Best Lenses under €500 for video production

Best Pick

Meike 23mm F1.4 Ultra Wide Angle APS-C Frame Auto Focus Fixed Prime Portrait Lenses

97.6 Video/Cinema Score
23mm f/1.4 Sony E IS
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.4 aperture and STM autofocus deliver sharp images with smooth bokeh, even in low light. The optical design with ED and aspherical elements effectively controls aberrations and flare. This lens is best for Sony APS-C shooters who need a fast, wide prime for street photography and detailed macro work.

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Viltrox 35mm F1.7 E-Mount Large Aperture APS-C STM Auto Focus Prime

89 Video/Cinema Score
35mm f/1.7 Sony E IS
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.7 aperture with nine blades creates a notably smooth, artistic bokeh, supported by a lightweight 170g design. The STM autofocus motor provides reliable, low-latency performance with eye/face tracking support. This lens is best for street photographers and videographers who prioritize portability and a fast aperture for subject isolation in everyday shooting.

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Sirui Sniper 56mm f/1.2 Autofocus

83.9 Video/Cinema Score
56mm f/1.2 Sony E IS
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.2 maximum aperture and 11-blade diaphragm deliver exceptional background blur and smooth bokeh for portrait work. The lens provides a fast 85mm full-frame equivalent focal length with reliable autofocus, including eye and object tracking. This lens is best for portrait photographers and videographers on Sony APS-C cameras seeking a dedicated, fast telephoto prime for subject isolation.

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Yongnuo YN50mm F1.8S

77.5 Video/Cinema Score
50mm f/1.8 Sony E IS
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.8 maximum aperture and quiet Digital Stepping Motor (DSM) provide smooth, accurate autofocus suitable for both photography and video. The lens is exceptionally lightweight at 145 grams, making it a highly portable option for Sony APS-C mirrorless camera users. This lens is best for videographers and hybrid shooters who need reliable, quiet autofocus in a compact package.

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Viltrox AF 85mm F2 EVO FE

82.1 Video/Cinema Score
85mm f/2 Sony FE IS Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its f/2 aperture and STM autofocus deliver smooth bokeh and quiet, precise focusing for both photos and video. The compact 340g design with a 0.74m minimum focus distance makes it exceptionally portable for a portrait prime while enabling detailed close-ups. This lens is best for portrait and close-up photographers who need a lightweight, sharp option for Sony E-mount cameras.

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Viltrox Air 15mm F1.7 E-Mount

79.8 Video/Cinema Score
15mm f/1.7 Sony E IS
Why we recommend this

Its 15mm focal length and bright f/1.7 aperture provide a versatile wide-angle view ideal for vlogging and creative close-ups with pronounced background blur. The inclusion of a quiet STM motor enables reliable eye/face autofocus, making it well-suited for dynamic video work and casual portraiture. This lens is best for travel vloggers and content creators on Sony APS-C cameras who need a compact, fast prime for both handheld video and creative stills.

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Sigma Art 35mm f/1.4 DG DN

67.9 Video/Cinema Score
35mm f/1.4 Sony E
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.4 aperture and complex optical formula with SLD, FLD, and aspherical elements deliver exceptional sharpness and bokeh. The robust build and premium coatings provide reliable performance for demanding use. This lens is best for portrait photographers and videographers who prioritize optical quality over portability for their Sony full-frame cameras.

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Samyang 24mm f/1.8 AF Compact

66.5 Video/Cinema Score
24mm f/1.8 Sony E Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.8 maximum aperture and inclusion of two ED elements allow for sharp portraits with attractive background blur. The compact 230g design and 58mm filter thread make it a lightweight and versatile option for Sony shooters. This lens is best for street photographers and portrait shooters who prioritize a fast, portable prime for full-frame cameras.

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Sony FE SEL28F20 28mm F2 Full-frame Wide Angle

62.3 Video/Cinema Score
28mm f/2 Sony E (Full-Frame) Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its compact 200g build and f/2 aperture make it a highly portable, bright wide-angle prime for Sony full-frame cameras. The lens incorporates aspherical and ED elements for sharpness and uses a fast linear actuator for quiet, responsive autofocus. This lens is best for travel and street photographers who need a lightweight, weather-sealed optic for everyday carry.

