Type

  • Standard

  • Wide-Angle

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

24-70mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

24-70mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon RF

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

24-70mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

70-200mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

70-200mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

120-300mm

Lens Mount

  • Nikon F

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

70-200mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

16-35mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

100-300mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon RF

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

28-70mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon RF

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

70-200mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon RF

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

16-35mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

70-200mm

Lens Mount

  • Nikon Z

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

24-105mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon RF

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

12-24mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

24-70mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica L

  • Sony E

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

70-200mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica L

  • Sony E

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

70-200mm

Lens Mount

  • Nikon F

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

15-35mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon RF

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

150-400mm

Lens Mount

  • MFT

Type

  • Standard

  • Wide-Angle

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

24-70mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica L

  • Sony E

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

Focal Length

10-25mm

Lens Mount

  • MFT

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

70-200mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF

  • Nikon F

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

70-200mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF

  • Nikon F

  • Sigma SA

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

11-24mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF

Picture of the Sony FE 28-70mm F2 GM lens

$3,348

Type

  • Standard

  • Wide-Angle

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

28-70mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

24-70mm

Lens Mount

  • Nikon F

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

70–200mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon RF

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

14-24mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica L

  • Sony E

Type

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

35-150mm

Lens Mount

  • Nikon Z

  • Sony E

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

24-70mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF

  • Nikon F

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

70-200mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica L

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

24-105mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

24-70mm

Lens Mount

  • Nikon Z

Type

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

25-50mm

Lens Mount

  • MFT

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

14-24mm

Lens Mount

  • Nikon Z

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

24-35mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF

  • Nikon F

  • Sigma SA

Type

  • Standard

  • Wide-Angle

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

24-70mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony A

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

100-400mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

200-600mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

Focal Length

28-75mm

Lens Mount

  • Nikon Z

  • Sony E

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

70-180mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Picture of the Sony FE 12-24mm F4 G lens

