Best Travel Lenses Under £400 in 2026
Sony E E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS
Great Alternatives
These options also score highly and may better suit your specific needs
Viltrox Air 14mm F4.0
Why we recommend this ▼
Its 14mm focal length and f/4 constant aperture provide a 112° field of view on full-frame Nikon Z, controlled by a 12-element optical design with ED and aspherical glass to minimize distortion, all packed into a 185g body. A 13cm minimum focus distance enables near-macro close-ups, while the quiet STM autofocus and a USB-C firmware upgrade port enhance video and long-term usability. This lens suits street photographers and video creators wanting a featherweight, sharp ultra-wide prime that doubles as a creative close-up tool on Z-mount cameras.
Samyang AF 35mm f/1.8 FE
Why we recommend this ▼
At just 210g with weather sealing, the Samyang AF 35mm f/1.8 FE pairs a bright f/1.8 aperture with a Linear STM motor for swift, silent autofocus in a compact full-frame design. Its Ultra Multi-Coating suppresses flare and ghosting, while the custom switch provides quick on-lens control without menu diving—ideal for hybrid video and stills shooters. This lens best suits street photographers who need a discreet, fast-focusing 35mm prime with tactile personalization.
Rokinon AF 85mm f/1.8 Prima FE
Why we recommend this ▼
A compact 272g build with weather-sealing and a linear stepping motor for silent, accurate autofocus sets this 85mm f/1.8 full-frame lens apart. Its bright f/1.8 aperture and optical design incorporating three aspherical elements plus one ED element deliver sharp subject separation, while a USB-C port allows firmware updates. This lens is ideal for portrait and event photographers who need a lightweight, weather-resistant prime for Sony E-mount full-frame cameras.
Sony KZ-03
Why we recommend this ▼
Weighing just 119 grams, this conversion lens threads onto Sony's 16-50mm kit optic to deliver a 105-degree, 16mm ultrawide perspective and instantly detaches into a 10X macro lens with multi-coated corrective elements for minimal distortion. Its screw-on 40.5mm mount works with multiple Sony E-mount cameras and kit lenses, making it a cost-effective way to expand focal range without carrying dedicated wide-angle or macro glass. It's best for Sony ZV-E10 and A6xxx series owners who need a pocketable, dual-purpose lens for quick macro close-ups and wide-angle vlogging.
Viltrox AF AF25mm F1.7-E
Why we recommend this ▼
Weighing only 170g with a bright f/1.7 aperture and quiet STM autofocus, this 25mm prime offers a natural 37.5mm equivalent field of view ideal for daily carry. It delivers solid portrait and low-light performance for its price tier, though landscape sharpness is a noted weakness. Best for vloggers and street photographers wanting a lightweight, affordable walkaround lens for compact X-mount bodies.
Meike 23mm F1.4 Ultra Wide Angle APS-C Frame Auto Focus Fixed Prime Portrait Lenses
Why we recommend this ▼
This 23mm f/1.4 lens for Sony E-mount APS-C cameras uses 13 elements in 11 groups, with ED and aspherical glass, to deliver zero distortion and excellent chromatic aberration control. Weighing just 298g, it features STM autofocus for quiet video work, a 23cm close-focus distance, and a USB-C port for firmware updates to ensure reliable AF performance. It scored 100/100 for portraits and 93.6/100 for macro, making it ideal for Sony ZV-E10 or FX30 shooters capturing environmental portraits and detailed close-ups.
Yongnuo YN33MM F1.4 DA DSM WL Pro
Why we recommend this ▼
The 33mm f/1.4’s bright aperture and weather-sealed, 370g aircraft-grade aluminum build deliver a fast standard prime for Sony APS-C cameras. Its customizable Fn key and USB-C firmware upgrades add practical control rarely found at this tier. This lens best suits Sony E-mount shooters needing an affordable 50mm-equivalent for portraits, street scenes, and gimbal video work.
