This ultimate guide tells you absolutely everything you need to know about buying the best travel lenses for Sony a6000. Read on to find out which piece of glass is right for your next adventure.
Are you looking for the best travel lenses for Sony a6000 (…or another one of the Sony APS-C series)? Look no further- this guide is about to cover 12 of the best lenses you can get as far as lightweight travel photography is concerned!
The Sony a6000 was released in 2014, but there’s a reason why this bad boy is still a winning favorite amongst both casual travelers and travel bloggers alike. The camera itself is lightweight, compact, and produces high-quality images at a very affordable price.
But as great as the Sony a6000 may be, no camera is anything without its glass! When I was first delving into the world of photography, I was beyond overwhelmed by all of the Sony a6000 travel lens options for my first camera.
To zoom or not to zoom? To go with official Sony products or try some off-brand lenses?
And now I want to help YOU not make the same mistakes- or get caught up in the same stress- that I did.
From shooting 14,000 feet above sea level in India’s remote Spiti Valley to getting some street-action on 100 F days in Lahore, I’ve used a number of these lenses to capture all types of moments in all kinds of climates.
So without further ado, let me walk you through the 12 best travel lenses for Sony a6000- for every kind of adventurer.
Note: While this article is specifically focusing on the a6000, all of these recommendations apply for the entire A series… which includes the a6300, a6400, a6500, and the new a6600!
12 of the Best Travel Lenses For The Sony a6000
Psst! This post contains affiliate links which help me keep this blog running. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. You can read my full disclosure here.
- Sony 18-135 mm F3.5-5.6 OSS
- Sony 16-50 mm F3.5-5.6
- Sony 18-105 mm F4 G OSS
- Sony 16-55 mm F2.8 G
- Sony 10-18 mm F4 OSS
- Sony 18-200 mm F3.5-6.3 OSS
- Sony 55-210 mm F4.5-6.3
- Sigma 30 mm F1.4
- Samyang 12 mm F2.0
- Sony 50 mm F1.8
- Sigma 16 mm F1.4
- Sony 35 mm F1.8
But first… what to consider when buying a travel lens for Sony a6000?
Price of a Sony a6000 Travel Lens
As aforementioned, breaking the bank should never be your goal, BUT you should invest in a lens that you see yourself using for a while.
Once you make that purchase, you’ll (unfortunately) never be able to resell it for the exact price you paid. So committing to an expensive lens as a newbie might not be the best bet.
On the other hand, you do tend to get what you pay for when it comes to glass- but as you’ll come to see, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t some great value deals!
As a rule of thumb, you should consider the best quality lens that you can afford, while still considering what it is that you hope to accomplish with your shots.
Weight of a Sony a6000 Travel Lens
For me personally, this was one of the biggest struggles I encountered on my first long-term backpacking trip to Pakistan. I was carrying my camera and THREE lenses, one of which I barely even used.
I soon learned that I preferred a zoom lens to a prime, and certainly should not have set out on such a long trip with so much weight dragging me down.
If you’re a long-term traveler like I am, I definitely recommend keeping your lens collection to two, unless you’re absolutely certain that you’ll need any others!
Versatility of a Sony a6000 Travel Lens
Unless you’re only looking for one type of shot, you’re going to want a lens for your a6000 that’s versatile.
By design, zoom lenses tend to be more versatile than primes, but it’s absolutely true that a sharp prime can and will produce higher-quality images than most zooms.
Nevertheless, you most definitely want to have a lens (or multiple lenses) that can be used in a variety of settings and scenarios.
Low-Light Capabilities of a Sony a6000 Travel Lens
Don’t overlook this– lenses that aren’t great in low-light can be a real bummer. Though I absolutely loved it during the day, the Sony 18-135mm F 3.5-5.6 simply failed me at night.
Even with ISO bumped all the way up and my aperture at 3.5, I was unable to capture clear images of a village wedding I attended.
If you think you’ll use your camera indoors or after dusk, you’ll undoubtedly want to choose a lens with a low aperture.
Your Travel Style
Are you heading out for a week of RV-ing across the US, or are you more of a Eurotripper who plans to spend a ton of time in museums?
What you hope to shoot is perhaps the most important thing to consider when choosing from the best travel lenses for the Sony a6000.
The best lens (and camera) is the one you have with you, but ensuring that that one will help you achieve your photography goals is KEY.