$2,298

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

12-24mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

50-100mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF

  • Nikon F

  • Sigma SA

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

14-24mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF

  • Nikon F

  • Sigma SA

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

150-500mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

  • Nikon Z

  • Fujifilm X

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

28-105mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

  • Leica L

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

150-600mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF

  • Nikon F

  • Sony A

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

28-75mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

60-600mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica L

  • Sony E

Type

  • Standard

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

24-50mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

70-180mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

16-35mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony A

Type

  • Standard

  • Wide-Angle

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

24-70mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF

  • Sigma SA

  • Nikon F

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

70-180mm

Lens Mount

  • Nikon Z

Type

  • Standard

  • Wide-Angle

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

28-70mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica L

  • Sony E

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

150-600mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica L

  • Sony E

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

16-25mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

24–105mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon RF

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

17-28mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

60-600mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF

  • Nikon F

  • Sigma SA

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

180-400mm

Lens Mount

  • Nikon F

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

24-70mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica L

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

15-30mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF

  • Nikon F

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

70-200mm

Lens Mount

  • Pentax K

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

7-14mm

Lens Mount

  • MFT

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

100-400mm

Lens Mount

  • Nikon Z

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

28-45mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica L

  • Sony E

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

24-90mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica L

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

16-35mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

12-24mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF

  • Nikon F

  • Sigma SA

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

24-70mm

Lens Mount

  • Nikon Z

Type

  • Macro

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

70-200mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

24-70mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica L

Picture of the Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G lens

$1,248

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

Focal Length

20-70mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

150-450mm

Lens Mount

  • Pentax K

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

50-200mm

Lens Mount

  • MFT

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

28-200mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

100-500mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon RF

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

Focal Length

12-35mm

Lens Mount

  • MFT

Type

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

35-100mm

Lens Mount

  • MFT

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

24-70mm

Lens Mount

  • Pentax K

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

50-400mm

Lens Mount

  • Nikon Z

  • Sony E

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

12-100mm

Lens Mount

  • MFT

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

24-70mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

16-35mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

Focal Length

12-35mm

Lens Mount

  • MFT

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

20-40mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

14-35mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon RF

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

11-20mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon RF

  • Fujifilm X

  • Sony E

Type

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

35-100mm

Lens Mount

  • MFT

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

8-18mm

Lens Mount

  • MFT

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

70-200mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon RF

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

16-28mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica L

  • Sony E

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

18-135mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF-S

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Fisheye

Focal Length

8-16mm

Lens Mount

  • Fujifilm X

Picture of the Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 G lens

$1,698

Type

  • Standard

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

16-55mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

100-400mm

Lens Mount

  • Fujifilm X

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

24-120mm

Lens Mount

  • Nikon Z

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

100-400mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

  • Leica L

  • Fujifilm X

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

28–70mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon RF

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

16-35mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica L

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

150-600mm

Lens Mount

  • Fujifilm X

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

35-75mm

Lens Mount

  • Hasselblad X

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

12-40mm

Lens Mount

  • MFT

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

24-90mm

Lens Mount

  • MFT

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

Focal Length

16-35mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica L

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

100-400mm

Lens Mount

  • MFT

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

16-80mm

Lens Mount

  • Nikon F

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

Focal Length

17-70mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

  • Fujifilm X

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

45-100mm

Lens Mount

  • Fujifilm G

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

11-18mm

Lens Mount

  • Pentax K

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

  • Macro

Focal Length

24-105mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica L

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

70-350mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

18-50mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon RF

  • Fujifilm X

  • Leica L

  • Sony E

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

90-280mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica L

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

8-25mm

Lens Mount

  • MFT

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

100-400mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF

  • Nikon F

  • Sigma SA

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

200-500mm

Lens Mount

  • Nikon F

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

12-60mm

Lens Mount

  • MFT

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

70-300mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

16-50mm

Lens Mount

  • Pentax K

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

14-30mm

Lens Mount

  • Nikon Z

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

150-600mm

Lens Mount

  • MFT

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

16-28mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF

  • Nikon F

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

15-30mm

Lens Mount

  • Pentax K

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

Focal Length

32-64mm

Lens Mount

  • Fujifilm G

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

24-240mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon RF

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

100-400mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF

