Coming with a standard kit lens of 16-50mm, many photographers end up searching for the best telephoto lens for Sony A6000 cameras in order to extend the range that they’re able to shoot at.
As one of the most popular travel cameras, many people going on a holiday abroad want the ability to take shots of objects far away from them, whether it because they want to shoot wildlife or details of interesting things that they see.
This guide will help you decide on the best telephoto lens for your Sony A6000, which is also applicable if you own any of the similar models such as the A6100, A6300, A6400 or A6500. All these lenses are specifically designed for these cameras which means they have an APS-C sensor and an E-Mount and don’t require any additional adapters.
Want a quick answer? My pick for the best telephoto lens for Sony A6000 camera is the E 70–350mm F4.5–6.3 G OSS for a premium option or the E 55–210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS for a budget option.
What to Look For in Telephoto Lenses for Sony A6000
One of the main things you need to decide when searching for a telephoto lens for your Sony A6000 is whether you’re looking for a pure telephoto lens or an all-in-one zoom lens that can replace your standard kit lens and take more landscape shots or general street photography.
A lot of this will come down to whether you are looking purely for a travel lens and are concerned about the amount of weight and space that you need to carry. Or alternatively, if you have no issues with packing multiple lenses into your backpack then you can afford to go for a pure telephoto lens rather than relying on an all-in-one lens.
It’s worth also considering what shooting limitations you feel your current lenses have and ensure that a telephoto lens is right for you. If you’re purely looking for a longer focal length but aren’t necessarily sure if you need to the super-zoom that a telephoto lens provides, you might be able to invest in a portrait lens, some of which are prime lenses, which can be a significantly cheaper option.
Best Telephoto Lens for Sony A6000
The below list includes some of the best telephoto lenses for Sony A6000 cameras and other similar models including reasons why you should choose one over another.
E 70–350mm F4.5–6.3 G OSS
If you’re looking for a pure premium telephoto lens for your Sony A6000, you can’t go wrong with choosing the E 70–350mm F4.5–6.3 G OSS.
The E 70–350mm F4.5–6.3 G OSS lens is part of Sony’s G Master series meaning you are guaranteed to get fantastic photo quality at all shooting focal lengths. Due to the APS-C sensor on the Sony A6000, you can shoot at an effective focal length of up to 525mm, making it perfect if you going to need super-zoomed photography such as shooting wildlife or a sporting event.
The E 70–350mm F4.5–6.3 G OSS lens is also incredibly lightweight for a telephoto lens, weighing only 625g (22.1 oz) meaning it’s possible to shoot handheld and you don’t need to necessarily factor in the weight of a tripod when using this lens.
There are a number of controls on the body of the lens as well including a focus hold button, focus switch and the ability to switch on/off the Optical SteadyShot (OSS) functionality.
All in all, the E 70–350mm F4.5–6.3 G OSS, is arguably the best premium option if you’re looking for a pure telephoto lens for your Sony A6000 to complement some of your existing lenses.
E 55–210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS
If you’re looking for a pure telephoto lens but aren’t necessarily in the market for a premium lens then the E 55–210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS is a budget alternative worth considering.
The E 55–210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS actually comes as a kit lens with the 16-50mm lens on some Sony A6000 bundles so while you can’t expect the same photo quality as you would get with the E 70–350mm F4.5–6.3 G OSS, it allows you to expand your shooting range at an affordable price.
The E 55–210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS is lightweight, weighing 345g (12.2 oz) and while it doesn’t have any controls on the body of the lens, it does as the name of the lens suggests has in-built Optical SteadyShot to improve image stabilisation.
While this lens isn’t as sharp at the higher focal lengths, the E 55–210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS is a good option for a budget telephoto lens that won’t break the bank if you want the ability to take the occasional photo at long range.
E 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS
If you’re not looking for a pure telephoto lens and instead want a lens that can take some long-range shots as well as act as a day to day lens then the E 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS is a good option.
The E 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS doesn’t have a super high focal length compared to other telephoto lenses so it might not be the best option if you’re looking for the best telephoto lens for Sony A6000 cameras to use to shoot wildlife or other long-distance objects.
The E 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS weighs 325g (11.5 oz) and has some controls on the body of the lens including a focus mode switch. This lens is an ideal option if you would like to play around with some telephoto shots but it isn’t your priority and you want a quality lens that can be used in a wide variety of situations.
E 18–200mm F3.5–6.3 OSS
If you’re looking for a lens that acts as a telephoto lens as well as a day-to-day lens that can be used to take wide angles and street photography then the E 18–200mm F3.5–6.3 OSS is worth considering. This lens offers a longer range than the E 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS so is more suitable for those looking for super-zoom functionality.
The E 18–200mm F3.5–6.3 OSS lens weighs 524g (18.5 oz) and allows you to keep the one lens on the body of your camera at all times. The higher focal lengths allow you to shoot telephoto shots but given this is an all-in-one lens the photo quality won’t be as good compared to owning a premium telephoto lens.
The E 18–200mm F3.5–6.3 OSS lens doesn’t have any controls on the body of the lens but it allows you to shoot a huge range of photos making it ideal for travel or if you’re a beginner and not sure about the type of photography you prefer to take.
While there might not be a huge option of telephoto lenses for Sony A6000 cameras, there are enough options to choose from regardless of whether you’re looking for a pure telephoto lens or a hybrid lens that can also be used for day-to-day shooting.
Are you looking for the best telephoto lens for Sony A6000, A6300, A6400 or A6500 cameras? Which one do you think is the best? Let us know in the comments below!
