Best Lenses under £400 for portrait

Best Pick

Meike 85mm f1.8 SE II Full Frame STM High Resolution

89.3 Portrait Score
85mm f/1.8 Leica L IS
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.

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Sigma Contemporary 30mm f/1.4 DC DN

83.2 Portrait Score
30mm f/1.4 Leica L
Why we recommend this

Its fast f/1.4 aperture provides excellent low-light performance and a 9-blade diaphragm creates smooth background blur. The compact 265g design makes it highly portable for everyday use. This lens is best for L-mount photographers seeking a sharp, lightweight prime for portraits and travel.

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TTArtisan 17mm f/1.4

81.5 Portrait Score
17mm f/1.4 L-Mount
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.

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7Artisans AutoFocus 24mm F1.8 Full Frame

67.3 Portrait Score
24mm f/1.8 Sigma/Panasonic/Leica L Mount IS
Why we recommend this

Its standout feature is the fast f/1.8 aperture, which provides excellent low-light performance and shallow depth of field for a 24mm prime lens. The lens also incorporates a silent STM motor for reliable autofocus with eye detection, making it suitable for discreet shooting. This lens is best for full-frame L-mount photographers who need a sharp, wide-angle prime for environmental portraits and street photography where fast, quiet focusing is essential.

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Meike 85mm f1.8 Full Frame STM Medium Telephoto

87 Portrait Score
85mm f/1.8 Panasonic Lumix IS
Why we recommend this

Its 85mm f/1.8 aperture and STM autofocus deliver sharp portraits with smooth bokeh, even in low light, while its 349g weight and optical stabilization aid handheld shooting. The lens offers excellent value with zero distortion and 8K video support, including reliable eye autofocus at a distance. It's best for portrait photographers and videographers on L-mount systems who need a lightweight, high-performance prime for both stills and cinema work.

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7Artisans Lumix S AutoFocus 50mm F1.8 Full Frame

66.8 Portrait Score
50mm f/1.8 Leica/Panasonic/Sigma L IS
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.

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Sirui 50mm F1.8 1.33X S35 Anamorphic

56.8 Portrait Score
50mm f/1.8 Leica L
Why we recommend this

Its 50mm focal length paired with a 1.33x anamorphic squeeze delivers a 37.5mm-equivalent field of view and signature oval bokeh for a cinematic look. The lens is constructed with high-quality Schott glass elements, offering a robust yet relatively lightweight build for an anamorphic optic. This lens is best for independent filmmakers and videographers using L-mount cameras who want to achieve a classic, widescreen film aesthetic without a massive cinema lens budget.

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AstrHori 6mm F2.8 220° Ultra Wide Circular Fisheye

53.2 Portrait Score
6mm f/2.8 Leica L IS
Why we recommend this

Its 220° circular fisheye field of view and F2.8 aperture enable exaggerated distortion and creative low-light shooting. The lens features a robust full-metal body and an exceptionally close 0.08m focusing distance for unique macro effects. This specialized lens is best for experimental photographers and videographers seeking to create surreal, sci-fi style imagery with extreme perspective distortion.

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AstrHori AF 85mm F1.8 II Full Frame

20.4 Portrait Score
85mm f/85 Leica L IS
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.

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Best Lenses under £800 for portrait

Best Pick

Sigma Art 35mm f/1.4 DG DN

88 Portrait Score
35mm f/1.4 L-Mount
Why we recommend this

Its standout f/1.4 aperture and premium optical construction deliver exceptional sharpness and bokeh for a classic 35mm focal length. Designed exclusively for mirrorless systems, it offers a notably lightweight and compact form factor compared to its DSLR-era predecessors. This lens is best for portrait photographers and filmmakers seeking a versatile, high-performance prime with beautiful rendering.

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Panasonic Lumix S 35mm f/1.8

79.7 Portrait Score
35mm f/1.8 L-Mount Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its F1.8 aperture delivers high resolution and pleasing bokeh across the full-frame L-mount sensor, making it a compact and versatile prime. This lens is particularly well-suited for portrait work, as indicated by its high score in that category. It's an excellent choice for photographers seeking a lightweight, fast prime for everyday shooting and environmental portraiture.

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Laowa 90mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO

67.8 Portrait Score
90mm f/2.8 L-Mount
Why we recommend this

Its standout 2:1 maximum magnification allows for extreme close-up photography, while its 13-blade aperture contributes to smooth bokeh. The lens is a specialized tool, offering double the magnification of most standard macro lenses for capturing intricate details. This lens is best for macro photographers and product detail shooters who require extreme reproduction ratios beyond life-size.

