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14 Best Travel Lenses in 2024 (Prime and Zoom)

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Having the best travel lens is a surefire way to improve your travel photography. But what should you consider when looking for a lens for travel photography? You need to think about size and weight. You want a focal length that gives you good shot variety. And, of course, you want excellent image quality.

The Nikon AF-S DX 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 is our favorite travel lens. It’s lightweight and compact for a zoom lens. It has a vibration reduction system for sharper images and better low-light performance. And it’s one of Nikon’s most affordable zoom lenses. Keep reading to see the best travel lenses for Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm, and Olympus cameras.

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What Is the Best Travel Lens?

The best travel lens has to be versatile. That’s why we’ve chosen lenses that give you excellent shot variety. Zoom lenses give you more flexibility as a photographer. But we’ve also included fantastic prime lenses that you can use for a variety of different travel shots.

So, deciding whether you want a prime or zoom lens is best. We’ve split our list into two sections. The first section looks at the best zoom lenses. And the second section has all the best prime lenses for travel.

Size and weight are important elements in a travel lens. You don’t want a chunky lens that takes up too much space in your travel camera bag . That’s why we don’t have telephoto or super-telephoto lenses on this list. They are big, heavy, and expensive.

Navigate the article using the links below to find the best travel lens. You can skip to the FAQ section if you need more information on lenses for travel photography.

Photographers with the travel bug should also check out our travel photography eBook . It’s a comprehensive guide to travel photography.

Best Zoom Travel Lenses

Best prime travel lenses, faqs about the best travel lenses.

Zoom lenses are great for travel photography. They tend to be bigger, heavier, and more expensive than prime lenses. But they give you more versatility and flexibility. A good zoom lens can do the job of two or three prime lenses. That’s why you should consider a zoom when looking for the best travel lens.

• Compact, versatile, and ideal for various shooting situations
• 5.8x zoom and VR image stabilization
• Vibration Reduction allows handheld shooting
• Aspherical element, coating for improved integrity and color
• Versatile zoom range of 24-105mm
• Maximum magnification of 0.5x and minimum focusing distance of 131mm in center focus macro
• Optical image stabilization with up to 5 stops of shake correction
• Control ring for quick setting changes

• Compact, lightweight, and affordable
• Aspherical and ED elements for sharp and clear image quality
• Custom control ring for improved usability
• Silent aperture and no focus breathing enhance video quality

• Ultra-thin and ultra-portable electric zoom lens
• Close focusing down to 200mm
• 3x zoom range covers landscapes to portraits
• Remote control and optional auto closing lens cap

• Two ED glass elements and three aspherical elements for high resolution and contrast
• 6x zoom range with a constant f/4 aperture
• Circular aperture blades for enhanced bokeh effect
• ED and Super ED glass reduces chromatic aberration and AA elements improve image accuracy

• 24-70mm zoom range, ideal for various types of photography
• 2 aspherical elements and UD glass element for superior optics
• USM AF actuator for fast and accurate autofocus
• Sealed and gasketed against dust and moisture with 1-year warranty

• 14 elements in 10 groups
• F2.8-4.0 OIS lens (27-84mm equivalent)
• 7-blade rounded diaphragm opening
• 600mm to infinity focus range

1. Nikon AF-S DX 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6

The AF-S DX 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 is a versatile zoom lens from Nikon. It has a wide focal length range. It has an optical stabilization system built in. And it’s compact and lightweight. That’s why it’s the best travel lens if you want a zoom lens.

The 18-105mm focal range gives you plenty of shot versatility. The minimum length of 18mm gives you beautiful wide-angle shots. It’s perfect for landscapes and cityscapes. And it lets you take pictures in tight interior spaces.

The 105mm end gives you excellent magnification. You can get closer to your subjects without moving. And it gives you a tighter framing. That’s good for intimate portraits and detailed close-ups.

The max aperture is limited to f/5.6 when using the 105mm range. That’s not ideal. But the lens compensates for the slow aperture with Nikon’s vibration reduction system. This optical stabilizer counteracts camera shake . And this lets you shoot with a slower shutter speed while avoiding motion blur .

The optical quality is great throughout the zoom range. Zoom lenses often suffer from distortion. But the glass’s Nikon Super Integrated Coating (SIC) reduces all types of distortion. That prevents lens flare, which is helpful if traveling in a sunny country.

If you’re traveling with a Nikon DSLR , the Nikon AF-S DX 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 is the perfect travel lens. It’s lightweight and compact for a zoom lens. It’s versatile and delivers on image quality. And it has excellent low-light performance.

2. Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 STM

If you’re traveling with an R Series Canon camera , the RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 is the zoom lens for you. The wide focal length range gives you lots of shot options. And the stabilization system gives you even more flexibility as a travel photographer.

The lens is compact for a zoom lens with such a large range. But despite being compact, there is no compromise on quality. The build quality is excellent. And the optical performance is outstanding from 24 to 105mm.

The max aperture of f/4 isn’t great. But the built-in optical image stabilization does give you more exposure freedom. It reduces camera shake. So you can shoot with slower shutter speeds. That means you get better low-light performance. And you get sharper images more consistently.

The wide zoom range allows for many types of photography. You can shoot everything from real-estate interiors to close-cut portraits. That’s why the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 is the best travel lens for Canon mirrorless cameras .

3. Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3

The Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 is the perfect lens for traveling with a Nikon mirrorless camera. Nikon’s range of Z-mount lenses is growing all the time. And we’ve selected this all-round option as the best Z lens for travel.

You get good versatility with a 24-50mm focal length range. The 24mm end gives you a lovely wide angle with a fast aperture. The 50mm end does lose a stop of aperture. But it still gives you a good focal length for street photography and environmental portraits.

Despite its compact size, the barrel is packed with top-quality glass. It holds three aspherical elements, which reduce chromatic aberration. And it has two Extra-low Dispersion elements for sharper, glare-free images. 

It’s also a great option for travel vlogs and videography. The wide 24mm focal length is perfect for vlogs where you’re talking to the camera. And the lens suffers from very little focus breathing . That means you won’t have to recompose your shot every time you refocus.

The aperture is also near-silent. That means there’s no unwanted clicking sound that audio equipment can pick up. 

The lens’s 13.7-inch (35 cm) minimum focus distance enhances its versatility. It allows for detailed close-ups, a bonus when shooting travel photography. 

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 is versatile and affordable. The optical quality is fantastic. And it barely takes up any space in your camera travel backpack.

4. Olympus ED 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6

The ED 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 is the best zoom lens for Olympus camera users. Travel photographers will love the slim pancake lens design. And despite the small size, it still gives you a 3x zoom range. It’s an affordable lens Olympus shooters can take anywhere.

The 14-42mm range is equivalent to 28-84mm on a full-frame camera . This gives you excellent shooting angles for travel photography. It doesn’t give you the highest level of magnification. But you get a wide variety of shots. And the image quality is excellent throughout the zoom range.

The glass has the Zuiko Extra-low Reflective Optical coating. This eliminates lens flare when you have an in-frame light source. This is handy in direct sunlight and indoors with strong lights.

The Olympus ED 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 is one of the most compact zoom lenses you can get for a Micro Four Thirds camera . It’s the perfect fit for your travel bag. And it delivers on quality and versatility.

5. Sony E 18-105mm f/4 G

The E 18-105mm f/4 G is the perfect travel buddy for your Sony camera. It’s compatible with all Sony APS-C mirrorless cameras . That includes the popular Sony a6600 . It’s a high-quality lens that’s ideal for travel photography.

The 18-105mm range lets you shoot different types of photography without changing lenses. The 18mm end gives you incredibly wide angles. You can shoot tight streets or architectural interiors. It’s also great for epic landscapes.

The other end gives you magnification for distant subjects. And it gives you a tighter composition for intimate portraits. It also lets you capture detailed close-ups. It’s also great if you’re a travel food photographer or blogger.

This Sony lens has the Optical Steady Shot system. It’s an optical image stabilizer that gives you sharper images. It also allows for better low-light photography by reducing camera shake. But you also get a constant f/4 aperture throughout the zoom range. That makes it one of the best low-light lenses on the list.

The lens also has internal focusing elements. This means the lens doesn’t change size as you zoom in and out. The dimensions remain the same.

The Sony E 18-105mm f/4 G is one of the most expensive lenses on our list. But it’s a beautiful piece of equipment. You won’t need any other lenses when traveling with this one. And it gives you unrivaled performance in low light.

6. Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

The Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L is a professional quality lens. It has a professional price tag. But it’s a high-quality lens with outstanding features. You can shoot many types of photos with this lens. And it’s perfect for a photographer traveling with a Canon camera .

The 24-70mm focal length isn’t the widest zoom range. But it still gives you plenty to play with. The 24mm end lets you shoot wide shots in tight spaces. And the 70mm end is good for close-ups and portraits.

The max aperture is one of the top selling points for this lens. It gives you a fast aperture of f/2.8 throughout the focal length range. That means you get complete control of your exposure settings. And you can work in low-light conditions. That helps you shoot concerts, night markets, and sunsets.

This Canon lens uses its superior USM autofocus motor. It’s smooth, fast, and barely makes any noise. You also have a focus ring. And the full-time focus system lets you override the AF at any time. Turn the ring, and you get manual focusing.

The glass quality is exceptional. Canon uses a combination of fluorite elements and ultra-low dispersion glass. And the results are crystal-clear, distortion-free images. The Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L will deliver outstanding travel photography results.

7. Fujifilm XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4R

The XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4R is the best travel zoom lens from Fujifilm . It has a decent zoom range for different types of shots. It has excellent glass quality. And it is compatible with all Fujifilm X Series cameras.

The 18-55mm range lets you shoot wide-angle and standard-angle shots. You can take pictures of the glorious architecture you find in exotic locations. You can capture fantastic interior shots. And you can snap close-ups, portraits, and environmental portraits.

The f/2.8 max aperture gives you good exposure control. But this is limited to f/4 when you’re at the max zoom length. Also, the rounded aperture diaphragm helps you achieve a lovely background bokeh .

The optical quality is excellent. You get corner-to-corner sharpness throughout the zoom range. And the lens has excellent build quality. If you have a Fujifilm camera , the Fujifilm XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4R belongs in your travel bag.

This section looks at the best prime lenses for travel photography. Prime lenses give sharp images without distortion. And they are usually smaller and lighter than zoom lenses. That’s why many travel photographers use prime lenses.

The table below shows a quick rundown of the best prime lenses for travel photographers . Then, we look at each travel lens in more detail afterward.

• Ultra-compact pancake lens design
• 38mm-equivalent focal length for a wide shot variety
• Compatible with Canon APS-C DSLR cameras
• 7-blade circular aperture diaphragm for soft backgrounds

• Compact and lightweight design
• Fast f/1.8 aperture for low light and bokeh photography
• The SWM gives you quiet AF operation
• Approximates the human eye view

• Compact, lightweight design for easy portability
• Fixed 50mm focal length for creative composition
• F/1.8 aperture for low-light photography and bokeh
• STM motor for smooth, quiet AF and direct setting changes

• High-speed normal lens with great performance in any light
• Autofocus system compatible with select Nikon DSLRs
• Lightweight and compact design ideal for travel photography
• Maximum angle of view (FX-format) is 46° and stops down to f/22

• Bright f/1.8 maximum aperture for stunning bokeh effects
• Compact and lightweight design for ease of travel
• Aspherical element for improved image quality
• Double-gauss configuration suppresses distortion and curvature

• Glass-Molded Aspheric Lens minimizes spherical aberration
• Creates beautiful bokeh and excellent in-focus reproduction
• Standard focal length with angle of view similar to the human eye
• Bright maximum aperture is perfect for snapshots

• Ultra-wide-angle, fast f/2.0 aperture
• Great for low-light shooting, street shots, and landscapes
• Premium metallic construction and snap focus ring
• 1024mm equivalent field of view and 200mm min focusing distance

1. Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM

The Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 is the best travel lens for Canon users. Its pancake design makes it ultra-compact and lightweight. You won’t have a problem finding space in your camera backpack. It can even fit in your pocket. But we don’t recommend carrying it like that.

The lens is compatible with Canon APS-C DSLR cameras. And the 24mm focal length is equivalent to 38mm on a full-frame camera. That gives you a nice shooting angle for travel photography.

The viewing angle is similar to that of a human eye. That lets you compose shots before you’ve even got the camera to your face. It gives you a wider angle than a 50mm lens . And that helps when shooting down narrow streets in Europe or Asia. That also makes it a great lens for landscape photography .

The f/2.8 max aperture is fast enough for most situations. It lets in plenty of light. So you can get lovely travel shots during the day. It also allows for a shallow depth of field when shooting close-ups. The circular seven-blade aperture also increases the bokeh effect.

The Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 is the perfect lens for travel photographers. You can use it for a wide range of travel shots. It couldn’t be much more compact. And any travel photographer can afford it.

2. Nikon AF-S DX 35mm f/1.8

The AF-S DX 35mm f/1.8 is the best travel lens for Nikon users. It’s a small and lightweight Nikon prime lens . It has precision optics for sharp and clear image quality. And it’s one of the most affordable Nikon lenses right now.

It’s compatible with Nikon APS-C DSLR cameras. And the 35mm focal length is perfect for travel photography. You can take street shots in the world’s most beautiful cities. You can capture stunning landscapes. And it’s great for environmental portraits.

This travel lens uses Nikon’s Silent Wave Motor (SWM) to power the autofocus. It’s fast and responsive. And it gives you near-silent focusing. That means you won’t disturb the world around you as you travel with your camera.

The f/1.8 max aperture is excellent for travel photography. It gives you excellent flexibility with your exposure controls. It helps you shoot in low-light situations. And you can achieve a lovely bokeh background. The circular aperture diaphragm also helps this.

Whether you have a Nikon D3500 or D500 , the Nikon AF-S DX 35mm f/1.8 is the perfect travel companion. It’s lightweight, compact, and affordable. It also produces excellent images time after time.

3. Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM

The Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 is a superb lens for travel photographers. It has a sleek design with a sharp 50mm focal length. And it’s compatible with Canon mirrorless cameras. It’s the perfect nifty-fifty for anyone traveling with a Canon mirrorless camera.

The 50mm focal length is a popular choice to pair with a street photography camera . It lets you snap candid shots as you roam new and exciting locations.

You can also shoot stunning landscapes when exploring the country. And it’s a good option for portraits and environmental portraits. The versatility means you can travel with fewer lenses in your travel bag.

The f/1.8 max aperture increases the versatility even more. It lets you shoot in low-light situations. And it gives you excellent depth-of-field options. You can achieve a soft bokeh effect in portraits and close-ups.

The optical quality of the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 is fantastic. It gives you edge-to-edge sharpness. And the glass has a special coating that reduces flare and ghosting. It’s lightweight and compact. And it’s an absolute bargain for a mirrorless camera lens.

4. Nikon AF FX 50mm f/1.8

The Nikon AF FX 50mm f/1.8 is the best travel lens if you have a Nikon full-frame camera. It’s ideal if you’re traveling light. It’s a compact and lightweight nifty-fifty lens. And it gives you plenty of shot variety for exciting travel photography.

It’s compatible with Nikon full-frame DSLRs. But you can also use it with APS-C DSLRs. But the crop factor does give you an effective focal length of 75mm. That gives you more magnification and a tighter field of view. That’s good for tighter portraits and close-ups.

With an f/1.8 aperture, you can shoot in low-light situations. You can capture images at dawn and dusk. And you can shoot the interiors of famous buildings. The lens also has a manual aperture ring that you can use when shooting in Live View. That’s like shooting with classic 35mm film cameras .

Nikon lens quality is well-trusted in the photography community. And the Nikon AF FX 50mm f/1.8 is the perfect example of why. The glass elements give you pristine image quality. And you will experience very little distortion. It’s also an absolute bargain. Nikon users need this lens before their next voyage.

5. Sony FE 50mm f/1.8

The Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 is ideal for traveling with a Sony camera . It’s lightweight and compact. The 50mm focal length gives you plenty of shot options for your travel photography. And it’s an affordable Sony lens with fantastic optical quality.

This lens is compatible with all Sony mirrorless cameras. The FE mount means it fits naturally with Sony full-frame cameras. But it’s also compatible with Sony crop sensor cameras. The crop factor transforms it into a 75mm lens. While that isn’t ideal for street photography, it is a good product, food, and portrait lens .

The f/1.8 aperture gives you excellent exposure control. You can shoot outdoors and indoors. And you have complete control over depth of field. The seven-blade circular aperture diaphragm also helps achieve a smooth background bokeh effect.

The lens has a double-gauss configuration. This suppresses field curvature and distortion . That means you can expect clear and sharp images in all conditions. The autofocus is driven by Sony’s DC motor. It’s responsive and quiet in operation.

The FE 50mm f/1.8 is a must-have for Sony users. And that’s especially true if you suffer from wanderlust. You’ll have no trouble fitting it in your travel bag. And it won’t add much to your travel costs, leaving you more money to indulge in the local culture.

6. Fujifilm XF 35mm f/1.4

The Fujifilm XF 35mm f/1.4 is the best travel lens for Fujifilm users. It’s a compact and lightweight prime lens for Fujifilm mirrorless cameras. Precision glass engineering results in sharp and clear image quality. And it’s a versatile lens that gives you plenty of travel photography options.

The 35mm focal length gives you a nice wide angle. It helps you get wider shots, ideal for capturing natural and urban landscapes. It’s perfect for street travel photography. And it can capture more detailed shots like environmental portraits.

The fast f/1.4 max aperture is a big bonus for travel photographers. It gives you more shooting options in low-light conditions. And you can achieve a smooth and rich background bokeh. The seven-blade rounded aperture also helps this. You can bring a new level of artistry to your travel photography.

This Fujifilm XF lens is one of the pricier options on the list. But the eight-element construction is superb. And the fast max aperture gives you unrivaled exposure control. Undoubtedly, the XF 35mm f/1.4 is the best Fujifilm lens for travel photographers.

7. Olympus ED 12mm f/2.0

The Olympus ED 12mm f/2.0 is the perfect travel lens for Olympus photographers. It’s compatible with all the best Olympus cameras. It has incredible optical quality. And it’s ultra-compact and lightweight.

At first glance, the 12mm focal length might seem too wide for travel photography. But there is a considerable crop factor when you use a Micro Four Thirds camera. That means the 12mm focal length is equivalent to 25mm on a full-frame camera .

The 25mm-equivalent focal length gives you a lovely viewing angle for stunning landscapes, colorful cityscapes, and street shots. It’s also ideal for architecture and interior photography.

The f/2 max aperture isn’t as fast as other lenses on our list. But it still gives you good control over your exposure settings. The lens has a solid, all-metal construction. And it has a snap-focus ring. This lets you override the AF for manual focusing.

The Olympus ED 12mm f/2.0 is so small it fits in your pocket. We don’t recommend traveling with lenses in your pocket. But this lens won’t be inconvenient when packing your bag. It’s the best travel lens for Olympus cameras. See our full list of the best Olympus lenses for Olympus photographers.

We’ve answered some of the most frequently asked questions about travel lenses. This section gives you more information. You can make a confident purchase when you find the best travel lens for your photography.

Prime vs Zoom: Which Is the Best Travel Lens?

Prime and zoom lenses can be used for travel photography . They both have pros and cons, so it’s about deciding which is Best for you.

Prime Lenses

The benefits are their compact size, light weight, and superior image quality. Prime lenses have fewer glass elements than zooms. That means they tend to be smaller and weigh less. That makes them easy to carry in your bag.

Prime lenses also have better image quality. You experience less distortion and chromatic aberration . And they suffer less from lens flare when shooting in direct light.

Zoom Lenses

The main positive is the extra versatility. They have a changeable focal length. This lets you zoom in and out. You can shoot distant subjects. And you can get a tighter composition without having to move.

The main problem is the extra weight and size. They use more glass elements, making them bigger and heavier than primes. But the added versatility means one zoom can do the job of several prime lenses. That means your camera backpack might weigh less overall.

What Is the Best Focal Length for a Travel Lens?

For a prime lens, 35mm or 50mm are both excellent choices for travel. These are popular focal lengths for street photographers. And travel photography is similar to street shooting in many ways.

A 50mm lens gives you a tighter viewing angle. That makes it a better option for close-ups and portraits. The 35mm focal length gives you a wider angle. It is great for narrow streets and restricted interiors. It’s also great for landscapes, cityscapes, and environmental portraits.

When it comes to zoom lenses , you want a zoom range from wide to standard. Or you might prefer a standard-to-telephoto range. Something like 18-105mm is perfect. This gives you a wide shot selection. You can shoot anything from architecture to portraits with the same lens.

You don’t need a super-telephoto zoom lens. These are big and heavy, which makes traveling difficult. And you don’t need the super-telephoto reach. You’ll have incredible magnification. But you won’t be able to capture nearby subjects.

How Much Should I Spend on a Travel Lens?

Traveling with photography equipment can be nerve-wracking. Camera gear is fragile. And there’s always a chance things could get lost or stolen. That means travelers don’t always want to take their most expensive equipment. Many photographers like to travel with more budget-friendly lenses.

Professional travel photographers use expensive gear. But they make sure everything is insured. They also have more expensive traveling equipment, like camera hard cases . 

We’ve taken this into account when compiling our list. Many of the travel lenses we’ve included are affordable for all photographers. Of course, you still don’t want to get robbed. But you’ll be able to sleep easier if it’s a low-cost option.

But don’t worry—there are no duds on this list. Every travel lens on our list is a fantastic option for adventurous photographers.

Conclusion: The Best Travel Lens

The best travel lens should fit your bag, give you a variety of shots, and deliver outstanding images. We believe all the lenses on this list deliver on those promises. And most of them have affordable price tags. We’ve also included a wide range of camera brands to choose from. 

The Nikon AF-S DX 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 tops our list as the best travel lens. It’s a compact zoom lens with a wide zoom range. The optical quality is excellent throughout. And it has built-in vibration reduction that gives you more exposure control. It’s the perfect lens for traveling with a Nikon APS-C DSLR camera.

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17 Best Lenses for Travel Photography

• Jonathan Jacoby

Last updated:

• March 11, 2024
• See comments

Travel photography can be physically and technically demanding. Not only do you need to stay on the move and maintain a certain awareness of your surroundings while utilizing your knowledge of composition to your advantage to really bring your travel destinations to life. You also need the right gear to pull it off!

This includes carrying only the greatest and best lens for travel photography. But what makes or breaks a good travel photography lens, apart from superior image quality?

Ultimately, it’s a matter of taste. Still, there are some qualities that experts and pro photographers prefer over others.

For instance, travel photography often necessitates carrying as little gear as possible and working only with natural light. That’s why excellent low-light performance is a hallmark of any high-end lens for travel photography. And that’s just one example!

In this guide, I’ll explain many of the key features and attributes that make up a perfect travel lens. Further down below, I will also make some recommendations on the top lenses for travel photography available today for different camera systems.

The Meaning of Focal Length in Travel Photography

Focal length affects the effectiveness and usability of a camera lens for travel photography in just about every way. The most fundamental of these is ergonomics.

Too long of a lens will be unwieldy to use in tight spaces. At the same time, a wide angle lens might not offer the kind of secure grip and stability that you’re after.

But the tradeoffs between focal lengths go much deeper than that! Let’s take a look at how and why in the following segments.

An Intro to Crop Factors and Sensor Sizes

You’re probably already aware of the term “crop factor” in relation to different digital sensor sizes and their effects on images. But what exactly is the crop factor about? And how does a crop sensor camera render photographs differently from a full-frame camera?

The answer is actually pretty simple. Focal length being equal, a larger sensor will always render photography with a wider field of view, greater dynamic range, and a shallower minimum depth of field than a smaller sensor.

The most important takeaway from this is that a 50mm prime lens on a full frame body will produce a different (more “normal”) perspective than on APS-C format (where it will be more like a short telephoto lens).

The “crop factor” is just a factor by which you multiply your lens’ focal length to arrive at the focal length you would need to use on full frame to achieve the same perspective and FOV.

For APS-C, the factor lies at an easy-to-remember 1.5. Because a Micro 4/3 sensor is even smaller than that, its crop factor is 2.0. Hence, a 50mm lens behaves as a 100mm would on full-frame, and so on.

Here is our guide to understanding the difference between crop sensors and full frame cameras .

Pros and Cons of Different Sensor Formats

All of that can be both a boon or a burden depending on your needs.

Travel photographers who specialize in wildlife or event photography, for instance, might prefer the more “zoomed-in” look that smaller sensors provide. It allows them to carry a shorter lens to get the same level of reach that they would with a larger camera body.

This also cuts down on bulk, making for a more luggage-friendly setup.

On the other hand, working professionals who often have to dabble in landscape photography, street photography, or similar genres might find it difficult to achieve truly ultra-wide angle shots with the limited FOV that comes with a crop sensor.

Take a note to assess the benefits and disadvantages of this fact yourself to see which sensor size is best for your travel photography needs.

Using a Telephoto Lens for Travel Photography

Lenses with longer focal lengths are commonly used in travel photography, where portraiture , animal photography, and faraway subjects play a key role.

This mostly includes 80mm and above on full frame bodies and 50mm and above on APS-C.

Telephoto lenses are great for their ability to home in on distant details. They also flatten out and minimize certain optical features and distortions, which again makes them preferable for portraiture.

The downside is that dedicated telephoto lenses are large, bulky, and more difficult to carry than other kinds of lenses. Longer lenses are also much slower on average than shorter ones – finding that elusive 200mm f/2.8 is possible, but it’s going to cost you an arm and a leg, whereas 28mm f/2.8 options are plentiful and relatively cheap by comparison.

In practice, this means that using a telephoto lens for travel photography in low natural light can be very difficult without the help of a flash gun or other additional equipment.

The Value of a Wide Angle Lens

The complete opposite of longer camera lenses is a wide-angle design, generally of a focal length of 35mm or less on full-frame sensors.

These lenses can be produced in an extremely compact form factor which makes them handy and perfect for candid, fast-paced travel photography. They also cover a very wide field of view which can be useful for documenting landscapes and cityscapes and even for close-up portraits on location outdoors.

In the past, a moderately fast wide angle prime lens, in addition to a normal lens of about 50mm (full-frame FOV equivalent) and telephoto was an absolute must-have in every serious travel photographer’s camera bag.

Nowadays, there is an alternative that has seriously challenged that traditional paradigm.

The Convenience and Usefulness of Zoom Lenses for Travel Photography

The zoom lens is a fairly recent innovation, having only been in mass production since the 1960s and only having really supplanted the use of many different prime lenses since the beginning of the century.

The reason why the market eventually swung in favor of zoom lenses is self-explanatory. They combine the fields of view and perspectives of multiple lenses into one, saving a lot of space from any travel photographer’s camera bag.

However, there is also an equally good reason why this shift has taken so long.

First of all, zoom lenses that cover a very wide focal length spectrum (sometimes called a superzoom lens) are optically very hard to design. This is because the more a lens is capable of zooming, the more artifacts, distortions, and other optical flaws creep in, which have to be corrected.

The most straightforward way of implementing such corrections is by the inclusion of more specialized glass elements. Oftentimes especially nowadays, these elements will be specially coated, cut in an aspherical fashion, and made with rare earth-based materials.

Optically, this can bring amazing results. However, it dramatically increases bulk and cost. It gets even worse when a superzoom design has to be both optically stable and provide a fast aperture.

Therefore, the classic choice has always been between the cheap and small do-it-all zoom that optically pales in comparison to even bargain bin prime lenses, or alternatively the jack-of-all-trades professional superzoom that drains both the muscles and the wallet.

Thankfully, the advancement of modern optical science and technology has allowed for many zooms to be practical enough to serve as frontline lenses for working travel photographers, and I included some of the best of these in today’s roundup below!

Choosing the Best Camera Lens for Travel Photography is a Personal Matter

Before we dive right into the specifics of what makes certain lenses a better choice for travel photography than others, I would like to reiterate the value of personal preference.

Simply put, nobody can tell you what the “best lens” of any kind really is in objective terms. Travel photography simply covers too broad of a scope, with way too many disciplines and skill sets to focus on.

Maybe you mostly shoot landscapes on your travel adventures. In that case, super-fast apertures and lightning-fast autofocus probably won’t interest you.

However, the opposite is true should your needs and workload overlap more with those of classic photojournalism .

Some may say that all personal preference aside, optical quality, or the balance between optical quality and price, should be the main concern when choosing a travel lens.

That is a valid point, of course. The problem is that throughout the history of photography, what constitutes “good” optics has changed a lot!

You might not want your favorite, go-to travel lenses to be the sharpest in the whole world, and that’s okay. You might not need a super-compact pancake prime. In fact, I know plenty of photographers who purposely tend to go for larger, bulkier lenses because they prefer those kinds of ergonomics.

In the end, I am just a guy with a camera like anybody. So take my advice with a grain of salt and try to apply it to your own needs and requirements first before acting on it!

Top Wide Angle Prime Lenses for Travel Photography

To kick off this round-up, I am going to take a look at some of the finest wide angle prime travel lenses by lens mount and camera system. No matter where your brand loyalties lie, there is going to be a top-ranking pick for you!

While wide angle primes are becoming a less common sight, they still serve an important purpose for the discerning travel photographer.

They capture a wide field of view and do so while being many times more compact and lightweight than their wide zoom lens counterparts.

Often, their maximum aperture is also much faster than that of comparable zooms, which makes them the only serious option for outdoor photography in low light.

Sony Zeiss Distagon T* FE 35mm f/1.4

With a mouthful of a name like that flaunting none other than Zeiss’ magic fingers involved in its design, it’s no wonder that the Sony Zeiss Distagon T* FE 35mm f/1.4 is a top-flight performer.

Thanks to excellent sharpness, wonderful bokeh rendition at larger apertures, class-leading low-light performance, and very few if any real optical flaws, this is a universally appreciated and desirable lens considered one of the best primes in the Sony FE lineup.

