Find the best video and cinema lens in 2026

Key video lens features:

  1. Minimal Focus Breathing - Size doesn't change when focusing
  2. Smooth Focus Ring - Precise manual control
  3. Consistent Aperture - No exposure shifts when zooming
  4. Parfocal Design - Maintains focus while zooming

Best Lenses under £500 for video production

Best Pick

Sigma 16mm, 30mm, and 56mm f/1.4 DC DN

74.7 Video/Cinema Score
16mm f/1.4 Canon RF
Why we recommend this

With an f/1.4 maximum aperture across all three prime lenses, this set provides excellent low-light performance and subject isolation for APS-C cameras. The trio covers a versatile 16mm, 30mm, and 56mm focal length range, offering a complete kit for various shooting scenarios. It is best for portrait photographers and content creators on Canon RF-mount APS-C bodies who prioritize fast primes over a single zoom.

Read Full Review

Great Alternatives

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

Canon - RF35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM Macro Lens for

72.9 Video/Cinema Score
35mm f/1.8 Canon RF IS
Why we recommend this

Its standout 0.5x macro magnification and 5-stop optical image stabilization make it a versatile prime lens for a 35mm focal length. The inclusion of a control ring and compact 306g design adds direct manual control and excellent portability. This lens is best for photographers who need a lightweight, stabilized option for close-up product or nature photography, not for dedicated portrait work.

Read Full Review

Laowa Venus Optics Laowa Argus 33mm f/0.95 CF APO Lens

72.6 Video/Cinema Score
33mm f/0.95 Canon RF
Why we recommend this

Its f/0.95 maximum aperture provides exceptional low-light capability and a very shallow depth of field, ideal for isolating subjects. The lens incorporates both ED and aspherical elements to control chromatic aberration and distortion, enhancing optical performance. This lens is best for portrait photographers and cinematographers on Canon RF APS-C cameras who prioritize extreme bokeh and low-light shooting over autofocus and portability.

Read Full Review

7Artisans 7artisans 35mm f0.95 Large Aperture APS-C

65.8 Video/Cinema Score
f/0.95 Canon RF IS
Why we recommend this

Its f/0.95 maximum aperture provides exceptional low-light performance and creates a very shallow depth of field for pronounced subject isolation. The lens is relatively lightweight at 369g and features 12 aperture blades for smooth bokeh. This lens is best for portrait photographers seeking a manual-focus option with a classic 50mm equivalent field of view and extreme background blur.

Read Full Review

Best Lenses under £1,000 for video production

Best Pick

Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM Lens

88 Video/Cinema Score
24mm f/1.8 Canon RF IS
Why we recommend this

Its standout feature is a fast f/1.8 aperture, providing excellent low-light performance and shallow depth of field for a wide-angle prime lens. As an affordable entry into the RF system, it offers great value for expanding a mirrorless kit without sacrificing key optical performance. This lens is best for budget-conscious photographers and videographers who need a versatile wide-angle for landscapes, street photography, and low-light scenarios.

Read Full Review

Great Alternatives

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

Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD Lens

79.3 Video/Cinema Score
18-300mm f/3.5 Canon RF IS
Why we recommend this

Its standout 18-300mm focal length provides a massive 16.6x zoom range, making it exceptionally versatile for everything from landscapes to distant subjects. The lens is also relatively compact and lightweight at 635g, suiting it well for travel and everyday use on APS-C cameras. This lens is best for photographers who want a single, all-in-one travel lens and value versatility over specialized macro or low-light performance.

Read Full Review

Laowa Venus Laowa 15mm f/2 FE Zero-D Lens for Canon EOS

61.4 Video/Cinema Score
15mm f/2 Canon RF Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its 15mm f/2 aperture makes it the widest rectilinear f/2 lens available, offering exceptional low-light capability for astrophotography with minimal distortion due to its Zero-D optical design. The weather-sealed, 500g metal build is compact for travel while the 5-blade diaphragm creates distinct sunstars. This lens is best for landscape and architecture photographers who prioritize edge-to-edge sharpness and manual focus control in extreme wide-angle shots.

Read Full Review

Best Lenses under £1,500 for video production

Best Pick

Canon RF 14-35mm f/4 L IS USM Lens

82.6 Video/Cinema Score
14-35mm f/4 Canon RF IS Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its f/4 maximum aperture and inclusion of three UD and three aspherical elements deliver sharp, corrected images across its versatile 14-35mm zoom range. The lens is built for the Canon RF system, offering full-frame coverage with built-in image stabilization for handheld shooting. This lens is best for Canon photographers who need a compact, high-performance ultra-wide zoom for landscapes and architectural work where edge-to-edge sharpness is critical.

Read Full Review

Great Alternatives

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

Laowa Venus Laowa 15mm f/4.5 Zero-D Shift Lens for Canon

18.3 Video/Cinema Score
15mm f/4.5 Canon RF
Why we recommend this

Its standout feature is its +/-11mm shift capability on a 15mm focal length, enabling perspective control for architecture without digital correction. The lens is also notably portable at 590g and uses a Zero-D optical design to deliver sharp images with minimal distortion. This lens is best for architectural and interior photographers who need to correct converging vertical lines in-camera while working in tight spaces.

Best Lenses under £2,500 for video production

No lenses found under £2,500 for this category.

Premium Lenses for video production

Best Pick

Canon RF 28-70mm f/2 L USM Lens

49.9 Video/Cinema Score
70mm f/2 Canon RF
Why we recommend this

Its standout feature is a constant f/2 maximum aperture across its 28-70mm range, offering exceptional low-light performance and background blur uncommon for a standard zoom. The lens incorporates specialized elements like Super UD glass and an Air Sphere Coating to control chromatic aberration, flare, and ghosting for high image quality. This lens is best for Canon EOS R photographers who prioritize a versatile, fast-aperture zoom for portraits and events over portability, given its substantial 1429g weight.

Read Full Review