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Best Camera Lenses & What to Do With Them 2023

Best Camera Lenses & What to Do With Them 2022

Best Camera Lenses & What to Do With Them 2023

All photographers know that a camera is nothing without a photo lens. Because a good lens on a lousy body will perform better than the other way around, don’t hesitate to buy good quality optics. More than 80 hours, tests, and excellent knowledge were necessary to compare the best camera lenses in 2023.

The Wide-angle, macro, telephoto, and fish-eye. If all these words don’t mean anything to you, don’t panic. We have developed this comparison to allow everyone to navigate. You probably know Canon, Nikon, and Sony if you already have a camera from them. But be aware that there are many alternative optics from equally famous competitors: Carl Zeiss, Tamron, Olympus, Sigma, and many others.

This buying guide will not introduce you to the ultimate goal since it does not exist. Instead, it will draw up a portrait of the best products according to their use. 

The other selection criteria will be your needs, your preferences, and your budget. It is solely the opinion of the author, and I will appreciate any comments and corrections. This guide aims to help novices and experts alike to find the best photo optics for their needs. We want to thank DxOmark for the precision of their work.

1. The Best Sony Camera Lenses

Model: Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens

We knew Sony for the quality of its high-tech devices, but not in the field of photography. In recent years, things have completely changed, and the Tokyo manufacturer seriously challenges the virtual monopoly maintained by Canon and Nikon until then. Here are the three must-have products from Sony.

A 70-200mm lens is a versatile optic for wildlife, wedding, sports, landscape, and even portrait photographers. The option of having short, medium, and long telephoto focal lengths in one lens with a fast constant aperture give photographers so many creative options.

Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS Specs

Focal Length70 to 200mm
Tripod CollarRemovable and Rotating
Filter Size77 mm (Front)
Dimensions (ø x L)3.46 x 7.87″ / 88 x 200 mm
Weight3.26 lb / 1480 g

The build quality and feel of the Sony 70-200mm GM are outstanding. The all-metal body feels very solid in the hands, and the rubber rings are nice and grippy. The zoom mechanics have a nice, tight feel, giving it some light resistance. The focus ring is very smooth as well, with less resistance.

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2. The Best Nikon Camera Lenses

Model: Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II DSLR Lens with Auto Focus for Nikon DSLR Cameras

Nikon optics are, with Canon, the most famous on the market. Nikon celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2017, making it one of the oldest manufacturers still active. The brand has established itself thanks to quality products in film and then in digital. We decided to select for you the three best lenses of the Japanese brand.

I owned one of these lenses for about three years, and in that time, I came to appreciate it as the fastest focussing and sharpest lens I have ever used up to that point. While I believe it was intended originally for indoor sports in smaller venues, it is also an excellent portrait lens. On a Nikon D850, a D500, and a Z7, it was a superb lens for photographing people and animals, particularly in motion.

It worked exceptionally well with the FTZ adaptor on the Z7, and I did not see any functional difference between the D850 and the Z7. On the D500, it was blazingly fast. I cannot adequately describe how fast it would focus. And, of course, at that focal length and shooting at F2, I got a great separation of subject from the background and foreground.

Best Camera Lenses 2023

Images were beautifully clean, crisp, with excellent color rendition. The background blur was smooth, and the in-focus subject stood out against the blurred-out background. It is a heavy lens. Hand-held shooting is possible, particularly if you get down low to photograph animals, but a gimbal mount is almost a necessity to allow you to move this lens to track a subject.

This lens falls into the category of transportable versus portable. It is also rugged and worked well in all sorts of weather. Rain and snow were not a problem. I eventually sold it because I decided to go with another manufacturer, and I did not need this lens, even if I used an adapter. I was sad to see it go, but given how rugged and reliable this lens is, I am sure that it will give someone else many years of use from it.

