Best Lenses under $500 for landscape

Best Pick

Canon RF 15-30mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM 15-30mm

73 Landscape Score
15-30mmf/32Canon RFIS
Why we recommend this

Combining a 390g weight with 5-stop optical stabilization and STM autofocus, the 15-30mm f/4.5-6.3 offers a uniquely portable full-frame ultra-wide zoom. It also delivers 1:2 macro magnification at a 130mm minimum focus distance, unusual in its class. Best for vloggers and real estate photographers needing a lightweight lens that excels at both wide-angle scenes and detailed close-ups.

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Canon EF EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS 18-135mm

70.8 Landscape Score
18-135mmf/5.6Canon EF-SIS
Why we recommend this

A 7.5x zoom range from 18-135mm on APS-C bodies provides a 29-216mm equivalent field of view, eliminating lens swaps for most daylight scenes. The built-in Image Stabilizer and lightweight 98g build make it a practical, single-lens solution for all-day handheld shooting. This lens is best for travel photographers and hobbyists who prioritize framing flexibility and minimal kit weight over wide-aperture performance.

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Canon EF EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS 18-135mm lens
Price $499
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Also available open box & refurbished:

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 III 18-55mm

69.9 Landscape Score
18-55mmf/5.6Canon EF-SIS
Why we recommend this

The STM autofocus motor delivers smooth, near-silent operation ideal for video recording on APS-C DSLRs, while the 18-55mm focal range covers everyday wide-angle to short telephoto needs. Its bundled accessory kit, including wide-angle and macro converters, adds unusual versatility for a kit lens at this price point. This lens is best for beginners and casual travelers who need a lightweight, all-in-one starter package for general photography and video.

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Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 III 18-55mm lens
Price $194

Canon RF-S 14-30mm f/4-6.3 IS STM PZ 14-30mm

67.6 Landscape Score
14-30mm22-36Canon RFIS
Why we recommend this

Weighing just 181g, the 14-30mm f/4-6.3 zoom (22-48mm equivalent) delivers up to 5-stop optical stabilization (7.5 stops with IBIS) and a variable-speed power zoom for smooth, quiet video pulls. Its 0.38x maximum magnification and 5.9-inch minimum focus distance enable dramatic wide-angle close-ups, while Air Super Spectra Coating and UD/aspherical elements suppress flare and aberrations. This lens suits vloggers and street photographers who need a compact, stabilized ultra-wide-to-standard zoom that transitions effortlessly between stills and video.

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Canon EF-M 15-45mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM 15-45mm

50.3 Landscape Score
15-45mmf/3.5Canon EF-MIS
Why we recommend this

A versatile 15-45mm zoom pairs silent STM autofocus, 3.5-stop image stabilization, and three aspherical elements in a remarkably light 75g body. The included bundle—a 64GB memory card, filter kit, backpack, and flexible tripod—makes it an exceptional value for those building their first camera kit. This lens is best for street and travel photographers who need a discreet, ready-to-shoot setup, with its 78.6/100 street photography score reflecting that strength.

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Canon CAN3580M3EF-OB 35-80mm

36.8 Landscape Score
35-80mmf/4Canon EF
Why we recommend this

Its 198g weight and compact build make it a discreet, no-burden lens for Canon EF shooters prioritizing portability over outright optical performance. The 35-80mm focal range covers everyday framing from environmental portraits to casual landscapes without a lens swap. This lens is best for beginners or film-era camera users needing an ultra-affordable, lightweight walkaround zoom for casual macro and street photography.

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Best Lenses under $1,000 for landscape

Best Pick

Canon RF16-28mm F2.8 IS STM 28mm

89.8 Landscape Score
16-28mmf/22Canon RFISWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Weighing just 454g with a constant f/2.8 aperture and 5.5-stop optical stabilization, this is Canon’s smallest and lightest full-frame RF zoom for handheld low-light shooting. The leadscrew-type STM motor delivers fast, quiet autofocus, while weather-sealing and a 0.26x magnification offer durability and close-up versatility uncommon in wide zooms. This lens is best for landscape photographers and run-and-gun video shooters who need a stabilized, ultra-portable wide-angle zoom.

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Canon 9518B002

80.9 Landscape Score
16-35mmf/22Canon EFISWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Combining L-series build quality with a constant f/4 aperture and a 4-stop image stabilizer, this 16-35mm zoom delivers sharp results from its 16-element optical design that includes three aspherical and two ED elements. The weather-sealed, 615g body accepts 77mm filters and offers a useful 0.23x maximum magnification for close-up wide-angle shots. This lens is best for landscape and architecture photographers who need a rugged, stabilized ultra-wide zoom for full-frame Canon EF bodies.

