The best lens for city photography means mounting something on the camera to shoot unique, unpredictable, and split-second screens where you won’t gets a second chance.
It means the camera should have fast, precise, and quiet AF, and a wide aperture while being easier to handle even in harsh environments.
But it can be tricky to pick a lens with such a demanding combination, especially from numerous options.
Hence we come up with the top 10 best lenses for city photography as well as all-around photography to let you decide easily.
In addition, an information buying guide and a quick comparison table are also included for better understanding.
Quick Comparison Table
SL | Product name | Key Features |
---|---|---|
1 | Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens | ✓ Deliver silent and smooth AF for stills. ✓ Produce sharper images with less motion blur. ✓ Ensure steady and quiet continuous focusing. ✓ Robust build. |
2 | Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G Lens | ✓ Create stunning images with a shallow depth-of-field. ✓ Suitable for cloudy and rainy conditions. ✓ Renders natural background blur. ✓ Has super integrated coating. |
3 | Sigma 35mm F1.4 Art DG HSM Lens | ✓ Compatible with all Nikon cameras. ✓ Has a quick and accurate focus. ✓ Beautiful bokeh. ✓ Sharp and contrasty image. |
4 | Canon RF35mm F1.8 IS Macro STM Lens | ✓ Has optical image stabilization with stops. ✓ Has super spectra coating. ✓ Work great in bright or backlit conditions. ✓ Versatile lens. |
5 | Fujifilm XF35mmF1.4 R | ✓ Minimizes spherical aberration. ✓ Create a natural sense of depth. ✓ Delivers images with smooth bokeh. ✓ Has quick AF for street photography. |
6 | Tamron 24-70mm F/2.8 G2 Zoom Lens | ✓ Provides superior anti-reflection. ✓ Reduces flare and ghosting. ✓ Improves autofocusing accuracy and speed. ✓ Ensure the highest image stabilization. |
7 | Nikon AF FX NIKKOR 24-85mm f/2.8-4D IF Zoom Lens | ✓ Deliver a natural blur. ✓ Ensure higher optical performance. ✓ Maintain superior color balance and reproduction. ✓ Compact, lightweight construction. |
8 | Sigma 35mm F1.4 Art DG HSM Lens | ✓ Deliver large aperture and high speed. ✓ Designed for full frame and APS-C sensors. ✓ Ensures quiet and accurate autofocusing. ✓ Correct chromatic aberration. |
9 | VILTROX 23mm f/1.4 X-Mount Lens | ✓ Suitable for APS-C-format FUJIFILM X-mount. ✓ Enables quick, quiet, and accurate autofocus. ✓ Perfectly work enables quick, quiet, and precise autofocus. ✓ Reduce color fringing and chromatic aberrations. |
10 | Sony FE 24 mm f/1.4 GM Prime Lens | ✓ Deliver superb resolution, clarity, and contrast. ✓ Ensure beautiful bokeh defocus effects. ✓ Eliminate flare and ghosting. ✓ Sealed dust and moisture-resistant design. |
Best Lens for City Photography
1. Canon EF 50mm F/1.8 STM Lens
Type | Prime Lens |
---|---|
Focal Length | 50mm |
Aperture | F/1.8 |
focusing distance | 1.15 feet |
Dimension | 1.54 x 2.72 inches |
Weight | 5.60 ounces |
Ratings | 4.8 out of 5 |
This Canon lens is our top pick for the best lens for city photography.
It’s an extremely versatile lens that is suitable for everything from street to wedding photography for beginner to amateur even at a decent price.
This lighter lens is also compatible with both full-frame and crop sensors to let you capture sharp images even during night street photography.
>> Do I Need a Flash for Outdoor Pictures
Great Image Quality
This canon lens stays fairly sharp even at wide open while delivering good color and contrast.
Its f/1.8 aperture delivers more amount of light than a standard zoom lens to produce a sharper image with the least motion blur.
The lens is also handy for shooting in a low-light environment.
More importantly, its focal length allows it to fit the frame with the subject from a good distance which makes it great for portrait photography.
STM focus
A great feature includes STM focus for near-silent focusing during shooting stills and video, making it better than other canon lenses.
It means you can take your desired shot at a busy street or sensitive place without disturbing your surroundings.
Minimum Focus Distance
with 1.15 feet minimum focus distance, this best lens for street photography canon allow you to go pretty close to the subject for decent close-up work.