The main downsides of this lens are that it is quite bulky, heavy, and expensive.

The more compact Sony Zeiss Sonnar T* FE 35mm f/2.8 is a similar though much more portable lens at two stops slower of a maximum aperture and can often be had for half the price of its bigger brother.

Sony Zeiss Sonnar T* E 24mm f/1.8

Just as with Sony’s flagship FE full frame lenses, the cream of the crop of its E-series APS-C lineup is also designed in collaboration with Carl Zeiss.

The optical characteristics of this 24mm Sonnar-type lens are very similar to the 35mm-focal length variant I mentioned above. It features an extremely close minimum focusing distance of only 18cm while incorporating all the optical goodies of its full frame brethren like ED and aspherical glass and fully internal focusing.

However, the fast aperture combined with a much wider focal length (equivalent to the FOV that a 35mm lens gives on full frame) makes this the better choice for an APS-C camera.

If you really want to maximize the carry-anywhere factor and aren’t opposed to going wider than 24mm on a crop sensor, then take a look at the Sony E 20mm f/2.8 .

A truly fast pancake ultra-wide angle lens like this is rare, and Sony’s example is even relatively affordable! No wonder it’s quickly becoming a darling among travel and street photography pros worldwide.

Nikon 28mm f/1.4E ED

One of the shining jewels of the swansong era of Nikon’s legendary F-mount lens lineup, the 28mm f/1.4E ED is a revamp of the similar 28mm f/1.4D from the 1990s.

Like its predecessor, it’s an optically stunning and physically massive wide angle lens suitable for travel photography and documentary genres in every lighting condition.

Its super-sized maximum aperture has also made it popular among portraitists who don’t favor the traditionally more common choice of a short telephoto lens, preferring to get up close and personal with their subjects.

Those who would prefer to pack light should instead look at the Nikon AF-S 24mm f/1.8G ED . Smaller, much easier to carry, just a smidge wider, and just two-thirds of a stop slower, it’s an excellent alternative, particularly for beginning photographers who don’t want to invest too much into a relatively niche wide angle prime travel lens right away.

Nikon Z 20mm f/1.8 S

The Nikon Z mount is the youngest among the mainline mirrorless camera lens lineups today, and as such it is understandable that the Japanese giant chose to focus on quality over quantity instead of playing catch-up with its competition.

What that mindset has created is a fine lineup of a few outright excellent wide angle prime lenses for Z mount. The most lauded of them all is the Nikon Z 20mm 1/1.8 S , an expensive but optically stunning fast prime with extremely snappy autofocus capabilities and a focal length that is very usable on both full frame and crop sensor bodies.

For street photography aficionados who prefer something a bit more incognito, I recommend the Nikon Z 28mm f/2.8 . It’s neither as ultra-wide nor as hyperfast as its bigger brother, but it excels in cramming a ton of good glass into a minuscule package that you can keep on your camera all day long.

Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM

With a fast aperture and a perfect middle-of-the-road focal length that is perfectly suited to crop sensor as well as full frame cameras, the Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM is designed as the flagship wide angle prime lens of the EF DSLR line.

It succeeds in this role thanks to excellent sharpness, low light capability, and real class-leading build quality and ergonomics that rival the best that Nikon and Sony can offer.

Like other superfast wide angles, it is a bit on the larger side. Those who would like to achieve a similar FOV with a lot less metal sticking out of their camera should take a look at the EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM .

A real pancake, it’s only two stops slower and features similar optical characteristics, making it one of the most useful Canon lenses in its focal range.

Top Normal Primes for Travel Photographers

Unlike wide-angles, whose optical formulas need to be quite complex to maintain distortion-free high image quality, a normal prime is one of the most ancient and simplest formulas to produce.

This makes normal primes many things – cheap, plentiful, fast, exceedingly sharp, and easy to handle. I’m of the opinion that any travel photographer should own a little “nifty fifty” as the simplest kind of walkabout lens.

Not only is it fun to use, but a fixed 50mm (full frame equivalent) is also a hugely versatile lens, perhaps one of the most versatile you can spend your money on!

Nikon AF-S 50mm f1/.8G

Descended from a long line of similar f/1.8 “nifty fifties”, the Nikon AF-S 50mm f/1.8G is not just one of the stalwart brand’s best. It is also their cheapest.

For about 50% more, you can invest in the similar AF-S 50mm f/1.4G . However, I would only recommend the move if you have the money to spare and you really need the extra light that the wider aperture gives you.

The basic 1.8 model is just about excellent in terms of optics and deserves its title as one of Nikon’s most popular lenses ever!

Fujifilm XF 35mm f/2R WR

The Fujifilm X System is chock-full of amazing prime lenses, and the XF 35mm f/2R WR is one of the best examples of that fact. Because the X System is APS-C-only, a 35mm lens is a much better choice for a walkabout normal prime than a 50mm.

This particular lens excels because it ticks every imaginable box at a more than reasonable price point. It’s small, light, and exceptionally well-made, with snappy controls and quick, silent autofocus.

What’s more, it’s plenty fast for its focal length, making it a good choice for portraiture and moderate low-light photography, too! As a nice bonus, this lens also features full weather sealing for use on any of the pro-grade Fujifilm X System bodies.

Sony FE 50mm f/1.8

Though it’s not as tiny as some alternatives, Sony’s 50mm f/1.8 more than makes up for that fact with its fast aperture, excellent sharpness, and low price.

There is little to fault with this lens, optically or otherwise. Despite its entry-level nature, it feels just as nice in the hands as any of the brand’s more upscale models, making it the perfect gateway into the Sony mirrorless system.

Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM

When the Canon EOS R mirrorless camera system came out, it made a big splash in the world of photography.

Much of that had to do with the inherent innovation and high performance of the new design, but unfortunately, Canon R lenses and cameras also acquired a reputation for being prohibitively expensive.

To fix this problem and allow more young photographers to switch from existing DSLRs to the new R lineup, Canon devised a classic, cheap nifty fifty in the form of the RF 50mm f/1.8 STM .

There’s nothing more to say about the lens other than that it worked on every level that Canon was hoping for. It’s sharp, it’s fast, it’s genuinely affordable, and it does everything it’s meant to do while looking good, being reasonably well-built, and having fun. Bravo!

The Top Telephoto Primes for Travel Photography

As with wide angle lenses, the advantages of telephoto primes over a zoom lens are mainly that they are capable of the same (or superior) image quality at a lower cost and weight as well as at a smaller size.

This makes them particularly relevant to the modern travel photographer who might only require the telephoto end for a few occasional portraits or other specialist shots, not for the bulk of their work.

Sigma 56mm f/1.4 DC DN C

Available for both Micro Four Thirds, Sony E, and Fuji X Mounts, this telephoto lens by Sigma stands out as one of their recent best.

Its excellent sharpness, wide aperture, and sturdy construction are impressive on their own. But what really sets the bar high with this lens is how affordably Sigma manages to market it while making it available for multiple different camera systems, no less!

Yes, there are some higher-quality options with slightly faster apertures of f/1.2. But for the vast majority of photographers who need a reliable, (somewhat) pocketable, and optically solid telephoto lens for travel, this is it.

Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S

One of the more affordable recent offerings for Z-mount, the Nikon Z 85mm f/1.8 S is a mid-size telephoto prime with a fast aperture that’s perfect for portraiture on the move.

Its autofocus system lags a bit behind that of its more expensive siblings, but for anything short of very demanding use in sports and action photography, it should suffice.

Simply put, this is a no-nonsense portrait telephoto option for anyone working with the Nikon Z mount in APS-C format or full frame.

Sigma DG HSM Art 50mm f/1.4

Available for multiple lens mounts, including Nikon’s F mount, Canon’s EF, and Sony’s E and A mounts, the Sigma DG HSM Art 50mm f/1.4 is a benchmark for modern crop-sensor telephotos.

It’s a complex optical design with a whopping 13 elements in 8 groups, giving it an incredibly balanced optical profile nearly entirely devoid of aberrations or distortions.

The main thing that the Sigma DG HSM Art 50mm f/1.4 sacrifices in favor of these admirable qualities is price – that might sound a bit counterintuitive for a 3rd party lens like this, but those are the times we live in!

Sigma has since expanded on the high-end performance of this 50mm with a whole family of similar “Art” lenses, many of which are also great choices for travel photography.

The Top Zoom Lenses for Travel Photography

With all that I have said about fixed focal length camera lenses so far, there is no denying that the real deal in convenience lies with zooms.

Whether just to cover the tricky wide end to save on glass or to replace an entire camera bag all at once, a well-made zoom lens with an appropriate zoom range for your needs can very well be one of the best lenses for travel photography, period.

Nikon AF-S FX 24-120mm f/4G ED VR

The modern successor to the original 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6D from the 1990s aka “the Streetsweeper”, this jewel carries on the mantle of one of Nikon’s most versatile walkabout zooms.

Now equipped with built in image stabilization (Vibration Reduction or VR in Nikon lingo) and a constant maximum aperture, the 24-120mm is niftier than ever. Optical performance remains above average to excellent as before, depending on which part of the zoom range is most important to you.

Note that this isn’t meant to be a benchmark lens in terms of optics but rather a usable do-it-all that combines its impressive zoom range with enough character and extra features to stay on your camera all day.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM

This is Canon’s spin on the “Streetsweeper” lens concept. Compared to the Nikon alternative, this lens is built tougher, larger, and heavier, with a zoom range that tops out a little bit short.

On the other hand, optical quality is a lot more uniform here, with fewer distortions, especially towards the ultra-wide end.

Thanks to the same f/4 constant aperture, image stabilization, and silent, worry-free autofocus as its rivals, the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM manages to be a serious contender in this tightly packed field of travel camera lenses.

Fujinon XF 16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR

Equivalent to a 24-120mm on full frame, the Fujinon XF 16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR is a perfect showcase of how to adapt a formula like the above to an APS-C lens.

Small, lightweight, yet loaded with all the goodies you would expect from larger pro lenses, such as a constant max aperture, it’s among Fujifilm’s most usable do-it-all lenses for travel.

Unlike some of the faster constant-aperture zooms by Fujifilm, this one is also fully stabilized – another bonus that many travel photographers will surely appreciate!

Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG HSM

Travel-friendly ultra-wide zoom lenses are difficult to design and manufacture, but Sigma managed to wow the industry with its fast 14-24mm f/2.8 DG HSM .

It’s not the most affordable lens by a stretch, but you can’t fault its quality whatsoever.

The big names like Nikon and Canon have their own in-house 14-24mm designs, but the Sigma manages to be fairly competitive in terms of optics while costing a notch less than any of them.

That, and its easily hand-holdable form factor combine to make it probably the single best ultra-wide travel camera lens at the moment.

Sony FE 24-240mm f/3.5-6.3 OSS

Typically, travel lenses zoom within a range of somewhere between 3x and 6x to balance out complexity and optical stability with size and bulk. Nikon’s 24-120mm set the template with a 5x range that has been copied countless times by now.

With one of their latest FE-mount gems, Sony chose to double that and make a 10x superzoom lens that can replace an entire camera bag on its own.

Sure, it hasn’t got a fixed maximum aperture – that would involve ludicrous amounts of overengineering, given the number of focal lengths this thing covers.

If you can make that one concession though, Sony’s FE 24-240mm f/3.5-6.3 OSS is one of the greatest excuses to pack fewer lenses (or maybe just one, in fact) on your next trip.

I hope you enjoyed this take on the best travel-ready camera lenses available in 2024!

The selection included in this guide should contain a good fit for a whole lot of different shooting styles, camera systems, and experience levels.

However, remember that each and every photographer is different. I suggest to just trying out one lens at a time until you find one that fits you , even if what you end up with is not on this list.

Bon voyage, and don’t forget to enjoy your travels!

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Best Travel Lens – How to Select the Right Travel Lenses for Any Brand

If you are looking for the best travel lens to bring on your next vacation or once-in-a-lifetime hiking adventure, you have come to the right place. 

In today’s article, I will share how I approach lens selection for my travels. I developed a particular lens selection method that worked for me when I shot with Canon and Sony. It works for me today as I shoot with the Fujifilm brand. 

First, the key point when selecting the best lens for travel photography is to align your selection with the type and style of travel photography that you enjoy the most. 

I am confident that my travel lens selection method will help you. 

Defining the Best Travel Lens

If you ask 10 different travel photographers to define what constitutes the best travel lens, you will likely get 10 different answers. 

For example, someone who is leaving for a two-week hiking trip in the mountains will have a different lens selection than a photographer exploring Iceland in a camper van. 

The Holy Trinity Lens Selection Approach

There is a popular approach to lens selection called the “Holy Trinity.” 

If you assemble three lens kits with the following characteristics…

• 16-35mm f/2.8
• 24-70mm f/2.8
• 70-200mm f/2.8

…the kits will work for pretty much any type of photography. 

The “Holy Trinity” kit covers an incredible focal range from 16mm to 200mm. And, since the kit includes fast f/2.8 lenses, you can easily increase the zoom range by using Lens Teleconverters. The 1.4X teleconverter will extend the reach of the 200mm lens to 280mm and the 2X teleconverter will extend it to 400mm. 

You can use a kit like this for any type of photography—from astrophotography to wildlife, sports photography, and everything in between. 

I call this a “just in case” lens selection approach.

The “Holy Trinity” approach does not work for me because I am a minimalist about my photography equipment. I prefer to bring only essential gear with me and leave “just in case” items at home. 

Here is my straightforward strategy for lens selection for my travels. 

Travel Lens Selection Questionnaire 

I ask myself a simple question:

“If I had to go on an extensive two to three-week trip and could only bring one lens, what lens would I take?” 

When you set such strict boundaries for yourself, the answer about what constitutes the most versatile and valuable lens for your travel photography becomes straightforward. 

Once you define your number one travel lens selection, you move to the next step of the selection process. 

You ask yourself another simple question:

“If I had to go on an extensive two to three-week trip and could only bring two lenses, what lenses would I take?” 

Since you pinpointed your first choice in step one, all you need to do is select a second lens. 

Finally, you repeat the same exercise once more by asking yourself:

“If I had to go on an extensive two to three-week trip and could only bring three lenses, what lenses would I take?” 

I usually stop at this point because I rarely take more than three lenses on my travels. 

My Travel Lens Selection

Let me demonstrate how my travel lens selection method works for me. 

• In my travels, landscapes are the most critical part of my photography. 
• Cityscapes are my second choice. 
• Street photography and environmental portraits are the third most important part of my travel photography. 

When I select my ideal travel lens, I ensure it covers all areas of my travel photography: landscapes , cityscapes , street , and environmental portraits . 

My Travel Lens Selection #1

This makes lens selection very obvious, regardless of what camera brand I use: 

• For a full-frame camera, it would be a 24-105mm f/4 lens.
• For a crop sensor camera, it would be a 16-70mm f/4 lens. 

The 24-105mm (16-70mm) lens is wide enough to shoot landscapes and cityscapes. If I need to shoot a much wider scene, I can shoot multiple frames at 24mm (16mm) and combine them into a wide-angle panorama . 

This type of lens covers the following focal lengths—24mm, 35mm, and 50mm—which are perfect for street photography. 

Finally, I can achieve a decent bokeh effect when shooting portraits at 105mm f/4. 

My Travel Lens Selection #2

My second choice would be a wide-angle zoom lens that would be used exclusively for landscape photography. 

• For a full-frame camera, it would be a 16-35mm f/4 lens. 
• For a crop sensor camera, it would be a 10-20mm f/4 lens. 

My Travel Lens Selection #3

My third choice would be a fast, prime lens that I can use in low light conditions for portraits and street action. 

• For a full-frame sensor, it would be a 50mm f/1.4 prime lens.
• For a crop frame sensor, it would be a 35mm f/1.4 prime lens. 

Please note that my lens selections are very similar regardless of the camera brand I use.

General Requirements for the Ideal Travel Lens

Since I do not know what specific camera brand you use, I want to give you a few general requirements to look for when selecting a travel lens. 

Later, I will provide specific lens recommendations and we will run them against the requirements. 

1. Compact Size and Weight

Ideally, you want a travel lens that does not break your back and does not attract unwanted attention. For that reason, I never switched to a full-frame setup. Even though I love Sony’s full-frame cameras for their versatility and image quality, the size and weight of full-frame lenses were always a prohibitive factor for the switch. 

2. Useful Zoom Range

For my ideal travel lens, I always choose a zoom lens over a prime lens. I refuse to fiddle with multiple primes. I prefer to have one zoom lens that covers the most useful focal length and stick with it. 

Plus, in recent years, zoom lenses have drastically improved in optical quality, making them almost as good as prime models. 

3. Good Image Quality

When you bring only one lens with you for a once-in-a-lifetime travel adventure, you must ensure your lens does not compromise the quality of your captured memories. 

4. Effective Optical Image Stabilization

Most of my landscapes are shot on a tripod using aperture values between f/8 and f/11. As a result, I do not carry faster f/2.8 lenses because f/4 is good enough for me. But, in case I need to shoot handheld in low-light conditions, optical stabilization becomes indispensable. 

In general, efficient image stabilization extends the usefulness of any lens. 

5. Suitable for at least Three Types of Photography: Landscapes, Street, and Portraits 

This point is self-evident. You do not want a “one-trick pony” as your primary lens. 

6. Wide Enough for Vast Landscape Scenes 

I find that, for my photography, the sweet spot is 24mm on a full-frame sensor or 16mm on a crop sensor camera. 

I would not go any narrower than a 28mm and 18mm. 

Even though I like ultra-wide-angle lenses (15-20mm on full frame and 10-15mm on APS-C), at such a focal length you reach an area of perspective distortion where the foreground elements of the scene appear much larger than in reality. At 24mm, the distortion is minimal and almost unnoticeable.  

See also : Best Nikon Landscape Lens

These days, I often use a 20-24mm focal length to shoot ultra-wide scenes instead of using a 15-18mm. Since I cannot fit the entire composition into one shot, I take multiple shots with 24mm and combine them into a wide-angle panorama in Lightroom. 

I find these wide-angle panoramas look more natural without the distraction of a perspective distortion. 

7. Durability

This is another self-evident point. When you are in the middle of nowhere, the last thing you want is to lose your main lens. 

8. Weather Sealing

One of the reasons I switched from Sony to Fujifilm is to have a true travel setup. For a long time, I dreamed of having a full weather-sealed camera and lens combo. This was impossible to achieve with Sony APS-C cameras. 

See also : Weather Sealed Cameras – a Complete List

After traveling to the Pacific Coast of the United States and Hawaii on many occasions, I realized that my equipment was always at risk of being ruined by the saltwater dust that is always present in the air. Since then, weather sealing became one of my top priorities for cameras and lenses. 

What is the Ideal Travel Lens?

There is no such thing as the perfect lens. There is always a compromise on certain aspects. So, you simply select the model that checks most of the requirements and ignore the lesser-important details. 

The Best Fujifilm Lens for Travel Photography (My Setup)

For two years, my primary lens was the Fujifilm 18-135mm. 

If you run the lens against my nine requirements, it checks most of the boxes. Where it falls short for me is in the area of size and weight. It is a bit too big and heavy for my taste. 

Another issue where I was not wholly content is that it is 18mm at the wide end rather than 16mm. 

1a. Fujinon 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS WR

• Compact Size and Weight: I wish it was smaller and lighter (490g; 76 x 98 mm)
• Useful Zoom Range: Yes (27mm-200mm equivalent)
• Good Image Quality: Yes
• Effective Optical Image Stabilization: Yes (5 stops)
• Versatility: Yes
• Wide Enough for Landscapes: Yes, but 16mm would be ideal
• Durability: Yes
• Weather Sealing: Yes

For that reason, I am currently testing Fujifilm’s new 16-80mm f/4 lens. It has the potential of becoming my primary travel lens. I am willing to sacrifice a zoom reach at the long end (135mm) to get a smaller, lighter, and wider lens. 

1b. Fujinon 16-80mm f/4 OIS WR

• Compact Size and Weight: Yes, barely (440g; 78 x 89 mm)
• Useful Zoom Range: Yes (24mm-120mm equivalent)
• Good Image Quality: Still in process of testing
• Effective Optical Image Stabilization: Yes (6 stops)
• Wide Enough for Landscapes: Yes

My second choice is the ultra-wide zoom Fujifilm 10-24mm f/4 lens. I really, really love this lens. It is relatively compact for such a focal range and offers unparalleled image quality. 

2. Fujifilm 10-24mm f/4 OIS

• Compact Size and Weight: Yes (410g; 78 x 87 mm)
• Useful Zoom Range: Yes (15mm-36mm equivalent)
• Good Image Quality: Yes (exceptional)
• Weather Sealing: No

The only shortcoming with this lens, from my perspective, is the lack of weather sealing. In harsh weather conditions, I find myself switching it with the Fujifilm 18-135mm. 

See also : How Select the Best Fujifilm Lenses

My third lens in my travel setup is the Fujifilm 35mm f/1.4 prime. It is a unique lens. It is one of the oldest lenses in the Fujifilm lineup and it shows. It has a very noisy and slow autofocus, but I live with it because of the image quality it offers. 

3. Fujinon 35mm f/1.4

• Compact Size and Weight: Yes (187g; 65 x 55 mm)
• Useful Zoom Range: Fixed (50mm equivalent)
• Effective Optical Image Stabilization: No
• Versatility: Barely (street, portraits)
• Wide Enough for Landscapes: Barely

According to Fujifilm’s lens engineer, when designing the 35mm f/1.4 prime, they had the choice of making it optically perfect or optically distinctive. They chose the latter. From an optical perspective, it is one of my favorite lenses of all time. I hope Fujifilm introduces the Fujifilm 35mm f/1.4 M2 with modern autofocus soon. 

The main shortcoming of this prime lens for traveling is its lack of weather sealing and image stabilization. 

Bonus Selection

I have another lens that I use fairly often. It is a specialty lens that I keep for one purpose—astrophotography. 

The Samyang 12mm f/2 is a manual focus lens that is tiny, inexpensive, and offers surprisingly good image quality. 

4. Samyang 12mm f/2

I never hesitate to bring it with me even on demanding trips because it takes up almost no space in my bag and its weight is next to nothing. 

Best Travel Lens for Sony APS-C Cameras

I’ve shot with Sony APS-C cameras for almost 4 years and here is travel lens kit I used:

1. Sony 16-70mm f/4

• Compact Size and Weight: Yes (308g; 66 x 75 mm)
• Useful Zoom Range: Yes (24-105mm equivalent)
• Effective Optical Image Stabilization: Yes

2. Sony 10-18mm f/4

• Compact Size and Weight: Yes (225g; 70 x 64 mm)
• Useful Zoom Range: Yes (15-27mm equivalent)
• Versatility: Yes (not long enough)
• Durability: No (made of plastic)

3. Sigma 30mm f/1.4

• Compact Size and Weight: Yes (265g; 65 x 73 mm)
• Useful Zoom Range: Fixed (45mm equivalent)

Best Travel Lens for Sony Full Frame Cameras

1. sony 24-105mm f/4 g oss.

• Compact Size and Weight: No (663g; 83 x 113 mm)
• Useful Zoom Range: Yes

2. Sony 16-35mm f/4 OSS

• Compact Size and Weight: Almost (518g; 78 x 98 mm)

3. Sony 50mm f/1.8

• Compact Size and Weight: Yes (186g; 67 x 60 mm)
• Useful Zoom Range: Fixed
• Versatility: Yes/No (not f/1.4)

Best Travel Lens (EF-S) for Canon APS-C Cameras

It is not easy to find quality lenses for Canon crop sensor (APS-C) cameras. Canon treats the APS-C system as an entry-level format and trying to push photographers toward a more expensive full-frame system.

1. Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4

• Compact Size and Weight: No (465g; 79 x 82 mm)

2. Canon 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5

• Compact Size and Weight: Almost (385g; 84 x 90 mm)

3. Canon 35mm f/2.8 Macro IS

• Compact Size and Weight: Yes (190g; 69 x 56 mm)
• Versatility: Limited (not fast enough)

Best Travel Lens (EF) for Canon Full Frame Cameras

1. canon 24-105mm f/4l is.

• Compact Size and Weight: No (795g; 83 x 118 mm)

2. Canon 16-35mm f/4L IS

• Compact Size and Weight: Almost (615g; 83 x 112 mm)

3. Canon 50mm f/1.4 USM

• Compact Size and Weight: Yes (290g; 74 x 50 mm)
• Durability: No

Best Travel Lens (DX) for Nikon APS-C Cameras

1. nikon 16-80mm f/2.8-4.

• Compact Size and Weight: Yes (480g; 80 x 85 mm)

2. Tokina 11-20mm f/2.8

• Compact Size and Weight: Almost (560g; 89 x 92 mm)

3. Nikon 35mm f/1.8

• Compact Size and Weight: Yes (200g; 70 x 53 mm)

Best Travel Lens (FX) for Nikon Full Frame Cameras

1. nikon 24-120mm f/4g.

• Compact Size and Weight: No (710g; 84 x 103 mm)

2. Nikon 16-35mm f/4

• Compact Size and Weight: No (680g; 82 x 125 mm)

3. Nikon 50mm f/1.4G

• Compact Size and Weight: Yes (280g; 73 x 54 mm)

Articles Related to “Best Lens for Travel Photography”

• Prime vs Zoom Lens: Understanding the Difference
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• Wide Angle Lens: The Ultimate Guide
• Why Are Camera Lenses So Expensive?

What to Read Next:

by Viktor Elizarov

2 thoughts on “best travel lens – how to select the right travel lenses for any brand”.

It’s too bad you didn’t look into Olympus cameras and lenses. They have incredibly good IS (so good that pros are leaving tripods at home unless they are doing long exposures!), the best weather sealing in the industry, and minimal weight.

A have a fuji system and use exactly the same lenses as a travel kit. I think the whole point of Fuji is staying small and light so the big 2.8 lenses don’t really make a lot of sense – for that I have full frame Sony. When you test the XF 16-80mm lens make sure you have updated the firmware. It makes an incredible difference with the focussing and sharpness.

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Best Lenses for Travel Photography of 2024

What are the best lenses for travel photography? Difficult to say, considering that the way we experience our adventures changes every time, depending on who we are and where we decide to go. When we talk of travel photography we include capturing landscapes, portraits, street scenes, and architecture — subjects that all require different gear to be framed properly. While multipurpose lenses help you reduce bulk (and save some money), knowing what you want to focus on will make your decision process much easier.

This article features a selection of ten lenses for travel photography suited for all subjects and environments. You will find everything from wide-angle lenses designed to shoot vast nature scenes to telephoto zoom lenses built for capturing distant wildlife. The selection below covers all the main camera brands and takes into account both budget and expertise. Whether you are just looking for a lens to enhance your Instagram feed or you aim to shoot the next cover shot for Lonely Planet, we have something here for you.

For more of our top travel photography gear recommendations, check out these popular articles:

Fuji Lenses for Travel | Nikon Travel Lens

Quick Answer - The Best Lenses for Travel Photography

• Canon EF 8-15MM F/4L FISHEYE USM View at Amazon
• Nikon 10-24MM F/3.5-4.5G ED View at Amazon
• Sigma 18-35MM F/1.8 DG HSM ART View at Amazon
• Canon EF 16–35mm f/2.8L III USM View at Amazon
• Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM View at Amazon
• Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM View at Amazon
• Fujinon XF18-135mmF3.5-5.6 View at Amazon
• Nikon AF-P NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E View at Amazon
• Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm View at Amazon
• Fujinon XF55-200mmF3.5-4.8 View at Amazon

Comparison Table - Best Lens for Travel Photography

Reviews - the best travel photography lenses, canon ef 8-15mm f/4l fisheye usm.

• Type : Wide Angle
• Aperture : f/4
• Dimensions : 3.3 x 3.1 x 3.1 inches
• Focal Length : 8-15mm
• Weight : 1.9 lbs
• Weather Sealed : Yes
• Extreme Wide-Angle Shooting
• Lightweight And Compact
• Lens Coating Reduces The Risk Of Glare

BEST FOR: THE IMAGINATIVE SOUL

If you specialize in ultra-wide-angle photography, the Canon EF 8-15mm F/4L Fisheye USM is sure to catch your attention. An ultrasonic motor drives fast and accurate autofocus that you can always override with manual settings for full control. It has a maximum angle of view of 180 degrees, letting you take panoramas of the sights. Additionally, the lens offers both circular and rectangular fisheye effects, so you can experiment with different effects. 

While the lens is specialized for distortion, it does not allow chromatic aberrations. Its ultra-low dispersion optical elements enhance the contrast and clarity of your images, making sure they stay true to real colors. A Sub-Wavelength coating guards against flare and ghosting, so artificial lighting won’t disturb your photos. As a bonus, the lens has a built-in filter holder at the back that is compatible even with cut gel filters, so you can further spice up your shot.

Nikon 10-24MM F/3.5-4.5G ED

• Aperture : f/3.5-4.5
• Dimensions : 3.43 x 3.27 x 3.27 inches
• Focal Length : 10-24mm
• Weight : 1.01 lbs
• Weather Sealed : No
• Silent And Reliable Autofocus
• Fairly Affordable Price
• Great For Both Landscapes And Street Photography

BEST FOR: THE URBAN WANDERER

If you want more versatility, a lens that covers ultra-wide to wide-angle focal lengths is more suitable. This range is perfect to capture all the landscapes and cityscapes you travel to. The Nikon 10-24mm F/3.5-4.5G ED is one such lens. It has several aspherical and extra-low dispersion elements that eliminate fisheye distortions and color fringing. To enhance the work of optics, there is a Super Integrated coating that suppresses unwanted ghosting and flare, so you can take photos in museums and such. 

As for other features, the lens has a Silent Wave motor and a 7-blade aperture diaphragm. The motor uses an internal focusing design, so the moving of lens parts is not seen from the outside. This results in fast, quiet, and precise autofocus performance, which is a must for on-the-go travel photography. The aperture has a 7-blade diaphragm useful for background blurring and selective focus techniques. Shallow depth of field can be experimented with while shooting portraits and motion, letting you explore urban scenes.