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Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM 15-85mm

73 Landscape Score
15-85mmf/36Canon EF-SIS
Why we recommend this

Offering a 24-136mm equivalent range with a 4-stop Image Stabilizer, this lens uses 3 aspherical and 1 UD element to control aberrations across its versatile zoom. Its ring-type USM motor delivers fast, near-silent autofocus, making it a strong all-in-one travel companion despite the variable f/3.5-5.6 aperture. This lens is best for APS-C Canon shooters who need a single, high-quality walkaround solution for landscapes and general video work.

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Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM 15-85mm lens
Price $799
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Also available open box & refurbished:

Canon L EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM 24-70mm

70.9 Landscape Score
24-70mmf/22Canon EFISWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

A constant f/4 aperture and 4-stop image stabilization make this L-series zoom reliable for handheld shooting, while its 0.7x maximum magnification at 380mm minimum focus distance delivers near-macro capability uncommon in standard zooms. The weather-sealed, 595g build incorporates two ED and two aspherical elements for well-corrected images across the 24-70mm range. This lens is best for landscape and travel photographers needing a lightweight, versatile optic with genuine close-up functionality.

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Canon L EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM 24-70mm lens
Price $905
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Canon EF-M 55-200mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM 55-200mm

68.1 Landscape Score
55-200mmf/4.5Canon EF-MIS
Why we recommend this

Weighing only 85g, this Canon EF-M telephoto covers an 88–320mm equivalent range with 3.5-stop stabilization and near-silent STM autofocus. It ships as a versatile bundle including a 64GB card, filter kit, and flexible tripod, adding immediate out-of-box value. Ideal for street and travel photographers who need an ultra-light, affordable zoom for EOS M mirrorless bodies.

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Canon Laowa Venus Laowa 12-24mm f/5.6 Zoom Shift CF 12-24mm

55.5 Landscape Score
12-24mmf/5.6Canon EF-MIS
Why we recommend this

As the world’s first wide-angle zoom shift lens, its 12-24mm range with +/-7mm shift capability and exceptional distortion control allows for precise perspective correction without cropping. The constant f/5.6 aperture and a remarkably close 15cm minimum focusing distance enable creative close-up shots, all within a lightweight 575g body. This manual focus lens is best for architectural and interior photographers who need a portable, dedicated shift solution for APS-C mirrorless systems.

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Canon NIKKOR AF-S DX Zoom-NIKKOR 12-24mm f/4G IF-ED 12-24mm

44.5 Landscape Score
12-24mmf/22Nikon F
Why we recommend this

The constant f/4 aperture across the 12–24mm zoom range, with three aspherical and two ED elements, ensures sharp ultra-wide shots with well-controlled distortion. Its quiet AF-S motor and a 77mm filter thread add creative flexibility, while the 88g build keeps it exceptionally light for an ultra-wide zoom. Best for street photographers on Nikon DX bodies who need a portable perspective that excels at wide-angle scenes, though it performs poorly for macro work.

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Best Lenses under $1,500 for landscape

Best Pick

Canon RF RF14-35mm F4L IS USM 14-35mm

93.1 Landscape Score
14-35mmf/22Canon RFISWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Combining an ultra-wide 14mm field of view with a constant f/4 aperture and 5.5-stop optical stabilization, this lens stands out for its compact 544g build and advanced optics with SWC and ASC coatings. Its 0.38x maximum magnification at 35mm enables dramatic close-focusing perspectives, while the Nano USM motor delivers silent, smooth autofocus for video. This lens is best for landscape and architecture photographers who need a weather-sealed, portable zoom for walkaround shooting.

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Canon L EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM

76.6 Landscape Score
100-400mmf/100Canon EFISWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Integrating one fluorite and one Super UD element with Air Sphere Coating, this lens delivers sharp, high-contrast images with minimal aberrations, supported by a 4-stop Image Stabilizer for handheld clarity. A rotating zoom ring with adjustable torque and comprehensive weather sealing with a fluorine coating set it apart for reliable, precise control in tough conditions. It’s best for wildlife and sports photographers who need a rugged, stabilized telephoto zoom for tracking fast-moving subjects from a distance.

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Canon L-series EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM 24mm

59.6 Landscape Score
24mmf/22Canon RFWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

The f/1.4 maximum aperture and Sub Wavelength Coating deliver strong low-light performance with controlled flare, while two aspherical and two UD elements maintain sharpness across the frame. Its weather-sealed L-series build and ring-type USM motor provide reliable, quiet autofocus with full-time manual override. This lens is best for landscape and astrophotography shooters who need a durable, wide-angle prime with a bright aperture for challenging light.