FAQs
Does this lens include front and rear lens caps?
Yes.
What size UV filter need for this lens?
49mm.
2. Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm F/1.8G Lens
Specifications
Type | Prime Lens |
---|---|
Focal Length | 50mm |
Aperture | F/1.8 |
focusing distance | 1.48 feet |
Dimension | 2.09 x 2.83 inches |
Weight | 6.53 ounces |
Ratings | 4.8 out of 5 |
Nikon users, who are looking for the best lens for city photography, as well as everyday use, can buy this item without breaking the bank.
Compared to the previous lens, this camera accessory can also help get sharper images with attractively blurred backgrounds.
The camera isn’t also too bulky or costly and suitable for low-light shooting as well as silent focus.
However, its minimum focus distance is larger than the previous model and isn’t zoomable for various styles of photography.
Stunning Image
With a 50mm focal length which is equivalent to 75mm and a fast f/1.8 aperture, this Nikon lens allows you to shoot a stunning picture with shallow depth of field.
It means the subjects stand out from the background after shooting street photography.
Super Integrated Coating
The lens is designed with a multilayer fantastic Integrated Coating to enhance light transmission efficiency.
The function also ensures superior color consistency reducing unwanted flare.
Astonishing Low Light performance
Whether you are planning for city photography during sunny, cloudy, or rainy days, this lens will be your perfect attachment to mount on the camera.
Its f/1.8 aperture will let you capture brilliant images all year round regardless of the environment.
FAQs
Is it good with close-up photos?
Yes.
It is a macro lens?
No, it’s a normal lens.
3. Sigma 35mm F1.4 Art DG HSM Lens
Specifications
Type | Prime Lens |
---|---|
Focal Length | 35mm |
Aperture | F/1.4 |
focusing distance | 1 foot |
Dimension | 3.7 x 3.03 inches |
Weight | 23.52 lbs |
Ratings | 4.5 out of 5 |
This Sigma zoom lens comes with excellent built quality while compatible with most major camera brands including sony, canon, and Nikon.
With a combination of medium-wide focal length and large aperture, the camera is perfect for city photography both day and night.
Its focus is also accurate and quick while slick and black machine looks make the lens attractive.
Though the lens is a bit heavier, it’s an absolute bargain at this price and great for having a shallow depth of field during street photography.
User-Friendly Focusing
This sigma lens has a quick and whisper-quiet ring-type ultrasonic AF system and rotational travel of the focus ring for manual focusing.
Combining these, the lens enables accurate and fine adjustment. However, its depth of field is available for a wider aperture.
Compatibility
The lens is suitable for mounting almost any digital camera, making it the perfect attachment for professional photographers.
It also works on Nikon FX and DX cameras.
Superb Image Quality
The lens helps create epic image quality with fabulous sharpness. This sigma lens can also minimize barrel distortion and color fringing.
FAQs
Does the focus ring have a strong stop?
It doesn’t have to stop.
Is this a wide-angle lens?
Yes.
4. Canon RF35mm F1.8 IS Macro STM Lens
Specifications
Type | Prime Lens |
---|---|
Focal Length | 35mm |
Aperture | F/1.8 |
focusing distance | 0.56 feet |
Dimension | 2.9 x 2.5 inches |
Weight | 10.8 ounces |
Ratings | 4.8 out of 5 |
The feature that makes this Canon RF35mm better than competitors or other typical zoom lenses is its image stabilization.
More specifically the lens can correct up to 5 Stops of shake to ensure accurate and faster shooting to avoid missing the desired image during street photography.
Apart from that, the lens is lightweight and portable while less intimidating than its larger counterpart.
The lens is also extremely sharp and allows capturing macro shots, thanks to its minimum 0.56 ft focus distance
Maximum Magnification
This Canon RF35mm features a max 0.5x magnification ratio. It means this versatile lens will let you use it for walk-around city photography as well as a macro shot.
Versatility
This canon lens is works with Canon’s Macro range of Speedlite flashes.
It means you can have studio-quality and controlled close-up lighting in any condition, making it the best lens for night street photography.
Creative Performance
This IS STM lens is perfect for shooting street, landscape, and minute details to have a creative result at any time and in any location.
Hence the lens is perfect for capturing street scenes.
FAQs
Is the autofocus quiet?
Almost silent.
Does it have a canon warranty?
Yes, 1 year.
