11 Best travel lenses for Sony a7III [updated 2024]

What are the best travel lenses for Sony a7III? That’s a good question because there isn’t a direct answer for every need. Here in this list, we have rounded up lenses for various conditions, from simple multipurpose to telephoto and wide-angle.

Luckily, the Sony a7III camera is quite a popular choice and is widely used by travel photographers. Its popularity is due to its compatibility with a wide array of lenses, not only from Sony but also from numerous third-party manufacturers.

In this buying guide, we will meticulously analyze the top travel lenses for the Sony a7III, considering factors such as focal length, aperture, price, weight, and overall performance. Our recommendations cater to photographers of all skill levels, from seasoned professionals to passionate enthusiasts.

Read more: How to Choose a Camera Lens That Fits Your Needs.

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Here are our top 11 lenses for travel:

• Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN ART
• Tamron 28-75mm F/2.8 Di III RXD
• Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II Lens
• Sony FE 16-35mm F/2.8 GM
• Sony 16-35mm Vario-Tessar T FE F4 ZA OSS
• Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN ART
• Sony FE 50mm F1.8
• Sony 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS
• Tamron 70-180mm F2.8
• Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G
• Sony 28mm F/2.0

If you’re searching for a lens that is also great for other scenarios (not only travel), I have an additional article about that:

Read more: 16 Best lenses for Sony a7III.

multipurpose lenses for travel

If you are going on an adventure and want to take photos here and there without any aim, pick a zoom lens with standard focal lengths.

1. Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN ART

The Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN ART is a versatile zoom lens designed for the Sony E-mount system, offering impressive performance and compact design. Its focal length range (24-70mm) and fast f/2.8 aperture make it an excellent choice for travel photography. It allows photographers to capture various subjects, from landscapes to portraits, without carrying multiple lenses.

With a lens construction of 19 elements in 15 groups, this Sigma travel lens ensures high image quality and sharpness across the entire zoom range. The 11-rounded diaphragm blades produce a pleasing bokeh, making it ideal for portraits with a beautiful out-of-focus background. The minimum aperture of f/22 allows for great depth of field control, while the minimum focusing distance of 7.1-15.0in. (18-38cm) enables close-up photography.

The maximum magnification ratio of wide 1:2.9 and tele 1:4.5 makes it suitable for capturing more minor subjects and details during travel adventures. A filter size of 82mm provides compatibility with a range of filters for creative photography and protection.

Despite its impressive performance, the Sigma’s travel lens remains relatively compact. The Sony E-mount version measures 3.5 × 4.9in (87.8mm × 124.9m) and weighs 29.0oz (830g), making it a manageable addition to your travel kit.

In conclusion, the Sigma 24-70mm is a fantastic choice for travel photography on Sony a7III camera, thanks to its versatile focal length, fast aperture, and compact design. The lens’s superb image quality and performance across various shooting situations make it a must-have for photographers looking to capture the essence of their journeys.

2. Tamron 28-75mm F/2.8 Di III RXD

The Tamron 28-75mm F/2.8 Di III RXD is a versatile, budget-friendly zoom lens. It allows photographers to capture various subjects, including landscapes, street scenes, and portraits. With a focal length range of 28-75mm and a fast f/2.8 maximum aperture, this lens is another option for travel photography.

This travel lens features an optical construction of 15 elements in 12 groups, which ensures high image quality and sharpness across the entire zoom range. The 9-blade circular diaphragm produces smooth bokeh, perfect for creating professional-looking portraits with out-of-focus backgrounds.

One of the standout features of this lens is its close focusing capabilities. With a minimum object distance of 7.5in (0.19m) at the wide end and 15.3in (0.39m) at the telephoto end, it is ideal for capturing close-up details during your travels. The maximum magnification ratios of 1:2.9 (WIDE) and 1:4 (TELE) further enhance its versatility.

The Tamron 28-75mm F/2.8 Di III RXD is also compact and lightweight, with a length of 4.6 in (117.8mm) and a weight of 19.4oz (550g), making it an easy addition to your travel gear. The lens uses a smaller 67mm filter size and is more affordable and accessible than the previous Sigma lens’s larger 82mm filter size.

Its versatile focal length range, fast aperture, and compact design make it a highly capable and budget-friendly alternative to the more expensive Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN ART.

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

The Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II Lens is a versatile zoom lens like the previous two with more professional-grade features.

The lens boasts a sophisticated optical design with 15 groups and 20 elements, ensuring exceptional image quality, sharpness, and color reproduction across the entire zoom range. The 11-blade circular aperture contributes to beautiful bokeh, making it ideal for portraits and isolating subjects from their backgrounds.

