Best Lenses under €500 for street photography

Best Pick

Laowa 50mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO 50mm

73.8 Street Score
50mmf/2.8Micro Four Thirds
Why we recommend this

Offering a rare 2:1 maximum magnification, this manual focus lens doubles the reproduction ratio of typical macro lenses for extreme close-up detail on Micro Four Thirds cameras. Its apochromatic design with 14 elements minimizes chromatic aberration, while the compact 240g build and built-in CPU for EXIF data transfer add practical precision. This lens is best for macro photographers who need beyond-life-size reproduction and prioritize manual control over autofocus convenience.

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7Artisans 122.8ZBII 12mm

66.9 Street Score
12mmf/2.8Micro Four ThirdsIS
Why we recommend this ▼

With a 100-degree field of view and f/2.8 aperture, this 12mm manual focus prime uses a 12-element optical design, focusing as close as 5.9 inches for dramatic wide-angle close-ups. Its all-metal barrel and smooth focus ring provide precise control at an affordable price, though the 608g weight limits travel portability. The lens is ideal for budget-minded Nikon Z APS-C shooters wanting to experiment with ultra-wide landscapes and close-up photography without autofocus.

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Olympus V314070BU000

57.7 Street Score
14-42mmf/22Micro Four Thirds
Why we recommend this ▼

Weighing just 113g, this Micro Four Thirds zoom uses a 14-42mm focal range and MSC autofocus for near-silent, smooth focusing in stills and video. Its collapsible barrel and 37mm filter thread deliver no-compromise portability, making it a budget-friendly everyday lens with consistent sharpness. It’s best for street photographers who need a discreet, grab-and-go zoom that handles quick, quiet captures without bulk.

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OM System M.Zuiko 40-150mm f/4-5.6 R

56.1 Street Score
40-150mmf/22Micro Four Thirds
Why we recommend this ▼

The 40-150mm f/4-5.6 offers an 80-300mm equivalent reach in a 190g body, with a Movie & Still Compatible AF system for swift, silent focusing. Its Micro Four Thirds design and budget pricing make it a remarkably portable telephoto option for travel and everyday use. This lens is best for portrait and street photographers on Micro Four Thirds cameras who want a lightweight zoom without spending heavily.

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Meike Fisheye 7.5mm f/2.8 Fisheye 8mm

46.6 Street Score
8mmf/16Micro Four Thirds
Why we recommend this ▼

Its expansive 190° angle of view and bright f/2.8 aperture on an APS-C or Micro Four Thirds sensor create dramatic, distorted perspectives in a compact 260g body. The all-manual design with multi-layer nano-coating and a close 5.9-inch minimum focus distance offers precise creative control at a low entry price. This lens is best for experimental photographers and videographers wanting an affordable fisheye for unique landscapes or close-up action shots.

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Venidice (VD)MK-3.5mm F2.8 4mm

38.2 Street Score
4mmf/16Micro Four Thirds
Why we recommend this ▼

Delivering a 220-degree diagonal field of view, this manual focus 3.5mm f/2.8 prime creates an extreme circular fisheye image on Micro Four Thirds sensors. Its compact 190g build and close 95mm minimum focus distance make it a highly portable option for exaggerated perspectives. This lens is best for photographers experimenting with immersive panoramic shots and creative close-up work where full subject distortion is the goal.

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Meike 12mm f/2.8 12mm

31.1 Street Score
12mmf/22Micro Four Thirds
Why we recommend this ▼

The fast f/2.8 aperture and 12-element optical design deliver sharp, bright images with a 99-degree field of view on Micro Four Thirds bodies. Its compact 360g build and fully manual focus operation offer precise creative control at an accessible price point. This lens is best for landscape and architecture photographers wanting an affordable, durable ultra-wide prime for deliberate, tripod-based compositions.

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Best Lenses under €900 for street photography

Best Pick

OM System M.Zuiko V335940BW000 18-36mm

55.4 Street Score
18mmf/22Micro Four Thirds
Why we recommend this

Weighing just 154g with a 52mm filter thread, this lens stands out as an ultralight 18-36mm equivalent zoom for Micro Four Thirds, ideal for all-day carry. Its redesigned body features modernized focus and zoom rings with a uniform black finish, enhancing handling and aesthetics. This lens is best for travel and landscape photographers who prioritize a compact, unobtrusive kit over maximum aperture speed.

