Best Lenses under £400 for portrait

Best Pick

Panasonic Meike 35mm f0.95 Large Aperture Manual Focus APS-C

84.6 Portrait Score
35mm f/0.95 Micro Four Thirds
Why we recommend this

Its exceptionally fast f/0.95 aperture enables extreme background blur and low-light shooting on Micro Four Thirds cameras. The lens is also broadly compatible with a wide range of Panasonic and Olympus bodies, offering a manual alternative to native autofocus options. This lens is best for portrait photographers and videographers on a budget who prioritize shallow depth of field and don't mind manual focusing.

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Best Lenses under £800 for portrait

Best Pick

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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Great Alternatives

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

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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Panasonic LUMIX G X Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-35mm f/2.8 ASPH POWER O.I.S.

67.4 Portrait Score
35mm f/2.8 Micro Four Thirds IS Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its constant f/2.8 aperture and built-in POWER O.I.S. stabilization make it a versatile, fast wide-angle zoom for Micro Four Thirds cameras. The lens offers a practical 24-70mm full-frame equivalent focal range in a compact, 306g package, balancing performance with portability. It is best for photographers needing a reliable, all-purpose zoom for everyday shooting and stabilized video work.

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Panasonic Lumix G Vario G Vario 14-140mm f/3.5-5.6 II Aspherical

55.6 Portrait Score
14-140mm f/3.5 Micro Four Thirds
Why we recommend this

Its versatile 14-140mm zoom range and durable, splash-resistant build make it a reliable all-in-one travel option. The inclusion of Power O.I.S. stabilization and quality optics with aspherical and ED elements ensures sharp images even in challenging lighting. This lens is best for travelers and landscape photographers who need a single, compact lens to cover wide-angle to telephoto perspectives.

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Best Lenses under £1,000 for portrait

No lenses found Under £1,000 for this category.

Best Lenses under £2,000 for portrait

Best Pick

Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Summilux Leica DG Vario-Summilux 25-50mm f/1.7 ASPH.

85.7 Portrait Score
25-50mm f/1.7 Micro Four Thirds Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its constant f/1.7 aperture across the 25-50mm zoom range provides exceptional low-light capability and background blur for a Micro Four Thirds lens. It meets strict Leica optical standards, ensuring professional-grade sharpness and rendering for photographers and videographers. This lens is best for Panasonic LUMIX shooters prioritizing portrait work and run-and-gun video where a fast, consistent aperture is critical.

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Premium Lenses for portrait

No lenses found for this category.