I’ll break down the various lens types, sizes, zoom capabilities, and more, to help you make an informed decision with ease.
Zoom vs Prime Lenses
There are two main camera lens types: zoom and prime.
Zoom Lens
With a zoom lens, you can capture things near and far with just a twist, making them fantastic for all-around use or when you’re out traveling and prefer not to lug around a bunch of lenses. Their superpower lies in their versatility.
Discover the best zoom lenses for Sony and the most common zoom lenses for Nikon camera>>>
It’s worth noting that zoom lenses and telephoto lenses aren’t the same, even though they’re often mentioned in the same breath. A zoom lens, like the common 18–55mm, covers a range of focal lengths, while a telephoto lens, such as a 70–200mm zoom or a 135mm prime, is designed to zoom in on distant subjects.
Keep on reading to learn more about telephoto lenses.
Best Zoom Lenses
Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II Lens
- The FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS delivers superb Image quality throughout the zoom range...
- Four of Sony’s original XD (Extreme Dynamic) Linear Motors deliver high thrust...
- Designed with movie magic in mind and the latest lens technology to reduce focus...
This lens emerges as the premier choice for telephoto zoom, specifically designed for Sony full-frame cameras, taking your photography to unprecedented heights.
A key highlight of this lens is its constant f/2.8 aperture, which is maintained across the entire zoom spectrum. This constant aperture is crucial for shooting in dimly lit environments, facilitating the capture of stunning images with relative ease. Moreover, it supports the creation of beautiful bokeh effects, elevating your photos to the level of artistry.
Its distinguishing factor lies in the superior image quality it delivers, marked by extraordinary sharpness and detail.
Tthe lens features an impressive autofocus system that blends speed with precision, ensuring your subjects are captured with crystal-clear sharpness. Coupled with an effective optical stabilization system, it combats camera shake, guaranteeing stable imagery even when utilizing longer zooms.
Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S
- NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/ 2.8 is a compact mid-range zoom that is indispensable for a wide...
- With an f/2.8 constant maximum aperture, exposure is consistent across the entire...
- Lens incorporates an all-new Multi-Focusing System, consisting of 2 AF drive units,...
The consensus among top photography experts is clear: this lens is the pinnacle of Nikon zoom lenses.
The lens’s superior optical quality cements its esteemed status. It offers unparalleled sharpness and significantly reduces distortion, making your photos a genuine portrayal of the scene.
Photographer Touch has hailed it as the best Nikon zoom lens on the market. Specifically engineered for Nikon’s Z-mount mirrorless cameras, this lens pushes the boundaries of photographic excellence.
Its remarkable feature, a consistent f/2.8 aperture, guarantees that capturing breathtaking images in less-than-ideal lighting conditions becomes a breeze.
Prime Lens
Prime lenses are all about simplicity and quality.
On the flip side, prime lenses stick to one focal length but often boast a wider aperture, meaning you can usually capture sharper images than you might with a zoom lens.
They’re usually lighter and more affordable than zoom lenses with comparable performance. Prime lenses shine when it comes to delivering sharp, beautiful images, whether you’re shooting portraits, working in a studio, or capturing scenes in low light. Thanks to their larger maximum aperture, they’re a go-to for dim settings. The beloved nifty-fifty (50mm f/1.8) is often recommended as an essential prime lens for anyone just starting out in photography.
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Sigma 14mm f/1.8
- Large diameter delivering f/1.8 brightness
- Beautiful bokeh effect, and outstanding control of light streaking
- Ultra-wide Angle of view
This exceptional lens is perfect for photographers who are passionate about traversing expansive landscapes, capturing the minute details in nature, marveling at the night sky, or chronicling the magnificent architecture around us.
Its adaptability renders it a must-have in any photographer’s collection.
A notable attribute of this lens is its remarkable f/1.8 aperture. This wide aperture is invaluable, as it permits a significant amount of light to enter the camera sensor.
Paired with its ultra-wide-angle view, this feature not only illuminates your photographs but also introduces an impressive depth of field. Consequently, your focal point is crisply delineated against a softly unfocused backdrop, imbuing your images with a professional and artistic quality.
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8
- 50 millimeter focal length and maximum aperture of f/1.8
- Great for portraits, action, and nighttime photography; Angle of view (horizontal,...
- Minimum focusing distance of 1.15 feet (0.35 meter) and a maximum magnification of...
