Coincidentally, you've just acquired a Sony A7III and you're itching to capture stunning portrait shots. But with so many lens options available, how do you choose the best one? Well, fear not!
In this discussion, we will explore the top portrait lenses for your Sony A7III, analyzing their features, performance, and image quality. Whether you're aiming for a budget-friendly option or a premium lens that delivers exceptional results, we've got you covered.
So, get ready to uncover the perfect portrait lens that will take your photography to the next level.
Key Takeaways
- The Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM Lens is a top choice for portrait photography on the Sony A7III.
- The lens offers a wide maximum aperture of f/1.4 for beautiful bokeh and low-light performance.
- The lens features a high-quality construction with weather sealing for durability and versatility.
- The lens delivers exceptional sharpness, contrast, and color reproduction for stunning portrait images.
The 6 Best Portrait Lenses for Sony A7III [Detailed Review]
Now let's discuss the best portrait lenses for your Sony A7III camera. The top choices include the Sony 85mm F/1.8-22 for its overall performance, the Sigma 30mm F1.4 Contemporary DC DN for its budget-friendly option, the Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 Art DC HSM for its premium quality, the Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS for its value, and the Tamron 70-300mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD for its portability.
These lenses offer a range of focal lengths and apertures to suit different portrait photography needs.
1. Sony 85mm F/1.8-22 Medium-Telephoto Fixed Prime Camera Lens (Best Overall)
The Sony 85mm F/1.8-22 Medium-Telephoto Fixed Prime Camera Lens (Best Overall) is an excellent choice for photographers seeking a portrait lens for their Sony A7III. This lens offers a wide F1.8 maximum aperture, allowing for beautiful defocusing effects.
Additionally, the 9-blade circular aperture creates round defocused bokeh, enhancing the overall aesthetic of portrait photography. The lens features an ED glass element that ensures corner-to-corner sharpness in images. It also utilizes a double linear motor system for fast, quiet, and precise focusing.
The lens is compact and lightweight, making it suitable for both full-frame and APS-C cameras. It is also dust and moisture resistant, providing durability in various shooting conditions.
Overall, the Sony 85mm F/1.8-22 Medium-Telephoto Fixed Prime Camera Lens offers exceptional image quality and performance, making it the best overall choice for portrait photography on the Sony A7III.
Best For: Travelers seeking exceptional portrait and low-light photography capabilities with their Sony A6400.
- Wide F1.8 maximum aperture for stunning defocused bokeh
- Double Linear motor system for fast and precise focusing
- Dust and moisture-resistant design for versatile shooting conditions
- Not suitable for macro photography due to minimal focus distance
2. Sigma 30mm F1.4 Contemporary DC DN Lens for Sony E (Best Budget)
For those seeking an affordable yet high-quality portrait lens for their Sony A7III, the Sigma 30mm F1.4 Contemporary DC DN Lens for Sony E is an excellent choice. This lens features nine rounded aperture blades, a stepping ring motor, and a compact design.
It is compatible with APS-C Mirrorless cameras with Sony E mount and Micro Four Thirds. The lens is handcrafted in Aizu Japan and individually inspected for quality. With dimensions of 2.89 x 2.55 x 2.55 inches and a weight of 9.3 ounces, it is portable and well-constructed.
Customers have praised the lens for its excellent image quality, fast f/1.4 aperture for low light performance and bokeh, and quick and accurate autofocus. It is a highly recommended option for those looking for quality at a lower price.
Best For: Those seeking an affordable yet high-quality portrait lens for their Sony A7III.
Best For: Street photographers seeking exceptional image quality and affordability.
- Low Price
- Excellent image quality at all apertures
- Distortion and lens aberrations are well controlled
- Compact design and lightweight for easy portability.
- Fast F1.4 aperture for capturing decisive moments.
- Slightly small aperture at f/2.8 for the size of the lens
- Designed for APS-C Mirrorless cameras only.
3. Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 Art DC HSM Lens for Sony (Best Premium Option)
With its wide aperture of 1.8 and exceptional image quality, the Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 Art DC HSM Lens for Sony is the ideal choice for photographers looking to capture stunning portraits with their Sony A7III.
