8 Best Lenses for Sony A6400

If you have a Sony A6400 camera, knowing the best lenses can make your photos better.

In 2026, many photographers trust certain lenses. These lenses are popular because they are sharp, versatile, and easy to carry.

The right lens depends on what kind of photos you like to take and how much you want to spend.

Some lenses stand out more than others. Want to know which lenses are the top choices and why people recommend them? Keep reading to find the best lenses for your Sony A6400.

Sony – FE 50mm F1.8 Standard Lens (SEL50F18F/2)

If you want an affordable lens for portrait photography with your Sony A6400, the Sony FE 50mm F1.8 (SEL50F18F/2) is a great choice. It is small and lightweight, so you can carry it easily. The bright F1.8 aperture helps create a blurry background and works well in low light. The lens has a 7-blade circular opening, which makes nice, soft bokeh for portraits.

It focuses quickly and accurately, so you can get sharp photos easily. The lens is made mostly of plastic and isn’t weather-proof. That means it can get scratched or damaged if you shoot outside in bad weather. It doesn’t have a switch for manual or auto focus. You have to change settings on the camera or use custom buttons. Also, it makes a little noise when focusing, which might affect videos.

Many users like this lens because it offers good quality images, is easy to carry, and costs less. It is perfect for beginners and anyone who wants a simple, effective lens for portraits and everyday photography.

Best For: Beginners and hobbyists who want an affordable, light lens for portraits on Sony full-frame or APS-C cameras.

Pros:

• Small and light, easy to take anywhere
• Bright F1.8 aperture for nice background blur and low-light shots
• Fast and accurate autofocus for capturing sharp photos

Cons:

• Made of plastic, not waterproof or weather-resistant
• No switch for manual or auto focus—uses camera settings instead
• Focus can be a bit noisy and sometimes overshoot, especially in videos

Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 Lens for Sony E-Mount Cameras (Black)

The Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 lens is a good pick if you want an affordable telephoto zoom lens for outdoor photos. It covers an 82-315mm zoom range, so you can get close to wildlife, sports, or scenery. The lens has a built-in optical Steady Shot feature that helps keep your pictures and videos steady when you shoot handheld. Its small and light design makes it easy to carry around, perfect for travel or outdoor trips. The lens focuses smoothly and quietly, so it works well for taking photos or recording videos of moving subjects.

One thing to keep in mind is that the lens does not open very wide. This makes it harder to shoot in low light, and it may not be ideal for portraits. Also, the focus ring can take a bit longer to turn, which might slow down quick focus changes. Sometimes, the images at the extreme zoom points may look soft, so you may need to crop or sharpen the photos afterward.

Sony SELP1650 16-50mm Power Zoom Lens (Renewed)

The Sony SELP1650 16-50mm Power Zoom Lens (Renewed) is a good choice for people who want an affordable and reliable zoom lens. It is small and easy to carry because it folds down to just over an inch when not in use. The lens works with most Sony NEX E-mount cameras.

This lens has a control ring and a Power Zoom feature. The Power Zoom helps you make smooth zooms when taking videos. It also has Optical SteadyShot, which keeps your photos and videos sharp and clear, even if you are moving or walking.

Weighing only 4.1 ounces, this lens is great for travel, street photography, or casual shots. It gives you good quality pictures without being heavy or bulky. Because it is renewed, it may have some minor imperfections like small dents or packaging issues. Also, some users find the focus not perfect for every situation, and it is not compatible with certain Sony NEX models like the NEX-3, NEX-5, and NEX-C3.

Best For: People who want an easy-to-use, portable zoom lens for travel, street, or everyday photos.

Pros:

• Small and light, easy to carry everywhere.
• Includes Power Zoom and Image Stabilization for smooth videos and clear photos.
• Works with many Sony NEX E-mount cameras.

Cons:

• Some users report focus problems or small dents on the lens.
• Not compatible with all Sony NEX cameras.
• As a renewed product, it may have minor cosmetic flaws or packaging issues.

This lens offers a good mix of portability and performance at a price that fits most budgets. It’s perfect if you want a versatile lens you can take with you anywhere.

