Best Travel Lenses Under CA$700 in 2026
Panasonic Lumix S 50mm f/1.8
Great Alternatives
These options also score highly and may better suit your specific needs
Sigma Contemporary 23mm f/1.4 DC DN
Why we recommend this ▼
Its f/1.4 aperture and 35mm full-frame equivalent focal length deliver excellent low-light performance and a versatile field of view for APS-C cameras. The fast internal focus system provides quick and quiet autofocus, making it responsive for dynamic shooting situations. This lens is best for portrait photographers and content creators who need a bright, standard prime lens for their L-mount system.
Meike 85mm f1.8 SE II Full Frame STM High Resolution
Why we recommend this ▼
With an f/1.8 aperture and built-in stabilization, it excels in low light and handheld shooting for its class. Its surprisingly light 369g weight and high-resolution optics make it a portable, sharp option for L-mount systems. This lens is best for wildlife and sports photographers on a budget who need a stabilized, medium-telephoto prime.
Laowa Zero-D 9mm f/2.8
Why we recommend this ▼
This ultra-wide 9mm f/2.8 prime lens is exceptionally compact at 215g and offers a versatile 35mm-equivalent focal length of 13.5mm for APS-C L-Mount cameras. Its optical design, featuring two aspherical elements, is engineered to minimize distortion for a rectilinear look. It's best for landscape and architectural photographers on the go who need a lightweight, wide-angle perspective without excessive barrel distortion.
TTArtisan 17mm f/1.4
Why we recommend this ▼
Its f/1.4 maximum aperture and 10-blade diaphragm provide excellent low-light capability and smooth bokeh for a compact 247g lens. The 25.5mm full-frame equivalent focal length makes it a versatile wide-angle prime for everyday use. This lens is best for street photographers and portrait shooters using APS-C L-mount cameras who prioritize a bright, lightweight optic.
Laowa 15mm f/5 Cookie
Why we recommend this ▼
Its standout feature is being an exceptionally compact 139g ultrawide pancake lens for full-frame cameras, offering a 110° angle of view. This manual-focus design prioritizes portability and discreet shooting, making it a unique tool in a system often dominated by larger optics. It is best for travel and street photographers using L-mount cameras who value a minimal kit and can work with manual controls.
AstrHori 10mm F8 II Ultra Wide Angle Fisheye APS-C Manual
Why we recommend this ▼
Its standout feature is a 10mm focal length that delivers a dramatic 180-degree fisheye field of view, enhanced by a surprisingly compact, 130g all-metal build. The lens offers unique creative flexibility with a built-in filter slot and the ability to produce a 10-pin starburst effect. It's best for L-mount photographers seeking an affordable, manual fisheye for experimental landscape, architectural, or 360-degree panoramic photography.
TTArtisan AF 40mm f/2
Why we recommend this ▼
Its standout feature is the combination of a fast f/2 aperture and a compact 176g build, making it a highly portable full-frame prime. The lens differentiates itself with a clickable aperture ring for tactile control and a responsive STM autofocus motor. It is best for street photographers and portrait shooters who prioritize a lightweight, discreet setup with manual aperture control.
7Artisans 24mm f/1.8 AF
Why we recommend this ▼
Its fast f/1.8 aperture and quiet STM autofocus motor make it a capable low-light and video lens. The build quality is enhanced by a de-clicked aperture ring and a customizable function button for direct control. This lens is best for portrait and street photographers using L-mount cameras who want a fast, manual-feeling wide-angle prime.
Brightin Star 35mm f/1.4
Why we recommend this ▼
Its f/1.4 maximum aperture and lightweight 204g build offer excellent low-light capability and handling for its price. The manual focus design, featuring a de-clickable aperture ring, provides tactile control ideal for video work. This lens is best for portrait and street photographers seeking a compact, fast prime lens for L-mount cameras.
Sigma Art 70mm f/2.8 DG Macro
Why we recommend this ▼
Its 1:1 magnification and f/2.8 aperture provide exceptional detail and background separation for true macro work. The lens is also a sharp 70mm prime, making it versatile for portraits and product photography. This lens is best for L-mount photographers who need a dedicated macro tool for capturing intricate subjects like jewelry, insects, or botanical details.
7Artisans AF 24mm F1.8 Full Frame
Why we recommend this ▼
Its fast f/1.8 aperture and STM motor provide smooth, quiet autofocus ideal for capturing candid moments in video or street photography. The lens's optical design, featuring multiple ED and aspherical elements, ensures high sharpness and minimal chromatic aberration for clean landscape and architectural shots. This lens is best for travel and documentary photographers who need a compact, versatile wide-angle with reliable autofocus for both stills and video.
Mitakon Zhongyi Speedmaster 50mm f/0.95 III
Why we recommend this ▼
Its standout f/0.95 maximum aperture enables exceptional low-light performance and extremely shallow depth of field. The manual focus design, featuring dedicated depth-of-field and distance scales, provides precise tactile control for creative work. This lens is best for portrait photographers and cinematographers who prioritize artistic bokeh and manual operation over autofocus convenience.
7Artisans Lumix S AutoFocus 50mm F1.8 Full Frame
Why we recommend this ▼
Its STM autofocus motor and face/eye recognition provide reliable, fast focusing for a third-party lens. The inclusion of a physical aperture ring offers intuitive manual control over depth of field and exposure. This lens is best for portrait photographers on a budget who value autofocus performance and direct aperture control in a 50mm prime.
AstrHori AF 85mm F1.8 II Full Frame
Why we recommend this ▼
Its 85mm f/1.8 aperture and STM autofocus deliver classic portrait compression and smooth background blur, supported by effective image stabilization. The lens includes a customizable Fn button and a Type-C port for firmware updates, adding modern convenience to its optical design. This lens is best for photographers seeking a stabilized, feature-rich prime for environmental portraits and controlled action, given its noted strength in tracking moving subjects.
Mitakon Zhongyi Creator 135mm f/2.5
Why we recommend this ▼
Its standout feature is a fast f/2.5 aperture paired with a 9-blade diaphragm, engineered to produce exceptionally smooth bokeh and sharp, color-accurate images with minimal chromatic aberration. The lens offers precise manual focus control and a robust metal build, providing a tactile, dedicated shooting experience for photographers who favor deliberate composition. This lens is best for portrait photographers on the Leica L system seeking a high-quality, manual-focus telephoto prime that prioritizes rendering character and subject separation over autofocus speed.