Like someone mentioned, that 35mm is popular, but unfortunately, the build quality is kinda disappointing. I had issues with focus hunting on third-party gear too... just wasnt as reliable as I needed for night shots.

• Look at the Sony FE 28mm f/2. Its smaller than the 35mm and stays under budget.
• Stick to native glass to avoid AF lag when it gets dark.
• Buy used to save money.

> it looks too big for discrete nyc street stuff and then the zeiss 2.8 is apparently ancient and slow now Stumbled upon this today and figured i should jump in before you buy something you regret. If you are worried about the size of the 35mm 1.8, you might want to consider the Samyang AF 35mm F1.8 FE instead. Its significantly shorter than the Sony version and weighs almost nothing. Tbh, for around $350, the center sharpness is actually impressive. Just be careful with the build quality tho, its mostly plastic to keep that weight down. Make sure to look at the Sony FE 40mm f/2.5 G too. I know it sounds slow at f2.5, but it uses dual linear motors for the AF. Its basically instant. For night stuff on an a7iii, you can usually bump the ISO enough to compensate for the smaller aperture. I would suggest hunting for a used one since they retail for about $600, but they pop up for $450 all the time on local listings. One thing to watch out for with the cheaper Samyang is sample variation. I have seen some copies with nasty decentering, so definitely test the corners against a flat wall when you get it. If you want that discrete look in NYC, those tiny G-series primes are basically unbeatable for the form factor. Just make sure the focal length works for you.

Thinking about this a bit more, I went through a similar phase of trying to find the perfect discrete setup for my A7III while shooting in NYC. After testing several focal lengths, I realized that anything over two inches long feels too intrusive for close-up street work. It works. Here is my experience with a few lenses that fit your budget:

• Sony FE 35mm f/2.8 ZA Zeiss Sonnar T* is actually fine. People call it ancient, but the AF speed is still very snappy on an A7III body. Its the most pancake lens you can get that stays native.
• Moving to the Sony FE 40mm f/2.5 G was a game changer for me. It is technically over $500 new, but I grabbed mine used for around $450. The dual linear motors are silent and extremely fast for night shots.
• The Sony FE 28mm f/2 is wider, but the physical size is very manageable. It isnt as sharp as the G series. Still, for the price, its hard to beat for low light. Basically, I would prioritize the G series compacts if you can find one used. The aperture ring and build quality make a massive difference when you are moving fast.