Sigma 18-35MM F/1.8 DG HSM ART

• Aperture : f/1.8
• Dimensions : 4.8 x 3.1 x 3.1 inches
• Focal Length : 18-35mm
• Weight : 1.79 lbs
• Wide Aperture For Exceptional Low Light Performance
• Solid Build
• Works Even In Freezing Temperatures

BEST FOR: WORK IN DIFFICULT LIGHTING

With a zoom range of 18-35mm, the Sigma f/1.8 DG HSM ART seems like a standard lens. However, it is distinguished by its maximum aperture of f/1.8. It is especially useful in hand-held and poorly-lit scenes, producing noise-free images in lighting that corrupts many other lenses. This aperture, along with a 9-blade diaphragm, gives you an exceeding amount of control over the depth of field so you can take portraits and landscapes, isolating your subject or building complexity as much as you need. 

Naturally, this lens also features extra-low dispersion and aspherical elements that produce true colors and a distortion-free perspective. As for focusing, this lens features a Hyper-Sonic motor with an internal design, making autofocus fast and silent. And if you like traveling to cold environments, know that the Sigma 18-35mm is built with a thermally stable composite material that allows it to function well in a wide range of temperatures, tropics to tundra.

Canon EF 16–35mm f/2.8L III USM

• Type : Standard
• Aperture : f/2.8
• Dimensions : 5 x 3.5 x 3.5 inches
• Focal Length : 16-35mm
• Weight : 1.74 lbs
• Fast Aperture For Optimal Low Light Performance
• Lightweight And Portable
• Dust- & Water-Resistant

BEST FOR: THE DETAIL-ORIENTED

Canon EF 16-35mm F/2.8L III USM is another lens that seems ordinary with its focal length range and the maximum aperture. However, its beauty lies in its optical design. This lens uses a combination of large and small aspherical elements that minimize perspective distortions and correct illumination edge to edge. Thus, vignetting that often plagues lenses is reduced. Plus, extra-low dispersion elements also work to sharpen the colors in the corners of your image.

Besides this, the lens has other useful features. For example, its ultrasonic motor with internal design optimizes autofocus and offers accurate and near-silent action. The aperture diaphragm has 9 blades, allowing for the depth of field control. The body of the lens is sealed against dust and moisture, while the front element has a coating that protects against smudges. Thus, you don’t have to baby the lens, so you can take it with you anywhere.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM

• Dimensions : 4.45 x 3.5 x 3.5 inches
• Focal Length : 24-70mm
• Weight : 1.77 lbs
• Large Aperture Creates Beautiful Background Blur
• Fast And Accurate Autofocus
• Produces Realistic Colors With No Aberrations

BEST FOR: THE JOURNALIST

The Canon EF 24-70mm F/2.8L II USM has advanced optics, an ultrasonic motor, and some other features in common with its relative above. However, the range of focal lengths distinguishes the two. This lens shoots up to 24-70mm, which is perfect for wide-angle and portrait photography. So if you like photojournalism, this zoom range is the one. Additionally, it has a zoom lock that secures the lens at 24mm, keeping it compact. 

As for optics, this lens is oriented for color fidelity, so it has ultra-low dispersion elements that enhance the true colors of your image and add clarity to it. A Super Spectra coating stabilizes colors in strong light, preventing ghosting and flare, so you can seamlessly work indoors. If you are more inclined to work outside, the lens is sealed against dust and moisture, withstanding inclement conditions.

Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM

• Dimensions : 3.6 x 3.3 x 3.3 inches
• Focal Length : 17-50mm
• Weight : 1.25 lbs
• Image Stabilization System For Blur Free Images
• High-Speed, Silent Autofocus
• Versatile Focal Range

BEST FOR: HANDHELD SHOTS

Yet another wide-angle to portrait lens, the Sigma 17-50mm is a great lens for walking around. It is designed to fit APS-C-format Canon EF-mount cameras, translating this range into 27.2-80mm. It boasts a Hypersonic motor for fast, accurate, and silent autofocus – perfect for any situation. Plus, an optical stabilizer deals with any camera shake that seeps into your image. Coupled with a maximum aperture of f/2.8, the lens has a great grasp of poorly lit and handheld scenes.  

And special low dispersion elements suppress color fringing for improved quality of your shots. If you plan on indoor photography, the lens further offers Super Multi-Layer coating that reduces flare and ghosting. For all those stylish street photographers, Sigma created this lens with a sleek profile. This is not only aesthetic, but compact as well, so you can easily pack your lens away and carry it effortlessly.

Fujinon XF18-135mmF3.5-5.6

• Type : Multipurpose Zoom
• Aperture : f/3.5-5.6
• Dimensions : 2.98 x 3.85 inches
• Focal Length : 18-135mm
• Weight : 1.1 lbs
• Smooth, Quiet Autofocus
• Protected Against Rain, Dust, And Moisture
• Great Focal Range To Shoot Everything From Landscapes To Portraits

BEST FOR: BASICS OF TRAVEL

The Fujinon XF18-135mm F3.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR is a lens with a versatile zoom range, starting from wide-angle for landscapes and portraits, and ending with telephoto for macro and long-distance shots. All this to give you lots of opportunities to experiment with photography in your travels. If you are especially keen on portraiture, the lens has a 7-blade aperture diaphragm, producing a bokeh effect. Besides the zoom, the lens offers a linear motor that delivers fast and silent  autofocus, so you don’t disturb any bypassers or animals.

The lens also takes care of any blurring with its image stabilization that reduces camera shake up to 5 shutter speed stops. However, motion blur is not the only aberration the XF 18-135mm deals with. It includes a complex optical design with extra-low dispersion elements and aspherical elements that correct perspective and colors. And, of course, the lens is protected with 20 different weather seals, so you can record your travels in any weather.

Nikon AF-P NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E

• Type : Telephoto
• Aperture : f/4.5-5.6
• Dimensions : 5.75 x 3.27 x 3.27 inches
• Focal Length : 70-300mm
• Weight : 1.5 lbs
• Vibration Reduction Technology
• High-Speed Autofocus With Quiet Operation
• Produces Elegant Background Blur

BEST FOR: ALL-AROUND BALANCE

If you need a slightly more telephoto-oriented lens, the Nikon f/4.5-5.6 may sound interesting. It has a zoom range up to 300mm, which can be turned into 450mm on DX-format DSLRs. Because it is cumbersome to shoot with such focal lengths without stability, this lens offers a vibration reduction technology that lets you leave your tripod at home and travel lightly. Better yet, the autofocus of this lens is silent and precise, so you can take photos of moving subjects from afar, and not get distracted by noise. 

The Nikon f/4.5-5.6 also boasts a lightweight and ergonomically balanced build. It will fit nicely into your backpack, so you have less to worry about. Nikon’s special optical design with extra-low dispersion elements correct chromatic aberrations for more vivid and truthful shots. As for background effects, the 9-blade diaphragm of the lens’ aperture produces soft bokeh in shallow depth of field.

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm

• Dimensions : 7.9 x 3.4 x 3.4 inches
• Focal Length : 70-200mm
• Weight : 3.4 lbs
• Built With Durable Materials
• Powerful Image Stabilization System
• Anti-Smudge Coating On Glass

BEST FOR: ANY-WEATHER ADVENTURE

Shifting from wide-angle lenses, we have the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G VR II that has a range from portrait to telephoto. Thus, you can take photos from afar or macro shots. This lens is built for FX image sensors, but it is also compatible with DX sensors, turning into a 105-300mm lens. The maximum aperture with such zoom ranges is quite remarkable, allowing for work in poorly lit and zoomed-in scenes, as well as selective focus techniques. 

Plus, a vibration reduction system reduces camera shake up to 4 shutter speed stops, even as you take hand-held shots, or pan the camera. During travel, the risk of smudging the lens may increase. However, the Nikon 70-200mm has a fluorine coating that protects from this. As well, the lens is made with a magnesium alloy, which means that it can survive dusty, humid, and inclement weather.

Fujinon XF55-200mmF3.5-4.8

• Aperture : f/3.5-4.8
• Dimensions : 2.95 x 4.65 inches
• Focal Length : 55-200mm
• Weight : 1.28 lbs
• Image Stabilization System
• Silent And Fast Autofocus
• Great For Close-Up Shots And Macro Photography

BEST FOR: INDOOR AND OUTDOOR

The Fujifilm XF 55-200mm f/3.5-4.8 R LM OIS is a standard versatile lens that is compatible with mirrorless Fujifilm cameras. It also offers a 4.5-stop image stabilization and a silent autofocus system. The stabilization reduces camera shake to make it seem like you were shooting with a higher shutter speed. Meanwhile, the linear motor is great for fast-moving subjects like wildlife, cars, and people.

The lens’ optical design is devoted to reducing color fringing, such as cyan outlines and other color inaccuracies, especially those showing up in telephoto zooms. As a nice side effect, it promotes sharpness, vibrancy, and control over the depth of field. Moreover, the XF 55-200mm has a Super EBC coating. The coating ensures that your photos are not compromised by flare, so you can fearlessly shoot photos indoors with artificial lighting. Finally, – another plus for a traveler – the lens is fairly affordable.

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING A LENS FOR TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY

Focal length.

Focal length is the first thing you look at when choosing a lens. Focal length is measured in millimeters and affects the framing perspective of the lens. If you are interested in shooting landscapes , architecture, or interiors it is a good idea to go for a wide angle lens that will allow you to include the whole scene. If you are more interested in wildlife or portraits, however, a telephoto lens might be a better idea. Standard lenses range around 50mm, a versatile focal length standing between wide-angle and telephoto that can be used for street photography, people, and spontaneous shots you may feel inspired to capture as you explore a new destination.

PRIME OR ZOOM

Lenses can have a fixed or adjustable focal length. In the first case, they are known as “prime,” while in the second case they are known as “zoom.” Prime lenses have the advantage of producing crisper images and performing better in low light photography , but they require switching more often as the framing angle cannot be changed. Because of this reason, zoom lenses tend to be preferred by travel photographers , as they offer more versatility and can be used in different situations.

WEATHER SEALING

Unless you own a magic wand to control the weather, buying gear that is resistant to rain, dust, and humidity is always a good idea. Weather sealed lenses are designed to keep working even when conditions are not ideal, allowing you to shoot when the elements are fighting against you.

WEIGHT AND SIZE

Professional lenses are usually heavy pieces of gear composed by a multitude of elements that all play a part in producing the best possible shot. When you travel, being able to pack the least possible weight is a big advantage, so take this factor into account when buying. Prime lenses are usually lighter than zoom lenses, but one single fixed lens might not be enough to shoot every subject you encounter. Wide angle and standard lenses do not normally take up too much space, but telephoto lenses can be bulky and require a tripod to be used, especially in low light.

FEATURES EXPLAINED

The distance separating the sensor from the lens, measured in millimeters, that affects the framing perspective.

A lens with a fixed focal length.

A lens with an adjustable focal length.

The channel that lets the light reach the sensor through the lens. A wider aperture (measured in f-stops) means better performance in low light.

WIDE-ANGLE LENS

A lens with a low focal length, designed to capture landscapes and vast, open scenes.

TELEPHOTO LENS

A lens built for photographing distant subjects, often used in portraiture or wildlife photography .

For more of our top outdoor photography gear recommendations, check out these popular buyer's guides:

Landscape Cameras

Landscape Lenses

Cameras for Wildlife Photography

Lenses for Wildlife Photography

Cameras for Travel Photography

Lenses for Travel Photography

9 Best Travel Lenses in 2024

By Tati Taylor 14 days ago, Cameras & Lenses

Recommended travel lenses that are lightweight and waterproof.

Most photographers looking for a new camera, pay attention to fast focus and high image quality. Still, some strive for more, as they want to take pictures that could become the covers of magazines like National Geographic. For such professionals, I've prepared a review of good travel lenses which will help you take great pictures while traveling.

Top 9 Travel Lenses to Buy

• Canon EF 16–35mm - Our Choice
• Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED - The best lens for travel photography
• Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR - With Auto focus
• Sony SEL2470GM - Affordable
• Canon EF-S 35mm f/2.8 Macro - The best prime lens for travel photos
• Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 - Universal lens for EF-S
• Panasonic Lumix G Leica 8-18mm - Wide-angle travel lens
• Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM - The best Canon lens
• Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR - The best Nikon lens

Choosing a travel lens is not an easy task. First of all, answer the question, what exactly you want to shoot and in what style. How much equipment you need and how much you can carry with you? In terms of versatility, a superzoom lens is the best choice for travel photography.

1. Canon EF 16–35mm

Mount : Canon EF | Diaphragm blades : 7 | Autofocus : No | Min focus distance : 0.28m | Max magnification : 0.22x | Filter thread : 77mm | Dimensions (WxL) : 103mm x 83.5 mm | Weight : 600g

⊕ Solid build quality ⊕ Affordable ⊕ Nice colors and contrast ⊖ Less sharp compared to the latest version ⊖ Deformations ⊖ Vignetting

This lens is quite sharp in the center even at open aperture (f/2.8), which does not improve much when you increase the f-stop number. The focal length is 16 mm. The full-frame angles are soft, when wide open (with a flat target due to the curvature of the field), and noticeably improve at f/5.6. This is a great lens for travel photography that is suitable for shooting in different styles.

Due to three aspherical lens elements and (for the first time in a wide-angle EF lens) two UD elements, you will get good optical performance. It is also waterproof and features a rear gel filter holder, the 11-inch focus and a circular diaphragm.

2. Olympus M.Zuiko

Mount : Micro Four Thirds | Diaphragm blades : 7 | Autofocus : Yes | Min focus distance : 0.2m | Max magnification : 0.11x | Filter thread : none | Dimensions (WxL) : 78.9 x 105.8mm | Weight : 534g

⊕ Sharp ⊕ Fixed f/2.8 aperture ⊕ Super-wide zoom styling ⊕ Manual focus capture ⊖ Without native filter support ⊖ Unclear angles at f/2.8

The Olympus 7-14mm offers no compromise on build quality like the other top PRO lenses. Its metal body protects it against moisture and dust. It matches perfectly a sealed housing, such as the OM-D E-M1. This camera lens for travel weighs 1.2 pounds and measures 4.2 by 3.1 inches (HD). While this weight is a bit heavy for a Micro Four Thirds lens, it works well for the E-M1, which has a deeper handgrip than most mirrorless options.

3. Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR

Mount : Nikon DX | Diaphragm blades : 7 | Autofocus : Yes | Min focus distance : 0.45m | Max magnification : 0.20x | Filter thread : 67mm | Dimensions (WxL) : 76x89 mm | Weight : 420g

⊕ Sharp ⊕ Reduces vibration ⊕ Solid build ⊕ Reasonably priced ⊖ Some distortion ⊖ Smoother edges at longer lengths

When you buy the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR, you get an easy-to-grip ribbed zoom ring. Zooming is smooth and enjoyable. This lens features an Internal Focus (IF) option along with a Silent Wave Motor that provides silent autofocusing. The lens weighs 14.8 ounces and is 3.5 by 3 inches (HD) in size. It has 67mm front filters and comes with the hood. At all focal lengths, the close focusing distance is 1.5 feet. When working at a close range, you can create a shallow depth of field with a small aperture. The Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR works with Nikon DX cameras and can be used with full-frame devices in a crop mode.

4. Sony SEL2470GM

Mount : ALC-SH141 | Diaphragm blades : 9 | Autofocus : Yes | Min focus distance : 0.38m | Max magnification : 0.24x | Filter thread : 82mm | Dimensions (WxL) : 87.6 x 136 mm | Weight : 886g

⊕ Great sharpness in the center ⊕ No flare ⊕ Low central CA ⊕ Fantastic bokeh ⊖ Some edge CA ⊖ Heavyweight

The Sony FE 24-70mm f2.8 GM is the best travel lens suitable for Alpha full-frame mirrorless cameras. With an f2.8 focal ratio, wide and short telephoto range, you get a versatile lens for portrait, event and wedding photography. The FE 24-70mm f2.8 lens was released in 2016 and immediately became one of the best Sony’s G-Master lenses. Just like its analogs, the Sony FE 24-70mm f2.8 GM is well-stabilized thanks to the camera body, and it comes with a focus-by-wire instead of a mechanically coupled focus ring. There is also a customizable button. You can assign different functions to it, such as AF-Lock.

5. Canon EF-S 35mm Macro

Mount : APS-C | Diaphragm blades : 7 | Autofocus : No | Min focus distance : 0.13m | Max magnification : 1x | Filter thread : 49mm | Dimensions (WxL) : 69.2 x 55.8mm | Weight : 190 g

⊕ High image quality ⊕ Great contrast and color ⊕ Amazing bokeh ⊕ Autofocus is fast and precise ⊖ Poor build quality ⊖ Macro Lites go with restricted range

If you need to purchase one lens for travel photography, the Canon EF-S 35mm Macro is the widest, most compact, portable and cheapest APS-C format option. While one sentence fully describes the main advantages of the lens, there are several more, such as the hybrid IS system that works great for macro photography and the STM AF system, which is responsible for fast, smooth autofocusing.

6. Sigma 18-200mm

Mount : Canon EF-S | Diaphragm blades : 7 | Autofocus : Yes | Min focus distance : 0.39m | Max magnification : 0.33x | Filter thread : 62mm | Dimensions (WxL) : 70.7mm x 86mm | Weight : 430g

⊕ 11.1x zoom range ⊕ Easy-to-transport ⊕ Maximum 1:3 macro enlargement ⊖ Optically stabilized ⊖ Some distortion

The Sigma 18-200mm lenses for travel photography aren’t perfect but deliver a decent performance. It is a portable device with an 11.1x zoom range, but like all models, it has drawbacks. You can hardly find a lens that covers the extreme focal range with a wide aperture and good build while being lightweight and cheap.

7. Panasonic Lumix G

Mount : Micro Four Thirds | Diaphragm blades : 7 | Autofocus : Yes | Min focus distance : 026 m | Max magnification : 0.12x | Filter thread : mm | Dimensions (WxL) : 73x88mm | Weight : 315g

⊕ Great image quality ⊕ No curvature of the field ⊕ Flare issues ⊕ Noiseless, speedy and precise AF ⊖ Poor light, if you compare it to the Olympus

The Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f / 2.8-4 ASPH is a 35mm lens for travel with a wide-angle zoom. This lens combines good optics with a sophisticated yet durable design. It is well compatible with Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras. The lens was created in collaboration with Leica. It combines aspherical and low-dispersion elements to deliver crisp images with controlled fringing and aberration. Thanks to the Nano Surface coating, the lens reduces flare and ghosting for enhanced contrast and accurate color reproduction.

8. Canon EF 50mm

Mount : Canon EF | D iaphragm blades : 7 | Autofocus : No | Min focus distance : 3.5m | Max magnification : 0.21x | Filter thread : 49mm | Dimensions (WxL) : 69.2 x 39.3mm | Weight : 159g

⊕ Lightweight ⊕ Value for money ⊕ Easy handling ⊕ Reasonably priced ⊖ Focus isn’t fast enough ⊖ Occasional flare

The Canon EF 50mm is a small lens for travel photography that is a must for any photographer. It’s affordable enough. For that price, you get a versatile device with high-quality optics, good bokeh, instant autofocus, and more. It’s much better than the previous 50mm f/1.4 version except for a maximum aperture. Due to its being lightweight, the Canon EF 50mm is the best travel lens for photographers who take photos outdoors.

9. Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR

Mount : Nikon F-Bayonet | Diaphragm blades : 7 | Autofocus : Yes | Min focus distance : 1.1 m | Max magnification : 022x | Filter thread : 58mm | Dimensions (WxL) : 72x125 mm | Weight : 415g

⊕ Portable ⊕ Long telephoto range ⊕ Efficient picture stabilization ⊕ High-quality image ⊖ Narrow aperture ⊖ Poor manual focus performance

The Nikon AF-P DX Nikkor 70-300mm f / 4.5-6.3G ED VR is an affordable camera lens for travel, that is suitable for DX-format SLRs. You get high-quality images if you don’t zoom in all the way. The main advantages are lightness and compactness. Although the DX Nikkor 70-300mm is a telezoom, the lens itself is small-sized and measures 4.9 by 2.8 inches (HW) when it is set to 70mm. It weighs 14.6 ounces. You can extend the barrel 3 inches more when it is set to the 300mm position. While this model doesn’t come with a hood, you can buy the HB-77 hood for an additional $30. A 58mm filter is supported by the front element.

How to Choose a Travel Lens?

As a rule, more expensive options deliver better performance, but they are often heavy, which is not very convenient for shooting while traveling. Users with a limited budget can find affordable lenses in this list.

Since not everyone can spend a lot of money on a new lens, I’ve decided to describe several options that are more available for everyone. If none of the lenses in this review are right for you, I recommend using the lens kit that came with your camera or going to the second-hand market on Amazon or eBay. You can find more detailed information about used equipment in the article about buying used photographic equipment. The Canon 70-200mm is a good zoom lens for travel photography that allows you to take long-distance photos of animals and is suitable for portraits due to its short focal length.

An aperture is a hole through which light enters the camera sensor, it is located inside the lens. A lens aperture can have different sizes, if a large aperture transmits a lot of light, then a small one lets less light in. An aperture is comparable to the human pupil. During daylight hours, the pupil becomes smaller, letting in less light. In a darker environment, in the evening or at night, the pupil opens wide to let in more light. The lens aperture number indicates how large the opening is, which in turn demonstrates how the lens will shoot in low light conditions.

The wide aperture also allows you to control the depth of field. You will need to read the depth of field guide to learn more. When you examine the characteristics of the lens, you will see the value for the widest aperture. It can be 2.8, 4.0 or 5.6. Alternatively, it can be written as f/2.8, which is the formal way of referring to aperture. The wider the hole, the lower the number.

Focal Length

Magnification is related to the focal length of a lens and measured in millimeters. Generally, the larger the number, the higher magnification, and the lower the number, the less magnification you get. Those who are accustomed to using point-and-shoot cameras, know that a focal length can be described in terms of optical zoom. For instance, a camera can have a 10x optical zoom, meaning that the difference between the maximum zooming out and the maximum magnification is 10x. In terms of focal length, every doubling of the focal length results in a doubling of the magnification.

A 100 mm lens makes objects seem twice as big as a 50 mm lens. However, focal lengths have different effects on different cameras. This is because cameras have different sensors that affect the focal length. Let’s consider the so-called crop factor on the example of the Canon DSLR camera systems. They offer two types of cameras, APS-C size cameras, such as the Rebel series, and full-frame size sensors in professional devices, like Canon’s 6D or 5D models.

Some Canon lenses work on both these camera systems while delivering different focal lengths. On full-frame cameras, the focal length will be as expected. For the APS-C system, the crop factor is 1.6 due to the smaller sensor. Thus, a 100mm lens with an APS-C size sensor will deliver the same image quality as a 160mm lens on a full-frame camera.

Filter Thread

I recommend buying a UV filter that protects the front of your lens. It is also worth considering a polarizing filter or an ND filter. These filters are available in different sizes. To understand the size, please pay attention to the filter thread size on the lens, which is measured in millimeters. It is a measurement of the lens diameter.

Mount Compatibility

When you are trying to attach a lens to the camera body, it should snap into place. Just like a puzzle piece, a lens must have the correct shape to fit into the right place and lock tightly. Besides, the electronic connections between the camera body and the lens must be compatible. This is necessary because a camera interacts with the lens when you adjust such parameters like aperture, focus and zoom. This entire process of installing a purchased lens into your camera is known as a lens mount.

Various camera manufacturers offer their own lens mount systems. When buying a lens, make sure to check that a lens is compatible with your camera mount. Companies often offer several mounts, depending on the type of camera you have, so that you can buy a lens that fits exactly. For example, Canon cameras are compatible with EF-S, EF, EF-M and RF mounts. Keep in mind that you need to make sure the lens has a mount that your camera supports. There are lenses that fit multiple mounts, for example, the EF lens is great for EF and EF-S mounts. However, an EF-S lens will only work with an EF-S mount.

• • Can I use a 50mm lens for travel photography?

A 55mm prime lens is more suitable for street and portrait shooting at close distances, while is not the best choice for travel photography. Thus, a 50mm prime lens will come in handy when you’re interested in taking close-range photos. If you enjoy long-distance shooting when traveling in mountains or forests, a 50mm prime lens won’t cope well with such tasks.

• • Should I buy a 35mm lens for travel or a 50mm one?

The bokeh option is visibly creamier with a 50mm lens. Still, the 35mm 1.4L is less heavy compared to 50mm 1.2L. Unlike the plastic 35mm 1.4L, the metal body of the 50mm lens gives you a great feel. Another important point to pay attention to when selecting between the 35mm and 50mm focal lengths is the crop factor.

• • Is 35mm better than 50mm?

A 35mm lens captures wider scenes. It works great for full-length and waist shots. As for a 50mm lens, it captures shoulder-length pictures with visibly creamy bokeh. Alternatively, you can use a 50mm lens to take wide-scene photos, but you will need to step back.

• • What is the best lens size for street photography?

In my opinion, any lens from 28mm to 50mm works great for street photography. As a 35mm lens comes close to the normal human vision, it’s the most popular and widely-used one. A 35mm lens works perfectly for street photography as it lets users get closer to people and doesn’t cause the distortion if you compare it to the 28mm one.

• Canon EF 16–35mm
• Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED
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• Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3
• Panasonic Lumix G Leica 8-18mm
• Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM
• Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR
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10 Best Lenses for Travel Photography (in 2024)

A Post By: Jeremy Flint

Travel photography is a highly rewarding pursuit, but if you’re serious about getting the best shots, it pays to carry the right equipment, including a lens that can handle a broad range of travel subjects: astrophotography, architecture, landscapes, people, food, and more.

That’s where this article comes in handy. Below, I use my experience as a professional travel photographer to rank the 10 best travel photography lenses on the market in 2024, including options for plenty of budgets, brands, and camera systems (including models for the latest and greatest mirrorless lineups).

So whether you’re new to travel photography and looking to purchase your first lens, or you’re a travel-photography veteran looking to invest in some pro-quality glass, this article will give you everything you need to get started.

Let’s dive right in!

1. Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S

The Z 24-120mm f/4 S is our all-time favorite travel photography lens – and for a whole host of reasons, too. For one, it provides an impressive range of focal lengths, which is perfect for those seeking a single high-quality lens for all their travel needs. At 24mm, you can capture beautiful travel landscape shots; at 50mm, you can shoot portraits; and a 120mm, you can capture detailed photos of distant landscapes and architectural features.

The 24-120mm f/4 S is impressively sharp, so even if you’re hoping to create magazine-quality files or large prints, it’ll be up to the task. And while the lens only features an f/4 maximum aperture, this should be enough for all but the most demanding conditions, especially if you’re willing to carry a good travel tripod .

The elegant and attractive design, compact size, and solid build make it a great choice for amateur and pro-level travel photographers alike. It’s not the cheapest lens on the market, but the price is reasonable compared to f/2.8 alternatives, and you certainly get a lot for your money.

2. Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM

Regarded as one of the heavyweights of the photography manufacturing industry, Canon offers some of the best travel photography lenses on the market – including the impressive EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM, an absolute travel classic that combines a versatile zoom range with built-in image stabilization.

This lens is great for all-around shooting; it covers a broad range of focal lengths, and you can capture everything from expansive cityscapes to architectural details, which makes the lens suitable for travel photographers of all stripes. No, it can’t quite go toe to toe with the Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 in terms of versatility, but the price is significantly less, and the extra 15mm on the long end won’t make a huge difference for most shooters.

The 24-105mm f/4 boasts impressive sharpness, though the f/4 maximum aperture isn’t as fast as f/2.8 options (and therefore less than ideal for astrophotography and handheld photography in low light). But if you’re in need of a do-everything lens for serious travel shooting, the 24-105mm is a great pick.

3. Canon RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM

If you are using Canon’s latest mirrorless cameras – such as the EOS R5, R6, or R7 – then the RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM is a great introductory lens, particularly if you travel frequently and wish to minimize gear weight.   This handy little unit is remarkably compact, and you can slip it in a bag, a backpack, or a purse without issue (though you’ll want to make sure you protect it from bumps and scrapes!).

The lens is also excellent for travel shooting thanks to its expansive focal-length range and outstanding versatility; with wide, standard, and telephoto focal lengths, you can capture pretty much any subject, including landscapes, cityscapes, detail shots, and street portraits.

The 24-240mm is also reasonably well priced, making it a decent choice for beginners (compared to other RF-mount lenses, anyway!). Unfortunately, the lens does include some disadvantages – the maximum aperture is relatively narrow for low-light shooting, the optics aren’t on the same level as Canon’s L-lens lineup, and no lens hood is supplied – but if you’re looking for a do-everything lens to get started with travel photography, it’s a solid choice.

4. Nikon Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR

The Nikon Z 24-240mm f/4-6.3 is a solid mirrorless lens for travel photography; the zoom range makes it capable of handling nearly any situation, and the quiet autofocus is great for capturing people and even wildlife unobtrusively.

The lens boasts plenty of travel photography possibilities thanks to its impressive portability and great design. Optically, expect to capture clear, sharp, and vivid images at every focal length, though you may encounter some softening toward the image corners.

The weather sealing prevents dust and moisture from entering the lens, and even serious travel photographers will appreciate the wide-to-telephoto zoom range, ideal for pretty much any type of travel photography, including landscapes, architecture, flowers, portraits, and more. The variable maximum aperture isn’t great for folks who often work handheld in low light, but you can handle most difficult scenarios by carrying a tripod, so this shouldn’t pose too much of a problem.

5. Sony E PZ 18-105mm f/4 G OSS

Sony offers an excellent lineup of APS-C mirrorless cameras, many of which are perfect for travel photography thanks to their compact size and impressive image quality. Of course, every travel camera needs a good lens, and the Sony 18-105mm f/4 is our first choice; it combines solid build quality, great optics, and a good price for an all-around impressive package.

