Best telephoto prime lenses for Sony A: Top Picks

Our catalogue lists 45 telephoto prime lenses for Sony A. Fixed-focal-length lenses of 135mm and longer.

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.

1. 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.

   Specs Buy on Amazon Compare with 300mm F2.8 G SSM II
2. 2.Sony 300mm F2.8 G SSM II

   300mm · f/2.8 · Sony A

   A 300mm f/2.8 telephoto for A-mount, built for sports and wildlife with SSM focusing and a dust and moisture resistant barrel. It weighs about 2,340 g.

   Specs Compare with 500mm F4 G SSM
3. 3.Sony 500mm F4 G SSM

   500mm · f/4.0 · Sony A

   A 500mm f/4 super-telephoto for A-mount with SSM autofocus. It weighs about 3,460 g, with a minimum focus distance of 4.0 m.

   Specs Compare with Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 135mm F1.8 ZA (SAL135F18Z)
4. 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.

   Specs Compare with Minolta/Sony AF 500mm F8 Reflex
5. 5.Sony Minolta/Sony AF 500mm F8 Reflex

   500mm · f/500.0 · Sony A

   A compact mirror lens for A-mount with a fixed f/8 aperture and screw-drive autofocus. It weighs about 665 g and uses an 82mm filter.

   Specs Compare with SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di LD [IF] Macro 1:1
6. 

   6.Tamron SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di LD [IF] Macro 1:1

   180mm · f/3.5 · Sony A

   This 180mm f/3.5 full-frame macro lens from Tamron fits Sony A mount cameras, from the Tamron SP series. It is intended for close-up work with small subjects such as flowers and insects.

   Specs Compare with SP AF 180mm F/3.5 Di LD (IF) Macro
7. 

   7.Tamron SP AF 180mm F/3.5 Di LD (IF) Macro

   180mm · f/3.5 · Sony A

   Tamron SP AF 180mm F/3.5 Di LD (IF) Macro: a full-frame macro lens with a 180mm focal length and a maximum aperture of f/3.5, made for Sony A mount cameras, from the Tamron SP series. It is intended for close-up work ...

   Specs Compare with 500mm f/6.3 Mirror
8. 

   8.Samyang 500mm f/6.3 Mirror

   500mm · f/6.3 · Sony A

   A 500mm f/6.3 mirror telephoto lens, the Samyang 500mm f/6.3 Mirror is designed for Sony A mount bodies. Its catadioptric design keeps a long focal length compact and light.

   Specs Compare with Sonnar T* 135mm f/1.8 ZA lens
9. 9.Sony Sonnar T* 135mm f/1.8 ZA lens

   135mm · f/1.8 · Sony A

   Sony Sonnar T* 135mm f/1.8 ZA lens: a fast short-telephoto prime lens with a 135mm focal length and a maximum aperture of f/1.8, made for Sony A mount cameras. A Zeiss-designed lens for Sony cameras with T* coating.

   Specs Buy on Amazon Compare with AF 135mm f/2.8
10. 10.Minolta AF 135mm f/2.8

    135mm · f/135.0 · Sony A

    A 135mm f/2.8 short-telephoto prime lens, the Minolta AF 135mm f/2.8 is designed for Sony A mount bodies. The focal length is a classic choice for portraits and details.

    Specs Buy on Amazon Compare with 180mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM APO Macro
11. 11.Sigma 180mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM APO Macro

    180mm · f/2.8 · Sony A

    This 180mm f/2.8 full-frame macro lens from Sigma fits Sony A mount cameras, with Optical Stabilizer, Hyper Sonic Motor autofocus and apochromatic correction. A macro lens from Sigma for life-size close-ups.

    Specs Compare with 300mm F2.8 G
12. 12.Sony 300mm F2.8 G

    300mm · f/2.8 · Sony A

    Sony 300mm F2.8 G: a telephoto prime lens with a 300mm focal length and a maximum aperture of f/2.8, made for Sony A mount cameras, from the Sony G series. It brings distant subjects closer for sports, wildlife and ev...

    Specs