Best Lenses under £400 for portrait

Best Pick

Sony E PZ E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS

75 Portrait Score
16-50mm f/3.5 Sony E IS Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Weighing just 57g with a retractable design, this lens combines OSS stabilization and power zoom for smooth, silent autofocus—ideal for video on Sony APS-C bodies. Its compact 16-50mm range and 4 aspherical elements deliver respectable sharpness for the size, though the f/3.5-5.6 aperture limits low-light capability. Best for casual shooters and travel vloggers who need a lens that slips into a pocket without weighing down a compact E-mount kit.

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Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS

67.3 Portrait Score
16-50mm f/3.5 Sony (E mount for NEX)
Why we recommend this

A compact 16-50mm power zoom for Sony E-mount pairs ED and aspherical elements with built-in Optical SteadyShot stabilization, collapsing to just 29.9mm and weighing only 198g. The quiet power zoom motor and 30cm minimum focus deliver smooth, near-silent pulls ideal for video, while its retractable design makes it an effortlessly portable everyday lens. This is best for vloggers and hybrid shooters who need stable handheld footage and smooth zoom control over ultimate landscape sharpness.

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Sony NEEWER 40.5mm HD Wide Angle

60.4 Portrait Score
18mm Sony E IS
Why we recommend this

Its 2-in-1 design converts from an 18mm wide-angle with an 84° field of view to a 10x macro lens achieving 1.7x magnification, all in a 70g anodized aluminum body. Multi-coated two-element optics suppress glare and chromatic aberration, and the front 52mm thread accepts filters for extra control. This lens is best for budget-conscious macro shooters on Sony ZV-1F or ZV-E10 cameras who need lightweight, detailed close-ups for jewelry or product photography.

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Best Lenses under £800 for portrait

Best Pick

Sony SEL11F18

89.3 Portrait Score
11mm 1.8 Sony E Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Delivering an 11mm f/1.8 ultra-wide perspective in a weather-sealed, 184g body, this Sony E-mount prime excels with its linear AF motor and constant bright aperture. The compact build, 55mm filter thread, and optical design with three aspherical and three ED elements ensure sharp corner-to-corner performance with minimal aberrations. It’s best suited for street photographers and vloggers who require a wide, fast lens with silent autofocus for video.

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Sony FE 40mm f/2.5 G

78.6 Portrait Score
40mm f/2.5 Sony E Mount Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

The 40mm focal length paired with a bright f/2.5 aperture and three aspherical elements delivers sharp, corner-to-corner resolution in a 176g body. Its compact, weather-sealed build and fast, precise autofocus make it a discreet, durable travel companion that doesn't sacrifice optical performance. This lens is best for street and travel photographers who want a lightweight, full-frame prime with a natural perspective and reliable low-light capability.

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Sony G SEL24105G

50.8 Portrait Score
24-105mm 22 Sony E IS Weather Sealed
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Best Lenses under £1,000 for portrait

Best Pick

Sony FE SEL2450G

54 Portrait Score
24-50mm 22 Sony E Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

The constant f/2.8 aperture across 24-50mm and an optical stack with four aspherical and two ED elements deliver G Lens sharpness in a 2.9-inch-long body, while dual linear motors drive fast, quiet autofocus. It achieves 0.33x maximum magnification at 24mm in manual focus, offering close-up versatility rarely found in a compact standard zoom. This lens is best for Sony E-mount portrait photographers who need a lightweight, all-purpose f/2.8 zoom for everyday shooting and travel.

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Sony G SEL70300G

38.5 Portrait Score
70-300mm 29 Sony E IS Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

This 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 telezoom stands out with its linear motor AF, 2 ED elements, and Nano AR Coating delivering reliable sharpness, all within a dust- and moisture-resistant construction. Optical SteadyShot image stabilization enables sharp handheld shots at 300mm, while the 9-blade circular diaphragm renders smooth bokeh for portraits. Best for outdoor and wildlife photographers who need a portable 854g telephoto lens that balances reach, stabilization, and robust build quality.

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Best Lenses under £2,000 for portrait

Best Pick

Sony G Master SEL24F14GM

95.1 Portrait Score
24mm 1.4 Sony E Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

The f/1.4 aperture and two XA elements deliver outstanding resolution and smooth bokeh, paired with a silent, precise Direct Drive SSM autofocus system. Its weather-sealed, ultra-light 54g build ensures comfortable, discreet all-day use without sacrificing durability. This lens is ideal for street photographers (scored 100/100) and portrait shooters who need a bright, wide-angle prime with beautiful defocus effects.

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Sony G SELP28135G

73.6 Portrait Score
28-135mm f/4 Sony E IS Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

The powered zoom and linear motor enable silent, smooth focal length transitions, while the constant f/4 aperture and Optical SteadyShot deliver consistent exposure and sharpness across the 28–135mm range. Its 1200g weight and weather-sealed construction provide stable handheld footage and durable outdoor operation. This lens is best for documentary filmmakers and event videographers who require a versatile, stabilized all-in-one zoom for run-and-gun production.

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Premium Lenses for portrait

Best Pick

Sony G Master FE 135mm F1.8 GM Prime Telephoto

83.3 Portrait Score
135mm f/1.8 Sony E-Mount Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

A fast f/1.8 aperture, XA, Super ED, and ED elements with an 11-blade diaphragm produce sharp subject isolation and smooth bokeh in a dust- and moisture-sealed build. The XD Linear Motor AF system is fast and near-silent, complemented by a de-clickable aperture ring and dual focus hold buttons for refined stills and video control. It’s ideal for portrait and event photographers who need dependable subject separation, responsive autofocus, and robust weather sealing on location.

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Sony Alpha FE SEL1224G

71.8 Portrait Score
12-24mm 4 Sony E Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

A constant f/4 aperture across its 12-24mm range and a moisture-resistant build with Nano AR Coating for flare suppression make this full-frame lens a versatile wide-angle tool. The 7-blade circular diaphragm delivers surprisingly smooth bokeh for an ultra-wide zoom, all in a portable 565g body. It’s best suited for landscape and architectural shooters who require durable weather sealing and sharp, low-distortion optics on location.

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Sony FE FE 50-150mm f/2 GM

50.5 Portrait Score
50-150mm 22 Sony E Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

The world’s first constant f/2 zoom reaching 150mm delivers prime-like sharpness, aided by 19 elements with 5 ED and 2 aspherical lenses plus Nano AR Coating II. Internal zoom, weather sealing, and an 11-blade diaphragm produce exquisite bokeh, making the 1340g lens a reliable, refined tool for controlled shoots. Best for portrait photographers (92/100) and video cinematographers (90.2/100) who need a fast telephoto zoom with unwavering autofocus.

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