Best Lenses under CA$700 for portrait

Best Pick

Sigma Contemporary 15mm f/1.4 DC

94.3 Portrait Score
15mm 1.4 Sony E IS Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

The 15mm f/1.4 prime pairs its bright aperture with a 13-element optical design in a compact 221g body, providing a 22.5mm full-frame equivalent field of view. A stepping motor AF system delivers quiet, precise focus for video, complemented by a manual aperture ring for direct exposure control. This lens suits street and portrait shooters who need a low-light-capable ultra-wide perspective without the weight of bulkier options.

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Price CA$700
Sigma Contemporary 15mm f/1.4 DC lens

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Sigma Art 28mm f/1.4 DG HSM

88.4 Portrait Score
28mm f/1.4 Sony E Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.4 constant aperture and 17-element optical design with 5 ED and 3 aspherical elements produce crisp, low-light shots with suppressed chromatic aberration. A weather-sealed, splash-proof body pairs with a bundled kit including a 128GB card, filters, and flexible tripod for immediate field readiness. This lens is best for portrait and studio professionals needing a fast 28mm prime with robust build and precise depth-of-field control.

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Sigma DN 35S963

64.1 Portrait Score
60mm f/2.8 Micro Four Thirds
Why we recommend this

The 60mm f/2.8 prime delivers a 120mm-equivalent telephoto reach on Micro Four Thirds with a bright constant aperture and a 50cm close-focusing distance, all in a 190g body. Its silent linear AF motor and choice of silver or black finish suit discreet shooting and style, while the Art-series optics maintain sharpness edge to edge. Best for street photographers who want a lightweight, unobtrusive lens for tight candid portraits and detail shots.

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Sigma 8mm f/3.5 EX DG Circular Fisheye

55.4 Portrait Score
8mm f/3.5 Canon EF, Canon RF
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Sigma 485306

23.8 Portrait Score
8mm 22 Canon EF
Why we recommend this

Its 8mm focal length captures a full 180-degree circular image on full-frame sensors, with an f/3.5 aperture and one ED element maintaining sharpness across an 11-element, 6-group optical design. Close focusing to 5.3 inches yields a 1:4.6 magnification for dramatic near-subject distortion, while the rear gelatin filter holder and Super Multi-Layer coating enhance creative control and contrast. It’s best for photographers seeking extreme barrel distortion and exaggerated perspectives for creative compositions, as its low 24.6 portrait score confirms it’s ill-suited for conventional subjects.

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Best Lenses under CA$1,500 for portrait

Best Pick

Sigma Contemporary 16-300mm F3.5-6.7 DC OS

96 Portrait Score
16-300mm f/1.4 Sony E IS Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

The 16-300mm f/3.5-6.7 zoom and 1:2 maximum magnification combine with 6-stop stabilization and HLA autofocus for an all-in-one solution covering wide-angle to telephoto close-ups. At just 227g with weather-sealing, it stays portable for a superzoom. Travel and landscape photographers seeking a single do-it-all lens will appreciate its range, though dedicated wildlife action shooters will note its limitations.

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Price CA$960
Sigma Contemporary 16-300mm F3.5-6.7 DC OS lens

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Sigma Art 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM

95.4 Portrait Score
35mm f/1.8 Canon EF-S IS Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

The constant f/1.8 aperture across the 18-35mm zoom, with 4 aspherical and 5 ED elements, delivers prime-like sharpness and light gathering for APS-C sensors. At just 110g, it’s exceptionally light for a fast zoom, and the HSM autofocus offers silent, accurate tracking for video, while the 9-blade diaphragm yields smooth bokeh. This lens is ideal for APS-C videographers and street shooters who need a versatile standard zoom with shallow depth of field and reliable low-light performance.

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Sigma EX DC HSM 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM

75.9 Portrait Score
10-20mm f/3.5 Nikon F IS
Why we recommend this

A constant f/3.5 aperture and HSM autofocus with built-in Optical Stabilization ensure sharp, handheld ultra-wide shots across the 10–20mm zoom range. The Super Multi-Layer coating and four aspherical elements deliver edge-to-edge clarity, and the large 82mm filter thread simplifies using polarizers or ND filters. It’s best for Nikon APS-C shooters focusing on landscape and creative close-up work, thanks to a 24cm minimum focus distance that emphasizes foreground detail.

