Best Lenses under $500 for portrait

Best Pick

Sigma Art 24mm f/1.4 DG HSM

84.6 Portrait Score
24mm f/1.4 Canon EF IS
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.4 maximum aperture and robust HSM autofocus system enable excellent low-light performance and sharpness. The lens's 24mm wide-angle focal length is particularly well-suited for environmental portraits and cinematic video work. This lens is best for portrait photographers and videographers who need a fast, wide prime for creative shallow depth-of-field shots.

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Price $49
Sigma Art 24mm f/1.4 DG HSM lens

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Sigma Contemporary 30mm f/1.4 DC DN

69.5 Portrait Score
30mm f/1.4 Canon EF-M
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.4 maximum aperture provides excellent low-light performance and shallow depth of field for a compact prime lens. This lens is particularly well-suited for Canon EF-M mount users seeking a fast, affordable normal focal length. It is an ideal choice for APS-C shooters creating portraits or vlog-style video content where subject isolation is key.

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Sigma 15mm f/2.8 EX DG Diagonal Fisheye

47.1 Portrait Score
15mm f/2.8 Canon EF
Why we recommend this

Its 15mm focal length and f/2.8 aperture provide a uniquely wide, bright perspective for creative fisheye effects. The lens is digitally optimized for modern sensors, ensuring sharpness and minimal distortion in its specific field of view. This lens is best for portrait and street photographers seeking to incorporate dramatic, curved perspectives into their work.

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Best Lenses under $1,000 for portrait

Best Pick

Sigma Contemporary 16mm F/1.4 DC DN

89.4 Portrait Score
16mm f/1.4 Canon EF-M
Why we recommend this

Its fast f/1.4 maximum aperture provides excellent low-light performance and shallow depth of field for a wide-angle lens. Designed for Micro Four Thirds cameras, it offers a versatile 24mm equivalent focal length in a compact form. This lens is best for portrait photographers and content creators who need a bright, wide prime for environmental shots and indoor work.

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Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM

69.3 Portrait Score
30mm f/1.4 Canon EF-S
Why we recommend this

Its fast f/1.4 aperture and use of low-dispersion and aspherical glass elements deliver sharp images with pleasing bokeh and reduced aberrations. The 30mm focal length on an APS-C sensor provides a versatile 50.7-degree angle of view, making it more than just a portrait lens. This lens is best for Canon APS-C shooters seeking a bright, normal prime for environmental portraits and close-up detail work.

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Best Lenses under $1,500 for portrait

Best Pick

Sigma Art 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM

76.8 Portrait Score
50mm f/1.4 Canon EF
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.4 maximum aperture provides exceptional low-light performance and a very shallow depth of field for portraits. The lens features a fast and quiet ring-type ultrasonic AF motor, which supports full-time manual focus override for precise control. This lens is best for portrait photographers and Canon DSLR shooters seeking a classic focal length with professional-grade optics and build quality.

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Price $1,030
Sigma Art 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM lens

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

48.1 Portrait 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

31.9 Portrait 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 portrait

Best Pick

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

70.7 Portrait Score
200mm f/2.8 Canon EF IS
Why we recommend this

Its constant f/2.8 aperture and robust optical formula with nine FLD elements deliver sharp, high-contrast images with pleasing bokeh. The lens offers reliable autofocus and stabilization for a significant price advantage over first-party equivalents. This lens is best for portrait and event photographers who need a versatile telephoto zoom with professional-grade optics on a budget.

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Sigma Art 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM

48.4 Portrait Score
14mm f/1.8 Canon EF
Why we recommend this

Its exceptionally fast f/1.8 maximum aperture at 14mm makes it a standout for ultra-wide-angle astrophotography and low-light architectural interiors. The robust Art-series construction ensures optical consistency, though its 2.4kg weight is substantial. This lens is best for Canon EF-mount photographers specializing in night sky photography or interior real estate work where extreme wide-angle and fast apertures are critical.

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

27.2 Portrait Score
Canon EF
Why we recommend this

Its 150-600mm reach and relatively lightweight 1928g build make it a practical super-telephoto option. The water and oil repellent coating on the front element simplifies maintenance in the field. This lens is best for hobbyist photographers needing long focal lengths for subjects like airshows or motorsports, where its portability is a key advantage.

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Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 Auto Focus APO DG OS HSM Telephoto Zoom

20.7 Portrait Score
150-500mm f/5 Canon EF
Why we recommend this

Its 150-500mm focal range and constant f/5 aperture offer substantial telephoto reach for a budget-conscious price point. The included tripod collar and case are practical additions for a lens of this size and weight. This lens is best for photographers on a tight budget who need extreme focal lengths for distant subjects like wildlife or sports.

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Premium Lenses for portrait

Best Pick

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

39.2 Portrait 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