Best Camera Lens for General Photography

In photography, finding the best camera lens for general photography can be tricky. I’ve done a lot of research, and now I want to share my top picks with you. These lenses are great whether you’re a beginner or a pro.

I’ve picked out the best camera lens for general photography that can do many different things, like zoom in or take really clear shots. They should make your photography better and more fun.

If you’re new to photography, I’ve also written an article beginner’s Guide for buying camera lenses to help you pick the right lens. It will explain everything you need to know if you’re just starting.

So, let’s get started and find the best lens for general photography needs!

List of Best Camera Lens for General Photography

1- Sigma 50mm f1.4 Art
2- SIRUI 24mm Anamorphic Lens F2.8 1.33X APS-C Camera Lens (X Mount)
3- Canon EF 24-105mm STM
4- FUJIFILM XF 35mm f/2 R WR Lens (Black)
5- Panasonic Lumix G 25mm f/1.7 ASPH.
6- Pentax 35mm DA L f/2.4 AL Lens
7- TTArtisan 40mm f/2.8 Macro Lens for Sony E
8- Tamron 28-200 F/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD
9- VILTROX AF 16mm f/1.8 FE Full Frame Lens
10- Sigma 24-105mm f/4.0 DG OS HSM Art Lens
11- Rokinon AF 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Lens for Sony E

Best Camera Lens for General Photography [Detail Analysis]

1- Sigma 50mm f1.4 Art

The Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art lens is known for its impressive sharpness and beautiful bokeh.

Its wide f/1.4 aperture allows for excellent performance in dim conditions and provides a stunning depth of field.

Brand	Sigma.
Type	Standard.
Lens format coverage	Full frame.
Compatible Mounting	Canon EF, Nikon, Leica L-mount, or Sony full-frame cameras.
Image Stabilization	No image stabilization.
No.of diaphragm blades	9 rounded aperture blades.
Lens construction	14 elements in 11 groups.
Minimum focus distance	40 cm.
Weight	815 g.
Autofocus motor	The autofocus is quick and accurate.
Durability	The build quality is robust.
Chromatic Aberration	Greater longitudinal chromatic aberrations than the more expensive rivals.

Reasons to buy:

Good image quality with wide aperture.
Beautiful bokeh for portraits.
Solid build quality.
Versatile for various photography styles.
Fast and accurate autofocus.

Reasons to avoid:

Heavy.
Not weather sealed.
Chromatic aberration.

2- SIRUI 24mm Anamorphic Lens F2.8 1.33X APS-C Camera Lens (X Mount)

The SIRUI 24mm Anamorphic Lens has anamorphic capabilities and F2.8 aperture offer a unique cinematic flair to photos and videos.

It’s ideal for wide-angle shots because of its 1.33X squeeze, horizontal lens flares, and 2.4:1 widescreen aspect ratio.

Brand	Sirui
Type	Standard
Lens format coverage	APS-C cameras and cameras with smaller sensors
Compatible Mounting	Fujifilm X Mount, Sony E Mount, Micro Four Thirds, Canon EF-M Mount.
Image Stabilization	No Image stabilization.
No.of diaphragm blades	8-blade iris.
Lens construction	13 elements in 10 groups.
Minimum focus distance	0.6m
Weight	Not specified.
Autofocus motor	Manual focus.
Durability	Professional Schott glass lens elements with Nano-coating.
Chromatic Aberration	Lens elements reduce aberration and vignetting.

Reasons to buy:

Gives superb cinematic images with clarity.
2.4:1 aspect ratio for a cinematic look
1.33x anamorphic ratio for wider images
8-blade iris for smooth bokeh

Reasons to avoid:

Pricey
Only available for APS-C cameras
It is not as sharp as some other anamorphic lenses

3- Canon EF 24-105mm STM

It offers a wide focal length range, from wide-angle to telephoto, making it a great all-around lens.

The Canon EF 24-105mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM is relatively lightweight, compact, and affordable, making it a great value on your travels.