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Sigma DG OS 70-300mm F/4-5.6 DG OS SLD

68.4 Portrait Score
70-300mm f/4 Nikon F (FX) IS
Why we recommend this

A 1:2 macro mode at 300mm combined with three SLD glass elements and a 540g body make this telezoom a versatile, lightweight option for close-up reach. Its built-in motor ensures autofocus on all Nikon DSLRs, while the super multi-layer coating effectively cuts flare. Best for budget-minded Nikon shooters who want a single, portable lens to capture distant wildlife and detailed flower shots in daylight.

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Sigma EX DC 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC

63.7 Portrait Score
10-20mm f/4 Pentax
Why we recommend this

Three special low-dispersion glass elements and two aspherical lenses in the 10-20mm zoom produce sharp ultra-wide images with reduced color fringing and distortion. A multilayer coating minimizes flare, while the 24cm minimum focus distance and light 472g build offer versatile close-up framing. This lens suits Sony/Minolta APS-C DSLR shooters who need an affordable, wide perspective for landscapes and interiors.

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Sigma 18-125mm f/3.8-5.6 AF DC OS HSM

59.7 Portrait Score
18-125mm 5.6 Canon EF IS
Why we recommend this

Its 6.9x zoom range pairs with 4-stop optical stabilization and a near-silent HSM autofocus motor in a compact 450g body, making it a versatile all-in-one for APS-C Canon DSLRs. Despite its budget-friendly positioning, the lens delivers 1:3.8 maximum magnification for close-ups and uses special low dispersion and aspherical elements to control aberrations throughout the zoom range. Best suited for hobbyist photographers seeking a single, lightweight travel lens for everyday shooting on Canon APS-C bodies.

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Sigma DC 203101

56.8 Portrait Score
8-16mm f/4.5 Canon EF
Why we recommend this

An 8-16mm focal range delivers a 121° angle of view on APS-C sensors, with HSM autofocus and three aspherical elements with Super Multi-Layer Coating to minimize ghosting. Weighing just 555 grams, it remains highly portable for an ultra-wide zoom without compromising optical precision. This lens is best for architectural interiors and street shooters who need dramatic, distortion-free perspectives in tight spaces.

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Sigma EX DC OS HSM 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM

42 Portrait Score
17-50mm 22 Nikon F IS
Why we recommend this

A constant f/2.8 aperture and 4-stop optical stabilization anchor this zoom, with FLD glass delivering fluorite-level chromatic aberration correction for sharp, high-contrast images. Its 28cm minimum focus distance and 1:5 magnification enable near-macro versatility, and the EX-series build includes a petal hood and padded case. Best for APS-C Nikon DSLR shooters wanting a fast, stabilized standard zoom for event work and detail-rich portraits.

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Sigma DG Contemporary 65mm f/2

40.1 Portrait Score
65mm 22 L-Mount Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

A unique 65mm focal length and bright f/2 aperture define this compact prime, packing 12 elements with 2 aspherical and 1 ED element into a weather-sealed, all-metal barrel at just 405g. Its knurled focus and aperture rings enable precise tactile control, while the 9-blade diaphragm yields smooth, rounded bokeh for subject isolation. Best for street photographers and environmental portrait shooters seeking a lightweight, weather-resistant L-Mount lens with a distinctive, versatile field of view.

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Sigma DG Contemporary 65mm f/2 lens
Price CA$1,060

Best Lenses under CA$2,000 for portrait

Best Pick

Sigma Art 28-45MM F1.8 DG DN

92.3 Portrait Score
28-45mm f/1.8 Sony E-Mount, Sony E-Mount, Sony E-Mount, Sony E-Mount, Sony E-M Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Delivering prime-level sharpness with a constant f/1.8 aperture across its 28-45mm zoom range, this lens effectively replaces multiple fast primes in a single, weather-sealed body. Its 11-blade diaphragm and advanced coatings produce exceptionally smooth bokeh and flare resistance, rivaling dedicated portrait optics. This is best for portrait and wedding photographers who need rapid focal length flexibility without sacrificing the shallow depth of field or light gathering of an f/1.4 prime.

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Price CA$1,849
Sigma Art 28-45MM F1.8 DG DN lens

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Sigma EX DG 15mm f/2.8 EX DG Diagonal Fisheye

57.4 Portrait Score
15mm f/2.8 Canon EF
Why we recommend this

This 15mm f/2.8 diagonal fisheye delivers a 180-degree field of view with full-frame coverage and autofocus, capturing extreme distortion on Nikon F-mount bodies. Its 5.9-inch minimum focus distance and 1:3.8 magnification ratio enable dramatic, exaggerated close-ups that standard wides cannot match. It best suits creative portrait and macro shooters seeking deliberate distortion, but landscape work is strongly hindered by its 22.3/100 score.

