Best Pick

Meike 55mm F1.4 Standard Aperture APS-C Frame AF STM

98.4 Street Score
55mm f/1.4 Nikon Z IS
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.4 aperture and STM autofocus provide excellent low-light performance and smooth, quiet focusing for video. The lens offers a classic 55mm portrait focal length on APS-C cameras and features a direct USB-C port for firmware updates. This lens is best for videographers and street photographers using Nikon Z-mount APS-C bodies who need reliable autofocus and shallow depth of field.

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Great Alternatives

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

Viltrox AF 35mm f1.7 Z

95.1 Street Score
35mm f/1.7 Nikon Z IS
Why we recommend this

Its bright f/1.7 aperture and STM autofocus motor provide excellent low-light capability and quiet, precise focusing. The compact 179g design and inclusion of specialized HR, ED, and Aspherical optical elements make it highly portable with strong image correction. This lens is best for photographers needing a lightweight, versatile prime for street photography, portraits, and everyday use.

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Yongnuo YN50MM F1.8

85.9 Street Score
50mm f/1.8 Nikon Z IS
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.8 aperture and 7-blade circular aperture produce smooth bokeh and 14-point sunstars, while the compact 134g metal build and stepping motor offer quiet, responsive autofocus. The lens is a lightweight and affordable option for Nikon Z mirrorless cameras, featuring a USB port for firmware updates. It is best for street photographers and videographers who need a fast, portable prime lens for low-light shooting and cinematic depth of field.

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Sigma Contemporary 56mm f/1.4 DC DN

83.9 Street Score
56mm f/1.4 Nikon Z
Why we recommend this

Its 56mm f/1.4 aperture on an APS-C sensor provides an 84mm full-frame equivalent focal length, ideal for creating sharp portraits with a pleasing background blur. The lens is exceptionally lightweight at 295g and features a stepping motor for quiet, responsive autofocus. This lens is best for Nikon Z APS-C shooters seeking a compact, fast prime for portrait and street photography where subject isolation is key.

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Sigma Contemporary 56mm f/1.4 DC DN lens
Price CA$550

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

96.4 Street 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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Meike 55mm F1.8 Full Frame AF STM Stepping Motor lens
Price CA$319

Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 24mm f/1.7

83.8 Street Score
24mm f/1.7 Nikon Z
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.7 maximum aperture provides excellent low-light performance and shallow depth of field for a compact, 136g prime lens. The 36mm full-frame equivalent focal length makes it a versatile, everyday option for Nikon Z APS-C cameras. This lens is best for street photographers and casual shooters seeking a lightweight, fast prime for environmental portraits and everyday carry.

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Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 24mm f/1.7 lens
Price CA$366

TTArtisan 17mm f/1.4

78.8 Street Score
17mm f/1.4 Nikon Z
Why we recommend this

Its ultra-wide 17mm f/1.4 aperture excels in low-light street photography and creates a shallow depth of field for dramatic portraits. The compact 247g metal build and manual focus design offer a tactile, minimalist shooting experience. This lens is best for Nikon Z APS-C shooters prioritizing a fast, affordable prime for environmental portraits and urban street scenes.

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Viltrox Air AF 50mm f/2 Z

74.2 Street Score
50mm f/2 Nikon Z
Why we recommend this

Its f/2 maximum aperture and compact 204g design make it a highly portable prime lens for Nikon Z full-frame cameras. The inclusion of three ED and one aspherical element helps control optical aberrations for a sharp image, supported by a quiet STM autofocus motor. This lens is best for street photographers and portrait shooters who prioritize a lightweight, fast-aperture setup over extensive weather sealing.

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7Artisans 35mm f1.2 Mark II APS-C Larger Aperture Prime

73.9 Street Score
35mm f/1.2 Nikon Z IS
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.2 maximum aperture and 10-blade design produce a very soft, pleasing bokeh and regular light spots, housed in a compact, all-metal body. This manual focus lens offers a classic 52mm full-frame equivalent focal length, providing a natural perspective well-suited for everyday use. It is best for portrait and street photographers on Nikon Z-mount APS-C cameras who prioritize rendering character and build quality over autofocus speed.

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TTArtisan AF 56mm f/1.8

72.3 Street Score
56mm f/1.8 Nikon Z
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.8 aperture and stepping motor autofocus system enable fast, quiet focusing suitable for candid shots. The 9-blade diaphragm contributes to smooth bokeh, enhancing its portrait capabilities with an 84mm full-frame equivalent focal length. This lens is best for Nikon Z APS-C shooters prioritizing street and portrait photography where subject isolation is key.

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Laowa Zero-D 9mm f/2.8

71.7 Street Score
9mm f/2.8 Nikon Z Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its 9mm focal length and rectilinear "Zero-D" design deliver an extremely wide field of view with remarkably low distortion for architectural or interior photography. The lens is exceptionally compact and light at just 215g, making it a highly portable option for APS-C Nikon Z cameras. This manual focus prime is best suited for landscape and real estate photographers who prioritize minimal geometric distortion in a lightweight, ultra-wide package.

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Mitakon Zhongyi Speedmaster 35mm f/0.95 Mark II

70.9 Street Score
35mm f/0.95 Nikon Z
Why we recommend this

Its ultra-fast f/0.95 aperture enables exceptional low-light performance and extremely shallow depth of field. The lens features a smooth, dampened manual focus ring and a compact 458g build for a premium tactile experience. It's best for Nikon Z APS-C shooters prioritizing manual control for portraits, street, and travel photography where distinctive bokeh is desired.

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Sirui Sniper 23mm f/1.2 Autofocus

70.7 Street Score
23mm f/1.2 Nikon Z
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.2 maximum aperture on an APS-C sensor provides an exceptionally fast 35mm full-frame equivalent for low-light performance and shallow depth of field. The lens incorporates autofocus with eye and object tracking, a feature set uncommon for third-party f/1.2 primes in this class. This lens is best for portrait and street photographers seeking a fast, wide-angle prime with modern autofocus capabilities on Nikon Z APS-C bodies.

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Nikon Meike 35mm F1.8 Pro Wide Angle Auto Focus STM Full Frame High Resolution

69.8 Street Score
35mm f/1.8 Nikon Z IS
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.8 aperture and STM motor provide fast, quiet autofocus for both stills and video, supported by a robust optical design with three ED elements. The lens offers a versatile 35mm focal length, ideal for street photography and environmental portraits, with a Type-C port for convenient firmware updates. This lens is best for Nikon Z-mount shooters needing a capable, affordable prime for everyday photography and run-and-gun video work.

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Laowa Argus 33mm f/0.95 CF APO

68 Street Score
33mm f/0.95 Nikon Z
Why we recommend this

Its exceptionally fast f/0.95 aperture and APO (Achromatic) design promise excellent sharpness and bokeh, aided by specialized ED and aspherical elements. The lens is a manual-focus specialist built for Nikon Z-mount APS-C cameras, offering a classic 50mm equivalent field of view. This lens is best for portrait photographers and filmmakers who prioritize ultimate control over depth of field and optical character over autofocus convenience.

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Laowa Argus 33mm f/0.95 CF APO lens
Price CA$548

Thypoch Simera 28mm f/1.4

67.7 Street Score
28mm f/1.4 Nikon Z
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.4 maximum aperture and 14-blade diaphragm enable exceptional subject isolation with a uniquely smooth, vintage-inspired bokeh. The manual focus design is enhanced by a tactile, declickable aperture ring for precise control during video or film work. This lens is best for photographers and cinematographers seeking a fast, character-rich prime for controlled portrait or narrative shooting.

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