5. Fujifilm XF35mmF1.4 R
Specifications
Type | Prime Lens |
---|---|
Focal Length | 35mm |
Aperture | F/1.4 |
focusing distance | 0.91 feet |
Dimension | 2.17 x 2.56 inches |
Weight | 6.60 ounces |
Ratings | 4.8 out of 5 |
Next, we have Fujifilm XF35mmF1 which is a small format lens but comparable with larger canon and Nikon lenses.
The lens helps get rich and sharp photos along with outstanding bokeh, thanks to its large F/1.4 aperture.
Even its number of shutter petals makes the defocusing effect really good as well.
Though the lens is preferable for portraits due to the 3D effect, it won’t disappoint you at all during use on street, outdoors, or anywhere.
However, you may have to be more careful with focusing since it has a really fast aperture.
Amazing Clarity Image
The lens produces brilliant clear images even at F1.4 wide open aperture.
It reduces aberration changes shifting all the lens groups together in both close-up and infinity shots.
Quick autofocus
The lens has a very quick autofocus to shoot good image quality with decent sharpness and color during street photography.
Its huge aperture also makes the lens suitable for night city photography.
Compact
This fuji lens is simple, lightweight, and compact, making it easy to carry and store.
It means the lens won’t take up much space on your camera backpack nor add extra weight to the setup to cause hand fatigue during moving around the city.
FAQs
Does this include a lens hood?
Yes.
Is this lens weather-sealed?
No.
6. Tamron 24-70mm F/2.8 G2 Zoom Lens
Specifications
Type | Zoom Lens |
---|---|
Focal Length | 24-70mm |
Aperture | F/2.8 |
focusing distance | 15 inch |
Dimension | 4.3 x 3.5 inches |
Weight | 31.68 ounce |
Ratings | 4.7 out of 5 |
If you are looking for the best zoom lens for city photography, buying this Tamron 24-70mm zoom lens won’t disappoint you.
This amazingly sharp lens is extremely versatile and work with most top camera brands including Nikon and canon.
This zoom lens is also sturdy, and hefty, and the build quality is stellar while the sharpness is spot on straight after taking it.
The lens can effectively reduce ghosting and flare while ensuring the highest image stabilization.
Accurate Autofocus
This Tamron zoom lens is designed with high-performance MPU that will improve the autofocus dramatically.
It means you’ll have a speedy and accurate autofocus to capture your desired yet perfect shot.
Image Stabilization
Its Dedicated MPU also provides the highest image stabilization and allows it to shoot up to 5 stops avoiding motion blur.
Its cutting-edge autofocus technology also ensures the highest vibration compensation.
Ergonomic Construction
The lens is constructed with fluorine coating and it is resistant to moisture to ensure rough use and harsh environment.
It also has an eband coating that prevents reflection. Despite this, it’s inbuilt to prevent accidental misalignment.
FAQs
Does this lens have 6 years warranty?
Yes.
Is it compatible with an APS-C camera?
Yes.
7. Nikon AF FX NIKKOR 24-85mm f/2.8-4D IF Zoom Lens
Specifications
Type | Zoom Lens |
---|---|
Focal Length | 24-85mm |
Aperture | F/2.8 |
focusing distance | 1.64 feet |
Dimension | 3.27 x 3.11 inches |
Weight | 19.2 ounce |
Ratings | 4.2 out of 5 |
With a combination of the wide zoom range, flexibility, ergonomics, and affordability, this Nikon AF FX NIKKOR 24-85mm is the best zoom lens for city photography for the beginner.
The lens will not only eliminate the need of carrying multiple lenses for a certain style of photography, it’s easy accessibility makes the lens suitable for both amateurs and starters avoiding renting.
More importantly, the lens covers a 50mm focal distance for street pro photography while Wide to telephoto 3.5x making it ideal for landscape, travel, and portrait as well.
Suitable for FX
Though the lens works great with the DX camera, it’s mainly designed for the FX model.
So if you plan to buy FX in the future, buying this model in advance will let you upgrade the photography more easily.
Exceptional Macro Mode
Though its dedicated 90mm macro makes the lens the best performer, its macro mode also delivers very decent results.
The focus range is considerably short while delivering a very sharp image with crisp colors, especially in good lighting.
Ergonomic
The lens comes with a solid build quality; the controls are smooth and comfortably fit in hand.