SONY E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 Lens for SONY E-Mount Cameras (Black) (Renewed)

If you want a useful zoom lens for your Sony E-mount camera that doesn’t cost a lot, the Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 is a good pick. This renewed, black lens has a big zoom range, from 82mm to 315mm in 35mm equivalent. It’s great for taking pictures of sports, animals, or nature. The lens focuses smoothly and quietly because of the internal focusing system. This makes it good for videos too. It has optical SteadyShot stabilization, so your photos and videos stay steady, even if your hands shake a little. People rate it highly for its autofocus, build quality, and sharp images. It’s light and easy to use for both beginners and more experienced photographers. Plus, it offers good value without losing core features or versatility.

Best For: Hobbyists, casual shooters, and professionals who want a versatile zoom lens for sports, nature, or video work on a budget.

Pros:

• Covers a wide zoom range from 82mm to 315mm (35mm equivalent)
• Focuses quietly and smoothly, ideal for videos
• Lightweight, durable, and delivers sharp images

Cons:

• Might struggle in low light, making it harder to get sharp images
• The aperture range (f/4.5-6.3) limits depth of field and low-light shooting
• Zoom and focus may need careful handling in difficult lighting conditions

This lens is a good tool for anyone who wants to explore different kinds of photography without spending too much. It works well for capturing distant subjects, making videos, and trying out new styles.

Sony Alpha a6400 Mirrorless Camera with 16-50mm Lens

If you want a camera that is easy to use and can do many things, the Sony Alpha a6400 with the 16-50mm lens is a great choice. It is small and light, so it’s easy to carry around. This makes it perfect for travel, vlogging, or taking photos every day.

The camera has a 20.1-megapixel sensor. This helps you take clear, sharp pictures. It also has fast autofocus that quickly finds and keeps focus on your subject. The real-time eye tracking helps to keep faces sharp, so your photos and videos look great.

The kit lens is simple to use and makes good images. You can record videos in 4K, which means high-quality videos. The screen on the camera can tilt, so it’s easy to frame shots from different angles.

If you are new to photography or want a reliable camera for trips, this kit is a good choice. It gives you powerful features that help you take nice photos and videos right away.

Best For: beginners and travelers who want a small, easy-to-use camera with good picture quality.

Pros:

• Small and lightweight, easy to carry
• Fast autofocus with eye tracking helps keep shots clear
• Good image quality with a 20.1MP sensor and easy lens

Cons:

• battery doesn’t last long, so carry extras
• No in-body stabilization, so videos may be shaky
• Not great in very low light, can cause grainy images

85mm f1.8 Portrait Lens for Sony E Mount Cameras

Are you looking for a portrait lens that gives you beautiful background blur and sharp details of your subject? The 85mm f1.8 manual portrait lens for Sony E-mount cameras could be a good choice. It works with cameras like the Sony A6400. The lens has a big f/1.8 aperture, which helps create soft bokeh and a shallow depth of field. This makes your portraits stand out with smooth backgrounds.

This lens is made for manual focus. You will need to turn the focus ring to get sharp images. This can take some practice, but it gives you lots of control. The lens makes sharp, detailed portraits and looks great with skin tones. It is built in China and comes with a hood and a small storage bag. This makes it a good deal for the price.

Keep in mind, this lens works best in well-lit places. It may be harder to use in low light, since it doesn’t have electronic focus features. The aperture is manual, so it won’t show on the camera for quick adjustments.

Best For: Photographers who are experienced with manual focus and want a budget-friendly 85mm portrait lens. It is good for capturing sharp, detailed images with soft backgrounds on Sony E-mount cameras.

Pros:

• Creates beautiful background blur (bokeh)
• Produces natural skin tones
• Solid build quality
• Comes with a hood and storage bag
• Good value for the price

Cons:

• Manual focus can be tricky for beginners
• Needs practice for sharp results
• Not ideal in low light
• No electronic controls; aperture is manual and won’t display on camera

If you want a lens that prioritizes control and sharpness, this could be a good pick. It helps you make portrait photos with creamy backgrounds and clear faces. Just remember, practice makes perfect with manual focus.

TTArtisan 7.5mm F2.0 APS-C Camera Lens for Sony E Mount

The TTArtisan 7.5mm F2.0 APS-C fisheye lens is a good choice for creative photographers. It works with Sony E-mount cameras like the A6400. The lens has a 17mm focal length and an 81° viewing angle. This makes your photos look wide and immersive. It’s great for street scenes, landscapes, and everyday photos.