Best Travel Zoom Lenses for Sony a6000
Though zoom lenses tend to be less sharp than primes, the versatility and range they produce are well worth the trade-off.
These lenses can be used for a wide variety of shots, and also keep you from having to change lenses often, which protects your sensor from dirt, dust and other unfortunate events.
1. Sony 18-135 mm F/3.5-5.6
Pros
- Incredible range
- OSS
- 11.5 ounces
The 18-135 mm OSS is an excellent all-around zoom, and it virtually never came off my camera. It’s exceptional range allows you to capture everything from vast landscapes at 18mm to sneaky street shots from many feet away at 135mm.
Since the Sony a6000 doesn’t come with in-body optical stabilization, it’s another major plus that this lens provides it, which is a must for those of you looking to do any type of filming on your travels.
Despite having both wide-angle and slight telephoto capabilities, this lens is also extremely light, which I definitely appreciated.
While the aperture is certainly not the lowest, images remain sharp and you can even get a bit of bokeh action, too!
Cons
- Doesn’t perform well in low-light as the aperture does not go below 3.5
- Aperture is not constant
- Not as sharp as some of the primes on this list, but that’s to be expected with most zooms!
- A bit pricey if bought alone, but now comes as a kit-lens with the a6400
What type of a6000 travel photography is it best for?
This lens is ideal for so many different types of scenes. I used it everywhere from markets to beaches to portraits! As such, it’s perfect for any type of trip… except astrophotography, that is.
If you plan/hope to capture the stars, you can use the 18-135mm as your main squeeze, but you’ll need a backup more suited for Astro to get the shots you desire!
2. Sony 16-50 mm F3.5-5.6
Pros
- OSS
- Very affordable
- 5.6 ounces
This kit-lens might not be the *absolute* best travel lens for Sony a6000, but there’s a reason it’s included in this review. This lightweight and relatively cheap lens is ideal for beginner photographers, as its focal range is excellent for wide-angle landscape shots, street scenes, and portraits, too.
Though its aperture might not be the widest, it will certainly do in most settings. This lens typically comes with the Sony a6000, but if you purchased another model or are buying your body separately, this lightweight zoom should definitely be considered.
With a quiet zoom AND optical steady shot, this lens is great for all kinds of photography, and would also make a great vlogging lens if video is more your thing!
Cons
- Not great for astrophotography or low-light environments
- You might notice some softness and/or distortion
- Some blur may occur when zoomed all the way in
What type of a6000 travel photography is it best for?
This lens is ideal for landscape shots, portraits, and street scenes. Due to its relatively limited focal length range, getting those far-away shots might be a bit difficult. Astrophotography would also be a challenge due to the fact that the aperture does not go below 3.5
3. Sony 18-105 mm F/4 G
Pros
- OSS
- Constant F/4 Aperture
- Internal Zoom
- 8 ounces
With its constant aperture, internal zoom, and generous focal range, this lens might just be the best overall travel lens for Sony a6000.
Though it comes at a higher price tag than many of the other options on this list, the versatility and sharpness of this all-around-zoom are virtually unbeatable as far as APS-C lenses go.
The constant F4 ensures that you won’t lose sharpness whilst zooming in, so even at 105 mm you’ll be looking at significantly more crisp shots than what you can achieve with the 18-135 mm, which does not have that coveted constant aperture.
The OSS and internal zoom also make this lens a great choice for vloggers- if you had to choose just one travel lens for your Sony a6000, you simply can’t go wrong with this beast!
Cons
- Slightly heavier and larger than some of the other options
- A bit pricey
- Inflexible depth of field
- Not the absolute best in super low-light settings
What type of a6000 travel photography is it best for?
This lens is a travel photography jack-of-all-trades. Street scenes, portraits, festivals, animals, landscapes and more can be captured easily thanks to its generous range.
Like the other lenses we’ve covered thus far though, this wouldn’t quite make the cut as far as astrophotography is concerned, but you can deff count on keeping it on your a6000 for virtually all other circumstances!
4. Sony 16-55 mm F/2.8 G
Pros
- Extremely sharp
- Weather-sealed
- Constant 2.8 aperture
- 17.4 ounces
If you’re looking for the absolute best quality travel lens for Sony a6000- this is for you. This premium lens takes the sharpest photos possible as far as crop-sensor lenses are concerned.