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Panasonic LUMIX G VARIO H-F007014 14mm

55.1 Street Score
7-14mmf/22Micro Four ThirdsIS
Why we recommend this ▼

Its 114-degree angle of view and constant f/4 aperture across the 7-14mm zoom range deliver consistent exposure for expansive scenes, aided by a 16-element optical design with four ED elements to suppress distortion. The compact 300g build and multi-coated optics effectively minimize ghosting and flare, making it a practical, portable ultra-wide solution. This lens is best for Micro Four Thirds shooters focused on landscape and travel photography who need a rectilinear wide-angle zoom in a lightweight package.

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Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm f/2 35mm

54.1 Street Score
12mmf/22Micro Four Thirds
Why we recommend this ▼

The bright f/2 maximum aperture and 12mm focal length (24mm equivalent) make this lens a strong choice for dramatic landscapes and low-light street scenes, complemented by a full-metal body and a manual focus snap ring with a distance indicator. Its Movie & Still Compatible autofocus mechanism delivers fast, near-silent performance that benefits both video and stills shooters. This lens is best for architectural and landscape photographers who need a compact, high-speed wide-angle prime for the Micro Four Thirds system.

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Laowa 7.5mm f/2 8mm

40.2 Street Score
8mmf/22Micro Four Thirds
Why we recommend this ▼

The 110° angle of view (equivalent to 15mm on full-frame), f/2 aperture, and 150g weight make this the widest rectilinear prime available for Micro Four Thirds. Its 4.72-inch minimum focus distance enables creative close-up shots with a wide background, while the 46mm filter thread supports direct landscape filters. This lens is best for travel and astro-photographers who need a compact, fast ultra-wide optic that won't burden a lightweight MFT kit.

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OM System M.Zuiko Digital 17mm f/1.8 II 17mm

50.6 Street Score
17mmf/22Micro Four ThirdsWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this ▼

Its 112-gram body, weather-sealed construction, and f/1.8 aperture make this 17mm (34mm equivalent) lens a low-light and bokeh standout for Micro Four Thirds. The fast, precise autofocus and ultra-compact design enhance its discreet, travel-friendly handling without sacrificing image quality. This lens is best for street and travel photographers who need a rugged, fast prime that reliably performs in rain or dust.

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OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 75-300mm f/4.8-6.7 II 300mm

46.3 Street Score
75-300mmf/22Micro Four Thirds
Why we recommend this ▼

Delivering a 150-600mm equivalent reach in a remarkably portable 423g body, this lens stands out for its lightweight super-telephoto range on Micro Four Thirds cameras. Its optical design incorporates Super ED and ED elements with a ZERO coating, yielding sharp, high-contrast images while the near-silent AF system suits both stills and video. This lens is best for wildlife and sports enthusiasts who need extreme magnification without the bulk of traditional telephoto glass.

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Rokinon Cine DS100M-MFT 100mm

31.9 Street Score
100mmf/32Micro Four Thirds
Why we recommend this ▼

Offering 1:1 macro magnification with a 100mm focal length and T3.1 aperture, this lens captures detailed close-ups with smooth, de-clicked aperture control and a 9-blade diaphragm for circular bokeh. The Cine DS version adds unified focus and aperture gear positions, color-matched barrels, and dual-sided distance scales for quick lens swaps on set. It’s best for Micro Four Thirds video shooters needing a dedicated macro cine lens for product shots, nature details, and dramatic close-ups with follow-focus rigs.

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Best Lenses under €1,500 for street photography

Best Pick

OM System M.Zuiko Digital 8-25mm f/4 PRO

65.9 Street Score
8-25mmf/4Micro Four ThirdsWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

A 16-50mm full-frame equivalent range in a single, weather-sealed lens weighing just 411g makes this a uniquely versatile tool for Micro Four Thirds shooters. The sophisticated optical design with 16 elements suppresses aberrations for sharp results, while the manual focus clutch and programmable L-Fn button enhance handling. This lens is best for travel and landscape photographers who need a single, durable wide-to-standard zoom to minimize kit weight in harsh conditions.

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OM System M.Zuiko V335040BW000 80-300mm

53.2 Street Score
40-150mmf/22Micro Four ThirdsWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this ▼

Weighing just 382g with full weather sealing, this lens delivers an 80-300mm equivalent reach in a remarkably portable package for the Micro Four Thirds system. Its constant f/4 aperture and advanced optics with two ED and two aspherical elements maintain edge-to-edge sharpness across the zoom range. This lens is best for landscape and travel photographers who need a lightweight, durable telephoto zoom that won't weigh down a kit during long days outdoors.

