Find the best street photography lens in 2025
Ideal street lens characteristics:
- Compact Size - Discrete and unobtrusive
- Fast Aperture - Work in available light
- Classic Focal Length - 28-50mm range
- Quick Focus - Capture decisive moments
Best lenses under $500 for street
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM
50mm f/1.8 Canon EF Score: 82
Why we recommend this â–¼
The 'nifty fifty' from Canon offers incredible value with sharp optics and a fast f/1.8 aperture. Lightweight and affordable, it's the perfect introduction to prime lenses for Canon EF mount users.
Expected price: $125
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Best lenses under $1000 for street
Nikon S-Line NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S
50mm f/1.8 Nikon Z Weather Sealed Score: 88
Why we recommend this â–¼
Nikon's affordable 50mm f/1.8 delivers excellent image quality at a fraction of the price of f/1.4 alternatives. Sharp wide open with beautiful bokeh, it's the perfect first prime lens for Z-mount users.
Expected price: $626.95
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Alternatives:
Zeiss Classic Planar T* 50mm f/1.4 ZF.2
50mm f/1.4 Nikon F Score: 82
Why we recommend this â–¼
The legendary Zeiss Planar design delivers stunning image quality with classic rendering. This manual focus lens offers exceptional build quality and that famous Zeiss 3D pop, making it a favorite among photographers who value craftsmanship.
Expected price: $725
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Best lenses under $1500 for street
No lenses found under $1500 for this category.
Best lenses under $2500 for street
No lenses found under $2500 for this category.