Best Lenses under $500 for street photography

Best Pick

Canon EF 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM

81.6 Street Score
10-18mmf/4.5Canon EF-SIS
Why we recommend this

Combining an ultra-wide 16-29mm full-frame equivalent range with built-in optical stabilization, this compact zoom excels at handheld landscape and interior shots despite its variable f/4.5-6.3 aperture. The bundled kit adds practical value with a 64GB SD card, filter kit, and flexible tripod for immediate shooting out of the box. This lens is best for APS-C Canon RF shooters who need an affordable, lightweight wide-angle for travel vlogging and architectural photography.

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Canon EF-M EF-M22mm F2 STM 6-55mm

79.8 Street Score
6-55mmf/2.8Canon EF-M
Why we recommend this ▼

The 22mm f/2 aperture on an APS-C sensor delivers a 35mm equivalent field of view with a bright constant aperture for low-light shooting, all in a 104g body. Its STM autofocus is quiet and smooth, making it a discreet option for video and candid work, while the 150mm minimum focus distance allows for close-up detail shots. This lens is best for street photographers and everyday shooters who want a pocketable, budget-friendly prime for an EF-M camera.

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

79.8 Street 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 lens
Price $194

Canon CAN3580M3EF-OB 35-80mm

58 Street 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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Canon RF 9521B002 24-105mm

50.6 Street Score
24-105mmf/40Canon EFIS
Why we recommend this ▼

The STM motor delivers smooth, near-silent autofocus for video, while the 4-stop image stabilizer keeps handheld shots steady across the 24–105mm range. Weighing just 525g, it’s among the lightest full-frame zooms, with manual focus override and optimized coatings that enhance contrast. Best for budget-conscious hybrid shooters who prioritize a portable, stabilized zoom for landscapes, travel, and video, but don’t need wide-aperture isolation for portraits.

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Canon RF 9521B002 24-105mm lens
Price $406

Best Lenses under $1,000 for street photography

Best Pick

Canon EF-M 55-200mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM

83.6 Street Score
55-200mmf/6.3Canon EF-MIS
Why we recommend this

Weighing just 260g, this 55-200mm f/4.5-6.3 zoom provides an 88-320mm equivalent reach with 3.5-stop optical stabilization in a package that won't unbalance compact EOS M bodies. Its STM motor delivers near-silent, smooth autofocus ideal for video, while the inclusion of one UD and one aspherical element controls fringing for sharp results. This lens is best for EOS M system travelers and hobbyist wildlife shooters who prioritize a lightweight telephoto option over outright speed.

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Price $630
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Also available open box & refurbished:
Canon EF-M 55-200mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM lens

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Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM

64.8 Street 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 L EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM 24-70mm

56.1 Street 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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Also available at:
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Canon Laowa Venus Laowa 12-24mm f/5.6 Zoom Shift CF

50.8 Street 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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Best Lenses under $1,500 for street photography

Best Pick

Canon L EF 135mm f/2L USM 135mm

72.1 Street Score
135mmf/2Canon EFIS
Why we recommend this

The fast f/2 aperture combined with two ultra-low dispersion elements delivers sharp subject isolation and suppressed chromatic aberration, making it a classic portrait lens. Its ring-type USM autofocus is quick and reliable, while the relatively compact, lightweight build at 71g defies typical telephoto expectations. This lens is best for portrait and street photographers who prioritize a bright aperture and beautiful bokeh over modern features like image stabilization.

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Price $1,290
Canon L EF 135mm f/2L USM 135mm lens

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Canon L-series EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM

57.9 Street Score
16-35mmf/22Canon EFWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this ▼

A revamped optical design with three aspherical and two UD elements delivers high sharpness and clarity across the full-frame image circle. Its constant f/2.8 aperture and robust weather-sealed L-series build provide reliable performance in challenging conditions, while SWC and ASC coatings effectively suppress flare. This lens is best for landscape and architecture photographers who demand edge-to-edge sharpness at ultra-wide angles.

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Best Lenses under $2,500 for street photography

Best Pick

Canon L EF 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USM

75.3 Street Score
28-300mmf/28Canon EFISWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L zoom range and L-series build provide a wide 10.7x versatility with fast ultrasonic AF. Two-mode optical image stabilization steadies handheld telephoto shots, while a focus range limiter and manual override add precision. Landscape shooters who need one rugged lens to cover wide to telephoto will benefit, though the 1,678g weight and portrait score of 25.6 limit its all-around use.

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

56.4 Street 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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Premium Lenses for street photography

Best Pick

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

72.8 Street 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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