Best Lens for Vlogging in 2023 (Sony, Canon, Nikon, & More!)

The best lens for vlogging should make you look fabulous on screen. That means you need good-quality optics. But you also want a versatile zoom lens for flexibility. You want a wide angle to capture you and your surroundings. Plus, you need reliable, quiet focusing.

The Sony E 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 is the best lens for vlogging if you have a Sony camera. It’s compatible with their APS-C mirrorless cameras. It has a versatile wide-to-standard focal length. You get built-in stabilization. And it’s a bargain for a Sony zoom lens.

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What Is the Best Lens for Vlogging?

The best lens for vlogging helps you create the best video content you can. You need a good-quality lens to look sharp when talking to the camera.

That means you need a lens with excellent optical quality. So we’ve selected the best vlogging lenses from the top camera brands. 

We’ve also gone for zoom lenses vs primes. They give you more versatility than prime lenses. And that allows you to be more flexible with your shot composition.

With zoom lenses, you can adapt to different settings. And you can change the composition while filming. 

Wide-angle lenses are better suited to vlogging. They allow you to include more of your surroundings in the shot.

You can shoot with the camera closer to you. And you don’t need to be miles away to get a perfect framing around your face. 

You also want a lens with a quiet autofocus motor. It will track you when filming, so you don’t want it to make noises turning the take.

And in-lens stabilization is another handy feature. It gives you smoother shots when shooting from hand. 

Here’s an overview of all the best vlogging lenses. We’ll look at all the lenses in more detail in the section after.

If you need more info on vlogging lenses, there’s an FAQ section at the end. And if you really want a head start on social media content, check out our Social Success Strategies e-book.

9 Best Lenses for Vlogging

Here’s our list of the best lenses for vlogging in detail. We have an excellent selection of wide-angle zoom lenses. And we’ve included lenses from all the top camera brands.

We have lenses for Sony, Canon, or Nikon cameras. And don’t worry if you vlog with a Panasonic, Fujifilm, or Olympus camera, we have lenses for those cameras too!

The Sony E 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 is the best vlogging lens for Sony cameras. It’s compatible with their APS-C mirrorless cameras. It’s a versatile, lightweight, and compact zoom lens.

It has sharp optics. And it’s perfect for Sony vloggers.

The 16-50mm focal length is perfect for vlogging. The wider 16mm end gives you a lovely wide angle that allows you to include your surroundings.

You can also shoot with the camera close to you without it feeling cramped. Then you have the 50mm end if you want a tighter composition.

The optics are fantastic for a lens of this type. It uses ED and aspherical glass elements. These reduce chromatic aberration, giving you sharper images throughout the zoom range.

Optical SteadyShot is another exciting feature. The image stabilizer reduces the effects of camera shake.

This allows you to shoot with a slower shutter speed without experiencing blur. It also lets you shoot by hand when you film walking or tracking shots. So you don’t need a camera stabilizer.

The E 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 is conveniently sized. You can film your vlogs discreetly. And it takes up very little space in your camera backpack. It’s also a bargain Sony users can’t afford to miss!

The Canon EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 STM is a fantastic vlogging lens. It’s compatible with Canon’s M series cameras.

And this range includes some of Canon’s best vlogging cameras. If you have one of these cameras, you need this zoom lens.

It gives you an ultra-wide field of view perfect for vlogging. The 11mm end is close to a fisheye lens. But the zoom capability gives you the flexibility to get the composition you want in different locations.

The optical quality is excellent. And it works really well when shooting videos.

The maximum aperture is a bit on the slow side. But the seven-blade circular aperture helps you achieve a bokeh background blur. It works with photography and videos.

The lens also has image stabilization built-in. This compensates for the slow aperture. It gives more options with your exposure settings.

And it reduces camera shake when filming. So it gives you smoother video blog footage.

The STM autofocus system is fast and reliable. And it makes next to no noise when focusing.

You also have a full-time manual focus override. Simply turn the control ring, and you take control. This can be helpful if you’re filming in a busy location.

The Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR is the best vlogging lens from Nikon. It’s compatible with Nikon’s Z series of mirrorless cameras. And it has advanced features for professional vlogging.

It’s lightweight and compact. The lens’s pancake design makes it Nikon’s most compact Z lens. It takes up very little space in your camera bag.

That means it’s an excellent travel lens if you’re a globe-trotting content creator. And you can stay discreet when filming in public spaces.

It doesn’t have the fastest max aperture, especially at the 50mm end. But the built-in VR system compensates for it. It allows you to shoot down to 4.5 shutter speed stops slower.

So there’s less risk of blur. And it also means you can shoot walking shots without a camera gimbal. 

