Having a good camera isn’t enough if you are a product photographer.
If you constantly photograph different products, you also need good equipment and a lens that provides stability in your shots.
It requires having the right lens to produce great photos whether in the studio or outdoors.
A lot of photographers ask: what is the best lens for product photography? The good news is that different brands offer a lot of good lenses on the market.
If you are a beginner to product photography or you are an experienced product photographer looking for a change-up in lens options types, then we’ve designed this guide for you.
In a hurry? Here’s the quick rundown:
- ⭐ Best Overall Lens for Product Photography
- 🌐 Best Wide Aperture Prime Lenses for Product Photography
- Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM
- Sony 85mm F/1.8-22
- Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G
- Fujinon XF 56mm F1.2 R
- → Great lenses for shallow depth of field and bokeh effect
- 🔭 Best Zoom Lenses for Product Photography
- Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM
- Sony FE 24-70 mm F2.8 G Master
- Fujinon XF16-80mm F4 R OIS WR
- Fujinon XF 50-140mm F2.8 R LM OIS WR
- Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED
- → Great lenses for flexibility in framing and focal length
- 📷 Best Standard Prime Lenses for Product Photography
- 💸 Best Budget Lenses for Product Photography
How to Choose the Best Lens for Product Photography?
Aperture: Look for a lens with a wide aperture (low f-stop number) such as f/1.8 or f/2.8. This will allow for a shallow depth of field and a nice bokeh effect, which is desirable in product photography.
Focal length: Product photography often involves shooting small items, so a lens with a short focal length (like a 50mm or 85mm) is ideal. This will allow you to get close to the product and fill the frame with it.
Sharpness and resolution: Look for a lens that is sharp and has high resolution. This will ensure that the details of the product are captured clearly.
Zoom vs. prime lens: Zoom lenses offer more flexibility in terms of framing and focal length, while prime lenses are known for their wide aperture and sharpness. A zoom lens with a wide aperture is a great option, like the Sony FE 24-70 mm F2.8 G Master.
Compatibility: Make sure the lens is compatible with the camera you’re using.
Budget: Consider your budget and choose a lens that fits within it.
Table of Contents
12 Best Lenses for Product Photography
1. Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM
Lens Specifications:
- Lens type: Prime lens
- Maximum aperture: F1.8
- Minimum aperture: F22
- Max Format size: 35mm FF
- Focal length: 50mm
- Image stabilization: No
- Lens mount: Canon EF
- Weight: 159g (0.35 lb)
- Diameter: 69mm (2.72″)
- Length: 39mm (1.54″)
- Sealing: No
My Pros With This Lens:
- Silent autofocus
- Handy 50mm focal length for different scenarios
- Wide aperture
My Cons With This Lens:
- The results are not that sharp when you use F1.8
The Canon EF 50mm f1.8 STM Lens is a top-notch option for Canon users if you are looking for a flexible lens that you can use not only for product photography but even for other situations.
I consider this to be the best Canon lens for product photography.
It is best known for its silent motor making it a favorite among vloggers too. And with an f1.8 aperture, you get to highlight the product that you are shooting and blur the rest of the background.
The sharpest images start at around f4. Using the widest aperture, you might find the results a bit soft.
Also, check out a full list of the best Canon lenses for product photography.
2. Sony 85mm F/1.8-22
Lens Specifications:
- Lens type: Prime lens
- Maximum aperture: F1.8
- Minimum aperture: F22
- Max Format size: 35mm FF
- Focal length: 85mm
- Image stabilization: No
- Lens mount: Sony FE
- Weight: 371g (0.82 lb)
- Diameter: 78mm (3.07″)
- Length: 82mm (3.23″)
- Sealing: Yes
My Pros With This Lens:
- Sharp images and focuses well
- Good focusing distance
- Moisture and dust resistant
- Great bokeh
My Cons With This Lens:
- n/a
The Sony SEL85F18 85mm F1.8 telephoto lens is a favorite by different pro photographers. We consider this to be the best Sony lens for product photography.