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Rokinon 12mm f/2.0 CS

61.5 Video/Cinema Score
12mm f/2 Sony E (APS-C)
Why we recommend this

Its fast f/2.0 aperture and 12mm focal length make it a standout for astrophotography and low-light landscapes, delivering bright, sharp images. The compact 245g build and manual focus with a well-damped ring offer precise, glove-friendly control ideal for deliberate shooting. This lens is best for budget-conscious astrophotographers and travel shooters using Sony APS-C cameras who prioritize a lightweight, ultra-wide prime over autofocus.

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Samyang AF 12mm f/2.0 AF

58.2 Video/Cinema Score
12mm f/2 Sony E Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its weather-sealed construction and f/2.0 maximum aperture make it a robust, fast ultra-wide prime for APS-C cameras. The lens is also notably compact at 213g, offering strong portability for its focal length. It's best for landscape and architectural photographers who need a durable, wide-angle lens for outdoor shooting.

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Sony Lightdow 55MM 0.43x High-Definition Wide Angle + Macro

55.6 Video/Cinema Score
Canon EF-M, Sony E IS
Why we recommend this

Its 0.43x wide-angle conversion and built-in stabilization let you dramatically expand the field of view of your existing lens. The screw-on filter thread mount offers a uniquely versatile and affordable way to adapt multiple camera systems without needing a dedicated native lens. This accessory is best for wildlife and sports photographers needing a lightweight, adaptable solution to capture wider scenes from a fixed position.

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AstrHori 6.5mm F2.0 APS-C 192° Ultra Wide Circular Fisheye

43.9 Video/Cinema Score
f/2.0 Sony E IS
Why we recommend this

Its 192° circular fisheye field of view and F2.0 maximum aperture enable exaggerated, surreal perspectives and creative low-light portraits. The robust all-metal build and a remarkably close 0.2m focusing distance allow for unique "crystal ball" macro effects. This lens is best for experimental photographers and content creators seeking dramatic distortion for artistic portraits or sci-fi themed visuals, not traditional landscape work.

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Best Lenses under €900 for video production

Best Pick

Sigma Contemporary 16-300mm f/3.5-6.7 DC OS

90.9 Video/Cinema Score
16-300mm f/3.5 Sony E IS
Why we recommend this

This lens stands out with its massive 24-450mm equivalent zoom range, a 1:2 macro magnification, and a high-speed HLA autofocus motor. Its all-in-one design offers significant versatility for a single lens, covering wide-angle to super-telephoto photography. It is best for photographers who need one lens for everything from landscapes to close-up details and want to avoid changing lenses on an APS-C camera.

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Viltrox 16mm F1.8 FE

70.8 Video/Cinema Score
16mm f/1.8 Sony E IS Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.8 maximum aperture and built-in optical stabilization provide exceptional low-light capability for a wide-angle prime, while its integrated LCD screen offers convenient on-lens parameter readouts. The lens delivers sharp results with its advanced optical design, though its 1107g weight limits portability. This lens is best for astrophotographers and architectural photographers who prioritize aperture and manual control over a lightweight kit.

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Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G Ultra Wide Angle Prime

69.1 Video/Cinema Score
20-22mm f/1.8 Sony E-Mount Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its 20mm focal length and f/1.8 maximum aperture deliver a wide field of view with excellent low-light capability. The lens is notably compact for its class and features a programmable focus hold button alongside a manual aperture ring. This lens is best for landscape and astrophotography shooters who need a lightweight, fast ultra-wide prime for Sony full-frame cameras.

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Yongnuo YN85mm F1.8S DF DSM

68.7 Video/Cinema Score
f/1.8 Sony A, Sony E IS
Why we recommend this

With its F1.8 large aperture and quiet DSM stepping motor, this lens excels in low-light shooting and offers fast, silent autofocus. The inclusion of a USB Type-C port for firmware updates is a practical feature for long-term performance. It is best for wildlife and sports photographers who need a responsive telephoto prime for action shots in varying light.

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Sigma Art 28mm f/1.4 DG HSM

71.1 Video/Cinema 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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Viltrox AF 13mm f/1.4 XF

69.5 Video/Cinema Score
13mm f/1.4 Sony E
Why we recommend this

Its ultra-wide 13mm focal length combined with a bright f/1.4 maximum aperture makes it a strong choice for low-light and astrophotography. The inclusion of two aspherical elements helps control distortion, enhancing image quality for its class. This lens is best for Sony APS-C shooters, particularly portrait and street photographers who value a fast, wide-angle perspective.

