Best portrait lenses for Sony A: Top Picks
Our catalogue lists 47 portrait lenses for Sony A. Short-telephoto primes between 70mm and 135mm, the classic portrait range.
How these were picked. Lenses are ranked using only data in our catalogue: those with editorial notes first, then those with a photo and a buying link, newer release years where known, and faster maximum apertures as a tie-breaker. This is a data-based shortlist, not a hands-on test ranking.
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1.Minolta AF 135mm f/2.8 [T4.5] STF
135mm · f/2.8 · Sony A
A manual-focus 135mm lens with an apodization element for exceptionally smooth out-of-focus areas. It weighs about 730 g and has a T4.5 transmission at f/2.8.
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2.Sony 85mm F2.8 SAM (SAL85F28)
85mm · f/2.8 · Sony A
A light 85mm prime for A-mount, with a SAM motor and a 55mm filter thread. It weighs about 175 g, much lighter than most short telephoto lenses.
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3.Sony Planar T* 85mm f/1.4 ZA lens
85mm · f/1.4 · Sony A
The Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 for A-mount, a classic fast portrait prime with body-driven autofocus. It weighs about 640 g and takes 72mm filters.
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4.Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 135mm F1.8 ZA (SAL135F18Z)
135mm · f/1.8 · Sony A
A Zeiss 135mm f/1.8 telephoto for A-mount, widely admired for portrait rendering. It uses body-driven screw-drive autofocus and is built heavy at about 1,050 g.
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5.Minolta AF 85mm f/1.4G (D)
85mm · f/85.0 · Sony A
A fast 85mm G-series portrait lens from Minolta, with screw-drive autofocus. It weighs about 560 g and takes 72mm filters.
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6.Sony Minolta/Sony AF 100mm F2.8 Macro (D)
100mm · f/100.0 · Sony A
A 100mm macro for A-mount that reaches 1:1 at 0.35 m. It is a long-running design from the Minolta era, with body-driven screw-drive autofocus and a 55mm filter thread.
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7.Samyang 85mm f/1.4 AS IF UMC
85mm · f/1.4 · Sony A
Samyang 85mm f/1.4 AS IF UMC: a fast short-telephoto prime lens with a 85mm focal length and a maximum aperture of f/1.4, made for Sony A mount cameras, with aspherical elements. An affordable fast manual-focus portra...
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8.Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1
90mm · f/2.8 · Sony A
This 90mm f/2.8 full-frame macro lens from Tamron fits Sony A mount cameras, from the Tamron SP series. A 1:1 macro lens that also works well for portraits.
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9.Minolta AF Macro 100mm f/2.8
100mm · f/2.8 · Sony A
The Minolta AF Macro 100mm f/2.8 is a macro lens covering 100mm at f/2.8 for Sony A mount cameras. It is intended for close-up work with small subjects such as flowers and insects.
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10.Rokinon 85mm f/1.4 AS IF UMC
85mm · f/1.4 · Sony A
The Rokinon 85mm f/1.4 AS IF UMC is a fast short-telephoto prime lens covering 85mm at f/1.4 for Sony A mount cameras, with aspherical elements. An affordable fast manual-focus portrait prime.
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11.Samyang 85mm f/1.4 Aspherical IF
85mm · f/1.4 · Sony A
This 85mm f/1.4 fast short-telephoto prime lens from Samyang fits Sony A mount cameras, with aspherical elements. An affordable fast manual-focus portrait prime.
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12.Sigma 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art
105mm · f/1.4 · Sony A
A 105mm f/1.4 full-frame fast short-telephoto prime lens, the Sigma 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art is designed for Sony A mount bodies, from the Sigma Art line with Hyper Sonic Motor autofocus. A large-aperture short-telephot...