For several reasons, it is worthy to be included in the list of best lenses for product photography.
This lens is known for its moisture and dust-resistant design.
This full-frame lens can get closer shots than your average 50mm prime lens but it has a wide aperture that makes it handy even in low-light scenarios.
The ED glass is also popular for giving this lens its corner-to-corner sharpness.
3. Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G
Lens Specifications:
- Lens type: Prime lens
- Max Format size: 35mm FF
- Focal length: 50mm
- Image stabilization: No
- Lens mount: Nikon F (FX)
My Pros With This Lens:
- Sharper images
- Handy for different product photography situations
- Great bokeh
- Fast and silent autofocus
My Cons With This Lens:
- Feels a bit flimsy (but also lighter)
Between the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G Lens and its Canon counterpart, you can consider this lens as the better option. We consider this to be the best Nikon lens for product photography.
It has better autofocus thanks to the silent wave motor plus you get to enjoy sharp images especially when you start at f4.
The only downside is its plastic construction.
4. Fujinon XF 56mm F1.2 R
Lens Specifications:
- Lens type: Prime lens
- Maximum aperture: F1.2
- Minimum aperture: F16
- Max Format size: APS-C/DX
- Focal length: 56mm
- Image stabilization: No
- Lens mount: Fujifilm X
- Weight: 405g (0.89 lb)
- Diameter: 73mm (2.88″)
- Length: 70mm (2.74″)
- Materials: Metal barrel, metal mount
My Pros With This Lens:
- Wide aperture
- Offering sharp images
- Perfect for macro photography
My Cons With This Lens:
- n/a
The Fujinon XF56mm F1.2 R Lens is a mirrorless lens that can have a 35mm equivalent of an 85mm lens.
It is one of the best lenses for product photography mainly because of the F1.2 aperture.
It has great bokeh that can focus on a small portion of the subject and blur the rest. It can be used for macro photography as well.
5. Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM
Lens Specifications:
- Lens type: Zoom lens
- Maximum aperture: F2.8
- Minimum aperture: F22
- Max Format size: 35mm FF
- Focal length: 24–70mm
- Image stabilization: No
- Lens mount: Canon EF
- Weight: 805g (1.77 lb)
- Diameter: 89mm (3.48″)
- Length: 113mm (4.45″)
- Materials: Metal barrel, metal mount
- Sealing: Yes
My Pros With This Lens:
- Perfect for shooting close up or the full size of the product
- Great optics and stability
- Wide aperture
My Cons With This Lens:
- n/a
The Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Standard Zoom Lens can be considered an all-around lens.
What makes it one of the best lenses for product photography is that you can choose to go close up or choose to capture the entirety of the product.
Many Canon users love this lens and have photographed many successful product shoots with it.
It can even turn into a wide-angle lens especially when you need to shoot clothing and you need to capture the model from top to bottom.
The L series is known for having superb optics that result in great images plus, you get to enjoy a wide aperture for a zoom lens.
6. Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM
Lens Specifications:
- Lens type: Prime lens
- Maximum aperture: F1.8
- Minimum aperture: F22
- Max Format size: 35mm FF
- Focal length: 85mm
- Image stabilization: No
- Lens mount: Canon EF
- Weight: 425g (0.94 lb)
- Diameter: 75mm (2.95″)
- Length: 72mm (2.81″)
- Materials: Plastic barrel, metal mount
- Sealing: No
My Pros With This Lens:
- Wide aperture
- Fast autofocus
- Sharp images
My Cons With This Lens:
- Prone to blurring (and one user reported distorting a tiny bit)
The Canon 85mm f1.8 USM medium telephoto lens with its wide aperture and 85mm focal length is undoubtedly one of the best lenses for product photography.
It allows you to take photos of different subjects even when you don’t have to get closer. It also has fast autofocus thanks to the USM motor.
However, you may want to get a tripod if you want to use it.
