Best Camera Lens under $500

Choosing the right camera lens can be one of the most impactful upgrades you can make to your photography, and you don’t have to break the bank to get a fantastic one. A budget of $500 opens up a world of possibilities, from fast prime lenses that excel in low light to versatile zoom lenses that are perfect for travel.

We’ve scoured the market and researched the top-rated lenses to bring you a curated list of the five best camera lens under $500. Whether you’re a portrait photographer, a landscape enthusiast, or a vlogger, there’s a lens here for you.

1. The Nifty Fifty: Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM

The “nifty fifty” is a classic for a reason. This affordable prime lens is a must-have for any photographer looking to get into portraiture, street photography, or simply to take great photos in low light. Its wide f/1.8 aperture allows for beautiful background blur, also known as “bokeh,” which helps your subject stand out.

• Why we love it:
  • Incredible value: This is one of the most affordable lenses you can buy for the Canon RF system, offering professional-level results for a fraction of the cost.
  • Excellent for low light: The f/1.8 aperture lets in a ton of light, allowing you to shoot in dimly lit situations without a flash.
  • Compact and lightweight: It’s incredibly small and light, making it a perfect lens for everyday carry.
• Best for: Portrait photographers, street photographers, and anyone looking for a versatile, all-around prime lens on a budget.
• Drawbacks: It lacks weather sealing and can exhibit some chromatic aberration and vignetting when shooting wide open at f/1.8.

2. The Versatile Zoom: Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD

For photographers who need more flexibility than a single focal length can offer, a high-quality zoom lens is the answer. The Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 is a game-changer for APS-C mirrorless camera users. With a constant f/2.8 aperture throughout its zoom range, this lens performs exceptionally well in a variety of conditions.

• Why we love it:
  • Constant f/2.8 aperture: This is a rare and highly desirable feature for a zoom lens in this price range. It ensures consistent exposure and allows for great background blur at every focal length.
  • Excellent image quality: Reviews consistently praise its sharpness, especially in the center of the frame.
  • Optical image stabilization (VC): The built-in Vibration Compensation (VC) is a huge plus for handheld shooting, especially in low light or at the longer end of the zoom.
  • Weather-resistant construction: This adds an extra layer of durability and peace of mind when shooting outdoors.
• Best for: Travel, landscape, and event photographers who want a single, versatile lens that can handle a wide range of shooting scenarios.
• Drawbacks: It’s larger and heavier than most prime lenses, and can show some barrel distortion at the wide end.

3. The Low-Light Beast: Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary

If you’re into astrophotography, vlogging, or wide-angle street photography, the Sigma 16mm f/1.4 is a phenomenal choice. This lens is part of Sigma’s renowned Contemporary series, known for delivering exceptional optical performance at a competitive price.

• Why we love it:
  • Ultra-wide f/1.4 aperture: This is one of the fastest wide-angle lenses available for APS-C and Micro Four Thirds cameras. It’s fantastic for capturing sharp photos in extremely low light, and for creating a shallow depth of field.
  • Razor-sharp image quality: The lens is incredibly sharp even when shooting wide open at f/1.4.
  • Solid build quality: Despite being a “Contemporary” lens, it features a durable, metal-and-polycarbonate barrel and is dust and splash-resistant.
• Best for: Astrophotography, landscape photography, and video creators who need a fast, wide-angle lens.
• Drawbacks: It’s a bit larger and heavier than some other lenses in this category, and can show some distortion and chromatic aberration that is typically corrected in-camera.

4. The Mirrorless Standard: Nikon Z 50mm f/1.8 S

The Nikon Z 50mm f/1.8 S is a step above the traditional “nifty fifty” for Nikon’s mirrorless system. As part of Nikon’s “S-line” of lenses, it’s designed with a focus on superior optical quality. It’s a fantastic lens for portraits and general-purpose photography on full-frame Nikon Z cameras.

• Why we love it:
  • Outstanding sharpness: This lens delivers exceptional sharpness from corner to corner, even at its widest aperture.
  • Fast and quiet autofocus: The autofocus is quick, silent, and reliable for both stills and video.
  • Great bokeh: The f/1.8 aperture produces a smooth, pleasing background blur that makes subjects pop.
• Best for: Nikon Z full-frame camera owners who want a high-quality, sharp, and versatile prime lens for portraits and everyday shooting.
• Drawbacks: It is on the more expensive side of the “under $500” category and can be a bit larger and heavier than some F-mount alternatives.

5. The All-Around Performer: Sony FE 50mm f/1.8

For Sony full-frame E-mount users, the Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 is the perfect starting point. It’s the most affordable full-frame lens in the Sony lineup and provides a significant step up from your kit lens.

• Why we love it:
  • Price-to-performance ratio: It’s one of the best bargains in the Sony ecosystem, offering a fast aperture and solid image quality for a very low price.
  • Lightweight and compact: This lens is incredibly small and easy to carry, making it ideal for travel and everyday shooting.
  • Great for portraits: The 50mm focal length on a full-frame sensor is a classic choice for portraits, and the f/1.8 aperture creates beautiful background separation.
• Best for: Beginners and enthusiast photographers with a Sony full-frame camera who want to experiment with a fast prime lens.
• Drawbacks: The autofocus is known to be a bit slow and noisy compared to more expensive lenses, and it lacks in-lens stabilization.

Comparison Chart: Top Lenses Under $500

Lens	Best For	Camera Mount	Aperture	Focal Length	Key Feature
Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM	Portraits, Street	Canon RF	f/1.8	50mm	Excellent value, compact
Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8	Travel, Landscape	Sony E, Fuji X (APS-C)	f/2.8 (constant)	17-70mm	Versatile zoom, constant aperture
Sigma 16mm f/1.4	Astrophotography, Vlogging	Sony E, Fuji X, MFT	f/1.4	16mm	Extremely fast aperture, sharp
Nikon Z 50mm f/1.8 S	Portraits, General	Nikon Z (Full-Frame)	f/1.8	50mm	Outstanding optical quality
Sony FE 50mm f/1.8	Portraits, Beginners	Sony E (Full-Frame)	f/1.8	50mm	Most affordable full-frame prime

Conclusion

After a careful look at the best camera lenses under $500, it’s clear that you don’t need to empty your wallet to get a lens that will dramatically improve your photography. The lens that is “best” for you will ultimately depend on your specific camera system and the type of photography you want to do.

If you are a beginner looking to get your first fast prime lens for beautiful portraits and low-light shots, the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM or the Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 are incredible starting points that offer amazing value for their price.

For those who need a versatile lens that can handle a wide variety of subjects without a lens change, the Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 is an absolute standout. Its constant f/2.8 aperture and excellent image stabilization make it a workhorse for everything from landscapes to events.

Lastly, for the content creator or astrophotographer who needs a truly fast, wide-angle lens, the Sigma 16mm f/1.4 is an unbeatable option that delivers stunning sharpness and exceptional low-light performance.

No matter which lens you choose from this list, you’ll be getting a piece of gear that will unlock new creative possibilities and help you capture images that are a significant step up from what your kit lens can produce. Happy shooting!