Best Lenses under £400 for portrait

Best Pick

Sigma Contemporary 16mm f/1.4 DC DN

90.7 Portrait 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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Great Alternatives

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Sigma Art 35mm f/1.4 DG DN

87.7 Portrait 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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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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Great Alternatives

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Sigma Contemporary 12mm f/1.4 DC

87.4 Portrait Score
12mm f/1.4 Canon RF Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its 12mm f/1.4 aperture provides an exceptionally wide and bright field of view, ideal for low-light shooting on APS-C cameras. The lens is notably fast and lightweight for its class, aided by a stepping motor for quiet autofocus. This prime is best for street photographers and portraitists seeking dramatic, close-up perspectives with strong subject isolation.

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Sigma 105 mm f/2.8 Macro

61.9 Portrait Score
105mm f/2 Nikon F IS
Why we recommend this

Its 105mm f/2.8 design and 1:1 magnification ratio make it a dedicated tool for capturing extreme close-up detail. The lens is a specialized, full-frame optic that can also adapt to APS-C cameras for a longer effective focal length. This lens is best for photographers dedicated to macro work who need true 1:1 reproduction and can manage its fixed focal length and lack of stabilization.

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Best Lenses under £1,000 for portrait

Best Pick

Sigma Art 85mm f/1.4 DG DN

90.3 Portrait 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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Best Lenses under £2,000 for portrait

Best Pick

Sigma Art 135mm f/1.4 DG

94.3 Portrait Score
135mm f/1.4 Sony E
Why we recommend this

Its 135mm f/1.4 aperture and 13-blade rounded diaphragm deliver exceptional background separation and smooth bokeh for professional portraiture. The HLA-driven autofocus motor provides fast and quiet focusing performance, making it suitable for both photo and video work. This lens is best for portrait photographers and videographers who prioritize ultimate subject isolation and optical quality in a studio or controlled environment.

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Great Alternatives

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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

Best Pick

Sigma Sports 200mm f/2 DG OS

77.9 Portrait Score
200mm f/2 Sony E IS Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its f/2 maximum aperture and 6.5-stop optical stabilization allow for exceptional low-light performance and handheld shooting with a 200mm focal length. The HLA-driven autofocus motor provides notably fast and quiet focusing, which is a significant advantage for video work. This lens is best for portrait photographers and videographers who require a fast, stabilized medium telephoto prime for controlled environments, given its substantial 1814g weight.

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