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OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED V335340BW000 8mm

46 Street Score
8mmf/22Micro Four ThirdsWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this ▼

Its globally unmatched f/1.8 maximum aperture in a fisheye lens enables clean low-light shooting and distinct circular bokeh from a 7-blade diaphragm. The IP53-rated dust, splash, and freeze-proof construction, combined with a ZERO coating to suppress flare, ensures reliable performance in harsh environments. This lens is best for underwater photographers and astrophotographers who need a durable, ultra-wide 180° angle of view with edge-to-edge sharpness.

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Best Lenses under €2,500 for street photography

Best Pick

Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES50200 50-200mm

64 Street Score
50-200mmf/22Micro Four ThirdsISWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

A bright f/2.8-4.0 aperture across a versatile 50-200mm range (100-400mm equivalent) and Leica-engineered optics with 2 ED elements deliver exceptional sharpness for a Micro Four Thirds zoom. The robust, weather-sealed build combines with a fast linear autofocus motor and 5-stop POWER O.I.S. stabilization to reliably capture sharp images in challenging outdoor conditions. This lens is best for wildlife and sports photographers who need a portable, 655g telephoto zoom that doesn't compromise on professional-grade image quality.

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OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 90mm f/3.5 Macro IS PRO 90mm

59.4 Street Score
90mmf/3.5Micro Four ThirdsISWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this ▼

Achieving an unmatched 2:1 magnification with a 180mm full-frame equivalent reach, this lens enables extreme close-up detail without disturbing subjects. Its IP53 weather sealing and 7-stop stabilization make it a uniquely durable tool for handheld field macro work in harsh conditions. This is best for nature photographers who need to capture insects and flora at greater-than-life-size scale in unpredictable outdoor environments.

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Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED V313020BU000 7-14mm

50.3 Street Score
7-14mmf/22Micro Four ThirdsWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this ▼

A constant f/2.8 aperture across the 7-14mm zoom range and a complex 14-element optical design with ZERO coating deliver sharp, flare-resistant images in a weather-sealed, 534g body. Its fast, silent Movie & Still Compatible autofocus and programmable L-Fn button make it equally adept for smooth video pulls and quick stills adjustments. This lens is best for Micro Four Thirds landscape and travel photographers who need a rugged, bright ultra-wide zoom for challenging outdoor conditions.

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OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm f/4 IS PRO

55.1 Street Score
12-100mmf/22Micro Four ThirdsISWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this ▼

A constant f/4 aperture across an 8.3x zoom range paired with Sync IS delivering up to 7.5 stops of compensation makes this lens uniquely versatile. Its IP53-rated weather sealing and robust 561g build ensure reliable performance in harsh conditions without weighing down a kit. This is the ideal single-lens solution for landscape and travel photographers who need uncompromised sharpness from wide-angle to telephoto.

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OM System M.Zuiko 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO

49.9 Street Score
40-150mmf/22Micro Four ThirdsWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this ▼

A constant f/2.8 aperture across the 80-300mm equivalent range and weather-sealed, all-metal build deliver professional-grade reliability and consistent light gathering. The Dual VCM autofocus with a manual focus clutch provides fast, precise control, while the ZERO coating suppresses flare for high-contrast results. This lens is best for outdoor event and portrait photographers who need a rugged, fast telephoto zoom without the bulk of full-frame systems.

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Premium Lenses for street photography

Best Pick

OM System M.Zuiko 150-600mm f/5.0-6.3 IS

62.3 Street Score
150-600mmf/5Micro Four ThirdsISWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Delivering a 1200mm equivalent field of view in a weather-sealed body, this lens provides extreme reach with 7-stop Sync IS for hand-held shooting. Its 0.56m minimum focus distance enables 0.7x tele-macro magnification, doubling as a close-up tool for detailed subjects. This is best for wildlife photographers and birders who need maximum focal length without a tripod.

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OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 50-200mm f/2.8 IS PRO

51.9 Street Score
50-200mmf/22Micro Four ThirdsISWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this ▼

A constant f/2.8 aperture across a 100-400mm equivalent range in a 1,075g, IP53 weather-sealed body makes this lens uniquely portable for super-telephoto work. Its 7-stop synchronized 5-axis image stabilization enables sharp handheld shooting at extreme focal lengths, complemented by a 0.5x maximum magnification for close-up detail. This is the ideal lens for wildlife and sports photographers who need a rugged, lightweight setup for all-day outdoor use without a tripod.

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