This lens offers a unique combination of a wide-angle to standard zoom range and a large aperture, allowing for shallow depth of field and beautiful bokeh. The lens features a solid build quality and ergonomic design, making it comfortable to use for extended periods.
While it does not have image stabilization, the lens excels in low-light situations and is great for video work, thanks to its smooth autofocusing and constant aperture.
The Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 Art DC HSM Lens for Sony is a premium option that delivers exceptional performance and is highly recommended for portrait photographers using the Sony A7III.
Best For: Portrait photographers using the Sony A7III.
- Wide aperture of 1.8 for low-light performance and beautiful bokeh.
- Exceptional image quality with minimal chromatic aberration.
- Solid build quality and ergonomic design.
- No image stabilization.
4. Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS Portrait Lens (Best Value)
Ideal for photographers seeking a compact and lightweight option, the Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS Portrait Lens offers exceptional image quality and versatility for a wide range of shooting scenarios.
With a large F1.8 maximum aperture and a 7-blade circular aperture, this lens allows for enhanced bokeh effects and smooth defocusing. Its built-in Optical SteadyShot image stabilization system ensures sharp and steady images, even in low-light situations.
The lens-based optical image stabilization with gyro sensors further enhances stability. With a minimum focus distance of 1.28 ft (0.39 m) and a maximum magnification ratio of 0.16x, this lens is suitable for portraits, landscapes, street photography, and still-life.
Its compact and lightweight design makes it ideal for travel. However, some users have reported chromatic aberration, which can be mitigated with post-processing.
Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS Portrait Lens is a valuable addition to any photographer's collection, offering great value for its image quality and versatility.
Best For: Hobbyist photographers looking for a budget-friendly lens with excellent bokeh and lightweight design for versatile photography needs.
- Incredible bokeh for artistic background blur
- Good low-light performance
- Compact and lightweight design
- Crop factor affecting focal length
5. Tamron 70-300mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD for Sony Mirrorless Full Frame/APS-C E-Mount (Best for Portability)
The Tamron 70-300mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD lens for Sony Mirrorless Full Frame/APS-C E-Mount stands out as the top choice for photographers seeking a lightweight and portable portrait lens for their Sony A7III. With its compact design, this lens offers exceptional portability without compromising on image quality.
It features 15 elements in 10 groups, including special lens elements to correct aberrations and deliver high-resolution images. The lens also incorporates RXD (Rapid eXtra-silent stepping Drive) for quiet and precise autofocus performance.
It is compatible with both full-frame and APS-C mirrorless cameras, providing a versatile focal length range of 105-450mm equivalent. The Tamron 70-300mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD lens is a reliable option for portrait photographers who value portability and convenience without sacrificing image quality.
Best For: Photographers looking for a lightweight and versatile travel lens with good image quality and up-close shooting performance.
- Lightweight design
- Good image quality
- Compatibility with Sony bodies
- Exceptional portability without compromising on image quality.
- Special lens elements to correct aberrations and deliver high-resolution images.
- Quiet and precise autofocus performance with RXD technology.
- Plastic build
- Lack of image stabilization.
6. Tamron 18-300mm F/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD Lens for Sony E (Best for Performance)
For those seeking optimal performance in a portrait lens for the Sony A7III, the Tamron 18-300mm F/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD Lens for Sony E stands out with its exceptional versatility and high resolving power.
This lens is the world's first 16.6x all-in-one zoom lens for APS-C mirrorless cameras, offering a wide zoom range from 18mm to 300mm. It features Tamron's VXD linear motor focus mechanism, providing extremely fast and precise autofocus.
With a minimum object distance of 5.9 inches at 18mm and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:2, it offers impressive close-up capabilities. The lens is also equipped with Tamron's VC (Vibration Compensation) mechanism, ensuring sharp images even in low-light conditions.
Despite its powerful performance, the lens remains compact and portable at just 4.9 inches and 21.9 ounces. Tamron 18-300mm F/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD Lens for Sony E offers outstanding performance for portrait photography on the Sony A7III.
