These are the best Sony lenses for headshot photography when you want flattering perspective, gentle skin rendering, confident Eye AF, and background separation that feels natural in studio or window light—and here’s what to look for as you buy: prioritize short-tele primes (85–135mm on full-frame; 50–90mm on APS-C) with smooth, non-nervous bokeh and controlled LoCA, strong sharpness at portrait apertures (ƒ1.8–ƒ4), quiet linear/XD AF for reliable eye lock, minimal focus breathing if you film, and close-focus for crop-in details of eyes, lips, and hair; consistent front diameters help you run one diffusion filter (⅛–¼) and one VND, and weather sealing is handy for outdoor sets. Full-frame prime heroes: FE 85mm ƒ1.4 GM (classic headshot look with creamy falloff and accurate skin tones), FE 135mm ƒ1.8 GM (compression and micro-contrast for editorial-crisp heads), FE 50mm ƒ1.4 GM (tighter spaces, three-quarter head/shoulders with natural perspective), FE 90mm ƒ2.8 Macro G OSS (beauty close-ups and pore-level detail with flattering contrast), and FE 100mm ƒ2.8 STF GM OSS (apotheosis of smooth bokeh—use where light allows); value primes that punch above weight: FE 85mm ƒ1.8 and FE 55mm ƒ1.8 ZA. Zoom workhorses: FE 70–200mm ƒ2.8 GM OSS II (studio flexibility from tight headshots to half-body with gorgeous rendering), FE 70–200mm ƒ4 Macro G II (lighter, close-focus for beauty), and FE 24–70mm ƒ2.8 GM II (fast swaps between environmental and head-and-shoulders; great close-focus for detail). APS-C shooters get flattering FoV with E 50mm ƒ1.8 OSS (75-eq portrait), E 35mm ƒ1.8 OSS (52-eq for tight rooms), and the FE 85mm ƒ1.8 or FE 90 Macro on crop for longer reach; E 16–55mm ƒ2.8 G covers environmental to tight at 55mm with prime-like sharpness. Practical buyer tips: build a two-prime spine (85/1.4 + 135/1.8 or 50/1.4 + 85/1.4) and add a 70–200/2.8 for versatility; standardize thread sizes for one quality diffusion filter and a slim VND (for video), test bokeh on specular highlights and check LoCA on dark-to-light edges around hair and collars, and favor lenses with linear motors for high Eye-AF hit rates. Headshot shooting tips: place catchlights high and clean (clamshell or window + bounce), expose for skin and ride exposure comp gently, work near wide open and stop 1/3–2/3 stop for eyelash-crisp results, set AF-C with Eye (Human) and a small flexible zone, start around 1/200–1/250s (sync-safe in studio), and use ƒ2–ƒ4 for classic separation; for outdoor/available light, add negative fill to sculpt jawlines, use diffusion filters sparingly for halation and smoother micro-contrast, and keep subject 1–3 m from background to melt distractions; for video headshots, hold 180° shutter with ND, enable breathing compensation, and favor internal focus/zoom lenses; mind perspective—step back and use 85–135mm to slim, shift stance instead of tilting to keep features balanced, and keep eyes above centerline for engaging, confident frames. Whether you’re crafting polished corporate portraits, expressive actor headshots, or editorial beauty, the best Sony lenses for headshot photography combine flattering focal lengths, smooth rendering, and confident AF—so skin stays luminous, eyes sparkle, and your images feel clean, focused, and professional.