Best Pick

Sony FE 35mm f/1.8

82.1 Street Score
35mm f/1.8 Sony E Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.8 aperture provides excellent low-light performance and shallow depth of field for a compact, lightweight prime lens. This lens is a strong, affordable option for Sony full-frame shooters prioritizing portability. It is best for street photographers and portrait shooters who value a natural 35mm perspective without a heavy kit.

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Great Alternatives

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

Sigma Contemporary 16mm f/1.4 DC DN

78.6 Street Score
16mm f/1.4 Nikon Z
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.4 maximum aperture and 24mm full-frame equivalent focal length deliver excellent low-light performance and a versatile wide-angle perspective for APS-C Nikon Z cameras. The lens features a stepping motor for quiet, smooth autofocus, making it well-suited for both stills and video capture. This lens is best for portrait photographers and content creators on APS-C platforms who need a bright, fast prime for environmental portraits and vlogging.

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Viltrox AF 13mm f/1.4 XF

75.4 Street Score
13mm f/1.4 Sony E
Why we recommend this

Its ultra-wide 13mm focal length combined with a bright f/1.4 maximum aperture makes it a strong choice for low-light and astrophotography. The inclusion of two aspherical elements helps control distortion, enhancing image quality for its class. This lens is best for Sony APS-C shooters, particularly portrait and street photographers who value a fast, wide-angle perspective.

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Pentax HD -FA 77mm f/1.8 Limited

75.1 Street Score
77mm f/1.8 Pentax K
Why we recommend this

Its 77mm focal length and fast f/1.8 aperture are ideal for creating sharp subject separation and a classic portrait look. The lens is distinguished by its compact 269g metal build and high-grade HD coating for reduced flare. This lens is best for Pentax photographers seeking a lightweight, character-rich prime for portraiture and street photography.

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Nikon NIKKOR AF-S 20mm f/1.8G ED

73.6 Street Score
20mm f/1.8 Nikon F Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.8 maximum aperture and inclusion of two ED and two aspherical elements deliver sharp, low-light performance with minimal aberrations. The relatively lightweight 355g build and Nano Crystal Coatings enhance handling and reduce flare for a versatile prime. This lens is best for landscape and architectural photographers needing a wide, fast prime for Nikon F-mount full-frame cameras.

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Sigma Art 28mm f/1.4 DG HSM

72 Street Score
28mm f/1.4 Sony E Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.4 aperture and advanced optical design deliver exceptional sharpness with minimal distortion and chromatic aberration. The lens is particularly strong for portrait work, scoring highly for its rendering and image quality. This prime is best for photographers prioritizing optical perfection in a wide-angle lens for environmental portraits and low-light scenarios.

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

71.7 Street 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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Samyang AF 85mm f/1.4 EF

71 Street Score
85mm f/1.4 Canon EF
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.4 maximum aperture and inclusion of a hybrid aspherical element enable excellent subject isolation and sharpness for portrait work. The lens offers a compelling value for a fast 85mm prime with full-frame coverage on the Canon EF mount. This lens is best for portrait photographers and videographers seeking a classic focal length with a very shallow depth of field.

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Viltrox AF 56mm f/1.2 XF

70.6 Street Score
56mm f/1.2 Fujifilm X
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.2 maximum aperture and 85mm full-frame equivalent focal length deliver exceptional subject isolation and sharpness for portraits. The lens features a robust magnesium-aluminum alloy build and a quiet, fast HyperVCM autofocus system ideal for tracking moving subjects. This lens is best for portrait photographers and videographers on the Fujifilm X system who prioritize beautiful bokeh and reliable performance.

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Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 -A VC RXD

66.3 Street Score
17-70mm f/2.8 FUJIFILM X IS
Why we recommend this

Its constant f/2.8 aperture across a versatile 17-70mm zoom range provides excellent low-light performance and creative flexibility for APS-C cameras. As the first lens of its kind with a 4.1x zoom ratio, it offers a practical all-in-one solution without sacrificing aperture. This lens is best for travel and street photographers who need a single, fast zoom to cover wide-angle to short-telephoto focal lengths.

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Zeiss 35mm f/2.8 C Biogon T ZM

65.9 Street Score
35mm f/2.8 Leica M
Why we recommend this

Its 35mm f/2.8 Biogon optical formula delivers exceptional sharpness and contrast, rivaling more expensive Leica lenses in a compact, 200g body. The lens is distinguished by its robust, all-metal construction and smooth, precise manual focus action ideal for rangefinder use. This lens is best for street and travel photographers using Leica M-mount cameras who prioritize optical performance and portability over a faster aperture.

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Rokinon 20mm f/1.8 ED AS UMC

64.8 Street Score
20mm f/1.8 Nikon F
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.8 maximum aperture and inclusion of two aspherical and three ED elements provide excellent sharpness and low-light capability for a wide-angle lens. The robust all-metal construction and Ultra Multi-Coating ensure durability and reduced flare in challenging light. This lens is best for landscape and astrophotographers seeking a fast, sharp prime for Nikon F-mount full-frame cameras.

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