5 Best Fisheye Lenses for Sony a7III

Best Fisheye Lenses for Sony a7III featured photo

If you want to capture panoramic or underwater shots with the Sony a7III, you know an ultra-wide angle lens isn’t enough. Consider getting a fisheye lens for an extremely wide perspective up to 180°. Below, we listed the best fisheye lenses for the Sony a7III camera.

The Rokinon 12mm f/2.8 Fisheye Lens tops our handpicked list. It has a high optical quality that minimizes coma and chromatic aberrations. It also offers a bright aperture, making it effective in low-light situations.

However, if you already own a Sony wide angle lens, you can simply get fisheye converters. This article will cover the other fisheye lenses you can get for the Sony a7III. We will also answer some of your questions about this lens type below,

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites

IMAGEPRODUCT
  • Lens Type: Fisheye
  • Compatible Mountings: Sony A
  • Camera Lens Description: 12 month
View On Amazon →Read Our Review
  • Lens Type: Standard
  • Compatible Mountings: Sony E
  • Camera Lens Description: 16 month
View On Amazon →Read Our Review
  • Lens Type: Fisheye
  • Compatible Mountings: Sony E
  • Maximum Focal Length: 13
View On Amazon →Read Our Review
  • Lens Type: Fisheye
  • Compatible Mountings: Other
  • Maximum Focal Length: 8
View On Amazon →Read Our Review
  • Lens Type: Fisheye
  • Compatible Mountings: Sony A
  • Camera Lens Description: 12 month
View On Amazon →Read Our Review

5 Best Fisheye Lenses for Sony a7III

Below are the best fisheye lenses to use on the Sony a7III mirrorless camera.

1. Rokinon 12mm f/2.8 Ultra-Wide Fisheye Lens – Editor’s Pick

Rokinon 12mm f2.8 Ultra-Wide Fisheye Lens

The Rokinon 12mm f/2.8 Ultra-Wide Fisheye Lens comes out on top of our list.

It is specifically designed for Sony FE or full-frame cameras, such as the Sony a7III. It has a large image circle, so you can take full advantage of the full-frame sensor.

This Rokinon fisheye lens also features a 180º diagonal angle of view. It captures subjects using an ultra-wide, distorted perspective. The diagonal fisheye effect is ideal for panoramic landscapes, interior shots, underwater photography, and other creative experimentations.

In terms of optical quality, this full-frame fisheye lens doesn’t disappoint. Rokinon uses low-dispersion ED glass and two aspherical lens elements to reduce coma and chromatic aberration. Meanwhile, the nanocrystal anti-reflection (NCS) coating and ultra multi-coating (UMC) minimize ghosting effects.

Another advantage of the Rokinon 12mm fisheye lens is the bright maximum aperture. It opens to f/2.8 to let more light inside the sensor. At the same time, it provides a shallow depth of field control. It is also easy to change the f-stop, thanks to the manual aperture ring.

All these benefits come in a sturdy metal barrel. The manufacturer even includes a removable petal-shaped lens hood.

However, this ultra-wide fisheye lens only allows manual focus. A few users also noticed the fully manual lens captured images with blurry edges.

But after weighing the pros against the cons, we think the Rokinon 12mm f/2.8 is an excellent product, especially for its price. It is our top choice for the best fisheye lens for Sony a7III.

Pros:

  • A full-frame fisheye lens is ideal for panoramas, interior shots, and creative photography
  • High optical quality minimizes chromatic aberrations, coma, color fringing, and ghosting
  • Manual aperture control
  • Bright lens
  • Sturdy metal construction

Cons:

  • It only uses manual focus
  • Some images may have soft edges

2. Sony 16mm f/3.5-22 Fisheye Converter Lens – Best Native Fisheye Lens

Sony 16mm f3.5-22 Fisheye Converter Lens

If you already have a Sony lens and want to use autofocus, consider the Sony 16mm f/3.5-22 Fisheye Converter Lens.

As its name suggests, it is not a fisheye lens. It simply transforms your existing wide angle lens into one. 