Brand	Canon.
Type	Wide angle zoom lens.
Lens format coverage	Full frame.
Compatible Mounting	Canon EF.
Image Stabilization	Up to 4 stops.
No.of diaphragm blades	7 blades.
Lens construction	17 elements in 13 groups.
Minimum focus distance	40 cm.
Weight	525 g.
Durability	It has a fast and accurate stepping motor (STM) autofocus system.
Chromatic Aberration	Chromatic aberration is most noticeable at large apertures, so using a smaller aperture can help to reduce it.
Autofocus motor	Stepping motor (STM)
Filter size	77 mm

Reasons to buy:

Versatile focal length range.
STM & IS
Compact, lightweight & budget-friendly.
Suitable for a variety of photography styles.

Reasons to avoid:

Limited low-light performance (variable aperture).
Professional photographers needing high-end lenses may not be satisfied.

4- FUJIFILM XF 35mm f/2 R WR Lens (Black)

 

The FUJIFILM XF 35mm f/2 R WR Lens in black is a prime lens with a fast f/2 aperture, allowing for excellent low-light performance and beautiful background blur.

Additionally, its weather-resistant (WR) construction makes it suitable for use in challenging outdoor conditions.

Brand	Fujifilm
Type	Prime lens
Lens format coverage	APS-C
Compatible Mounting	Fujifilm X
Angle of view	44.2 degrees
Image Stabilization	No image stabilization.
No.of diaphragm blades	9 blades
Lens construction	9 elements in 6 groups. Including wo aspherical elements
Minimum focus distance	35 cm
Weight	170 g
Autofocus motor	Stepping motor.
Durability	Weather resistant, making it suitable for use in various weather conditions.
Chromatic Aberration	Very slight purple fringing is visible in high-contrast areas at the edges of the frame, but it is not noticeable in most situations.

Reasons to buy:

Compact & lightweight .
Sharp & high quality images.
Weather-resistant construction (WR).
Fast and quiet autofocus.

Reasons to avoid:

No optical image stabilization.
Manual focus ring could be small for some users.

5- Panasonic Lumix G 25mm f/1.7 ASPH.

The Panasonic Lumix G 25mm f/1.7 ASPH lens has nano surface coating reduces reflections throughout the visual range

The “ASPH.” in its name indicates that it likely features aspherical lens elements and are designed to minimize optical aberrations.

Brand	Panasonic
Type	Standard
Lens format coverage	Micro Four Thirds Sensor has a crop factor of approximately 2x when compared to a full-frame sensor.
Compatible Mounting	Panasonic, Olympus, Micro Four Thirds
Angle of view	47 degrees
Image Stabilization	No image Stabilization
No.of diaphragm blades	7 blades
Lens construction	7 elements in 5 groups Including two aspherical elements
Minimum focus distance	0.25 m
Weight	125 g
Autofocus motor	Stepping motor
Durability	The lens has a compact and lightweight design, making it easy to carry around.
Chromatic Aberration	It has Potential for Barrel Distortion at Close Distances.

Reasons to buy:

Fast f/1.7 Aperture
Compact, lightweight & budget-friendly.
Good for Low-Light Photography
Smooth Bokeh

Reasons to avoid:

Fixed Focal Length (No Zoom)
Limited Compatibility (MFT Only)
Not Ideal for Telephoto or Wide-Angle Shots
Potential for Barrel Distortion at Close Distances

6- Pentax 35mm DA L f/2.4 AL Lens

The Pentax 35mm DA L f/2.4 AL Lens has a focal length of 35mm, which is equivalent to a 52.5mm lens on a full-frame camera with a maximum aperture of f/2.4,

The “AL” in its name likely stands for “Aspherical Lens,” indicating that it has aspherical lens elements to reduce optical aberrations and improve image quality.

Brand	Pentax
Type	Standard
Lens format coverage	APS-C
Compatible Mounting	Pentax KAF
Angle of view	44 degrees
Image Stabilization	No image stabilization.
No.of diaphragm blades	6 aperture blades.
Lens construction	6 elements in 5 groups Including one aspherical element
Minimum focus distance	30 cm
Weight	124 g
Autofocus motor	Dc motor
Durability	It is not specifically weather sealed.
Chromatic Aberration	Found some Optical Aberrations.