While not a superzoom, the lens spans an impressive 5.8x zoom range from ultra-wide to short telephoto. It works especially well for street photography and even landscapes, where you can zoom in and out to frame shots accordingly, though it’s certainly a capable portrait and architecture lens, as well.

Autofocus is smooth and quiet, plus the lens also boasts Optical SteadyShot technology, which reduces camera shake and prevents blur when working handheld in low light. The f/4 maximum aperture isn’t ideal for shooting in the dark, but it’s not terrible, either, and even serious shooters will manage to make do. Finally, the lens is a Sony pro-quality lens, yet despite the excellent image and build quality, it’s surprisingly affordable, so it’s a good pick for serious photographers who are on a budget.

6. Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS

The Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS is an impressive all-around lens for travel photography; use it to photograph landscapes, architecture, people, and even (at 135mm) the occasional wildlife. Note that the lens is compatible with Sony’s E-mount APS-C mirrorless cameras but will not give great results on Sony full-frame models.

One of the lens’s key features is the built-in OSS (Optical SteadyShot) technology, which is great for low-light handholding. And if you frequently capture detail shots, you’ll love the short minimum focusing distance. The 18-135mm is lightweight and compact, too, which makes it perfect for the amateur photographer in search of a first travel photography lens. You can easily store it in a backpack or bag, and thanks to its small size, you can leave it on your camera for days of shooting and you’ll hardly even notice.

It’s not the most optically impressive lens, and the variable maximum aperture is a bit of a letdown, but for casual travel photography, the 18-135mm is certainly worth a look.

7. Fujifilm XF 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 WR LM R OIS

If you’re a Fujifilm shooter, then look no further; the XF 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 is one of the best travel lenses on the market, and it’s certainly an outstanding option for Fujifilm camera users. It’s great for capturing a wide range of travel subjects, from landscapes and cityscapes to wildlife and people, while the 5-stop image stabilization will keep you shooting crisp handheld shots in low light.

You can get in close to your subjects thanks to a short minimum focusing distance (always handy for detail shots). And solid weather resistance, not to mention impressive image quality, are both welcome features of this amazing lens. As with a number of other models on this list, the variable maximum aperture is somewhat limiting, and the lens is on the expensive side, but the great optics and useful focal length range make this handy lens our favorite Fuji pick.

8. Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-60mm f/2.8-4 OIS

If you’re a Panasonic shooter, then this 12-60mm f/2.8-4 lens is one of the best travel lenses you can buy; it delivers a superb focal-length range on Four Thirds cameras , spanning from 24mm to 120mm. You’ll get plenty of travel photography opportunities, and you can expect to capture breathtaking wide landscapes, standard street shots, and even mid-telephoto portraits. Thanks to the telephoto reach on the long end, you can even zoom in to highlight specific features, or you can hunt for architectural abstracts and the like.

This lens is lightweight, compact, and delivers sharp image quality even at 60mm. And don’t forget about the built-in image stabilization, which lets you shoot in low light without a tripod, always helpful for travel shooters. Unfortunately, the maximum aperture does narrow as you zoom from 12mm to 60mm, but you can still work with a decently wide f/4 aperture, even at 60mm.

9. Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM

The Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 is a great travel lens for Canon and Nikon APS-C users, and it boasts an impressive combination of features, from a lightweight, compact design to an expansive zoom range. The price is highly reasonable for beginner travel photographers, too, which makes it a great budget lens (especially compared to standard Canon and Nikon options).

Note that the Sigma 18-200mm is designed for APS-C DSLRs, so you can expect focal-length reach spanning from around 27mm to 300mm, which is absolutely outstanding for basically any type of subject, be it landscapes, portraits, street scenes, or wildlife. You’ll also like the included lens hood, which lets you block out sunlight in impressive conditions for improved optical performance.

And although the lens is missing weather sealing, the built-in image stabilization offers improved performance in low light and is ideal for nighttime street photography, interior scenes, and more.

10. Tamron 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III VC

If you need a versatile travel photography lens for Sony APS-C mirrorless cameras, then check out the Tamron 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3, which offers an impressive zoom range for landscapes, cityscapes, architectural details, people, and pretty much everything else.

The built-in image stabilization system will keep your photos sharp in low light, while the advanced design delivers extraordinary image quality (even if sharpness falls off toward the telephoto end of the zoom range). Often lengthy zooms like this one suffer optically, but we’re quite impressed overall by its capabilities, and it offers enough detail for printing and high-quality displays.

The lens body is lightweight and compact, so you won’t feel weighted down by gear as you shoot, and the price is highly affordable – in other words, it’s yet another outstanding option for travel photographers on a budget.

The best lens for travel photography: final words

Ultimately, the best lens for travel photography depends on your camera setup, your image requirements, and what you plan to shoot. At the end of the day, it’s a personal choice – and as long as the lens you choose is compatible with your camera system, covers the zoom range you require, is within your budget, and delivers the right image quality, you can’t go wrong.

So good luck choosing a travel lens!

Now over to you:

Which lens will you purchase? Which is your favorite? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Read more from our Cameras & Equipment category

Jeremy Flint is an award-winning photographer and writer, specialising in travel, landscape and location photography and is known for documenting images of beautiful destinations, cultures and communities from around the world. Jeremy has won awards including the National Geographic Traveller Grand Prize and the Association of Photographers Discovery Award, besides being commended in Outdoor Photographer of the Year. He has also been a finalist in the Travel Photographer of the year and British Photography Awards several times. He has been commissioned by commercial and editorial clients worldwide including National Geographic Traveller, Country Life, Discover Britain, USA National Parks and Visit Britain and has travelled extensively to over 65 countries.

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The Best Camera Lenses for Travel Photography

Last updated: June 2, 2024 . Written by Laurence Norah - 71 Comments

As a professional travel photographer, I’m often asked about camera gear, and in particular, folks contact me to ask me what the best camera lens for travel photography is. Often people have bought a camera with an interchangeable lens, like a mirrorless or DSLR camera, and are looking to upgrade their kit to meet their needs.

I’ve already written a guide to the best cameras for travel photography , but as that only covers camera and not lenses, I thought it would make sense to follow up with a regularly updated guide to the best camera lenses  – specifically for travel photography purposes. After all, a camera is not much good without a lens!

Of course, this guide does assume you have a camera with interchangeable lenses, so that means a mirrorless camera or a DSLR camera . Within those two groups though there are myriad camera and lens manufacturers. And for the most part, lenses made for one camera system won’t work on another system.

So for this post, I’ve first put together a general overview of what to look for when picking a travel lens, which will give you some pointers in terms of features to consider. That way no matter what brand and kind of system, you’ll know what to look for when shopping for a camera lens.

I’ve then provided specific recommendations for the more popular camera systems out there, including Canon, Nikon, Panasonic, and Sony. Even if your particular manufacturer or camera mount isn’t mentioned, you should be able to get a good idea from this post of what to look for in a travel lens, which specifications matter, and an idea of price.

Speaking of price, as well as a guide to the best lens for travel photography for each camera brand, I’ve also suggested a couple of options for the best budget travel lens for each camera system. I know that lenses are expensive, and not everyone has a huge budget to spend! Let’s get started.

Table of Contents:

What to think about when picking a lens for travel photography

Picking a lens to travel with is a bit different to picking a lens for other situations. Not only will you be concerned with image quality, but also size and weight.

Whilst it would be wonderful to have a wide range of expensive lenses to take with us on all our trips, the reality of travel is that there is only so much we can take with us, and when you’re out and about all day sightseeing, you probably don’t want to be carrying too much.

So for travel photography, it’s better to try and focus on getting a smaller number of lenses that work well in a wide variety of situations. That way you are likely to actually take them with you and use them.

Of course, there are always going to be compromises – it’s hard to find a lens that does everything well, doesn’t cost too much, and is lightweight! But for travel photography, I think there are some good travel lens options out there.

You have a few options for lens types. My suggestion would be to invest in two lenses – a walkaround lens and a fast prime. An f/1.8 50mm would be the ideal.

Some manufacturers sell a travel kit, like this bundle from Canon , which can be a great value way to get some good lenses.

If you only want to invest in one lens because you don’t see yourself changing lens often, or carrying more than one lens, then you will want a good walkaround lens, and that’s what this guide will be focusing on.

What is a walkaround lens you ask? Well, it’s a lens that “does everything”. It covers a good range of focal lengths, meaning you can get wide angle shots as well as zoom in on further away objects. It’s basically a one size fits all lens for your travel photography needs.

You will often find that if you invest in a camera that it will come with a lens that will suffice as a walkaround lens. These will work fine but tend not to be the top quality lenses.

If you are more serious about photography and your budget allows, I’d recommend that you buy your preferred camera “body only”, and then invest in a nicer walkaround lens, such as the ones I recommend, rather than the standard kit lenses. Don’t be surprised if the lens is more expensive than the camera either – good lenses are expensive, and a worthy investment.

Price considerations – how much to spend on a camera lens for travel photography.

Speaking of money, I’ve done my best to provide a range of lenses across various price points. More expensive lenses tend to be more capable, but can also be heavier, so aren’t always the best solution for travel photography.

For the budget-conscious reading this, I’m also providing my suggested best budget travel lens for each category. I appreciate that not everyone has a big budget for a new lens, so I want to provide some good value options too.

If none of the lenses in this post fit your budget, my advice would be to either stick with the kit lens that comes with your camera, or to check out the second hand lens market on either Amazon on eBay . For more on buying second hand camera equipment, see my guide to buying used camera equipment .

Now, before we dive into individual travel lens recommendations, let’s take a look at some of the key terminology and other considerations you need to be aware of when looking for a lens for travel photography.

Inside a lens, there’s a hole that lets the light through to the camera’s sensor. This hole is referred to as an aperture. An aperture can change in size, with a bigger aperture letting more light in, and a smaller aperture letting less light in.

An aperture can be thought of as the pupil of your eye. When it’s bright outside, it is smaller so less light gets in. When you’re in a darker environment, perhaps at night, it opens really wide to let more light in.

The important number for lens apertures is how big the hole goes, which will dictate how well the lens will perform in low light situations. A wider aperture also allows for greater control over depth of field. See my guide to depth of field for more on that.

When you look at the specifications for a lens, it will always have the widest aperture listed as one of the key specifications. It will be a number, something like 2.8, 4.0 or 5.6. It may also be written as f/2.8, which is the formal way of denoting aperture. The smaller the number, the wider the hole.

Some lenses, and in particular the walkaround lenses we are going to be looking at, will have what is known as a variable maximum aperture. This means that the aperture will actually change as you zoom in and out, or change focal length. This is because as the lens barrel gets longer, the maximum aperture get smaller.

So for example, you might see a lens with an aperture of f3.5-5.6. This means that at the wide angle, the aperture is f/3.5, but when you zoom in, the aperture will drop, down to f/5.6 when you are fully zoomed in.

For travel photography, as with most photography, the wider the aperture the better – more light getting in means better low-light performance, making the lens more versatile for a range of photography situations. This is particularly useful for situations like taking photos of the stars , or shooting the northern lights .

The trade-off is that wider aperture lenses tend to be bigger, heavier, and more expensive. This will be considered in the lens selection.

Focal Length

The focal length of a lens is directly related to how much magnification it provides. It’s a number that’s measured in millimetres (mm), with the general rule being that the higher the number in millimetres, the more magnification you get, and the smaller the number in mm, the less magnification you get.

If you’ve previously used a compact camera (aka point-and-shoot), you’ll be used to this being described in terms of optical zoom – for example, a camera might have 10x optical zoom. That means that the difference in magnification between the most zoomed out setting and the most zoomed in setting is 10x.

In focal length terms, each doubling of the focal length results in a doubling of the magnification. So a 100mm lens will essentially make everything twice as big as a 50mm lens.

Unfortunately, matters get a bit confusing after this, because focal lengths have a different effect on different cameras. This is because camera’s have different sensor sizes, which affects the focal length, in what is known as a crop factor.

To take the example of the Canon DSLR camera systems. There are two main types of cameras available, the APS-C size cameras such as the consumer Rebel line, and the full frame size sensors in more professional cameras like the Canon 6D or 5D line.

Some of Canon’s lenses will work on both of these camera systems, but they will give different focal lengths. On the full frame cameras, the focal length will be as expected. On the APS-C sensor, there is a “crop factor” of 1.6, because the sensor is smaller. So a 100mm lens on an APS-C sized sensor will give the same result in terms of the image as you would be able to achieve with a 160mm lens on a full frame camera.

Thankfully, lens manufacturers all use the same focal length standard, so when buying lenses for your particular system, all you need to know is the crop factor. You can then multiply this by the focal length to get the equivalent focal length.

Don’t worry if this isn’t quite clear, for the lenses I recommend I will list both the focal length and the equivalent focal length where relevant. Equivalent focal length is what you need to really worry about, as it will let you compare lenses more effectively.

For travel photography, you want a lens that goes from fairly wide (16mm – 30mm) on the wide end, through to fairly zoomed in (70mm – 150mm) on the narrow end. This will give you good flexibility, letting you shoot wide scenes such as buildings on city streets, through to zooming in on the details. A good benchmark lens is a 24-70 f/2.8, which is generally known as the walkaround lens of choice for professional photographers.

There are some walkaround lenses which offer much greater focal lengths, well past 200mm, including some of the recommendations in this guide. Just be aware that there are always trade-offs to consider, and whilst these can offer tremendous versatility, it’s often at the expense of weight and image quality, and in particular, image sharpness, at the longer end of zoom range (beyond 200mm usually).

I’m not saying not to invest in these lenses, just to be aware that there’s no such thing as a perfect lens for all situations!

Filter Thread

When you buy a lens, it’s always a good idea to pick up a UV filter  to protect the front. You may also want a polarising filter  (read about polarising filters here ), or a neutral density filter  (see my guide to neutral density filters here ).

You’ll notice that these filters come in different sizes, and the filter thread size on the lens, measured in millimetres, tells you what that size is. It’s basically just a measurement of the diameter of the lens, which is the end you put the filter on. Ok, that was an easy one.

Image Stabilisation

Camera lens manufactures have all kinds of fun terms they use for image stabilisation. These include IS (Canon), OIS (Panasonic), VR (Nikon), OS (Sigma), VC (Tamron) – the list goes on .

Whilst the names and underlying technology vary, the aim is the same – to compensate for any movement introduced by the person holding the lens (that’s you), to help you shoot at lower shutter speeds without getting blurry photos.

As a general rule of thumb, the minimum shutter speed you can hand hold a lens for is the inverse of the focal length. So if you have a 200mm lens, you would not want to shoot at shutter speeds slower than 1/200th of a second. A 50mm lens would be 1/50th of a second.

Image stabilisation technologies exist to help you get shots at lower shutter speeds than that, and they are usually rated in terms of how many extra “stops” they give you to play with. A “stop” is photography dialog for a halving, or doubling, of the light.

So if you went from 1/100th of a second to 1/50th of a second shutter speed and didn’t change anything else, that would be 1 stop.

Modern image stabilisation technologies offer between 3 and 5 stops of stabilisation. To put that in practical terms, if you are shooting with a 200mm lens at 1/200th of a second, 3 stops would let you hand hold down to 1/25th of a second. 5 stops would let you hand hold and still get sharp images as slow as 1/6th of a second!

As you can see, image stabilisation can make a huge difference, and it is definitely worth thinking about when looking for a lens. Of course, as with everything, there are tradeoffs, and an image stabilized lens will often be more expensive and slightly heavier than an equivalent non-stabilized version.

Weight is a pretty key consideration when it comes to picking a travel lens, as the idea is that you’re going to be using the lens for travelling. I don’t know about you, but the less I have to carry the better, especially if I’m going to be on my feet all day. So definitely keep the weight of your purchase in mind.

As well as weight, you’re going to want to factor in the size of the camera lens. Portability can be an important factor for a travel photography lens, particularly if you’re travelling and prefer to pack carry-on only. So consider how big the lens is in physical terms when making a decision.

Mount Compatibility

When you attach a lens to a camera body, obviously it has to fit in place. It’s like a puzzle with two pieces – the lens has to be the right shape to fit into place and lock tightly.

In addition, because the camera needs to communicate with the lens to set things like aperture, focus and zoom, the electronic connections between the lens and the camera body need to line up and be compatible.

The system that is used is known as a lens mount. You basically “mount” the lens onto the camera. Most camera manufacturers have their own lens mount system or systems, so when you buy a lens, you need to make sure it is compatible with the mount type on your camera.

Many manufacturers have multiple lens mounts, depending on the type of camera. For example, Canon cameras can have an EF-S mount, an EF mount, an EF-M mount and an RF mount.

It is very important when buying a lens to ensure that it has a compatible lens mount for your camera. Note that some lenses will work with multiple lens mounts – for example, an EF lens will work on both an EF and an EF-S mount. However, an EF-S lens will only work with an EF-S lens mount, and not with an EF mount.

Usually the mount type is made clear in the name of the lens. For example, the Canon EF 16-35 f/4L IS is an “EF” lens, which you can see in the name of the lens. So this will work with an Canon EF or Canon EF-S camera body.

If you are buying a lens from a third party manufacturer such as Tamron or Sigma, be aware that they usually make multiple versions of each lens, with different mounts. So always make sure you buy the version that will fit your camera.

Well, that sums up some thoughts on the various factors, features and terminology you need to consider when looking to buy a travel lens.

Now, let’s dive into some specific recommendations across various camera systems to give you some idea of what’s available at different price points.

Note that these are primarily walkaround lenses that are suited for travel, rather than for a specific function like macro photography or astrophotography. If you are interested in the latter, see our guide to northern lights photography , which has some specific lens recommendations for night situations.

The Best Micro Four Thirds Lens for Travel Photography

Micro Four Thirds camera are a popular choice for photographers. These mirrorless systems are lightweight and portable, yet offer everything you would expect from a bigger SLR style camera, including full manual controls and great image quality.

There are a number of manufacturers, with the most popular being Panasonic and Olympus. We use and love our Panasonic GX8 which is a staple part of our travel photography gear .

Both of these manufacturers have their own proprietary lens stabilisation system that takes advantages of stabilisation technology in both the camera body and the lens. This means that whilst lenses will work across different micro four thirds cameras, to take full advantage of the stabilisation technology you need to match brands – so a Panasonic lens needs to go on a Panasonic camera body for the best results.

In terms of crop factors micro four thirds cameras have a 2x crop factor, so you need to double focal lengths to get the equivalent focal length.

1. Panasonic Lumix G Leica 8-18mm F2.8-4.0

With a 16-36mm equivalent focal length, this is the lens to get if you love shooting really wide. Personally, my wide angle lens is the lens I use the most, so this is what I’d go for on this camera system, even if it’s not quite as flexible across shooting situations as something with a greater focal range. It doesn’t have image stabilisation, but as the lens is so light that’s less of an issue, and image stabilisation on a wide-angle isn’t as critical.

Weight: 11.11 oz / 315 g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here 

2. Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG 12-60mm Power O.I.S. F2.8-4.0

As a walkaround travel lens, it’s hard to argue with this 12-60mm lens from Panasonic, which offers a 24-120mm equivalent focal length and sharp results throughout that focal length, even shooting wide open. The aperture stops down a bit as you zoom in, but this is a lightweight lens that will do pretty much everything you could want, and includes image stabilization (Power O.I.S).

Weight: 11.29 oz / 320g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here

3.  Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 7-14mm f/2.8

My choices for the Olympus micro four thirds system are essentially their versions of the Panasonic lenses above. This is the wide angle, with a focal length equivalent of 12mm – 28mm.

With a fixed f/2.8 aperture this is a very fast lens at all focal lengths, although this does make it a little bit heavier.

It also comes with dust and weather sealing. It doesn’t have lens based image stabilisation, but the majority of Olympus MFT cameras have in-body stabilisation which makes up for this.  

Weight: 1.17lb / 543g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here

4. Olympus M.ZUIKO Digital ED 12-100 F4.0 IS PRO

With a focal length equivalent to 24-200, this is pretty much the perfect walk around length for travel photographers. It is water and dustproof, and features image stabilisation equivalent to an incredible 6.5 stops when used with a compatible Olympus camera.

That added focal length does add some weight and bulk though. If you’d prefer a lighter lens and a faster aperture at the expense of focal length, check out the cheaper  Olympus M.ZUIKO Digital ED 12-40 F2.8  instead.

Weight: 1.23lb / 561g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here

Best Budget Micro Four Thirds Lens

1. panasonic lumix g vario 12-60mm f/3.5-5.6 power o.i.s.

This is essentially a slower version of the Panasonic 12-60mm lens above, at half the price. It’s also significantly lighter than that lens. Impressively for a lens at this price point, it comes with image stabilisation as well as a splash and dust-proof body, making it ideal as a travel lens.

At a similar price point there’s also the slightly heavier  14-140mm f/3.5-5.6 lens from Panasonic, but whilst you gain a lot in focal length, you lose out on that weather resistance, so it’s up to you.

Weight : 7.41oz / 210g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here

2. Olympus M.Zuiko ED 14-150mm f/4-5.6 II

Weight: 10 oz / 284g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here

The Best Mirrorless Lens for Travel Photography for Sony Cameras

For the purposes of this guide, I’m going to be talking about Sony’s E-mount lenses, which work on their mirrorless camera systems including APS-C models like the a6600 as well as full frame mirrorless models like the a7 range.

Note that there are two types of E mount lenses, “FE” lenses, which will work on both full frame and APS-C sized Sony cameras, and non FE lenses which are designed for APS-C sizes sensors only. While you can use a non-FE lens on a full frame camera, it will reduce the image resolution and field of view to be equivalent to an APS-C sized sensor, so I’d advise against that.

There are also “G” series lenses, which are Sony’s more professional lenses – similar to Canon’s “L” series. These offer greater image quality and performance, usually with a higher price tag to match.

Some Sony cameras offer in-body image stabilisation, but ideally you’ll want it in the lens. Sony’s image stabilization technology is known as OSS (optical steady shot).

1. Sony 18-105mm f/4 OSS G

With an equivalent focal length of 27mm – 158mm, and a fixed aperture throughout that focal length, this lens is ideal for travel photography. It’s also a G series lens, which means it is higher quality lens compared to their standard, non G lenses. It’s primarily designed for Sony’s APC-C sensor cameras, so not really recommended for their full frame bodies, but it is very well priced.

Weight: 15.06oz / 427g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here

2. Sony E 18-135 f/3.5-5.6 OSS

With an E mount lens for APS-C camera compatibility, this lens is firmly aimed at travel photographers wanting a great Sony walkaround lens at a price that won’t destroy the bank. With image stabilization and good performance across a good focal length, this lens is a great bargain if you’re looking for an easy upgrade from the kit lens.

3. Sony FE 24-70mm f/4 OSS

Covering the classic focal length of 24-70 on a full-frame camera (36-105mm on an APS-C), this is a relatively fast lens that offers excellent image quality and portability at a relatively affordable price point. There’s also an f/2.8 “G” version of this lens which is approximately twice as expensive and also heavier, but may be worth it if you need that extra stop of light.

Weight: 15.03oz / 426g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here

4. Sony FE 24-240mm f/3.5 – 6.3 OSS

Covering a truly staggering focal range of 24-240mm (36-360mm APS-C), this Sony FE lens is perhaps the ultimate walkaround lens for the Sony system. It may have a variable aperture, but given how well Sony’s cameras perform even at high ISO ratings, you probably won’t notice that too much.

If you want a lens that can shoot everything from far away wildlife to portraits to landscapes, this is a great choice at an excellent price point. Just be aware that it is heavier than the other options due to that extended focal length.

Weight: 1.72 lb / 780g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and A dorama here

5. Sony FE 16-35 f/4 OSS

If you’re after something wider, then this is the lens to go for, especially for full frame cameras (APS-C owners should instead consider the cheaper 10-18mm f/4 for wide angle work).

With a relatively fast fixed aperture, super-wide capabilities and even image stabilisation, this is the lens for landscape and architecture photographers to look at.

Weight: 1.14lb / 518g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here  

6. Sony 18-200 f/3.5-6.3 OSS

If you’re on Sony’s APS-C sensor system, then you might want to consider this lens instead of the 24-240mm lens above, as it offers a wider 27mm equivalent at the wide end. It’s also a relatively light lens given the focal range, making it a good choice for travel photographers trying to keep the weight down.

Weight: 1.16lb / 524g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here

Best Budget Mirrorless Lens for Sony

1. sony fe 28-70mm f3.5-5.6 oss lens.

Being an FE lens, this will work on both full frame and APS-C sized Sony bodies – on the latter it would offer an equivalent focal length of 38 – 105mm, which is useful for many situations except particularly wide work. A good value lens.

Weight: 10.41 oz / 295 g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here

2. Sony 55-210mm f4.5-6.3 OSS

If you’re looking for a bit more range, perhaps to compliment the kit lens that came with your Sony camera, this is one of the better priced telephoto zoom lenses from Sony that is also incredibly light for the focal range on offer.

Of course, it’s not the sharpest lens in the world, especially at the 200mm end (315mm equivalent), but it does feature image stabilisation and is a bargain to boot.

Weight: 12.16 oz / 345g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here

The Best DSLR Lens for Travel Photography for Nikon Cameras

For the longest time, the two main choices for photographers looking for camera gear were Nikon and Canon. That has certainly changed, but these two manufacturers definitely account for the highest percentage of cameras sold today.

Because they’ve both been around for so long there are literally hundreds of lenses to choose from for each system, both made by the manufacturers themselves, and lenses made by third parties.

Sifting through these choices to find the perfect travel lens is definitely a challenge, but I’ve narrowed down the various options to some of the best options to help you make an informed decision.

1. Nikon 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G VR

An ideal walkaround lens at a good price point for Nikon full-frame users (known as FX in Nikon speak). This lens covers a very wide focal range with a reasonable fast aperture, and offers image stabilisation (Nikon calls it VR, for vibration reduction).

Owners of Nikon’s APS-C sized sensor camera bodies (DX format) should consider either the 18-300mm lens below, or the Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 , which will give a bit more flexibility on the wide end.

Weight: 1.76 lb / 800 g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here

2. Nikon 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G VR II

There’s also an 18-200 version which can be found marginally cheaper, but as it weighs the same I’d go with this one.

Weight: 1.21 lb / 550g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here

3. Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8E VR

Nikon’s 24-70mm f/2.8 lens is one of the most popular lenses for photographers of all types, particularly on full frame bodies. Its fast aperture throughout the focal length makes it great for low light photography and portrait work, and the relatively wide angle makes it a great landscape lens.

It even has image stabilization! It is expensive and heavy (consider the Sigma equivalent too), but if it’s the only lens in your bag you might not mind so much.

Weight: 2.35lb / 1070g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here

4. Nikon DX 16-80mm f/2.4-4E VR

This lens is only for crop sensors, but it offers an excellent range of focal lengths, a fast aperture range and it is known for producing very sharp images. It’s also very light, making it a great option for travel photography, and features image stabilisation at a reasonable price.

Weight : 16.93 oz / 480g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here

Best Budget DSLR Lens for Nikon

1. nikon 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6 vr.

For a DX camera, this is an excellent Nikon lens that covers a wide focal range, has image stabilization, and produces sharp images. It’s very well priced for what you get, is relatively light, and will serve you well as a travel photography walk around lens.

Weight: 1.08lb / 490g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here

2. Nikon 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G VR

FX format users on a tighter budget should definitely consider this lens, which offers reasonably fast performance and a good range of focal lengths in an affordable and lightweight package that also includes image stabilisation.

Weight:  1.02 lb / 465 g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here

The Best DSLR Lens for Travel Photography for Canon Cameras

Like Nikon, the Canon camera system has been around for a long time, and there’s an incredible selection of lenses to choose from, both directly from Canon, and from third party manufacturers like Sigma and Tamron. This huge amount of choice can be overwhelming, but I’m going to do my best to provide a few options to get you started.

Note that Canon has three main lens mount systems – EF, EF-S, and RF. The first two are for their DSLR cameras, the latter is for their new full frame mirrorless camera system. This is a new mount, launched in 2018. I mention it because there is a Canon adaptor meaning all EF and EF-S lenses will work on RF mount cameras.

EF lenses will fit on all Canon’s cameras (RF with an adaptor), whilst the EF-S lenses will only fit EF-S mount cameras (and RF cameras with the adaptor).

EF-S cameras are essentially all the consumer focused models such as the Rebel series. Canon has its own stabilisation system, which it calls IS (image stabilisation).

1. Canon EF 16-35 f/4L IS

This ultrawide Canon lens is incredibly sharp, and an excellent choice for landscape and architecture lovers. It’s our current go-to lens for these purposes in our travel photography bag.

Whilst the f/4 aperture isn’t too wide, this lens features image stabilisation technology that promises up to four stops of stabilisation, which makes this a great choice for low-light work. It’s also not too heavy. APS-C owners should consider the cheaper and significantly lighter 10-18mm IS instead .

Weight: 1.35 lb / 615 g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here

2. Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8L II

This is the walk around lens of choice for many full frame Canon professionals as it offers sharp performance and a fast fixed f/2.8 aperture across the frame. This lens is great for everything from portraits to landscapes, and is one of the most popular lenses amongst Canon shooters.

This lens is quite pricey and fairly heavy though, so do also consider the Sigma equivalent which is significantly cheaper and includes image stabilisation, which is notably absent from this Canon lens.

Weight : 1.77 lb / 805 g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here

3. Canon EF 24-105 f/4 L IS II

If the Canon 24-70 above is a bit pricey, or you’d prefer image stabilization and a slightly longer focal length, then the excellent EF 24-105 f/4 L is a great choice. Despite the longer focal length, it’s actually a slightly lighter option.

This lens will work with both full frame and crop sensor cameras, on the latter it will have an equivalent focal length of 38 –  168mm.

