Honestly im so done with carrying three different lenses every time i leave the house it is actually ruining photography for me. i saved up for ages to get my a7iv and i love the image quality but the actual logistics of using it are a nightmare. right now i have the 50mm 1.8 and a 70-200 but the zoom is so heavy it hurts my neck after like twenty minutes and if i just take the prime i end up needing way more reach or a wider shot and by the time i swap everything out the moment is already gone.
i was just out at my nephews soccer game here in New Jersey and i missed his first goal because i was fumbling with my bag and trying not to drop my glass in the grass and honestly i just wanted to throw the whole thing in the trash. its just exhausting. i have this big trip to Iceland coming up in exactly three weeks and the thought of hiking those trails with all this gear makes me want to just leave the camera at home and use my iphone which is just depressing to even think about.
i need one single lens that can stay on the camera like 90 percent of the time. something that handles landscapes but can still get decent portraits without being a total brick. i have about 1200 dollars maybe 1300 if i sell my 50mm to put toward this. i looked at the tamron 28-200 but i dont know if the quality is actually there or if im gonna regret not getting something sharper. then there is the sony 24-105 which people seem to love but is f4 too slow for darker days? i honestly cant decide and im getting so stressed out looking at reviews that all say different things. i just want to enjoy taking pictures again without feeling like a pack mule.
what is actually the best all-around lens for sony mirrorless right now that wont break my back or my bank account?
Seriously just grab the Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD and dont look back! I took mine to Iceland recently and it was a total lifesaver for those long hikes. The image quality is actually amazing for a superzoom. Quick tip: trust the f/2.8 at the wide end for those low light moments, it works way better than youd think! Youll love it.
Like someone mentioned, the 24-105 is a classic choice, but i am gonna politely disagree and say it might not be wide enough for those big Iceland vistas. Lately I have been using some newer glass and honestly, I am so satisfied with the shift toward wider standard zooms. Here are two that fit your budget better imo:
- Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G: This is my top pick. Starting at 20mm instead of 24mm is a total game changer for landscapes. Its incredibly light at 488g, so your neck finally gets a break. Sharpness is top-tier too.
- Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN Art II: If you really need f/2.8 for bokeh, this new version is way lighter than the old brick. Usually costs around $1199. I would grab the 20-70mm tho. The A7IV sensor is so good that f/4 isnt scary, and youll definitely want that extra width for the glaciers and massive waterfalls.
> honestly i just wanted to throw the whole thing in the trash. its just exhausting. I totally get that frustration, but dont give up on your camera just yet! Honestly, lugging around heavy glass is the quickest way to kill the joy of shooting. Adding my two cents: I think everyone is overlooking the Sigma 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary. It is way lighter and smaller than the Sony 24-105, which is huge for hiking. I have been using it for a couple of years and I am super satisfied. The constant f/2.8 is such a nice bonus for those darker days in Iceland compared to the f/4 options. It is not as wide as the 20-70, but for me, the trade-off in size and the faster aperture makes it the ultimate travel companion. You wont feel like a pack mule at all. Take a breath, grab the Sigma, and just enjoy your trip.
Saw this earlier and thought about my own move to a single lens. I traded my primes for a versatile zoom to save my back.
- constant f/4 helps with exposure consistency
- weight was around 663g
- 24mm offers a much wider field of view than your 50mm The Sony FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS stayed on my camera the whole trip. It taught me that convenience usually beats marginal sharpness gains when youre actually hiking.
Jumping in here because I feel your pain. I have been lugging gear for years and honestly, the moment you start hating the process, you stop getting the shots you want. Everyone here is debating the pros and cons of the Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD, the Sony FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS, the Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G, and the Sigma 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary.
- If you really want that extra width for Iceland, the 20-70mm is a massive winner.
- If weight is the only thing that matters, the Sigma is basically invisible in your bag.
- For sheer versatility without changing lenses, the Tamron really is the king of travel. ^ This. Also, dont stress over the sharpness charts too much. None of these lenses will hold you back compared to your phone, and the best lens is definitely the one you actually have on your camera when your nephew scores that goal. Grab the one that feels best in your hand and go enjoy Iceland.