About this item

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  • Fast, Prime Telephoto Lens
  • Nikon VR II (Vibration Reduction) Image Stabilization
  • Automatic Tripod Detection Mode
  • Nano Crystal Coat
  • Super ED Glass Element

3. The Best Canon Camera Lenses

Model: Canon EF 24-70mm f / 2.8L II USM

Canon optics are not new. Already on the film market, the manufacturer competed with Nikon. This significant longevity has earned it an excellent reputation in the lens world. Canon is distinguished from most other brands by having low-end products of excellent quality. Here are, according to the editorial staff, the three best Canon lenses.

I’ve photographed dozens of engagement, wedding, senior, and family sessions. I was a die-hard prime lens fan for their quality, predictability, and sharpness throughout all of those. Now, I mainly focus on travel photography and love seeing what I can capture out in the world.

Switching lenses while on the go is not ideal in any way, so I needed a zoom lens that covered the most comprehensive and most common range. This lens fits that perfectly, and most surprisingly, it’s far sharper and more precise than any lens I’ve ever used in the past.

I think back to all of those sessions I photographed and the amount of time I spent changing focal lengths – if only this existed back then.

What a fantastic lens for every situation imaginable. Some day I’ll splurge for a 70-200 or 100-300 to complement and complete my kit. But for now, I couldn’t be more thrilled with what Canon has produced in the 24-70. I can’t praise it enough.

About this item

  • EF Mount L-Series Lens – Aperture Range: f/2.8-22
  • UD, Super UD, and Aspherical Elements – Ultrasonic Focus Motor
  • Manual Focus Override – Lens Coatings Minimize Ghosting
  • Highly Resistant to Dust and Water – Fluorine Coating Reduces Smears
  • 9-Blade Circular Diaphragm – Zoom Lock Lever For Safe Transporting

4. The Best Wide Angle Camera Lenses

Model: Zeiss Batis 2.8/18 Wide-Angle Lens for E-Mount, Black

It is the ideal full-frame lens for landscape, Astro, and architectural photography with huge field angle and fast autofocus – combined with protection against dust and spray water for reliable photography in all weathers.

The vast field angle of this super wide-angle lens is perfect for creative shots with unusual perspectives. Consistently excellent image quality right into the corners makes the lens perfect for the challenges of, for example, landscape, Astro, and architectural photography.

About this item

  • Make sure this fits by entering your model number.
  • VERSATILE FULL-FRAME LENS: The powerful lens for the mirrorless full-frame system of Sony fulfills the highest requirements. Despite its compact design, the image meets the expectations of professional photographers.
  • EXCELLENT RESOLUTION AND HIGH CONTRAST: Richly saturated and vivid colors are a must to create lasting impressions. However, stray light within an optical system leads to a lightening of the image that is particularly noticeable in the shadows. It reduces image contrast, with the result that exposures lack contrast and appear faded. To avoid this, ZEISS combines various specially developed technologies to reduce the undesirable effects of stray light.
  • ROBUST AND WEATHERPROOF METAL CONSTRUCTION: Thanks to features designed to keep out dust and spray water, the lens is ideally suited for critical outdoor conditions. It is also designed for many years of intensive use.
  • SMOOTH AND RELIABLE AUTOFOCUS: The design of the autofocus system requires an extremely accurate shifting of particular lens groups. The focusing system of ZEISS lenses is designed to ensure a robust and smooth-running autofocus mechanism with the best imaging performance.

If you want to take landscape photos, you’re going to need a lens that covers a wide area. Wide angles are great for this. With a focal length of less than 35mm, they allow a great distance to be obtained without moving. After a lot of testing, here are the three best wide-angle lenses.

5. The Best Ultra Wide Angle Camera Lenses

Model: Sigma 10-20mm F / 3.5 EX DC HSM: the best super wide-angle zoom

An ultra-wide-angle lens is a short-throw lens. The limit between wide-angle and ultra-wide-angle lenses is often 12 or 14mm. There are ultra-wide-angle fixed focal length or zoom lenses, which will be used to photograph wide frames you can not get farlandscapes, or architecture.

