Unfortunately, the internet still doesn’t follow up by providing helpful buying guides that ease searching for these types of optics. Since I have a soft spot for videography, I have also decided to present some of the best lenses for vlogging to help you choose the one that most suits your needs.

The best Sony lens for vlogging has an optical design of 16 elements in 12 groups, with seven rounded diaphragm blades. It sports an angle of view of 76° to 12° with a minimum focus distance of 1,48 feet and a maximum magnification of 0,29x. Sony 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 also has optical image stabilization, one of the factors influencing the decision to put it on the vlogging lenses list.

It is helpful since it offers excellent stabilizing control, even at the 7.5x magnification, and it helps keep videos smooth looking without shakes. The optical design helps retain the high quality of video with vibrant colors and overall sharpness, and the compactness allows in a way that eliminates the need for carrying multiple lenses. The Sony covers an extensive focal range, which adds to its versatility since it is usable for traveling and vlogging under different scenarios.

Another awesome thing is relatively compact and lightweight, which means that it is easy to fit in the bag and doesn’t require arm strength to carry around. The autofocus option is acceptable, with the auto and manual focus switches available anytime. The aperture is relatively modest, although I didn’t have issues with shaky or underexposed videos throughout the testing phase.

The Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 offers 17 elements in 12 groups, along with seven rounded diaphragm blades. The angle of view is 84° to 12° with a minimum focus distance of 5,91 inches and a maximum magnification of 0,3x.

It also has image stabilization for five Axis Sync IS (for cameras that support it) and weatherproof construction, which lead me to put it on the best vlogging lens list.

From an ergonomic point of view, it is an excellent piece of work that comes with a smooth-locking hood and the easiness of changing between auto and manual focus via the sliding collar.

The extra point:

It goes to a weatherproof design which comes in handy when you decide to do vlogging under difficult weather conditions. The overall quality for both videos and stills is excellent, with a preserved sharpness and a solid amount of details. Although I noticed edge softness when shooting at both ends, it is an issue that is easily fixed in post-production.

The lens has reasonable control over aberrations and fringe, so it is not an issue to use it under direct sunlight. The focus system is fast, responsive, and, most importantly, silent so that it won’t cause problems during video sessions. The overall design of the lens is excellent, with a beautiful finishing touch and the substantial-quality, although some could object to the weight.

Sigma 16 mm f/1.4 has the optical design of 16 elements in 13 groups, with nine rounded diaphragm blades. The angle of view is 83.2°, while the minimum focus distance sits at 9,84 inches, with a maximum magnification of 0,1x. Although the lens doesn’t have optical image stabilization, its full and wide aperture ensures enough light enters the sensor, so it is possible to shoot both videos and stills under dim lighting.

One of the reasons it made the best vlogging lens list is the presence of the stepper motor that allows nearly silent autofocus, which is paramount in shooting high-quality videos.

Furthermore:

The lens sports a water and dust-proof design, and with its compact design, it is possible to take it outdoors without worrying about rain droplets. One of the aspects of this lens that left a tremendous impact on me is the low-light capability.

It is possible to create mesmerizing videos under dim lighting without destroying the overall quality. Moreover, the comprehensive video and image quality are full of sharp details without too many barrel vignetting or flare problems.

Although some videographers could object to the focal length of 16mm, I found it to work quite well for vlogging needs, and it also helps that it doesn’t add too much weight to the camera body. The general design of the lens is sub-standard, but I quite like the light feeling it provides.

Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 is optically designed with 13 elements in 11 groups, with nine rounded diaphragm blades. The angle of view is 104° to 82° with a minimum focus distance of 11,81 inches and a maximum magnification of 0,09x. The constant aperture of an f/2.8 that offers an extraordinary lowlight shooting experience is one of the reasons why Tokina made the best lens for vlogging lists. It also leaves the space for a great depth of field control while the internal focus balances polarizing filters effortlessly.

Even though:

The Zoom range is limiting; the lens fulfilled all my vlogging needs with flying colors. It offers sharp and bright video quality while delivering awesome still images. The focus system is exquisite, operates in silence, and provides fast and responsive control. Furthermore, the overall video and image quality is representative, with solid color transmission and excellent contrast.

As with most wide (or ultra-wide) lenses, I have noticed barrel distortion issues and small chromatic aberrations, but since they were easy to remove, they didn’t cause much of a problem.

One objection is the lack of optical image stabilization, which would be helpful in captivating videos under demanding circumstances. Luckily, the wide opening compensates for the lack of it. The design is solid, with excellent aesthetics and a good finish design.

The last contender on the list sports 17 elements in 12 groups, with nine rounded diaphragm blades and a maximum magnification of 0,25x. The angle of view is 107° to 63° with a minimum focus distance of 11,42 inches. The maximum magnification is 0,25x, and the Nikon also sports an optical image stabilization of up to four stops. From the visual perspective, the lens offers magnificent results with the control of ghosting and edge softness.

I tried shooting videos under dim lighting and was surprised at how well it manages a lack of a light source. Moreover, it does a splendid job against direct sunlight since there is not too much flare issue. Optical image stabilization sharpens the image and prevents shaking from affecting the video quality, which is vital for a successful vlogging experience.

Excellent OIS, combined with a lightweight design, ideal for traveling, is one of the reasons Nikon made the best lens for vlogging list. The focal length of 16-35mm is exquisite for shooting various types of videos, so it will be possible no matter how much of it you want to frame.

The design of the Nikon 16-35mm f/4 lens is also a big plus since Nikon made it possible to put many features in a compact and lightweight body, and it comes with a relatively affordable price tag.

Verdict

Buying the best lens for vlogging is essential for all videographers who want to conquer the market. Since these types of optics are a hefty investment, one should tread lightly when making a choice.

No matter what types of cameras you prefer or lenses you have used before, if you pick any of the five I outlined in the article, your videos will get more views and recognition than you could bargain for.

I hope this article has helped you search for the best lenses for family portraits. Check out this option if you’re still unsure which lens to buy.

If you want to improve your photography skills, I recommend checking out our guides, the five best lenses for sports photography and the five best lenses for wildlife photography.

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