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Samyang AF 85mm f/1.4 FE II

68.1 Video/Cinema Score
85mm f/1.4 Sony E Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.4 maximum aperture and 85mm focal length make it a classic tool for achieving sharp subjects with beautifully blurred backgrounds. The inclusion of a linear STM motor provides notably quiet and smooth autofocus performance, a key upgrade for its second-generation design. This lens is best for portrait photographers and videographers on the Sony platform who prioritize reliable autofocus and a traditional fast-aperture focal length.

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Tokina ATX-M 11-18mm f/2.8 ATX-M

66.4 Video/Cinema Score
18mm f/2.8 Sony E
Why we recommend this

Its fast f/2.8 aperture and STM autofocus motor make it a capable ultrawide zoom for Sony APS-C cameras, aided by two Super-Low Dispersion elements for reduced aberrations. The compact 335g build and 67mm filter thread offer practical handling for on-the-go shooting. This lens is best for landscape and architectural photographers needing a bright, wide zoom on a crop-sensor system.

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Rokinon 35mm f/1.4 AF II

63.6 Video/Cinema Score
35mm f/1.4 Sony E
Why we recommend this

Its fast f/1.4 aperture and full-frame coverage provide excellent low-light performance and a versatile 35mm focal length for street or portrait work. The lens includes a built-in customizable function switch for quick settings changes, a feature often reserved for more expensive models. It's best for Sony shooters who need a bright, general-purpose prime lens for stills and video, but its 658g weight makes it less ideal for travel.

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Laowa 90mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO

54.9 Video/Cinema Score
90mm f/2.8 Sony E
Why we recommend this

Its standout 2:1 maximum magnification and 205mm minimum focus distance allow for extreme close-up detail capture without extension tubes. The 90mm focal length and f/2.8 aperture also make it a capable portrait lens with pleasing background separation. This lens is best for dedicated macro photographers and scientists needing high reproduction ratios for subjects like insects or textures.

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Zeiss Touit 32mm f/1.8

48.8 Video/Cinema Score
32mm f/1.8 Sony E (APS-C)
Why we recommend this

Its aspherical design and floating elements ensure consistent, high-contrast image quality with minimal aberration throughout the focusing range. The robust autofocus system and Zeiss T* anti-reflective coating contribute to reliable performance and vivid color rendition. This lens is best for travel photographers and videographers seeking a compact, sharp 32mm prime for environmental portraits and street scenes.

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Sony 20mm F1.4 Art DG HSM for E

44.3 Video/Cinema Score
20mm f/1.4 Sony E, Sony FE
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.4 maximum aperture at a 20mm focal length is a unique combination, offering exceptional light gathering for a wide-angle prime lens. As part of Sigma's Art series, it employs high-grade FLD, SLD, and aspherical glass elements for sharp, corrected image quality. This lens is best for astrophotographers and landscape shooters who require both a wide field of view and very fast aperture performance in low light.

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Best Lenses under €1,500 for video production

Best Pick

Sony FE SEL24240 24-240mm F3.5-6.3 OSS Full-frame

77.1 Video/Cinema Score
24-240mm f/3.5 Sony E (Full-Frame) IS Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its 10x zoom range from 24-240mm makes it a uniquely versatile all-in-one travel lens for full-frame Sony cameras, backed by Optical SteadyShot stabilization. The inclusion of one ED and five aspherical elements helps control aberrations across its ambitious focal range, and it maintains a weather-sealed build. This lens is best for landscape photographers and professionals who need a single, durable lens for varied shooting conditions without changing optics.

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Price €917
Sony FE SEL24240 24-240mm F3.5-6.3 OSS Full-frame lens

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Sigma Art 85mm f/1.4 DG DN

72.1 Video/Cinema 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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Rokinon AF 35-150mm f/2-2.8 AF

64 Video/Cinema Score
35-150mm f/2 Sony E
Why we recommend this

Its f/2-2.8 variable aperture across a 35-150mm full-frame zoom range provides exceptional low-light versatility and background separation. The lens is a remarkably complete all-in-one solution for event and portrait work, featuring three customizable mode switches for quick settings changes. This lens is best for wedding photographers and portrait shooters who need a single, fast-aperture zoom to cover a wide range of focal lengths without changing lenses.

