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Macrophotography is an exciting genre of photography that allows you as a photographer to explore the hidden details of anything that catches your eye such as nature, products, etc. This genre of photography depends largely on the use of a perfect macro lens capable of magnifying image and still give a sharp and clear image. Sony cameras offer some exciting options of macro lenses to suit your shooting style and budget, ranging from budget-friendly to professional grade lenses.
In this article, I will explore some of the best Sony macro lenses to suit your shooting style and also fit into your budget. So sit back and let’s dive in.
Top five Sony Macro lenses
The process of choosing the best Sony macro lens is based on certain factors such as the magnification ratio, focal length, aperture, image stabilization, and the auto and manual focus, the top 5 best Sony macro lenses are
Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS
This lens is fully equipped with features for taking great macro photos. It is compatible with full-frame cameras, allowing usage with pro-grade Sony mirrorless cameras and more compact APS-C options. It has 1:1 magnification ratio that captures stunning pictures of nature, objects, etc. It is also equipped with an image stabilization system that prevents blur due to camera shake, and allows a quick switch between autofocus and manual focus settings.
The hybrid autofocus systems together with the focus limiter and focus hold button improves the performance and accuracy of the lens. Additionally, it poses a 90mm focal length and a maximum f/2.8 aperture that gives great flexibility for capturing macro shots in an array of lighting scenarios. In general, the handy features of this lens and its quality makes it the best macro lens for Sony mirrorless cameras in the market today.
Sony FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro
This is best for you if you prefer a shorter focal length and a lower price. This lens also offers a 1:1 magnification ratio and is compatible with full-frame cameras. The hybrid autofocus system works well for most situations, and the focus limiter and focus limiter allow for the manual adjustment of the focus if needed. It also has an f/2.8 aperture, but possesses a 50mm focal length.
The main drawback of this lens is that it doesn’t have a built-in image stabilization system, and the 50mm focal length gives you less working distance from your subject and can be challenging for some scenarios. In summary, this lens offers an affordable and versatile macro lens option that can be very suitable and a solid choice for your portrait or street photo shoots.
Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 STF GM OSS
This lens combines macro capabilities with smooth trans focus (STF) technology for bokeh quality, making it very unique. This lens is part of the Sony’s G Master lens series offering premium performance and quality. However, it’s magnification ratio of 0.25 means that it cannot render subjects at life-size on the sensor, although it still produces close-up images with fine details and clarity.
The STF technology feature makes it stand out among other conventional lenses. However, this technology also reduces the amount of light that reaches the sensor, giving it a T-stop of 5.6 instead of 2.8. This means that you need lower shutter speeds or higher ISO settings for the same exposure as a regular f/2.8 lens.
Other features of this lens include a built-in image stabilization system, hybrid autofocus, focus limiter, focus hold button, an aperture ring for more control, and a 100mm focal length. These features make it a great choice for stunning portraits with creamy bokeh, and can compensate for the very expensive price of the lens.
Sony E 30mm f/3.5 Macro
This is a compact and light-weight lens, and is the best macro lens for Sony APS-C cameras, featuring a 1:1 magnification ratio. The contrast-detection autofocus system makes it fast and accurate for most situations, with a focus limiter feature that allows speeding up of autofocus and prevents hunting. It also poses a not so large f/3.5 aperture, which is however, still sufficient for most lighting conditions and can create a decent background blur and bokeh.
Some of the downsides of this lens include the 30mm focal length that gives very little distance from your subject, and the fact that it doesn’t have a built-in image stabilization system. However, this lens is budget-friendly and is suitable for your everyday photography.
SIGMA 105mm f/2.8 DG DN MACRO | Art
This is a high-performance macro lens for full-frame Sony cameras. It is a member of SIGMA’s Art range of lenses, which provide the best optical performance and style. A 1:1 magnification ratio is provided by this lens for genuine macro photography, giving it the ability to take beautiful pictures of whatever you choose to enlarge, including flowers, insects, objects, or items themselves.
Although the contrast-detection autofocus technology on this lens is generally dependable and accurate, if necessary, you may also manually change focus using the focus limiter, focus mode switch, or AFL button. The maximum f/2.8 aperture is sufficiently large to let in a lot of light, provide a shallow depth of field, and produce a bokeh that is smooth.
The biggest flaw of this lens is that it lacks built-in image stabilization. However, it posseses a 105mm focal length that provides a good working distance and a focused field of view that separate your subject from the backdrop.
The SIGMA 105mm f/2.8 DG DN MACRO | Art is a fantastic option if you’re searching for a top-notch, multipurpose macro lens that can also produce stunning portraits with smooth bokeh.
Conclusion
Your shooting style, spending limit, and preferences will determine which Sony macro lens is perfect for you. The Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS, however, is our top pick for the best all-around macro lens for Sony cameras based on our comparison. For exceptional macro photography, it features a 1:1 magnification ratio, a 90mm focal length, an f/2.8 aperture, image stabilization, and hybrid autofocus.
The Sony FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro or the Sony E 30mm f/3.5 Macro are other excellent options if you prefer a shorter focal length or a lesser price. The Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 STF GM OSS is another option if you’re looking for a special lens that combines macro powers with smooth trans focus technology for superb bokeh quality.
Additionally, you should think about the SIGMA 105mm f/2.8 DG DN MACRO | Art or the SIGMA 70mm f/2.8 DG MACRO | Art as superb choices if you’re looking for a high-quality and adaptable macro lens from a different manufacturer.
