As an Amazon Associate and eBay Partner, toptenpick.com earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are subject to change.
The NEX-5N uses Sony’s E-mount, the same lens mount still used by current APS-C cameras like the a6700 — so unlike some older camera systems, wide-angle E-mount lenses are still being made and sold new today, and they’ll mount and autofocus on the NEX-5N. Here are seven current options, from budget primes to a premium f/1.4 and a couple of wide zooms.
| # | Product | Price | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sony E 11mm F1.8 | $550-$650 | Amazon · eBay |
| 2 | Sony E 15mm F1.4 G | $700-$850 | Amazon · eBay |
| 3 | Sigma 16mm F1.4 DC DN | $400-$470 | Amazon · eBay |
| 4 | Tamron 11-20mm F2.8 Di III-A RXD | $550-$650 | Amazon · eBay |
| 5 | Sigma 10-18mm F2.8 DC DN | $650-$750 | Amazon · eBay |
| 6 | Sony E PZ 10-20mm F4 G | $700-$850 | Amazon · eBay |
| 7 | Samyang AF 12mm F2.0 | $400-$480 | Amazon · eBay |
The picks, in detail
Sony E 11mm F1.8
The widest native prime for Sony APS-C, ideal for interiors, architecture, and low-light travel shots.
- 11mm focal length (16.5mm full-frame equivalent)
- F1.8 maximum aperture
- Compact, lightweight build
- Linear autofocus motor
- Widest native APS-C E-mount prime available
- Fast aperture for low light
- Prime lens only — no zoom flexibility
Sony E 15mm F1.4 G
A premium, weather-sealed wide prime with G-series optical quality for serious APS-C shooters.
- 15mm focal length
- F1.4 maximum aperture
- Weather-sealed construction
- Fast, silent autofocus
- Excellent sharpness and build quality
- Very fast aperture for a wide-angle prime
- Pricier than the other options here
Sigma 16mm F1.4 DC DN
The most popular APS-C wide prime on E-mount, prized for sharpness and value.
- 16mm focal length (24mm full-frame equivalent)
- F1.4 maximum aperture
- Stepping motor autofocus
- Compact metal build
- Outstanding value for the aperture and sharpness
- Widely reviewed and well regarded
- Not weather-sealed
Tamron 11-20mm F2.8 Di III-A RXD
A constant-aperture wide zoom that replaced Sony’s own aging 10-18mm as the go-to APS-C wide zoom.
- 11-20mm range
- Constant F2.8 aperture
- RXD stepping motor autofocus
- Close focusing distance
- Faster constant aperture than most wide zooms in this class
- Strong close-focus performance for foreground drama
- No image stabilization built into the lens
Sigma 10-18mm F2.8 DC DN
Goes wider than the Tamron at the short end, with the same fast constant F2.8 aperture.
- 10-18mm range
- Constant F2.8 aperture
- Compact stepping-motor design
- Weather-sealed mount
- Wider than most APS-C zoom competitors
- Fast constant aperture throughout the range
- Shorter tele reach than the Tamron 11-20mm
Sony E PZ 10-20mm F4 G
A compact power-zoom wide-angle for shooters who want smooth zooming for video alongside stills.
- 10-20mm range
- Power zoom (PZ) mechanism
- G-series optics
- Compact, lightweight design
- Smooth, motorized zoom useful for video
- Very compact for a wide zoom
- F4 aperture is slower than the Sigma/Tamron F2.8 options
Samyang AF 12mm F2.0
A compact, weather-sealed manual-focus-style ultra-wide with autofocus, aimed at landscape and astro shooters.
- 12mm focal length (18mm full-frame equivalent)
- F2.0 maximum aperture
- Linear stepping motor autofocus
- Weather sealing, rear protector glass
- Very compact for its focal length
- Good value ultra-wide prime
- Autofocus is capable but not as fast as native Sony lenses
Buying tips
- The NEX-5N has no built-in electronic viewfinder, so a wider field of view is more forgiving when composing on the rear LCD in bright sunlight.
- If video is part of your use, prioritize the Sony E PZ 10-20mm F4 G’s power zoom over the manual-zoom alternatives for smoother framing changes.
- Older NEX bodies occasionally need a firmware update to get full autofocus speed from newer lenses — check the NEX-5N’s firmware is current before buying.
As an Amazon Associate and eBay Partner, toptenpick.com earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are subject to change.