A good lens often affects the look of an image more than changing the camera body. But the choice is not simple: you need to consider the mount, sensor size, focal length, maximum aperture, weight, and shooting style.
In this guide, we look at practical lenses up to €700 for Sony E, Canon RF and Nikon Z cameras. They are suitable for everyday photography, portraits, travel, and content creation.
In short
- For Sony APS-C cameras, a universal choice is the Sigma 18–50 mm f/2.8, which combines a compact size with a constant f/2.8 aperture.
- For the Canon RF system, the Canon RF 50 mm f/1.8 STM is a lightweight and affordable lens for everyday use and portraits.
- For the Nikon Z system, the NIKKOR Z 50 mm f/1.4 provides a natural perspective and very good performance in low light.
- Before buying, check whether the lens is intended for a full-frame or APS-C sensor.
How to choose a lens up to €700
1. Check the mount
Sony E, Canon RF and Nikon Z are not interchangeable systems. The lens must be designed specifically for your camera mount. An adapter is sometimes a solution, but it can affect autofocus, stabilization, and ease of use.
2. Choose the focal range
Prime lenses, such as 35 mm or 50 mm, are usually compact and light. They are especially suitable for portraits, street photography, and everyday work.
A zoom lens provides greater flexibility. With one lens, you can photograph landscapes, groups of people, and portraits without moving as much.
3. Pay attention to the aperture
A larger aperture, such as f/1.4, f/1.8 or f/2.8, allows you to shoot in lower light and achieve more pronounced background blur. On the other hand, a smaller aperture helps keep the size more compact and the price lower.
4. Consider the sensor size
On a APS-C camera, a 50 mm lens provides a narrower field of view than on a full-frame camera. So before buying, check which focal length will be most practical for your camera.
Sony E: Sigma 18–50 mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary
ProductSigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN for Sony E-MountView product
The Sigma 18–50 mm f/2.8 is one of the most practical all-purpose lenses for Sony APS-C cameras. It covers a focal range from wide-angle to short portrait telephoto, while the constant f/2.8 aperture helps maintain consistent exposure throughout the range.
It is suitable for:
- travel and everyday photography;
- portraits and family events;
- street and architectural photography;
- video, if you need a lightweight and versatile lens.
A key advantage of the lens is its low weight and compact size. It is a good solution for photographers who do not want to change lenses for every scenario.
For a full-frame Sony camera, this lens is not intended as a full-frame solution, so A7 series users should choose Sony FE or other full-frame E-mount optics.
Canon RF: Canon RF 50 mm f/1.8 STM
ProductCanon RF 50mm f/1.8 STMView product
The Canon RF 50 mm f/1.8 STM is a simple, lightweight and bright prime lens for the Canon EOS R system. On a full-frame camera, it provides a natural perspective suitable for portraits, everyday shots and street photography.
This lens is worth choosing if you want to:
- shoot indoors or in lower light;
- get a softer and blurred background;
- reduce the weight of the gear you carry;
- try prime lens photography at a reasonable price.
The STM autofocus motor works quietly, so the lens can also be useful for video. However, when filming on the move, keep in mind that the lens does not have optical image stabilization.
Nikon Z: NIKKOR Z 50 mm f/1.4
ProductNikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.4 Lens for Nikon Z Mount 20128View product
The NIKKOR Z 50 mm f/1.4 is a bright standard lens for Nikon Z full-frame cameras. Its natural perspective is suitable for portraits, travel, street photography, and everyday shots.
The f/1.4 aperture allows you to use a shorter exposure time in low light and helps separate the subject from the background. This is especially useful on evening streets, indoors, and at events where you cannot always use a flash.
The lens can also be used on Nikon Z DX cameras, but the field of view will become narrower. In this case, it can be an interesting solution for portraits, details, and street photography.
What should you choose for different types of photography?
| Type of photography | Recommended choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Travel with a Sony APS-C camera | Sigma 18–50 mm f/2.8 | Versatile range and low weight |
| Portraits with a Canon RF camera | Canon RF 50 mm f/1.8 STM | Bright aperture and pronounced background blur |
| Evening photography with Nikon Z | NIKKOR Z 50 mm f/1.4 | Very bright aperture for work in low light |
| Family and everyday use | Zoom lens | Quickly adaptable to different distances |
| Video and content creation | Compact f/2.8 or f/1.8 lens | Bright image and easier operation indoors |
Is it better to choose one universal lens or a prime lens?
If you often photograph in different places and want maximum flexibility, choose a zoom lens. It is practical for travel, events, and working with clients.
If you want to learn composition, photograph portraits, or work in low light, a prime lens may be a better choice. It encourages you to move more and frame shots more carefully.
Conclusions
For up to €700, it is possible to find a quality lens for each of the three popular mirrorless systems:
- For Sony APS-C users, the Sigma 18–50 mm f/2.8 is a versatile everyday solution.
- For Canon RF users, the RF 50 mm f/1.8 STM is a lightweight and affordable first prime lens.
- For Nikon Z users, the NIKKOR Z 50 mm f/1.4 offers a bright aperture and a natural perspective.
When choosing a lens, first think about your shooting style, your camera sensor size, and whether you value a versatile focal range or the brightest possible aperture more.
Before ordering, check the current price, availability, and compatibility with your specific camera model in the Master Foto store.