Weight: 1.75 lb / 795g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here

4. Tamron 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di VC

There are lots of third party options for Canon, with Tamron being a popular choice for value oriented buyers. This Tamron covers an excellent focal range in a relatively lightweight, low-cost design.

This 28-300mm is a great walkaround lens choice covering a wide focal range, especially for full frame shooters who don’t want the weight or cost of Canon’s L series lenses.

Weight: 1.19 lb / 540 g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here  

5.  Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 VC

Owners of APS-C Canon cameras should definitely consider this incredible Tamron lens, which offers a mind blowing focal length (29 – 640mm equivalent) on Canon’s crop sensor cameras. It also has image stabilisation and an aperture range which is not too bad considering that incredible zoom. It’s also very well priced, and less heavy than you might expect for the focal length.

If you’d prefer a first party lens walkaround lens for your Canon APS-C camera, another option is the Canon EF-S 18-200 f/3.5-6.3 IS , which is a tiny bit lighter, but loses a lot of that lovely focal length, and is also slightly more expensive.

Weight: 1.56 lb / 710 g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here

Best Budget DSLR Lens for Canon Cameras

1. sigma 18-300 f/3.5-6.3 dc os.

If you’re looking for a lens that covers a very wide focal range, produces sharp images, and won’t break the bank, look no further than this excellent Sigma. This will only work on Canon’s APS-C range such as the Canon Rebel line, or Canon SL2, but it offers excellent performance, image stabilization and an incredible focal range (29mm – 480mm equivalent) in a well priced and lightweight package.

Weight: 1.28 lb / 584 g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here  

2. Tokina 11-20mm f/2.8 PRO DX

Lovers of wide-angle photography should shortlist this Tokina lens for Canon’s EF-S camera mount. With a very wide f/2.8 aperture, and a superwide focal length, this lens is perfect for landscape photography, low-light photography, and even taking pictures of the stars . Well priced too!

Weight: 1.23 lb / 560 g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here

The Best Mirrorless Lens for Travel Photography for Canon Cameras

Canon also makes mirrorless cameras, which come in two mount types, EF-M and RF.

The EF-M mount launched in 2012, and is for Canon’s EOS M range of cameras. These mirrorless cameras feature an APS-C sized sensor, and are primarily aimed at consumers and prosumers.

The RF mount launched in 2018, and is Canon’s newest mount. This features on Canon’s full frame and APS-C mirrorless cameras, including the R5, R6, R7 and R10.

It’s worth noting that Canon produces an RF mount adaptor and an EF-M mount adaptor for both EF and EF-S lenses. This means you can use EF and EF-S lenses on the Canon EF-M mount cameras, as well as Canon RF mount cameras.

So if you have an EF-M or RF mount camera, you might still prefer to buy one of the previously mentioned EF lenses, as these have the widest compatibility, and will work across all Canon’s cameras.

That said, an EF-M lens will be smaller and lighter, whilst the RF lenses take full advantage of the wider size of the mount, meaning these lenses can offer wider apertures. RF and RF-S lenses also have additional control rings on the lens itself, which can make for fast on the fly settings adjustments.

Whilst there aren’t currently as many EF-M, RF or RF-S lenses on the market as there are EF and EF-S lenses, there are still plenty to choose from. Here are some options that should work well for travel photography, across a range of budgets.

1. Tamron 18-200 f/3.5-6.3 Di III VC

Given the focal range, the lens is relatively lightweight, and you get good performance for a reasonable price. Definitely one to consider if you’re looking for a native EF-M mount lens.

Weight:   1.55lb /  459g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here

2. Canon EF-M 15-45mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM

Weight:   4.6oz / 130 g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here

3. Canon RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM

Moving onto the RF lenses for Canon’s full frame mirrorless cameras, and the first in our list is this versatile 24-240mm option. This offers an excellent focal range for travel photography, making this a good choice as a walkaround lens. You get a fairly fast f/4 aperture at the wide end, although this does drop off to f/6.3 as you zoom in.

You also get Canon’s image stabilization and fast, silent autofocus system. It’s also relatively light and compact for a full frame lens with this range, and the price is good for what you get.

Weight:   1.65lb /  750g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here

4. Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM

Naturally Canon also has a range of their premium “L” lenses available for the RF mount. The 24-105 f/4 is an excellent RF mount lens for travel photography, offering a useful focal range as well as a fixed f/4 aperture throughout the whole focal length.

You also get image stabilization, fast and silent autofocusing, in a relatively compact and lightweight lens.

Weight:   1.54lb /  700g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here

5. Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM

If, like me, you love wide angle photography, then you are definitely going to want to check out Canon’s awesome 15-35mm wide angle lens for the RF mount. The RF mount has allowed Canon to go all the way to 15mm with their wide angle zoom, and you get a fast f/2.8 aperture through the focal length as well.

You also get image stabilization and fast and silent autofocusing. It’s not cheap by any stretch of the imagination, but performance is superb.

This lens is the part of what photographers refer to as the “holy trinity” of lenses that professional photographers aim to have in their kitbag. They are all expensive, but image quality and performance can’t be beaten. If you are looking for the rest of the “holy trinity” of RF lenses, Canon also has the Canon RF 24-70mm F2.8 L IS USM and the Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM available for purchase.

Weight:   1.85lb /  840g Check price on Amazon here , B&H here and Adorama here

6. Canon RF-S 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM

In 2022, Canon launched the first of their mirrorless APS-C sensor cameras with an R mount, the EOS R7 and the EOS R10. These cameras actually come with an RF mount, meaning they are compatible with RF lenses and EF & ES-S lenses. For RF and EF lenses, you do get a 1.6x crop factor.

Canon has also launched RF-S lenses. Despite the name, the RF-S mount is the same as the RF mount, the only difference is that these lenses are designed for the new cameras, meaning they are smaller and lighter as they don’t need to produce such a large image.

The lens we recommend you consider as a walk around lens is the RF-S 18-150mm. On a R7 or R10, this has an equivalent focal length of 28.8-240mm, which is ideal for most travel photography situations.

You also get built-in image stabilization, and the maximum aperture of f/3.5 is very good. It’s also remarkably light.

Weight:   10.9oz / 310g Check price on  B&H here and Adorama here

Further Reading

Well, that sums up my guide to the best travel lenses for travel photography! I hope you found it informative and useful in your quest to find the perfect travel lens for you. Before you head off, I want to share with you a few more resources that will help you on your photography journey.

• My guide to picking the best travel camera – after all, a lens isn’t much good without a great camera to pair it with! We also have guides to the best point and shoot cameras , the best mirrorless cameras , the best cameras for hiking and backpacking , the best action cameras , and the best DSLR cameras for travel photography .
• Photos need editing to get the best out of them. See our guide to the best photo editing software for our suggestions. If you’re looking for something to edit your photos on, see our guide to the best laptops for photo editing
• If you’re looking for something for someone else, see our guide to the best gifts for photographers for ideas
• I have a review of the Peak Design camera strap system as well as the Peak Design travel tripod
• My series of  Photography Tips , which I am always expanding and updating with posts like this one
• My always expanding series of  Photography Location Guides , to help you get the best shot in locations around the world.
• An overview of my  Travel Photography Gear , in case you wondered what a professional photographer has in his bag
• A  Beginners’ Guide to Improving your Travel Photos for those starting out in travel photography. We also have a guide to how to use a DSLR to help you if you are starting out with this type of camera system.
• Our reasons why you need a travel tripod

Looking to Improve Your Photography?

If you found this post helpful, and you want to improve your photography overall, you might want to check out my  online travel photography course .

Since launching the course in 2016, I’ve already helped over 2,000 students learn how to take better photos. The course covers pretty much everything you need to know, from the basics of how a camera works, through to composition, light, and photo editing.

It also covers more advanced topics, including astrophotography, long exposure photography, flash photography, and HDR photography.

You get feedback from me as you progress, access to webinars, interviews and videos, as well as exclusive membership of a Facebook group where you can get feedback on your work and take part in regular challenges.

It’s available for an amazing one-off price for lifetime access, and I think you should check it out. Which you can do by  clicking here .

And that’s it for my guide to picking the best camera lens for travel photography. I’ll be keeping this post updated as new lenses are released for the various systems, so you can always check back for advice if you need it. I’m also happy to answer your specific questions about picking a lens for your camera system – just pop them in the comments below and I’ll do my best to give my thoughts and advice!

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Vladielna says

4th October 2023 at 6:31 am

Hi Laurence,

Hope it’s not weird to get a comment on this post in 2023. I have a sony Alpha 6400 that I got earlier this year and I was wondering about the 55-210 e-mount lens you mentioned. My dad bought it for his 5N back in the day and I was hoping to use it for my camera however I have noticed that the AF is much worse on the 6400 than it is on the 5N where it will take multiple times to try and find the right focal length over the span of 3 seconds and yet still not be in focus I am not sure why that is and I was hoping you could provide some insight into this behaviour.

Thanks, Vladielena

Laurence Norah says

4th October 2023 at 8:10 am

Hi Vladielna

Of course, you are welcome to comment. I do keep our content up to date, so even if a post was originally published a while ago I do my best to keep to relevant 🙂

On to your question. So the 6400 should have a pretty good focus system, but it’s hard to diagnose the issue without knowing the focus mode in use and what scenario you are taking photos of. Some focus situations are more challenging for a camera to work in, such as lower light scenes or scenes where there isn’t much to focus on (like a plain surface). If you could let me know what you are struggling to photograph and focus mode you are using I can do my best to offer some input!

20th August 2022 at 11:50 pm

I’ve been looking to get into photography for a bit. Pretty settled on getting the 6D Mark II. Any recommendations for lens? I do a good bit of hiking, some traveling through the city and museums, some international travel, and a good bit of stuff outside. Any help is appreciated!

22nd August 2022 at 5:59 pm

Sure thing. So a lot will obviously depend on your budget. A good walk around lens with the 6D might be the Canon 24-105 f/4 L, which covers a useful focal range. If you want more range and are on more of a budget, Tamron’s 28-300 is a good option, although it isn’t quite as wide. Personally I prefer a wide angle lens, but it’s a personal preference. You can always shoot more frames and stitch them together of course.

If you wanted to give me an idea of budget, I’m happy to give some more ideas. Just one thing to bear in mind is that there’s always some sort of trade off when it comes to gear, be it maximum aperture, weight, cost or reach. No-one has come up with the perfect lens that does everything yet!

26th August 2022 at 11:28 pm

Hi Laurence! Thanks for the response! I think the 24-105 is purchasable with the body. For budget I’d probably like to stay under 2k for lens as I’m just getting my feet wet. I’ve seen a canon 50mm f/1.8 stm recommended, any thoughts on thus lens ?

27th August 2022 at 12:35 pm

My pleasure! Yes, the 6D Mark II does usually have the option for the 24-105 as a “kit” lens, but it’s definitely more than your standard kit lens and worth adding on in my opinion.

The 50mm f/1.8, or nifty fifty as it’s often referred to, is a fantastic lens, especially for the price. I recommend everyone has one. It’s not necessarily a “travel” lens because most folks looking for a travel lens want something that covers a range of focal lengths. However, I always suggest people pick one up because it’s a great option for portrait work and anything else where you want a nice shallow depth of field. It can also work as a travel lens, you just have to get used to moving yourself around rather than using the zoom, which is actually not a bad thing.

Let me know if you have any other questions, and enjoy your new gear!

Arijit says

19th July 2020 at 3:46 pm

Great article! Hope you would be able to help me take my decision.

I own a Nikon D5200 (DX) and looking for a single lens which covers all or most aspects of photography (wide angle, portrait, zoom, etc). I had filtered down to 3 lenses- Nikon 18-300 mm (best for Nikon cameras as per your article), Sigma 18-300mm with Macro, Tamron 16-300 with Macro. I had Tamron 18-400 mm in my mind as well but then I thought that additional 100mm is not something I would fancy, as 300mm is still good enough for me and with the Sigma 300mm lens I am getting macro function.

All these 3 lenses are in same price range. But what I researched and understood was that Sigma lenses have best image quality of the three. Undoubtedly, Nikkor has the best overall optics but with Sigma I am also getting a macro feature which I feel I might use more than the 300mm though it is still good to have range.

I also heard that with Sigma 18-300, we might experience stabilization issues at higher mm for video. My requirement is to have the best of image and video quality with a single lens.

Would be grateful if you could share some thoughts on what should I consider.

Thanks in advance!

19th July 2020 at 8:18 pm

Thanks very much! So the lenses you list have some differences. Between the Tamron and the Sigma the Sigma as you say should have the best image quality, specifically sharpness, which is definitely important. Overall though the Nikon is generally better. I would also say that the Macro designation of the Tamron and Sigma is a bit misleading. Whilst they have a slightly closer minimum focus distance than the Nikon, neither are true macro lenses. A true macro lens would allow you to shoot an image with 1:1 magnification, meaning that the size of the image in real life is the same size as it’s reproduced on the sensor. The Tamron and Sigma both only offer a 1:3 magnification.

The reason these two lenses have the macro name is because they can both focus on objects that are within 39cm of the camera, whilst the Nikon has a minimum focus distance of 49cm. Honestly, this is not a big difference, and you will not get a real macro experience from any of these lenses, certainly not enough to make a difference. Usually a macro lens can focus on objects that are 30cm or less from the end of the camera.

So for this reason I would probably recommend the Nikon for overall best performance 🙂

I hope this helps!

Debasis Goswami says

27th February 2020 at 3:44 pm

You never want to put a UV filter for a digital camera. Useless and makes any lens perform poorly. That was such a put off right at the beginning.

27th February 2020 at 3:50 pm

Hi Debasis,

I have to respectfully disagree. A UV filter has protected my lens from damage on a number of occasions, where the filter has been destroyed but the lens is fine. In addition, a good quality UV filter is just a piece of glass, as is the rest of the lens. Studies have shown minimal to no impact in image quality, and it’s generally not noticeable either unless you’re pixel peeping.

In addition, the majority of “weather-sealed” lenses are only truly weather sealed with a filter on.

Of course, I don’t advocate putting a $10 filter on a thousand dollar+ lens. But I do think they are worth it. That said, each to their own. Whatever works for you is best 🙂

Thanks for your comment,

10th November 2019 at 1:14 am

I own a Canon 80D with 10-18 lens, 15-85 Aps-cl ens (probably selling),55-250 (never used probably selling) and Tamron 18-400. I just purchased 24-70 f/4L lens and am thinking of purchasing Canon 6D mark II. I use the 80D for everything and I am thinking the full frame 6DMII will help me get nice crisp pictures in low light and other shots. Do you think this is a good idea to have the crop and get a FF camera? I am not a beginner and not advanced photographer in between the two and still learning

10th November 2019 at 12:05 pm

The 6D Mark 2 is a great camera and will compliment your crop sensor nicely. I always have two bodies, although they are both full frame, it just makes it easier to get shots sometimes without having to mess around switching lenses.

6th September 2019 at 2:31 pm

Hello Laurence, We enjoyed your very well written article. We are getting ready to leave on safari and are looking at purchasing a mirrorless camera. We are very intermediate photographers. We currently use a Canon EOS 7D. We were contemplating staying with Canon due to familiarity. However, your article, as well as others, is pointing toward Sony. What is your recommendation? Lenses, etc? The Sony A7III sounds like the best set up (battery life, etc). What about ease of use? Also, I suppose a need a 200mm or longer telephoto lens, correct. I’m not sure I wanted to invest $5,000 in a camera as we are far from avid photographers. We are traveling more though and expect to get more into photography as we travel. Looking forward to your feedback. Thank you!

6th September 2019 at 3:37 pm

Thanks very much. I would say that if you are happy with the Canon 7D, you should stick with it and spend the money on a lens. A crop sensor camera is a good option for wildlife photography as it gets you closer to the action with the same focal length lens compared to a full frame camera. I would also add that if you are used to the Canon menu system, the Sony will take some getting used to, and many Canon photographers are not keen on the color of the images that Sony cameras produce.

I would instead suggest that you invest in a decent lens for wildlife photography for your Canon, or at least look to rent one. I’d advise something like the Canon 70-200 f/2.8 + a 2x doubler (quite a flexible setup), or the Sigma 150-500. The latter is a bit slower, but the zoom range is pretty amazing!

I hope this helps, let me know if I can help further,

EllenH says

4th September 2019 at 2:19 pm

I have one more question…if I rent a lens or two for my vacation to try out… which ones you choose to shoot Athens Greece and Paros Greece… I have only been in photography 6 months and have a canon EOS rebel T7i

EllenM says

4th September 2019 at 12:17 pm

I have a Canon Rebel T7i… on my next travel we are going to Greece… I will be taking pictures of sunsets, archeology sites, views of the acropolis, Parthenon, mount lycabetta; views of boats and white houses… what is your suggested lens? Sigma 18-300 or the canon 50?

4th September 2019 at 7:06 pm

I would definitely go for the 18-300 which would give you a lot more range and choices for your photography. The 50mm is a great lens, but having a fixed focal length will definitely restrict you!

4th September 2019 at 8:15 pm

I am considering renting… should I stay with this option?

5th September 2019 at 8:08 am

It’s up to you! Are you renting because you want to trial a lens for a future purchase, or just as a one-off? I’d say the Sigma lens you previously mentioned would be a good option in general, but you could rent a more premium lens. I don’t think it would make a huge difference – normally I’d recommend renting for more specialised trips like safaris or other wildlife encounters, where a really nice expensive zoom lens will make a huge difference – but it’s not a lens you’d really use very often otherwise.

I hope this helps 🙂

4th September 2019 at 1:36 am

Hello from Puerto Rico!

I currently own a Canon 6D Mark II eith a 24-105 mm f4 II Lens. I also own a Rokinon 14mm f 2.8 AF and a Tamron 35-105 mm f2.8. I have some traveling planned for November to Spain, France, Italy and Portugal. What should I bring in? Do I need a better Zoom lens such as a 70-200 mm ? I currently have a 75-300 mm f3.5-5.6 crop sensor lens from a previous Canon Camera. Can’t wait for your recommendations!

Best Regards!

4th September 2019 at 7:04 pm

it really depends what you want to photography and how much weight you want to carry! If it’s primarily landscapes and street photography, and you only want one lens, then the 24-105 would be my suggestions. If you want wider shots, then the Rokinon would be the best option.

It’s less likely you will need the extra zoom – it can be useful in some specific situations like wildlife and for candid portraiture from a distance, but it’s a lot of additional weight that you probably won’t use that often!

I hope this helps – have a great time in Europe!

4th September 2019 at 8:41 pm

Thanks! ????

30th August 2019 at 12:37 am

I travel with the Canon 24-70 f/4 on a 6D. Compared to both the 24-70 f/2.8 and 24-105, it weighs less, cost less, and has a sort-of macro mode (.7x) for flowers and any strange bugs one meets. The extra 35mm on the long end I hardly ever miss. I either need no more than 70 or go straight to wishing I had 400.

30th August 2019 at 6:07 am

Great to hear that you have found the right lens for you 🙂 It’s certainly an excellent lens, and a great lighter option for sure. You are right, those few mm don’t make that much difference, especially with how many megapixels most cameras give you these days and the power of cropping!

Happy photography!

Usama Zulfiqar says

14th August 2019 at 10:41 am

Great article and fully endorse your views. I am enthusiastic photographer and have Nikon D750 with 24-120mm f/4, 50mm 1.8 and 85mm 1.8 lens+Godox Flash. I am planning for a short trip to my home town with loads of indoors gathering and few outdoors gatherings as well, but wanted to carry only two lens max.due to weight issue.

I had previously used 24-120mm for shooting a wedding and it went very well as my photos were as good /sharp as photos taken by professional photographer. I am quite comfortable with this lens, despite losing bokeh compared to 50mm and 85mm.

I will also take some portraits and shots of toddlers and kids running around. My question, which lens you recommend to pack in my carrying bag?

14th August 2019 at 8:01 pm

Thank you very much 🙂 So I would say that if you are happy with the performance of the 24-120 f/4, then that would be a great option as it’s going to be pretty versatile. For the other lens (I think you wanted two), I’d personally go with the 85mm as it’s going to be better for portraits, and will be easier for candid work as you will be able to get photos of people with them noticing less. The 50mm is a great lens too, but it’s harder to get those candid moments if you have to stand closer.

I hope this helps. If you really only wanted to take 1 lens I’d probably pick the 50mm as you could always crop, and it will be a bit more versatile for more situations.

31st July 2019 at 2:53 pm

Hi.. On my weekend travels i normally use NIkon 18-55 VR. And Nikon 35mm 1.8G for low light situation. I don’t take Nikor 55-300 and Tamron wide angle in my bag for travel. It’s a little inconvenient to swap the lens for telephoto or wide angle in some situation since travelling with family (we have 2 year old kid) and the weight of the bag carrying too many lens..!

I’m thinking to buy a good walk around lens (Nikor or third party) and sell both NIkor 18-55VR and 55-300 (or at least keep my first lens 18-55VR).

Do you have any suggestion on my situation? what should be the walk around lens i should go for?

31st July 2019 at 3:02 pm

Obviously it will depend on your budget. I’d suggest either the 18-300mm in the list above, which would be a good all around option. Alternatively if you want a wider aperture for lower light, then you might consider the 24-70 2.8. However it has much less focal length and is also quite expensive, so I think the 18-300 would be a better walkaround option, and would replace your two other lenses you mention.

18th July 2019 at 4:31 am

Thanks for your great articles Laurence, I have found them very informative and clearly explained, which is most helpful to a beginner photographer trying to learn more about the key features of the camera/lens setup and how they impact picture quality. Please forgive the newbie question, but in describing the lenses, you talk about a lens being faster or slower than another? What does that mean in layman’s terms, ie. how is a lens faster than another ? does it refer to the time the light takes to reach the sensor and hence how quickly you can take multiple shots or something else ?

18th July 2019 at 6:08 am

My pleasure. That is a great question, and I should definitely explain it in the article. However, first I’ll tell you 🙂

So, a fast lens is so called because it will have a wider aperture. A wider aperture lets more light in, which means you can use a faster shutter speed, compared to a lens with a smaller aperture (in the same light conditions). Hence, a “fast” lens. The aperture, shutter speed and ISO are all linked in the way a camera works, which I explain in much more detail in my guide to exposure, which you can see here:

https://www.findingtheuniverse.com/exposure-triangle-photography/

Let me know if that doesn’t make sense. It’s not a totally obvious concept I’m afraid, but with a bit of practice it should start to make sense 😉

10th July 2019 at 12:33 pm

Hi Lawrence,

Thank you so much for such nice explanations about different features of camera and lenses. I truly loved the details. I am just wondering in the sentence below, which you wrote

“So a 100mm lens on an APS-C sized sensor will give the same result in terms of the image as you would be able to achieve with a 160mm lens on a full frame camera.”

Shouldn’t it be the other way around? That is a 160 mm lens on APS-C camera will give same result for 100 mm lens on a full frame?

Thanks again, I look forward to your answer.

10th July 2019 at 12:46 pm

Just wondering if what you wrote is correct, does it mean that for a wide angle picture (for a given lens), a full frame sensor is better than APS-C? Whereas, for a magnified/zoomed image an APS-C sensor is better?

12th July 2019 at 4:23 am

For a zoomed image, an APS-C sensor is often preferred as it gives more “zoom” to the lenses, hence why wildlife photographers like crop sensors 🙂

12th July 2019 at 4:22 am

What I wrote was correct 🙂 A 100mm lens on an APS-C sensor has a crop factor applied. You multiply the lens focal length by the crop factor (for most APS-C lenses this is 1.6x), giving an equivalent of 160mm.

Liz Hetherington says

5th May 2019 at 6:01 am

Hi I recently moved from full frame Nikon to Nikon mirrorless and bought the standard z6 kit with 24-70 f4 for less weight while travelling. I did trade in my F 2.8 🙁 . I’m now a bit worried I’m not going to be happy with this new lens in comparison. Your thoughts? Also do you think it’s worth getting the 50mm 1.8 prime? I’m off to Alaska hiking and kayaking. I love taking landscapes, macro and wildlife Liz

5th May 2019 at 9:39 am

To be honest, unless you are doing a great deal of low light work, or shooting events like weddings, I think the lighter nature of the f/4 lens will make up for the loss of one stop of light. For travel, personally as a landscape photographer I rarely find myself shooting wide open, except for the odd portrait or wildlife shot. And the one stop I don’t think is hugely significant for wildlife photography. When I’m shooting wildlife, even though I have a 70-200 f/2.8 lens, I usually have a doubler on it, so it ends up being an f/5.6, and I’ve not had any problems!

For what you are shooting, I’m not sure the 50mm prime will be much use. It’s usually a nice way to get great portraits on the cheap, but I’m not sure you’d find yourself using it all that much 🙂

I hope this helps – I think you’ll be happy with your lens choice!

Image Earth Travel says

28th March 2019 at 1:44 pm

Great write-up and comparisons – lots of food for thought!

I have to mention that I don’t totally agree with your view on the Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens. I’ve been using this lens on my Nikon D600 since 2013, but travelling full time since 2014. The lens diminishes my D600’s 24.3 MP to only 10P-MP. A testing link you may be interested to check out: https://www.dxomark.com/Lenses/Nikon/AF-S-NIKKOR-28-300mm-f-3.5-5.6-ED-VR-mounted-on-Nikon-D600__834

In addition, the distortion the lens creates when taking architectural images is much higher than my previous cheaper Canon EOS550D+Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 that I used on my 2011, 10-month trip. (Prior to these 2 models, I used a combination of film cameras and lenses.)

Overall, I’m disappointed with my decision to swap from Canon to Nikon – not only much more expensive, but not optimal for travelling as the camera+lens weighs around 3kgs.

I’m yet to discover the best travel camera+lens combination to handle candid and landscapes (including architecture) photography. I like the idea of just having one camera body+one lens – for me, it’s always going to be a zoom lens. So, I understand that the optics of the zoom will never be as good as a fixed lens and always a compromise, but for the money I spent back in 2013 on my Nikon kit I expected better quality. Only as good as the lens right? 😉

28th March 2019 at 3:33 pm

So I am a little confused – this is an FX lens on an FX body, so there should be no reduction in megapixel and it should be able to use the full sensor frame. I don’t understand how it would cause the images to go down to 10MP – that would normally only happen if you used a DX lens on an FX body.

Lens distortions are always going to be an issue for sure, although they can be often fixed in Lightroom or other photo editing software. But yes, the greater the focal range of the lens in my experience, the lower the image quality and the greater the distortion. It’s just a reality unfortunately.

I think you might overall be better off with a different system entirely in weight is more important. Perhaps one of the mirrorless systems. There are many to choose from, especially if you don’t mind stepping down a bit in sensor size. Ultimately though, you are right, good glass is critical to great images – but it tends to come at a price (and weight!).

Saikat Sen says

26th August 2019 at 4:42 am

Disappointed to see that you have not considered the Tamron 16-300 VC f/3.5-6.3, which according to my experience is a great walk around travel lens, weighing just about a pound, cheaper than any other lens you have mentioned here and providing 16mm at the wide end, which roughly equivalent to 24mm at the APS C sensor. Needless to say that it has full-time manual override, which is very useful to those who really like to use it manually with the library to get the auto focus as and when required.

26th August 2019 at 7:25 pm

Thanks for your comment, and I’m delighted you’ve found a lens that works for you. There are lots of great lenses out there! I think the 18-400 Tamron I recommend is a good option, but of course, if folks would prefer something a little lighter and don’t mind trading off a bit of focal length on the zoom end, then the 16-300 is a great option too 🙂

Lucas Peters says

11th February 2019 at 8:08 pm

Thank you for taking the time to put this article together. I’m sure it’s a ton of research. For the next one, really consider the Sony 24-105mm G OSS f/4. I’ve been using it for travel (England, Iceland, France, Spain and Morocco) over the last few months and am super happy. On a full-frame, you can crop to get an equivalent 150mm or so range for a nice little punch-in. Nice colors. Solid sharpness (though a tad softer at 105, but not too bad), an overall better performance than the SonyZeiss 24-70mm with a larger range. Check it out when you can.

12th February 2019 at 5:42 pm

Thanks for the input, that’s much appreciated. I will certainly take a look at that lens and consider including it 😀

12th February 2019 at 9:07 pm

If you liked the Canon L 24-105, you’ll probably like this a lot.

Curious why you are adverse to small primes. I probably do the vast majority of my shooting with the Sony-Zeiss 35mm 2.8 (you can get them 2nd hand pretty consistently for 300-400 now, making it a great budget option). It’s an awesomely light weight walk around kit.

13th February 2019 at 9:11 pm

I’m not adverse to them at all, I think they are awesome bits of kit. However, for this post the goal was picking lenses that the majority of folks would use without having to carry too many lenses, and whilst I love primes for their sharpness and speed, I think the majority of folks reading this guide are looking more for a one size fits all solution 🙂

Alicja Abela says

30th January 2019 at 12:44 am

I am a beginner photographer and am wanting to buy a Canon 80D for a trip to NZ in November. What lense/ lenses would you suggest for getting landscape shots but also wildlife? much appreciate your advice.

30th January 2019 at 7:28 pm

So for landscapes I’d recommend a wide angle lens like the Canon EF-S 10-18mm. That’s a really good value lens, and the ultrawide angle will let you get some great landscapes. The logical lens to pair it with would be the Tamrom 18-400, which would be great for pretty much everything else, including portraits and wildlife. These are not super expensive lenses, which also makes them lighter for travel, but if you wanted to spend more for some reason, I can recommend more expensive lenses too of course!

Have an amazing time in New Zealand 🙂

1st February 2019 at 8:48 am

Thank you for the recommendation. After looking at the pricing of both 80d and lenses I think I will have to look for a cheaper model such as a 200D. Are there a couple of lenses that I could take that would do a good job on landscapes, action and wildlife that would add up to around $1000 Aus doll ars max?

