The Best DSLR Lenses of 2022

Best Glass for Multiple Systems

Your DSLR likely came with an 18-55mm or 18-135mm zoom lens. Supplementing or upgrading that lens to a higher quality zoom or a fixed-focal-length lens that captures more light can really improve the quality of shots that your camera is capable of. There are a few different approaches you can take when choosing a lens for your photographic camera, and some limitations to consider.

We've highlighted some of the best zoom and prime lenses that nosotros've reviewed here, with the telescopic limited to 3rd-party lenses that are available for multiple camera systems—if y'all already have a Canon, Nikon, or Pentax you can cheque out a list that's focused on each mount.

Some are general purpose zooms—yous can choose to supplement your kit lens with one that has a longer focal length for telephoto shots, or to replace it with a lens of higher quality that covers about the aforementioned range. We've likewise listed a selection of fixed-focal-length lenses for shooters who prefer primes, an excellent macro lens for close-up photography, and a fun special effect lens.

If you're new to the world of interchangeable lens cameras, it's of import to know that lenses are generally not cross-compatible betwixt systems. You lot tin can't utilize a Canon lens on a Nikon camera, for example. There are third-party manufacturers like Sigma and Zeiss, but yous still can't take your Tamron lens for a Catechism camera to a Pentax torso if yous decide to alter systems. Sigma does offering a mount conversion service for its latest generation of lenses, but that's the exception to the rule.

About shooters ownership their first SLR will choose a model with an APS-C epitome sensor, roughly xvi past 24 millimeters in size. This is smaller than 35mm film, which measures 24 by 36 millimeters, a size matched past higher-end full-frame cameras similar the Canon EOS 6D Mark Two. You can buy a lens that only captures enough light to project an image circumvolve that covers the entirety of the APS-C sensor, or you can go a full-frame lens with an eye on a future upgrade. Full-frame cameras are dropping in price, and if you really grab the photo problems you may want to upgrade downward the lines.

A lens like the Catechism EF-S 17-55mm f/two.viii IS USM can only exist mounted to a Canon APS-C photographic camera, just the company's EF xvi-35mm f/two.8L USM is compatible with full-frame and APS-C bodies akin. When mounted on the Rebel T7i, both lenses volition cover a like field of view, but if you put the 16-35mm on the total-frame 6D, it volition capture a much wider bending. The EF-S 17-55mm won't physically fit on the 6D, just that's a limitation exclusive to the Canon system. If you shoot with a Nikon, Pentax, or Sony photographic camera, APS-C lenses volition fit on total-frame bodies—just yous will be limited to shooting at a lower resolution, as the photographic camera volition ingather photos to lucifer the size of an APS-C sensor.

All four SLR makers—Canon, Nikon, Pentax, and Sony—offer both APS-C and full-frame models. Canon and Nikon have more than models bachelor, while Pentax has just one full-frame model, the K-i. Sony only sells a handful of SLRs, every bit it has full-bodied on its mirrorless camera arrangement in contempo years. If you're not already entrenched in the Sony A-mount arrangement, it'southward not a good time to adopt it; all of its development efforts are devoted to its mirrorless system.

Nosotros've also got mirrorless shooters covered with overviews of the best lenses for Fujifilm X, Micro Four Thirds, and Sony E systems. If you use a rangefinder, film, or digital, you can also wait at the all-time Leica One thousand lenses that nosotros've reviewed.

If you lot're persusing this listing in anticipation of choosing an SLR system, have a look at our roundups of the Best DSLRs and the Best Full-Frame DSLRs. We've likewise highlighted our favorite Mirrorless Cameras, and y'all can see all of the cameras and lenses nosotros've reviewed in our Digital Cameras Product Guide.

Sigma 12-24mm F4 DG HSM Art Review

MSRP: $1599.00
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Bottom Line: The Sigma 12-24mm F4 DG HSM Art is a full-frame zoom lens with an ultra-wide field of view and f/iv discontinuity. It's very precipitous, and information technology'south less expensive than competing lenses.
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