This lens is a standout in the world of standard prime lenses, distinguished by its cost-effectiveness and lightweight construction. Equipped with a luminous f/1.8 aperture, it excels in low-light situations and excels at creating the much-coveted background bokeh that photographers seek.
It’s a versatile pick, suitable for a broad spectrum of photography genres, including engaging portraits, dynamic event photography, and capturing the enigmatic beauty of nightscapes.
The f/1.8 aperture doesn’t just facilitate shooting in low light; it also opens up possibilities for creative expression, allowing you to isolate your subject against a smoothly blurred background.
There is another way to classify camera lenses, read on to know more.
Standard Lenses
A standard lens produces images that mimic the natural view of the human eye, with our natural field of view being roughly equivalent to 50mm.
It ensures the pictures appear realistic and without any distortion.
A 50mm lens, when talking about 35mm full-frame cameras, is often called a standard lens and is seen as the standard focal length for a prime lens. This is because it closely replicates the human eye’s perspective,
The ideal standard focal length is 50mm (with 28mm to 35mm being suitable for cameras with cropped sensors); however, focal lengths from 35mm to 70mm are also regarded as standard.
This lens type is excellent for daily use and capturing people and various subjects clearly and without distortion.
It’s ideal for beginners, everyday photography, and portrait shots.
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Best Standard Lenses
Rokinon 35mm f/1.4
- Auto focus Lens compatible with Sony FE mount
- Aperture range of F1. 4-F16 with a minimum focusing distance of 0. 98 feet
- Constructed of 11 elements in 9 groups and uses filter size of 67mm
This standard prime lens is a dream for photography aficionados, delivering a natural view and a delightfully shallow depth of field. Its most notable characteristic is the ultra-fast f/1.4 aperture, renowned for its ability to let in plenty of light and produce that sought-after, soft background blur, or bokeh.
Ideal for enthusiasts of street photography, heartfelt portraits, or the ambiance of low-light environments, this lens proves to be an essential piece of equipment.
The swift f/1.4 aperture not only makes it possible to capture images in less-than-ideal lighting but also enables the creation of visually striking photos with clear separation between the subject and the background.
Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM
The Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM is a versatile zoom lens with a focal length range of 24-70mm and an aperture of f/2.8. It’s designed for photographers who need high-quality versatility in their shots, making it an excellent choice for portrait photographers who wish to switch between various compositions and styles seamlessly.
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Wide-Angle Lenses
A wide-angle lens offers a panoramic view, accentuating the foreground while making the background seem more distant. For cropped-sensor cameras, a focal length of 18mm or less is typical, while full-frame cameras use 28mm or less.
The primary advantage of a wide-angle lens is its ability to encompass an entire subject within a single frame, making it ideal for capturing landscapes, buildings, interiors, and group photos in confined spaces. Wide-angle lenses provide a broader field of view, allowing for the inclusion of more scene details.
This is particularly beneficial in landscape photography, where capturing vast open spaces is desired, or in real estate and architectural photography, for showcasing more of an interior space within a limited frame.
However, wide-angle lenses are not typically recommended for portrait photography as they can exaggerate features closest to the camera, such as a nose or belly, due to distortion. This distortion can cause straight lines to appear curved, an effect that can often be corrected in editing softwares.
Discover the best wide-angel lenses for Nikon and the most popular wide-angle lenses for Sony cameras
Best Wide-Angle Lenses
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED
- Focal Length Range: 14 -24 millimeter
- Minimum focus distance 0.9 feet. (0.28 meter), minimum f/stop 22
- Lens construction 14/11 (2 ED glass elements, 3 aspherical lenses and 1 Nano Crystal...
The Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED has long been cherished by photographers for its outstanding performance.
Ideal for wide-angle photography, this lens excels in taking breathtaking landscapes, architectural marvels, and vast night skies.
Thanks to its steady f/2.8 aperture, shooting in low light is effortlessly manageable. The remarkable sharpness and clarity it provides throughout the entire image are truly impressive.
Moreover, its durable construction means it’s ready to withstand the rigors of outdoor photography, wherever your journey leads.
Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 G Master
- World’s widest full-frame constant F2.8 at 12-24mm
- F2.8 max aperture provides extraordinary exposure and depth of field
- Spectacular resolution: 3x Extreme Aspheric elements, 1x Aspheric
Boasting flawless image quality and swift autofocus, this G Master lens stands out as an exceptional option for both professionals and avid photographers.
