10 Best Camera Lenses 2025 in the United States

The Canon RF24-70mm F2.8 L IS USM Lens is a versatile standard zoom lens, ideal for a range of photography styles including landscapes, portraits, and general purpose shooting. Its focal length of 24-70mm allows for flexibility from wide-angle to portrait shots, making it suitable for various scenarios. The bright f/2.8 aperture is great for low-light conditions and achieving a shallow depth of field.

This lens is compatible with Canon EOS R series mirrorless cameras, ensuring seamless integration with your existing setup if you own one of these models. The optical image stabilization of up to 5 stops helps reduce camera shake, useful for handheld shooting or in less stable conditions. Autofocus is smooth, fast, and quiet thanks to the Nano USM technology, ensuring your pictures are sharp and accurately focused.

The control ring offers convenient access to adjust settings without fumbling through menus. With a minimum focusing distance of 0.69 ft (0.21M) at wide and 1.25 ft (0.38M) at telephoto, you can get close to your subjects for detailed shots. However, at 1.98 pounds, the lens is relatively heavy, which might be a drawback for extended use or travel. The dimensions of 3.5 x 3.5 x 4.9 inches are fairly compact for a zoom lens of this capability, though it is not the smallest option available. If you are looking for a high-quality, versatile zoom lens for your Canon mirrorless camera, this model is a strong contender, though its weight might be a consideration if portability is a priority.

The Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Art lens is a versatile zoom lens designed for Canon EF mount cameras, making it suitable for professional photographers who need flexibility across a range of shooting scenarios like news and nature photography. Its 24-70mm focal length covers wide to short telephoto perspectives, which is great for capturing landscapes, portraits, and events. The constant f/2.8 aperture is quite bright, allowing for good performance in lower light and enabling a shallow depth of field for creative background blur. Image Stabilization (OS) helps reduce blur from camera shake, especially useful in handheld shooting at slower shutter speeds. Autofocus is driven by a modern HSM motor, providing fast and quiet focusing, which is important for capturing moving subjects or shooting video.

The lens is constructed with 19 elements in 14 groups, offering good image quality and sharpness, and the barrel is designed for durability and rigidity. On the downside, the lens is relatively heavy at around 2 pounds and somewhat bulky, which might be tiring for long handheld use. Also, while it performs well, it is not the newest model in Sigma’s lineup, so there may be newer lenses with enhanced features or lighter builds.

Photographers deciding between prime or zoom lenses will find this zoom covers a broad focal range, making it a convenient all-in-one option without needing to change lenses often. This lens suits those looking for a solid, professional-grade zoom lens with reliable performance and image stabilization, though users prioritizing compactness might find it a bit heavy.

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.