Best Pick

Canon L VCM

79.1 Street Score
20mm f/1.4 Canon RF Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.4 maximum aperture and 20mm focal length provide an ultra-wide perspective with exceptional low-light capability. The lens is uniquely designed for hybrid creators, featuring a Voice Coil Motor for smooth, silent video autofocus and a de-clickable aperture ring for manual control. This lens is best for full-frame Canon shooters specializing in astrophotography, immersive environmental portraits, or documentary-style video work.

Read Full Review
Price CA$2,399
Canon L VCM lens

Great Alternatives

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

Sigma Contemporary 16mm

73.6 Street Score
16mm f/1.4 FUJIFILM X
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.4 aperture provides excellent low-light performance and shallow depth of field for APS-C cameras, while its stepping motor ensures quiet, smooth autofocus. The lens is also built with a weather-sealed construction, offering durability in various shooting conditions. This lens is best for portrait photographers and videographers who need a fast, reliable prime lens for their Fujifilm X-mount system.

Read Full Review

Sony G Master FE 50mm f/1.2

73 Street Score
50mm f/1.2 Sony E Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.2 maximum aperture and advanced optics deliver exceptional sharpness and beautiful bokeh for professional portrait work. The lens is built around four XD linear motors for extremely fast and quiet autofocus, making it responsive for both stills and video. This lens is best for portrait photographers and videographers who prioritize ultimate image quality and speed over portability, given its substantial 771g weight.

Read Full Review
Sony G Master FE 50mm f/1.2 lens
Price CA$2,498

Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Summilux Leica DG Vario-Summilux 25-50mm f/1.7 ASPH.

72.7 Street Score
25-50mm f/1.7 Micro Four Thirds Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its constant f/1.7 aperture across the 25-50mm zoom range provides exceptional low-light capability and background blur for a Micro Four Thirds lens. It meets strict Leica optical standards, ensuring professional-grade sharpness and rendering for photographers and videographers. This lens is best for Panasonic LUMIX shooters prioritizing portrait work and run-and-gun video where a fast, consistent aperture is critical.

Read Full Review
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Summilux Leica DG Vario-Summilux 25-50mm f/1.7 ASPH. lens
Price CA$2,742

Sigma Art 50mm f/1.2 DG DN

71.1 Street Score
50mm f/1.2 L-Mount
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.2 maximum aperture and four aspherical elements deliver exceptional sharpness and beautiful bokeh for a 50mm prime. The high-response linear actuator AF system provides fast and quiet focusing performance. This lens is best for portrait photographers and cinematographers who prioritize optical quality and shallow depth-of-field over portability.

Read Full Review

Nikon NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena

67.4 Street Score
135mm f/1.8 Nikon Z Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its 135mm f/1.8 aperture and Multi-Focus System deliver exceptional sharpness and a uniquely round, smooth bokeh from edge to edge. The lens is relatively lightweight for its class, making it a practical telephoto prime for handheld shooting. This lens is best for portrait photographers prioritizing flawless subject isolation and background rendering.

Read Full Review

Nikon NIKKOR AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR

65.9 Street Score
22-70mm f/2.8 Nikon F IS Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its constant f/2.8 aperture and Vibration Reduction system provide excellent low-light performance and sharpness for a versatile zoom. The inclusion of specialized elements like ED and HRI glass, along with Nano Crystal Coatings, effectively controls aberrations and flare. This lens is best for event photographers and videographers who need a reliable, high-performance standard zoom in varied lighting conditions.

Read Full Review
Nikon NIKKOR AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR lens
Price CA$2,329

Zeiss Batis 40mm f/2.0 Series

64.4 Street Score
40mm f/2 Sony E (Full Frame) Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its robust metal construction and integrated OLED display for focus distance are unique features that set it apart from typical prime lenses. The lens delivers excellent resolution and high contrast with a smooth, reliable autofocus system, making it a versatile full-frame option. This lens is best for videographers and portrait photographers who value precise manual focus aids and durable build quality in a compact 40mm focal length.

Read Full Review

Meike 33mm f/1.4 AF

64 Street Score
33mm f/1.4 FUJIFILM X
Why we recommend this

Its 20-core Intel Core Ultra 7 265 processor and 16GB of fast DDR5 RAM provide substantial multitasking power for a desktop. The compact form factor and 512GB NVMe SSD offer a responsive, space-efficient foundation for a workstation. This machine is best for home office users or students who need reliable performance for productivity suites, web development, and moderate data processing tasks.

Read Full Review

Tamron Di III 35-150mm f/2-2.8 VXD

63.3 Street Score
35-150mm f/2 Nikon Z Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its f/2-2.8 aperture range is the fastest available for a zoom, offering exceptional low-light capability and background blur. The VXD linear motor provides notably fast and quiet autofocus, which is ideal for capturing candid moments. This lens is best for event and portrait photographers who need a single, versatile lens with pro-level speed and rendering.

Read Full Review
Tamron Di III 35-150mm f/2-2.8 VXD lens
Price CA$2,147

Zeiss Otus ML 50mm f/1.4

62.9 Street Score
50mm f/1.4 Canon RF
Why we recommend this

Its Distagon optical design with 14 elements delivers exceptional sharpness and minimal distortion, even at its wide f/1.4 aperture. The 10-blade diaphragm creates exceptionally smooth and pleasing bokeh for professional-looking out-of-focus backgrounds. This lens is best for portrait photographers and cinematographers who prioritize ultimate optical quality and manual control over autofocus or portability.

Read Full Review

OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 90mm f/3.5 Macro IS PRO

62.5 Street Score
90mm f/3.5 Micro Four Thirds IS Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its 2:1 maximum magnification and 180mm full-frame equivalent reach offer exceptional close-up capability for a compact 454g lens. The weather-sealed PRO build and built-in image stabilization make it reliable for field use. This lens is best for macro photographers needing high magnification and portability, especially for insects or detailed botanical work.

Read Full Review

Voigtländer Nokton Nokton 50mm f/1.0 Aspherical

62.2 Street Score
50mm f/1 Nikon Z
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.0 maximum aperture provides exceptional low-light capability and shallow depth of field, housed in a surprisingly compact 590g body with retro styling. The manual focus design and 12-blade diaphragm cater to photographers seeking precise, tactile control over their image rendering. This lens is best for portrait photographers who prioritize ultimate bokeh quality and a classic, hands-on shooting experience.

Read Full Review

Pentax D FA* HD -D FA* 85mm f/1.4 ED SDM AW

59.4 Street Score
85mm f/1.4 Pentax K
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.4 maximum aperture and inclusion of three Super ED and one aspherical element deliver exceptional sharpness and beautiful bokeh for portraits. The robust, all-metal construction and full-frame coverage make it a durable choice for dedicated Pentax K-mount shooters. This lens is best for portrait photographers seeking a classic focal length with outstanding optical performance and build quality.

Read Full Review
Pentax D FA* HD -D FA* 85mm f/1.4 ED SDM AW lens
Price CA$2,500

Pentax Star HD -D FA★85mmF1.4ED SDM Prime Telephoto

59.4 Street Score
85mm f/1.4 Pentax K IS
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.4 maximum aperture and three Super ED glass elements deliver exceptionally sharp, high-contrast images with minimal chromatic aberration, even at wide-open apertures. The lens is also distinguished by its robust all-weather (AW) sealing and a nine-blade rounded diaphragm for producing a natural, beautiful bokeh effect. This prime telephoto is best for Pentax K-mount photographers specializing in portraiture who require a fast, weather-sealed lens with superb optical performance.

Read Full Review