Its superior performance and broader aperture, especially when compared to the f/4 version, render it ideal for diverse photographic situations.
From landscapes and urban scenes to architectural photography, this lens consistently produces breathtaking outcomes.
Telephoto Lenses
Telephoto lenses excel in bringing distant subjects into sharp focus, making them perfect for wildlife, sports, portraits, and even close-up photography. This is especially useful in situations where getting physically close to the subject is either impossible or undesirable.
Common telephoto zoom ranges include 70-200mm, 100-400mm, and 150-600mm, catering to a variety of needs and preferences.
The 70-200mm range is favored by portrait photographers for its ability to capture close-ups without invading personal space, producing images with a compressed, natural appearance and a shallow depth of field. This shallow depth of field blurs the background, helping the subject stand out.
Landscape photographers also appreciate the 70-200mm lens for its compactness and ability to isolate details, though it has limited use in wildlife photography unless the subject is relatively close.
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For those focused on wildlife, the 100-400mm and 150-600mm lenses are indispensable, offering the reach and flexibility needed to capture detailed shots of distant animals. The 100-400mm lens, in particular, is versatile enough to be a staple in the equipment of many landscape photographers as well.
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Best Telephoto Lenses
Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM
- 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM / C
- Minimum focusing distance : 280 cm/110.2 inches, focal length :150-600mm. Diaphragm...
- First hyper-telephoto zoom from the Contemporary line, Dust proof and splash proof...
This exceptional lens is a game-changer for photographing distant and dynamic subjects. Its extensive focal length and remarkable zoom capability offer endless opportunities to capture wildlife up close without disrupting their environment.
A key highlight of this lens is its ultra-fast and accurate autofocus system, designed to achieve precise focus on your subjects, ensuring your images are consistently sharp and impactful. Regardless of the speed of your subjects, this lens is equipped to track them efficiently.
The built-in optical stabilizer is highly effective at reducing camera shake, a vital feature when dealing with long focal lengths. This ensures your photos remain sharp and free from unwanted blur, even under difficult shooting conditions.
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM
- Compact, high performance L-series super-telephoto zoom makes it ideal for sports and...
- Rotation-type zoom ring allows for more precise composition and excellent balance...
- Improved zoom torque adjustment ring allows easy setting of zoom tension, Focal...
Canon DSLR aficionados in search of a zoom lens that combines versatility with unparalleled quality will find this outstanding model to be a perfect fit.
Designed to excel in a wide range of photographic situations, this lens stands as an ideal tool for producing breathtaking imagery across various subjects. Its USM autofocus system is a highlight, celebrated for its accuracy and quickness in capturing moving subjects with ease.
Beyond its remarkable autofocus performance, the lens features a built-in image stabilizer, a boon for photographers. Capable of compensating for up to four stops of camera shake, it effectively eliminates the concern of blurred images under tough shooting scenarios.
Macro Lenses
A macro lens specializes in extreme close-up photography, allowing you to capture detailed shots from just inches away, while also serving as a high-quality prime lens for everyday shooting.
The key advantage of a macro lens is its ability to take sharply detailed photos that appear life-size or even larger, making it perfect for photographing flowers, insects, jewelry, and other small objects or intricate details.
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These lenses enable focusing at very short distances, ideal for close-up images of tiny subjects, creating fascinating abstracts as well.
Macro lenses are available in various focal lengths, ranging from 14mm ultra-wide-angle to over 100mm telephoto. For beginners in macro photography, a longer telephoto macro lens might be more beneficial, as it allows for close-up shots without the need to be physically close to the subject, avoiding any potential disturbance or shadowing.
Macro photography typically results in a shallower depth of field, blurring the background and making the subject stand out more distinctly. However, this also means that precise focus is crucial; otherwise, you risk having your subject out of focus.
Best Macro Lenses
Canon RF100mm F2.8 L Macro
- World’s First Medium Telephoto Macro Lens with a Maximum Magnification of 1.4x.
- High Image Quality and Bright, fixed f/2.8 Aperture Telephoto Macro RF Lens
- Optical Image Stabilizer with up to 5 Stops of Shake Correction.
The Canon RF100mm F2.8 L Macro lens stands out as the world’s first medium telephoto macro lens capable of achieving a maximum magnification of 1.4x, setting a new standard in the macro photography realm. It combines high image quality with a bright, fixed f/2.8 aperture, making it an exceptional telephoto macro RF lens for capturing intricate details.
