Meike 56mm F1.7 56mm

The f/1.7 aperture puts this lens in the 94th percentile for light gathering, delivering bokeh that ranks in the 92nd percentile. At 190g with fast STM autofocus and built-in stabilization, it's a portrait powerhouse for Sony APS-C cameras at a price between $159 and $239. Versatility is its weak spot, so leave it at home for travel and macro work.

This lens is all about that wide-open f/1.7 aperture. It's one of the best on the market for light gathering and depth of field control, which directly translates to gorgeous bokeh. Our database puts its bokeh quality in the 92nd percentile, and that's the number that matters here. The optical formula uses 11 elements in 7 groups, including 2 ED lenses to keep chromatic aberration in check. Sharpness is solid in the center, though it's not going to beat a top-tier Sony G Master. Optical quality overall is about average for the category, sitting in the 57th percentile. That's perfectly fine for the price, but don't expect corner-to-corner perfection wide open.

The STM autofocus motor is a real highlight. It's silent, smooth, and fast enough for casual video work, though our video score of 72.5 out of 100 shows it's not a dedicated cinema lens. The built-in stabilization helps for handheld shooting, ranking well above average in the 83rd percentile. For portrait photographers on a budget, this combination of a fast aperture, reliable AF, and stabilization in a 190g package is hard to argue with. You'll nail focus on eyes and get that dreamy background blur without fighting your gear.

Stacked against the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN, the Meike gives up all versatility. The Sigma is a zoom that covers wide to short telephoto and is sharper across the frame, but it can't touch the Meike's f/1.7 aperture for subject isolation. The Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS is even more flexible for travel, but its slow variable aperture makes it a non-starter for the creamy portrait look. The Tamron 28-300mm is a superzoom in a different universe entirely, great for reach but optically compromised. If you already own a standard zoom and want a dedicated portrait prime that won't weigh you down or empty your wallet, the Meike carves out a very specific, very compelling niche that none of these zooms can fill.

Pricing bounces between $159 and $239 depending on the vendor, and at either end of that range, this lens is a steal for the aperture and autofocus performance you're getting. The f/1.7 alone puts it in a class that usually costs double. You're essentially paying for the portrait and bokeh chops while getting solid build quality and stabilization thrown in for free. If you find it closer to the $159 mark, it's a no-brainer impulse buy for any Sony APS-C shooter. Even at $239, it undercuts first-party options dramatically while delivering results that most people couldn't distinguish from lenses costing three times as much.

The Meike 56mm F1.7 is a portrait-focused prime that punches way above its price tag in a few key areas. Its f/1.7 aperture sits in the 94th percentile for this category, which means you're getting some of the creamiest background blur you can find without spending four figures. We're talking serious subject separation that makes your portraits pop, all from a lens that weighs just 190g. That's light enough to forget it's even on your camera during a long street photography session. The STM autofocus is snappy and quiet, landing in the 87th percentile, so it keeps up with moving subjects better than most budget glass.

But this lens is a specialist, not a generalist. It's built for portraits and street work, scoring 87.8 and 86.6 out of 100 in our database for those uses. The trade-off is versatility, where it ranks in the 34th percentile. You're locked into that 56mm focal length on an APS-C sensor, which gives you an 84mm equivalent field of view. That's beautiful for faces but tight for travel or landscapes. The minimum focus distance of 0.55m also means you won't be getting close-up detail shots, with macro performance sitting at a middling 55th percentile.

If you need one lens to do it all, walk away. The versatility score of 34th percentile is a flashing warning sign. Travel photographers will find the fixed 56mm focal length frustratingly tight for landscapes and cramped interiors, reflected in that 53.9 out of 100 travel score. Macro shooters should also look elsewhere, the 0.55m minimum focus distance and 55th percentile macro ranking mean you're not getting close to small subjects. And if you shoot in rough weather, the lack of weather sealing is a dealbreaker. This lens is for fair-weather portrait and street specialists only.

The Meike 56mm F1.7 is a specialist's lens that knows exactly what it's good at and doesn't apologize for what it's not. If you shoot portraits or street photography on a Sony APS-C body and want that wide-aperture look without spending a fortune, this is one of the best values on the market right now. The f/1.7 aperture and bokeh quality are the stars of the show, and the lightweight build means you'll actually want to carry it. Just don't buy it expecting an all-rounder. It's a portrait prime, pure and simple, and it excels at that job.