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What Are The Best Prime Lenses in 2025

"Discover the Top Prime Lenses for Every Photographer: Your Comprehensive Guide to Making Informed Choices" When it comes to elevating your photography game, prime lenses are a must-have in your gear arsenal. These fixed focal length lenses are renowned for their superior optical quality, wide apertures, and lightweight design, making them ideal for various shooting scenarios. In this guide, we’ll explore the best prime lenses on the market, tailored to different skill levels and styles, from portraiture to landscapes. Understanding key features like aperture size, build quality, and compatibility with your camera body will help you make a smart purchase. Whether you're a seasoned professional or an enthusiastic beginner, our expert insights will enable you to select the perfect lens that aligns with your creative vision. Additionally, we’ll discuss budget-friendly options alongside high-end choices, ensuring you find the best fit for your photography needs without breaking the bank. Dive into our recommendations and transform your photography experience with prime lenses that truly deliver exceptional results.

1

Sony SEL85F18 85mm F/1.8-22 Medium-Telephoto Fixed Prime Camera Lens

Buy Now $648.00

Why We Love It

Reviewers love the Sony SEL85F18 for its superb image quality. Its wide aperture and 9-blade circular diaphragm produce beautiful bokeh, making it a favorite among portrait photographers. Users also appreciate its dust and moisture resistant design, enabling them to shoot in various conditions. Despite some commenting on its weight, the overall performance and quality of this lens make it a highly recommended choice.

Pros

  • Superior image quality
  • Wide aperture
  • Dust and moisture resistant

Cons

  • Focus speed could be faster
  • Slightly heavy

Medium-telephoto prime lens with high performance optics

The Sony SEL85F18 85mm F/1.8-22 is a versatile, medium-telephoto prime lens that is perfect for portraits, action, and nighttime photography. Its wide F1.8 maximum aperture and circular 9-blade diaphragm produce beautiful bokeh, while its 85mm focal length allows for natural subject emphasis. The lens also features an ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass element, reducing chromatic aberration and delivering superior contrast and resolution.

2

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens

Buy Now $140.00

Why We Love It

Users rave about the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM's performance in low light, thanks to its wide aperture. Its compact size and lightweight design make it a favorite for travel and everyday photography. Plus, the lens' quiet and smooth focus is appreciated by photographers and videographers alike. Although some users wish it was weather-sealed, the overall performance and affordability of this lens make it a top pick.

Pros

  • Compact and lightweight
  • Wide aperture for low light conditions
  • Quiet and smooth focus

Cons

  • Plastic construction
  • Not weather-sealed

Compact prime lens with wide aperture for excellent low light photography

The Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM lens is a must-have for any EOS camera owner. With its wide f/1.8 aperture, it excels in low light conditions and provides beautiful background blur for portraits. The lens features a stepping motor (STM) for smooth and quiet continuous autofocus during video recording, as well as still shooting. Plus, being a compact and lightweight lens, it is an excellent choice for traveling and everyday photography.

3

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G Lens

Buy Now $247.00

Why We Love It

Users praise the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G for its versatility, often describing it as a 'go-to' lens. The lens' low-light performance comes highly recommended due to its wide aperture. Additionally, photographers appreciate the quiet autofocus, especially when shooting in quiet environments. Some users point out a lack of sharpness at wider apertures, but the overall consensus is overwhelmingly positive.

Pros

  • Versatile prime lens
  • Excellent in low light
  • Quiet autofocus

Cons

  • Lacks vibration reduction
  • Not as sharp at wide apertures

Versatile prime lens offering classic view and excellent performance

The Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G lens offers a classic 'normal' angle of view, mimicking the perception of the human eye. It's a great all-around lens, suitable for a broad range of photography styles. The wide f/1.8 aperture provides excellent low-light performance and depth of field control for beautiful background blur. The lens also utilizes a Silent Wave Motor for fast, quiet autofocus.

4

Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Summilux 15mm f/1.7 ASPH Lens

Buy Now $448.00

Why We Love It

Reviewers heap praise on the Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Summilux 15mm f/1.7 ASPH lens for its impressive image quality. Its solid build and intuitive aperture ring control are also frequently cited as positive features. Users appreciate the lens's ability to reduce ghosting and flare, thanks to its Nano Surface Coating. While it's a bit pricier than some similar lenses, reviewers agree that the quality justifies the investment.

