Lenses used in portrait photography are classically fast, medium telephoto lenses, though any lens may be used, depending on artistic purposes. The best focus range for portrait photography is 80-135mm. Here are lists of best rated Portrait lenses according to DxOMark. See below:
Portrait Lenses for Canon DSLRs | Portrait Lenses for Nikon DSLRs | Portrait Lenses for Sony DSLRs
Best Portrait Lenses for Canon (1D X, 5D Mark III, 5D Mark II, 6D, 7D, 70D, 60D, T5i, T4i, T3i, SL1)
According to DxOMark, the best portrait lens tested on Canon 5D Mark III is the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM lens, this lens is even better than Canon and Zeiss lenses. The EF 100mm f/2 USM lens is another good portrait lens for a very cheap price. Remember official Portrait of President Obama is taken with the 85mm f/1.2L USM lens.
Lens | DxOMark | Check Price at |
Sigma 85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM | 35 | Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay |
EF 100mm f/2 USM | 33 | Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay |
EF 85mm f/1.2L USM | 32 | ebay |
Zeiss Makro-Planar T* 100mm f/2 ZE | 32 | Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay |
EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM | 31 | Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay |
Zeiss Makro-Planar T 50mm f/2 ZE | 30 | Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay |
Samyang 85mm f/1.4 Aspherical IF | 30 | Amazon/B&H/ebay |
EF 50mm f/1.2L USM | 29 | Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay |
Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM | 29 | Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay |
EF 40mm f/2.8 STM | 29 | Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay |
EF 85mm f/1.8 USM | 28 | Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay |
Zeiss Planar T 85mm f/1.4 ZE | 28 | Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay |
EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM | 28 | Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay |
Sigma 70mm F2.8 EX DG Macro | 28 | Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay |
EF 50mm f/1.8 II | 28 | Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay |
EF 50mm f/1.4 USM | 27 | Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay |
Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro | 27 | Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay |
Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro | 27 | Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay |
APS-C Only | ||
EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM | 18 | Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay |
Best Portrait Lenses for Nikon (D4, D800, D700, D600, D300S, D300, D7100, D7000, D5200, D5100, D3200)
Best Portrait lens for Nikon DSLRs is the AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.4G lens, and the f/1.8 version has the same score, but much cheaper, only for $500. Of course the AF-S Nikkor 200mm f/2G ED VR II is a super good portrait lens, but the price is very expensive.
For Nikon DX DSLRs, the best choice is AF-S DX Micro-Nikkor 40mm f/2.8G, only $277.
Lens | DxOMark | Check Price at |
AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.4G | 40 | Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay |
AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.8G | 40 | Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay |
AF-S NIKKOR 200mm f/2G ED VR II | 39 | Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay |
Zeiss Makro-Planar T 100mm f/2 ZF2 | 36 | Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay |
Samyang 85mm f/1.4 Aspherical IF | 36 | Amazon/B&H/ebay |
Sigma 85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM | 35 | Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay |
AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 D IF | 33 | Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay |
Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM | 32 | Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay |
AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G | 32 | Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay |
AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 D | 32 | Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay |
AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 G | 32 | Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay |
Tamron 90mm f/2.8 SP Di MACRO 1:1 VC USD | 32 | Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay |
Zeiss Makro-Planar T 50mm f/2 ZF2 | 31 | Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay |
AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G | 31 | Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay |
Sigma 70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro | 30 | Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay |
Zeiss Planar T 85mm f/1.4 ZF2 | 29 | Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay |
Tamron SP AF 90mm F/2.8 Di MACRO | 29 | Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay |
Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro | 28 | Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay |
AF Micro Nikkor 200mm f/4.0D ED-IF | 27 | Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay |
DX Only | ||
AF-S DX Micro-Nikkor 40mm f/2.8G | 18 | Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay |
Tamron SP 60mm f/2 Di II 1:1 AF Macro | 17 | Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay |
Tokina 35mm f/2.8 AT-X PRO DX Macro | 17 | Amazon/ebay |
AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 85mm f/3.5G ED VR | 15 | Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay |
Best Portrait Lenses for Sony A-mount DSLRs (A99, A850, A77, A65, A58, A37)
The Sony 85mm f/1.4 Zeiss Plannar T* lens and 135mm f/1.8 Zeiss T* are the best Sony Portrait lenses. For a cheap price, the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM lens is another good choice.
Lens | Check Price at |
Sony 85mm f/1.4 Carl Zeiss Planar T* | Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay |
Sony 135mm f/1.8 Carl Zeiss T* | Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay |
Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM | Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay |
Sony Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 Planar T* ZA | Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay |
Tamron 90mm f/2.8 SP Di MACRO 1:1 USD | B&H/ebay |
Sony 100mm f/2.8 Macro | Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay |
Sony 50mm f/1.4 | Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay |
Sony 50mm f/2.8 Macro | Amazon/B&H/Adorama/ebay |