Best Lenses under $500 for portrait

Best Pick

Sigma Art 28mm f/1.4 DG HSM

92 Portrait Score
28mmf/1.4Nikon FWeather 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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Sigma Contemporary 45mm f/2.8 DG DN 45mm

78.9 Portrait Score
45mmf/2.8Sony E
Why we recommend this

A compact 215g full-frame prime with a fast internal focus system and weather sealing, this lens stands out for its versatile 45mm focal length and all-metal I Series build quality. Its f/2.8 aperture balances light gathering with a remarkably small footprint, making it a discreet everyday carry option. This lens is best for street and travel photographers who prioritize portability and tactile manual controls over maximum background separation.

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Sigma 883101 18mm

71.8 Portrait Score
18-250mmf/3.5Canon EF-SIS
Why we recommend this

An expansive 13.9x zoom range (27–375mm equivalent on APS‑C) with 4‑stop stabilization and a lightweight 454g body defines this all-in-one superzoom. A 1:2.9 macro capability allowing focus as close as 35cm adds close‑up versatility, while the Super Multi‑Layer Coating reduces flare for consistent contrast. This lens is ideal for travelers and hobbyists on Canon, Nikon, or Sony APS‑C DSLRs who need a single, portable optic covering everything from wide landscapes to distant details with occasional macro.

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Sigma 883101 18mm lens
Price $264
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Sigma EX DG 512-306 15-30mm

68.8 Portrait Score
15-30mmf/3.5Nikon F
Why we recommend this

With a 15-30mm focal range, f/3.5-4.5 aperture, and Super Multi Coating that suppresses flare on digital bodies, this lens uses 17 elements—including two aspherical elements—to keep distortion in check. Its surprisingly strong 72.7/100 macro score delivers close-focus performance at just 30cm, adding versatility that’s rare in an ultra-wide zoom. It’s best for Nikon F-mount hobbyists who want a budget wide-angle zoom for architecture and landscapes while still getting tight detail shots at close range.

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Sigma EX DC HSM 4.5mm f/2.8 5mm

67.4 Portrait Score
4mmf/2.8Canon EF
Why we recommend this

The fast f/2.8 aperture and 180-degree circular projection on APS-C sensors make this a specialized tool for low-light scenarios like astrophotography. Its equisolid angle projection method provides quantifiable data for scientific use, while the HSM motor enables quiet autofocus with full-time manual override. This lens is best for aurora photographers and researchers needing precise solid angle measurements of sky or vegetation distribution.

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Sigma 203101

58.3 Portrait Score
8-16mmf/4.5Canon EF
Why we recommend this

An 8-16mm focal range delivers a 121° angle of view on APS-C sensors, with HSM autofocus and three aspherical elements with Super Multi-Layer Coating to minimize ghosting. Weighing just 555 grams, it remains highly portable for an ultra-wide zoom without compromising optical precision. This lens is best for architectural interiors and street shooters who need dramatic, distortion-free perspectives in tight spaces.

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Sigma 203101 lens
Price $493

Sigma DG Macro 70-300mm f/4-5.6

41.1 Portrait Score
70-300mmf/22Nikon FIS
Why we recommend this

A 1:2 macro mode at 300mm combined with three SLD glass elements and a 540g body make this telezoom a versatile, lightweight option for close-up reach. Its built-in motor ensures autofocus on all Nikon DSLRs, while the super multi-layer coating effectively cuts flare. Best for budget-minded Nikon shooters who want a single, portable lens to capture distant wildlife and detailed flower shots in daylight.

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Sigma AF DC 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3

39.7 Portrait Score
18-200mmf/22Nikon FIS
Why we recommend this

The 18-200mm zoom covers a 27-300mm equivalent range on APS-C cameras, with image stabilization and auto panning detection in a lightweight 405g body. A 0.45m minimum focus and 1:4.4 magnification enable versatile close-up shooting, while 72mm filter threads support easy accessory use. This lens suits outdoor travelers and hobbyists needing a single all-in-one option for landscapes and macro work, though portraiture results remain modest.

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Best Lenses under $1,000 for portrait

Best Pick

Sigma Art 85mm f/1.4 DG DN

93.7 Portrait Score
85mmf/1.4L-MountWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its optical design, featuring 5 SLD elements and 1 aspherical element, delivers exceptional sharpness and contrast even at f/1.4, while the 11-blade diaphragm renders smooth, circular bokeh. The weather-sealed, 630g build is notably compact for a full-frame 85mm f/1.4, making it a practical choice for extended handheld use. This lens is best for portrait photographers and event shooters on Sony E-mount who need uncompromising subject isolation and robust build quality.

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Sigma Contemporary 16-28mm f/2.8 DG DN 16-28mm

91.5 Portrait Score
16-28mmf/2.8Sony EWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

A constant f/2.8 aperture across the 16-28mm zoom range pairs with a lightweight 450g build and weather-sealed construction, making it a standout ultrawide for full-frame Sony E-mount shooters. The internal focus and zoom design maintains the lens’s compact balance on a gimbal while accepting standard 72mm filters, a practical advantage for run-and-gun setups. This lens is best for real estate and architecture photographers who need a fast, portable wide-angle zoom that won't shift its center of gravity during video work.

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Sigma EX DG 24mm f/1.8 Aspherical Macro Large Aperture Wide Angle 24mm

71.6 Portrait Score
24mmf/1.8Nikon
Why we recommend this

The f/1.8 maximum aperture and 1:2.7 macro capability at an 18cm minimum focus distance set this lens apart, offering shallow depth of field and close-up detail in a 24mm wide-angle design. Its Dual Focus system enables seamless manual override, while two aspherical elements and multi-layer coatings combat distortion and flare. This lens is best for photographers needing a single, affordable prime for both environmental portraits and detailed close-up work on a full-frame Nikon body.