With its wide-angle view from 102.4 degrees, it can produce striking images with exaggerated perspectives. The maximum aperture of F3.5 is ideal for indoor shooting, and it enables photographers to emphasize the subject. Two ELD (Extraordinary Low Dispersion) glass elements and an SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass element provide excellent correction of color aberration. Four aspherical lenses correct distortion and allow compact and lightweight construction.

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I’ve been a professional photographer for 55 years – during this time, I’ve been privileged to use some of the best equipment created. I bought this Sigma 10-20mm lens to give me greater flexibility with landscape photography. The build quality is exceptional. The resolution of the lens is superb – and the results are stunning.

I intend to use it for astrophotography later this month with my Nikon D300 – and expect good results. It is a versatile lens that enables you to control distortion when used carefully – I’ve even used it at the 20mm end for portraits – and it performs flawlessly. At this price point, it’s a superb deal – and if you’re looking for a wide-angle lens (works out at 15mm-30mm on my Nikon D300), I can highly recommend this Sigma.

6. Comparison of the best Camera Lenses

Model: Tamron SP 85mm f / 1.8 Di VC USD

Suppose you want to take a sports photo, you have your composition, the image is perfect. But you are too far away, and you cannot come close. To solve this problem, you need a telephoto lens. Writing meilleure-innovation.com offers a selection of three essential products.

Just as a painter instinctively reaches for the right brush, a portrait artist reaches for an 85mm lens. The focal length is ideal for producing a pleasing image with true-to-life facial features in accurate proportion. While a wide-angle lens makes close objects appear larger than they are, and longer telephotos compress and flatten features, the 85mm medium telephoto is just right.

Plus, the working distance between you and your subject is perfect for making the personal connection often missing when using a zoom. WITH IMAGE STABILIZATION, the TAMRON SP 85mm F/1.8 is the world’s first* 85mm fast-aperture lens. Its unique design allows us to include our VC (Vibration Compensation) system—without the lens becoming too large or heavy.

What’s more, our SP 85mm F/1.8 delivers edge-to-edge viewfinder brightness for ease of composition and superior low-light performance. The fast aperture of the F/1.8 also offers the perfect balance of subject sharpness and bokeh, that dreamy blur that separates your portrait subject from the background.

7. The Best Standard Camera Lenses

Model: Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG HSM Art

If you’re new to photography and want to progress, standard photo lenses are your friend. With a focal length that gravitates between 35 and 85 mm, the optics come closest to what the human eye sees. They are therefore easy to use because the expected rendering is close to the actual rendering. All photographers have a standard. Here are our three favorites.

Overall, the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art is excellent for professional photographers specializing in indoor and outdoor portrait photography. Sigma falls behind when you consider the size and weight of the lens. It delivers exceptional image quality, ultrasonic focus, and fantastic performance at f/1.4.

The Sigma 85mm f1. 4 DG DN Art is a mild telephoto lens designed for full-frame mirrorless cameras with E-mount and L-mount. Its focal length and bright f1. 4 focal ratios make it ideal for portraits and valuable for street photography or picking out details in urban or natural landscapes.

The model is also available for Canon EF mount cameras and Nikon F mount cameras. The 85mm is close to telephoto, but we believe it meets the standard full-frame photo lens criteria.

It is versatile and meets the requirements of expert photographers without being too challenging to handle. The sharpness of the camera is excellent, and the autofocus works well. The price is essential for a fixed focal length but is justified by the quality of the product.

8. The best fixed focal length Camera Lenses

Model: Nikon AF-S Nikkor 85mm f / 1.4G

It is an in-depth review of the Nikon 85mm f/1.4G AF-S lens announced with three other lenses in August 2010. Ever since the manual focus AI-s version of the Nikon 85mm f/1.4 lens introduce in 1981, the Nikon 85mm f/1.4 lenses use as references for superb sharpness, best-looking bokeh, and beautiful color renditions.