The F2.0 aperture is large. It helps you take clearer pictures in low light and gives you more options for creative effects. The lens uses manual focus. Focus peaking helps you see when your shot is sharp, so it’s easier to focus carefully.

Some users find the focus ring a bit stiff, and the lens caps are flimsy. You need to handle the lens gently. But the sharpness and low price make it a fun, versatile tool for exploring your creativity.

Best For: Photographers who want a wide-angle, immersive view with manual focus for their Sony E-mount cameras.

Pros:

• Wide 81° view, perfect for street, landscape, and reportage photography
• F2.0 aperture improves low-light shots and creative control
• Affordable price with good sharpness and image quality

Cons:

• Focus ring can be stiff and hard to turn smoothly
• Lens caps can fall off easily
• No autofocus, so you need to focus manually with care

This lens is a great way to add unique, wide-angle photos to your collection. It’s simple to use once you get used to the manual focus, and it offers a fun way to try new photography styles.

Meike 35mm F1.7 Manual Focus Prime Lens for Sony APS-C Cameras

The Meike 35mm F1.7 lens is a good choice for those who want manual control and a vintage look. It works well with Sony APS-C cameras. The lens is made of metal and glass, so it feels solid and durable. It’s great for street photography and casual photos. The focus ring is smooth, and the aperture ring clicks without making noise. This helps you take clear, sharp pictures. The lens gives natural-looking images and performs well in low light. It’s small and light enough to carry around when you travel.

This lens is perfect for people who like to focus manually and enjoy a classic style. It costs less than $100, making it a good budget option. The simple design makes it easy to use and fun to experiment with.

Best for: photographers and videographers who want manual control and a vintage feel. It’s ideal if you need an affordable, lightweight prime lens for Sony APS-C cameras.

Pros:

• Takes sharp pictures with natural colors
• Built with metal and glass, sturdy and stylish
• Manual focus and a smooth aperture ring help you control your shots

Cons:

• The aperture ring doesn’t lock, so it might change by itself
• The lens cap can fall off easily; use a strap or protector
• Not meant for autofocus users or those wanting extra features

If you enjoy making adjustments by hand and love a retro vibe, this lens is simple, reliable, and costs less than $100. It’s a good choice for casual photos and street pictures.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Lenses for Sony A6400

When choosing lenses for your Sony A6400 camera, keep it simple. First, check if the lens fits your camera. The A6400 uses Sony’s E-mount, so look for lenses with that mount.

Next, think about how much light the lens can handle. Lenses with larger apertures let in more light. This helps you take clear photos in dark places or at night.

Decide if you want a zoom or a prime lens. Zoom lenses can change focus lengths, so you can take close-up or wide shots. Prime lenses have a fixed focus, but often give you better picture quality.

Also, look at how fast the lens focuses. A quick and accurate focus helps you capture moving or sharp photos easily. Lastly, choose a lens made with good build quality. A sturdy lens lasts longer and works well even when you use it a lot.

Compatibility and Mount Type

Choosing the right lens for your Sony A6400 is simple once you know the basics. The key is to check the mount type. The Sony A6400 uses a specific mount called the E-mount. This ensures the lens will fit perfectly and work well with features like autofocus and aperture control.

Make sure the lens is meant for APS-C sensors like the A6400. Full-frame lenses can work, but they will crop the image because of the smaller sensor. This is okay, but keep it in mind.

If you want to use manual lenses without electronic parts, you might need to change some camera settings. For example, turn on “Release without Lens” to avoid issues when using manual lenses.

You can also use adapters. They let you attach lenses with different mounts to your camera. However, adapters can slow down autofocus and may limit electronic communication between the lens and camera.

Finally, check if the lens supports internal focusing. This type of focus is faster and smoother. Following these steps makes sure your lens works well and gives you great photos.

Aperture and Light

The aperture is a part of a lens that controls how much light gets to your Sony A6400’s sensor. A bigger opening, which is a lower f-number like f/1.4, lets in more light. This makes your pictures brighter and better for low-light situations. It also creates a blurry background, called a shallow depth of field, which looks nice for portraits. Lenses with apertures between f/1.4 and f/2.8 make smooth, pleasing backgrounds, or bokeh.