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Sigma 106306

64.8 Portrait Score
150mmf/2.8Nikon FIS
Why we recommend this

The 150mm focal length combined with f/2.8 aperture and optical stabilization offers a 4-stop advantage for sharp handheld macro work, while three SLD elements correct aberrations for high contrast at 1:1 magnification. Its splash-proof construction and flat-field front element make it equally capable for precise copy work and weather-resistant field use. This lens is best for Nikon SLR photographers who need a dual-purpose tool for life-size insect macro and flattering facial portraits with a comfortable working distance.

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Sigma APO DG OS HSM 737306 150-500mm

58.2 Portrait Score
150-500mmf/5Nikon FIS
Why we recommend this

Covering a 150-500mm focal length with 4-stop optical stabilization, this lens delivers handheld reach for full-frame Sony A-mount bodies. The HSM autofocus is quiet and responsive, while three ED elements with multi-layer coating help control aberrations at the variable f/5-6.3 aperture. It’s best suited for outdoor wildlife and sports enthusiasts needing an affordable super-telephoto zoom without sacrificing stabilization.

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Sigma 726306

52.3 Portrait Score
80-400mmf/4.5Nikon FIS
Why we recommend this

The constant f/4.5 aperture across the 80-400mm range, Optical Stabilization, and four SLD glass elements deliver sharp telephoto images with controlled chromatic aberration. Its Hyper Sonic Motor provides fast, quiet autofocus with full-time manual override, and the lens barrel remains a fixed length during zooming for easier handling. This lens suits Nikon F-mount shooters who need a single super-telephoto for distant wildlife and close-up detail without swapping optics.

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Best Lenses under $1,500 for portrait

Best Pick

Sigma Sports 740101 150-600mm

63.7 Portrait Score
150-600mmCanon EFISWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

A four FLD and one SLD element optical design suppresses chromatic aberration across the 150-600mm range, encased in a weather-sealed magnesium alloy barrel. The Hyper Sonic Motor delivers fast, silent focusing, while optical stabilization enables sharp handheld shots even at 600mm. Best for budget-conscious wildlife and sports photographers needing a rugged super-telephoto zoom that balances reach with cost.

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Best Lenses under $2,500 for portrait

Best Pick

Sigma Art 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM 14mm

64.5 Portrait Score
14mmf/1.8
Why we recommend this

Combining an ultra-wide 14mm perspective with a fast f/1.8 aperture, this prime lens uses FLD, SLD, and four aspherical elements to deliver high-resolution imagery with well-controlled distortion and chromatic aberrations. Its Art-line optical design prioritizes sharpness and rendering quality, making it a unique option for low-light wide-angle shooting. This lens is best for portrait photographers seeking an exaggerated, immersive perspective with shallow depth of field.

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Sigma Sports 70-200mm f/2.8 DG DN OS 70-200mm

63 Portrait Score
70-200mmf/2.8
Why we recommend this

The constant f/2.8 aperture and built-in Optical Stabilization deliver consistent low-light performance across the 70-200mm telephoto range. This Sony E-mount lens ships as a bundle with 77mm filters, a 32GB SD card, tripod, backpack, and cleaning kit for an all-in-one solution. It is best for portrait photographers needing a stabilized, fast telephoto zoom with a complete accessory package.

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Sigma 737101 150-500mm

47.4 Portrait Score
150-500mmf/5Canon EF
Why we recommend this

Its 150-500mm zoom range, 4-stop Optical Stabilizer, and Hyper Sonic Motor autofocus pair with three SLD elements to suppress chromatic aberration. The bundled tripod collar, case, and strap add practical value, while the rear focus system preserves sharpness across the zoom range. This lens is best for wildlife and sports photographers needing a stabilized 500mm reach on Canon EF-mount DSLRs.

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Premium Lenses for portrait

Best Pick

Sigma Sports 598969 600mm

49 Portrait Score
300-600mmf/22L-MountISWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Delivering the reach of a super-telephoto prime with the flexibility of a zoom, this lens maintains a constant f/4 aperture across its entire 300-600mm range, paired with an HLA-driven AF motor and 5.5-stop stabilization. Its weather-sealed magnesium alloy build and internal zoom mechanism ensure robust, balanced handling in demanding field conditions. This lens is best for wildlife and sports photographers who need uncompromising speed and optical quality without swapping fixed focal lengths.

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Sigma EX DG HSM APO 595110 300mm

47.1 Portrait Score
300-800mmf/5.6APO
Why we recommend this

Covering a 300-800mm range at a constant f/5.6, this lens uses two ELD elements and APO glass to minimize chromatic aberration across its full-frame image circle. Internal zooming and focusing maintain its physical length during operation, while the HSM motor provides quiet autofocus with full-time manual override. This optic is best for wildlife and field sports photographers who need extreme reach without changing lenses.

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Sigma AF Cine 28-45mm T2 Cine 45mm

32.7 Portrait Score
28-45mmT16L-Mount
Why we recommend this

The constant T2 aperture across its 28-45mm zoom range and integrated autofocus make it a flexible option for full-frame cine cameras. An 11-blade iris renders soft bokeh, and the 11.8-inch minimum focus distance delivers 1.4:1 magnification for close-up detail. It suits narrative and documentary shooters who need quick AF transitions and a compact wide-to-normal zoom without lens changes.

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