Though the range is quite limited compared to some of the other zooms I’ve discussed, don’t be fooled- this lens is quite the upgrade from the 16-50 mm 3.5-5.6.
But quality glass comes at a price, and this bad boy is no exception! Though I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this for newbie photographers, for those who want to exclusively concentrate on landscapes and portraits, you can’t go wrong here.
It’s also weather-sealed unlike many other Sony a6000 lenses and contains a nifty focus hold button as well as an AF/MF switch.
The constant, wide 2.8 aperture ensures that you’ll be able to capture those low-light moments that would otherwise be lost in the grain with almost any other zoom.
Cons
- Does NOT have OSS, though a good tripod could easily circumvent this issue
- Very expensive compared to virtually any other a6000 travel lens
- Pretty heavy compared to its counterparts
What type of a6000 travel photography is it best for?
This lens is perfect for any type of landscape shot, astrophotography, portraits, and general low-light scenes too! Both city days and scenic hikes can be crisply captured with it, making it relatively versatile.
Nevertheless, if you’re someone (like me) who might want to take far away shots on your travels, you might get frustrated with this lens’ limited range.
5. Sony 10-18 mm F/4
Pros
- OSS
- Constant F/4 aperture
- Excellent for video
- Can handle a gimbal well
- 7.94 ounces
Landscape photographers- this one’s for you! If you’re looking for the best wide-angle lens for Sony a6000, look no further because it doesn’t get better than this super-wide-angle Sony-brand lens.
The ultra-wide focal length range allows you to truly capture everything in a scene, which is ideal for virtually any type of landscape, architecture, or Astro shot. It’s not just the range though- the constant F/4 aperture keeps photos and videos sharp.
This lens comes with OSS- another plus for travel vloggers- and it’s lightweight. Though I wouldn’t recommend this as your only tool, it’s a must-have lens for those that are serious about getting those super vast scenes.
Cons
- Limited focal-distance range means most photographers couldn’t use this as their only lens
- Pretty expensive
- Slight distortion at 10mm
What type of a6000 travel photography is it best for?
As previously mentioned, this lens was made for vast landscape shots. Though other Sony a6000 travel lenses can be used for a variety of shots, this one is definitely more niche. It’s a bit too wide for portraits, though street scenes could still be nicely captured with it.
This lens is also ideal for astrophotography- you’ll be able to shoot more of the sky than with any other lens on this list.
Read Next: 55 Epic Gifts for Outdoorsy Women
6. Sony 18-200 mm F/3.5-6.3
Pros
- Impressive focal range
- OSS
- 16.1 ounces
The focal range on this telephoto zoom lens makes it one of the best all-in-one lenses for the Sony a6000. Though it’s quite similar to the 18-135 mm that I reviewed above, it gives photographers an additional 65mm of focal range- which can definitely be useful on the road.
From epic landscapes to sneak long-distance street shots, this lens can do just about everything… aside from astrophotography, that is.
While 18 mm would work well for the night sky, the variable aperture only goes down to 3.5, meaning this lens is not the best choice for low-light moments. Even so, it *could* be successfully paired with a wide-aperture prime.
Cons
- Heavier than most zooms
- Varying aperture range that isn’t the widest
- Could be sharper
- Relatively expensive compared with other options
What type of a6000 travel photography is it best for?
As previously mentioned, this lens can (almost) do it all. It can be used for most types of travel and is a great solution for those looking to minimize their kit.
Landscapes, portraits, festivals, street scenes and day-time action shots can all be captured with this lens, making it ideal for any country or travel style.
7. Sony 55-210 mm F/4.5-6.3
Pros
- Extremely affordable
- OSS
- Quiet zoom
- 12.6 ounces
This budget-friendly zoom is one of the best telephoto travel lenses for the Sony a6000, especially for new travel photographers. The price is truly unbeatable compared with any other APS-C zoom on the market, and the focal range allows for a wide variety of shots.
The lens also comes with built-in OSS, and has a variable aperture. While its photos won’t be as crisp as constant aperture options like the 18-105mm G, the versatility coupled with affordability is quite the selling point if you ask me.
Though it’s a bit larger than some other zooms, it ain’t too heavy, which is something I always look for in a lens as a backpacker.
Nevertheless, this lens won’t quite make the cut as far as night photography or wide-angle scenes go. But that can easily be remedied by pairing it with a high-quality prime.