This converter is compatible with the Sony FE 28mm f/2 Lens. It broadens its focal length from 28mm to 16mm with a 180° angle of view. It gives a unique distorted perspective perfect for panoramas, underwater shots, and creative effects. Plus, it can work as a circular fisheye lens to give you fun portraits and perspective. 

The Sony 16mm fisheye converter also transmits EXIF Data to the camera. There is no need to worry about losing image data or detail.

And since it is simply a converter, it retains most of the features of the 28mm lens. Notably, it allows you to use fast autofocus.

However, it only provides a maximum aperture of f/3.5. It can be pretty limiting in low-light or night situations. So if you use a fisheye lens for astrophotography, you might be better off with the previous Rokinon lens.

Another downside is that it adds a bulk to your compact mirrorless camera. Remember that it only works when attached to the Sony 28mm lens. The combined size of the lens and converter might be unappealing to others.

Still, we think the Sony 16mm f/3.5-22 Fisheye Converter Lens is worth considering. It is a native Sony product, so it is optimized to give you high-quality images straight from the a7III. It is among the best fisheye lenses for Sony full-frame cameras.

Pros:

  • It converts the Sony 28mm lens into a fun fisheye lens
  • It automatically transmits EXIF data
  • A wider 16mm focal length and 180º angle of view
  • The converter lets you use the autofocus system of the Sony lens
  • A built-in petal-type lens hood

Cons:

  • It might not perform well in low-light environments
  • Bulky lens converter

3. Sony 10-13mm f/2.8-22 Fisheye Converter Lens

Sony 10-13mm f2.8-22 Fisheye Converter Lens

The Sony 10-13mm f/2.8-22 Fisheye Converter Lens is another product to consider if you already own Sony lenses. 

This conversion lens specifically works with the 16mm f/2.8 and 20mm f/2.8 lenses. It transforms the 16mm lens into a 10mm ultra-wide angle lens. Meanwhile, it gives the 20mm lens a shorter focal length of 13mm.

However, on the Sony a7III, using the converter with the said lenses offers a slightly zoomed-in perspective. That is because the lenses have an APS-C format. When attached to a full-frame a7III camera, they have a 1.5x crop factor. In short, the Sony 16mm lens becomes 15mm, whereas the 20mm glass remains the same on the Sony a7III. 

Besides the focal length, the converter also changes the effective angle of view of the Sony lenses. It offers a 180° perspective on the Sony 16mm lens. Meanwhile, it has a 133° view angle on the 20mm lens. The wider perspectives make it easy to capture panoramas, architectural buildings, and creative effects.

The Sony converter even comes with front and rear lens caps as well as a carrying case. These accessories protect the camera equipment.

Consider the downsides before buying the product, though. First, you must switch to the crop shooting mode unless you want black corners in your circular image. Second, you may notice a reduced sharpness in your photo from 10-13mm focal lengths.

But all in all, the Sony 10-13mm converter is a great option if you want to achieve the full-frame fisheye effect with your Sony a7III.

Pros:

  • A wider angle of view gives photos a unique fisheye effect
  • It is fully compatible with Sony 16mm f/2.8 and 20mm f/2.8 lenses
  • It can work with autofocus systems 
  • The package comes with cover caps and a carry case

Cons:

  • It leaves black corners or heavy vignetting in the image, unless you switch to crop mode or use crop-sensor cameras
  • A few users noticed soft photos when using this conversion lens

4. Rokinon 8mm f/2.8 UMC Fisheye II

Rokinon 8mm f2.8 UMC Fisheye II

Are you looking for a compact yet high-quality fisheye lens for Sony a7III? Then, consider the Rokinon 8mm f/2.8 UMC Fisheye II.

It features a fixed 8mm focal length (12mm on the Sony a7III) with a 180° angle of view. It is suitable for landscape, interior, and architectural subjects.

This Rokinon fisheye lens also has a bright aperture of f/2.8. It can work in low-light environments, making it perfect for astrophotography and night photography.

Plus, it uses a total of 11 glass elements despite weighing less than a pound. Three of them are extra-low dispersion elements, whereas the other two are aspherical elements. These minimize chromatic aberrations and distortions to ensure sharp images.

