Best Lenses under $500 for landscape

Best Pick

Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR 50mm

83.8 Landscape Score
16-50mmf/3.5Nikon ZIS
Why we recommend this

Weighing just 135g and delivering 4.5 stops of Vibration Reduction, this retractable 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 zoom is the smallest DX-format Nikon Z lens. Its silver finish matches the Nikon Z fc body, and a programmable control ring provides tactile adjustment of aperture or exposure compensation. This lens best suits casual photographers and vloggers who need a silent, stabilized walkaround zoom for landscapes, street scenes, and close-up detail shots.

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Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 20085 50-250mm

77.3 Landscape Score
50-250mmf/16Nikon ZIS
Why we recommend this

The 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 VR lens provides a 75-375mm equivalent reach with 5-stop Vibration Reduction, delivering sharp telephoto shots even in dim light. At just 404g and a high-value price point, it maintains portability while adding near-silent stepping motor AF and suppressed focus breathing for polished video. Best for budget-minded DX Z-mount shooters needing a versatile zoom for wildlife, sports, and distant subjects, especially hybrid creators capturing both stills and video.

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Nikon NIKKOR AF-P 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR

76.7 Landscape Score
70-300mmf/4.5Nikon FISWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Effective Vibration Reduction enables three-stop slower handheld shooting, and the 272g lens' Silent Wave Motor provides fast, quiet autofocus. The refurbished unit offers like-new optics with ED glass and Super Integrated Coating, plus a 90-day warranty at a budget price. It's best for Nikon DX beginners needing a compact stabilized zoom for close-ups, portraits, and daily walkaround use.

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Nikon NIKKOR AF-P 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR lens
Price $473

Nikon TC-14E III 70-200mm

65.1 Landscape Score
70-200mmNikon FISWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Extends AF-S NIKKOR lens reach by 40% with only a one-stop exposure loss, turning a 70–200mm f/2.8 into a 98–280mm f/4 while preserving VR and metering. The fluorine-coated elements and weather-resistant barrel hold up in harsh conditions, and at 190g it adds minimal bulk. Best for wildlife and sports photographers using Nikon F-mount DSLRs who need extra focal length without carrying a second heavy telephoto lens.

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Nikon Zoom-Nikkor 2162 18mm

55.6 Landscape Score
18-135mmf/3.5Nikon F
Why we recommend this

The lens stands out with a 7.5x zoom spanning 18-135mm, an ED glass element that controls chromatic aberrations, and an AF-S motor delivering fast, quiet autofocus. A seven-blade rounded diaphragm renders pleasing out-of-focus backgrounds, and the 67mm filter thread accepts common accessories, while the renewed option offers tested reliability at a lower cost. This lens is best for DSLR beginners and travel photographers needing a single, affordable cover-all zoom for everyday shooting.

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Nikon Zoom-Nikkor 2162 18mm lens
Price $389
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Also available open box & refurbished:

Nikon NIKKOR Z DX MC 20131 35mm

35.8 Landscape Score
35mmf/22Nikon ZWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

The 35mm f/1.7 lens for Nikon DX Z-mount provides a 52.5mm equivalent field of view, a 6.3-inch close-focus for 1:1.5 magnification, and a bright aperture in a 221-gram body. Its compact 2.8-inch length and silent STM autofocus make it a quiet, portable option for candid shots and video work. This lens is best suited for Nikon DX shooters seeking a fast prime for everyday portraits and street photography that can double as a capable close-up tool.

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Best Lenses under $1,000 for landscape

Best Pick

Nikon NIKKOR Z 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR

100 Landscape Score
18-140mm22-40Nikon ZISWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

A lightweight 315g all-in-one zoom with a 7.8x range (27-210mm equivalent), 5-stop VR, and weather sealing makes this a practical walkaround lens for Nikon Z DX cameras. It earns high scores in landscape (91.6) and budget categories, pairing versatile reach with solid dust/moisture resistance for outdoor use. Best for travel photographers or casual shooters wanting a single lens for landscapes, portraits, and distant subjects without swapping glass.

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Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/2.8 VR 50mm

83.9 Landscape Score
16-50mmf/22Nikon ZISWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

A constant f/2.8 aperture across the 16-50mm zoom range provides consistent low-light performance and subject separation, paired with 5-stop Vibration Reduction for sharp handheld shots. Its compact 330g build and weather sealing make it a durable, portable option that doesn't sacrifice the smooth bokeh from its 9-blade diaphragm. This lens is best for travel and street photographers using Nikon Z DX cameras who need a fast, versatile standard zoom in a lightweight package.

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Best Lenses under $1,500 for landscape

Best Pick

Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR

89.7 Landscape Score
28-400mmf/4Nikon ZISWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

The 28-400mm zoom range combined with 5-stop Vibration Reduction and STM autofocus delivers sharp, blur-free shots from wide landscapes to distant wildlife in a weather-sealed body weighing just 725g. Its compact, lightweight design and 0.35x maximum magnification make it a true all-in-one travel lens, adapting seamlessly across Nikon Z full-frame and crop-sensor cameras. This lens is ideal for landscape and wildlife photographers who need versatile reach and reliable stabilization without carrying heavy gear.

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Best Lenses under $2,500 for landscape

Best Pick

Nikon NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S

76.6 Landscape Score
100-400mmf/40Nikon ZISWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Featuring an f/4.5-5.6 aperture across its 100-400mm zoom range, 5-stop Vibration Reduction, and optics with six Super ED and two ED elements, this lens delivers sharp handheld telephoto performance. Inner Balance technology stabilizes the center of gravity for smooth gimbal tracking, while a 0.38x maximum magnification ratio enables near-macro detail. This lens is best for wildlife and sports photographers who need flexible handheld reach and for landscape shooters valuing edge-to-edge sharpness.

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Nikon NIKKOR 2208 80-400mm

59.6 Landscape Score
80-400mm32-40Nikon FIS
Why we recommend this

Three ED glass elements and Vibration Reduction providing a 3-stop advantage define this 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 5x full-frame zoom lens. A 9-blade rounded diaphragm ensures smooth out-of-focus rendering, and renewed availability makes it an affordable entry into telephoto photography. It's ideal for budget-minded wildlife and sports shooters who prioritize reach and stabilization over constant aperture or weather sealing.

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Nikon NIKKOR 2208 80-400mm lens
Price $1,728

Nikon PC-E NIKKOR 2168 24mm

30.8 Landscape Score
24mmf/32Nikon F
Why we recommend this

The 24mm focal length combined with +/- 11.5mm shift and +/- 8.5° tilt provides precise perspective control for architecture, while three ED and three aspherical elements with Nano Crystal Coat suppress distortion and flare. Its 1:2.7 maximum magnification and close-range correction system deliver sharp macro performance uncommon in a wide tilt-shift lens. This manual-focus optic is best for architectural photographers and product shooters needing full-frame Nikon F-mount movements without digital correction.

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Premium Lenses for landscape

Best Pick

Nikon NIKKOR AF-S 500mm F/5.6E PF ED VR 500mm

62.1 Landscape Score
500mmf/5.6Nikon FISWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

A Phase Fresnel element and magnesium alloy build shrink this 500mm prime to just 3.2 lbs, enabling handheld shooting with 4-stop Vibration Reduction. Its Nano Crystal Coat and three ED elements deliver high contrast and sharpness across the frame, even wide open at f/5.6. This lens is best for wildlife and sports photographers who need a lightweight, full-frame super-telephoto for extended field use.

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