Best Lenses under £400 for portrait

Best Pick

Sigma Contemporary 56mm f/1.4 DC DN 56mm

84.8 Portrait Score
56mmf/1.4L-MountWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

The bright f/1.4 aperture and 84mm full-frame equivalent focal length deliver sharp subject isolation and strong low-light performance in a compact, 280g body. Its weather-sealed construction and near-silent stepping motor AF add durability and discreet operation uncommon at this price point. This lens is best for APS-C mirrorless portrait and street photographers who need a lightweight, fast telephoto prime with professional-grade optics.

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Sigma WR-UV-Filter AFK9B0

84.3 Portrait Score
135mmf/1.4Sony EISWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this ▼

The f/1.8 aperture and specialized FLD/SLD glass elements deliver exceptional sharpness and subject isolation, making it a standout portrait lens. Its Hyper Sonic Motor provides fast, quiet autofocus, while the durable brass bayonet mount and TSC material ensure long-term reliability. This lens is best for portrait photographers who need uncompromising optical performance and smooth bokeh in a full-frame E-mount system.

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Sigma 77D306

51.5 Portrait Score
18-200mm
Why we recommend this ▼

The built-in autofocus motor ensures compatibility with all Nikon DSLRs, while two SLD and two aspherical elements correct aberrations across its 18-200mm zoom range. Its super multi-layer coating suppresses flare and ghosting, and the lightweight 395g build makes it a practical all-in-one walkaround option. This lens is best for Nikon DX shooters seeking a single, affordable travel zoom to cover wide-angle landscapes and telephoto snapshots without swapping glass.

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Sigma Art AFG9C0 85mm

44.7 Portrait Score
85mmf/16L-MountWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this ▼

Featuring an f/1.2 maximum aperture and dual HLA-driven autofocus, this 85mm prime lens delivers razor-thin depth of field and fast, silent focusing for L-Mount portraits. Its 14-element optical design maintains sharpness wide open, with a 9-blade diaphragm rendering smooth bokeh. Portrait photographers seeking uncompromising subject isolation will find it ideal, though the 1130g weight limits travel use.

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Best Lenses under £800 for portrait

Best Pick

Sigma Contemporary 12mm f/1.4 DC

90.3 Portrait Score
12mmf/1.4Canon RFWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Combining an ultra-bright f/1.4 aperture with a compact 225g build, this 12mm prime delivers a 19.2mm full-frame equivalent view ideal for low-light landscapes and vlogging. Its stepping motor provides fast, quiet autofocus with minimal focus breathing, while the dust- and splash-resistant construction ensures reliability outdoors. This lens is best for street photographers and vloggers needing a lightweight, weather-sealed wide-angle with strong subject separation.

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Sigma Art 28mm f/1.4 DG HSM

85.9 Portrait Score
28mmf/1.4Nikon FWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this ▼

The f/1.4 maximum aperture and an optical design with three aspherical and five SLD/FLD elements deliver exceptional sharpness and contrast control for low-light scenes. Its weather-sealed, robust build and Super Multi-Layer Coating ensure reliable, flare-resistant performance in demanding conditions. This lens is best for professional landscape and street photographers needing a fast, wide-angle prime with uncompromising optical clarity.

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Sigma DG Contemporary 24mm f/3.5 DG 24mm

72.5 Portrait Score
24mmf/3.5L-MountWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this ▼

Weighing just 225g with a weather-sealed, all-metal barrel, this lens stands out for its 1:2 maximum magnification and a 108mm minimum focus distance, enabling near-macro capability in a full-frame 24mm prime. Its fast internal focus system and knurled aperture ring deliver a tactile, precise shooting experience that belies its compact size. This lens is best for hikers and travel photographers who need an ultra-light, durable wide-angle that can capture both expansive landscapes and detailed close-ups.

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Best Lenses under £1,000 for portrait

Best Pick

Sigma Art 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM 50mm

85.4 Portrait Score
50mmf/1.4Nikon FWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

The 14-element optical design with three ED and one aspherical element delivers exceptional sharpness and suppresses aberrations even at its bright f/1.4 maximum aperture. Its robust, weather-sealed metal build and smooth, ring-type HSM autofocus system offer a premium handling experience that belies its price point. This lens is best for portrait and studio photographers using Nikon F-mount DSLRs who demand critical image quality and shallow depth of field control without the cost of first-party optics.

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Sigma 750975

48.3 Portrait Score
100-400mm
Why we recommend this ▼

Combining a 100-400mm reach with a relatively light 1100g build, this lens stands out for full-frame mirrorless portability. Its dust- and splash-proof brass mount and optical design that minimizes flare add rugged, practical reliability. This is best for outdoor enthusiasts and travelers who need handheld telephoto range without the bulk of traditional pro glass.

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Best Lenses under £2,000 for portrait

Best Pick

Sigma Art 35mm f/1.2 DG II 35mm

84.5 Portrait Score
35mmf/1.2Sony EWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

The f/1.2 maximum aperture combined with an HLA-driven high-speed AF motor delivers exceptional subject separation and reliable focus in low light. Its optical design, featuring 4 aspherical elements and an 11-blade diaphragm, produces smooth bokeh while the dust- and splash-resistant construction ensures durability in challenging conditions. This lens is best for professional portrait and wedding photographers who need a fast, weather-sealed 35mm prime with expressive rendering.

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

47.3 Portrait Score
70-200mmf/22Sony EISWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this ▼

Dual HLA motors deliver fast, quiet autofocus and the OS2 algorithm provides 7.5 stops of stabilization, making this f/2.8 telephoto zoom exceptionally steady for handheld work. Its internal zoom mechanism and weather-sealed Sports-line build resist dust and moisture while minimizing focus breathing for consistent framing. This lens is best for sports and wildlife photographers using Sony E-mount who need reliable subject tracking and sharp results in challenging outdoor conditions.

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Premium Lenses for portrait

Best Pick

Sigma Sports 60-600mm f/4.5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports

69.9 Portrait Score
60-600mmf/4.5Sony EISWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Offering a 10x 60-600mm zoom range with 7-stop stabilization and HLA linear autofocus, it captures handheld sharpness at full telephoto. Weighing just 271 grams and fully weather-sealed, this lens delivers ultra-portability and robust build quality rare for a 600mm super-telephoto. It’s best for travel photographers and wildlife shooters needing a single, lightweight lens that spans wide to extreme reach without compromising speed or stability.

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