The Sony a7III travel zoom lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.69ft (0.21m) at the wide end and 0.99ft (0.3m) at the telephoto end, allowing for close-up photography. The maximum magnification ratio of 0.32x enables capturing fine details during your travels.

Despite its pro-grade performance, it is a bit bulkier than the previous, measuring 3.5 x 4.7 in (87.8 x 119.9 mm) and weighing 24.6oz (695g). The 82mm filter diameter allows for a wide range of filters for creative photography and protection.

While the Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II Lens is more expensive than the Tamron 28-75mm and Sigma 24-70mm alternatives, it offers improved build quality, weather sealing, and superior optical performance suitable for demanding professional use. Travel photographers who prioritize image quality, durability, and consistent performance in various conditions should consider this lens over the cheaper alternatives.

It offers a versatile focal length range, fast aperture, and professional-grade performance. Its superior image quality, build, and weather sealing make it worth the investment for photographers who demand the best from their gear during their travels.

wide-angle lenses for travel

While traveling, wide-angle lenses will help capture stunning landscapes, cityscapes, architecture, and interiors. They allow you to capture expansive scenes and emphasize depth and scale in your images.

4. Sony FE 16-35mm F/2.8 GM

The Sony FE 16-35mm F/2.8 GM is an excellent zoom lens for travel photography. It offers a wide-angle focal length range of 16-35mm and a fast f/2.8 aperture.

With a sophisticated optical design of 16 elements in 13 groups, the lens delivers exceptional image quality and sharpness across the entire zoom range. The 11-blade rounded aperture ensures smooth and pleasing bokeh, which helps isolate subjects or create artistic effects in your images.

The Sony FE 16-35mm is relatively compact, weighing 24oz (680g) and measuring 3.48 x 4.79 in (88.5 x 121.6mm). The lens features an 82mm filter thread, allowing you to use various filters for creative effects or protection. This makes it easy to carry while traveling and exploring new destinations.

The lens also benefits from an SSM (Supersonic Wave Motor) autofocus system, providing fast, accurate, and nearly silent focusing. A manual focus ring is available for precise adjustments. Also, the internal focusing mechanism ensures that the lens does not extend or rotate during focusing, which is particularly useful when using polarizing filters.

Weather sealing and a high-quality build make the Sony FE 16-35mm F/2.8 GM a reliable choice for photographers who often shoot in challenging conditions. This ensures that the lens can withstand the rigors of travel photography.

It needs some heavy investment as the price is relatively high. However, if you want a quality and reliable lens that delivers high-end results, go for it. Also, its wide-angle specter and large aperture make it the best bet for astrophotography.

5. Sony 16-35mm Vario-Tessar T FE F4 ZA OSS

The Sony 16-35mm F4 ZA OSS is a popular choice for travel and video thanks to its versatile wide-angle focal length range, constant f/4 maximum aperture, and more affordable price than the Sony FE 16-35mm F/2.8 GM.

This travel lens for Sony a7III features a ZEISS T* anti-reflective coating that minimizes flare and ghosting, ensuring excellent image quality and contrast across the entire zoom range. The constant f/4 aperture provides consistent exposure throughout the zoom range, which is not ideal in low-light conditions.

One significant advantage of the Sony 16-35mm F4 ZA OSS is its built-in Optical SteadyShot (OSS) image stabilization. This feature helps minimize camera shake and improve image sharpness in low-light situations or when shooting handheld. This feature is handy for travel photographers who often shoot in challenging conditions without a tripod.

The lens is designed with dust and moisture resistance, making it suitable for harsh environments and providing peace of mind when shooting outdoors during your travels.

With its wide-angle zoom range, the Sony 16-35mm F4 ZA OSS is ideal for capturing landscapes, cityscapes, architecture, and interiors. This lens is perfect for situations where you need to emphasize depth and scale or to fit more of a scene into the frame.

The Sony a7III lens is compact and lightweight, measuring 3-1/8 x 4in (78 x 98.5mm) and weighing 18.3oz (518g), making it easy to carry during travels. The 72mm filter diameter allows for the use of various filters to enhance photography or protect the lens.

Its compact size, lightweight design, and weather resistance make it reliable for capturing stunning landscapes, cityscapes, and architectural shots during travel.

portrait lenses for travel

If you aim to shoot beautiful photos of persons, be yourself, a travel buddy, or local people, consider taking a portrait lens additionally. Best lenses for portraits are typically fixed prime lenses, and often used focal lengths are 85mm, 50mm, and 35mm.

6. Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN ART

The Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN ART is a prime portrait lens often used with the Sony a7III for its exceptional image quality, fast aperture, and ideal focal length for portrait photography. This lens is an excellent choice for travel, as it allows you to capture stunning portraits of people you meet along your journey or candid shots of your travel companions.

Portrait photographers favor the 85mm focal length because it provides a positive perspective and natural-looking compression for subjects while also allowing for a comfortable working distance between the photographer and the subject. The lens’s fast f/1.4 maximum aperture creates a beautiful bokeh and smooth background blur, which helps to isolate your subject and draw attention to its features.

Constructed with 15 elements in 11 groups, the Sigma travel lens for Sony a7III delivers outstanding image quality and sharpness. The 11 rounded diaphragm blades contribute to the pleasing bokeh, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of your portraits.

The Sigma 85mm is also relatively lightweight for an 85mm f/1.4 lens, weighing 22.0oz (625g). The lens features a 77mm filter size, allowing you to use various filters for creative effects or lens protection. This makes it easier to carry with you during your travels without adding too much bulk or weight to your camera bag.

While the primary use for this lens is portrait photography, its fast aperture also makes it suitable for low-light situations, such as shooting indoors or during the evening. The 85mm focal length can also help capture details in architecture or other subjects when you need more reach.

In summary, the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN ART is a fantastic prime portrait lens for the Sony a7III, offering a perfect focal length for portrait photography, exceptional image quality, and a fast aperture for beautiful bokeh. Its compact and lightweight design makes it an excellent choice for travel, allowing you to capture stunning portraits and details in various situations during your adventures.

7. Sony FE 50mm F1.8

It offers a classic focal length for portraits and general photography, while its compact size and design make it ideal for travel enthusiasts.

The 50mm focal length provides a natural perspective that works well for various types of photography, such as portraits, streets, and landscapes. The f/1.8 maximum aperture allows for beautiful background blur, creating a pleasing separation between your subject and the background, and performs well in low-light conditions.

Compared to the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN ART, the Sony FE 50mm F1.8 has several advantages. First, it is significantly smaller and lighter, weighing only 6.6oz (186 g), which makes it easier to carry around during your travels. Second, it has a lower price point, making it more accessible to a broader range of photographers.

However, there are some trade-offs. Firstly, the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN ART offers a faster aperture (f/1.4) than the Sony FE 50mm F1.8 (f/1.8), translating to smoother background blur and better low-light performance. The 85mm focal length of the Sigma lens is more flattering for portrait photography due to its higher compression effect, but this might also limit its versatility compared to the 50mm focal length of the Sony lens.

The Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 has a minimum focus distance of 1.48 ft (0.45 m)) and a maximum magnification ratio of 0.14x, making it suitable for close-ups and details. However, the 85mm Sigma lens provides a closer minimum focus distance and a higher maximum magnification ratio, which might be preferable for some photographers.

The Sony FE 50mm F1.8 is a compact and lightweight prime lens for Sony a7III users, offering a versatile focal length and a fast aperture for beautiful bokeh and low-light capabilities. It is best suited for travel and general photography, mainly when space and weight are concerns. 

While the Sigma 85mm delivers superior image quality and a more flattering focal length for portrait photography, the Sony FE 50mm F1.8 is more affordable and portable, making it an excellent choice for travelers and photographers on a budget.

telephoto lenses for travel

If the standard focal lengths aren’t enough, and you want to capture objects at a distance, like wildlife, you also need a telephoto lens.

8. Sony 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS

The Sony 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS is a premium telephoto zoom lens considered one of the best travel lenses for Sony a7III due to its versatile focal range, exceptional image quality, and robust build quality. 

The lens is suitable for various travel photography situations, such as wildlife, sports, portraits, and even landscape photography, when you need to isolate distant subjects or compress the scene.

One key feature of this telephoto lens for travel is its fast f/2.8 maximum aperture, which provides excellent low-light performance and beautiful background blur or bokeh. Additionally, the built-in Optical SteadyShot image stabilization helps reduce camera shake for sharper handheld images, which is beneficial when shooting at longer focal lengths.

The Sony 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS has a dust and moisture-resistant design, making it suitable for outdoor use in various weather conditions. Its Nano AR Coating minimizes flare and ghosting, ensuring images maintain clarity and contrast even in challenging lighting situations.

However, there are some cons to consider. The lens is quite expensive, making it more suitable for serious travel photographers who prioritize top-quality results. Additionally, it is relatively large and heavy, weighing 2.3lb (1045g), which can be a drawback for some travelers who prefer a lightweight setup.