7. Sony – FE 50mm F1.8
Lens Specifications:
- Lens type: Prime lens
- Maximum aperture: F1.8
- Minimum aperture: F22
- Max Format size: 35mm FF
- Focal length: 50mm
- Image stabilization: No
- Lens mount: Sony FE
- Weight: 186g (0.41 lb)
- Diameter: 69mm (2.72″)
- Length: 60mm (2.36″)
- Sealing: No
My Pros With This Lens:
- Good bokeh and stability
- Versatile lens
- Wide aperture
- Sharp images
My Cons With This Lens:
- Can be a bit difficult to use its autofocus
What is one of the best lens for product photography?
The Sony FE 50mm F1.8 Standard Lens is usually what comes into the mind of Sony users when asked this question.
Similar to other 50mm lenses that we’ve featured, it is a versatile focal length that can be used in product photography whether inside or outside the confines of a studio.
It has a wide aperture that helps produce great bokeh too. However, the worst part about the lens is its autofocus.
It makes use of a noisy DC motor that also takes a lot of pulsing before it gets to narrow down on a subject.
8. Sony FE 24-70 mm F2.8 G Master
Lens Specifications:
- Lens type: Zoom lens
- Maximum aperture: F2.8
- Minimum aperute: F22
- Max Format size: 35mm FF
- Focal length: 24–70mm
- Image stabilization: No
- Lens mount: Sony FE
- Weight: 886g (1.95 lb)
- Diameter: 88mm (3.45″)
- Length: 136mm (5.35″)
- Sealing: Yes
My Pros With This Lens:
- Can be used for close-up and wide-angle (it is “zoomable”)
- Great bokeh and magnification
- Sharp images
My Cons With This Lens:
- n/a
The Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 G Master Full Frame Standard Zoom Lens is a good all in one type of lens that is handy in different situations.
It can be used to take closer shots or get photos of the entire product with ease. It can also serve as a wide-angle lens perfect for fashion photography.
Apart from the gorgeous bokeh and sharp images, you have to consider the fact that it is a bigger investment.
That’s primarily why even pros are having second thoughts about the Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 G Master Full Frame Standard Zoom Lens.
9. Nikon AF S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G
Lens Specifications:
- Lens type: Prime lens
- Maximum aperture: F1.8
- Minimum aperture: F16
- Max Format size: 35mm FF
- Focal length: 85mm
- Image stabilization: No
- Lens mount: Nikon F (FX)
- Weight: 350g (0.77 lb)
- Diameter: 80mm (3.15″)
- Length: 73mm (2.87″)
- Sealing: Yes
My Pros With This Lens:
- Crisp and sharp picture
- Great bokeh
- Perfect for macro photography
My Cons With This Lens:
- Takes some time to focus
If you feel that you are not getting the distance you need with the 50mm Nikon lens and it just isn’t working, the Nikon AF S Nikkor 85mm f1.8G fixed lens should be the next best thing on your list.
It is considered one of the best lenses for product photography because it comes in handy especially in macro photography.
Macro photography is a recurring theme in most product photography sessions because you need to accentuate details in a product.
With its crisp and sharp image and great bokeh, you will be able to highlight details in a product.
The only slight downside to this lens is that it takes a bit of time to focus.
10. Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED
Lens Specifications:
- Lens type: Zoom lens
- Maximum aperture: F3.5-5.6
- Minimum aperture: F22-38
- Max Format size: APS-C / DX
- Focal length: 18–140 mm
- Image stabilization: Yes (VR)
- Lens mount: Nikon F (DX)
- Weight: 490g (1.08 lb)
- Diameter: 78mm (3.07″)
- Length: 97mm (3.82″)
- Zoom: method Rotary (extending)
My Pros With This Lens:
- Can be used as wide-angle or a macro lens
- Sharp images
- With vibration reduction technology
My Cons With This Lens:
- Not the best option without any flash
You can consider this lens as one of the top rated product photography lenses because of its wide zoom range. Imagine getting the shot you need without switching lenses.
With the Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-140mm f3.5-5.6G ED Lens, you have a wide-angle and even a macro lens in one package.