Best For: Those seeking optimal performance in a versatile all-in-one zoom lens for APS-C mirrorless cameras, specifically the Sony A7III.
- Exceptional versatility with a wide zoom range from 18mm to 300mm.
- Extremely fast and precise autofocus thanks to Tamron's VXD linear motor focus mechanism.
- Impressive close-up capabilities with a minimum object distance of 5.9 inches at 18mm and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:2.
- Compact and portable design
- Variable maximum aperture of f/3.5-6.3 may limit low-light performance.
- Autofocus may be slightly slower compared to smaller range lenses
7. Sony 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS APS-C E-Mount Zoom Lens (Best for Zoom)
With its versatile zoom range and optimized design, the Sony 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS APS-C E-Mount Zoom Lens is an excellent choice for photographers looking to capture stunning portraits with the Sony A7III.
This lens offers a focal length range of 18mm to 135mm, allowing you to zoom in or out to frame your subject perfectly. The wide aperture range of f/3.5-5.6 provides flexibility in different lighting conditions, while the Optical SteadyShot image stabilization helps to minimize camera shake and produce sharp images.
The lens is also equipped with a quiet and fast autofocus system, ensuring accurate and precise focusing. The Sony 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS APS-C E-Mount Zoom Lens is a reliable choice for portrait photography, offering convenience and high image quality.
- Versatile zoom range of 18mm to 135mm.
- 7.5x high magnification zoom and 27-202.5mm focal length for a wide range of shooting situations
- Wide aperture range of f/3.5-5.6 for flexibility in different lighting conditions.
- Optical SteadyShot image stabilization for minimizing camera shake.
- Outstanding sharpness from 1x aspherical and 2x ED glass elements
- Ease of use
- Limited maximum aperture compared to other lenses in the Sony FE lens selection.
- Heavier and more obtrusive than the Sony 16-50mm lens
Things to Consider When Choosing the Best Portrait Lens for Sony A7III
When choosing a portrait lens for your Sony A7III, there are several important factors to consider. First, the lens focal length will determine the perspective and composition of your portraits.
The aperture and bokeh capabilities play a crucial role in achieving a shallow depth of field and pleasing background blur.
Autofocus performance is essential for capturing sharp and fast results, while image stabilization capabilities can help minimize camera shake. Lastly, the lens size and weight should be taken into account for portability and ease of use.
Lens Focal Length
Consider the focal length of the lens when choosing a portrait lens for your Sony A7III camera. The focal length determines the field of view and perspective of your photos. For portrait photography, a focal length between 85mm and 135mm is commonly preferred.
These focal lengths allow you to capture subjects with flattering proportions and smooth background separation. Shorter focal lengths like 35mm or 50mm can also be used for environmental portraits or wider shots, but they may distort facial features if used too closely.
On the other hand, longer focal lengths like 200mm or more can compress the background and provide a more intimate look. Ultimately, your choice of focal length will depend on your shooting style and the desired outcome for your portraits.
Aperture and Bokeh
To ensure optimal results when buying a portrait lens for your Sony A7III camera, one crucial factor to consider is the lens aperture and its impact on achieving pleasing bokeh effects. Here are four things to consider when evaluating the aperture of a portrait lens:
- Wide Apertures: Lenses with wide apertures, such as f/1.8 or f/1.4, allow for better low-light performance and the ability to create a shallow depth of field, resulting in a creamy and blurred background.
- Depth of Field Control: The wider the aperture, the shallower the depth of field, allowing you to isolate your subject and create a pleasing separation between the subject and the background.
- Bokeh Quality: A lens with a wide aperture can produce beautiful bokeh, which refers to the quality of the out-of-focus areas in an image. Look for lenses that produce smooth and creamy bokeh with minimal harsh edges or distractions.
- Consistency Across Aperture Range: Some lenses may exhibit variations in sharpness or bokeh quality at different aperture settings. It's important to choose a lens that maintains consistent performance throughout its aperture range.
