Story time: I actually went through this last year on a trip to Italy! I was terrified of being stuck in dark alleys with a slow lens, so I obsessed over the technical specs. Just a warning though: don't compromise your mount's safety with a massive, heavy zoom that creates a huge leverage point on your camera body during long walks. I ended up ditching the bulky setups and falling in love with the Sony FE 35mm f/1.8 for its incredible T-stop performance and light weight. Honestly, it saved my neck—literally! Anyway, back to your question, that a7 IV sensor is amazing, so you'll be fine either way!

For your situation, I would suggest looking at the Sony FE 20-70mm f/4 G. I'm relatively new to the a7 IV world myself, but I've been so happy with how this lens performs as a walk-around option!

Honestly, while the f/4 aperture might seem a bit slow for night shots, the a7 IV sensor handles high ISO so well that it hasn't been a dealbreaker for me. Here is why I think it wins for Europe:

* **The 20mm wide end:** It's a lifesaver for cramped European streets and massive cathedrals where 24mm or 28mm just feels too tight.
* **Weight:** It’s super light and compact, which your neck will definitely thank you for after a long day of sightseeing.

That said, if you're really worried about those dark alleys, maybe pair it with a tiny prime like the Sony FE 35mm f/1.8 for later in the evening? But for a do-it-all lens, that extra width at 20mm is seriously a game changer. Hope this helps! 📸

For your situation, I would suggest looking at the Sony FE 20-70mm f/4 G. I'm relatively new to the a7 IV world myself, but I've been so happy with how this lens performs as a walk-around option!

Honestly, while the f/4 aperture might seem a bit slow for night shots, the a7 IV sensor handles high ISO so well that it hasn't been a dealbreaker for me. Here is why I think it wins for Europe:

* **The 20mm wide end:** It's a lifesaver for cramped European streets and massive cathedrals where 24mm or 28mm just feels too tight.
* **Weight:** It’s super light and compact, which your neck will definitely thank you for after a long day of sightseeing.

That said, if you're really worried about those dark alleys, maybe pair it with a tiny prime like the Sony FE 35mm f/1.8 for later in the evening? But for a do-it-all lens, that extra width at 20mm is seriously a game changer. Hope this helps! 📸

Hi there! I've been shooting Sony for a decade and honestly, I've wasted so much money on heavy glass I never used.

Warning: Don't overspend on f/2.8 zooms thinking you *need* them for night street shots. The a7 IV has such amazing high ISO performance that an f/4 is usually fine, especially with modern AI denoisers.

Check out these resources to save some cash:
- Pro tip: Use **RTINGS** or **Dustin Abbott's** website for side-by-side sharpness charts.
- Look at the Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary for Sony E if you want the f/2.8 speed but need to save weight and money compared to the G-Master.
- Grab a cheap SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-II card to handle the a7 IV's burst rates without breaking the bank!

Hope this helps! 📸

Hi there, and congrats on the new camera! Honestly, I've been in your exact shoes with my own Sony a7 IV Mirrorless Camera. After testing a few setups for travel, I would suggest the Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD for Sony E as a serious contender.

I know, I know—it's a superzoom, but hear me out. Unlike the Sony FE 24-105mm f/4 G OSS Lens, this Tamron starts at f/2.8 on the wide end, which is a lifesaver for blue-hour street shots. Plus, having that 200mm reach for architectural details in Europe is huge. If you're really worried about the wide end, I usually pair it with a tiny Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G Lens for interiors. But for a one-lens solution? The Tamron's versatility is hard to beat, and the IQ is surprisingly sharp for the range. It's way more capable than your average kit lens, tbh. Hope this helps with the decision!

Can confirm

Like someone mentioned, the high ISO on the Sony a7 IV is amazing, but unfortunately, I found that relying on it to fix a slow lens was a mistake. As a beginner who focuses on real-world results, the image quality on those versatile zooms was not as good as expected. I was pretty disappointed with how soft my photos looked once I got home and saw them on a larger screen. I really want to warn you about the physical fatigue. Carrying a heavy setup for three weeks is a serious issue that people often overlook. After a few days of walking, you really start to regret the bulk. To be honest, it makes the whole experience less enjoyable.

• Weight: Heavy gear ruins the fun of long travel days.
• Image Quality: Wide-range zooms often compromise on sharpness and contrast. I think the best approach is to skip the zoom entirely and just use one high-quality prime lens. It forces you to be more creative and keeps your bag much lighter. Just be careful about over-investing in a do-it-all lens that doesnt actually do anything perfectly. I had issues with that line of thinking myself and really wish I had just kept it simple.

Had a moment to think about this more and if you truly want *one* lens for 3 weeks, I’d look hard at Sony FE 24-50mm f/2.8 G. It sounds short on paper, but in practice it covers most “travel” shots (street, food, interiors, people) and keeps f/2.8 for night stuff without getting huge. It’s also the kind of lens you’ll still want on the a7 IV years later because it’s just… easy. If you want more range without going full brick, Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN II Art is pricey (around $1,200-ish) but it’s kind of the current benchmark for IQ/AF/size balance. One question: are you prioritizing night street or daytime sightseeing more? Your answer kinda decides between “fast shorter zoom” vs “slower longer zoom,” right?

Seconded!

TIL! Thanks for sharing