  • Nikon F

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

180-600mm

Lens Mount

  • Nikon Z

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

35-150mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF

  • Nikon F

Type

  • Standard

  • Wide-Angle

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

24-240mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

70-210mm

Lens Mount

  • Pentax K

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

24-105mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

70-200mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica L

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

18-50mm

Lens Mount

  • Fujifilm X

Type

  • Telephoto

  • Macro

Focal Length

70-300mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica L

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

18-300mm

Lens Mount

  • Fujifilm X

  • Sony E

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

10-20mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon RF

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

14-24mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica L

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

18-135mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

28-75mm

Lens Mount

  • Nikon Z

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

70-210mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF

  • Nikon F

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

40-150mm

Lens Mount

  • MFT

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

10-24mm

Lens Mount

  • Fujifilm X

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

14-140mm

Lens Mount

  • MFT

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

100-400mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica L

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

28-400mm

Lens Mount

  • Nikon Z

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

70-200mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

100-300mm

Lens Mount

  • MFT

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

24-200mm

Lens Mount

  • Nikon Z

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

100-200mm

Lens Mount

  • Fujifilm G

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

18-120mm

Lens Mount

  • Fujifilm X

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

17-35mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF

  • Nikon F

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

50-300mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

70-300mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

  • Nikon Z

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

11-18mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

10-20mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

16-80mm

Lens Mount

  • Fujifilm X

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

70-300mm

Lens Mount

  • Fujifilm X

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

10-18mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

  • Nikon Z

  • Leica L

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

70-300mm

Lens Mount

  • Nikon F

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

100-400mm

Lens Mount

  • MFT

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

18-400mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF-S

  • Nikon F

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

  • Macro

Focal Length

28-200mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica L

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

20-35mm

Lens Mount

  • Fujifilm G

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

28-105mm

Lens Mount

  • Pentax K

Type

  • Fisheye

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

10-17mm

Lens Mount

  • Pentax K

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

Focal Length

17-55mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

12-60mm

Lens Mount

  • MFT

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

100-400mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon RF

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

14-20mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF-S

  • Nikon F

Type

  • Standard

  • Wide-Angle

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

28-300mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

10-18mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon RF

  • Fujifilm X

  • Leica L

  • Sony E

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

12-200mm

Lens Mount

  • MFT

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

Focal Length

16-50mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

Focal Length

18-55mm

Lens Mount

  • Nikon F

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

20-60mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica L

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

18-140mm

Lens Mount

  • Nikon Z

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

11-20mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF-S

  • Nikon F

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

18-150mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon RF

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

11-16mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF-S

  • Nikon F

Type

  • Standard

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

28-60mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

45-200mm

Lens Mount

  • MFT

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

200-800mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon RF

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

18-200mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF-S

  • Nikon F

  • Sony A

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

14-150mm

Lens Mount

  • MFT

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Macro

Focal Length

14-28mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica L

Type

  • Fisheye

Focal Length

8-15mm

Lens Mount

  • Nikon F

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

55-300mm

Lens Mount

  • Pentax K

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

  • Cine

Focal Length

18-55mm

Lens Mount

  • Fujifilm X

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

16-50mm

Lens Mount

  • Fujifilm X

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

10-24mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF-S

  • Nikon F

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

50-250mm

Lens Mount

  • Nikon Z

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

Focal Length

24-50mm

Lens Mount

  • Nikon Z

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

Focal Length

15-45mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF-M

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

10-20mm

Lens Mount

  • Nikon F

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

Focal Length

16-50mm

Lens Mount

  • Nikon Z

Type

  • Telephoto

  • Cine

Focal Length

50-135mm

Lens Mount

  • Fujifilm X

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

12-28mm

Lens Mount

  • Nikon Z

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

70-300mm

Lens Mount

  • Nikon F

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

18-55mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF-S

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

18-50mm

Lens Mount

  • Pentax K

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

  • Cine

Focal Length

18-55mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

35-70mm

Lens Mount

  • Fujifilm G

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

Focal Length

18-40mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica L

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

Focal Length

24-50mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon RF

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

Focal Length

15-45mm

Lens Mount

  • Fujifilm X

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

55-200mm

Lens Mount

  • Nikon F

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

55-210mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon RF

Type

  • Telephoto

  • Cine

Focal Length

50-135mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

70-300mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

15-30mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon RF

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

18-150mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF-M

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

10-18mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon RF

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

Focal Length

18-45mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon RF

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

24-105mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon RF

Best Zoom Lenses for Documentary Photography in 2025

* Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

* Imaginated.com may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. Learn more here.

