Best Lenses under CA$700 for portrait

Best Pick

Sigma Contemporary 16mm f/1.4 DC DN

90.7 Portrait Score
16mm f/1.4 Sony E Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its large f/1.4 aperture delivers superb low-light performance and a shallow depth of field, while its compact 404g build makes it highly portable for a lens of this speed. It fully accommodates Sony's Fast Hybrid AF system, ensuring reliable autofocus for both stills and video. This lens is best for Sony E-mount shooters needing a fast, wide prime for environmental portraits or handheld vlogging in challenging light.

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Price CA$599
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Sigma Contemporary 16mm f/1.4 DC DN lens

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Sigma Art 28mm f/1.4 DG HSM

87.9 Portrait Score
28mm f/1.4 Sony E Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.4 aperture and advanced optical design deliver exceptional sharpness with minimal distortion and chromatic aberration. The lens is particularly strong for portrait work, scoring highly for its rendering and image quality. This prime is best for photographers prioritizing optical perfection in a wide-angle lens for environmental portraits and low-light scenarios.

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Best Lenses under CA$1,500 for portrait

Best Pick

Sigma Art 85mm f/1.4 DG DN

90.3 Portrait Score
85mm f/1.4 Sony E Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.4 maximum aperture delivers exceptional background blur and low-light performance, ideal for isolating subjects. The lens is built with a complex 15-element optical formula designed to minimize aberrations and produce sharp, high-contrast images. This lens is best for portrait photographers and videographers who prioritize creamy bokeh and optical clarity over portability or weather sealing.

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Price CA$1,499
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Also available open box & refurbished:
Sigma Art 85mm f/1.4 DG DN lens

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These options also score highly and may better suit your specific needs

Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM

41.5 Portrait Score
17-70mm f/2.8 Sony E
Why we recommend this

With a constant f/2.8 aperture across its 17-70mm zoom range, this lens offers strong low-light performance and versatility for its class. Its relatively lightweight build of 535g makes it a practical walk-around option for APS-C camera systems. This lens is best for budget-conscious photographers seeking a versatile, bright zoom for everyday and portrait photography.

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Best Lenses under CA$2,000 for portrait

Best Pick

Sigma Art 50mm f/1.2 DG DN

90.1 Portrait Score
50mm f/1.2 Sony E
Why we recommend this

Its standout f/1.2 maximum aperture enables exceptional low-light performance and a very shallow depth of field for portraiture. The lens also features a high-response linear autofocus motor and four aspherical elements for fast, accurate focusing and sharp image quality. This lens is best for portrait photographers and videographers who prioritize creamy bokeh and excellent subject isolation in their work.

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Price CA$1,969
Sigma Art 50mm f/1.2 DG DN lens

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Sigma Sports 70-200mm f/2.8 DG DN OS

70.5 Portrait Score
70-200mm f/2.8 Sony E IS
Why we recommend this

Its constant f/2.8 aperture and high-response linear AF motor deliver fast, precise performance for action and low-light shooting. The internal zoom and focus design provides excellent balance and handling, while the advanced OS2 stabilization ensures sharp handheld shots. This lens is best for sports and wildlife photographers who need reliable tracking and a robust, well-balanced telephoto zoom.

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Sigma Sports 70-200mm f/2.8 DG DN OS lens
Price CA$1,999

Best Lenses under CA$3,500 for portrait

Best Pick

Sigma Art 135mm f/1.4 DG

94.3 Portrait Score
135mm f/1.4 Sony E
Why we recommend this

Its 135mm f/1.4 aperture and 13-blade rounded diaphragm deliver exceptional background separation and smooth bokeh for professional portraiture. The HLA-driven autofocus motor provides fast and quiet focusing performance, making it suitable for both photo and video work. This lens is best for portrait photographers and videographers who prioritize ultimate subject isolation and optical quality in a studio or controlled environment.

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Price CA$2,606
Sigma Art 135mm f/1.4 DG lens

Premium Lenses for portrait

Best Pick

Sigma Art 14mm f/1.4 DG

82.2 Portrait Score
14mm f/1.4 Sony E Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its 14mm f/1.4 design offers exceptional low-light capability and a uniquely wide field of view for a lens this fast. The robust weather-sealed construction and complex 19-element optical formula ensure durability and sharpness. This lens is best for astrophotographers and landscape shooters who require maximum aperture in extreme wide-angle scenarios.

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Sigma Sports 200mm f/2 DG OS

77.9 Portrait Score
200mm f/2 Sony E IS Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its f/2 maximum aperture and 6.5-stop optical stabilization allow for exceptional low-light performance and handheld shooting with a 200mm focal length. The HLA-driven autofocus motor provides notably fast and quiet focusing, which is a significant advantage for video work. This lens is best for portrait photographers and videographers who require a fast, stabilized medium telephoto prime for controlled environments, given its substantial 1814g weight.

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Sigma 28-105mm T3 FF Cine

34.3 Portrait Score
105mm Sony E
Why we recommend this

Its T3 constant aperture and 12-blade iris deliver consistent exposure and soft bokeh across its 28-105mm zoom range, ideal for run-and-gun cinematography. The inclusion of a selectable autofocus/manual switch provides a unique hybrid workflow, blending the speed of AF with the precision of manual cine control. This lens is best for independent filmmakers and documentary shooters who need a versatile, all-in-one zoom for Sony full-frame cameras.

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