Equipped with an Optical Image Stabilizer, it offers up to 5 stops of shake correction, ensuring sharp images even in challenging conditions. The lens also features Hybrid IS, which effectively compensates for both angular and shift camera shake during close-up macro shooting. The Spherical Aberration (SA) Control Ring provides photographers with the unique ability to adjust the shape and character of the foreground/background bokeh, offering creative control over the image’s aesthetic qualities.
Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro
- Bright f/2 Aperture Mid-telephoto Macro RF Lens with Beautiful Bokeh.
- Maximum Magnification of 0.5x and Minimum Focusing Distance of 1.15 ft.
- Optical Image Stabilization with up to 5 Stops of Shake Correction.
This Bright f/2 Aperture Mid-telephoto Macro RF Lens is designed to deliver stunning bokeh and precise detail, making it an ideal choice for macro photography enthusiasts. It offers a maximum magnification of 0.5x and a minimum focusing distance of just 1.15 ft, allowing for close-up shots with exceptional clarity.
The lens is equipped with Optical Image Stabilization, providing up to 5 stops of shake correction for steady, sharp images. Its Hybrid IS system effectively counters both angular and shift camera shake during macro shooting. A convenient control ring enables quick and direct adjustments to settings. Compatible with Canon Full Frame Mirrorless Cameras, including the EOS RP, EOS R, EOS R5, and EOS R6, this lens is a versatile tool for capturing detailed images with a beautiful background blur.
Fisheye Camera Lens Guide
Fisheye lenses, also referred to as curvilinear lenses, take a different approach by being ultra-wide angle lenses that deliberately distort the image, producing significantly curved lines.
These lenses are designed to curve the image intentionally, allowing for exceptionally wide panoramic or spherical captures. The advantage of using a fisheye lens is its ability to encompass a panoramic view of the entire surroundings.
They are particularly suited for shooting interior architecture, distinctive landscapes, and creative photographic compositions.
The most cameras with fisheye lenses are action cameras from GoPro, for example GoPro Hero 12
Meike 7.5mm f2.8 RF-Mount
- Compatible with Canon EOS-R EOS-RP R5 R5C R6 R7 R10 Mirrorless Camera
- Lens construction is 11 elements in 9 groups, multi-layer coatings, for APS-C...
- Minimum focusing distance of 0.15m, Visual angle:Diagonal 146.4° Horizontal 118°...
This fisheye lens, compatible with Canon EOS-R, EOS-RP, R5, R5C, R6, R7, and R10 mirrorless cameras, is a standout choice for enthusiasts of unique and expansive photography. With a lens construction of 11 elements in 9 groups and multi-layer coatings, it’s designed specifically for APS-C mirrorless Canon RF-mount cameras.
The lens offers a minimum focusing distance of 0.15m and a visual angle that spans from a diagonal of 146.4° to a horizontal of 118° and a vertical of 89.2°, making it exceptionally versatile. It’s an excellent option for casual “walk around” photography, be it street, landscape, or even everyday family and friends photos.
However, it’s important to note that this is a MANUAL lens, requiring users to switch their camera to “M mode” or enable “Release without lens” in the camera settings to operate effectively. This feature emphasizes the lens’s appeal to those who appreciate the hands-on approach and creative control in photography.
Rokinon HD8M-C 8mm f/3.5 HD Fisheye Lens
- Rokinon 8mm f/3.5 HD Fisheye Lens - Lens Pouch - Front Lens Cap - Rear Lens Cap -...
- Ultra wide-angle 8mm fisheye lens with exaggerated perspective for dramatic effects
- Ultra-wide 167deg. diagonal field-of-view for APS-C size image formats--will produce...
This ultra-wide-angle 8mm fisheye lens offers an exaggerated perspective and dramatic effects through its manual focus capability. Designed for APS-C size image formats, it delivers a 167º diagonal field of view, resulting in a rounded image that intriguingly doesn’t fill the entire frame on compatible full-frame digital or 35mm film cameras. The lens’s construction includes hybrid aspherical elements, ensuring images are sharp and well-defined.
With enhanced HD optics, this lens promises sharper images and features a super multi-layer coating to minimize flare and ghosting. The aperture range stretches from F3.5 to F22, and with a filter size of 67mm, it allows for considerable creative control. The optical construction consists of 10 glass elements in 7 groups, complemented by 6 diaphragm blades, making it a robust choice for photographers looking to push the boundaries of their creative expression.
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