Best Lenses under €500 for portrait

Best Pick

Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS

86 Portrait Score
16-50mmf/3.5Sony EISWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

The power zoom mechanism delivers smooth, silent operation ideal for video, while the retractable design and 107g weight make it exceptionally portable. Optical SteadyShot stabilization provides 4 stops of shake reduction, and the ED glass with aspherical elements controls aberrations in a compact package. This lens is best for travel photographers and vloggers who need a lightweight, stabilized standard zoom for Sony APS-C E-mount cameras.

View Details & Prices

Great Alternatives

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

Sony YZ0308

78.7 Portrait Score
f/3.5Screw-on lens fits camera lenses with a 55mm front filter threadIS
Why we recommend this ▼

The 0.43x magnification factor expands your field of view with multicoated glass optics that keep contrast decent for a screw-on adapter. A detachable macro element delivers an 81.6 close-up score, letting you capture tiny details without swapping lenses. This accessory fits hobbyists using 55mm-threaded kit lenses who want to explore wide-angle and macro photography on a budget.

View Details & Prices

Sony SEL55210/B

56.7 Portrait Score
55-210mm
Why we recommend this ▼

The 55-210mm zoom offers a versatile 82-315mm equivalent range with f/4.5-6.3 aperture, plus internal focusing and quiet autofocus for smooth video capture. Its compact aluminum-alloy build and built-in Optical Steady Shot stabilization make it a lightweight, stable telephoto option for handheld shooting. Best for budget-conscious photographers seeking an affordable telephoto for sports, wildlife, and casual video work.

View Details & Prices

Sony FE SEL35F18 35mm

52.1 Portrait Score
35mmf/18Sony EISWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this ▼

The 35mm f/1.8 lens on Sony E-mount delivers a 52.5mm equivalent field of view with built-in Optical SteadyShot stabilization for sharper handheld results in low light. Its compact, 45mm-long build and quiet internal motors make it a discreet choice for both stills and video capture. This lens is best for APS-C Sony shooters who want a fast, stabilized prime for portraits and everyday snapshots.

View Details & Prices

Best Lenses under €900 for portrait

Best Pick

Sony FE SEL20TC

62.2 Portrait Score
Sony E (Full-Frame)ISWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Doubling the reach of compatible Sony telephoto lenses while preserving autofocus, metering, and optical stabilization, this 2.0x teleconverter adds just 209g to your kit. Its dust- and moisture-resistant construction matches the sealing of lenses like the FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS, maintaining full-frame coverage without sacrificing communication between body and glass. This is best for street and portrait shooters who occasionally need extra focal length but don't want to carry a second heavy telephoto prime.

View Details & Prices

Great Alternatives

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

Sony E SEL11F18 11mm

55.9 Portrait Score
11mmf/16Sony EWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this ▼

Combining an ultra-wide 16.5mm equivalent field of view with a bright f/1.8 aperture, this 181g lens captures expansive scenes with strong low-light capability. Its dust- and moisture-resistant design and suppressed focus breathing make it a reliable, compact tool for handheld video work. This lens is best for vloggers and landscape photographers using APS-C Sony bodies who need a lightweight, wide-angle prime.

View Details & Prices

Best Lenses under €1,500 for portrait

Best Pick

Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS

91.9 Portrait Score
18-135mmf/3.5Sony EIS
Why we recommend this

The 18-135mm focal length spans a 7.5x zoom range (27-202.5mm full-frame equivalent) and combines Optical SteadyShot stabilization with 1 aspherical and 2 ED glass elements for sharp, shake-free images. A 7-blade circular aperture renders smooth bokeh, and the compact, lightweight build makes it a practical single-lens travel solution. This lens suits Sony APS-C shooters who prioritize a versatile, stabilized zoom for everyday stills and handheld video over close-up macro work.

View Details & Prices

Great Alternatives

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

Sony FE SEL2070G 20-70mm

54.2 Portrait Score
20-70mmf/22Sony EWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this ▼

Its unprecedented 20-70mm zoom range starts at an ultra-wide 20mm, a first for a standard f/4 zoom, paired with a constant f/4 aperture and a lightweight 488g, weather-sealed build. The lens delivers outstanding G-series resolution across the frame and refined video performance with minimized focus breathing, while its 0.39x maximum magnification offers excellent close-up capability throughout the zoom range. This is the ideal single-lens solution for travel photographers and hybrid shooters who need wide landscapes and standard framing without swapping optics.

View Details & Prices

Sony G SELP1020G 10-20mm

51.4 Portrait Score
10-20mmf/22Sony EISWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this ▼

Weighing just 178g with a constant f/4 aperture, this is the world's smallest and lightest APS-C ultra-wide power zoom, delivering exceptional mobility without sacrificing image quality. Its internal zoom and focus design maintains a stable center of gravity, while the power zoom mechanism enables smooth, variable-speed zooms with minimal camera vibration for solo shooters. This lens is best for vloggers and hybrid shooters using gimbals who need reliable autofocus and suppressed focus breathing for 4K video.

View Details & Prices

Best Lenses under €2,500 for portrait

Best Pick

Sony G SELP28135G.SYX 28-135mm

88.4 Portrait Score
28-135mmf/4Sony EISWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

A servo-powered zoom mechanism and constant f/4 aperture across the 28-135mm range make this a standout for controlled video environments. Optical SteadyShot stabilization and a Nano AR Coating ensure sharp, consistent footage, while the full-frame E-mount compatibility offers wide creative latitude. This lens is best for documentary filmmakers and event videographers who need a single, reliable parfocal zoom for run-and-gun shooting.

View Details & Prices

Great Alternatives

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

Sony G Master SEL50F12GM 50mm

86.5 Portrait Score
50mmf/1.2Sony EWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this ▼

The f/1.2 aperture and 11-blade diaphragm deliver exceptionally shallow depth of field with smooth, rounded bokeh, while four XD Linear Motors provide fast, silent autofocus for both stills and video. Despite its bright design, the lens maintains a relatively portable 778g build with comprehensive weather sealing and a de-clickable aperture ring for seamless video operation. This lens is best for portrait photographers and wedding shooters who need uncompromising low-light performance and definitive subject separation.

View Details & Prices

Sony FE SEL2450G 24-50mm

58.3 Portrait Score
24-50mmf/22Sony EWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this ▼

Combining a constant f/2.8 aperture with a remarkably light 440g build, this lens stands out for its portable, weather-sealed design without sacrificing speed. The inclusion of aperture de-click and lock switches, alongside 0.33x maximum magnification, makes it a uniquely versatile hybrid tool for both smooth video operation and close-up detail work. It is best for travel and everyday photographers who prioritize a compact kit for walkaround shooting but still demand full-frame f/2.8 brightness.

View Details & Prices

Premium Lenses for portrait

Best Pick

Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS 400mm

77.3 Portrait Score
400-800mmf/6.3Sony EISWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Delivering an 800mm native reach that extends to 1600mm with teleconverters, its internal zoom design keeps the 2.5 kg lens balanced and sealed against the elements. Remarkable close-up capability for a super-telephoto, focusing down to 1.7 m at 0.23x magnification, allows frame-filling shots of small wildlife. This lens is ideal for birders, sports photographers, and videographers who demand 800mm reach with smooth, breathing-free video capture.

View Details & Prices