Find the best travel lens in 2026

Its STM motor provides smooth and quiet continuous autofocus for video, while its Optical Image Stabilizer offers up to four stops of shake correction. This compact and lightweight lens is a versatile standard zoom for Canon's APS-C cameras, featuring a useful 0.25m minimum focusing distance across its entire zoom range. It's best for travel photographers and videographers who need a stabilized, all-purpose kit lens for run-and-gun shooting.

Its retractable design makes it exceptionally compact at just 29.9mm and 198g, while its built-in stabilization and POWER ZOOM mechanism provide smooth, quiet operation. The lens incorporates ED and aspherical elements for strong optical performance with reduced aberrations, particularly in its wide-angle range. This renewed kit lens is best for travelers and vloggers who prioritize a lightweight, pocketable zoom for everyday shooting over specialized portrait work.

This lens stands out with its versatile 18-200mm focal range, providing a 28.8-320mm equivalent on APS-C cameras, and includes optical image stabilization for sharper handheld shots. Its optical design incorporates two aspherical and two UD elements to help control aberrations across the zoom range. This lens is best for travel and landscape photographers who want a single, all-in-one zoom to cover wide-angle to telephoto perspectives without changing lenses.

Its f/1.7 maximum aperture and STM motor provide excellent low-light performance and quiet, fast autofocus for a 56mm prime. The lens is remarkably lightweight at 187g, offering an 85mm full-frame equivalent field of view ideal for APS-C Nikon Z cameras. This lens is best for street and portrait photographers who prioritize a compact, fast-aperture lens for candid shots and subject isolation.

With a constant f/2.8 aperture across its 16-80mm zoom range, it offers consistent light-gathering ability for both wide and telephoto shots. The inclusion of optical stabilization makes it a reliable choice for handheld shooting, particularly in variable lighting conditions. This lens is best for videographers and documentary shooters who need a versatile, all-in-one zoom with dependable performance.

Its constant f/2 aperture across the 24-70mm zoom range provides exceptional low-light performance and shallow depth of field control. The lens offers professional-grade optics and autofocus at a notably high value score, making it a compelling alternative to first-party options. This lens is best for professional photographers and videographers who prioritize low-light versatility and a fast zoom over extreme macro capabilities.

With a constant f/4 aperture and built-in optical stabilization, this telephoto zoom excels in low-light and handheld video situations. Its high budget score indicates it delivers strong performance at a notably affordable price point for a pro-grade lens. This lens is best for budget-conscious photographers and videographers needing a reliable, stabilized telephoto for portraits or events.

Its standout feature is a 100-400mm zoom range with a constant f/4.5 aperture, supported by Fluorite and Super UD elements for sharp, color-accurate images. The lens is further distinguished by a two-mode optical image stabilizer and a fast, quiet Ultrasonic focus motor. This lens is best for budget-conscious photographers needing a versatile telephoto for wildlife or distant landscape shots.

Its constant f/3.5 aperture across the 16-35mm zoom range provides reliable exposure control for wide-angle landscapes and architectural photography. The weather-sealed design and water-repellent lens coatings offer practical durability for outdoor shooting in challenging conditions. This lens is best for landscape and architectural photographers who need a robust, versatile wide-angle zoom for the Leica L mount system.

Its constant f/2.8 aperture and S-Line optics deliver superior sharpness and resolution for professional-grade results. The lens is engineered for exceptional build quality and optical performance, placing it at the top of Nikon's Z-mount lineup. This lens is best for photographers prioritizing absolute image quality for portraits, events, and general professional work where a fast telephoto zoom is essential.