Best Lenses under £400 for portrait

Best Pick

Sigma Contemporary 56mm f/1.4 DC DN 56mm

91.4 Portrait Score
56mmf/1.4Nikon ZWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

The bright f/1.4 aperture and 84mm full-frame equivalent focal length deliver sharp subject isolation and strong low-light performance in a compact, 280g body. Its weather-sealed construction and near-silent stepping motor AF add durability and discreet operation uncommon at this price point. This lens is best for APS-C mirrorless portrait and street photographers who need a lightweight, fast telephoto prime with professional-grade optics.

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Sigma MC-11 89E965

57.4 Portrait Score
Canon EF a Sony E (EOS-SE)IS
Why we recommend this ▼

This Sigma MC-11 mount converter enables full electronic control, including autofocus and aperture selection, when adapting Canon EF or Sigma SA lenses to Sony FE bodies. It uniquely supports both in-lens optical stabilization and in-body camera shake reduction, bridging two major lens ecosystems. This adapter is best for portrait photographers with existing Canon glass who are transitioning to Sony mirrorless systems.

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Sigma 875205

55.2 Portrait Score
Minolta
Why we recommend this ▼

Doubling the reach of compatible Minolta-mount lenses, this dedicated APO teleconverter maintains auto focus and AE functionality without complex exposure calculations. Its apochromatic design suppresses chromatic aberration, a key differentiator for a converter at this level, though it lacks weather sealing and stabilization. This converter is best for portrait and street photographers needing extra focal length on a budget, provided their lens has a sufficiently bright open-aperture F-value.

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Best Lenses under £800 for portrait

Best Pick

Sigma Contemporary 12mm f/1.4 DC

93.3 Portrait Score
12mmf/1.4Canon RFWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Combining an ultra-bright f/1.4 aperture with a compact 225g build, this 12mm prime delivers a 19.2mm full-frame equivalent view ideal for low-light landscapes and vlogging. Its stepping motor provides fast, quiet autofocus with minimal focus breathing, while the dust- and splash-resistant construction ensures reliability outdoors. This lens is best for street photographers and vloggers needing a lightweight, weather-sealed wide-angle with strong subject separation.

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Sigma Art 28mm f/1.4 DG HSM

88.7 Portrait Score
28mmf/1.4Sony EWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this ▼

The f/1.4 maximum aperture and an optical design with three aspherical and five SLD/FLD elements deliver exceptional sharpness and contrast control for low-light scenes. Its weather-sealed, robust build and Super Multi-Layer Coating ensure reliable, flare-resistant performance in demanding conditions. This lens is best for professional landscape and street photographers needing a fast, wide-angle prime with uncompromising optical clarity.

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Best Lenses under £1,000 for portrait

Best Pick

Sigma Art 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM 50mm

54.8 Portrait Score
50mmf/16Nikon FWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

The 14-element optical design with three ED and one aspherical element delivers exceptional sharpness and suppresses aberrations even at its bright f/1.4 maximum aperture. Its robust, weather-sealed metal build and smooth, ring-type HSM autofocus system offer a premium handling experience that belies its price point. This lens is best for portrait and studio photographers using Nikon F-mount DSLRs who demand critical image quality and shallow depth of field control without the cost of first-party optics.

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Sigma 750975

53.9 Portrait Score
100-400mm
Why we recommend this ▼

Combining a 100-400mm reach with a relatively light 1100g build, this lens stands out for full-frame mirrorless portability. Its dust- and splash-proof brass mount and optical design that minimizes flare add rugged, practical reliability. This is best for outdoor enthusiasts and travelers who need handheld telephoto range without the bulk of traditional pro glass.

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Best Lenses under £2,000 for portrait

Best Pick

Sigma Sports 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS

76.8 Portrait Score
150-600mmf/5Sony EISWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

A 2100g build with four FLD and two SLD elements delivers high rendering across the 150-600mm range, while the stepping motor AF and 4-stop stabilization ensure sharp results. The dual-action zoom with adjustable torque and weather sealing adds handling flexibility rarely found at this price point. This lens is best for wildlife and motorsports photographers who need L-mount reach without compromising on optical consistency.

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Sigma Art 135mm f/1.4 DG

61.2 Portrait Score
135mmf/16Sony EWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this ▼

The f/1.4 maximum aperture combined with FLD and aspherical elements delivers exceptional subject separation and suppresses chromatic aberration for crisp, high-resolution rendering. Its HLA-driven autofocus motor provides fast, quiet focusing, while the 13-blade diaphragm creates smooth, circular bokeh that enhances portrait backgrounds. This lens is best for portrait photographers who prioritize shallow depth of field and edge-to-edge sharpness in a weather-sealed, premium build.

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Premium Lenses for portrait

Best Pick

Sigma Sports 60-600mm f/4.5-6.3 DG DN OS

47.4 Portrait Score
60-600mm22-32Sony EISWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

A 10x zoom range from 60mm to 600mm, paired with a fast Linear Actuator (HLA) autofocus motor, makes this the only mirrorless lens of its kind, though its 2485g weight demands a sturdy grip. The dust and splash-resistant build and 1:2.4 maximum magnification add versatility for outdoor shooting, while the Dual Action Zoom function allows quick focal length changes. Best for wildlife and sports photographers on Sony E mount who need one lens to cover distant subjects without swapping glass.

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