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Best Lenses under CA$3,500 for portrait

Best Pick

Sigma Art 50mm F1.2 DG DN

88.8 Portrait Score
50mm f/1.2 Sony E-Mount, Sony E-Mount, Sony E-Mount, Sony E-Mount, Sony E-M Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Weighing just 726g, it is the lightest f/1.2 autofocus lens in its class, delivering exceptional low-light performance and depth-of-field control through a 13-blade diaphragm. Its dual HLA motors provide fast, quiet autofocus in a weather-sealed, compact body that belies its bright aperture. This lens is best for portrait photographers who need razor-sharp subject isolation and reliable handheld handling during extended shoots.

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Sigma Sports 70-200mm f/2.8 DG DN OS

86.3 Portrait Score
70-200mm f/2.8 leica_l IS Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

The Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG DN OS Sports combines a constant f/2.8 aperture with dual HLA motors for fast autofocus and up to 7.5 stops of stabilization via the OS2 algorithm. Its weather-sealed build and Super Multi-Layer Coating with water- and oil-repellent layers ensure reliable outdoor performance without sacrificing portability at just 212g. Best for landscape and travel photographers who need a lightweight telephoto zoom with excellent stabilization for handheld shooting in variable conditions.

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Sigma Sports 70-200mm f/2.8 DG DN OS lens
Price CA$2,080

Premium Lenses for portrait

Best Pick

Sigma Sports 300-600mm f/4 DG OS

70.6 Portrait Score
600mm f/4 Sony E IS
Why we recommend this

Offering a constant f/4 aperture across its 300-600mm zoom range, this lens pairs an HLA-driven autofocus motor with 5.5-stop optical stabilization for sharp results at long reach. Its weather-sealed magnesium alloy construction and internal zoom design provide durability and handling in demanding field conditions. Sports and wildlife photographers seeking a single, fast telephoto solution to replace multiple primes will find it most useful.

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Price CA$8,948
Sigma Sports 300-600mm f/4 DG OS lens

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Sigma Contemporary ZB954

66.4 Portrait Score
150-600mm 6.3 Canon EF IS Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

A 150-600mm zoom range paired with one FLD and three SLD elements delivers sharp, aberration-free images, while the Hyper Sonic Motor enables fast, silent autofocus. Its weather-sealed construction and included tripod collar provide rugged reliability for extended field use, with full-frame coverage ensuring consistent edge-to-edge clarity. This lens is best for wildlife and sports photographers who need long reach and quick, quiet focusing to capture fast, distant subjects.

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Sigma Art 14mm f/1.4 DG Art

51.8 Portrait Score
14mm 16 Sony E Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its ultra-wide 14mm field of view and bright f/1.4 aperture, driven by an HLA motor, deliver extremely sharp astrophotography with minimal coma. A dedicated TS-141 tripod socket and full weather sealing provide stable, rugged operation, complemented by an 11-blade diaphragm for refined sunstars. This lens is best for astrophotographers and landscape shooters who demand a fast, ultra-wide prime with robust build quality.

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Sigma Cine 28-105mm T3 FF Cine

35.3 Portrait Score
28-105mm T22 L-Mount
Why we recommend this

Constant T3 aperture across the 28-105mm zoom range and a 12-blade iris maintain exposure and soft bokeh, while the AF/MF switch brings rare autofocus to a cine lens. The 1300g build and 15.7-inch minimum focus distance offer versatile close-framing without heavy rigging, though it skips weather sealing. Best for indie filmmakers and solo shooters who need a single full-frame zoom with AF for handheld documentary or event work.

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Sigma AF Cine 28-45mm T2

28.6 Portrait Score
28-45mm T16 L-Mount
Why we recommend this

The constant T2 aperture across its 28-45mm zoom range and integrated autofocus make it a flexible option for full-frame cine cameras. An 11-blade iris renders soft bokeh, and the 11.8-inch minimum focus distance delivers 1.4:1 magnification for close-up detail. It suits narrative and documentary shooters who need quick AF transitions and a compact wide-to-normal zoom without lens changes.

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