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Canon RF-S 3.9mm f/3.5 STM Dual Fisheye 4mm

42 Landscape Score
4mmf/16Canon RF
Why we recommend this

Its dual-lens design captures stereoscopic 3D 180° VR imagery onto a single sensor, streamlining post-production for the EOS R7 at up to 4K 30 fps. The 144° field of view and Air Sphere Coating deliver immersive footage with reduced ghosting in a compact 289g body. This lens is best for VR content creators who need a simplified, single-camera workflow for spatial video.

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Best Lenses under $2,500 for landscape

Best Pick

Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM 15-35mm

88.2 Landscape Score
15-35mmf/22Canon RFISWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

A constant f/2.8 aperture across the 15-35mm zoom range pairs with a 5-stop Image Stabilizer for sharp handheld shooting in low light. The Nano USM autofocus is fast and silent, while Air-Sphere and Fluorine coatings protect the advanced 16-element optical design from flare and moisture. This lens is best for landscape photographers who need edge-to-edge sharpness and robust weather sealing in challenging outdoor conditions.

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Canon L-series EF 11-24mm f/4L USM 11-24mm

64.7 Landscape Score
11-24mmf/22Canon EFWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its 11mm rectilinear focal length on a full-frame sensor delivers an ultra-wide perspective without fisheye distortion, supported by four aspherical elements for edge-to-edge sharpness. The constant f/4 aperture and weather-sealed L-series build provide reliable performance in challenging outdoor conditions, while SWC and Air Sphere coatings effectively suppress flare. This lens is best for architectural and landscape photographers who require an extreme wide-angle zoom with minimal optical distortion.

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Canon L RF 135mm f/1.8 L IS USM 135mm

60.3 Landscape Score
135mmf/22Canon RFISWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

The f/1.8 aperture combined with 5.5-stop stabilization and Nano USM autofocus delivers razor-sharp subject isolation with reliable handheld control. Its L-series build is fully weather-sealed yet relatively portable at 935g, and the Air Sphere Coating effectively suppresses flare for clean contrast. This lens is best for wildlife and sports photographers who need a fast, stabilized medium-telephoto to freeze action in challenging light.

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Canon TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II 24mm

55.5 Landscape Score
24mmf/3.5Canon EFWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Combining four UD elements and one aspherical element with Subwavelength Coating, this lens delivers edge-to-edge sharpness with minimal chromatic aberration for full-frame EF-mount systems. Its robust L-series build includes weather sealing and a rotating tilt-shift mechanism offering ±8.5° of tilt and ±12mm of shift for precise perspective correction. This lens is best for architectural and interior photographers who require distortion-free, straight vertical lines in-camera without digital correction.

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Canon TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II 24mm lens
Price $1,850
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Also available open box & refurbished:

Premium Lenses for landscape

Best Pick

Canon RF24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z 105mm

81.1 Landscape Score
24-105mmf/22Canon RFISWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Combining a first-of-its-kind constant f/2.8 aperture with a 24-105mm zoom range, this lens eliminates the need to swap optics for low-light shooting up to 105mm. It uniquely integrates a dedicated, click-less iris ring for smooth cinematic exposure control, paired with dual Nano USM motors for silent autofocus and up to 8 stops of coordinated stabilization. This lens is best for hybrid shooters and photojournalists who need a single, weather-sealed solution for both 4K video production and event photography.

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Canon L RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM 100-500mm

78.1 Landscape Score
100-500mmf/54Canon RFISWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

The 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM pairs a versatile 100–500mm focal range with 7 ED elements, Air Sphere coating, and 5-stop optical stabilization in a weather-sealed, travel-sized build. Its Dual Nano USM autofocus drives swift, near-silent focusing, and three IS modes—standard, panning, and exposure-only—enable precise control for moving subjects. This lens suits wildlife and sports photographers who need a portable super-telephoto zoom for handheld shooting in the field.

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Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III USM 400mm

60.7 Landscape Score
400mmf/2.8Canon EFISWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

The combination of fluorite and Super UD elements with a bright f/2.8 aperture delivers exceptional clarity and color accuracy while isolating subjects against beautifully rendered bokeh. Its relatively light 2,900g build and 5.5-stop image stabilization make handheld shooting viable, a rare feat for a 400mm super-telephoto prime. This lens is best for professional sports and wildlife photographers who need uncompromising sharpness and fast autofocus in a weather-sealed, portable design.

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Canon L Series RF 14mm f/1.4 L VCM 14mm

48.3 Landscape Score
14mmf/16Canon RFWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

The f/1.4 aperture on a 14mm full-frame lens, combined with an 11-blade iris and VCM autofocus, delivers silent, fast focusing and strong low-light performance in a weather-sealed body. Its 895g weight and de-clickable manual aperture ring support smooth exposure changes, while minimal focus breathing keeps framing consistent during focus pulls. This prime is best for hybrid shooters and videographers capturing wide, dimly lit scenes where quiet operation and controlled depth of field are essential.

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