Here are the best lenses for the Sony a6400:

For everyday use:

• Sony E 16-55mm f/2.8 G (premium standard zoom)
• Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN (excellent value alternative)

For portraits:

• Sony 85mm f/1.8 FE (superb image quality)
• Sigma 56mm f/1.4 DC DN (affordable, compact, sharp)

For landscapes/architecture:

• Sony 10-18mm f/4 OSS (ultra-wide angle zoom)
• Tamron 11-20mm f/2.8 Di III-A RXD (wider aperture alternative)

For travel/versatility:

• Sony 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS (excellent all-in-one zoom)
• Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD (better low-light performance)

Budget-friendly primes:

• Sony 35mm f/1.8 OSS (versatile focal length)
• Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN (exceptional value)

Your specific photography needs and budget will determine which lens would be best for you

For a versatile option, the Sony 18-135mm offers a great zoom range. If budget is a concern, the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 is popular , though lacks stabilization. Consider size and weight, especially for the compact a6400. For budget video/travel, some suggest manual lenses, but autofocus is crucial for sports.

Honestly, I have been using my a6400 for almost a year now and I realy think you should look at a dedicated telephoto lens if you want to do any sports. The standard zooms are great for family dinners and stuff, but when my kids are running around at the park or playing soccer, I can never get close enough with just a 50mm or 70mm lens. Since the a6400 doesnt have stabilization built into the camera body, you basically need to make sure your longer lenses have OSS (Optical SteadyShot) so your photos arent all blurry when you zoom in. Here are a couple of things I found helpful as I was learning:

• Sony E 70-350mm f/4.5-6.3 G OSS
• This is my favorite for sports and even some nature shots. Its a bit more expensive but the zoom range is incredible and the stabilization works realy well.
• Sony E 55-210mm f/4.5-6.3 OSS
• Well actually, I started with this one because it is way more budget friendly. Its not as sharp as the G lens, but it is super light to carry around all day. Do you think youll be mostly indoors or outdoors for the sports shots? That might change how much zoom you actually need because some of these lenses need a lot of light to work well...

Regarding what #9 said about "Great info, saved!" - i did the exact same thing. i spent weeks worrying about which lenses would actually be reliable enough for my kids soccer games without being too bulky. it is such a headache trying to balance weight and performance on this specific camera... anyway, i finally settled on a kit im satisfied with and it works well for me.

• stick to lenses with optical steady shot built in because the a6400 is a bit shaky on its own.
• try to find a lens that uses 55mm or 67mm filters since those are super common and easy to find. ive been using the Sony E 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS lately and have no complaints about the reliability. it just feels safe and solid on the camera body. happy to see this discussion helping people out!

I totally feel your pain on this one. When I first picked up my a6400 years ago, I spent way too much time and money trying to find that unicorn lens that could handle my kids soccer games and then turn around and take nice landscapes. Its a tough balance, especially since we dont have in-body stabilization to help us out. Coming back to this after using this kit for several years, I finally realized you kinda need two specialized tools rather than one compromise. For the sports and outdoor stuff, you really cant beat the Sony E 70-350mm f/4.5-6.3 G OSS. The reach is incredible and the stabilization is solid for handheld shots. For the portraits and family stuff, I eventually landed on the Sigma 56mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary. It stays on my camera 90% of the time now because the sharpness is just unreal. If you really need a one-and-done for travel tho, the Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD is a decent heavy-hitter if you can handle the weight.

Stumbled upon this today and it really took me back to when I first grabbed my a6400. Honestly, I spent way too much time trying to find that one perfect lens that did everything, and I kinda regret not just focusing on what I actually needed for the performance side. One thing I'd say is be careful with the weight balance. I once got this massive zoom that was technically amazing, but it made the tiny camera body so front-heavy that I ended up leaving it at home more often than not. You might want to consider how the autofocus handles when things get fast too. I remember being so frustrated during a family track meet because my gear just couldnt lock on fast enough, and I missed the big finish. It is a bit of a learning curve with this body since it doesnt have the built-in stabilization, so I had to really change how I held the camera to keep things sharp. Just take your time with it, you will definitely find your groove once you see how the different glass feels in your hands. Feel free to ask if you run into any specific issues with the setup later on.

For the Sony A6400, consider the Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 for versatility, Sony E 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS for extended zoom, all-around option suitable for portraits, landscapes, and sports.

Tamron 17-70.

Great info, saved!