In summary, it’s an outstanding telephoto zoom lens for the Sony a7III, offering a versatile focal range, exceptional image quality, and excellent low-light performance. It is best suited for travel photographers who require top-quality results and are willing to invest in a premium lens. However, its size, weight, and price may concern those seeking a more compact and budget-friendly solution.

9. Tamron 70-180mm F2.8

The Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 is a versatile telephoto zoom lens that pairs well with the Sony a7III. It suits various photography situations, such as wildlife, sports, portraits, and landscape photography.

One of the advantages of the Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 is its constant f/2.8 maximum aperture, which provides excellent low-light performance and beautiful background blur or bokeh. It also features a compact and lightweight design for a telephoto lens, weighing only 28.6oz (810g), making it more portable and travel-friendly compared to the previous Sony 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS.

In terms of optical construction, the lens has 19 elements in 14 groups, ensuring sharp images with minimal distortion. The minimum focusing distance varies depending on the zoom range and focus mode (from 10.6 to 33.5in / 0.27 – 0.85m), with a maximum magnification ratio of 1:4.6 in AF mode and 1:2 in MF mode at the wide end.

However, the Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 has some cons. It lacks built-in image stabilization, so you’ll rely more on the Sony a7III’s in-body stabilization. Additionally, its focal range is slightly shorter than the Sony 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS, which may be a drawback for those who require the extra reach.

Comparing the Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 with the Sony 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS, the Tamron lens offers a more compact and lightweight design, making it more suitable for travel photographers who prioritize portability. However, the Sony lens has built-in image stabilization and a slightly longer focal range, which may be more appealing to some users.

The Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 offers a versatile focal range and excellent image quality in a more compact and lightweight package. It is ideal for travel photographers who need a portable telephoto lens with a constant f/2.8 aperture.

video lenses for travel

What would be any travel adventure without an aftermovie? Here, I picked the best Sony a7III vlogging lenses for travel. Still, if you want to capture other scenes at a distance, the above-mentioned standard and telephoto lenses are also excellent for videos.

10. Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G

The Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G is an excellent vlogging lens and a top choice for travel photography with the Sony a7III. 

Its ultra-wide-angle prime lens lets you capture more of the environment in your shots, making it perfect for landscapes, cityscapes, and architectural photography. It is also great for vlogging, where you must include yourself and the surroundings in the frame.

One of the best features of this lens is its fast f/1.8 maximum aperture, which provides outstanding low-light performance and produces beautiful background blur. The lens also includes the XD Linear Motor for fast, precise, and quiet autofocus, which is crucial when recording videos.

The optical construction of the Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G includes two AA elements and three ED glasses, ensuring high resolution throughout the image area. The Sony Nano AR Coating helps eliminate flare and ghosting for better image quality, while the focus hold button and other features support professional shooting needs.

One of this lens’s pros is its lightweight design, weighing only 13.2oz (373g), making it an ideal travel companion. Its wide-angle focal length captures vast scenes and provides a unique perspective.

However, there are a few cons to consider. The lens does not have built-in image stabilization, but this can be compensated for by the Sony a7III’s in-body stabilization system. Additionally, it may not be suitable for photographers looking for a versatile zoom lens, as it is a prime lens with a fixed focal length.

It offers an ultra-wide-angle perspective, excellent image quality, and a fast maximum aperture. Its compact design and professional features make it an ideal choice for various shooting situations.

11. Sony 28mm F/2.0

The Sony 28mm F/2.0 is an excellent lens perfect for capturing yourself and your surroundings in your vlogs. It is also great for street photography, environmental portraits, and low-light situations.

The Sony 28mm F/2.0 pros include its extremely lightweight design, weighing only 7.05oz (200g), which is excellent for traveling. The autofocus system is fast and accurate, ensuring that your subjects remain in focus during your vlogs or photoshoots. The fast f/2 maximum aperture allows for outstanding low-light performance and a shallow depth of field, creating a pleasing background blur.

One of this lens’s cons includes the lack of built-in image stabilization. The 28mm focal length might need to be wider for certain vlogging situations or landscape photography.

Comparing the Sony 28mm F/2.0 to the Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G, the latter offers a wider angle of view (20mm vs. 28mm), providing a more expansive perspective for your vlogs and images. However, the Sony 28mm F/2.0 is significantly cheaper than the Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G, making it a more budget-friendly option while still delivering excellent image quality.

In conclusion, the Sony 28mm F/2.0 is a well-suited vlogging lens for Sony a7III, offering a wide-angle perspective, fast maximum aperture, and compact design. Although it lacks built-in image stabilization and is not as wide as the Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G, its affordability makes it an attractive option for those looking for a budget-friendly vlogging lens.

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