The Best SLR Camera Lenses under $230
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens
★ Top Choice
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From $125
Features
- Stepping motor (STM) delivers near silent, continous Move Servo AF for movies and smooth AF for stills.
- Minimum focusing distance of 1.15 feet (0.35 meter) and a maximum magnification of 0.21x.
- 80 millimeter effective focal length on APS C cameras, 50 millimeter on full frame cameras.Lens Construction: 6 elements in 5 groups.
- Great for portraits, action, and nighttime photography; Angle of view (horizontal, vertical, diagonal): 40º, 27º,46º.
- 50 millimeter focal length and maximum aperture of f/1.8.
Pros
- ⊕ Quiet auto-focus performance.
- ⊕ Ideal for everyday photography.
Cons
- ⊖ Some longevity concerns.
Best Canon Prime Lens
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Best Entry-Level
The 7 Best Lenses for Canon DSLRs in 2020 - lifewire.com
Best of the Best
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Mentioned
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Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G
♥ Runner Up
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From $196.95
Features
- F Mount Lens/DX Format. Picture Angle with Nikon DX Format 44 degree.
- Compatible formats is dx and fx in dx crop mode.Maximum Reproduction Ratio:0.16x.
- Lens not zoomable.
- Silent Wave Motor AF System. Accepts filter type is screw on.Lens Construction:8 elements in 6 groups.
- 52.5 millimeter (35 millimeter Equivalent). Rear Focusing; Manual Focus Override.
- Aperture Range: f/1.8 to 22 ; Dimensions(approx.):Approx. 70 x 52.5 millimeter.
Pros
- ⊕ Inexpensive.
- ⊕ Crisp images.
- ⊕ Bright aperture.
- ⊕ Compact and light.
- ⊕ Compact, lightweight design.
Cons
- ⊖ Some barrel distortion.
- ⊖ No optical stabilization.
Mentioned
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Nikon AF-S FX Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G.
Best Daytime
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From $216.95
Features
- M/a Focus Mode Switch, Filter Thread 58 Millimeter, Autofocus: Yes. Dimensions (Approx.) (from the Camera Lens Mounting Flange): Approximately 2.83 Inches Diameter X 2.01 Inches.
- Fast, upgraded f/1.8, compact FX format prime lens. The picture angle with 35 millimeter (135) format is 47 degree and the maximum reproduction ratio is 0.15X.
- Focal Length 50 millimeter, Minimum Focus Distance 1.48 feet (0.45 meter).
- Newly developed optical system with Aspherical lens element, Exclusive Nikon Silent Wave Motor (SWM).
- Lens not zoomable.
- Optimized for edge to edge sharpness on both FX and DX format D SLRs.
Best Nikon Prime Lens
The 8 Best Lenses for DSLR Cameras of 2020 - lifewire.com
Best Budget Nikon
The 8 Best Portrait Lenses of 2020 - lifewire.com
Best Daytime
The 8 Best Nikon DSLR Lenses of 2020 - lifewire.com
Sony FE 50mm f/1.8
Our pick
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From $226
Features
- Large F1.8 maximum aperture enables beautiful defocusing effects, 7-blade circular aperture creates beautiful defocused bokeh.
- 75mm (35mm equivalent) focal length with APS-C sensor. Angle of View (APS-C) : 32 degree.
- Compact, lightweight design ideal for full-frame E-mount cameras, Aspherical element controls spherical aberration and coma.
- Double-gauss configuration suppresses field curvature & distortion, Metal mount adds solid durability as well as a sophisticated feel, Fast DC motor focus actuator system drives all lens groups.
- In-the-box: Hood (ALC-SH146), Lens front cap (ALC-F49S), Lens rear cap (ALC-R1EM).
Pros
- ⊕ Good image quality.
- ⊕ Light and compact.
- ⊕ Minimal distortion.
- ⊕ Compact and lightweight.
Cons
- ⊖ Slow focus.
- ⊖ Build feels basic.
- ⊖ Vignetting wide open.
- ⊖ Omits optical stabilization.
Specs
- Aperture blades: 7.
- Weather seals: No.
- Filter thread: 49mm.
- Weight: 186g.
- Maximum aperture: f/1.8.
- Dimensions: 69 x 60mm.
- Focal length: 50mm (75mm APS-C).