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Samyang AF 35-150mm f/2-2.8 AF

63.5 Video/Cinema Score
150mm f/2 Sony E Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its f/2-2.8 variable aperture provides a bright, fast lens across its versatile 35-150mm zoom range for full-frame Sony cameras. The lens includes three customizable mode switches for quickly adjusting focus and stabilization settings on the fly. This lens is best for portrait and event photographers who need a single, high-performance zoom to cover wide to telephoto shots without changing lenses.

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Sony G E 15mm f/1.4

69.8 Video/Cinema Score
15mm f/1.4 Sony E
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.4 maximum aperture and 22.5mm full-frame equivalent focal length make it exceptionally fast and wide for an APS-C prime. The lens is remarkably compact at 218g, and its optical design uses Super ED and aspherical elements for high sharpness. This lens is best for street photographers who need a fast, lightweight prime for low-light and environmental shooting.

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Zeiss Batis 40mm f/2.0 Series

59.1 Video/Cinema 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.

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Best Lenses under €2,500 for video production

Best Pick

Sony G Master FE 35mm F1.4 GM Full-Frame Large-Aperture Wide Angle

80.7 Video/Cinema Score
35mm f/1.4 Sony E Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.4 aperture and 11-blade design produce exceptionally smooth bokeh, while its compact 522g build enhances portability for handheld shooting. The lens features advanced coatings that minimize flare, ensuring high contrast and clarity even in challenging light. This prime is best for portrait photographers and hybrid shooters who prioritize both subject isolation and a lightweight kit for all-day use.

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Brightin Star AF Oculilumen 7.5mm f/2.8 Fisheye

71.6 Video/Cinema Score
35mm f/2.8 Sony E Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its 90-degree probe design and 2:1 maximum magnification enable unique, close-up perspectives that are difficult to achieve with standard macro lenses. The manual focus design and 11.8-inch minimum focus distance provide precise control for detailed, creative shots. This lens is best for specialized macro photographers and videographers capturing intricate subjects like insects, product details, or scientific specimens.

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

71.3 Video/Cinema Score
35-150mm f/2 Sony E
Why we recommend this

This lens stands out with its exceptionally fast f/2-2.8 variable aperture across its 35-150mm zoom range, providing consistent shallow depth-of-field and low-light performance. Its VXD linear motor focus mechanism ensures quick, quiet autofocus, which is a key asset for dynamic shooting. This lens is best for portrait and event photographers who need a versatile, fast-aperture zoom to work in changing light without switching lenses.

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Zeiss Batis 135mm f/2.8 Series

67.8 Video/Cinema Score
135mm f/2.8 Sony E (Full Frame) IS Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its standout feature is an innovative OLED display that clearly shows focus distance and depth-of-field, even in low light. The lens combines robust, weather-sealed metal construction with a smooth autofocus system for reliable outdoor use. This lens is best for portrait photographers who require precise manual focus control and excellent color rendition from their full-frame Sony cameras.

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Sony FE 24-105mm f/4 G OSS

77 Video/Cinema Score
24-105mm f/4 Sony E IS Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its constant f/4 aperture and G-lens design with four aspherical elements deliver high resolving power across its 24-105mm zoom range. The optical formula provides reliable performance for a versatile walk-around lens. This lens is best for budget-conscious photographers needing a single, sharp zoom for travel and general landscape photography.

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Premium Lenses for video production

Best Pick

Sony G Master FE 28-70mm F2

92 Video/Cinema Score
28-70mm f/2 Sony E
Why we recommend this

This lens stands out with its constant f/2 aperture, providing exceptional low-light performance and background blur across its 28-70mm zoom range. Its optical design delivers sharpness and contrast that challenge many prime lenses, offering versatility without sacrificing image quality. It is best for portrait and event photographers who need a single, high-performance zoom for varied shooting conditions.

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Thypoch DZOFilm Simera-C 5

32.8 Video/Cinema Score
135mm Interchangeable Mount with Included Sony E
Why we recommend this

This kit stands out by pairing five ultracompact, lightweight Simera-C T1.5 prime lenses with a Catta 70-135mm T2.9 zoom, offering a fast aperture range from T1.5 to T22 for full-frame cine-style capture. The 16-blade diaphragm in the primes contributes to smooth, rounded bokeh, a key qualitative feature for cinematic image quality. This bundle is best for independent filmmakers and video creators seeking a versatile, cost-saving entry into a full-frame cine lens ecosystem without sacrificing shallow depth-of-field capabilities.

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