Reasons to buy:

Compact, lightweight & budget-friendly.
Versatile 35mm Focal Length
Decent Low-Light Performance
Sharp optics

Reasons to avoid:

The lens hood and aperture ring are missing.
It is not tropicalized & has no IS.
May Have Some Optical Aberrations.

7- TTArtisan 40mm f/2.8 Macro Lens for Sony E

The TTArtisan 40mm f/2.8 Macro Lens for Sony E is a manual focus macro lens that offers a life-size 1:1 magnification ratio and it has a filter diameter of 52mm.

It has a maximum aperture of f/2.8, and excels in macro photography.

Its fixed 40mm focal length might be restrictive for versatile shooting situations, and manual focus might pose a challenge, especially with moving subjects.

Brand	TTArtisan
Type	Standard
Lens format coverage	APS-C
Compatible Mounting	Sony E
Angle of view	a 40mm APS-C lens sees about the same angle of view as a 60mm full frame.
Image Stabilization	No image stabilization
No.of diaphragm blades	11 blades
Lens construction	8elements in 7groups Including 2 ultra-low dispersion (UD) elements
Minimum focus distance	17.5 cm
Weight	371 g
Autofocus motor	Manual focus only.
Durability	The lens is constructed of metal and plastic and features a lens hood to protect the front element from scratches and accidents.
Chromatic Aberration	At some ends could be found.

Reasons to buy:

Compact, lightweight & budget-friendly.
Good image quality.
1:1 life-size maximum magnification.
Suitable for macro photography.

Reasons to avoid:

No autofocus & weather-sealing.
Build quality may not be as good as more expensive lenses.

8- Tamron 28-200 F/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD

The Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD has fast f/2.8 aperture at the wide end allowing for good low-light performance.

One thing I truly appreciate is the fast and silent autofocus thanks to the RXD motor, which makes fleeting moments a breeze.

Brand	Tamron
Type	All in one zoom lens
Lens format coverage	Full frame
Compatible Mounting	Sony E
Angle of view	At 28mm: 75 degrees 50 mm: 47 degrees At 100 mm: 23 degrees 200 mm: 12 degrees
Image Stabilization	No image stabilization
No.of diaphragm blades	7 aperture blades
Lens construction	18 elements in 14 groups. 3 aspherical, 2 LD & 2 XLD lenses
Minimum focus distance	0.19 m (wide) 0.8 m (tele)
Weight	575 g
Autofocus motor	Rapid eXtra-silent stepping Drive (RXT)
Durability	The lens is weather-sealed to protect it from dust and moisture.
Chromatic Aberration	The lens has some optical compromises, particularly at the telephoto end of the zoom range.

Reasons to buy:

Good image quality.
Reasonably nice build quality, including weather sealing.
Very fast and accurate autofocus.
Sharp optics.
It’s like having multiple lenses in one.

Reasons to avoid:

No image stabilization.
Bokeh is not as smooth as some other lenses.

9- VILTROX AF 16mm f/1.8 FE Full Frame Lens

The VILTROX AF 16mm f/1.8 FE Full Frame Lens is a wide-angle marvel designed for Sony E-mount cameras.

The lens has a fast maximum aperture of f/1.8, which allows for a shallow depth of field and is ideal for low light situations.

Brand	Viltrox.
Type	Wide angle prime lens.
Lens format coverage	Full frame.
Compatible Mounting	Sony E
Angle of view	106.9 degrees
Image Stabilization	No image stabilization.
No.of diaphragm blades	9 aperture blades.
Lens construction	3 elements arranged in 11 groups.
Minimum focus distance	0.27 m.
Weight	550 g.
Autofocus motor	Stepping motor.
Durability	The metal lens features a weather-sealing cover around the mount to keep dust and moisture out.
Chromatic Aberration	The lens features frame edge distortion and vignetting at the widest aperture, which may be fixed post-processing.