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AstrHori 28mm F13 Probe

26.7 Portrait Score
28mm f/13 Leica/Panasonic/Sigma L IS
Why we recommend this

Its 2x magnification and slender, 45.2cm probe design enable unique macro shots in tight spaces, supported by a 10-level adjustable ring light. The front 20cm is waterproof, allowing for shallow aquatic photography, and its two-section construction aids portability despite its 1742g weight. This lens is best for macro photographers specializing in extreme close-up detail or needing to shoot small subjects in confined or wet environments.

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Sigma Contemporary 23mm f/1.4 DC DN

85.7 Portrait Score
23mm f/1.4 L-Mount Weather Sealed
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.

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Panasonic VILTROX 16mm F1.8 L Full Frame

75.9 Portrait Score
16mm f/1.8 Leica L
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.8 aperture and 0.1x close-focus capability make it a versatile wide-angle prime for both low-light scenes and detailed near-macro work. The lens features a robust optical design with four ED and three aspherical elements to control aberrations, paired with a quiet STM motor ideal for video recording. This lens is best for hybrid shooters and content creators who need a sharp, fast wide-angle for both atmospheric stills and silent-focus video work.

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Sigma 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN for L-Mount

47.4 Portrait Score
f/2.8 leica_l
Why we recommend this

Its constant f/2.8 aperture and lightweight 470g body make it a versatile, portable standard zoom for L-Mount cameras. The lens is distinguished by its superb build quality, internal focusing, and a focus mode switch for reliable handling. This lens is best for portrait and street photographers who prioritize a compact, fast-aperture zoom for everyday shooting.

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Best Lenses under £1,000 for portrait

Best Pick

Sigma Art 24mm f/1.4 DG DN

88.2 Portrait Score
24mm f/1.4 L-Mount Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its fast f/1.4 aperture and complex 17-element optical design, including FLD and aspherical elements, deliver exceptional sharpness and low-light performance for a 24mm prime. The lens prioritizes optical quality and a robust brass mount over portability, resulting in a 519g build that feels substantial. It's best for portrait and event photographers on the L-mount system who need a high-performance, wide-aperture lens for environmental shots and low-light work.

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

71.4 Portrait Score
150mm f/2 L-Mount
Why we recommend this

This lens stands out with its versatile 35-150mm f/2-2.8 zoom range, offering a fast aperture for full-frame L-Mount cameras. Its three custom mode switches provide quick access to saved settings, adding operational flexibility for changing scenes. It is best for portrait and event photographers who need a single, bright lens to cover a wide range of focal lengths without swapping optics.

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Sirui Astra 50mm 1.33X Auto Focus Full Frame Anamorphic Cine

29.8 Portrait Score
50mm Leica L IS
Why we recommend this

Its 1.33x constant squeeze and selectable blue or neutral flares deliver a definitive cinematic look directly on full-frame cameras. The fast T1.8 aperture provides superior low-light performance and a shallow depth of field for creative control. This lens is best for filmmakers and content creators seeking an authentic anamorphic character with the convenience of autofocus in a native full-frame lens.

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Best Lenses under £2,000 for portrait

Best Pick

Sigma Art 50mm f/1.2 DG DN

91.9 Portrait 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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Rokinon AF 35-150mm f/2-2.8 AF

75.5 Portrait Score
35-150mm f/2 L-Mount Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its standout feature is an exceptionally fast f/2.0-2.8 aperture across its 35-150mm zoom range, paired with robust weather sealing across 11 points for reliability in tough conditions. The lens offers extensive customization with programmable buttons and switches, making it highly adaptable for different shooting scenarios. This lens is best for hybrid creators and event photographers who need a single, versatile lens for both photo and video work in variable environments.

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

70.8 Portrait Score
200mm f/2.8 L-Mount IS
Why we recommend this

Its constant f/2.8 aperture and high-response linear actuator AF system deliver fast, reliable performance for capturing action and portraits. The lens is built as a robust, dedicated sports optic with an Optical Stabilizer featuring an OS2 algorithm for handheld shooting. This lens is best for sports and wildlife photographers who need a fast, telephoto zoom for Sony E-mount or L-Mount cameras.

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Premium Lenses for portrait

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