Are you wondering what is the best camera lens for portraits?
Having the right camera for portrait photography is not enough. You also need an appropriate camera lens.
Having a specialized lens will ensure you can capture breathtaking portraits and potentially grow and promote your business. If you’re looking for the best lens for portraits, you are in the right place!
Related: The Best Camera for Portraits
Best Lens for Portraits: Our Winner
Best Lens for Portraits: Comparison Table
Characteristics of The Best Lens for Portraits
There are a few characteristics to look out for the best camera lenses for portraits.
Depth of Field: A tight depth of field is crucial for portrait photography. It ensures that the background is blurred out and the subject really stands out in the photograph. Lenses with a higher maximum aperture rating will allow for a more shallow depth of field.
Focal Length: The focal length is one of the most important aspects of a portrait lens. A telephoto lens refers to one that is anywhere between 70mm and 200mm. Telephoto lenses are preferred since they offer a comfortable distance between the photographer and subject, while still being close enough to give direction and engage with the subject.
Lens Type: The two popular types of lenses used are zoom and prime lenses. Zoom lenses, as the name suggests, are those that have varying focal lengths. As a result, they can be used for various purposes. It is recommended that beginners invest in zoom lenses to understand what focal length they are comfortable with. A prime lens, however, will offer a higher quality of photographs and are significantly superior to zoom lenses. The downsides are that they are more expensive and less versatile, meaning you will have to carry more of them around with you.
The Best Lens for Portraits: Our Top 10
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
Main features of the Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM:
- 8 LEns Elements in 6 Groups with a Filter Size of 77mm
- Two High Refraction Lens Elements along with Gaussian Optics Present
- f/1.4 Aperture is suitable for Low Light Photography and Shallow Depth of Field
- Ultrasonic Autofocus Motor is smooth, quick, and nearly silent
Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS
Main features of Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS:
- 14 Lens Elements in 10 Groups
- Molded Glass Aspherical Lens with Air Sphere Coating technology for Reduced Flare from Reflected Light
- 4* Stops of Shake Correction Image Stabilization
- Dust and Water Resistant
- Minimum Focusing Distance of 85cm/ 33.5in for Close Operation to Subject
- High-Speed Auto Focus using Ultrasonic Motor
Canon 70 – 200mm f/2.8L IS II USM
Main features of Canon f/2.8 IS II USM:
- 23 Lens Elements in 19 Groups with 1 Fluorite and 5 UD Element
- 77mm Filter Size with Compatible Extenders
- Range of 34-Degrees to 12-Degrees Diagonal Angle of View
- High-Speed Auto Focus with Ultrasonic Motor
- Dust, Water, and Smudge Resistant
- Minimum Focusing Distance of 45 inches
Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art
Main features of Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art:
- Hypersonic Motor for excellent Auto Focus Control
- Special Low Dispersion Glass Elements Minimize Chromatic Aberrations
- 14 Lens Elements in 12 Groups
- 9 Aperture Blades For Pleasant Bokeh Effect
- Super Multi-Layer Compensation System Eliminates Ghosting and Reflections for Sharp and High Contrast Images
Sony FE 85mm f/1.8
Main features of Sony FE 85mm f/1.8:
- Double Linear Motor System for Precise, Fast, and Silent Focusing
- Minimum Focus Distance of 31.5 inches or 0.8 meters
- Maximum Magnification Ratio of 0.13
- 29-degree Angle of View
- Circular 9-Blade Aperture for Perfect De-focused Bokeh
- ED Glass for Reduced Chromatic Aberration Resulting in Superior Contrast and Sharpness
Sony 55mm f/1.8 ZA
Main features of Sony 55mm f/1.8 ZA:
- 7 Lens Elements in 5 Groups
- Carl Zeiss T Star Coating for High Contrast and Sharpness
- 14x Magnification
- Max Aperture of 22, and min of 1.8
- Battery Life of 650 shots with LCD Screen, and 530 Shots with Viewfinder
- Minimum Focus Distance of 19.7 inches or 0.5 meters
Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S
Main features of Nikon Z 85, f/1.8 S are:
- Two ED Glass Elements and Nano Crystal Coating
- Dual Synchronized Auto Focus Drives
- Minimum Focus Distance of 31.5 inches or 0.8 meters
- Customization Control Ring
- 9-Blade Diaphragm for Circular Bokeh
- Drip and Dust Resistant
Nikon AF-S 85mm f/1.8G
Main features of the Nikon AF-S 85mm f/1.8G:
- Silent Wave Motor For Auto Focus
- Minimum Focus Range of 0.8 meters or 31.5 inches
- Maximum Reproduction Ratio of 0.12x
- 7-Blade Diaphragm for Round Bokeh
Tamron SP 85mm f/1.8 Di VC USD
Main features of Tamron SP 85mm f/1.8 Di VC USD:
- Unique Diaphragm System Electromagnetically Controlled
- 13 Lens Elements in 9 Groups
- Patented Vibration Compensation System
- Ultra-Fast and Precise Auto Focus
- Minimum Focus Range of 31.5 inches or 0.8 meters
- Maximum Magnification Ratio of 7.2
Nikon AF-S 105mm f/1.4E ED
Main features of Nikon AF-S 105mm f/1.4E ED:
- 14 Lens Elements in 9 Groups, including 3 RD Elements and Nano Crystal Coated Element
- Minimum Focusing Distance of 39 inches or 1 meter
- Maximum Angle of View FX Format (23-Degrees) and DX Format (15-Degrees)
- Circular 9-Blade Diaphragm for Bokeh
- Maximum Reproduction Ratio of 0.13x
Conclusion
Now that you know the best portrait lens on the market, you are all set to take your portrait photography to the next level!
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Stefano Caioni is a photographer from Sydney, Australia. Founder and editor of Pixinfocus, his passion for photography helps him explore new places and live new adventures. Thanks to photography he reconnected with the outdoors and was able to travel the world and take photos of some of the most beautiful places on Earth.