more likely to leave the house. I’m the type of person who carries a camera even when I’m going to the grocery or to the dentist. Not only is smaller gear less burdensome, it’s also easier to just stick in the corner of a bag, for those days when I’m not specifically going out to photograph. I’ve made many of my images this way, by simply having a good quality camera and lens with me, while running an errand.
Investing in high-quality, small lenses not only complements the lightweight nature of the Sony A6700 but also opens up new possibilities. Just the fact that lightweight gear encourages frequent, if not daily use, is enough of a reason for me. I am more likely to have a camera with me, for unexpected moments, and having small, compact lenses also encourages daily photography.
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