In the Field: Sony A7 III for Travel Photography

If you’re starting to plan your next travel photography adventure, this review will help you decide whether a Sony mirrorless camera is right for you—and, if so, which lenses you should bring. Sony was the first manufacturer to release a reliable mirrorless camera boasting a full-frame sensor, with the launch of the Sony A7 series back in 2013. Travel photographers, in particular, loved its excellent image quality, useful features, and compact size. Since then, Sony has consistently built upon the success of the A7, notably with the Sony A7 III. Released in 2018, the Sony A7 III—with its 24-megapixel full-frame sensor, excellent low-light performance, and increased dynamic range—is still one of the most popular travel cameras available today.

For many travel photographers, it’s important to consider the balance between features and weight. Nobody wants to lug around too much, but no one wants to miss a shot not having the right camera and lens. Ideally, you’ll want to bring along one camera body, one zoom lens, and one prime lens. But which lenses should you choose? Our team travelled to Zermatt, Switzerland, to test out the Sony A7 III, Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM and Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM.

Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM

A 24-70mm lens is a must-have for any travel photographer. And the Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM is ideal for full-frame E-mount mirrorless cameras. The G Master series, in particular, are designed to perform at the highest levels. The fixed aperture of f/2.8 makes this lens a reliable companion, even in bad lighting conditions. It can handle those wide scenes with ease, and it’s equally great for closer shots or getting some crisp detail.

Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM

We all love photos with a crisp subject in the foreground and a beautiful out-of-focus background. With its large maximum aperture, the Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM can handle almost everything you ask of it. Small and light, so it’s easy to carry for long days, it’s also fast, reliable and takes sharp images with minimal distortion or chromatic aberration. The 35mm is also a great focal length for street photography, as it works well for shooting busy streets, people and portraits. On top of that, the lens has superb performance in low-light situations. This makes it ideal for night street photography enthusiasts.

When choosing your lenses for travel, depending on where you’re going and what you’re planning to shoot, you’ll want to consider the build quality, weight and assistive features of each lens. It’s good to focus on a lens that works well in a wide variety of situations. Of course, there are always going to be compromises, there is no lens that ‘does everything.

Looking for more travel photography content?

This article is part of the MPB Guide to Travel Photography, our comprehensive look at the travel photography genre with advice, recommended camera equipment and interviews with some of the most exciting travel photographers today.