Best Lenses under £400 for portrait

Best Pick

Sigma Art 28mm f/1.4 DG HSM

87.2 Portrait Score
28mm 1.4 Nikon F Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Combining an f/1.4 maximum aperture with 17 elements—including 3 aspherical and 5 ED glass—the lens delivers sharp, edge-to-edge clarity and strong contrast. Its weather-sealed barrel and HSM autofocus provide reliable, quiet performance in dusty or damp environments. It's best for landscape and street photographers who routinely shoot wide-open in low light and need a rugged, fast 28mm prime.

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Sigma Contemporary 20mm F2 DG

76.2 Portrait Score
20mm 2 Leica L-Mount
Why we recommend this

Weighing just 370g with a weather-sealed all-metal build, this 20mm f/2 prime delivers ultra-wide composition and fast aperture in a compact L-mount package. The STM autofocus enables smooth video pulls, while three aspherical and two ED elements minimize distortion and aberrations across the frame. Best for travel and landscape photographers who need a lightweight, durable wide-angle lens with decent low-light capability for handheld shooting.

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Sigma MC-11

49.6 Portrait Score
Sony E IS
Why we recommend this

The Sigma MC-11 enables Canon EF lenses to retain autofocus, image stabilization, and EXIF metadata when used on Sony E-mount cameras. Its firmware-updatable design and solid metal build ensure reliable performance with a broad selection of Sigma and Canon optics. This converter is best for portrait shooters adapting EF glass to E-mount and willing to trade macro precision for dependable autofocus at a budget-friendly price point.

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Best Lenses under £800 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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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 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN for L-Mount

57.3 Portrait Score
f/2.8 leica_l
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Best Lenses under £1,000 for portrait

Best Pick

Sigma Contemporary 20-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DG

72.3 Portrait Score
200mm f/3.5 L-Mount Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

With a 7.5-stop optical stabilizer and internal zoom maintaining a constant f/2.8 aperture, this telephoto lens delivers sharp resolution through 5 aspherical and 10 ED elements. Its click/declick aperture ring, snappy autofocus, and sealed 1315g body offer a practical, weather-resistant build without the mass of bulkier f/2.8 rivals. Ideal for sports and wedding shooters on Sony E-mount, it excels at fast action and portraits with smooth bokeh from an 11-blade diaphragm.

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Sigma Art 50mm f/1.4 DG DN

51.6 Portrait Score
50mm 16 Sony E Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its 14-element optical design with three aspherical elements and an f/1.4 aperture delivers sharp, aberration-free images with a fast, silent VCM autofocus motor and full weather sealing. The 11-blade rounded diaphragm produces smooth bokeh, and the bundled 72mm filter kit and case add practical value. This lens is best for portrait photographers and low-light shooters on Sony E-mount who need precise autofocus and rugged, weather-sealed build quality.

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Best Lenses under £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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Sigma Sports 70-200mm f/2.8 DG DN OS

86.1 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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Premium Lenses for portrait

Best Pick

Sigma Sports 300-600mm f/4 DG OS

70.3 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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