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10 Best Camera Lenses 2025 in the United States

#9
Canon EF-S
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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Samyang 24mm F1.8 AF Compact Full Frame Wide Angle for Sony E, Black (SYIO2418-E)

Rating
9.9
Chosen by1,230
Aperture
Autofocus
Lens Elements and Coatings

Most important from
147 reviews

Aperture
Its low-light performance and subject isolation at f/1.8 are stellar, offering crisp images even in challenging lighting conditions.
Autofocus
The lens delivers outstanding sharpness and excellent autofocus that rivals more expensive options, making it a standout wide-angle prime in its price range.
Lens Elements and Coatings
Distortion is well controlled, improving image quality compared to similar wide-angle lenses.
Weight and Size
Lightweight and well-balanced on Sony full-frame bodies, the lens feels comfortable for everyday use and travel.
Prime vs. Zoom Lenses
The lens’s sharpness and image quality can make zoom lenses feel less satisfying, encouraging a move towards prime lenses for better resolution.

The Samyang 24mm F1.8 AF lens is a solid choice if you're looking for a wide-angle lens for your Sony E-mount full-frame camera. Its 24mm focal length gives you a broad 83.7° view, which is great for landscapes, travel, and even astrophotography, especially with its dedicated night sky mode. The bright F1.8 aperture is a major plus because it lets in plenty of light, helping you shoot clearer photos in darker settings and create smooth background blur (bokeh) with its 9 rounded blades—perfect for artistic portraits or creative shots.

The autofocus is driven by a quiet and fast STM motor, making it suitable not only for still photos but also for video recording without distracting noise. While the lens doesn’t have built-in image stabilization, its lightweight (about 1 pound) and compact design make it easy to carry around and handle. It also features weather sealing in key areas, so it can withstand light rain or dust, which is handy for outdoor shoots. Customizable controls like the focus-hold button and adjustable ring add flexibility if you want to personalize your shooting experience.

Since this is a prime lens, you won’t be able to zoom in or out. If you want versatility in framing your shots without changing lenses, a zoom lens might be better. Although sharpness and build quality are generally praised, it isn’t considered a top-of-the-line professional lens, but it offers excellent value for enthusiasts and hobbyists looking to enhance their wide-angle photography.

Rating
9.9
Chosen by1,230
Aperture
Autofocus
Lens Elements and Coatings

Most important from
147 reviews

Aperture
Its low-light performance and subject isolation at f/1.8 are stellar, offering crisp images even in challenging lighting conditions.
Autofocus
The lens delivers outstanding sharpness and excellent autofocus that rivals more expensive options, making it a standout wide-angle prime in its price range.
Lens Elements and Coatings
Distortion is well controlled, improving image quality compared to similar wide-angle lenses.
Weight and Size
Lightweight and well-balanced on Sony full-frame bodies, the lens feels comfortable for everyday use and travel.
Prime vs. Zoom Lenses
The lens’s sharpness and image quality can make zoom lenses feel less satisfying, encouraging a move towards prime lenses for better resolution.
#2

Samyang AF 12mm F2 RF-S Ultra-Wide Angle Prime Lens for Canon RF-S Mount Cameras

Rating
9.8
Focal Length
Autofocus
Weight and Size

Most important from
170 reviews

Focal Length
The lens delivers outstanding image quality, making it an excellent choice for APS-C shooters, especially in real estate and wide-angle photography.
Autofocus
Autofocus works well overall but can exhibit some hunting, especially in low-light conditions, where manual focus might be preferable.
Weight and Size
Despite a plastic construction, the build feels solid and lightweight, making it comfortable to carry during extended shoots or travel.

The Samyang 12mm F2.0 AF lens is a compact and lightweight prime lens designed specifically for Canon RF-S mount APS-C cameras. Its ultra-wide 12mm focal length covers a broad 99.1° angle, making it excellent for capturing expansive landscapes, architecture, and night skies with immersive detail. The bright f/2.0 aperture is a standout feature, allowing more light to enter the lens, which helps in low-light situations like indoor shooting or astrophotography, while also enabling some background blur for creative effects.

Optically, this lens includes special elements and coatings to reduce common issues like distortion and color fringing, which are important in ultra-wide lenses. Its 7-blade aperture also contributes to smooth bokeh and attractive starburst effects on bright lights. Autofocus is driven by a linear STM motor, offering quick, quiet, and smooth focusing that suits both photography and video well.

Weighing only 7.5 ounces and measuring just over 2 inches, this lens is very portable and weather-sealed, making it a reliable companion for travel or outdoor shoots. As a prime lens, it doesn’t offer zoom flexibility, so you’ll need to move physically to frame your shots. It’s built for APS-C sensor cameras with Canon RF-S mount and is not compatible with full-frame cameras without cropping. This lens is ideal for photographers seeking a high-quality ultra-wide prime for travel, architecture, night photography, or creative wide-angle shots with good low-light ability, balancing sharp optics, a fast aperture, and solid build in a compact package.

