Whether you are starting as a vlogger or want to improve your current setup, knowing which lenses are the best for vlogging is an excellent way to create quality content.
When deciding which to purchase, consider the focal range, lens weight, low-light performance, stabilization, image quality, and distortion. All these aspects are crucial for good quality vlogging.
Our selection of the best lens for vlogging:
1. Olympus M. Zuiko Digital ED 8-25mm f/4 PRO
This lens is slightly heavy, but we love it for being an all-rounder. It is one of the few camera lenses that can film equally well selfie-style and away from the camera.
The key specs include the following:
- The effective focal length is between 16-50mm (5/8-1.9″)
- The minimum focal distance is 23cm (9.1″)
- The aperture is f/4
- It weighs 411g (14.5oz)
- The filter size is 72mm (2.8″)
- The maximum magnification is 0.21X
The Olympus M. Zuiko Digital ED 8-25mm f/4 PRO is an ultra-wide-standard zoom with fantastic optical quality. It is a lens perfect for vloggers using a full-frame camera.
One feature that we love about this lens is the option for manual focus. This feature means you can get a super close zoom and have the control you need while using it. Autofocus is also quick and almost entirely silent.
If you find this a little too heavy to hold, consider using a tripod or similar; however, reviews from users mention that the weight is not too much of an issue.
2. Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS
This lens is reasonably lightweight, compact, and neat. It is an excellent option for beginner vloggers and is an ultra-wide lens. The Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS has optical stabilization, which is fantastic for walk-and-shoot vlogs, and action shots. It is handy in tight spaces, especially if you are filming at a desk, kitchen, or store.
The key specs include the following:
- The effective focal length is 27-202mm (1-7.9″)
- The minimum focal distance is 45cm (17.7″)
- The weight is 326g (11.4oz)
- The filter size is 55mm (2.2″)
- The aperture is f/3.5-56
- The maximum magnification is a whopping 7.5X
This lens has a built-in digital correction, a great addition to controlling distortion that often comes with a wide-angle lens. A seven-blade circular aperture gives a pleasing bokeh and produces a lovely, sharp image quality.
Videographers love this lens for its versatility. Shoot wildlife, people, or landscape with great detail and sharp image quality.
3. Sony E 10-18mm f/4 OSS
The Sony E 10-18mm lens is super lightweight and gloriously wide-angle. It is an attractive option for vlogging and boasts optical stabilization. Stabilization comes in handy when you film walk-and-talk or action shots.
The ultra-wide angle makes it an excellent choice for tight spaces, alleyways, streets, or indoor filming.
The key specs include the following:
- The effective focal length is 15-27mm (0.6-1.1″)
- The minimum focal distance is 25cm (9.8″)
- The weight is a super light 224g (7.9oz)
- The filter size is 62mm (2.4″)
- The aperture is f/4
- The maximum magnification is 0.1X
The Sony E 10-18mm f/4 OSS sports the same seven-blade circular aperture as the 18-135mm. This feature means the lens gives you a stunning bokeh as the image becomes naturally defocused towards the outer edges.
This lens is excellent for a variety of spaces, including low-light shots. This aspect makes it great for vlogging since you will likely not always have time or resources to set up a decent lighting rig.
The high-quality glass in the Sony E 10-18mm lens is designed to give you high-contrast image quality, even at the 10mm focal length.
4. Fixed Prime Lens 24mm or 50mm
Our fourth selection for you is not a specific make of lens, but we simply have to mention fixed lenses for vlogging.
Fixed lenses have a low f-stop and high aperture, allowing more light to enter the camera. This feature makes these lenses a fantastic choice for vloggers who sometimes have to film in low-light areas with minimal time or resources for a lighting setup.
The low f-stop allows for better image quality since your video is less likely to be grainy because of poor lighting conditions.
Using a fixed lens lowers the chance of facial distortion for vlogging. Vlogging needs a wide-angle lens, and we recommend getting one as close to 20mm as possible.
Fixed lenses are pretty well priced, coming in cheaper than most other lenses. Their downfall is possibly the fact that you cannot zoom out. If you use a fixed lens on an APS-C-sensor camera, you’ll need to film away from the camera instead of using a hand-held method.
Miguel Carneiro, photographer, videographer, and vlogger, recommends an ultra-wide lens of 16-35mm with a 2.8 f-stop. He cited the Sony 14mm fixed lens as an excellent choice for vloggers. It has image correction and does not warp images even with its wide angle. It is also a perfect choice for vloggers since it can perform in low light.
To film selfie-style, consider purchasing a prime 24mm lens. You may wish to get both the 50mm and 24mm lenses to allow for selfie and away filming. Canon also has a 16mm fixed prime lens worth looking at.
5. Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8 L IS USM
Well-known photographer and videographer Peter McKinnon uses the Canon EOS R5 camera with the Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8 lens as his primary lens. Although he uses a secondary lens, also a Canon, we love the RF 15-35mm f/2.8 for its remarkable versatility and vlogging prowess.
The key specs include the following:
- The effective focal length is 15-35mm (0.6-13.8″)
- The minimum focal distance is 28cm (11″)
- The weight is 840g (1.85oz)
- The filter size is 82mm (3.2″)
- The aperture is f/2.8
- The maximum magnification is 0.21X
The Canon RF 15-35mm lens boasts a constant bright aperture that allows you to vlog in any available light. This is a handy feature since vloggers seldom have the time or resources to set up sufficient lighting equipment.
One of the top features enjoyed by Peter McKinnon and other vloggers is the fluorine coating. The coating keeps the lens somewhat dust and water-resistant, a helpful element for vloggers who like to get out and about.
Lens flare is minimized with an air sphere coating. Handy if you are avoiding having your content featured on paranormal shows.
6. Sony EF 16-35mm f/2.8 L II USM
The Sony EF 16-35mm f/2.8 L II USM is well-loved by many vloggers. Although it is a little heavy, it makes up for its weight with fantastic features that provide high-quality images for your content.
The key specs include the following:
- The effective focal length is 16-35mm (0.6-1.4″)
- The minimum focal distance is 28cm (11″)
- The weight is 640g (22.6oz)
- The filter size is 82mm (3.2″)
- The aperture is f/2.8
- The maximum magnification is 0.22X
This lens boasts quality glass and precision EF optics as part of Canon’s flagship L series. This series’s lens is dust and moisture-resistant, perfect for vloggers who get into nature while shooting.
The Sony EF 16-35mm f/2.8 L II USM has a constant f/2.8. This feature means that your shutter speed stays the same even while zooming.
This lens gives you a smooth overall background blur and an inspiring depth of field. Do we seem like we are gushing? We might be. We definitely saved our favorite pick for last.
Some other features that this lens includes:
- Ultrasonic focusing capabilities
- Supra spectra coating
- All-over image sharpness
- Flash system integration
- Each lens comes with a hood and a soft case