What are the best everyday lenses for Sony Alpha cameras?

In my experience, if you're rocking the Sony Alpha 7 IV, you REALLY want something that balances weight and quality. I've tried many zooms over the years, and honestly, the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 for Sony E is basically the king of "walk-around" lenses right now. It's SO much lighter than the first-party 24-70mm and fits your budget perfectly... Here's why it's my top pick:
* It has a constant f/2.8 aperture which is great for low-light.
* The VXD motor is actually super snappy for street walks.
* It weighs way less than the GM version so ur neck wont hurt. But if you really wanna go tiny, the Sony FE 35mm f/1.8 is lowkey amazing and very sharp. Still, for family stuff, I’d grab the Tamron zoom cuz you’ll want that versatility. gl!

Just saw this thread and wanted to jump in because the technical trade-offs here are super interesting. I totally agree with what Thomas said about the weight issue - if it feels like a brick, you just wont use it. Since you mentioned low-light and sharpness, have you looked at the Sigma 28-70mm f2.8 DG DN Contemporary for Sony E? It is actually even lighter than the Tamron at around 470g. Basically, Sigma sacrificed that 24mm wide end to keep the optical formula compact without losing much center sharpness. It is a crazy good balance of specs for the price. If you are worried about f/2.8 not being enough for evening shots, the Sony FE 35mm f1.8 is a total sleeper hit. It has almost no focus breathing which is great for video on your A7IV, and the MTF charts show it is incredibly sharp even wide open. Tbh, the difference between f/2.8 and f/1.8 is more than a full stop of light, which lets you keep your ISO much lower and the noise cleaner. Personally, I think that Sigma zoom is the sweet spot for a walk-around if you need the flexibility, but that 35mm prime is hard to beat for pure low-light performance.

Seconding the recommendation above. Honestly, the weight factor is huge and people highkey ignore it until there neck starts killing them. I’ve had issues with bulky setups in the past where I basically stopped bringing the camera out cuz it was such a chore... which is exactly what you wanna avoid with that Sony Alpha 7 IV. From a safety and reliability perspective, I gotta be direct—unfortunately, those massive f/2.8 zooms can put a lot of leverage on the lens mount if you're not careful. I've seen some professional rigs get wonky after years of heavy street use without proper support. If you really want a "set it and forget it" lens that won't fail you, I'd actually look at a high-end prime instead of a zoom. In my experience, the big zooms were not as good as expected for daily reliability and long-term durability. The Sony FE 35mm f/1.8 is a total sleeper hit. It's way lighter than any zoom, and because it has fewer moving parts, there is literally less that can go wrong mechanically. Plus, the f/1.8 aperture is gonna save your life in low light way better than a zoom will. If you need something slightly more "pro" but still reliable, maybe check out the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art for Sony E. It's built like a tank but still manageable. Just keep in mind that zooming with your feet is usually safer for your gear and ur back in the long run!! Anyway, do you usually shoot in dusty or wet conditions? That might change which one is safer for you.

Totally agree with the above! **CAUTION:** Ngl, the biggest mistake I see is buying the most expensive, heavy glass first. I did that once and my neck literally hated me... sooo wierd how much a few grams matter!! Save your cash and go for a lighter third-party zoom instead. It's amazing value and much better for long family days. I think you'll love it!! ✌️

Respectfully, I'd consider another option. Tbh, I've spent years tracking gear trends, and I've noticed a major pattern: people buy zooms for "versatility" but eventually leave the camera home cuz it's still too bulky. **CAUTION:** Don't underestimate how much f/2.8 limits u in true low light. If ur doing family dinners or evening walks, ur gonna miss that extra light that a fast prime provides. I'd suggest a fast 35mm prime from Sony or maybe the Sigma lines instead:
* Weight: It makes the A7IV actually feel portable and balanced.
* Sharpness: Primes usually outshine zooms in this price bracket.
* Vibe: Small lenses are way less intimidating for street stuff and family outings. I get why people like the third-party zooms mentioned earlier, but after a decade of shooting, I always go back to a single prime for daily life. It just makes the whole experience more fun and less like a chore... gl!