Mirrorless system lens
However, full-frame shooters do have an affordable option in the FE 50mm f/1.8. Achieving a shallow depth of field is easy if desired, and the bright maximum aperture also makes this a good lens for low-light work, letting in significantly more light than any kit lens.Īs the Sony E 50mm is designed for APS-C sensors only, it won’t work on Sony’s full-frame A7-series cameras. With a 75mm full-frame equivalent focal length and bright, f/1.8 aperture, this lens is ideal for portraiture. This isn’t a feature typically found on lenses with such fast apertures, but it’s a fantastic addition for video shooters and users of Sony cameras without in-body stabilization, like the A6300. Sony’s 50mm f/1.8 for its APS-C mirrorless cameras is unique among the “nifty fifty” competition in that it offers Optical Steady Shot (OSS) image stabilization. Who’s it for: Portrait photographers and videographers. Why should you buy this: Image stabilization, fast aperture The best Sony E-Mount lens under $500: Sony FE 50mm F1.8 OSS It’s a take-anywhere lens, great for all types of traveling, but equally useful for snapshots at your next birthday party or backyard barbecue. Weighing just over three ounces and at 1 inch in length, the compact lens is right at home on the smallest MFT camera bodies from Panasonic and Olympus. The 40mm full-frame equivalent focal length and bright aperture make the Panasonic Lumix G 20mm f/1.7 II a decent lens for casual portraiture, but its real strength is simply the compact design. The updated mark II version features a metal lens barrel but is optically identical to the original - which is not a bad thing. For such a small product, it played a pretty big role in the early days of the mirrorless camera segment. Beyond boosting Panasonic’s name in the photography world, it was one of the first lenses to illustrate the potential of mirrorless cameras as tools for serious photographers. The original 20mm f/1.7 “pancake” lens was the first Micro Four Thirds (MFT) lens that successfully drew enthusiast photographers to the platform.
Why we picked the Panasonic G 20mm f/1.7 II:
Who’s it for: Panasonic and Olympus users who want better low light performance without adding weight. Why should you buy this: Ultra-compact, fast aperture. The best: Panasonic Lumix G 20mm f/1.7 II