Best DSLR Lenses | 2024

If you’ve got a DSLR, you need to kit it out with the best DSLR lenses – and that’s where we come in. We’ve picked out the DSLR lenses across the major systems that have impressed our team the most. Whether you’re looking for a cheap telephoto, a premium wide-angle zoom, a travel-friendly lens or something else entirely, we should be able to help.

In this guide, we have focused on full-frame DSLR lenses, as these can be used with all cameras in their respective systems. If you are using a DSLR with a smaller APS-C sensor, you may want to have a look at dedicated crop-sensor lenses – for Canon, these are denoted as “EF-S”; Nikon’s are “DX” lenses; and Pentax’s are generally designated with “DA”.

This guide isn’t a full, comprehensive guide to all the DSLR systems – these are simply a selection of lenses that we think are worth your attention. We’ve split the guide up by lens mount to make it easier to navigate, and have aimed to include lenses at a range of price points. So, let’s take a closer look.

Best Canon EF Lenses

While it may not see as many new lenses produced as it did in its heyday, you can’t go wrong with the brilliant Canon EF mount. Having been steadily populated with lenses of all shapes and sizes over many years, EF-mount is now a system you could spend a happy photo-taking lifetime on – and thanks to the popularity of EOS DSLRs in filmmaking, there are plenty of great video lenses, too. Here are just a few of our top picks.

Pros:

• Stunning optical performance
• Focal length is perfect for documentary imagery
• L-series build with weather-sealing

Cons:

• Professional-level price
  
  

Canon’s L-series lenses are designed for professionals, inside and out. What this means is that on the inside they boast sophisticated optical designs, optimised to produce images of pitch-perfect sharpness right out to the corners of images. And on the outside, they are tough and weather-sealed, built to withstand the kinds of rigorous outdoor use that professional photographers and videographers will put them through. 

And so it is with the Canon EF 35mm f1.4L II USM. This brilliant wide-angle prime boasts high-performance lens coatings for superior light transmission, and offers terrific low-light performance thanks to its large maximum aperture. The 35mm focal length makes it great for documentary photography, with a frame that’s broad without being distorted. Wedding and event photographers will also find this to be a handy lens, ideal for group shots. Its hardy build also means that you don’t need to worry about a little rainfall. It’s priced at the professional level, but as far as we’re concerned it still provides exceptional value for money.

Best Nikon F Lenses

The Nikon F system has a clutch of dazzling lenses available, whether you’re a committed enthusiast with a big budget or you’re just starting out. It’s worth browsing the full range in detail to get a sense of what’s on offer, but here to get you started are some particular standouts that our team recommends…

Pros:

• Silent Wave Motor autofocus
• Wide perspective
• Large aperture produces beautiful bokeh

Cons:

• Build is plastic rather than metal
  
  

A premium wide-angle prime, the Nikon 20mm f1.8G AF-S NIKKOR ED boasts plenty of features that make it well-suited to video as well as stills. For a starter there’s that vlog-friendly focal length, nice and wide, but there’s also the Silent Wave Motor autofocus system. Not only is this system quick, but it’s also (as the name implies) practically silent, meaning your videos won’t have their audio overwhelmed by whirring focusing motors.

The maximum aperture of f/1.8 gives you plenty of latitude for shallow depth of field, and we were particularly impressed by the rich quality of the bokeh in out-of-focus areas that this lens could produce. A sophisticated design of 13 elements in 11 groups ensures that image sharpness is high, with punchy contrast and excellent control of distortion and aberrations.

Best Pentax K Lenses

Pentax is still flying the DSLR flag, unlike other manufacturers, and has still been producing new cameras for its K-mount system in recent years. One thing the manufacturer is particularly known for is its extensive weather-sealing, ensuring its cameras and lenses are made for the rough outdoors – look for the “AW” (All Weather) acronym if you want a lens that is equipped in this way.

Pros:

• Super-lightweight build
• High-grade coatings reduce reflections
• Aperture ring

Cons:

• Autofocus drive can be noisy
  
  

Another superb optic for Pentax shooters, the Pentax 35mm f2 HD FA’s optical elements have been treated with a high-grade, multi-layer coating in order to produce high-contrast images that are sharp from edge to edge and free from flare and ghosting. The lens has also been treated with Pentax’s stain-resistant SP Coating, keeping its front element smear-free and making the optic more useful for outdoor work.

The exterior design of the Pentax 35mm f2 HD FA has been revamped to be more in line with Pentax’s latest DSLRs, mirroring that of DA- and D FA-series lenses. It provides a 35mm field of view when mounted on a full-frame camera and 53.5mm when attached to an APS-C DSLR, and it also has a minimum focusing distance of 0.3m, allowing you to get nice and close to your subjects. Weighing just 193g, the lens is perfect for travel and exploring, designed to be extremely compact and easy to bring to wherever your images take you. Explore your Pentax K-mount possibilities with this sophisticated, affordable prime lens.

Best Multi-Mount Lenses

Finally, we’re rounding out this guide with a selection of lenses that are available for multiple different systems. DSLR mounts have been open to third-party manufacturers for a long time, and so we’ve seen plenty of terrific lenses arrive for these systems, from affordable budget options to high-end optics designed for professionals. Here are a few of our team’s favourites…

Pros:

• Outstanding definition and sharpness
• Quality holds up when used wide open
• Smooth focusing action

Cons:

• Manual focus only
• Very expensive

Fits: Canon EF, Nikon F

Accept no compromises. If you’re a Canon or Nikon full-frame DSLR user and you absolutely need to have the best of the best, the new Zeiss 100mm f1.4 Otus ZE Lens is the one for you. A telephoto prime made with the incredible attention to detail and quality that Zeiss is known for, the Zeiss 100mm f1.4 Otus ZE Lens provides smooth mechanical operation and beautifully engineered internal focusing, ensuring a consistent centre of gravity that makes it a joy to handle.

Images are tack-sharp and resplendent thanks to the sophisticated internal construction of 14 elements in 11 groups, and the Otus lens also makes use of Zeiss’s T* coating to completely banish reflections for extremely high-contrast results. If you’re shooting portraits this is the perfect lens, with that flattering focal length and large maximum aperture, but really this is a lens that practically any Canon or Nikon photographer could find a use for. It’s beautifully made, with astounding attention to detail, and it’s everything you would expect from Zeiss.

FAQs

Can I use any lens with my DSLR camera?

Not all lenses are compatible with every DSLR camera. It depends on the camera's mount type; Canon, Nikon, and Sony DSLRs each have their own mounts, so it’s essential to check if a lens is designed for your camera. Some third-party manufacturers like Sigma and Tamron offer lenses for multiple mounts, making them a versatile option.

What is the difference between EF and EF-S lenses?

EF lenses are designed for Canon full-frame and APS-C DSLRs, while EF-S lenses are specifically for Canon APS-C models. EF lenses can be used on both full-frame and APS-C cameras, but EF-S lenses cannot be used on full-frame bodies. EF-S lenses are usually lighter and more affordable, making them ideal for beginners and those on a budget.

What is the best lens for portrait photography?

The best lenses for portrait photography are usually prime lenses with a focal length between 50mm and 85mm. This is because they offer a flattering perspective and excellent background blur (bokeh). Check out our dedicated guide to the best lenses for portrait photography.