Find the best video and cinema lens in 2026

Key video lens features:

  1. Minimal Focus Breathing - Size doesn't change when focusing
  2. Smooth Focus Ring - Precise manual control
  3. Consistent Aperture - No exposure shifts when zooming
  4. Parfocal Design - Maintains focus while zooming

Best lenses under $500 for video

Best Pick

Viltrox VILTROX 35mm f1.7 Z, AF 35 mm F1.7 Z- Mount Lens

100 Video/Cinema Score
35mm f/1.7 Nikon Z IS
Why we recommend this

Its fast f/1.7 aperture and STM motor provide excellent low-light performance and quiet, precise autofocus for both photos and video. The lightweight 170g metal construction and included lens hood add practical value for a very portable setup. This lens is best for Nikon Z-mount shooters who prioritize street photography or run-and-gun video work requiring a discreet, capable prime.

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Meike 55mm F1.8 Pro Full Frame AF STM Stepping

96.3 Video/Cinema Score
55mm f/1.8 Nikon Z IS
Why we recommend this

With a bright f/1.8 aperture and STM autofocus motor, this 55mm prime lens excels at isolating subjects with smooth bokeh, even in low light. Its compact 201g build and optical design with extra-low dispersion elements effectively suppress chromatic aberration and flaring. This lens is best for street photographers and videographers who need a lightweight, fast-focusing portrait lens for Nikon Z mount cameras.

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Fujifilm VILTROX 25mm F1.7 f/1.7 AF Lens for Fuji X Mount,

94.7 Video/Cinema Score
25mm f/1.7 Fujifilm X IS
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.7 aperture and STM motor excel in low light and provide quiet, reliable autofocus for portraits. The optical design, featuring ED and aspherical elements, ensures sharp images with pleasing bokeh from its nine-blade diaphragm. This lens is best for portrait photographers on Fujifilm X-mount who prioritize a fast, quiet prime for eye and face detection.

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Sony VILTROX 56mm F1.7 f/1.7 AF Lens for Sony E Mount,

93.5 Video/Cinema Score
56mm f/1.7 Sony E IS
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.7 aperture and 9-blade design excel in low light and produce smooth, pleasing background blur for portraits. Weighing only 170g, it's exceptionally lightweight and compact for a lens with this optical formula, making it highly portable. This lens is best for photographers seeking an affordable, fast prime specifically for portrait and street photography on Sony APS-C cameras.

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Best lenses under $1000 for video

Best Pick

Canon RF 16-28mm f/2.8 IS STM Lens (Canon RF)

93.6 Video/Cinema Score
28mm f/2.8 Canon RF IS
Why we recommend this

This lens offers a compact f/2.8 wide-angle zoom with optical image stabilization, making it a lightweight choice for full-frame Canon RF cameras. Its leadscrew-type STM motor provides quiet and smooth autofocus, which is a significant asset for videographers. This lens is best for content creators and vloggers who need a stabilized, fast-aperture zoom for handheld shooting in tight spaces.

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Price $930
Canon Canon RF 16-28mm f/2.8 IS STM Lens (Canon RF) lens

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Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-140mm Telephoto Zoom

87.8 Video/Cinema Score
14-140mm f/3.5 Micro Four Thirds IS
Why we recommend this

Its versatile 14-140mm zoom range and durable, splash-resistant build make it a reliable all-in-one travel option. The inclusion of Power O.I.S. stabilization and quality optics with aspherical and ED elements ensures sharp images even in challenging lighting. This lens is best for travelers and landscape photographers who need a single, compact lens to cover wide-angle to telephoto perspectives.

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SIGMA Sigma 24mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens for Canon EOS EF

87.8 Video/Cinema Score
24mm f/1.4 Canon EF IS
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.4 maximum aperture and robust HSM autofocus system enable excellent low-light performance and sharpness. The lens's 24mm wide-angle focal length is particularly well-suited for environmental portraits and cinematic video work. This lens is best for portrait photographers and videographers who need a fast, wide prime for creative shallow depth-of-field shots.

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Nikon Viltrox AF 56mm f/1.7 Z Lens (Nikon Z, Black)

81.7 Video/Cinema Score
56mm f/1.4 Nikon Z
Why we recommend this

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.

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Best lenses under $1500 for video

Best Pick

SIGMA Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Art Lens for Nikon F

99.3 Video/Cinema Score
24-70mm f/2 Nikon F IS
Why we recommend this

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.

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Canon RF 16-28mm f/2.8 IS STM Lens (Canon RF)

93.6 Video/Cinema Score
28mm f/2.8 Canon RF IS
Why we recommend this

This lens offers a compact f/2.8 wide-angle zoom with optical image stabilization, making it a lightweight choice for full-frame Canon RF cameras. Its leadscrew-type STM motor provides quiet and smooth autofocus, which is a significant asset for videographers. This lens is best for content creators and vloggers who need a stabilized, fast-aperture zoom for handheld shooting in tight spaces.

