Lenses
The lens matters as much as the camera. Each guide explains what the numbers mean and what the lens is actually good at.
EF 50mm f/1.8 STM
The classic cheap lens that makes photos look instantly more professional: a wide f/1.8 opening and a natural 50mm view.
EF 85mm f/1.8 USM
A portrait favourite: flattering perspective and strong background separation.
EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM
The kit zoom that comes with most Canon APS-C cameras — flexible and stabilised.
EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM
An affordable ultra-wide zoom for rooms, buildings and big landscapes.
EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM
The professional standard zoom: wide enough for groups, long enough for portraits.
EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM
A stabilised telephoto zoom for sport, ceremonies and tightly framed portraits.
FE 50mm f/1.8
An affordable bright prime for Sony bodies with a natural field of view.
FE 85mm f/1.8
A sharp, light portrait prime that pairs beautifully with eye autofocus.
FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM
Sony's professional standard zoom for events and everyday work.
E 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ OSS
The tiny collapsible kit zoom sold with Sony APS-C cameras.
AF-S 50mm f/1.8G
Nikon's affordable bright standard prime for F-mount DSLRs.
AF-S 85mm f/1.8G
A classic F-mount portrait prime with smooth background rendering.
AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR
A stabilised professional standard zoom for weddings and events.
Z 24-70mm f/4 S
A compact, sharp standard zoom for Nikon Z bodies.
Z 50mm f/1.8 S
A modern, very sharp standard prime for Nikon Z cameras.
XF 35mm f/2 R WR
A small weather-resistant prime that frames like a 50mm on Fujifilm bodies.
XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 R LM OIS
An unusually good kit zoom: brighter than most and stabilised.
RF 50mm f/1.8 STM
The affordable bright prime for Canon's RF mirrorless bodies.
RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
A stabilised do-everything zoom for RF bodies.
RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM
The budget-friendly kit zoom sold with entry-level Canon RF cameras.
RF-S 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM
A single travel zoom for Canon's APS-C RF-mount cameras, from wide rooms to distant details.
EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM
A lighter, cheaper alternative to the f/2.8 telephoto zoom, still weather sealed and sharp.
EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM
An affordable telephoto zoom that pairs with the 18-55mm kit lens for extra reach.
EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM
A pancake-thin prime that turns an APS-C Canon body into a genuinely pocketable camera.
RF 16mm f/2.8 STM
A cheap, very wide prime for dramatic landscapes, interiors and close-up wide shots.
AF-S DX 35mm f/1.8G
A bright, affordable standard prime made specifically for Nikon's APS-C DSLRs.
AF-P DX 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED VR
An affordable telephoto zoom for Nikon DX DSLRs, reaching far for sport and wildlife.
Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR
The slim collapsible kit zoom sold with Nikon's APS-C Z-mount cameras.
Z 85mm f/1.8 S
A sharp, bright portrait prime built for Nikon's mirrorless Z-mount cameras.
E 35mm f/1.8 OSS
A bright standard prime for Sony APS-C cameras, with built-in stabilisation.
FE 24-105mm f/4 G OSS
A stabilised, constant-aperture do-everything zoom for full-frame Sony bodies.
FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS
A lighter telephoto zoom than the f/2.8 version, ideal for travel, sport and portraits.
E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS
A flexible travel zoom for Sony APS-C cameras that covers wide scenes to distant details.
XF 55-200mm f/3.5-4.8 R LM OIS
A stabilised telephoto zoom that pairs neatly with the XF 18-55mm kit lens.
XF 16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR
A weather-resistant, constant-aperture everyday zoom for Fujifilm X-mount cameras.
XF 90mm f/2 R LM WR
A sharp, weather-resistant telephoto prime built for portraits on Fujifilm X cameras.