These are the best zoom lenses for documentary photography when you want compact builds, fast and reliable AF, honest geometry, and stabilization that keeps handheld shots sharp—whether you’re embedded on long projects, moving through crowded streets, covering sensitive interviews, or working fast in changing light—and here’s what to look for as you buy: prioritize moderate size/weight you’ll carry all day, rectilinear rendering with low wave/moustache distortion, strong performance wide open (ƒ2.8 ideal; ƒ4 for lighter kits), quiet linear/STM motors with predictable AF behavior, minimal focus breathing if you film, effective IS/OSS/VR that plays nicely with IBIS, weather sealing and robust hoods, practical close-focus for detail cutaways, and front threads (67/77/82mm) so one VND/CPL/diffusion covers the set; favor internal focus (and internal zoom where possible) for gimbals, standardize diameters across your lenses, and keep firmware current for AF and stabilization improvements. Full-frame doc heroes: standard zooms—Sony FE 24–70mm ƒ2.8 GM II (fast, light for class, breathing control), FE 24–105mm ƒ4 G OSS (one-lens day with excellent OSS), Canon RF 24–70mm ƒ2.8L IS and RF 24–105mm ƒ4L IS (flagship AF + IS), Nikon Z 24–70mm ƒ2.8 S and Z 24–120mm ƒ4 S (neutral color, tidy geometry), Panasonic/LUMIX S 24–105mm ƒ4 O.I.S. and Sigma 24–70mm ƒ2.8 DG DN (consistent rendering, strong value). Wide/ultrawide context lenses—Sony FE 16–35mm ƒ2.8 GM II or FE PZ 16–35mm ƒ4 G (great for handheld interiors and gimbal work), Canon RF 15–35mm ƒ2.8L IS / RF 14–35mm ƒ4L IS, Nikon Z 14–30mm ƒ4 S, Sigma 14–24mm ƒ2.8 DG DN (rear-gel option; clean corners). Tele/story compression—Sony FE 70–200mm ƒ2.8 GM OSS II or ƒ4 G OSS II (light, quick), Canon RF 70–200mm ƒ2.8L IS / ƒ4L IS (compact, stabilized), Nikon Z 70–200mm ƒ2.8 VR S (razor sharp, great VR), Sigma 70–200mm ƒ2.8 DG DN OS (modern, balanced) for respectful distance portraits and moment isolation. APS-C standouts for light, discreet rigs: Sony E 18–135mm ƒ3.5–5.6 OSS (one-lens travel), E 16–55mm ƒ2.8 G (prime-like sharpness), Tamron 17–70mm ƒ2.8 VC (fast + stabilized), Sigma 18–50mm ƒ2.8 DC DN (tiny, bright), Fujifilm XF 18–55mm ƒ2.8–4 OIS (legendary “kit killer”), XF 16–80mm ƒ4 OIS (range + OIS), XF 10–24mm ƒ4 OIS WR (handheld interiors), Canon RF-S 18–150mm ƒ3.5–6.3 IS and 55–210mm ƒ5–7.1 IS (compact stabilized pair), Nikon Z DX 16–50mm ƒ3.5–6.3 VR and 50–250mm ƒ4.5–6.3 VR (sharp, featherweight). Micro Four Thirds workhorses (stealthy and stabilized): OM SYSTEM 12–100mm ƒ4 IS Pro (Sync IS legend—handheld at silly lows), 12–40mm ƒ2.8 Pro II + 40–150mm ƒ2.8 Pro (classic twin-pack), Panasonic 12–35mm ƒ2.8 and 35–100mm ƒ2.8 (tiny, smooth OIS), Panasonic Leica 10–25mm ƒ1.7 (prime-like rendering for dim interiors). Practical buyer tips: build a two-zoom spine—(16/15–35 + 24–70) covers most briefs; add a 70–200 for respectful distance and compressed moments; if weight is king, pick ƒ4 zooms with strong IS and pair with a single fast prime for nights; standardize 77/82mm fronts for one VND/CPL/diffusion (use CPL sparingly—don’t kill window reflections you might want), choose lenses with low breathing and declickable or well-damped apertures if you’re hybrid, and prefer internal-focus designs for gimbals. Field technique that keeps files honest and sharp: run Aperture Priority or Manual with Auto-ISO and a sensible floor (1/125–1/250s for people; 1/500s+ for quick action), keep the camera roughly level to avoid unintentional keystone that dramatizes scale, and favor 24–35mm for context with a quick swap to 50–105/200mm for emotion and detail; expose for faces and let highlights clip gracefully if needed, lock a consistent white balance per scene for clean edits, and use IBIS/IS deliberately—give it a half-second to stabilize and shoot short bursts for a tack frame; for interviews and quiet spaces, rely on stabilized ƒ4 zooms and gentle diffusion for flattering contrast; for video, keep a 180° shutter with a quality VND, set slow AF transitions and medium sensitivity for natural racks, enable breathing compensation, and favor short, intentional moves over long walks; always mind access and ethics—work small, be transparent, and let the story lead your focal length choices. Whether you’re following a single subject for months, filing fast from the field, or crafting vérité sequences with ambient light, the best zoom lenses for documentary photography combine manageable size, reliable AF, low distortion, smart stabilization, and consistent rendering—so your images feel truthful, immediate, and quietly cinematic.

© 2025 Imaginated.com