1st February 2019 at 6:43 pm

So you could get away with just the Tamron lens, and not getting the wide angle. It will work for the majority of shots. Or you could get the Sigma 18-300 and the Canon 10-18, which should come in to $1000.

I am assuming the $1000 doesn’t include the camera purchase. If that is included then you will likely be best buying that body only, and then getting the Sigma 18-300.

Alicja says

2nd February 2019 at 12:44 am

Thank you so much. That was so helpful!

12th December 2018 at 12:57 pm

You have the details wrong on the Lumix wide zoom, it is 8-18 not 8-14

12th December 2018 at 1:06 pm

Good catch! Thanks very much, I’ve updated the post 🙂

26th October 2018 at 3:53 pm

Great article..!

I have Nikon D3400 camera with kit lens amd 35mm Nikon prime lens. Normally i use 35mm lens when we go for family trip. Even if it is a good lens i miss many good shots since it is not wide enough. I am thinking about buying a wide angle lens for travel photography (weekend road trip with family 🙂 ). I considered Tamron 10-24mm VC and Nikon 10-20mm VR. What is your suggestion on my situation ? Should i stick with my kit lens for travel or buy any other walk around lens like Nikon 18-300 or Tamron 18-400?

26th October 2018 at 6:10 pm

Thanks! It’s hard to know exactly what to advise as I’m not sure if you are into wildlife photography or any other types of photography where you will be using the extra length of a longer zoom. So whilst the 18-300 or 18-400 or certainly good options, I think if your main issue is currently not being wide enough, and wide angle photography interests you more, then a 10-24 or 10-20 would be a better choice.

Another option is to try the 18-400 or 18-300 and see if it is wide enough for your needs. The difference between 10mm and 18mm is quite a lot, but you might find it suits what you want to do with, plus gives you a lot more flexibility and choice of focal lengths.

16th October 2018 at 8:34 am

Hi, Great article! I am planning to upgrade from 550D to an 80D, and was wondering about the lenses I could pair it up with. I have a canon 50mm f/1.8 STM prime which I love (and so does the rest of the world, it seems!). I ditched my 6 yrs old canon 18-55 IS II for a sigma 18-35 f/1.8. And on the telephoto end, I am aiming for the Tamron 100-400. Have read some good reviews about it, and its probably the lightest and most easy-to carry telephoto of that range (though not the best w.r.t. IQ, but would be a huge improvement over my notoriously soft canon 55-250 IS II). I shoot birds at times, and so need a good telephoto range. I am slightly worried about losing the mid range (50-100), but was analysing my pictures, and realised I don’t shoot very often in that range. Would love to hear your opinion as well.

17th October 2018 at 7:45 pm

So the good news as you no doubt already know is that the 550D and the 80D have the same sized sensor and mount, so all your lenses will just work across the cameras. I would say that you would be fine without the middle focal length. We usually travel with a 17-40 and a 70-200, and we’re usually shooting either very wide at 17mm or 100mm+, so don’t miss that middle range too much! It all depends on the kind of photography you do, and it sounds like you have a solid idea of what it is you want to shoot, as well as the focal ranges you use most regularly. So if that lens suits your budget and needs, I would say to go for it!

julie anne says

3rd October 2018 at 6:00 pm

hello I just want to ask what camera lens is compatible with canon m50? thanks

4th October 2018 at 4:00 am

Hey Julie! Great question. So you have two main options – there’s a range of EF-M lenses made by Canon for the camera, which I haven’t included here as they are quite specific to the EOS M range. The other option is to get the adaptor which will let you use any EF-S or EF lens, which you can get here: https://amzn.to/2DV5fy5

In which case, the Canon lenses listed here, as well as various third party lenses from brands like Sigma and Tamron will work. Hope this helps!

Caitlin says

25th August 2018 at 1:17 pm

Thank you so much for this informative post. I am starting out on my travel photography journey across the Middle East and was overwhelmed by where to begin with cameras. This was very helpful!

25th August 2018 at 1:33 pm

My pleasure! Let us know if you have any questions 🙂

Ira Sockowitz says

9th August 2018 at 8:15 pm

Laurence, thanks for a very thoughtful and in-depth discussion of options for a wide range of shooters.

As an owner of two bodies, Canon 5D and 5D Mark II respectively, I already own some of the lenses you reference. As I am planning a 9-15 moth RTW trip, I have a couple of questions for you: 1. My everyday lens is the 24-70 f2.8L so covered there. If you are willing to bear the wight, should I carry my 70-200 f.28L? I think I see it in some of your photos and wonder of its uses – close ups of nice architecture as well as long landscape shots. If not, what lighter weight alternative do you use/recommend? 2. Should I consider a smaller, more pocket-sized or easily managed camera for urban travel? I note that you use a mirrorless and again ask about the utility of doing that versus carrying my larger DSLR everywhere.

Appreciate all that you and Jessica do to aide us travelers and look forward to your reply.

9th August 2018 at 8:36 pm

Hi Ira. My pleasure, and thanks for your kind words.

So I normally travel with a 17-40 and a 70-200. So you could say I’m missing that classic middle ground, but I find the other two lenses cover enough to make up for it. If I was going on a round the world trip, I think I would lean more towards leaving the 70-200 at home. It is massively heavy, and unless there are really specific shots you want, you might find yourself doing fine with the 24-70. I would perhaps look at investing in a 2x extender instead and using that with your 24-70. It won’t be quite as amazing as the 70-200 in terms of sharpness and autofocus speed, but if you’re not shooting fast moving subjects, or planning on selling your photos to be printed on the side of buildings, I don’t think you’ll notice 🙂

We do travel with a Lumix GX8, which is a great camera. However, if I was to start over, I think I’d likely look at one of the larger sensor compact cameras for more casual use. These are really quite compact and portable, shoot in RAW, and have decent manual controls. The later Sony RX100 models, or the Panasonic Lumix TZ100 / TX200 would be my choice I think, purely so I can have a simple solution that doesn’t come with its own lens ecosystem to worry about!

I hope this helps, happy to expand more of course 🙂

1st August 2018 at 1:51 am

Thanks so much for the very helpful article.

I’ve been using a T3i and the 18-200mm for years, and am upgrading for my latest trip. I just got the Canon 77D and am contemplating whether to get a new lens as well. Realistically, I usually only carry one lens since it is a pain to switch; the 18-200 has done a great job covering both landscapes and far off subjects, but lately I’ve been more aware when it isn’t crisp. Do you think it is worth it to go for something like an 18-55 (similar to the 24-70 full frame on an APS-C I think) or similar? I’m not sure how much better the image quality would be (obviously some with the smaller range, but unclear the degree of improvement).

1st August 2018 at 11:45 am

First, I’d definitely ask if you need the extra range of something like the 18-200 – if you often find yourself at the more zoom end of the lens, then you will likely be unsatisfied with a shorter focal length.

Second, a newer camera body with a better sensor is definitely going to highlight the issues with your existing lens, so if you are noticing problems on the T3i with your existing lens, these will only be more apparent with a better body unfortunately. Of course, it also depends on what you are using your photos for – whilst images can look bad when we inspect them close up, if your shots are mostly for social media or relatively small images, you might not really notice, but for larger use, and especially for printing, you will likely want a higher quality lens.

Without an idea of your budget, its hard to give an exact recommendation, but generally higher quality means higher cost unfortunately!

One good option would be to rent a couple of the lenses you are looking into to see if you can really tell the difference, and go from there 🙂

4th August 2018 at 10:27 pm

On past trips I’ve definitely found myself using the range of the lens to take portraits of people from far away, and get far off statues etc., though the majority of my use is landscape and smaller zooms.

For now, my pictures are mostly just stored on my computer, but eventually I would like to print larger versions of them (though more likely in the 16×24 range, not huge). I’d like to keep expenditure <$1000 on the lens – I think the rental idea is a good one!

Rick Petersen says

18th June 2018 at 3:11 am

My camera system and lenses are pretty set, but it was informative article. Like seeing others opinions on gear which is how I found this.

Currently shooting a Lumix GX8, with the Leica 12-60mm and Leica 25mm. Love this combo and concur with your recommendation of a standard zoom and fast prime.

19th June 2018 at 11:23 pm

Thanks Rick! We also have the GX8, it’s a lovely camera, and we have it with the Lumix 12-35 f/2.8 which is a great walkaround travel lens too. Sounds like you have the perfect set up for travel, light and discreet 🙂 HAppy shooting!

16th June 2018 at 8:21 pm

After reading all that you still don’t come up with a good travel lens??????? Whats the point????

16th June 2018 at 10:17 pm

Hey Max! The goal of the article is to help folk navigate the fairly overwhelming choice of travel lenses, with suggestions given for different camera systems and budgets. Most folks should have an idea of what their camera system is, and then what their budget is, and from that it should be easy to use this post to decide which is going to be the best lens for them 🙂

Thomas FISCHER says

31st May 2018 at 1:31 pm

Great great article.

I am wondering for MFT what do think about thoses lenses for travelling: – 14-140 II F3.5 – lumix 7-14 F4 – lumix leica 15 mm F1.7 – lumix 42.5 F1/7

31st May 2018 at 7:27 pm

Thanks very much. I do love prime lenses because you get that lovely shallow depth of field effect, and they tend to be really sharp. I didn’t recommend any in my post because, well, I would have been writing forever, but with a micro four thirds system they make good sense because the whole system is smaller, so for travelling you can still have some prime lenses. I’d say your selection is ideal for travelling, with a focal range to cover pretty much everything from landscapes to animals, plus some nice lenses for portraits. So yes, I think you’ve picked some excellent choices!

13th May 2018 at 8:33 am

Hi Scott, and thanks for your comment. THe post is definitely new, although we do of course update old posts to ensure they are still relevant. In this case though that isn’t the case, I just missed that lens. I’ll take a look and see where it would fit, and thanks again for your input. Cheers, Laurence.

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The best telephoto lenses in 2024: top zooms for bringing your subjects closer

These are the best telephoto lenses for your camera, for Canon, Nikon, Fujifilm and more, both mirrorless and DSLR

The quick list

Micro four thirds.

• How we test
• How to choose

If you're looking for the best telephoto lenses for your camera, look no further. We've drawn on our considerable experience testing and reviewing lenses to bring you this indispensable guide to the most capable long lenses for all the major systems. 

The long focal length of a telephoto lets you fill the frame with distant subjects, meaning its most common applications are wildlife and sports photography. However, telephotos have plenty of other uses, as a narrow perspective can be handy in all sorts of fields. They're great for portraiture, flattering subjects and separating them nicely from the background. They even have a place in landscapes and architecture, providing a very different perspective than the wide-angle lenses more commonly used in these genres.

If you want to know more about why you might choose a telephoto lens, scroll to the bottom of this article where we've put together a beginner's guide on the different types of telephoto and what they're used for. We've covered telephoto lenses for all the major systems photographers are using: Canon (EF, EF-S, EF-M and RF), Nikon (F and Z), Sony , Fujifilm , Micro Four Thirds, L-mount and Pentax. We've divided the guide up into sections for each one, to make it easier for you to find the lens you're looking for. So, let's take a closer look

Matthew Richards is a photographer and journalist who has spent years using and reviewing all manner of photo gear. He is Digital Camera World's principal lens reviewer – and has tested telephoto lenses for every major camera system.

Best Canon DSLR lens

For Canon DSLR users, this telephoto zoom lens delivers generous reach and fast autofocusing, and is light enough to use with APS-C as well as full-frame.

Read more below

Best Canon mirrorless lens

Lightweight and relatively affordable, this telephoto zoom in the popular 100-400mm configuration is a great addition to any Canon EOS R camera user's kit bag.

Best Nikon DSLR lens

With generous reach and superfast ultrasonic ring-type autofocus, this lens is a superb companion for Nikon DSLRs — it performed brilliantly in our lab tests.

Best Nikon mirrorless lens

While it's not one of the premium 'S-Line' lenses for Z-mount, this wide-ranging zoom still delivers brilliant reach and quality for wildlife and sports photography. 

Best Fujifilm X

A premium lens with a 75-210mm ‘effective’ zoom range, this fine Fujifilm zoom boasts a premium optical construction that delivers dazzling image quality without too much bulk.

Best Micro Four Thirds

The MFT crop factor means that this lens actually behaves like a 200-800mm in practice, which gives you some serious reach, aided by the effective Power OIS stabilization.

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Best L-mount

An outstanding lens that earned the full five stars in our tests, this is an ideal telephoto option for users of L-mount cameras, such as Panasonic's full-frame Lumix S series.

Best Pentax

For users of APS-C K-mount DSLRs, this lightweight and versatile telephoto zoom is the natural choice. It's got all of Pentax's customary weather-sealing, and is perfect for traveling light.

Lightweight and portable, this workhorse 70-200mm lens for Sony FE-mount also has a pretty good line in macro imagery, thanks to its 0.5x magnification factor. 

Best telephoto lenses for every system – the full list!

Why you can trust Digital Camera World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out how we test.

1. Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

Canon makes a pretty good EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM telephoto zoom for its APS-C format SLRs. It’s compact and lightweight at 70x111mm and 375g. Measuring 80x146mm and weighing 710g, this full-frame compatible lens is naturally larger and nearly twice the weight but, for our money, it’s more than twice as good. As well as having more powerful telephoto reach, equivalent to 480mm in full-terms, it boasts a super-fast Nano USM autofocus system, a more effective image stabilizer, and delivers sharper image quality. 

As a handling highlight, it also has an in-barrel information screen with an adjacent button for cycling through multiple modes. It’s our favourite telephoto zoom for APS-C format SLRs and also makes a great compact, budget telephoto for full-frame Canon cameras, including EOS R-series mirrorless models via a mount adapter.

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM full review

• Back to the top ⇪

2. Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM | S

Canon’s own-brand EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM is a favourite with professional photographers all over the world but we prefer this direct competitor from Sigma . It’s similarly sturdy, with a magnesium alloy barrel and a full set of weather-seals, and boasts an optical path that includes no less than 11 top-performance FLD (‘Fluorite’ Low Dispersion) elements. Dual autofocus modes are available, giving priority to autofocus or manual override respectively. Focus on/hold buttons are built into the barrel, the action of which can be switched with some of Canon’s up-market cameras. 

There are also two switchable custom modes which you can set up with Sigma’s optional USB Dock, for adjusting the likes of autofocus speed and the distance of the range limiter, as well as how visual the stabilization effect is in the viewfinder. Speaking of which, the stabilizer is slightly more effective than in the Canon lens. The only downsides are that the Sigma is a bit bigger and heavier than most 70-200mm f/2.8 lenses, and only the tripod foot is detachable rather than the whole mounting ring.

Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM | S full review

3. Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

Bucking the trend for 70-200mm lenses, this new zoom for Canon EOS R-series cameras has an inner barrel that extends as you sweep through the zoom range. It has a tough, weather-sealed build befitting its expensive price tag. The telescoping nature of the construction naturally enables a more compact stowage size and the lens is also comparatively lightweight at just 1,070g. For the sake of comparison, Sigma’s 70-200mm f/2.8 for SLRs weighs 1,805g. Performance is exceptional, with lightning-fast autofocus driven by dual Nano USM actuators and triple-mode 5-stop optical stabilization. Sharpness is amazing throughout the entire zoom range, even when shooting wide-open at f/2.8.

Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM full review

4. Canon RF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM

Only slightly bigger than a RF 24-105mm f/4 standard zoom, the Canon RF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM is an incredibly compact telephoto zoom lens. Weighing just 695g and no bigger than a can of Coke when collapsed, it is about the same length as the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II USM when fully extended. Just like the f/2.8L version above, the RF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM enjoys Canon's floating mechanism dual Nano USM system that provides high speed AF that’s ideal for both stills and video. 

It's a shame that it's not compatible with the Canon Extender RF 1.4x  and  Canon Extender RF 2x , as the protrusions of these teleconverters will not physically fit, but it will deliver 5 stops of compensation when used on non-IBIS bodies like the  Canon EOS R  and  Canon EOS RP . Even better is when you mount the lens on either the  Canon EOS R5  and  Canon EOS R6 , though, as it offers 7.5 stops of stabilization.

Canon RF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM full review

5. Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM

Compact and lightweight for a super-telephoto zoom, the Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM looks and feels very much like shooting with a classic 70-300mm lens on an APS-C format camera. Naturally though, it’s designed for EOS R-series full-frame bodies, on which it’s an excellent fit, making for a slimline and easily manageable overall package. Autofocus is super-fast, image stabilization is highly effective and image quality is highly impressive in all respects, with the caveat that sharpness drops off noticeably when combining close focusing distances with the longest zoom setting. The aperture rating of f/8 at the long end of the zoom range might be a bit slower than some might like, but that’s the price you pay for the conveniently downsized design.

Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM full review

6. Canon RF 200-800mm f/6.3-9 IS USM

This attention-grabbing lens from Canon stakes out a claim to be the new king of the superzooms. Sometimes, lenses with showy focal ranges like the RF 200-800mm f/6.3-9 IS USM end up being too ambitious for their own good, but this lens impressed us in testing. It delivers excellent sharpness almost the whole way, with just a little softness at 800mm marring an otherwise impressive series of results. Also, it's compatible with Canon's teleconverters, in case somehow that isn't enough telephoto reach for you.

Of course, attaching a teleconverter will reduce the already modest aperture range even further, something you'll have to contend with when using this lens in anything other than bright conditions. It's still perfectly possible to isolate subjects against the background, but you may find yourself relying on that optical stabilization to lengthen shutter speeds more than you usually would.

Read more: Canon RF 200-800mm f/6.3-9 IS USM review

7. Canon EF-M 55-200mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM review

Canon EOS M users needn't miss out on telephoto goodness. The Canon EF-M 55-200mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM is a pleasingly compact zoom that complements the cameras it pairs with, and also provides great performance into the bargain. In our review, we were hugely impressed with the snappy autofocus, as well as the 3.5-stop image stabilisation that can be hugely helpful in a low-light pinch. The aperture rating is a little modest, and sharpness could be improved, but this is in general a good all-purpose telephoto for EOS M users.

Canon EF-M 55-200mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM full review

8. Sigma 500mm F4 DG OS HSM Sports

Playing Nikon and Canon at their own game, Sigma has come up with a hugely impressive telephoto prime that undercuts the price of the manufacturers' own-brand versions. The Sigma 500mm F4 DG OS HSM Sports is a tank, big and heavy, but with features and image quality to match. Its autofocusing is blisteringly quick, and it produces images that are beautifully sharp, aided by the optical stabiliser. 

In short, it's basically everything a sports shooter could want; so much so in fact that it's a shame you can't get it in a native mirrorless mount for Sony or L-mount! Regardless, if you shoot with a Nikon, Canon or even Sigma camera (there are some of you out there), this is one of the best-value sports lenses you can get.

Sigma 500mm F4 DG OS HSM Sports full review

9. Nikon AF-P 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR

Nikon’s full-frame compatible 70-300mm lenses have been highly regarded since the heyday of 35mm film cameras but this latest edition is by far the best yet. Compared with the previous version, the 4.5-stop stabilizer adds two full stops of effectiveness and gains Nikon’s more recent ‘Sport’ mode, while the stepping motor-based autofocus system is both faster and practically silent in operation. 

The lens also gains an electromagnetically controlled aperture diaphragm, which enables greater exposure consistency when shooting in rapid continuous drive. However, the autofocus system and aperture mechanism make the lens incompatible with some older Nikon DSLRs, including the D3000 and D5000. Image quality is super-sharp for this class of telephoto zoom, making it a great lightweight choice for both DX and FX format SLRs, as well as for mirrorless Z-series cameras via an FTZ mount adapter.

Nikon AF-P 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR full review

10. Nikon AF-S 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR

A 70-300mm lens is all very well, as is a 100-400mm lens, but this Nikon optic has an edge over both. The Nikon AF-S 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR is a revitalised version of an original lens that was something of a misfire, but a lot of those problems have no been corrected – the most glaring one being that the first lens's dreadfully slow autofocus, which is now rectified with a super-fast ultrasonic ring-type autofocus motor. In our lab tests, we were also impressed with the sharpness of the Nikon AF-S 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR, especially in the centre. It's an all-around excellent lens, especially for such a generous zoom range.

Nikon AF-S 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR full review

11. Nikon Z DX 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 VR

Despite its powerful ‘effective’ zoom range of 75-375mm in full-frame terms, this DX format is particularly compact and lightweight, ideally matched to the diminutive Nikon Z 50 mirrorless camera body. Part of the weight-saving comes from a plastic rather than metal mounting plate, but the overall build still feels pretty sturdy. A retractable design enables a compact stowage size, as also featured in its Z DX 16-50mm stablemate. Both have a relatively ‘slow’ f/6.3 aperture rating at the long end of the zoom range, but the telephoto zoom’s highly efficient 5-stop stabilizer helps to keep things steady. Ideal for shooting movies as well as stills, autofocus is virtually silent and the customizable control ring enables silent, stepless aperture control as well as alternative functions.

Nikon Z DX 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 VR full review

12. Nikon Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S

The Nikon Z series includes some excellent mirrorless full-frame cameras but the most impressive thing about the system overall is the razor-sharp image quality delivered by Nikon’s Z-mount ‘S-line’ lenses. The 70-200mm f/2.8 hits new heights, thanks to a premium optical design that includes two aspherical elements, one fluorite element, no less than six ED (Extra-low Dispersion) elements and an SR (Short-wavelength Refractive) element. ARNEO Coat and Nano Crystal Coat are also applied to minimize ghosting and flare. 

Other highlights include hugely effective 5.5-stop optical VR (Vibration Reduction) and super-fast yet virtually silent autofocus system. Everything’s wrapped up in a solid, weather-sealed casing with a fluorine coating on the front element. Dual customizable Lens-function buttons and a customizable control ring enhance handling although, typical of 70-200mm f/2.8mm lenses, it’s quite big and heavy.

Nikon Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S full review

13. Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S

It’s been a long wait, but now we have a 100-400mm lens for Nikon’s Z-mount mirrorless cameras. And it’s a lens that’s certainly been worth the wait, as the Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S is bristling with technology and handling exotica, and it delivers first-rate performance in all respects. You get rapid autofocus and highly effective 5.5-stop VR with superb image quality. All-round performance is top-drawer, while handling is enhanced by customizable function buttons and an additional ‘de-clicked’ control ring, along with a multi-function OLED display. It’s a weighty lens with a hefty price tag, but a worthy Z-mount addition.

Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S full review

14. Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR

With a huge zoom range, the Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR is one of the most versatile lenses in the Z-mount line-up. For wildlife, sports, aviation and similar pursuits, it's absolutely superb, delivering crystal-clear sharpness right the way through that zoom range. With a viewing angle of just 13.7 degrees at the short end through to just 4.1 degrees at the long end, it's a lens that can provide a real range of perspectives. You also get an effective 5.5-stop stabilization system that helps you keep things under control when working at long focal lengths.

It's undeniably a heavy lens, but that's priced into the concept really. This lens hugely delivered in a range of shooting situations when we put it to the test in our full review, and anyone looking for a do-it-all sports or wildlife lens will not be disappointed.

Read more: Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR review

15. Nikon Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S

Fair enough, not many people are going to get past that price tag. But we couldn't help including the Nikon Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S, one of the most stunning lenses we've ever reviewed, and one of the best telephotos ever made. This gives the Z-mount line real heft, and is a worthy companion to the stunning Nikon Z9 . Its built-in 1.4x teleconverter is designed to complement the optical qualities of the lens, and gives you even more reach. In terms of performance, the lens is faultless. Sharpness is frighteningly good, autofocus performance is blistering, the stabilisation is rock-steady. This is a lens you could shoot with for the rest of your life and never feel like you were missing out.

But all right, not everyone has $14,000 to spend on a lens. For some excellent, less wallet-lightening alternatives for Nikon Z, consider the Nikon Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S , or the super-telephoto Nikon Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S , both of which received the full five stars in our reviews.

Nikon Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S full review

16. Fujinon XC50-230mm f/4.5-6.7 OIS II

This telephoto zoom from Fujifilm is not just budget-friendly, but back-friendly too, as you won't be breaking yours carrying it around all day. Weighing in at an impressively slender 370g, it complements well the relatively light X-series mirrorless cameras, and for many Fuji users, it might be the first additional lens they buy after their kit lens. If you do, you'll appreciate the generous maximum magnification ratio, the 3.5-stop stabilizer, and the reliable autofocus. When we subjected the lens to our lab testing, we found that its sharpness was good rather than great. Some users may also bemoan the fact that the mounting plate is plastic, not metal. These are expected compromises you'll make for a lens this small and this cheap – you just need to be aware of what you're in for going in.

Fujinon XC50-230mm f/4.5-6.7 OIS II review

17. Fujinon XF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR

On an Fujifilm X APS-C sensor, this powerful telephoto zoom can deliver a maximum focal length of 609mm, and this plus its extensive weather-sealing makes it an excellent choice for outdoor wildlife photography. It's also got fast, accurate autofocus that can handle moving subjects, as well as a 5-stop optical stabilisation system that lives up to its billing. In our review, we found sharpness to generally be very impressive in real-world situations, with some fall-off detected in lab tests, and distortion was controlled exceptionally well. This is a really powerful lens for Fujifilm users, though be aware that at almost 1.4kg it is on the heavy side. 

Fujinon XF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR review

18. Fujifilm XF50-140mm f/2.8 WR OIS

Fujifilm’s telephoto zoom offerings for its X-mount cameras include the compact and budget-friendly XC50-230mm f/4.5-6.7 OIS II, and the more advanced, highly capable XF55-200mm f/3.5-4.8 R LM OIS . However, for the ultimate in performance, build quality and overall image quality, this XF50-140mm f/2.8 WR OIS lens is the one to go for. Taking the 1.5x crop factor into account, it has a 75-210mm ‘effective’ zoom range, competing with popular 70-200mm f/2.8 lenses for full-frame cameras. 

High-end glass includes five ED (Extra-low Dispersion) elements and one Super ED element, along with high-tech HT-EBC (High Transmittance Electron Beam Coating) and Nano-GI (Gradient Index) coating. It’s not overly large for an APS-C format lens, despite having fully internal zoom and focus mechanisms, the latter being driven by a speedy triple linear motor. There’s also a highly effective 5-stop optical image stabilizer. Everything’s built into a particularly tough and durable package and, if you feel the need for a little extra reach, optional kits are available that include either a 1.4x or a 2.0x teleconverter.

See our full Fujifilm XF50-140mm f/2.8 WR OIS review

19. Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm f/4-6.3 ASPH. POWER O.I.S. Lens

The 100-400mm focal range is hugely popular – there's a reason that our best 100-400mm lenses guide has so many entries! It's a versatile focal range for telephoto shooting, making a broad range of subjects possible to capture, and the Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm f/4-6.3 ASPH. POWER O.I.S. Lens is a fine example. Of course, the fact that it's a Micro Four Thirds lens means that it actually performs like a 200-800mm lens, making it all the more potent for telephoto shooting.

The Power OIS stabilization system is hugely impressive, though the lens does lack the switchable stabilization modes that some comparable optics have. Image quality is generally very good, especially at the wide end, with a slight sharpness drop-off towards the telephoto end of the zoom. The relative lightness of the lens is welcome too, especially for MFT users who are working with smaller, lighter system cameras. 

20. Panasonic Lumix G Vario 45-150mm f/4.0-5.6 Asph Mega OIS

With their downsized image sensors, Micro Four Thirds cameras have a 2x crop factor that extends the telephoto reach of lenses. Indeed, the Panasonic 45-150mm gives has an ‘effective’ zoom range of 90-300mm but is still impressively small and weighs a mere 200g, making it a good match on even the most compact and slim-line Olympus and Panasonic camera bodies. The optical design includes two aspherical elements and an ultra-high refractive index element, autofocus is fast and near-silent, and the lens has a ‘Mega Optical Image Stabilizer’. No official rating is given for the last of these but, in our tests, it only gave an effectiveness equivalent to about two stops. Even so, the lens delivers very pleasing image quality and is remarkably inexpensive to buy. All things considered, it’s knockout value for money - see our full Panasonic Lumix G Vario 45-150mm f/4.0-5.6 Asph Mega OIS review .

21. Panasonic LUMIX S 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 MACRO O.I.S.

It took a little while for L-mount to get a 70-300mm lens, but the Panasonic LUMIX S 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 Macro O.I.S. is worth the wait (and worth the weight). An optically stabilised lens with a fast, capable autofocus system, it provides a speedy and effective way to shoot telephoto subjects. The eleven-bladed aperture is a nice touch too, ensuring the lens can produce pleasing bokeh for portraits that pop.

The price is a little on the high side, as it puts the lens in a similar bracket to the likes of Sony's G Master lens or Canon's L glass. Is it on a par with these lenses in quality terms? Not quite. There are a few softness issues when shooting wide open at the telephoto end, which are expected in most lenses, but arguably not ones at this price. Still, let's not get carried away: this is a highly effective and capable telephoto for L-mount, and having that extra 100mm of reach opens up all sorts of shooting possibilities.

22. Panasonic Lumix S Pro 70-200mm f/4 OIS

This telephoto zoom weighs in at just under a kilogram and makes for well-balanced shooting with Panasonic S-series cameras. The combination is also perfectly balanced on a monopod or tripod, if you use the removable tripod mounting ring that’s supplied with the lens. The high-tech optical path delivers sumptuous image quality and the constant f/4 aperture rating enables a fairly tight depth of field, while the quality of bokeh is nice and smooth. Autofocus is super-fast and the built-in optical image stabilizer works in conjunction with the 5-axis, sensor-shift stabilizers of S-series bodies to deliver up to 6-stop performance. It’s quite pricey for a 70-200mm f/4 zoom but you definitely get what you pay for, and it’s only about two-thirds the weight of the pricier Panasonic Lumix S 70-200mm f/2.8 zoom.

