Best Lenses under €500 for video production

Best Pick

Laowa 17mm f/1.8 17mm

58.1 Video/Cinema Score
17mmf/1.8Micro Four ThirdsWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Weighing just 172g with a bright f/1.8 aperture and weather sealing, this manual-focus lens delivers sharp, high-contrast images with minimal distortion across the Micro Four Thirds frame. Its 15cm minimum focus distance enables 0.2x magnification close-ups with smooth bokeh from the 7-blade diaphragm, adding macro-like versatility to a compact wide-angle. This lens is best for street and travel photographers who prioritize a lightweight, all-metal build and precise manual control over autofocus convenience.

View Details & Prices

Great Alternatives

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

Olympus Zuiko Digital 261054 18-180mm

53.7 Video/Cinema Score
18-180mmf/3.5Micro Four Thirds
Why we recommend this

The 10x zoom reaches a 36–360mm equivalent focal range in a lightweight 434g body, using ED glass to deliver distortion-free sharpness across the frame. It ships as a complete carrying kit with a dedicated case and lens hood, enhancing its grab-and-go portability for day trips. Best for budget-conscious photographers seeking an all-in-one walkaround lens for casual portraits and everyday snapshots.

View Details & Prices

7Artisans 122.8ZBII 12mm

50.6 Video/Cinema Score
12mmf/2.8Olympus/Panasonic MTF 4/3 MountIS
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.

View Details & Prices

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

47 Video/Cinema 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.

View Details & Prices

Olympus Zuiko 261015 50-200mm

48.4 Video/Cinema Score
50-200mmf/2.8Four ThirdsIS
Why we recommend this

The Supersonic Wave Drive (SWD) autofocus delivers near-silent, ultra-fast focusing that is roughly twice the speed of its predecessor, paired with a bright f/2.8-3.5 aperture across a versatile 100-400mm equivalent zoom range. Extensive ED glass elements and a digital-dedicated design ensure sharp, high-contrast images from edge to edge, with a consistent 1.2-meter minimum focus distance throughout the zoom range for close-up work. This lens is best for Four Thirds sports and wildlife photographers who need rapid subject tracking and telephoto reach without the bulk of a constant-aperture pro zoom.

View Details & Prices

Meike 12mm f/2.8 12mm

30 Video/Cinema 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.

View Details & Prices

Best Lenses under €900 for video production

Best Pick

Panasonic Leica DG Summilux H-X015K 15mm

60.8 Video/Cinema Score
15mmf/16Micro Four Thirds
Why we recommend this

The bright f/1.7 aperture and three aspherical elements deliver sharp, low-distortion images with strong low-light capability in a 115g metal body. A manual aperture ring and Nano Surface Coating provide tactile control and flare resistance that elevate its premium, compact build. This lens is best for street and travel photographers who prioritize a fast, pocketable 30mm equivalent prime with refined handling.

View Details & Prices

Great Alternatives

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

Laowa VE5028MFT 50mm

54.9 Video/Cinema 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.

View Details & Prices

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

39.3 Video/Cinema 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.

View Details & Prices

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

35.1 Video/Cinema 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.

View Details & Prices

Best Lenses under €1,500 for video production

Best Pick

OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED PRO 8-25mm F4.0

62 Video/Cinema 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.

View Details & Prices

Great Alternatives

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

OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED V335360BW000 200mm

40.7 Video/Cinema Score
12-200mmf/22Micro Four ThirdsWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its 16.6x zoom range, spanning 12–200mm (24–400mm equivalent), is the longest available in any mirrorless system. At just 455g with full weather-sealing and a 1:2.7 close-up capability, this all-in-one lens eliminates the need to carry multiple optics. It’s ideal for hikers and travel photographers who want a single, rugged lens for sweeping landscapes, distant subjects, and impromptu macro shots.

View Details & Prices

No Lenses under €2,500 yet. See our top picks

Premium Lenses for video production

Best Pick

OM System M.Zuiko 150-600mm f/5.0-6.3 IS 300-1200mm

66.3 Video/Cinema 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.

View Details & Prices

Great Alternatives

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

OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED V335280BW000 300mm

54.8 Video/Cinema Score
300mmf/22Micro Four ThirdsISWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Combining a 600mm equivalent reach with a constant f/4 aperture in a 1475g weather-sealed body, this lens delivers handheld super-telephoto capability without a tripod. Its optical formula uses three Super ED elements and Z Coating Nano to suppress aberrations and flare, yielding sharp, high-contrast images with a 5-stop image stabilization system. This is the ideal tool for wildlife and sports photographers using Micro Four Thirds who need a portable, all-weather setup for distant subjects.

View Details & Prices