Pros

  • Impressive image quality
  • Solid build
  • Intuitive controls

Cons

  • Pricey compared to similar lenses
  • May exhibit some barrel distortion

High-quality prime lens with solid build and intuitive controls

The Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Summilux 15mm f/1.7 ASPH lens is a high-quality lens that delivers sharp and clear images. The lens features a maximum f/1.7 aperture for beautiful bokeh and excellent low-light performance. Its solid construction and intuitive aperture ring control make it a joy to use. The lens also includes Nano Surface Coating to reduce ghosting and flare.

5

Sigma 35mm F1.4 Art DG HSM Lens for Canon

Buy Now $869.00

Why We Love It

Photographers love the Sigma 35mm F1.4 Art DG HSM Lens for its ability to deliver sharp, high-contrast images. The quiet, high-speed autofocus is appreciated for both still photography and video recording. Users also commend its ability to reduce chromatic aberration, contributing to superior image quality. While some mention its weight and the potential need for calibration, the overall feedback is extremely positive.

Pros

  • Sharp images
  • Quiet, high-speed autofocus
  • Reduces chromatic aberration

Cons

  • Heavy
  • May require lens calibration for best performance

Versatile prime lens with high contrast and sharpness

The Sigma 35mm F1.4 Art DG HSM Lens is an excellent lens that delivers sharp, high-contrast images even at the widest aperture settings. It features a Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) for quiet, high-speed autofocus, and a floating focusing system to ensure superior optical performance. The lens is also equipped with Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass to reduce chromatic aberration.

Product Comparison

Compare features across all products in this category

6 Features 5 Products Updated Oct 11, 2025
Product Compatible with DSLR/Mirrorless Maximum Aperture Focal Length Autofocus System Weight Special Features
1 Sony SEL85F18 85mm F/1.8-22 Medium-Telephoto Fixed Prime Camera Lens
Yes F1.8 85mm Standard 371g Dust and moisture resistant, ED glass element
2 Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens
Yes F1.8 50mm Stepping Motor (STM) 130g Compact and lightweight, ideal for travel
3 Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G Lens
Yes F1.8 35mm Silent Wave Motor 197g Normal angle of view, excellent low light performance
4 Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Summilux 15mm f/1.7 ASPH Lens
Yes F1.7 15mm Standard 300g Nano Surface Coating, intuitive aperture control
5 Sigma 35mm F1.4 Art DG HSM Lens for Canon
Yes F1.4 35mm Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) 665g Floating focusing system, SLD glass for chromatic aberration reduction
1

Sony SEL85F18 85mm F/1.8-22 Medium-Telephoto Fixed Prime Camera Lens

Compatible with DSLR/Mirrorless
Yes
Maximum Aperture
F1.8
Focal Length
85mm
Autofocus System
Standard
Weight
371g
Special Features
Dust and moisture resistant, ED glass element
2

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens

Compatible with DSLR/Mirrorless
Yes
Maximum Aperture
F1.8
Focal Length
50mm
Autofocus System
Stepping Motor (STM)
Weight
130g
Special Features
Compact and lightweight, ideal for travel
3

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G Lens

Compatible with DSLR/Mirrorless
Yes
Maximum Aperture
F1.8
Focal Length
35mm
Autofocus System
Silent Wave Motor
Weight
197g
Special Features
Normal angle of view, excellent low light performance
4

Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Summilux 15mm f/1.7 ASPH Lens

Compatible with DSLR/Mirrorless
Yes
Maximum Aperture
F1.7
Focal Length
15mm
Autofocus System
Standard
Weight
300g
Special Features
Nano Surface Coating, intuitive aperture control
5

Sigma 35mm F1.4 Art DG HSM Lens for Canon

Compatible with DSLR/Mirrorless
Yes
Maximum Aperture
F1.4
Focal Length
35mm
Autofocus System
Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM)
Weight
665g
Special Features
Floating focusing system, SLD glass for chromatic aberration reduction

Frequently Asked Questions About Prime Lenses

What makes a prime lenses the "best"?

We evaluate products based on quality, performance, value for money, user reviews, durability, and ease of use. Our rankings are updated regularly to reflect the latest market offerings and user feedback.

How often do you update your prime lenses recommendations?

Our team continuously monitors the market for new products and updates our recommendations quarterly. We also adjust rankings based on user feedback and new testing results.

Do you test all the products you recommend?

Yes, whenever possible, we physically test products in our labs. For products we can't test directly, we rely on verified user reviews, expert opinions, and detailed specifications to make informed recommendations.

What if I'm looking for a specific type of prime lenses?

Our top 10 list covers the most popular and highly-rated options. If you have specific requirements, check our detailed product descriptions and pros/cons to find the best match for your needs.