I have spent way too many years lugging around bags full of glass just to realize I usually only need one solid zoom. Back when I was first starting with the a6000 series, I made the mistake of buying too many cheap primes. Eventually, I learned that a high-quality constant aperture zoom is the real secret for travel.

• Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD
• This is basically the holy grail for a6100 owners. Since your camera doesnt have in-body stabilization, the VC (vibration compensation) in this lens is a must-have for sharp shots in low light.
• Sony Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm f/4 ZA OSS
• I used this one for a three-week trip through Europe and the size-to-quality ratio is hard to beat. Its smaller than the Tamron, though you lose some low-light performance. The Tamron is my go-to recommendation because that f/2.8 aperture gives you that blurry background for portraits that the cheaper zooms just cant touch. Its a bit heavier than the Sony options, but the image quality is stellar... worth the extra weight in your bag for sure.

> My budget is around $500-800. What do you think is the best all-around lens for the Sony a6100 given my needs and budget? I've been really satisfied with how my current setup works lately, no real complaints here, but before I give you my two cents I gotta ask... are you planning on carrying a tripod everywhere or are you strictly shooting handheld? It really changes what you can get away with for travel shots. Honestly this whole thing reminds me so much of when my brother-in-law bought his first mirrorless camera right before a big trip to Iceland. He was so obsessed with finding the absolute perfect lens that he spent months reading every review on the internet. He got so stressed and overwhelmed by all the choices that he actually forgot to buy any glass until the day before his flight! He had to rush to a random camera store and just grab whatever they had in stock. It was such a mess watching him panic at the gate trying to figure out the zoom... it was a total ordeal but pretty funny for the rest of us. Im just happy I wasnt the one scrambling at the last minute. Anyway let me know about the tripod situation and we can go from there.

Lol I was literally about to post the same thing. Glad someone else brought it up.

Same here!

Here are some of the best all-around lenses for the Sony a6100:

1. Sony E 16-55mm f/2.8 G

   • Versatile focal range from wide-angle to short telephoto
   • Constant f/2.8 aperture for low-light performance and shallow depth of field
   • High-quality G-series lens with excellent sharpness and contrast

2. Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS

   • Very versatile superzoom range covering wide-angle to telephoto
   • Optical SteadyShot (OSS) for image stabilization
   • Lightweight and compact design, ideal for travel and everyday use

3. Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary

   • Covers wide-angle to standard focal lengths
   • Bright f/2.8 constant aperture for low-light and background blur
   • Compact and affordable option from Sigma's Contemporary line

4. Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD

   • Versatile focal range from wide-angle to portrait-length telephoto
   • Constant f/2.8 aperture for low-light and background separation
   • Vibration Compensation (VC) for image stabilization

5. Sony E 18-105mm f/4 G OSS

   • Covers wide-angle to medium telephoto range
   • Constant f/4 aperture throughout the zoom range
   • Optical SteadyShot (OSS) for image stabilization
   • Power Zoom feature for smooth zooming during video recording

These lenses offer a balance of versatility, image quality, and performance, making them excellent all-around choices for the Sony a6100. Consider your specific needs and budget when selecting the best lens for your photography style.

Get the Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS lens.

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