Despite this, its 9-blade rounded diaphragm help gets natural blur while Hybrid and molded-glass aspherical lens elements ensure higher optical performance.
FAQs
Does this lens compatible with a rear cap?
Yes, but need to buy them separately.
Does it include infinity mode?
Yes.
8. Sigma 35mm F1.4 Art DG HSM Lens
Specifications
Type | Prime Lens |
---|---|
Focal Length | 35mm |
Aperture | F/1.4 |
focusing distance | 0.98 feet |
Dimension | 3.7 x 3.03 inches |
Weight | 23.52 ounce |
Ratings | 4.6 out of 5 |
Working with both full frame and APS-C sensor, this Sigma 35mm HSM Lens ensures high speed, quiet and precise autofocusing.
This lens is designed with a floating internal focusing system and Hyper Sonic Motor to ensure optimum optical performance even in closer distance shooting.
The lens can also correct chromic aberration and axial to ensure image clarity during street or other style photography.
However the price is considerably higher, and its solid build and precise operation won’t let you down during outdoor use.
Sharp Optics
This sigma lens is great for having contrasty and crispy images with great detail whether the zoom-in is 2:1 or even 3:1. More importantly this sharper f1.4 lens will benefit you to work on lower ISO, rising shutter speed, or even both.
You can also get melt away background using this lens even on a crop sensor.
Excellent Build
Though this prime lens is a bit heavy, it’s sturdy in construction and exceptionally maintains balance after mounting on the camera.
The lens has a very large manual focus ring with resistance.
Image Quality
The colors this lens renders are really amazing and almost look like 3D. Even you hardly need to edit anything before printing or posting.
It can also produce a photo with great depth and richness while the f1.4 allows shooting sharp pictures.
More importantly, the lens reduces clarity slightly in the lightroom to improve bokeh.
FAQs
Is this lens the ART version?
Yes.
Does it have Image Stabilization?
No.
9. VILTROX 23mm f/1.4 X-Mount Lens
Specifications
Type | Prime Lens |
---|---|
Focal Length | 23mm |
Aperture | F/1.4 |
focusing distance | 11.81 inch |
Dimension | 4.57 x 3.7 inches |
Weight | 17.44 ounce |
Ratings | 4.5 out of 5 |
Unfortunately, it’s a bit difficult to find a quality third-party lens for fuji to get sharp photos with quick and accurate autofocus.
In this case, you should be thankful for this VILTROX 23mm natively APS-C lens which is a deal breaker for Z-mount and X-mount users as well as a small sensor even at a decent price.
Apart from that, the lens has great build quality, quiet AF, and excellent low-light performance, making it the best lens for city photography as well as vlogging, and more.
HD Nano
The lens is designed with 2 extra-low dispersion elements to reduce color fringing and chromatic aberrations.
Hence the street photographer will have an image with color accuracy and a high degree of clarity.
The lens also helps get accurate rendering and high sharpness reducing distortion.
Impressive Operation
The lens has an f/1.4 maximum aperture to work great in low-light conditions and deliver better control over the depth of field.
This VILTROX lens also delivers precise, quiet, and fast AF, thanks to its STM stepping motor.
Convenient use
This city photographing lens has a manual aperture ring for affectionate exposure control while an internal focusing design ensures quicker response and improved handling.
The lens also includes a micro-USB port for updating the lens’s firmware conveniently.
FAQs
Are there free UV Filters?
No.
Is it a scratched Fuji camera body?
No.
10. Sony FE 24 mm f/1.4 GM Prime Lens
Specifications
Type | Prime Lens |
---|---|
Focal Length | 24mm |
Aperture | F/1.4 |
focusing distance | 0.79 feet |
Dimension | 3.54 x 3.15 x 0.39 inches |
Weight | 15.68 ounce |
Ratings | 4.8 out of 5 |
So, if you are looking for an advanced quality lens for your City photography regardless of environment, try this Sony FE 24 mm prime lens.
Since this lens can go as wide as f/1.4, you don’t need to worry about flexibility over any style of photography.
But the fact that makes this lens high-end yet expensive is its XA elements, ED glass elements, and environmental sealing.
It means you can use this prime lens on a rainy or windy day in the city confidently and capture an image with pin-sharp results reducing chromic aberration.
Environment Friendly
This prime lens is designed with a dust seal and moisture-resistant construction.
It means you can have confident and precise operation during city or street photography without concern about the protection of the lens.