Cons
- Relatively narrow, variable aperture
- Photos are not the sharpest
- Cannot reasonably be used for landscape or astrophotography
What type of a6000 travel photography is it best for?
Like other telephoto zooms, this lens can be used for a wide variety of travel photography. But unlike some of the other options on this list, this one can’t quite capture landscapes or wide-street scenes.
Portraits, foodie shots, animals, and sneaky street moments all *can* be nicely photographed with this piece of glass, making it ideal for any type of urban exploration.
Best Prime Lenses for Sony a6000
8. Sigma 30mm F/1.4
Pros
- Extremely sharp
- Crisp bokeh
- Can be used in low light situations
- 9.28 ounces
This superb prime is one of the best travel lenses for Sony a6000- and perhaps the best overall prime on this list! Its focal length makes it a great overall walkaround lens, and its impressive maximum aperture means that you’ll actually be able to capture some late-night scenes.
I found this lens to be great for portraits and street photography and kept it on my camera often.
Though some grain is to be expected with APS-C cameras, I was pretty happy with the below shots I was able to get at a festival in Lahore, Pakistan that was cursed with horrific lighting.
The lens is a great value for its price point, and is versatile enough to be used in an assortment of travel scenarios. Overall, its fast aperture and little to no distortion make it a great Sony a6000 travel lens.
Cons
- Does not have internal OSS
- Slightly larger and heavier than the Sony 35mm competitor
- Focal length isn’t quite wide enough for landscapes
What type of a6000 travel photography is it best for?
This lens is ideal for street photography as it really forces you to get up into the action. It’s also great for portraits and architectural shots.
Unlike virtually all of the zooms discussed above, this prime can also be used in low-light scenes thanks to its 1.4 aperture.
Despite its wide and fast aperture, it isn’t the best choice for astrophotography as it wouldn’t quite be able to capture as much of the sky as you’d need!
9. Samyang 12 mm F/2.0
Pros
- 98.9 degree view
- Fast aperture
- Compact and light
- 9.6 ounces
This is by and far the best astrophotography lens for Sony a6000- and perhaps the best ultra-wide-angle lens too! Though some might be put off by the fact that it’s a manual focus lens, rest assured that you will quickly and easily adapt.
With its fast f/2.0 aperture and extra-wide focal length, this Sony a6000 travel lens was practically made for the night sky. But- it can also be used for other types of travel shots too!
I particularly loved the colors this lens is capable of producing- I took the photo below using it and was floored by the quality and vibrancy.
The manual focus can be adjusted with a ring, which quickly becomes intuitive after a few uses.
While this lens is certainly not for every day or walkaround use, I couldn’t recommend it enough for those looking to capture the Milky Way as well as vast landscapes. And the best part is, for the quality, it’s extremely affordable too!
Cons
- Doesn’t have OSS
- Notable chromatic aberrations
- Robust vignetting when shooting wide open
- Not versatile at all- it definitely needs to be paired with a second lens
What type of a6000 travel photography is it best for?
As previously mentioned, this lens is IT as far as astrophotography is concerned. It certainly isn’t something I’d take into a city center or use for portraits, but it holds up well for landscapes, too.
Read Next: The Best Hiking Backpacks Under $100
10. Sony 50 mm F/1.8
Pros
Pros- Very versatile
- Affordable
- OSS
- 6.6 ounces
This lens is widely known as the “nifty fifty” for a reason- it’s lightweight, sharp, and can be used in a variety of travel scenarios. This is definitely a lens you should have in your a6000 travel photography arsenal.
Its wide aperture means you’ll be able to get those low-light shots, and the 50 mm focal length is perfect for streets, portraits, museums, and architecture.
This perfect walkaround lens also offers little to no distortion- something you definitely want to read in any lens review!
Cons
- Not ideal for vast landscape shots or far away scenes
- AF is not the fastest
- Focal length is a bit tight compared to the 30 mm or 35mm
What type of a6000 travel photography is it best for?
This lens is perfect for museums, food photography, street scenes and portraits. A city-heavy trip would likely see it on your a6000 daily.
On the flip side, this lens will NOT work for landscape or astrophotography, though it will work for low-light scenes.
11. Sigma 16 mm F/1.4
Pros
- Compact
- Crisp bokeh
- Great for vlogging
- 14.24 ounces
Yup another Sigma lens- and this one might just be the best landscape travel lens for Sony a6000. The depth of field is amazing, it’s extremely sharp, and produces crisp and colorful images.