You can customize the back control ring. You can set it to adjust the aperture, focus, or ISO. And that makes changing your settings even easier.

The lens is also designed to reduce focus breathing. This allows you to change focus during a shot without ruining your composition.

The Nikon Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR is one of the best pancake lenses around. And it’s definitely the best vlogging lens if you have a Nikon APS-C mirrorless camera. You get pro results at a decent price.

Read our article on the best Nikon Z Series lenses.

The XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4R LM OIS is the best vlogging lens for Fujifilm fans. It has a versatile zoom range that’s ideal for vloggers. And the build quality gives you professional results.

The image quality is crystal clear throughout the zoom range. That’s thanks to the ED element and the three aspherical elements.

These keep distortion to a minimum. And you will only experience lens flare if you’re in direct sunlight.

The f/2.8 max aperture is excellent for a wide-angle zoom lens. It’s only at shorter focal lengths. But it gives you fantastic performance in low-light situations. The max aperture is reduced to f/4 at 55mm.

The built-in optical image stabilizer gives you even more exposure control. It gives you sharper images when working in low light.

And it reduces camera shake when you’re shooting video. So you can leave your video tripod at home. It’s a great investment if you’re a serious content creator.

Fujifilm cameras have some of the best video features of any camera brand. And the Fujifilm XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4R will take your vlogs to a whole new level.

This lens is compatible with all the best Fujifilm X Series cameras. But if it’s not what you’re looking for, you can find more options in our best Fujifilm lens article.

The Panasonic Lumix G 12-60mm f/3.5-5.6 is a fabulous wide-angle zoom lens. It has fantastic build quality. And it has been optimized for better video performance.

The focal length is 12-60mm on a Micro Four Thirds (MFT) camera. But this is equivalent to 24-120mm on a full frame camera.

The 12mm end is still excellent for wide-angle videos. And the wide zoom range gives you excellent shot variety. The 60mm is great for tighter vlogging shots or portraits.

The aperture range is fairly good. But you also have the optical image stabilizer to give you more exposure control.

You can shoot with slower shutter speeds. And it reduces signs of camera shake when you’re filming.

It’s a compact and lightweight lens, which suits the best Panasonic Lumix cameras. And it’s a durable lens with full weather sealing. You can shoot outside in all weather conditions.

The Lumix G 12-60mm f/3.5-5.6 is such a great vlogging lens. And it is compatible with all Panasonic Lumix Micro Four Thirds cameras.

If you’re a vlogger with an Olympus camera, the ED 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 is a must-have lens. It’s a pro-level lens at a great price. And it delivers stunning results for photos and videos.

Much like the best Olympus cameras, this lens is compact and lightweight. It’s a great lens to have in your messenger bag. And it has a weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting in all conditions. 

As it’s an MFT lens, the 14-42mm focal length is equivalent to 24-90mm on a full frame camera. That’s a wide enough angle for environmental portraits. But you can adjust it for a tighter composition.

The f/4 aperture is constant throughout the zoom range. It gives you reliable exposure control in changing conditions. And you get consistent results.

It also has high-speed focusing. There’s very little noise when you change focus. And you’ll experience no focus breathing when filming.

The Olympus ED 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 is the best vlogging lens for professional results. It’s the perfect match for Olympus’s hybrid camera features.

You’ll definitely attract more followers with your improved content with this lens. But if this isn’t for you, see more options in our best Olympus lens article.

Sony mirrorless cameras are some of the best for video production. But pro vloggers with a Sony camera need a lens that will enhance the quality of their videos.

That’s why they need the Sony FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 ED OSS. It’s a stunning lens that delivers stunning video results.

It has pro-level build quality. And the inclusion of three aspherical and one ED element eliminates distortion and aberrations.

The outer lens also has a special coating to reduce lens flare. That means you won’t get any distracting features at the edges.

The lens has Sony’s special OSS stabilization system. This gives you better performance in low-light situations. And it lets you work without a tripod or stabilizer. So you get shake-free handheld footage.

The AF motor is excellent for video. It’s fast to find focus. And there’s very little noise when doing so.

You also experience minimal focus breathing when refocusing during a shot. And this makes for professional-looking videos.

The FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 ED OSS is an investment worth making for serious vloggers. You need a lens to match the qualities of Sony’s full frame cameras. And this is that lens.

The best Canon cameras for vlogging are in their mirrorless range. And the RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM is the best vlogging lens if you’re using a Canon R camera.

It’s a versatile zoom lens. And it gives you professional results with photos and videos.

This lens has the biggest zoom range of any on this list. The short end gives you a lovely 24mm wide viewing angle. But you also get excellent magnification at the 105mm end.