Smaller openings, like f/5.6 or f/6.3, let in less light. These are not ideal for indoor or dark settings unless you have extra lights. The size of the aperture also affects how much of the photo is sharp. Larger apertures give more background blur, while smaller ones keep more of the image in focus from front to back.

Choosing the right aperture helps you take better photos in different lighting. Think about whether you want a soft background or a sharp entire scene. Use a bigger aperture for more light and background blur, and a smaller one for more overall sharpness. This makes your camera work well in many lighting situations.

Zoom vs. Prime

Choosing between zoom and prime lenses depends on what you need and how you like to take photos. Zoom lenses let you change the focal length easily. For example, a 24-70mm zoom lets you go from wide shots to close-ups without swapping lenses. They are good when you want to be quick and flexible, like when taking photos outdoors or at events.

Prime lenses have a single focal length, like 50mm. They often have bigger openings, such as F1.8, which helps when the light is low. Primes create sharp images and make backgrounds blurry. They are smaller and lighter, making them easy to carry. If you want high-quality photos or want to shoot in low light, primes are a good choice.

If you like to move around and change scenes fast, zoom lenses are better. If you focus on getting clear, detailed images or shooting in dark places, primes work well. Both types of lenses can help you take great photos. The right choice depends on your style and what you want to shoot.

Focus Speed and Accuracy

Fast focus speed helps you catch quick moments in your photos. Using lenses that autofocus fast makes a big difference. On the Sony A6400, many E-mount lenses focus in about a second or less. This helps you lock onto your subjects quickly. The accuracy of the focus depends on how the lens moves. Some lenses use linear motors, which focus quietly and precisely. This is good for taking videos too. Features like Eye AF and real-time tracking help keep your subject sharp. Focus accuracy also works well in low light if the lens has a bright aperture and a short minimum focus distance. The lens design, build quality, and compatibility matter too. Read reviews and check specs to find reliable lenses for fast, accurate focus.

Build Quality and Durability

When choosing lenses for your Sony A6400, it’s important to think about build quality and how durable they are. Look for lenses made with strong materials like metal or tough plastic. This helps them handle everyday use and tough conditions better. If the lens has weather-sealing and dust protection, it can resist rain, dust, and dirt. This is helpful if you take photos outside often.

Check how the lens focuses. A smooth manual focus ring and a reliable autofocus motor show a good build. These parts need to work well over time to last. While a lightweight and small lens can be easier to carry, make sure it’s not fragile. It should have a solid construction and sturdy lens mounts. These features make sure it stays strong and helps your camera work reliably for a long time.

In short, pick lenses that are well-made and strong. They should handle different conditions and last many years. A good lens keeps your photos clear and your camera safe, no matter where you shoot.

Size and Portability

Choosing a small and light lens can make taking pictures easier with the Sony A6400. If you travel or take photos every day, a lighter lens helps a lot. Lenses like the Sony 16-50mm kit weigh about 4.1 ounces. This makes them easy to carry and they don’t add much size to your bag.

The size of the lens also matters. For example, the Sony FE 50mm F1.8 is small enough to fit into a pocket or small bag. Some lenses, like the Sony SELP1650, can fold or shrink when you’re not using them. This saves space and makes it easier to take your camera everywhere.

A lighter lens causes less tiredness during long photo sessions. It’s more comfortable to hold and shoot for a long time. Lenses that are heavier may have better picture quality, but they can be harder to carry and might slow you down. So, pick a size that fits your style and how you like to take photos.

Price Range and Budget

Before you buy a lens for your Sony A6400, decide your budget first. Prices range from about $100 for budget options to more than $1,000 for high-end lenses. Knowing how much you want to spend helps you pick the right lens faster.

Look at what each lens offers for its price. For example, the Sony 50mm F1.8 is a good, affordable choice that takes nice pictures. It’s great if you are just starting out. More expensive lenses can have better features. These include things like clearer optics, weatherproofing, and faster autofocus. But, you don’t always need these features, depending on what kind of photography you do.

Think about how much you plan to use the lens and what your skill level is. Picking a lens within your budget that fits your needs helps you get the best value. Don’t spend too much if you don’t need to. Stick to your budget, and you’ll find a lens that works well for you.

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