What is the absolute best all-around zoom lens for a Sony A7III for someone who is sick of swapping glass every five minutes while hiking? I'm heading to the Swiss Alps in about three weeks for a big anniversary trip and I'm honestly so stressed about what to pack because my current kit is just way too heavy. My budget is around $1200 but I could maybe stretch it a tiny bit if its actually worth the extra cash.
I spent hours reading about the Tamron 28-200mm and everyone says it's great for the price, but then I see people complaining about the aperture dropping off way too fast or it not being sharp enough at the long end for landscape shots. Then there's the Sony 24-105mm G lens which people swear by for the constant f4, but is 105mm really enough for mountain peaks? I feel like I'm gonna miss the reach. It’s just so annoying because one review says one thing and another says the opposite and I just want one lens that stays on the camera the whole time. I dont want to be that person fumbling with caps while my wife is already halfway up the trail. Is the 24-105 really that much better than the superzooms or am I just overthinking the image quality stuff...
Honestly, for the Swiss Alps, you definitely want that extra reach. Ive been shooting Sony for a while and the Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD is basically the king of value right now. You can usually find it for around $700, which is way under your $1200 limit. That extra cash could go toward a good tripod or just more fondue in Switzerland tbh. A few reasons why I recommend it:
- It weighs way less than carrying multiple primes or heavy f2.8 zooms.
- Starting at f2.8 at 28mm is a massive perk for lower light.
- The image quality is surprisingly solid for an all-in-one. People complain about the long end, but unless you are pixel peeping, you wont notice much. The Sony FE 24-105mm f/4 G OSS is a great lens too, but 105mm feels short when you are looking at distant peaks. If you want to save even more, check for used copies on sites like MPB. Itll leave you with plenty of budget to spare for the actual trip.