The last autofocus AF-D version of the lens produced in 1995, the Nikon 85mm f/1.4D, was often called the “king of bokeh,” yielding extremely pleasing out-of-focus areas, in addition to creating sharp, colorful images when shooting wide open. Its legendary performance made the Nikon 85mm f/1.4D lens a must-have for portrait photographers. Many professionals heavily relied on this lens for many years for their commercial work (and some still do).

The Nikkor 85mm f/1.4G lens is the latest update to the 85mm f/1.4 line, replacing the outdated AF-D version with Nikon’s newer optical and technology innovations. In this review, I will provide information on the Nikon 85mm f/1.4G lens and compare it to both the older Nikon 85mm f/1.4D and the lighter and smaller Nikon 85mm f/1.8G.

The fixed focal length is the most accessible photo lens to design. For the same price, it will necessarily be of better quality than its zoom counterpart. It is why they have an excellent reputation. They are available in macro and telephotowide-angle and standard. We have tested and selected the three best fixed focal lengths on the market to see more clearly.

The AF-S Nikkor 85mm is a portrait benchmark for professional photographers. Fixed on a box with an APS – C sensor, it will be 127 mm, totally suitable for portrait photography.

The autofocus is fast, and its aperture at 1.4 allows the realization of nice bokeh. The device is sturdy and designed to withstand the elements. The lens remains light for 50mm, which opens at 1.4, so the lack of a stabilizer is not a problem.

It is not suitable for all budgets, but this is a must-have if you want to take a portrait.

9. Camera Lenses: the best zooms

Model: Canon EF 16-35mm f / 4.0 L IS USM lens

The fixed focal lengths are generally good. However, they are less versatile, as they only offer one focal length. If you want to combine wide-angle and standard in a single lens or because your means are limited, multiply the fixed focal lengths. It may be worth investing in a good zoom. We’ve reviewed the best in varifocal and have selected three.

The Canon EF 16-35mm f / 4.0 L IS USM zoom lens is Canon’s best wide-angle lens. Canon’s L range is that of professional zooms, but the versatility of this zoom will make it an ideal companion for anyone for photographing architecturelandscapes, or making photo reports. The Canon EF 16-35mm f / 4.0 L IS USM zoom lens is excellent value for money

This lens benefits from 4-speed optical stabilization to allow the photographer to take sharp photos even in low light or macro. The stabilizer detects movements to correct them and prevent motion blur—this optical product, in addition to the photographs of outstanding quality and homogeneous in different openings. The sharpness and vignetting are also very well mastered and soft. Thanks to its tropicalization, you can take your lens without fear because it is resistant to rain.

CHARACTERISTICS

  • –  Weight: 615g
  • –  Frame: Canon EF
  • –  APS – C / Full-frame compatibility : yes / yes
  • –  Focal: zoom
  • –  Focal range: 16-35 mm
  • –  Maximum aperture: f / 4
  • –  Minimum aperture: f / 22
  • –  Stabilizer: yes
  • –  Autofocus: yes
  • –  Minimum focusing distance: 280 mm

10. The Best Macro Lenses

Model: Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS: The best macro lens for the price

The Super ED technology on the lenses reserves for this model, but it is one of the optics it renders the best. The contrasts are beautiful and marked, and the chromatic aberrations are very low.

The 90mm is an ideal focal length for macro. The lens gives one of the sharpest shots on the market and brings out all the hidden details. If you want to invest in a robust macro lens that will last for many years, don’t hesitate, especially since the price remains affordable for a camera of this quality.

The lenses presented above are all very well made, but they are not suitable for macro photography. For an optic to be macro, its minimum focal length must be as small as possible while maintaining excellent image quality to bring out the details of the infinitely small. Here are the top three macro lenses for sale, according to the editorial.