Panasonic Lumix S Pro 70-200mm f/4 OIS review

23. Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS | C

Nicknamed the ‘light bazooka’, Sigma launched a relatively compact and lightweight 100-400mm zoom for Canon and Nikon DSLRs back in 2017. Three years down the line, this new ‘DN’ edition is now available for Leica L and Sony E mount mirrorless cameras. The optical path is upgraded and includes a top-notch FLD (‘Fluorite’ Low Dispersion) element, in addition to four SLD (Special Low Dispersion) elements. Other enhancements include a customizable Focus-lock button and a TS-111 tripod mounting ring, which is available as an optional extra (£139/$130). We’ve found the new DN lens to be sharper than the original design, throughout the entire zoom range. Overall, it’s an excellent performer at a very attractive price.

Read more: Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS | C review

24. Pentax 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 DA PLM WR

This Pentax lens is remarkably small for a 55-300mm zoom, partly because it’s designed exclusively for APS-C format cameras but mostly because it has a retractable design for compact storage. There’s nothing small about the zoom range, however, which is equivalent to 82.5-450mm on a full-frame camera. Build quality is very good, featuring weather-seals and a fluorine coating on the front element, while optical highlights include ED elements and Pentax’s HD coating to reduce ghosting and flare. 

The stepping motor-based autofocus system is ultra-quiet compared with some Pentax lenses, but is still audible and not particularly fast. Pentax’s ‘Quick-Shift Focus System’ enables easy switching between autofocus and manual focus. There’s no optical stabilizer, the lens instead relying on the sensor-shift stabilization of Pentax camera bodies, which isn’t always ideal when shooting with telephoto lenses. Image quality is very good overall but sharpness drops off a bit at the long end of the zoom range (see our full Pentax 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 DA PLM WR review ).

25. HD Pentax D FA* 70-200mm f/2.8 ED DC AW

This ‘all-weather’ lens from Pentax’s full-frame stable is typically solid and well-built, with a ‘*’ designation that denotes top performance. As such, the optical path includes four super-low dispersion elements, two ED (Extra-low Dispersion) elements and a pair of Super ED glass elements, which have similar optical properties to fluorite glass. Exotic coatings include nano-structure Aero Bright Coating II and multi-layer HD Coating, plus a Super Protect coating on the front element to repel moisture and grease. The lens employs Pentax’s ‘Quick-Shift’ focus system, which enables instant swapping between autofocus and manual focusing, while autofocus comes with switchable auto-priority and manual-priority modes. It’s quite weighty for a 70-200mm f/2.8 lens but the tripod mounting collar is completely removable. Image quality and overall performance are impressive on Pentax’s full-frame DSLRs, while the ‘effective’ zoom range is boosted to 107-307mm on an APS-C format body. See our full HD Pentax-D FA* 70-200mm f/2.8 ED DC AW review .

26. Sony E 70-350mm f/4.5-6.3 G OSS

Sony recently launched a highly impressive pair of up-market lenses for its A6000-series cameras, in the shape of the E 16-55mm f/2.8 G standard zoom and this telephoto lens. Unlike its smaller companion, the telephoto zoom doesn’t have a fast, constant aperture rating and drops to f/6.3 at the long end. Even so, that’s not uncommon for recent zoom lenses for mirrorless cameras, from a variety of manufacturers. The upside is that the zoom range is particularly generous, equating to 105-525mm in full-frame terms and taking the lens into super-telephoto territory. 

One aspherical element and three ED (Extra-low Dispersion) elements are featured in the premium optical design. An XD (eXtreme Dynamic) linear motor powers the high-speed autofocus system, which includes a customisable focus hold button on the side of the barrel. No official rating is given for the Optical SteadyShot system but it gave a mediocre 3-stop effectiveness in our tests. The weather-sealed build is impressively robust but reasonably lightweight. Image quality is superb.

Sony E 70-350mm f/4.5-6.3 G OSS review

27. Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master OSS

Sony’s flagship full-frame compatible 70-200mm zoom for its E-mount mirrorless cameras has G Master status, delivering superb sharpness along with beautifully smooth bokeh, aided by a well-rounded 11-blade aperture diaphragm. Posh glass includes a mix of nine Aspherical, XA (eXtreme Aspherical), ED (Extra-low Dispersion) and Super ED elements, in the 23-element line-up. Nano AR coating is applied to minimise ghosting and flare. 

The lens is strongly built with multiple weather-seals, autofocus is very rapid, and handling benefits from a switchable dual-mode optical image stabilizer, a focus range limiter switch, and multiple autofocus hold buttons. We found the performance of optical stabilization to be fairly mediocre but it’s boosted when combined with the in-body stabilizers featured in recent Sony mirrorless cameras.

Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master OSS review

28. Tamron 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD

Tamron has carved out something of a niche making affordable lenses for Sony E-mount, and a fair few of them have been really quite impressive. The Tamron 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD is not the sharpest tool in the box, nor the most sophisticated, but it is a pretty capable telephoto available at a very reasonable price, and should especially suit users of cameras at Sony's cheaper end, like the A6000 series of cameras

Central sharpness is excellent on this lens, but it does fall off towards the edges of the frame. It's also worth noting that the lens has no optical stabilisation, so if you're using an older camera without IBIS, you might find pin-sharp shots a little more difficult to achieve. It's not a ruinous issue, just something to bear in mind. 

Tamron 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD review

29. Sony FE 70-200mm F4 Macro G OSS II

If money is no object, Sony’s FE 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master OSS is a cracking telephoto zoom. However, it’s a weighty beast at 1,480g and feels a bit of a mismatch for slim-line A7 and A9 series camera bodies. This f/4 model is much more manageable, tipping the scales at just 749g, and it’s much more affordable to buy. Plus, with a 0.5x magnification factor, you get a pretty workable macro lens for close-ups into the bargain as well.

The spectacular image quality will help soften the blow of missing a stop at the maximum aperture, and the telephoto focal length means it's still fairly easy to separate subject from background and get that beautiful bokeh. Autofocus is reliably fast and accurate, and the stabilisation system provides up to three stops of effective compensation — nothing to write home about, but not bad!

Read more: Sony FE 70-200mm F4 Macro G OSS II review

30. Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 G Master OSS

Barely any larger and slightly lighter than Sony’s 70-200mm G Master, this super-telephoto lens has a fundamentally different design, in that the inner barrel extends as you stretch through the zoom range. Even so, it’s very solid and well-built, with similar handling characteristics that include dual-mode optical stabilization for static and panning shots, an autofocus range limiter switch, and multiple autofocus hold buttons. 

The 100-400mm lens also adds an adjustable friction damper for the zoom ring, due to the telescoping nature of the design. The optical path includes two ED (Extra-low Dispersion) elements and one Super ED element, while autofocus is driven by the speedy combination of a double linear motor plus a DDSSM (Direct Drive Super Sonic Motor). Sharpness and contrast are excellent, as is the creamy quality of bokeh, but the optical stabilizer has lackluster performance unless combined with in-body stabilization on later Sony camera bodies.

Read more: Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 G Master OSS review

How we test lenses

We test lenses using both real world sample images and lab tests. Our lab tests are carried out scientifically in controlled conditions using the Imatest testing suite, which consists of custom charts and analysis software that measures resolution in line widths/picture height, a measurement widely used in lens and camera testing. We find the combination of lab and real-word testing works best, as each reveals different qualities and characteristics.

How to choose the best telephoto lens

If you're embarking on handheld telephoto shooting, image stabilization can be a huge help for getting consistently sharp shots. The optical stabilizers that built into telephoto lenses often come with auto panning detection, or give you the option of manually switchable static and panning modes. The latter means that when panning horizontally, stabilization is only applied in the vertical plane. 

If you're using a camera that features sensor-shift stabilization, optical stabilization is less important and many manufacturers will omit it in the design of lenses compatible with these cameras. However, some will allow the optical and in-camera stabilization systems to work in tandem, delivering even more stabilization than either system would on its own.

For full-frame cameras, the most budget-friendly telephoto lens is usually a 70-300mm telephoto zoom with a variable aperture rating, typically going from f/4 to f/5.6 throughout the zoom range. This type of lens can generally be squeezed into a very compact body, making them more portable than similar optics, 

The next step up for full-frame cameras is a 70-200mm lens . It might seem strange that a more expensive class of lens has less powerful telephoto reach, but the main advantage here is that these lenses will generally have a faster aperture rating of f/2.8 or f/4 , and it will remain constant throughout the entire zoom range. These lenses are favoured by professionals, and so unsurprisingly, 70-200mm f/2.8 telephoto zooms can be much pricier. They're often heavier too, as the diameter of optical elements towards the front of the lens needs to be a lot bigger. You don't get the zoom range of a cheaper telephoto lens, but you do get a big jump in image quality and low-light performance, and better separation between your subject and its background, thanks to the wider lens apertures.

Should i get a full-frame or APS-C telephoto lens?

Lenses are designed to match the size of the camera's sensor, so they are either 'full frame' lenses or 'APS-C' lenses. 

You can use full-frame telephoto zooms on APS-C format Canon, Nikon and Sony cameras. The 1.5x or 1.6x crop factor boosts the ‘effective’ telephoto zoom range giving you much more powerful reach. Another bonus is that you’ll only be using a relatively small, central area of the image circle produced by the lens, where image quality is at its best. 

But you can also get lenses that are specifically designed for APS-C sensors. The advantage is that they are smaller, lighter and less expensive than full frame lenses. However, you can't use these APS-C lenses on full frame cameras (not without using 'crop modes' which you will want to avoid.

A full frame lens is ideal for both camera sizes, but getting an APS-C lens for an APS-C camera can save both weight and cash. 

• These are the best lenses for landscapes right now • We pick the best budget telephoto lenses • The best lenses for bird photography

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Matthew Richards is a photographer and journalist who has spent years using and reviewing all manner of photo gear. He is Digital Camera World's principal lens reviewer – and has tested more primes and zooms than most people have had hot dinners! 

His expertise with equipment doesn’t end there, though. He is also an encyclopedia  when it comes to all manner of cameras, camera holsters and bags, flashguns, tripods and heads, printers, papers and inks, and just about anything imaging-related. 

In an earlier life he was a broadcast engineer at the BBC, as well as a former editor of PC Guide.

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Which Camera Lens to Use? An Introduction to Focal Lengths

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• In Conclusion…

If you want to start a debate, then mention lenses. Yes, if there’s one thing that photographers both love and loathe to discuss, it is camera lenses. Which lenses we like, which we don’t and why you’re wrong in thinking that your lens is better than mine. Photographers would be nothing without the lenses their cameras use to see and I probably don’t have to tell you that as at this point in history, there are literally countless lenses floating around in the world. 

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I want you to forget all that. No, I really do. For all their glory, camera lenses are tools, and every tool has its purpose. Even the most brightly constructed lens with pristine optics and a blazing f/1.whatever can still be the wrong tool for a particular purpose. It’s difficult to compute for some but the strongest lens in the world is not the most expensive or the most sharp – rather, it's the one that you understand how to use to its fullest potential. Being completely proficient in how to use a camera lens is as much the duty of a photographer as knowing how to use your camera.

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Today, we’re going to demonstrate how your understanding of how a camera lens functions can be extremely important when it comes to displaying your world in photographs. We’ll talk about the basics of camera lenses including lens types and focal length, as well as what genres of photography they might best suit. Perhaps most crucial of all, you will learn that lens selection is subject to the creative vision of the photo maker and not the other way around. 

• See also:    5 Key Reasons to Use a Wide Angle Lens in Iceland

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There can be a somewhat confusing misconception when it comes to understanding the focal length of your camera lens. Photographers might very well have themselves to blame for this but more on that in just a moment. You see, focal length has nothing to do with the physical length of a lens but instead is determined by how the lens focuses light in relation to the camera sensor. 

Usually measured in millimetres, focal length is a calculation of the distance between the converging rays of incoming light from the lens (focal point) and the sensor of your camera. It’s this distance which determines the focal length of the lens and incidentally, the “zoom” or field of view for a particular lens. 

• See also:    How to Use a Telephoto Lens for Landscape Photography

As far as focal length is concerned, there are only two types of lenses: prime and zoom. The latter is a bit of a modern term. Zoom refers to a lens which is of variable focal length, meaning that you can change the field of view (and thus the magnification) of your lens. On the other hand, prime lenses have what is called a “fixed focal length”. 

A lens which is prime is one that will always be fixed at whatever its prescribed optical focal length might be. This means that a 50mm prime lens will remain at 50mm on a full frame {35mm} sensor and it will not have any zoom capabilities.

Prime lenses are widely regarded on average as being sharper and faster than many zoom lenses. Not only that but prime lenses tend to be generally more affordable than non-prime lenses. That being said, this quality margin is beginning to narrow more and more as camera lens technology evolves.

Zoom Lenses 

Any non-prime variable focal length lens is a zoom lens. There was a time in history when zoom lenses were even referred to as “rubber lenses”, due to their focal length flexibility. 

Zoom lenses have historically been more expensive and sport more optical concerns than primes, meaning that it is more difficult to manufacture a zoom lens which is sharp and speedy. The reason for this issue is due to the increased number of lens elements required to allow for focal length adjustment. As I mentioned before, our modern times have been host to many advances in lens manufacturing technology and there are many zoom lenses which produce excellent image quality while remaining relatively affordable for most photographers. 

• See also:    Best Lenses for Night Photography

Wide, Normal or Telephoto? 

It will be tremendously helpful for you to begin thinking about the focal length of lenses more in terms of field of view rather than their focal length. As the focal length of a lens increases, its field of view actually decreases. This means that a 14mm lens will show more of the scene than would a lens of 85mm. 

Generally speaking, there are three varieties of prime and zoom lenses which are separated based on focal length and hence provide larger or smaller fields of view. The focal length ranges we’re about to discuss will more or less give you an understanding of which types of lens falls into which broad category. 

Wide Angle Lenses

A wide angle , as the name suggests, provide a sweeping field of view. Opinions vary, but this author considers any lens with a focal length of less than 35mm to be wide angle. 

The nature of wide angle lenses makes them useful for when you want to include a large amount of information in your photo. Wide angle lenses come in handy especially when you need to capture a large scene from an up-close or confined space.

Normal Lenses

The “normal lens” is named as such because it provides a field of view which is approximate to that of the human eye. Consequently, it allows the camera sensor to see normally when compared to the human’s perception. Of course, this is just a broad generalisation but lenses in the 40mm-50mm range are considered to produce a “normal” field of view when mated with a 35mm sensor. 

It’s worth noting that this focal range is an arbitrary product of Oskar Barnack and perhaps more specifically the legendary Leica lens developer, Max Berek. The concept of the normal lens came about with the inception of the famed Leica 35mm film cameras which employed 50mm f/3.5 lenses.

The telephoto lens can at times be mislabeled in the photography world. Many, including myself, instantly picture massively barrelled zoom lenses whenever we hear the word 'telephoto'. While it’s certainly true that many of those giant lenses you see at sporting events and in the hands of wildlife photographers are certainly telephoto, not all telephoto lenses are enormous.

Simply put, any lens which produces a more narrow field of view than a “normal” lens would be thought of as a telephoto lens. So really, even a lens with a modest focal length of 85mm is technically telephoto just as much as a 400mm lens might be.

There are, of course, many subtle levels in between these three broad lens categories such as ultra-wide, super-telephoto and so on and so forth. That being said, as long as you remember that it’s all centred around decreased or increased field of view, you’ll be able to navigate the waters just fine.

• See also:    The Best Lenses for Wildlife Photography

I mentioned before that we photographers might be at blame for essentially confusing ourselves a bit when it comes to focal length. The reason for this is that many photographers refer to lenses with longer focal lengths as “long lenses” and those with shorter focal lengths as “short lenses”. While I suppose this is not altogether wrong, it does cause a small amount of befuddlement because a lens with a focal length of 200mm is not physically 200mm long and the 50mm focal length lens is not physically 50mm long. 

This means that a lens with a focal length of 85mm might be physically larger than say a lens of 100mm focal length, while the 85mm would technically be considered the “shorter” of the two focal lengths... but I digress. 

• See also:    The Best Lenses for Landscape Photography in Iceland

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Photography is full of unpredictable situations. No matter what you find yourself shooting, the unexpected can happen and suddenly, you may find that you need to adapt yourself and your camera to the environment. Most times, this means switching out your lens to one of a more desirable focal length or speed. 

Nevertheless, there are certain lenses which lend themselves to be more useful than others given the situation. However, there is nothing that says you can’t use a lens for any particular situation, other than that the outcome might not be as desirable as you would prefer. 

Here’s a breakdown of some common types of photography and some suggestions for which lenses might produce the best consistent results. 

Making strong portraits means that your photographs present the character of the person you’re photographing. This means isolating the subject from the background and displaying their features in a sharp, well-defined way. 

In most cases, normal and telephoto lenses work best for portraits. The longer focal lengths reduce unflattering distortion and help to separate background and foreground elements from the subject. Lens speed is less of a concern when you’re shooting in the studio with artificial lights but for natural light portraits, apertures of f/2.8 or wider may be needed to keep shutter speeds manageable. 

• See also:   10 Tips for Stunning Portrait Photography

Travel photography is the ultimate when it comes to unpredictability. You’ll likely encounter many types of opportunities for making photographs ranging from landscapes to up close portraiture and still life. Being ready for all of this while maintaining full mobility can be a challenge. 

It is a good idea to use a mid-range telephoto lens when travelling. A 24-70mm f/2.8 is the go-to lens for my travel work when baggage is an issue or I simply want to travel light. If possible, a fast normal prime lens is also a great tool to keep with you while traveling because of its relative small size and low-light capabilities. 

• See also:    Travel Photography Explained

Like travel photography, a reasonably fast mid-range telephoto or fast normal prime lens will likely serve you best on the street. You’ll want to stay inconspicuous and be able to move freely, so a small lens will always work best. 

• See also:    Understanding Focal Lengths in Landscape Photography

I hesitate to say it but almost any focal length lens can be used as a landscape lens, depending on the situation. Many new landscape shooters feel as though a landscape can only be made using a wide angle lens, though this is not the case. In fact, focal length is less important than the quality of the lens glass when it comes to landscapes.

If you’re a landscape shooter, it’s best to go for the sharpest, most qualitative lens you can afford. Lens speed is less of an issue since you’ll likely be shooting from a tripod. While primes work extremely well, remember that you will have to “zoom with your feet” should you opt to not carry a zoom lens for landscapes. 

• See also:    The Best Landscape Photography Lenses for Sony E-Mount Cameras

A good wide angle lens along with a telephoto lens are the mainstays of every wedding photographer. Oftentimes, you will need at least 24mm to cover the full scope of the ceremony and reception, as well as a 50mm lens (bare minimum) for portraits and closeups. You’ll be shooting both individuals and groups, often in low-light, so be ready with the fastest lenses that you can afford.

• See also:    Ultimate Guide to Wedding Photography

These two genres share common needs: long distance shooting and fast moving subjects. 

You’ll want a telephoto that allows you to keep your distance while being able to reach out and touch your subject with the camera. In most cases, a 70-200mm telephoto zoom is the minimum focal length needed for most applications. 

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Simply put, you can’t go wrong with a 50mm prime lens for general shooting. For most camera manufacturers, you can pick up a 50mm f/1.8 lens for very little money. This focal length is great for unexpected scenarios and the cost effectiveness makes this type of lens very attractive for casual shooters. For those who love taking photos of their dinner plates at restaurants (often dimly lit), the fast aperture will be a must.

For photographing insects or flowers, it’s a good idea to find a lens that can get you close to your subject and by close, I mean  really close. While you don’t expressly need a true macro lens (lenses that magnify 1:1 or greater), you will need to look for lenses which can focus closely and have excellent sharpness. Until you know if you want to venture into true macro photography, an “all in one” telephoto zoom lens with a focal length in the 85mm to 200mm range will work well. 

• See also:    10 Wildlife Photography Tips for Beginners

In Conclusion…

The lessons and recommendations in this article are meant to give you a solid foundation of knowledge so you can begin to learn which lenses you might need for photography and why.  It’s not difficult to see how important your camera lens is to your work. Most likely, you already know that your lens is the “eye” of your camera. If there is one thing I can recommend if you’re just starting out in photography, it is to invest in your glass before your camera. We’ve seen quite a few cameras lens types explained but the amount of lenses out there make it virtually impossible to list them all. Luckily for us, the basic concepts and optical principles of focal length, aperture and field of view apply to virtually all lenses, both old and new. 

About the author:   Adam Welch   is an adventurer, photographer and author based in the USA. You can find more of his work on his website or by following him on Facebook  and  YouTube .

Do you have a favourite lens that you like to use? Which is your go-to focal length for the type of photography that you do? Leave a comment below!

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7 Maps and Lens features to use on your next trip

Apr 03, 2023

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Organizing the perfect vacation is one of the most stressful parts of traveling, but it can be easy (and even fun!) with the right tools. From planning your trip to exploring on the ground — here are some of the best ways you can use Google Maps and Lens to hack your summer travel.

Scope out places before you visit with immersive view

When you’re researching places to go, immersive view in Google Maps can help you make a more informed decision. Not only can you see a photorealistic view of an area, but you’ll also be able to get helpful information — like what the weather will be like at different times of day or when a spot gets most crowded. Indoor views even help you understand the vibe of a restaurant or cafe so you can choose the place that’s right for you.

Immersive view is live in London, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Tokyo and it’ll launch in Amsterdam, Dublin, Florence, and Venice in the coming months.

Stay organized with the Recents tab on desktop Google Maps

To make trip planning easier, we’ll automatically organize places you’ve searched for on Maps by city with the new Recents tab on desktop. Found your favorite places? Share them with your travel buddy or save them to a new list. The Recents tab launches on desktop globally starting next week.

The Recents tab on desktop Google Maps makes it easy to stay organized while trip planning, and share your favorite places with friends and family.

Identify landmarks, artwork, plants, animals, and more with Lens

Once you’ve reached your destination, it’s time to start exploring with Lens as your tour guide. Use Lens in the Google app ( Android and iOS ) to search with your camera and answer questions like “who built that statue” or “what’s this pretty flower?”. When in doubt, Lens can figure it out.

Discover local cuisine with multisearch in Lens

With multisearch in Lens, you can combine words and images to find what you’re looking for in a whole new way – including information from the millions of local businesses on Google. Perhaps you saw a photo of a delicious looking pastry online, but don’t know what it’s called. Just take a screenshot, open it with Lens in the Google app, add the words “near me” to your search, and you’ll find nearby restaurants that serve what you’re looking for. Multisearch near me is now beginning to roll out globally.

Multisearch near me makes it easy to find local cuisine

Navigate with AR using Live View on Maps — indoors and out

In a new city, it can be hard to know which way to walk. With Live View in Maps, you’ll see AR arrows that point you exactly where you need to go. You can even use Live View indoors to navigate places like airports, helping you easily find your baggage claim or car rental. And when you’re out, search with Live View lets you find things around you — like ATMs, restaurants, parks and transit stations - and see helpful information like when they’re open and how highly they’re rated.

Search with Live View can help you find your way around cities like New York, London, Los Angeles, New York, Paris, San Francisco and Tokyo plus Barcelona, Dublin and Madrid in the coming months.

Explore on wheels with bike and scooter share information on Maps

Sometimes, there’s nothing like zooming through a new city — and bike and scooter share information on Maps can make this a breeze. Just select your destination, tap on directions, and scroll to the cycling option. You'll see nearby bikes and scooters, battery levels for electric options, and even if there’s a docking station for when you’re done.

Bike and scooter information is available on Google Maps in more than 500 cities globally like Berlin, New York, and São Paulo on both Android and iOS.

Ready to make travel plans now that you’ve got expert tips in your back pocket? Check out new ways we’re improving your travel experience on Search. We’ll be there every step of the way — all you have to do is book and explore!

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Lake Baikal Travel Guide - Top 10 Attractions

Home / Russia Travel Experiences / Lake Baikal Travel Guide – Top 10 Attractions

Located in the Eastern Siberia close to the Mongolian border, within the Irkutsk Oblast (Western shore) and Buryatia (Eastern Shore), the glimmering blue pearl of Russia, Lake Baikal, is rightfully upheld as Siberia’s most famous attraction. Read on as this Lake Baikal travel guide will take you on an adventure you might just make a reality someday.

Its clear-as-a-mirror waters are a reflection of Siberia’s wildness, its vastness and its beauty. A UNESCO World Heritage Site , the crescent-shaped lake extends for 636km from north to south and is up to 1,637m deep, making it the deepest lake in the world. In fact, 20% of the world’s fresh water is contained within Lake Baikal.

Intersected by the Trans-Siberian Railway , the Baikal region is an easily accessible and fabulously scenic place to get acquainted with a world of uniquely Siberian thrills. This guide will introduce you to the must-see Lake Baikal attractions and will advise on the best time for travelling around the region. You can embark on your Baikal tour either from the western part in Irkutsk Oblast or from the eastern part – Buryatia. Let’s start the Lake Baikal’s list of attractions with the most popular among tourists – the western part.

Table of Contents

1. Irkutsk city

The unofficial capital of the region, also known as the “Paris of Siberia” makes a great starting point for planning your excursions in the region. Take an Irkutsk city tour and explore the stunning architecture and warm hospitality of the locals. Make a photo-stop at the beautiful Russian Orthodox church and a Polish Cathedral (the only Siberian Gothic-style building), and stroll along the embankment of River Angara.

One of the most charming parts of Irkutsk is the city centre with its green boulevards and the ensemble of the central square. You will see many small ones- and two-stored wooden houses or cabins that are decorated with “wooden laces” (hand-made carvings) as well as modern constructions of the 20th century. Take a pause and try Siberian dishes at one of the cozy cafes at 130th Quarter , nonetheless a pleasant place to stroll, packed with restaurants, cafes and commercial museums.

For the in-depth history of the region, visit the Irkutsk Museum of Regional Studies, which features fascinating exhibits on the indigenous cultures of the Baikal region, or take an excursion inside the Decembrists’ House – Russian aristocrats, who were exiled to Irkutsk after trying to prevent the coronation of Nicholas I.

2. Listvyanka village on Lake Baikal

Just in the 70-km drive from Irkutsk, nestled between the western shore of the lake and the mouth of the Angara River, Listvyanka is the most widely visited village in the Baikal region, with a good selection of hotels, restaurants and the opportunity to experience a Russian banya (sauna) right on the shore. This tiny fishermen village is the place to sample smoked omul (Baikal whitefish) while you take in the views. Take a ride on a  chairlift to enjoy a panorama views of Angara River and Lake Baikal from the Cherskogo Rock viewpoint. And don’t forget to visit the Baikal Limnological Museum with 11 aquariums, containing the Lake Baikal fauna and trained Baikal freshwater seals. Visit the  Taltsy open-air museum of wooden architecture and ethnography, which allows visitors to step into the everyday life and culture of Siberians from past centuries.

Most of the sightseeing tours to the attractions of Lake Baikal start basically from here. From Listvyanka you can travel either to the south of the region, closer to the Mongolian border, or to the north to explore the Lake Baikal’s islands, bays and beaches.

3. The Great Baikal Trail

The ever-growing trail network links Listvyanka with Bolshiye Koty, another of the stunning fishing villages along the shore.  The 24km of the trail along the shore can be finished within 5-8 hours. The longest section of the trail runs from Listvyanka via Bolshiye Koty to Bolshoye Goloustnoye. The hike usually takes 2-3 days and is characterized by swift transitions between steep coastal bluffs, sandy beach and deep forest. There are guesthouses or homestays available at little villages in the evenings, and you can even get back to Irkutsk by boat or bus from trail’s end in Bolshoye Goloustnoye.

Since 2003, some 5,000 volunteers from more than 30 countries have built or improved some trails during hundreds of two-week work projects.  Siberian officials hope to circle the entire lake with trails, but until then enjoy the exclusivity and seclusion as you go it alone.

4. Circum-Baikal Railroad

An extraordinarily scenic stretch of rail beginning in Port Baikal, where you can get by a ferry from Listvyanka village. The Circum-Baikal Railway is undoubtedly one of the most picturesque sections of the Trans-Siberian Railway . An extraordinary achievement in engineering, known as the ‘gold belt’ of Siberia, it was one of the grand projects of Tsarist times. Built between 1896 and 1900 and designed by architects and engineers summoned from all over Europe, the rail was laid along the edge of the coast through the dramatic slopes of the Primorsky Range.

Spend a fantastic day trip on a train, it’s possible to hop on and off the train at some of the most scenic points along the railway , or join a group for a 6-hour cruise along the most beautiful parts of the railroad with a picnic organised on the shores. If travelling by train, your final destination can be either Irkutsk or Slyudyanka village – a getaway for hiking tours in the Sayan Mountains.

The train tours are operated just 2 days a week for Irkutsk – Slyudyanka – Listvyanka route, and 2 days for the reverse route. Every year the itinerary changes, so you need to double check the schedule in order to plan your tour in Lake Baikal.

5. Arshan village

Hot springs and mineral water origins are dotted all around the Baikal region. One of the more accessible places to enjoy their steamy delights is the village of Arshan, a two-hour scenic drive from the western coast of Lake Baikal and about 200 km south from Slyudyanka, it’s located in the foothills of the thickly forested Sayan Mountains on the bank of Kyngyrga river.

On the main street, you’ll find the Arshan Spa, a once-grand 1920s resort, which still attracts a steady stream of locals to its soothing mineral pools and mud baths. Water temperatures range from 11 to 45°C, with each pool said to possess different healing properties. Take a short drive to the nearby village of Zhemchug to plunge in the hot springs right under the sky.

Around Arshan you can escape to peaceful walks in the forest and the “Badkirkharma Datsan”, a quaint Buddhist temple with a stunning mountain backdrop. Or visit the Mongolian market, which sells a variety of health products and herbals, as well as clothing made of yak, goat and camel wool.

Another popular tourist activity here is hiking – short treks up to the waterfalls and 6-hour-long climb to the Peak of Love (2,400m). Hard to imagine but true: traces of volcanic activity from the end of the Ice Age can be found near Arshan. The place is cold “ the valley of extinct volcanoes ” or just Volcanoes Valley.