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Canon Canon RF 16-28mm f/2.8 IS STM Lens (Canon RF) lens
Price $930

Nikon 20055 20055 AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-80mm f/2.8-4E

91.7 Video/Cinema Score
16-80mm f/2.8 Nikon F IS
Why we recommend this

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.

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SONY SEL24240 SEL24240 FE 24-240mm F3.5-6.3 OSS

88.1 Video/Cinema Score
24-240mm f/3.5 Sony E (Full-Frame) IS Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its 10x zoom range from 24-240mm makes it a uniquely versatile all-in-one travel lens for full-frame Sony cameras, backed by Optical SteadyShot stabilization. The inclusion of one ED and five aspherical elements helps control aberrations across its ambitious focal range, and it maintains a weather-sealed build. This lens is best for landscape photographers and professionals who need a single, durable lens for varied shooting conditions without changing optics.

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SONY SONY SEL24240 SEL24240 FE 24-240mm F3.5-6.3 OSS lens
Price $933

Best lenses under $2500 for video

Best Pick

Nikon 24-70mm Z F2.8 S Lens 20089

82 Video/Cinema Score
24-70mm f/2.8 Nikon Z Mount IS Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its constant f/2.8 aperture and multi-focusing system deliver sharp, aberration-free images across its 24-70mm zoom range. The lens is also built with robust weather sealing and specialized coatings that effectively suppress flare and ghosting. This lens is best for event and wedding photographers who need reliable, high-quality performance in varied lighting conditions.

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Price $1,820
Nikon Nikon S-Line lens

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Canon RF 24mm f/1.4 L VCM Lens (Canon RF)

81.1 Video/Cinema Score
24mm f/1.4 Canon RF
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.4 maximum aperture and advanced optics, including a Voice Coil Motor (VCM) and Nano USM system, enable exceptionally fast and quiet autofocus performance. The lens's bright aperture and 24mm focal length make it a versatile prime for both environmental portraits and low-light work. This lens is best for portrait photographers and event shooters who require reliable, high-speed focusing in challenging lighting conditions.

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Canon Canon L lens
Price $1,549

Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II Lens (Sony E Mount)

80.8 Video/Cinema Score
16-35mm f/2.8 Sony E
Why we recommend this

This lens stands out with its constant f/2.8 aperture and a 20% lighter, more compact design than its predecessor, making it a fast wide-angle zoom. Its four XD linear motors enable exceptionally fast and quiet autofocus, ideal for both photography and video capture. It is best for professional landscape and architecture photographers who require a sharp, portable wide-angle zoom.

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Sony Sony G Master lens
Price $2,251

SIGMA Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 Sports DG OS HSM - Nikon

77.5 Video/Cinema Score
70-200mm f/2 Nikon F IS
Why we recommend this

Its constant f/2 aperture provides exceptional light-gathering capability and shallow depth of field for a 70-200mm zoom lens. The inclusion of optical stabilization and autofocus makes it a versatile tool for handheld shooting in various lighting conditions. This lens is best for videographers and event photographers who require superior low-light performance and consistent exposure throughout the zoom range.

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SIGMA Sigma Sports lens
Price $1,649

Premium lenses for video

Best Pick

Sigma 200mm f/2 DG OS Sports Lens (L-Mount)

72.9 Video/Cinema Score
200mm f/2 L-Mount IS
Why we recommend this

Its f/2 maximum aperture and 6.5-stop image stabilization system deliver exceptional low-light performance and sharpness for a medium telephoto prime. The HLA-driven autofocus motor provides notably fast and quiet focusing, which is a key asset for dynamic subjects. This lens is best for portrait and event photographers who require reliable performance in challenging lighting conditions.

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OM System OM SYSTEM M. Zuiko 150-400mm f/4.5 TC 1.25 IS PRO

65.2 Video/Cinema Score
400mm f/4.5 Olympus OM IS
Why we recommend this

Its integrated 1.25x teleconverter provides a versatile 300-800mm full-frame equivalent reach in a relatively compact 1880g package for its class. The constant f/4.5 aperture and high-speed autofocus ensure reliable performance for fast-moving subjects. This lens is best for wildlife and sports photographers who need extreme reach without the bulk of a traditional super-telephoto system.

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OM System M.Zuiko lens
Price $8,800

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens

65 Video/Cinema Score
400mm f/4.5 Canon EF IS
Why we recommend this

Its 400mm focal length and constant f/4.5 aperture provide reliable reach and light gathering for its class, supported by a fluorite element for sharpness. The lens's Air Sphere Coating effectively reduces flare and ghosting, enhancing contrast in challenging light. This lens is best for videographers and wildlife photographers who need a versatile telephoto zoom with consistent optical performance.

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Canon Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens lens
Price $2,480

Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 70-200mm f/2.8 ASPH. Lens

61.1 Video/Cinema Score
200mm f/2.8 L-Mount IS
Why we recommend this

Its f/2.8 maximum aperture and 3.5-stop optical image stabilization enable sharp, low-light performance for a fast telephoto zoom. The lens incorporates three aspherical elements for high optical quality and is relatively compact for its class. This lens is best for professional photographers and videographers who need a versatile, high-performance telephoto for event, portrait, or documentary work.

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