Rokinon Prima FE Series AF 16mm f/2.8 P FE
Why we recommend this ▼
The 207g build pairs a bright f/2.8 aperture with a linear stepping motor that ensures near-silent autofocus and minimal focus breathing for video. Weather sealing and a USB-C port for firmware updates add durability and future-proofing beyond its compact price point. This ultrawide prime is best for vloggers and landscape photographers needing a lightweight, gimbal-friendly lens that handles 4K footage and close-up details at a 1:3.03 magnification.
XuanLens 32mm F10 Full Frame Free Focus Pancake
Why we recommend this ▼
Weighing just 35g, this 32mm f/10 pancake lens repurposes disposable camera optics into a fixed-focus design with a depth of field spanning 1.5 meters to infinity, delivering a soft, lo-fi retro look. Its completely focus-free operation and near-silent shooting, thanks to the fixed aperture, enable instant, candid street captures without any setup delay. This lens is best for street photographers and casual shooters who embrace a distinct vintage aesthetic and spontaneous shooting over technical sharpness or autofocus.
TTArtisan 35mm f/1.4
Why we recommend this ▼
The 35mm f/1.4 aperture and ±8° tilt with 360° rotation enable precise selective focus and miniature "diorama" effects, setting this lens apart from standard primes. Its 341g metal build and stepless aperture ring also suit handheld video work, while the budget-friendly positioning makes tilt-shift creativity accessible. This lens is ideal for Micro Four Thirds shooters exploring miniature videography and stylized portraiture who want manual focus control and unique perspective manipulation.
Samyang Prima Series AF 85mm f/1.8 P FE
Why we recommend this ▼
The 272g build, full weather-sealing, and f/1.8 aperture with HR, ED, and aspherical elements set this 85mm prime apart. Its linear STM motor provides silent autofocus for video, while the 9-blade diaphragm and USB-C port for updates add practical value. This lens best suits Sony full-frame photographers needing a discreet, weather-resistant option for travel, street, and portrait work.
Zeiss Touit 32mm f/1.8
Why we recommend this ▼
The f/1.8 aperture combined with T* anti-reflective coating and an 8-element optical design delivers sharp, low-light imaging with minimal flare. A lightweight 200g build and 9-blade circular diaphragm make it a portable prime that produces smooth, natural bokeh for creative control. This lens is best for portrait and street photographers using Sony APS-C cameras, offering a 48mm equivalent field of view with fast, silent autofocus.
TTArtisan 10mm f/2.0 ASPH
Why we recommend this ▼
Combining a bright f/2.0 aperture, a 10mm ultra-wide 105° angle of view, and two aspherical elements, this 345g prime delivers nearly distortion-free imaging on APS-C sensors. Its manual focus design and compatibility with five mirrorless mounts provide a tactile, deliberate shooting experience for creative control. It is best for astrophotographers and landscape shooters who need a fast ultra-wide prime to capture the Milky Way and expansive scenes with minimal distortion.
Sirui Sniper Sniper 75mm f/1.2
Why we recommend this ▼
The f/1.2 aperture and 15-blade diaphragm deliver shallow depth of field and circular bokeh at a 112.5mm full-frame equivalent focal length. Quiet STM autofocus with eye tracking and a USB-C port for firmware updates enhance video and stills reliability. Ideal for Sony APS-C photographers and videographers needing a lightweight 466g telephoto prime for portraits with strong subject separation.
Tamron Di III F053
Why we recommend this ▼
The 1:2 macro magnification and weather-sealed construction distinguish this 475g 35mm f/2.8 prime, enabling sharp close-ups with a constant aperture on Sony APS-C bodies. Its compact 67mm filter thread and quiet autofocus motor make it a durable, walk-around lens that handles rain and dust without bulk. This lens is best for Sony E-mount APS-C shooters who need a rugged, all-purpose 35mm for near-macro detail work and field-ready everyday photography.