There is even an ultra multi-coating (UMC) for reduced ghosting. It produces more color-neutral and contrast-rich photos. 

Finally, a built-in lens hood prevents lens flare and unwanted surface reflections.

However, this fisheye lens is built for Sony APS-C cameras, despite using the Sony E mount. It has heavy vignetting on the Sony a7III full-frame camera until you use the crop shooting mode. The lens hood is also not removable.

Overall, though, the Rokinon 8mm f/2.8 is among the best fisheye lenses for the Sony a7III.

Pros:

  • A 180° perspective offers a unique fisheye effect
  • A bright maximum aperture
  • High-quality optics reduce ghosting and aberrations
  • Lightweight and compact lens

Cons:

  • The lens mount is in APS-C format, which is only ideal for crop-sensor cameras
  • A non-removable hood may get captured in the frame

5. Samyang 12mm f/2.8 Ultra Wide Fisheye Lens

Samyang 12mm f2.8 Ultra-Wide Fisheye Lens

The last product on our list is the Samyang 12mm f/2.8 Ultra Wide Fisheye Lens.

It features a full-frame sensor coverage, making it compatible with the Sony a7III. It also has an ultra-wide 12mm perspective and a 180° view angle to achieve a fisheye visual effect.

Another benefit of this fisheye lens is the close minimum focus distance. It can capture subjects at a mere 7.9 inches (20 cm) away. It can help you emphasize small subjects, whether in a rectangular image or a circular fisheye photo.

There is also a high-quality optical design to enjoy. Samyang combines the nano crystal coating system (NCS) and the ultra multi-coating (UMC) to produce a sharp image. These glass elements reduce unwanted light reflections.

Plus, this Samyang lens has a large maximum aperture of f/2.8. It is ideal for low-light situations and shallow depth of field control. If you need a deep DoF, the manual aperture ring makes it easy to adjust the f-stop for fisheye photography. 

On top of these benefits, the prime lens comes with lens caps, a petal-shaped lens hood, and a lens pouch.

But before buying the Samyang fisheye lens, consider its downsides as well. First, it only uses manual focus. Second, a few users noticed blurry corners in their images.

Nothing beats its price, though. It is among the most affordable fisheye lenses to use on the Sony a7III.

Pros:

  • It is compatible with full-frame cameras
  • A bright maximum aperture
  • A short minimum focusing distance is suitable for extreme close-ups
  • Advanced glass coatings minimize light reflections
  • It comes with free accessories

Cons:

  • A manual focus lens without autofocus
  • Some photos have blurry corners

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a fisheye lens?

A fisheye lens is an ultra-wide angle lens that offers a 150-180° angle of view. It produces a wide panoramic and hemispherical photo with noticeable visual distortion. The lens is traditionally used for scientific purposes. However, in recent decades, the fisheye effect has been popular in architecture, astrophotography, landscapes, underwater shots, and other creative uses.

What is the difference between a fisheye and a wide-angle lens?

A fisheye lens is a type of wide-angle lens. However, not all wide-angle lenses have a fisheye effect. Fisheye lenses have a strong distortion that makes images bulge outward from the center. Wide-angle lenses have little distortion, but they still keep lines straight. Wide-angle lenses also have a smaller view angle ranging from 60 to 80°.

Are fisheye lenses worth it?

It depends on your needs as a photographer. If you often capture architecture or panoramic shots, you may find a fisheye lens worth it. You can also find value in the lens if you are into astrophotography, underwater photography, and creative effects. 

Conclusion

All of the fisheye lenses recommended above have great user reviews and features. We’re confident you can pick a lens that best suits your needs.

Our favorite is the Rokinon 12mm f/2.8 Ultra-Wide Fisheye Lens. It has a 180º diagonal angle of view that captures the subject with a distinct fisheye effect. It also uses high-quality optics for increased sharpness and contrast. There is even a bright aperture for low-light situations. All of these come in a compact yet sturdy metal barrel.

Since we’ve already done the research for you, save time by grabbing your preferred lens above and go back to capturing photos.