Best Lenses under $500 for landscape

Best Pick

Sigma Contemporary 16mm f/1.4 DC DN

73.1 Landscape 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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Sigma Art 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM

69.5 Landscape Score
24-70mm f/2.8 Nikon F IS
Why we recommend this

Its constant f/2 aperture across the 24-70mm zoom range provides exceptional low-light performance and shallow depth of field control. The lens offers professional-grade optics and autofocus at a notably high value score, making it a compelling alternative to first-party options. This lens is best for professional photographers and videographers who prioritize low-light versatility and a fast zoom over extreme macro capabilities.

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Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM FLD Large Aperture Standard Zoom

65.9 Landscape Score
17-50mm f/2.8 Nikon F (DX) IS
Why we recommend this

Its constant f/2.8 aperture and optical stabilization provide excellent low-light performance for a standard zoom lens. The inclusion of FLD glass elements ensures high sharpness and color correction comparable to fluorite. This lens is best for professional photographers and videographers working with Nikon DX cameras who need a versatile, fast zoom for events or controlled shoots.

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Best Lenses under $1,000 for landscape

Best Pick

Sigma Contemporary 16-300mm f/3.5-6.7 DC OS

80.7 Landscape Score
16-300mm f/3.5 Sony E IS
Why we recommend this

This lens stands out with its massive 24-450mm equivalent zoom range, a 1:2 macro magnification, and a high-speed HLA autofocus motor. Its all-in-one design offers significant versatility for a single lens, covering wide-angle to super-telephoto photography. It is best for photographers who need one lens for everything from landscapes to close-up details and want to avoid changing lenses on an APS-C camera.

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Sigma Art 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM

78.7 Landscape 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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Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 AF DC

51.1 Landscape Score
18-200mm f/3.5 Nikon F IS
Why we recommend this

Its 18-200mm zoom range and built-in AF motor provide versatile, compatible coverage for Nikon DSLRs, while its SLD and aspherical elements correct aberrations effectively. The super multi-layer coating ensures high image quality by minimizing flare and ghosting across the entire focal range. This lens is best for budget-conscious travelers and generalists who need a lightweight, all-in-one zoom for everyday photography and casual video.

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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

42.7 Landscape 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 $1,500 for landscape

Best Pick

Sigma Art 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM

70.4 Landscape Score
24-70mm f/2.8 Canon EF IS
Why we recommend this

Its constant f/2.8 aperture and robust build quality, featuring three SLD and four aspherical elements, deliver sharp, aberration-free images. The inclusion of optical stabilization makes it a versatile choice for handheld shooting in varied lighting. This lens is best for full-frame Canon photographers who need a reliable, high-performance standard zoom for professional portraits and event work.

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Sigma Contemporary

50.2 Landscape Score
150-600mm f/5 Sigma SA
Why we recommend this

Its 150-600mm zoom range and built-in Optical Stabilizer provide extensive reach for handheld wildlife and action photography. The inclusion of FLD and SLD glass elements controls aberrations for sharp images, while the HSM ensures quiet, fast autofocus. This lens is best for budget-conscious photographers needing a versatile super-telephoto for birds or sports.

Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM

47.8 Landscape Score
17-70mm f/2.8 Canon EF-S IS
Why we recommend this

Its constant f/2.8 aperture and built-in optical stabilization provide excellent low-light versatility for a standard zoom lens. The standout macro capability, with a focusing distance of just 8.7 inches, adds significant creative flexibility beyond typical walk-around use. This lens is best for APS-C camera users seeking a sharp, all-purpose zoom for travel and close-up photography without a dedicated macro lens.

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

41 Landscape 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 $2,500 for landscape

Best Pick

Sigma Sports 70-200mm f/2.8 DG DN OS

66.1 Landscape Score
70-200mm f/2.8 Sony E IS
Why we recommend this

Its constant f/2.8 aperture and high-response linear AF motor deliver fast, precise performance for action and low-light shooting. The internal zoom and focus design provides excellent balance and handling, while the advanced OS2 stabilization ensures sharp handheld shots. This lens is best for sports and wildlife photographers who need reliable tracking and a robust, well-balanced telephoto zoom.

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Sigma Art 28-105mm f/2.8 DG DN

62.2 Landscape Score
28-105mm f/2.8 Sony E
Why we recommend this

Its f/2.8 constant aperture and HLA autofocus system deliver fast, sharp performance across its 28-105mm zoom range, which is unusually versatile for a lens of this speed. The robust Art-series build quality and a close 15.8-inch minimum focus distance add significant utility for creative work. This lens is best for hybrid shooters and portrait photographers who need a single, fast zoom for both environmental scenes and tighter compositions without sacrificing aperture.

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

43.5 Landscape Score
70-200mm f/2.8 Sony/Minolta Alpha IS
Why we recommend this

This lens stands out with its constant f/2.8 aperture and built-in 4-stop image stabilization, making it a versatile tool for low-light shooting. Its ring-type ultrasonic AF motor provides fast, quiet autofocus, which is a significant advantage for event and wedding photographers. This lens is best for photographers needing a reliable, stabilized telephoto zoom for portraits and sports, especially those on a budget compared to first-party options.

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Premium Lenses for landscape

Best Pick

Sigma Contemporary 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM

70.5 Landscape Score
150-600mm f/5 Canon EF IS
Why we recommend this

This lens stands out with its 150-600mm zoom range and built-in optical stabilization, offering significant reach in a relatively lightweight and compact body. Its water and oil repellent coating on the front element makes for easier maintenance in the field. It is best for wildlife photographers and outdoor sports shooters who need a portable super-telephoto option.

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Price $2,800
Sigma Contemporary 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM lens

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Sigma Sports 200mm f/2 DG OS

62.3 Landscape 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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Sigma AF Cine 28-105mm T3 FF Cine

38 Landscape Score
105mm L-Mount
Why we recommend this

Its standout feature is a constant T3 aperture across its 28-105mm zoom range, paired with a 12-blade iris for exceptionally smooth bokeh. This lens uniquely combines cine-style focus marks and a manual/autofocus switch with the convenience of native autofocus for L-mount cameras. It is best for solo filmmakers and documentarians who need a versatile, all-in-one zoom for run-and-gun shooting with a cinematic look.

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Sigma 28-45mm T2 Cine

19.2 Landscape Score
45mm L-Mount
Why we recommend this

Its standout feature is a constant T2 aperture across its 28-45mm zoom range, enabling consistent exposure and shallow depth of field for full-frame cinema cameras. The lens uniquely offers a dedicated switch for instant toggling between precise manual focus and autofocus, a rare hybrid capability for a cine lens. This lens is best for cinematographers and documentary shooters using Leica L-mount cameras who require both the creative control of a manual cine lens and the speed of autofocus in run-and-gun situations.

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