Rating
9.8
Focal Length
Autofocus
Weight and Size

Most important from
170 reviews

Focal Length
The lens delivers outstanding image quality, making it an excellent choice for APS-C shooters, especially in real estate and wide-angle photography.
Autofocus
Autofocus works well overall but can exhibit some hunting, especially in low-light conditions, where manual focus might be preferable.
Weight and Size
Despite a plastic construction, the build feels solid and lightweight, making it comfortable to carry during extended shoots or travel.
#3

Samyang SYIO18AF-E AF 18mm F2.8 Wide Angle auto Focus Full Frame Lens for Sony E Mount, Black

Rating
9.7
Weight and Size
Autofocus
Lens Elements and Coatings

Most important from
246 reviews

Weight and Size
Extremely lightweight and compact, making it easy to carry compared to heavier wide-angle lenses.
Autofocus
Autofocus is quick, accurate, and quiet, suitable for both still photography and video.
Lens Elements and Coatings
Delivers sharp images with low distortion and well-controlled coma, especially impressive for astrophotography and landscapes.
Aperture
Image quality excels at apertures f/4 and above, with very sharp center performance at f/2.8 despite slight softness in the corners.
Image Stabilization
No image stabilization means handheld low-light shooting may be difficult unless the camera body compensates.

The Samyang AF 18mm F2.8 lens is a lightweight and compact wide angle lens designed specifically for Sony E mount full frame and APS-C cameras. Its ultra-wide 18mm focal length offers a broad view, making it great for landscapes, architecture, or interior photography. The aperture range of f/2.8 to f/22 allows decent low-light performance and some control over depth of field, though it’s not the brightest lens available.

It features quiet and reliable autofocus with a stepping motor (STM), which is helpful for both stills and video without distracting noise. The lens is built with a durable metal mount and strengthened glass, ensuring it can handle regular use. Weighing just over 5 ounces and measuring around 2.5 inches, it is very portable and easy to carry around. However, this lens does not have image stabilization, so handheld shots in low light might be more challenging unless your camera body offers stabilization.

The 58mm filter thread is a useful size for adding filters like polarizers or ND filters. While it’s a prime lens, meaning it has a fixed focal length, this allows it to deliver sharp, high-resolution images but without the flexibility of zoom. This lens suits photographers who want an affordable, quality wide angle option for their Sony cameras, especially if portability and image sharpness are priorities. It may be less ideal for those needing image stabilization or zoom versatility.

Rating
9.7
Weight and Size
Autofocus
Lens Elements and Coatings

Most important from
246 reviews

Weight and Size
Extremely lightweight and compact, making it easy to carry compared to heavier wide-angle lenses.
Autofocus
Autofocus is quick, accurate, and quiet, suitable for both still photography and video.
Lens Elements and Coatings
Delivers sharp images with low distortion and well-controlled coma, especially impressive for astrophotography and landscapes.
Aperture
Image quality excels at apertures f/4 and above, with very sharp center performance at f/2.8 despite slight softness in the corners.
Image Stabilization
No image stabilization means handheld low-light shooting may be difficult unless the camera body compensates.

Buying Guide for the Best Camera Lenses

Choosing the right camera lens can significantly impact the quality of your photos and your overall photography experience. The right lens depends on what you plan to shoot, your camera type, and your personal preferences. Understanding the key specifications of camera lenses will help you make an informed decision and ensure you get the best lens for your needs.
Focal LengthFocal length is the distance between the lens and the image sensor when the subject is in focus. It is usually measured in millimeters (mm) and determines the lens's field of view. A shorter focal length (e.g., 18mm) offers a wider angle of view, ideal for landscapes and architecture. A longer focal length (e.g., 200mm) provides a narrower field of view, suitable for wildlife and sports photography. Choose a focal length based on the type of photography you are interested in.
ApertureAperture refers to the opening in a lens through which light passes to enter the camera. It is expressed as an f-number (e.g., f/1.8). A lower f-number means a larger aperture, allowing more light to hit the sensor, which is great for low-light conditions and achieving a shallow depth of field (blurry background). Higher f-numbers mean smaller apertures, suitable for well-lit conditions and greater depth of field. Consider your shooting environment and desired depth of field when choosing the aperture.
Lens MountThe lens mount is the interface between the camera body and the lens. Different camera brands and models have different mounts, so it's crucial to ensure compatibility. For example, a lens designed for a Canon camera won't fit a Nikon camera. Check your camera's specifications to determine the compatible lens mount and choose accordingly.
Image StabilizationImage stabilization (IS) helps reduce the blur caused by camera shake, especially at slower shutter speeds or longer focal lengths. This feature is particularly useful for handheld shooting in low light or when using telephoto lenses. If you often shoot in such conditions, look for lenses with built-in image stabilization.
AutofocusAutofocus (AF) is the lens's ability to automatically focus on the subject. Fast and accurate autofocus is essential for capturing sharp images, especially in action or wildlife photography. Some lenses offer advanced AF systems with multiple focus points and tracking capabilities. Consider your need for speed and precision when evaluating autofocus performance.
Lens Elements and CoatingsLens elements and coatings are designed to reduce optical imperfections like chromatic aberration, flare, and ghosting. High-quality lenses often have multiple elements and special coatings to enhance image clarity and color accuracy. If you prioritize image quality, look for lenses with advanced optical designs and coatings.
Weight and SizeThe weight and size of a lens can affect your comfort and mobility, especially during long shooting sessions or travel. Larger, heavier lenses may offer better performance but can be cumbersome to carry. Consider how often you'll be carrying the lens and your comfort level when choosing the size and weight.
Prime vs. Zoom LensesPrime lenses have a fixed focal length, offering superior image quality, wider apertures, and lighter weight. Zoom lenses offer variable focal lengths, providing versatility and convenience. If you need flexibility and convenience, a zoom lens might be the best choice. If you prioritize image quality and low-light performance, consider a prime lens.

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