Reasons to buy:

Fast and accurate autofocus
Well-built, compact and lightweight.
Affordable price

Reasons to avoid:

No image stabilization
Not as sharp as some other lenses in the corners of the frame.

10- Sigma 24-105mm f/4.0 DG OS HSM Art Lens

Sigma 24-105mm f/4.0 DG OS HSM Art Lens has a fast and constant maximum aperture of f/4 throughout the zoom range.

It’s part of Sigma’s “Art” series, which is known for its emphasis on image quality and optical performance.

Brand	Sigma
Type	Telephoto
Lens format coverage	Full frame
Compatible Mounting	Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony E.
Angle of view	At 24mm: 84.1 degrees. At 105mm: 23.3 degrees.
Image Stabilization	Yes
No.of diaphragm blades	9 aperture blades.
Lens construction	18 elements in 14 groups
Minimum focus distance	45 cm
Weight	885 g
Autofocus motor	Hyper Sonic Motor
Durability	Well-built and weather-sealed, durable and reliable for use in a variety of conditions.
Chromatic Aberration	Some distortion and vignetting at the edges of the frame.

Reasons to buy:

Has optical stabilization (OS)
Nice build quality, including weather sealing.
Produces sharp and detailed images.

Reasons to avoid:

Relatively heavy.
Some distortion and vignetting.

11- Rokinon AF 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Lens for Sony E

The Rokinon AF 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Lens has a maximum aperture of f/2 at the wide-angle end and f/2.8 at the telephoto end.

The lens features a fast and accurate autofocus system that is compatible with Sony’s latest mirrorless cameras.

Brand	Rokinon
Type	Wide to telephoto
Lens format coverage	Full frame Covers 5 focal lengths including 35mm, 50mm, 85mm, 135mm, and 150mm
Compatible Mounting	Sony E
Angle of view	63.4 degrees at the wide-angle end. 16.3 degrees at the telephoto end.
Image Stabilization	No image stabilization
No.of diaphragm blades	9 aperture blades.
Lens construction	21 elements in 18 groups. Including aspherical lenses, extra-low dispersion (ED) elements, and ultra high refractive (UHR) elements.
Minimum focus distance	0.33 meters (13 inches) at 35mm. 0.85 meters (2.8 feet) at 150mm.
Weight	1315 g.
Autofocus motor	linear stepping motor (LSM)
Durability	The lens is weather-sealed to protect it from dust and moisture.
Chromatic Aberration	The lens produces purple aberration.

Reasons to buy:

Versatile Focal Range.
Fast Variable Aperture.
Weather sealed.

Reasons to avoid:

The lens is relatively large and heavy.
Compatibility (Sony E-mount cameras only)
Autofocus issue & Produces purple aberration.

FAQs

What mm lens is best for general photography?

The 35mm lens is perhaps the most popular lens photographers use, owing to its many advantages in this fast-paced genre. It has a broad enough field of view to capture numerous subjects or a subject and a background effortlessly.

What is the best focal length for general photography?

If you prefer photographing people, the optimum focal lengths are between 50mm and 135mm. You can obtain ordinary prime lenses with reduced distortion, such as 50mm. Alternatively, you may get a zoom lens that covers the lower end of the range, such as a 24-70mm or a 24-105mm. A short telephoto lens might also be an excellent investment for you.

What size lens is best for everyday use?

Even point-and-shoot cameras come with a typical 35-80mm lens. The standard lens is sometimes known as a “normal-lens.” This kind is called “normal” because it catches a scene just as the human eye sees it. A normal lens is ideal for daily photographs of flowers, people, or pets.

What is a normal lens for a full-frame camera?

Most photographers believe a focal length of roughly 50mm on a full-frame camera is a normal lens.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, when finding the best camera lens for general photography, remember to consider what suits your needs and fits your budget.

Different lenses have pros and cons, so pick the one that works best for your style and helps you capture great photos.