The wide focal range allows you to shoot things at a greater distance. But you can go for tight portrait compositions.

The max aperture is a reasonable f/4 at the 24mm end. But this is restricted to f/7.1 when fully zoomed in.

This can be limiting. But thankfully, it has optical image stabilization. This gives you up to five stops of shutter speed compensation. And it makes a big difference to the lens’s low-light performance.

It has a reactive STM AF system. So it gives you fast focusing, despite the large focal length range.

And it creates very little noise pollution. This allows you to refocus during a take without ruining the sound quality.

The Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM is a beautiful lens for vlogging. The large zoom range makes it a versatile option. And it can be used for many types of photography too.

It’s a great option for travel photographers that like making video content.

Nikon’s mirrorless cameras have excellent video features. And they make fantastic cameras for vlogging. But you also need a vlogging lens to partner with the camera.

That’s where the Nikon Z 24-70mm f/4.0 comes in. It’s a beautifully crafted lens. And it has the versatility and quality for professional vlogging.

The 24-70mm zoom range allows you to adapt to your environment. You can get good vlogging shots even in cramped spaces. And you have a good level of magnification for tighter framing.

With a max aperture of f/4, you get good low-light performance. And the max aperture is constant throughout the zoom range. This gives you excellent consistency for better exposure control.

Nikon’s new dual-detect five-axis stabilization gives you even better video performance. It helps stabilize your images, so you don’t need a tripod or monopod.

And this system also has electronic VR for video capture. So you don’t need to fork out for a new camera gimbal.

The lens’s stepping motor is near-silent in operation. It’s quick and reliable, even with subject tracking. And it produces no noise to destroy your videos.

The Z 24-70mm f/4.0 is a tough lens with dust and moisture resistance. It isn’t the cheapest lens on our list. But it’s one of the best video lenses for Nikon cameras. This is a solid investment for vloggers.

Best Lens for Vlogging Buyer’s Guide (FAQs)

We’ve answered some of the most frequently asked questions on the topic. The answers will help you find the best lens for vlogging. And they will help you take your social media content to the next level.

What Type of Lens is Best for Vlogging?

Zoom lenses are the best type of lens for vlogging. They give you more versatility than a prime lens.

You have more control over composition. And you can adjust the composition without moving the camera.

Plus, you have more options with just one zoom lens. Then you don’t need a bag full of lenses to shoot great vlogs.

The main positive of prime over zoom lenses is the image quality. Prime lenses experience less distortion and chromatic aberration.

That can make a big difference when shooting landscape or portrait photography. But this is less important when shooting vlogs. That’s why you can confidently go with a zoom lens.

What Focal Length is Best for Vlogging?

Vloggers need a lens with a short focal length. A short focal length gives you a wide angle of view. And that’s why lenses with a short focal length are called wide-angle lenses.

A wide-angle lens allows you to include more of your surroundings in your shot. They give you a broader composition. And they allow you to sit closer to the camera.

You don’t need to sit far away from the camera to get the perfect vlogging composition.

A wide-angle lens can have a focal length of anywhere between 10 and 35mm. Anything within that range is great for vlogging.

Can You Vlog with a 50mm Lens?

A 50mm prime lens wouldn’t be our top choice for a vlogging lens. But you can definitely still create excellent video content with this type of lens.

You don’t get the versatility of a zoom lens. But 50mm lenses are common and affordable.

The 50mm focal length isn’t ideal. It gives you a tighter crop than you might want. But if you have enough space, you can position the camera further away to achieve a good vlog composition. 

What Is the Best Camera for Vlogging?

Thankfully, there are plenty of excellent vlogging cameras on the market.  Good video quality is a must-have feature in a vlogging camera. Don’t settle for anything less than 4K video resolution.

You can read our review of the best 4K cameras for the best vlogging options. Or you look at the best 4K webcams if you use your computer for vlogging.

You might also be interested in the best streaming cameras if you like vlogging and live streaming.

A fast frame rate is also beneficial for professional-looking vlogs. You need something around 30 fps (frames per second) for pro results.

A rotating screen and microphone inputs are also important features in a camera for vlogging.

Many vloggers start out using their smartphones. While a smartphone is okay for beginners, serious vloggers need to upgrade to a better camera.

Conclusion: The Best Lens For Vlogging

The best lens for vlogging must be versatile. It should have a wide angle of view and be suitable for video. All the lenses in this list hit those targets. And it doesn’t matter which camera you have, we’ve included something for everyone. 

But the Sony E 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 is our top choice. It’s lightweight, compact, and portable. It gives you a wide viewing angle for environmental compositions. And the zoom range gives you the flexibility to create vlogs in any location. It’s also an absolute bargain at its current price.