This lens gives you the ability to get a wide-angle shot or opt to take a closer perspective by focusing on smaller details of your subject.
This option even has a vibration reduction technology that can help you shoot well even without a tripod.
And with its crisp images, it’s a good option even for pro photographers. The only downside is the fact that it doesn’t do well outside the studio without any flash because of its f3.5-5.6 aperture.
11. Fujinon XF16-80mm F4 R OIS WR
Lens Specifications:
- Lens type: Zoom lens
- Maximum aperture: F4
- Minimum aperture: F22
- Max Format size: APS-C/DX
- Focal length: 16–80mm
- Image stabilization: Yes
- Lens mount: Fujifilm X
- Weight: 440g (0.97 lb)
- Diameter: 78mm (3.07″)
- Length: 89mm (3.5″)
- Materials: Magnesium alloy
- Sealing: Yes
My Pros With This Lens:
- With image stabilization
- Sharp images
- Quiet autofocus
My Cons With This Lens:
- Doesn’t do well without a flash
The Fujinon XF16-80mm F4 R OIS WR lens is something that can do wonders in a studio setup.
It can be used to do close up or take a wider shot of a product. It is also known for its sharp photos and its ability to capture clear images despite not relying on a tripod.
Many Fuji users love this lens and have photographed many times with this lens.
It has an optical image stabilization feature that comes in handy especially when you have to shoot without a flash. And lastly, it has a quiet autofocus.
12. Fujinon XF 50-140mm F2.8 R LM OIS WR
Lens Specifications:
- Lens type: Zoom lens
- Maximum aperture: F2.8
- Minimum aperture: F22
- Max Format size: APS-C/DX
- Focal length: 50–140mm
- Image stabilization: Yes (5 stops)
- Lens mount: Fujifilm X
- Weight: 995g (2.19 lb)
- Diameter: 83mm (3.26″)
- Length: 176mm (6.93″)
- Materials: Metal
- Sealing: Yes
My Pros With This Lens:
- Perfect for taking photos of small products/objects such as jewelry
- Dust and moisture resistant
- Wide aperture
My Cons With This Lens:
- n/a
The Fujinon XF50-140mm F2.8 R LM OIS WR lens is the handy option for those who are into macro photography and for those who are trying to take photos of small products/elements such as a wedding ring or even food.
This lens has an equivalent of 76mm to 214mm in full frame.
Hands down, it can be considered as one of the best lenses for product photography with its wide aperture and rugged design.
It has a dust and moisture resistant design with a maximum aperture of F2.8. This lens offers a great bokeh to accentuate the small details of a product.
FAQ
What Lens Type is Best for Product Photography?
The best lens type for product photography is a prime lens with a wide aperture (low f-stop number) such as f/1.8 or f/2.8. These lenses allow for a shallow depth of field and a nice bokeh effect, which is desirable in product photography.
Do You Need an Expensive Lens for Good Product Photography?
An expensive lens is not necessarily a requirement for good product photography. While high-end lenses can offer advanced features such as wide aperture, sharpness, and fast autofocus, there are also many budget-friendly options that can produce great results.
Concluding Remarks
Being product photography shooters, we hope this detailed guide/article and tips have helped.
We hope showing all the factors, information, and limitations of each lens have allowed you to find the right lens choice offering and compatibility for you.
We showcased some of the best product photography lenses for some of the most popular photography cameras that cover all lengths and distances.
Shopping for the best type of lens for product photography can be confusing and intimidating at the same time.
We’ve come up with some of the best lenses for product photography to help you find the right match for you to seal the deal on your purchase decision.
Be sure to read about each difference between each lens. This way, you can compare each brand and see which one gives you the best bang for your buck and seals the deal.
Also, check out a full list of the best cameras for product photography.
I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Nate Torres is a portrait photographer based in Southern California. Outside of photography, Nate specializes in SEO, content marketing, and entrepreneurship. He is also the founder of Imaginated.com, a platform for creator education.
