Best Lenses under €500 for professional use

Best Pick

Sigma Contemporary 16mm f/1.4 DC DN

89.7 Professional 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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Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM

54.8 Professional Score
50mm f/1.4 Nikon F (FX)
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.4 maximum aperture provides excellent low-light performance and shallow depth of field for portraiture. The ring-type ultrasonic AF motor offers fast, quiet autofocus with the convenience of full-time manual override. This lens is best for Nikon DSLR shooters seeking a classic portrait focal length with professional-grade optics on a budget.

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Best Lenses under €900 for professional use

Best Pick

Sigma Contemporary 23mm f/1.4 DC DN

83.6 Professional Score
23mm f/1.4 Sony E Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.4 aperture and fast internal focus system deliver excellent low-light performance and sharpness for a 35mm full-frame equivalent field of view. The compact 340g build and 52mm filter thread make it a portable, everyday prime for APS-C Sony cameras. This lens is best for portrait photographers and content creators needing a bright, versatile normal lens in a lightweight package.

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Best Lenses under €1,500 for professional use

Best Pick

Sigma Art 85mm f/1.4 DG DN

85 Professional 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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Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM A1

63.9 Professional Score
35mm f/1.4 Sony
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.4 aperture provides excellent low-light performance and shallow depth of field, supported by a complex 13-element optical design. The lens scores highest for portrait photography, achieving a 77.1/100 rating in that category. This prime lens is best for portrait photographers and professionals who prioritize sharpness and bokeh quality in a versatile 35mm focal length.

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Best Lenses under €2,500 for professional use

Best Pick

Sigma Art 50mm f/1.2 DG DN

72.8 Professional 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.

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Great Alternatives

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

72.1 Professional 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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Premium Lenses for professional use

Best Pick

Sigma Art 17-40mm f/1.8 DC

82.9 Professional Score
17-40mm f/1.8 Canon RF
Why we recommend this

Its constant f/1.8 aperture across a 17-40mm zoom range provides exceptional low-light performance and consistent depth-of-field control for APS-C Canon RF cameras. The lens offers a versatile full-frame equivalent field of view from 25.5mm to 60mm, making it a superfast wide-to-normal zoom option. This lens is best for portrait photographers and content creators on APS-C bodies who need a bright, flexible prime-like zoom for both environmental shots and standard focal lengths.

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