Considering these factors will help you select a portrait lens with the right aperture to achieve the desired bokeh effects and enhance your portrait photography with the Sony A7III.
Autofocus Performance
The autofocus performance of a portrait lens is a crucial aspect to consider when purchasing a lens for your Sony A7III camera. A fast and accurate autofocus system ensures that you can quickly and precisely capture your subjects, especially when shooting portraits where timing and precision are essential.
When evaluating autofocus performance, there are several factors to consider, including the autofocus technology used, focus breathing issues, and the importance of focus lock for accuracy and instantaneous results.
Some lenses may incorporate advanced autofocusing mechanisms like XD Linear motors and internal focusing, which provide quiet and precise focusing performance. By prioritizing autofocus performance, you can ensure that your portrait lens meets your expectations and allows you to capture stunning images with ease.
Factors to Consider for Autofocus Performance
| Autofocus Technology | Focus Breathing Issues | Importance of Focus Lock |
| Different lenses employ various autofocusing technologies, such as XD Linear motors and internal focusing, which can affect the speed and accuracy of autofocus. | Some lenses may exhibit focus breathing, which can change the effective focal length when focusing, impacting composition and subject isolation. | Focus lock ensures that your lens maintains focus on your subject, preventing any accidental shifts in focus and ensuring precise results. |
Image Stabilization Capabilities
When selecting a portrait lens for your Sony A7III camera, it is important to consider the image stabilization capabilities of the lens. Here are four things to consider:
- In-lens stabilization: Some lenses have built-in optical image stabilization (OIS) technology. This feature compensates for camera shake, resulting in sharper images, especially when shooting handheld or in low-light conditions.
- Compatibility with camera stabilization: The Sony A7III has a 5-axis in-body image stabilization (IBIS) system. When choosing a lens, ensure that it is compatible with the camera's IBIS system. This combination of lens and camera stabilization can provide even greater stability and reduce the risk of blurry images.
- Video stabilization: If you plan to shoot videos with your Sony A7III, consider a lens with excellent image stabilization capabilities. Smooth and steady footage is crucial for professional-looking videos.
- Stabilization modes: Some lenses offer different stabilization modes, such as panning mode for capturing moving subjects horizontally. These modes can enhance the effectiveness of the stabilization system in specific shooting situations.
Considering the image stabilization capabilities of a portrait lens can greatly improve the quality of your photos, especially when shooting handheld or in challenging conditions.
Lens Size and Weight
Considering the size and weight of a portrait lens is essential when purchasing one for your Sony A7III camera. The size and weight of the lens can affect your overall shooting experience, especially if you plan to shoot for extended periods or carry your camera around for long periods of time.
A smaller and lighter lens can be more comfortable to handle and carry, reducing fatigue and allowing for easier maneuverability. Additionally, a compact lens can also be less obtrusive and draw less attention, which can be beneficial in certain shooting situations.
However, it's important to note that larger lenses often offer superior image quality and a wider maximum aperture, which can be advantageous for portrait photography. Ultimately, it's crucial to strike a balance between size, weight, and performance when selecting a portrait lens for your Sony A7III.
Conclusion
To summarize the information presented, the selection of portrait lenses for the Sony A7III offers a range of options with varying focal lengths and apertures, providing photographers with the ability to capture sharp and fast results in their portrait photography. Here are some key points to consider:
- Versatile Range: The lenses cover various focal lengths, including 24-70mm, 85mm, 50mm, 35mm, and 70-200mm, allowing you to choose the focal length that suits your shooting style and subject.
- Wide Apertures: With maximum apertures ranging from f/1.2 to f/2.8, these lenses excel in low-light situations and allow for creative depth of field effects, such as beautiful bokeh.
- High Performance: The lenses offer excellent image quality with sharpness, contrast, and minimal color fringing. They also provide pleasing background blur aesthetics for stunning portraits.
- Advanced Features: These lenses come with features like weather-sealing, autofocus motors, and image stabilization, ensuring durability, precise focusing, and compatibility with camera stabilization systems.
With these portrait lenses, you can elevate your photography and capture stunning portraits with ease.