Extremely Sharp Image
The lens has two extreme aspherical and three ED glass elements to allow capturing of an image with superb clarity, resolution, and contrast.
It also has Nano AR Coating for eliminating flare and ghosting.
Fast AF
Designed with a high-power Direct Drive SSM focus drive system, this lens delivers unbeatable precision and speed during capturing stills and video.
FAQs
Will this lens fit a sony alpha a&r iv?
Yes.
Is it includes a case?
Yes.
Best Lens for City Photography- Buying Guide
City photography isn’t like as comfortable and easy as other types of photography.
It needs the perfect setup to shoot quickly, and exactly in a public place for the perfect shot.
Hence you must track some key aspects of the lens to make city photography comfortable, fearless, faster, and appropriate.
Lens Type
In general two types of lenses are best for city photography and they are the prime lens and the zoom lens.
In comparison, a zoom lens allows changing the focal length while a prime lens includes a fixed focal length.
The zoom lens also comes in a variety of types including 18-55mm, 70-300mm, 70-200mm, and 18-300mm.
Despite, zoom lenses are cheaper than the prime lens, easier to use, and versatile for various photography styles.
However, using a zoom lens can compress the scene during city photography and it’s quite difficult to interact with the subject using this lens.
Chromatic aberration, Distortion, and vignetting are also common issues with zoom lenses.
Conversely, the most popular prime lenses are 35mm and 50mm however it ranges from 10mm to 800mm or even more.
The key benefits of a prime lens are its better aperture and suitability for low-light photography and bokeh.
However, the prime lens isn’t many users friendly and costlier than the zoom lens while requiring separate options for different photography styles.
Focal Length
In short, a 50mm focal length is preferable for city photography as it can maintain a great balance between the subject and surroundings.
However, lots of alternatives are available.
Depending on your camera type, you may also need to consider crop factor to decide the focal length.
For example, a full-frame camera delivers a 1:1 focal length where 35mm means 35mm. but if the camera has a 1.6 crop factor, the 35mm lens will behave like a 60mm lens.
Some popular focal for prime lenses are 35mm, 50mm, wide-angle, and long focal length.
Likewise, the most used focal length for a zoom lens is 18-55mm, 24-70mm, 12-24mm, 24-105mm, and 70-200mm.
Low-light Performance
If you want to shoot dramatic and moody street photos, you have to shoot in low light.
Apart from that if you want to do city photography at twilight, dingy indoor market, or at night, a lens with a larger aperture is your way to go.
Though modern cameras work great at high ISO, the still larger aperture can deliver great bokeh light even in low-light photos.
Size and Weight
City photography means carrying lens mounted camera all day long to discover the best scenarios and shots more often.
Hence you should choose a compact and light lens that won’t add much weight to your setup and help reduce hand fatigue.
Autofocus Speed
City photographing means shooting in dynamic and fast-paced environments.
Hence your lens should have fast autofocus speed so you don’t miss any shots and capture action-oriented street images.
Sharpness
Almost all types of photography including city photography require sharpness. So opt for a lens that can produce clear, crisp, and detailed images.
Though some street photographers prefer a grainier and softer look, it’s better to add the effect in post-processing. It’s always better to have a sharper lens.
Compatibility
During shopping for the best lens for city photography, make sure it has the correct mount to fit your camera.
Nowadays, the camera comes in a variety of types, making it essential to check the compatibility to avoid mess up.
FAQs
What Is The Key Rule Of Street Photography?
As a street photographer, don’t leave your camera at home.
A city always has prime moments to capture and leaving the camera at home may cost you to miss the perfect yet most desired shot.
What Are The Common Photography Mistakes?
The most common photography mistake that photographers do more often are cropping photos, using a slow card, and lack of knowledge of camera function.
Even many photographers forget to change the battery while some don’t learn about the big three.
Why Is Street Photography So Hard?
Street photography involves fear which makes it difficult to shoot the perfect shot.
It also makes the photographer tentative enough to miss the appropriate shot.
Final Words
After getting some of the top-quality recommendations, hope now you can pick the best lens for city photography for certain gear within your budget.
Though 35mm and 50mm lenses are mostly preferred for city photography, 23mm, 24mm, or even 85mm lenses won’t disappoint you.
In the end your deciding factors are compatibility, and budget as those models are almost identical in design and performances as well as for all around photography