Best Lenses under €500 for professional use

Best Pick

Sigma Contemporary 16mm f/1.4 DC DN

89.7 Professional 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

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

Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM

54.8 Professional Score
50mm f/1.4 Nikon F (FX)
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.4 maximum aperture provides excellent low-light performance and shallow depth of field for portraiture. The ring-type ultrasonic AF motor offers fast, quiet autofocus with the convenience of full-time manual override. This lens is best for Nikon DSLR shooters seeking a classic portrait focal length with professional-grade optics on a budget.

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Sigma APO EX DG HSM OS FLD 70-200mm f/2.8 APO EX DG HSM OS FLD Large Aperture Telephoto Zoom

51.6 Professional Score
70-200mm f/2.8 Sigma SA Bayonet IS
Why we recommend this

Its constant f/2.8 aperture and 4-stop image stabilization provide excellent low-light performance and sharp handheld shots. The ring-type ultrasonic AF motor offers fast, quiet autofocus with full-time manual override, a valuable feature for still photographers. This lens is best for budget-conscious photographers needing a versatile telephoto for portraits or indoor sports, where its weight makes it less ideal for extended travel.

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Best Lenses under €900 for professional use

Best Pick

Sigma Art 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM

94.9 Professional Score
18-35mm f/1.8 Canon EF Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its constant f/1.8 aperture across the 18-35mm zoom range provides exceptional low-light performance and background blur for a zoom lens. The robust Art-series build quality and sharp optics make it a reliable tool for demanding shoots. This lens is best for Canon DSLR photographers and videographers who need a versatile, fast prime-like zoom for portraits, events, or cinematic work.

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Great Alternatives

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

Sigma 15mm f/2.8 EX DG Diagonal Fisheye

41.8 Professional Score
15mm f/2.8 Nikon F (FX)
Why we recommend this

Its 15mm focal length and f/2.8 maximum aperture deliver a dramatic 180-degree field of view, with a notably close 5.9-inch minimum focus distance. The lens is digitally optimized and includes a gelatin filter holder, adding practical utility for creative control. This lens is best for photographers specializing in extreme perspective architectural shots or immersive, close-up environmental portraits.

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Sigma Sports 150-600mm 5-6.3 DG OS HSM

28.6 Professional Score
150-600mm Canon EF IS
Why we recommend this

Its 150-600mm super-telephoto zoom range and built-in optical stabilization make it a capable tool for distant subjects. The inclusion of four FLD glass elements helps control chromatic aberration for improved image clarity. This lens is best for wildlife or sports photographers on a budget who need significant reach without the cost of first-party options.

Best Lenses under €1,500 for professional use

Best Pick

Sigma Art 85mm f/1.4 DG DN

85 Professional 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 €2,500 for professional use

Best Pick

Sigma Art 28-45mm f/1.8 DG DN

72.3 Professional Score
28-45mm f/1.8 Sony E
Why we recommend this

Its constant f/1.8 aperture across a 28-45mm zoom range is unprecedented for a full-frame lens, delivering prime-like brightness and background blur. The inner zoom mechanism and linear focus motor contribute to a compact, well-balanced design ideal for handheld use. This lens is best for portrait and event photographers who prioritize a versatile, fast aperture over extreme close-up capability.

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Premium Lenses for professional use

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