This fold is a water gap between the rivers Khi-Gol and Zhombolok, filled with lava from the volcanoes Kropotkin’s and Peretolchin’s, which were active just a few thousand years ago. The thickness of the lava layer in the valley reaches 150 meters, and nothing grows on its grey surface, in spite of the volcanic necks.

6. Peschanaya Bay

Located 80-km from Listvyanka, within the Pribaikalsky National Park, Peschanaya Bay (Sandy Bay), also known as “Siberian Riviera”, is a famous place in Baikal among locals and travellers. The Bay is guarded by two rocks-giants located on both sides of it, Big and Small Belfries, they protect Peshanaya Bay by their steep rocky slopes from strong winds.

The bay is lighted by golden sands and bright summer sun. Sand dunes are changed by centuries-old pine trees, behind them hidden natural architectural creatures — granite rocks. The trees-walkers are the masterpieces themselves, ancient larch-trees that are shaped into unpredictable forms by the time and strong Baikal winds.

You can get to Peschanaya Bay by a passenger hydrofoil from Irkutsk or Listvyanka (about 4 hours en route) or join the short Lake Baikal cruise , which goes along the western shore to Olkhon Island . A hydrofoil operates only several days a week, so check the exact schedule before planning to visit this site.

7. Olkhon Island, Lake Baikal

Located in the centre of the lake and about 250 km north-east from Irkutsk, Olkhon is a symbol of Baikal and it’s the biggest island. 72 km long and 20 km wide, with the population about 1,500 people, it is also a part of Pribaikalsky National Park. With its endless beaches, bays, forests and mini-lakes, it’s definitely most beautiful part of Lake Baikal.

Olkhon is reachable overland or by the “sea”. Board a passenger hydrofoil from Irkutsk or Listvyanka which will take you on a 4-5-hour cruise along the western shore of Baikal. It operates just several days a week, so check the schedule before planning the trip to Olkhon. The driving route from Irkutsk will take about 3-4 hours, on which you may stop at the road cafe to try the traditional Buryat food: buzy and spicy tea, or visit the traditional Buryat village of Ust-Orda, where you can meet a shaman and learn about Buryat way of life. The route from Irkutsk will end at the village of Skhurta, located at the Maloye More (Small Sea) strait, from where you will need to take a ferry to Khuzhir village, main settlement, located in the middle of the island.

Olkhon Island is considered to be one of the world’s most important shamanistic centres by the Buryat people, the native inhabitants of the island. Locals often refer to a shaman for various consultations. It is believed that spirits of the Buryat pantheon live in cliffs of the island. Spirits reside in trees, posts, and rocks referred to as obos, and are often draped in colourful rags. It is customary to place coins, cigarettes, and vodka on the ground, as gifts. A lot of legends about Olkhon and its sacred places are passed down from generation to generation. One of the legends says that Genghis Khan was buried here.

Also called Burkhan Cape, Shaman Rock, a sacred place in Khuzhir, is believed to have supernatural powers by shamans and is one of the main tourist attractions on the island. It especially mesmerising at the sunrise or sunset. Another beautiful spot on Olkhon is Khoboy Cape. It is the most northern point of Olkhon island, a very beautiful spot where you can see the panorama view of the lake, cliffs, seagulls, and sometimes, if youíre lucky, even Baikal seals. The scenic bus-tour from Khuzhir to the cape and back with many stops and walks will take almost all day, though the road is unsealed and bumpy, the experience is definitely worth it.

Plan 3-4 days of staying at Olkhon for different activities such as kayaking, biking, hiking, or just strolling around the island and enjoying its special energy. Or join the group tour with guaranteed departures to explore the Olkhon Island and other attractions around Baikal.

8. Ogoy Island, Lake Baikal

A small island with an eight-metre-high Buddhist stupa of Enlightenment was raised at the highest point. A Buddhist stupa and an object of worship that means “support for gifts”. There are only two stupas in Russia – on Lake Baikal and in the Kalmykia Republic. It is believed that if you go around the stupa three times expressing your respect to it and make a wish, it will come true. There is only one condition: the thoughts of the person who makes a wish should be pure.

Embark on a boat trip to Ogoy in Summer or visit this small island by a 4wd car crossing the ice in Winter. During this trip, you will cross the Maloye Morye passing close by its islands and see amazing scenery of Lake Baikal.

9. Ulan-Ude city

The appealing capital of Buryatia, ‘UU’ is 456km east of Irkutsk by rail and makes a sensible staging post for visiting Mongolia or eastern Lake Baikal. The city prospered as a major stop on the tea-caravan route from China, Ulan means ‘Red’ in Buryat, yet Ulan-Ude is pleasantly green, cradled attractively in rolling hills. The main attractions in Ulan-Ude are the two museums (of history and of nature), villages of old-believers and the Ivolginsky Buddhist Datsan.

The home to the epicentre of Buddhism in Russia the mysterious Ivolginksy Datsan; along with the awe of the elaborately decorated temples is the phenomenon that is the preserved body of Khambo Lama, formally Dashi-Dorzho Itigilov. His education into the Buddhist teachings and conviction enabled Itigilov to pursue the greatest constituent of his faith, becoming Khambo Lama, the head of Buddhism in Russia. The monastery attracts visitors year-round allowing the public to be enlightened by the Buddhist history, Meditation and the Buddhist faith.

10. Winter activities on Lake Baikal

The real fun starts between late January and mid-April when the surface of Lake Baikal is frozen . Hovercrafts, ice bikes, dog sleds, ice-golf and pretty much anything else you can imagine. Don’t forget to take a dip in the healing waters offshore, reputed to be Siberia’s own fountain of youth.

It’s also the best time for landscape photography . Summer sees the bulk of tourist activity in the area, but it’s in winter that the most devoted photographers make the pilgrimage, hoping to capture once-in-a-lifetime images of the natural world at its most powerful and surreal. Exploring the lake’s numerous islands will reveal hidden grottoes and frozen caves where intricate ice formations make for otherworldly photo subjects

How to get to Lake Baikal

The closest airport to the western shore of Baikal is Irkutsk. There are regular flights from the major Russian cities to Irkutsk, including from Moscow, St Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk and Vladivostok. There are also several flights a week to Irkutsk from Beijing and occasional flights from Bangkok, Hong Kong and seasonally, twice a week from Seoul. For the western shore of Lake Baikal, the closest airport is Ulan-Ude. It’s a smaller airport, serviced by flights from Moscow and the larger Siberian airports, as well as flights from Beijing.

Most travellers arriving in Lake Baikal overland get to the region via the famous Trans-Siberian Railway, typically departing from Moscow, Vladivostok or Beijing.

Best time to go to Baikal

Baikal’s climate is much milder than that of the surrounding territory. Winter air temperatures average −21 °C, and August temperatures average +15 °C. Summer months from June to August is the most popular time for visiting Lake Baikal, with July being the busiest one, and sometimes overcrowded. September brings beautiful autumn colours to the Taiga forest, which make this stunning region even more beautiful, however, most group tours have last departures just in the beginning of Setpenerb, so if you’d like to join these organised tours, plan your trip not later than 10 September.

The ice freezes the 20 km distance to shore between January and April simultaneously isolating the island from boat traffic while paving the way for one of the most amazing ice treks imaginable. From mid-February till the end of April, there are several departures for the Lake Baikal Ice adventure , which is the most popular tour to join in winter and enjoy the unbelievable beauty of this frozen natural wonder.

In May, the ice melting and the forests start blooming. While this month is still a bit chilly, it’s a wonderful time to explore the beauty of Lake Baikal, while there are no many tourists around.

Shoulder season months of October and November are not recommended for travelling. While lake starts freezing in December, together with January they are the coldest winter months, also, the ice is not thick enough for traversing, so if you’d like to enjoy the winter holiday, consider the end of February – mid-April.

Hope you enjoyed this article, and this travel guide will help you plan your tour in Lake Baikal. For more information regarding group tour departures, custom tour itineraries or travelling to Russia in general, contact us on [email protected]

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Check out videos on hundreds of California adventures

California Missions: How to Visit All 21 & Road Trip Along El Camino Real

The twenty-one California Missions, from the time when Spain controlled California, are some of the oldest pieces of history you can visit in the entire United States. A road trip to see all of them will take you over 600 miles from San Diego to Sonoma, and it will provide a plethora of adventure, history, and fun for the whole family. I did this entire drive in 7 days in 2016, and here is all of the information so you can do it yourself, or just read on to learn about a unique part of California’s past.

The 21 California Missions

Here are each of the 21 missions from south to north,  click on the image to learn more about each one .

San Diego De Alcala

• Location: San Diego
• Founded Order: 1st

San Luis Rey De Francia

• Location: Oceanside
• Founded Order: 18th

San Juan Capistrano

• Location: San Juan Capistrano
• Founded Order: 7th

San Gabriel Arcangel

• Location: San Gabriel
• Founded Order: 4th

San Fernando Rey De Espana

• Location: Mission Hills
• Founded Order: 17th

San Buenaventura

• Location: Ventura
• Founded Order: 9th

Mission Santa Barbara

• Location: Santa Barbara
• Founded Order: 10th

Mission Santa Ines

• Location: Solvang
• Founded Order: 19th

La Purisima Concepcion

• Location: Lompoc
• Founded Order: 11th

San Luis Obispo De Tolosa

• Location: San Luis Obispo
• Founded Order: 5th

San Miguel Arcangel

• Location: San Miguel
• Founded Order: 16th

San Antonio De Padua

• Location: Jolon
• Founded Order: 3rd

Nuestra Senora De La Soledad

• Location: Soledad
• Founded Order: 13th

San Carlos Borromeo De Carmelo

• Location: Carmel
• Founded Order: 2nd

San Juan Bautista

• Location: San Juan Bautista
• Founded Order: 15th

Mission Santa Cruz

• Location: Santa Cruz
• Founded Order: 12th

Santa Clara De Asis

• Location: Santa Clara
• Founded Order: 8th

Mission San Jose

• Location: Fremont
• Founded Order: 14th

San Francisco De Asis

• Location: San Francisco
• Founded Order: 6th

San Rafael Arcangel

• Location: San Rafael
• Founded Order: 20th

San Francisco Solano

• Location: Sonoma
• Founded Order: 21st

California Missions Seven Day Road Trip Guide

Interested in visiting all of the California Missions yourself? I created the below itinerary for each day of my road trip. You can use them to plan your trip to visit each of the missions as I did.

San Diego to Pasadena

Pasadena to Ventura

Ventura to San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo to Carmel

Carmel to Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz to San Francisco

San Francisco to Sonoma

California Missions Videos

Interested in seeing the highlights from my time visiting all 21 missions or seeing my 10 favorite spots? Check out the videos below.

Mission Related Sites and Museums

Want to get more in-depth on your visit to the historic spots along El Camino Real? Here are a few of the places that are connected to the missions that you can still visit.

California Missions Museum

Junipero Serra Museum

Old Mission Dam

San Antonio De Pala Asistencia

Map of the California Missions

Zoom in and out to look at the map see where each mission is, then click the icon to go to the specific post.

FAQ – California Missions Trail

While I was driving along the El Camino Real, I got a lot of questions from people related to the missions, their history, and what they have in common. Here are some of the main questions. If you have one that was not answered, be sure to leave it in the comments.

What can I collect from all of the missions?

The closest I could find to something that every mission sold was small silver medallions that have the mission’s saint and a picture of the mission on them. They go for $1 – $3 depending on the mission and I got them from 17 of the 21. Two of the others were sold out, and two just didn’t have them at all. I couldn’t find anything else that almost every mission had to collect.

How much did it cost?

I paid for the whole trip myself, and I estimate it cost around $800 for gas, food, hotels and mission entrance fees for the trip. I was by myself, so the food cost would increase if you had other people with you of course.

Where can I find out when the missions are open?

I found the missions to be open more than I anticipated they would be, as I assumed it would be harder to plan then it was. That being said I would recommend Googling each before going so that you can see up to date information on their hours.

Are any of the missions hard to get to?

The only one that is somewhat difficult to get to is Mission San Antonio de Padua. Mission San Antonio de Padua is located 26 miles each way off Highway 101. While the drive to get there is not difficult, it can be hard to fit into a typical road trip just because of the time commitment needed to get there and back. The rest are all located close to the main highway.

I don’t like the mission history, so why should I go?

Even if you do not agree with what the missions did, they are still a very influential part of California’s history. The missions have beautiful architecture and are some of the oldest buildings in the state. I recommend you visit a few of them and I bet you will find something to enjoy.

What are some other good resources on the missions?

I would recommend picking up  this book  on the missions as I took it with me and read about the ones I would be visiting each day.  This website  also has a lot of great information as well.

History of the California Missions

California missions of Alta California (“New Spain”) tell a story of state and national evolution. Missions built in the 18th and 19th centuries still remind Californians and visitors of the European explorers who came by sea and land to conquer a new land. Under Spanish rule, the first California mission fort was established. Both armed forces and Franciscan shepherds came to colonize California outposts and to convert Native Americans to the Christian faith.

The first California missions were settled within about seven years prior to the Declaration of Independence in 1776. The last missions were established several decades before gold was found in 1848 at Sutter’s Mill. Expansion of California missions ended in the early 1820s in Sonoma. Over more than five decades, at least twenty-one missions and four forts, called presidios, were built along California’s coast.

The first nine missions were established by Saint Padre Junípero Serra. The next nine were founded by his colleague, Padre Fermín Francisco Lasuén. The final three missions were established by others.

Earliest California Missions

The earliest California missions were built between 1769 and 1777:

The  first  California Mission San Diego de Alcalá, was named for a 15th century Spanish saint. The location was chosen to provide easy access by sea to Alta California from Spanish Mexico. During a severe drought, the Franciscans were forced to move the mission six miles from the coast. Then, in 1775, natives sacked and burned the settlement. Saint Padre Serra’s residence was the only structure to partially survive the attack. After military occupation in the 1840s – 1850s, President Abraham Lincoln released the mission to the Catholic Church once more in 1862. Today, San Diego rests at the top of a hill on the original mission site in San Diego Presidio just east of downtown. Mass and feast day schedules are found on the mission website.

The  second , Mission San Carlos Borromeo del Río Carmelo, was also founded by Padre Serra in 1770. He was considered a saintly man by all who knew him in life. The Catholic Church conferred sainthood in 2015. Leaders in Spanish Mexico chose the location of the mission with care and, for many years, it was considered the headquarters of the California missions. The mission built the first library of thirty books in 1778. As more American settlers came west, the mission was secularized in the 1830s. Until after the Civil War, the original mission was abandoned. Saint Padre Serra is buried in this beautiful place.

The  third  and  fourth  California missions were established in 1771. Mission San Antonio de Padua’s position was strategically chosen as a key central California location by Spanish Mexico. Named for the Catholic saint, Anthony of Padua, it was the first mission to use now-traditional red tile roof to protect inhabitants from water and fire. The settlers installed an aqueduct system. Franciscan fathers taught indigenous residents religious songs through an ingenious color system. One of the first known marriages in early California was celebrated here in 1773.

The  fourth  California mission, Mission San Gabriel Arcángel, was named for the archangel Gabriel. San Gabriel’s position was the crossroads of three vital land trails. The mission moved three miles inland within decades of the original settlement. More than 6,000 Native Americans were buried on mission grounds. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the mission was known for its vineyard and wines.

The  fifth , Mission San Luis Obispo [de Tolosa,] was established in 1772. During a food shortage, mission settlers hunted bears in the nearby “valley of the bears,” Los Osos. The mission vineyard was so productive that, by the 19th century, wine was exported to Russia and Great Britain. Because the Vatican declared that a church could only be as high as trees surrounding it. The mission’s walls are built as tall as local pine trees of the day (50 – 60 feet).

The  sixth  California mission was established in 1776 at the conclusion of the American Revolutionary War. Mission San Francisco de Asís, named for Catholic saint Francis of Assisi, saw the city of San Francisco grow around it. Original mission settlers had friendlier relations with local Native Americans: the beautiful mission ceiling was actually rendered by Indian artisans. Thousands of Native Americans are thought to be buried on the mission ground. Although mission priests wanted to move in search of a healthier climate, the mission remained in its original location.

The  seventh  California mission, Mission San Juan Capistrano, was named for Catholic saint John of Capistrano and provided access to southern California to Spanish Mexico. The chapel built by Saint Padre Serra is the oldest intact structure in California. The mission church’s original altar came from Barcelona. A statute of Saint Peregrine, patron of cancer victims, remains in the chapel. The mission successfully planted a vineyard and produced wine. Mission inhabitants used furnaces imported from Spain to convert ore to iron.

The  eighth  California mission was established the next year in 1777. Mission Santa Clara de Asís was named for St. Clare, the founder of the “Poor Clares” order of Catholic nuns. Today, the mission remains next to the oldest university in California, the University of Santa Clara. Floods and earthquakes besieged original inhabitants, and temporary relocations occurred from time to time. The Franciscans used cactus-based paint to make the chapel vibrant and colorful.

“Forgotten” California Missions

Mission La Purisíma Concepcíon and nearby Mission San Pedro y San Pablo de Bicuñer, both founded around 1780, were short-lived. Both were constructed in the Yuma territory and, according to California State Archives historians, both are practically “forgotten.” Mission La Purisíma Concepcíon’s historic park commemorates the mission today. The original mission building no longer exists but there are pieces of the walls that can be seen at the original site.

Richard Yates devoted years to establishing the location of the Mission San Pedro y San Pablo de Bicuñer in the 1970s. In “The Journal of Arizona History,” (Vol. 13, No. 2, Summer 1972), Yates states he believes the mission was on the Colorado River at the California side, not far from the Laguna Dam.

California Missions of the 1780s

The Mission San Buenaventura (1782) and Mission Santa Barbara (1786), California missions  nine  and  ten , were established next. Mission San Buenaventura’s restored buildings, grounds, and artifacts draw thousands of visitors each year.

Mission Santa Barbara, known as the “Queen” of the missions, assumed the central headquarters role within the mission chain by the late 18th century. Today, Mission Santa Barbara draws history buffs and the faithful from around the world. Check the mission website for information about church services and tours.

California Missions of the 1790s

The 1790s saw the establishment of Mission Santa Cruz and Mission Nuestra Señora de La Soledad. Today, Mission Santa Cruz’s Parish Chapel (Parish of the Holy Cross of the Catholic Diocese of Monterey) is a popular wedding site. Mission Nuestra Señora de La Soledad is a popular tourist attraction today. Volunteers operate a gift shop and maintain the grounds.

Four missions–Mission San José, Mission San Juan Bautista, Mission San Miguel Arcángel, and Mission San Fernando Rey de España–were all established in 1797; and San Luis Rey de Francia followed in 1798:

• Mission San Jose is a spiritual and cultural center now. To reserve a guided tour or to inquire about genealogy searches, contact the mission.
• Mission San Juan Bautista is an active religious community today. Contact the mission about schedules but keep in mind that San Juan Bautista mission is also affiliated (but not directly part of) the California Parks System.
• Mission San Miguel Arcángel is a historic landmark and religious community. A costly restoration project hopes to preserve the mission.
• Mission San Fernando Rey de España celebrates mass and offers visitors with access to its archives by appointment.
• Mission San Luis Rey de Francia was considered the “King” of California missions because of its large size. The first known pepper tree planted in California is found here. Mission San Luis Rey de Francis is a retreat center today.

California Missions of the 19th Century

The last three California missions were built within the first quarter of the 19th century. Mission Santa Inés (1804), Mission San Rafael Arcángel (1817), and Mission San Francisco Solano (1823) came next.

• Mission Santa Inés was the last southern California mission. Named for the Catholic saint Agnes, its nearby neighboring town was founded by Danish settlers. The chapel was painted in bright colors. Like many California missions, Santa Inés had a vineyard and made wines.
• Mission San Rafael Arcángel was named after Rafael the archangel. Residents of the mission treated thousands of natives during the smallpox outbreaks of the 1820s. Originally named as mission resource, or“Asistencia,” in 1817, San Rafael was named to full mission status in 1822. Hearst Foundations rebuilt the razed original buildings in 1949.
• Mission San Francisco Solano, named after a Peruvian patron saint, was the final California mission. The “eye of heaven” positioned above the altar was said to represent God’s watching over the church. The location of the mission in Sonoma intersected many mission trails in northern Alta California. When California declared independence from Mexico in 1846, the new flag was hoisted over Mission San Francisco Solano.

California Missions Challenges

California’s weather was unpredictable to California mission settlers. Earthquakes and inclement weather created the need to constantly repair the chapels, churches, and residences. Drought, hunger, and fire occurred on the missions. Later missions included aqueducts to provide a steady supply of water. Filtration systems were in occasional use.

Relationships between natives and mission settlers were cordial in some areas and hostile in others. Thousands of indigenous Americans were buried on mission grounds.

Importance of the California Missions

The establishment of California’s missions provides a tangible representation of California’s history. Over time, cities sprang up around the missions and became today’s largest cities, including San Francisco, San Diego, San Jose, and Santa Barbara.

What’s your favorite mission? Do you have a different spot to recommend? Leave a comment below.

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Day Trip to Lake Baikal and Listvyanka, Russia

• Post author: Hasan Mahmud
• Post published: July 27, 2016
• Post category: EUROPE / Russia
• Post comments: 0 Comments

Listvyanka is an urban locality in Irkutsk District of  Irkutsk  Oblast, Russia, located 70 kilometers from Irkutsk, near the point where the Angara River meets Lake Baikal. My most liked places beside Lake Baikal are the villages with dotted wooden houses. No wonder why it is one of the most visited places in Russia during the summer.

Getting There & Around

There are plenty of private taxies available in Irkutsk. We found many of them waiting just outside of our hotel and the cost should be somewhat similar to the below list:

Things to See in Listvyanka & Lake Baikal

Visit the taltsy museum.

We took a scenic road trip to Listvyanka and Lake Baikal. In addition, we make a quick stop at an open-air museum called Taltsy one of the largest museums of wooden architecture in Siberia. This place is located by Lake Baikal with a beautiful view only about 47 km from Irkutsk.

I enjoyed a few of the historic monuments in Taltsy such as the Savior’s gate tower of the strong (fort), and an active Kazan Chapel (1679). After that, we headed towards Listvyanka.

Watch Sunset from Chesky Stone Hill Lookout

In the evening, the best way to end your day is to watch a spectacular sunset. For instance, nothing can beat the beautiful sunset scene of Lake Baikal from an elevation of 755 meters. I couldn’t afford to miss it. Therefore, we visited the Chersky Stone lookout and enjoyed the stunning view of the Southern part of Baikal, port Baikal, and Khamar-Daban mountain range.

We started driving uphill for about 2 km. After that, we needed to take a cable car to get to the top of the hill. Once on the top, a scenic short walk will lead you to the lookout. There is a cafe with a terrace at the top if you are interested to relax and spend some time up there.

Beautiful View of Lake Baikal From The Lookout

Explore Fish Market and souvenirs Shops

Located in the Listvyanka village by Lake Baikal. The local market by the lake was interesting. It was fun to see people selling smoked fish, dried and steam fish special the local catch from the lake Baikal called Omul fish that can be found only in Lake Baikal. So I did not hesitate to spend much time but to try all kinds of Omul delicacy offered by the locals.

Trying Out Smoked Omul Fish

One of the famous restaurant by the lake in the town of Listvyanka is Sval Restaurant worth paying a visit. Since I am interested to try local fish from Lake Baikal so I could not miss this opportunity. In short, I did try Omul fish fresh out of Lake Baikal. I tried a few of their items from their fish menu. Most importantly, you got to try the Omul fish soup.

The Omul fish soup looks very simple but the taste was unbelievably delicious. I am not fond of fish soup. however I enjoyed every drop of it.

By the way, they are so busy don’t even have time for you to pay any special service or attention so before you start to order just make up your mind exactly what you really want otherwise you are inviting discomfort.

A Boat Ride In Lake Baikal

There are many activities in Lake Baikal to make your trip the most enjoyable one. Above all, renting a private boat and crusing in the lake is the most popular one. Apart from that there are public boats that will take you to Bolshie Koty (18km, 30 min one way), Sandy Bay – Bukhta Peschannaya (90km, 2 hrs one way) or visit port Baikal (25 min one way)

The ferry to Port Baikal (departs from the Baikal Museum peer, Listvyanka) is also available for a scenic ride. But, we rented a speedboat to move around.

Shaman Rock where Angara river meets Lake Baikal

Shamon-rock is a subject of many popular legends and myths about Baikal Lake and the Angara river, besides it is one of the main symbols of Baikal Lake. According to one legend, furious Baikal threw this rock after his daughter (the Angara River) to prevent her from running away without his permission to her beloved Enisey River

Saint Nicolas Church

Listvyanka’s small mid-19th-century timber church of St. Nicholas was built by Russian merchant, Ksenofont Serebryakov. Less than a mile away from the lake may be a spot you should not miss. A legend says that he had nearly drowned during a heavy storm on Lake Baikal and decided to build a church in honor of St. Nicholas, the patron, and defender of sailors and fishermen.

Hiking Along The Circum Baikal Railway Track

We boarded on a speedboat from Listvyanka and got off at the southern shore of Lake Baikal. While on the exciting boat journey of about 5 to 6 km towards Slyudyanka (a lakeside village), we really enjoyed the scenic beauty of Lake Baikal. We started hiking along the lake towards the Circum Baikal railway track once we got off the boat. While following the railway tracks and heading towards the port Baikal, we encountered a lot of beautiful scenic places on the 5 km stretch.

While walking along the railway track we went through a few tunnels and those flies did not stop following us until we reached Port Baikal. I got a few bites but hey it was part of our adventure.

Wondering Around Port Baikal

Just the other side of the Angara river. Therefore getting there is easy just get on to a public ferry or rent a private speedboat. It’s beautiful to spend some time there. The railway museum is one of the attractions in Port Baikal.

Mayak Hotel, Ulitsa Gor’kogo, Listvyanka

Mayak Hotel is located right by Lake Baikal.

Where I Stayed in Irkutsk 

Angara Hotel, Sukhe-Bator Street 7, Irkutsk

This hotel is at Kirov square, this downtown hotel is a 9-minute walk from a tram stop, a 6-minute walk from the landmark Cathedral of the Epiphany and 3.1 km from regional art at the V.P.Sukachev manor museum. The famous Angara river is just a few blocks away.

Restaurants I Tried In Listvyanka

Cafe sarma, gorkovo st., 2v, listvyanka.

A great restaurant got to try out the local delicacy and experience the traditional taste of Lake Baikal.

Shaman Cafe, Gorkogo St., 29D, Listvyanka

Nice and cozy environment. If you are fortunate, you can secure a table by the window on the second floor from where you can see a stunning view of Lake Baikal.

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Hasan Mahmud

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Lake Baikal

• 1.1 History
• 1.2 Landscape
• 1.3 Flora and fauna
• 1.4 Climate
• 2.2 By train
• 3 Get around
• 5.1 Itineraries
• 9.1.1 Eastern shore
• 9.1.2 Western shore
• 10 Stay safe

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The lake is located in Eastern Siberia , between Irkutsk Oblast to the northwest and Buryatia to the southeast. It is the planet's deepest (1637m) and oldest lake, as well as its largest body of freshwater by volume, containing over one fifth of the world's supply. The origins of the name are unknown, but several hypotheses are these: deep water (Yakut), rich lake (Turkic), rich fire (Mongolian), northern sea (Chinese). Russians sometimes call the lake Baikal sea because of its size.

The lake's geological formation started around 20-25 million years ago in the Mesozoic era. Its rift is continuing to widen 2 cm a year. The first mention of its name appeared in Chinese writings in 110 BC as "Beihai" (Northern Sea). Several cultures have flourished on its shores, and in the 18th century Buryat nationality came into being. Russian sources first mentioned Baikal in 1640. Exploration and description by Russian Cossacks and the Church continued until the first scientific expedition in 1723. On 13 October 1905 the Circum-Baikal Railway was opened. In 1916 Barguzinsky Nature Reserve was organized. In 1990, wind-surfers from Russia, Austria and Czechoslovakia first crossed the widest place of the lake. In 1991 the deepest spot on the lake's bottom was reached. In 1996, the Baikal became a part of UNESCO Heritage. The vessel "Sevan" began cruise tours in 2003.

Baikal mountains surrounding the valley and the lake consist of a few ranges. In the west there are the Baikal Mountains, in the east the Zabaikalskie Mountains. The Angara River is the only outflow of Lake Baikal. The ranges, rivers and valleys are tourist attractions of their own.

Itineraries

• Frolikha Adventure Coastline Track, as part of the future Great Baikal Trail [ dead link ] .

Souvenirs are sold near the omul sellers (see below), and tend to be cheaper than in other Russian cities. There are several boats at the main dock who take on tourists when not fishing. The prices are negotiable, try to find other tourists who want to ride and get cheaper prices by being in a large group. Sometimes a kid with broken English acts as an intermediary for the price haggling.

The smoked omul sold by several fish sellers on the edge of the lake is wonderful, and there is a restaurant on the lake's edge with good fish, along with several bars and small groceries. But in 2018, it was forbidden to catch during spawning because the population had declined, so you will not find omul .

Everything in Listvyanka is within walking distance, including a small post office.

You should taste local Buryat dumplings - Boozy.

Baikal water is drinkable and almost distilled as the amount of mineral salts is infinitesimal.

You may stay in Irkutsk or Ulan-Ude, make a day trip to the lake and get back.

Lake-side towns:

• Listvyanka , Irkutsk Oblast , the most popular destination with a number of hotels.
• Severobaikalsk , Buryatia , the city in the north with a number of hotels.
• Slyudyanka , the southmost village.

'Rest bases' of the Baikal are Russian type of countryside wooden houses with facilities offering excursions to the local sights. They often are located in villages or nearby.

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