CHARACTERISTICS

  • – Weight: 602g
  • – Frame: Sony E
  • – APS – C / Full-frame compatibility: Yes / Yes
  • – Focal: Fixed
  • – Focal length: 90 mm
  • – Maximum aperture: f / 2.8
  • – Minimum aperture: f / 22
  • – Stabilizer: Yes
  • – Autofocus: Yes
  • – Minimum focusing distance: 280 mm

About this item

I’ve been eyeing this lens for a while for macro photography. It was a bit out of my budget, but I am one of those who believe that you should invest in something that you genuinely admire doing, especially if it is something you plan on doing in the long run. Myself, I ultimately purchased a Sony camera mainly for its highly rated reviews in lowlight photography.

This lens, of course, is not for that, but I also wanted a camera to shoot macro work for textile inspiration. I researched quite a few lenses, and ultimately the reviews always came back to this lens. I highly recommend going with this lens if you are passionate about macro photography and that is your main or one of your main styles to shoot. This lens came out years ago, and still, the reviews are as fantastic today as they were the day they came out.

  • E-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format – Aperture Range: f/2.8 to f/22
  • 1:1 Magnification Ratio; Internal Focus – Aspherical, ED and Super ED Elements
  • Nano AR Coating – Direct Drive Super Sonic Wave AF Motor
  • Optical SteadyShot Image Stabilization – Sliding Focus Ring for AF/MF Selection
  • Focus Hold Button; Focus Range Limiter – Minimum Focus Distance: 11″

The Best Cheap Camera Lenses

Model: Nikon AF 50mm F / 1.8D

The AF 50mm F / 1.8D is the oldest model of the three. It dates from 2002, hence its slightly more vintage design that looks like film optics.

Does older necessarily mean less good? Not at all; the Nikon AF 50mm F / 1.8 remains a benchmark in inexpensive fixed focal lengths. The lens offers f1.8-f / .22 open/close like its two main rivals, but it is even more affordable.

Add to that a good quality sharpness at medium apertures, low distortion, and almost non-existent chromatic aberrations, and you will have the best fixed focal length 50mm under 100 euros.

Are the objectives presented above too expensive for your budget? No worries, we have thought of all budgets. Here are the three best photo lenses for less than 250 euros. We have deliberately chosen optics with a fixed focal length of 50 mm because they are the ones that offer the best performance at a low price. They are also suitable for photographers who are just starting.

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About this item

  • Make sure this fits by entering your model number.
  • Note: Autofocus system is compatible with select Nikon DSLRs that support D-type lenses and offers quick and precise focusing performance. Autofocus does not help by DSLRs lacking an autofocus motor, such as the D3000-series, D5000-series, D40, D40X, and D60, where may use the lens.
  •  with manual focus only
  • Lens not zoomable. Focal Length: 50 millimeter, Minimum Focus Distance – 1.5 ft. ( 0.45 meter)
  • FX in DX Crop Mode 35 millimeter Film; Lens Case: CL-30S
  • NOTE: Refer to the User Manual before use. Maximum angle of view (DX-format) 31°30.’
  • NOTE: Autofocus does not support DSLRs lacking an autofocus motor, such as the D3000-series, D5000-series, D40, D40X, and D60, where the Nikon AF FX NIKKOR 50 millimeter f/1.8D may use with manual focus only.Maximum Angle of View (FX-format):46°
  • High-speed normal lens. Maximum Reproduction Ratio: 0.15x
  • Great for travel and for shooting full-length portraits in available light
  • Distortion-free images with superb resolution and color rendition
  • Provides high-contrast images even at maximum aperture
  • Format Compatibility: Nikon FX/35mm Film and Nikon DX
  • Autofocus operation with this lens is possible with Nikon autofocus cameras (except the F3AF); the manual focus is likely via a separate focusing ring with all Nikon SLRs. Compatibility includes D3200 and D5200 cameras.

CHARACTERISTICS

  • – Weight: 160g
  • – Frame: Nikon F
  • – APS – C / Full-frame compatibility: Yes / Yes
  • – Focal: Fixed
  • – Focal length: 50 mm
  • – Maximum aperture: f / 1.8
  • – Minimum aperture: f / 22
  • – Stabilizer: No
  • – Autofocus: Yes
  • – Minimum focusing distance: 450 mm

Best Camera Lenses 2023

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