This lens is perfect for landscape shots and even better for travel vloggers given its fast autofocus and wide focal length.
Though it’s a bit pricey, this lens performs wonderfully in low-light and astrophotography situations, making it a great addition to any landscape photographer’s bag.
Though it might not be *that* versatile, you can easily photograph both cityscapes and mountains with this winning Sigma-brand lens.
Cons
- Doesn’t have OSS
- Expensive compared to the Sony 16mm
- Heavier and bulkier than most lenses on this list
- Not very versatile
What type of a6000 travel photography is it best for?
This lens was made for landscapes, nighttime shots, and vlogging. You can also certainly capture some crisp skies with it too!
It can be used for portraits, though it’s not exactly the best choice if you exclusively focus on them. Trips that involve a lot of epic views will love this lens- though you’ll certainly be forced to get up into the scene if you’re trying to use it as a street photography lens.
12. Sony 35 mm F/1.8
Pros
- OSS
- Compact & versatile
- Fast autofocus
- 5.5 ounces
And we’ve made it to the last lens on this roundup! This classic 35 mm focal length is ideal as it’s considered to be closest to the human eye. This makes this lens a great choice as far as primes for the Sony a6000 go.
While it is a bit pricier than the Sigma 30 mm, it does have built-in OSS where the Sigma does not. It’s also notably lighter than its Sigma counterpart- though its maximum aperture is not quite as wide. It’s also known for its fast and silent autofocus,
Overall, this lens is a great walkaround option- especially for city-focused trips. However, if you’re planning on needing a low-light workhorse at this focal range, the Sigma 30 1.4 performs slightly better.
Cons
- Focal length is not that versatile
- Not the cheapest prime on the block
What type of a6000 travel photography is it best for?
The Sony 35mm is great for portraits, street photography, food photography, museums, and architectural scenes.
While it might be perfect for cities, it won’t quite make the cut as far as landscapes or astrophotography is concerned. It would work best paired with a versatile zoom.
The Best Travel Lenses for Sony a6000: Wrap Up
Now that we’ve reviewed 12 awesome lenses, it’s time to discuss which ones truly are the best.
This answer will undoubtedly be different for different travelers though- the type of shots you plan to take and the types of locations you plan to travel to are what matter most when making this understandably difficult decision.
But nevertheless, here are my picks for the best overall lens, the best prime lens, and the best budget lens for Sony a6000 travel photographers!
Best All-In-One Travel Lens for Sony a6000– 18-105 mm F/4 G
This jack-of-all-trades is my pick for the best walk around travel lens for the Sony a6000. While it’s not quite as sharp as some of the other zooms on this list, its incredible focal range, constant aperture and internal stabilization make it a winner.
This lens can do pretty much anything aside from astrophotography, and the internal zoom ensures its stays compact 100% of the time.
Best Prime Lens for the Sony a6000– Sigma 30 mm F/1.4
As far as primes go- I’m going to have to go with the Sigma 30mm for this one. The 1.4 aperture ensures sharp results and the colors it produces are unmatched.
This focal length is perfect for general city and street use, and it can also be utilized in low-light as well.
Its relatively affordable price point is another plus, as is its lightweight feel. I personally used this lens all throughout my recent long-term backpacking trip and loved it for a variety of scenes.
Best Cheap Travel Lens for Sony a6000- Sony 55-210 mm F/4.5-6.3
It’s cheap, it’s versatile, it’s easy to carry- what else could you want in a Sony a6000 travel lens? I chose this as the best budget lens because its price point is simply unbeatable… and look at that range!
This is the perfect buy for a newbie photographer who isn’t quite sure what they’ll primarily be shooting- plus that 210 mm maximum focal length means you’ll be able to get all the sneak shots and some animal shots, too.
While you might end up needing something a bit wider for landscapes, you can easily pair this affordable piece of glass with one of the primes listed above!
Samantha is the founder of Intentional Detours. Originally from the USA, she’s been backpacking the world since 2017, and is passionate about slow, adventure travel that puts local communities first. She has visited 19 countries and has been living in the Karakoram Mountains of Asia’s Hunza Valley since 2021. She’s super passionate about helping people get off the beaten path anywhere (on a budget of course), and her travel writing has been published in the likes of BBC Travel, CNBC, Business Insider, and more.
