| We are an Affiliate! We hope you love the products we recommend! As an Amazon Associate and affiliate of other programs we earn from qualifying purchases, and we may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. Thank you if you use our links, we really appreciate it! |
The best lenses for vlogging actually have a few important factors that you don’t want to get wrong, or you could put yourself off the vlogging experience. This article will cut through the fog and show you the right lens for your camera.
The best lens for Canon depending on your system is the Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM used by popular blogger Casey Neistat. For Sony the best lens is the Sony FE 24-240mm f/3.5-6.3 OSS a mainstay in FunForLouis’s kit.
Last update on 2022-09-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
FunForLouis and Casey are the grandads of vlogging, with the former possibly the first daily vlogger ever and the later taking vlogging to the next level.
But these two vloggers don’t have just one lens in their bag and there are different types of vloggers with different budgets, so we need to go into more detail.
How to Choose a Vlogging Lens
Let’s talk about a few factors you need to consider when choosing the best vlogging lenses for you.
Wide Angle Lens
The first consideration is that it has to be a wide angle lens. Vlogging by nature is done hand held, so you will be holding your hand up with the camera at arms length to get yourself in shot.
The lens that isn’t wide enough will not get enough of you in frame or will require you to hold your arm at an uncomfortable reach just to get a good angle.
Zoom Lens
Primes are great lenses because they are built for one focal length and because of this usually have much better quality. But having the focal range of a zoom means opportunity for more alternative options.
If you want to cover the breadth of range of a typical zoom you with prime lenses you would probably need three lenses. Possibly a wide, mid and telephoto.
That’s more space and weight in the bag, a lot more time, changing between lens and possibly costing you the shot if you’re taking time changing between lens.
A zoom lens while losing a little quality means you have more options and you can quickly go from one end of the range to the other.
Vlogging isn’t just about wide selfie shots. A good videographer will include varied shots to complement the wide shots. B-roll, tighter shots, macro shots etc.
Image Stabilization
Not particularly important but incredibly handy if available in a lens is image stabilization.
Holding your arm out to vlog will not make for the most stable shot. Because your arm is out you will not be able to continuously hold it steady as you move around.
Using a Joby Gorilla pod will help reduce the amount of micro shakes that end up in the video, but , but have IS will help out even more.
You can get IBIS, which is image stabilization in the camera and IS in the lens. Or a combination of both.
There is an added cost to this so be aware.
Best Lens for Vlogging on Canon
There are four camera systems available at Canon, which at some point they will have to address. The now old school EF-S and EF lens mount, which has been replaced by the RF mount. Then there is the M original mirroress mount.
Canon EF-S 10-18 F/4.5-5.6mm STM Lens
This lens was made famous by possibly the man who revolutionized vlogging, Casey Neistat.
- EF S ultra wide zoom lens. Drive System Lead screw and rack system driven by stepping motor
- Focal Length and Maximum Aperture: 10 18 millimeter, 1:4.5; 5.6
Last update on 2022-09-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The great thing about this lens is wide at 10mm. Because this is an EF-S lens that means this is a crop lens, so if we use the crop factor of 1.6, this translates to 16mm at its widest.
Canon’s 16mm L mount lens are incredibly expensive so it’s great to know this lens will be much kinder to your budget.
It’s not the fastest lens out there, so you will find some lacking in low light and achieving really creamy bokeh, but I don’t think that held Casey back so it shouldn’t be with you.
The Canon EF 24-105mm F/4L IS II USM Lens
The first iteration was my first lens, which is usually a standard kit lens for the bigger full frame cameras like the 5D. However do remember, that EF lens will work on both full frame and APS-C lens, where APS-C will only work on crop Canon cameras.
- All-new optical design with significant improvements in peripheral brightness.
- High-performance standard zoom lens with constant f/4L aperture and a broad angle of view covering from wide angle to mid-telephoto.
Last update on 2022-09-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The 24-105 is a great solid built lens and produces top quality images. I was very happy with my lens, however for me it wasn’t fast enough at F4. I opted for the Canon 24-70mm 2.8L, which is one lens I will never sell.
This is an L lens which means it is from the professional range of Canon lenses notable for the red ring near the focus ring.
Canon EF-M 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM Lens
The M mount is for the original mirrorless mount system from Canon. To be honest, now that we have the RF mount I think that means this camera system is doomed.
- Canon EF-M 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM Lens (Graphite)
- Diagonal Angle of View: 74°20' - 27°50'
Last update on 2022-09-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
There are still great cameras like the M50, which is a great camera for getting started on YouTube, but if you want to futureproof your gear, invest in the RF mount.
That said, the 18-150mm represents a wide range of focal lengths to choose from. I would even say you could get away using just this one lens for most video needs.
Canon RF 24-105mm F4-7.1 IS STM Lens
This is a new RF lens which is the non-L version of the RF 24-105mm F4L. So while it may lack a little less in quality it is still a great lens for its value.
- Compact, Lightweight and High-Quality RF Lens with a Versatile Zoom Range of 24-105mm*.
- Optical Image Stabilization at up to 5 Stops** of Shake Correction.
Last update on 2022-09-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
You are getting the full focal range of the L version but losing a few stops of light at the telephoto end. This basically means you are getting less light at 105mm and will have to compensate with a longer shutter speed of higher ISO.
Best Lens for Vlogging on Sony
FunForLouis is a Sony ambassador and has had access to nearly all the wide lenses on the Sony system so when he tells you he has one lens that he never leaves without, it must be good.
Sony FE 24-240mm f/3.5-6.3 OSS
The Sony FE 24-240mm is not a new lens, but it is the lens Louis Cole cannot live without.
- A perfect match for α7 series, 35mm full-frame E-mount cameras, 10x magnification with a wide 24mm to super tele 240mm, Optical Steady Shot image stabilization for handheld shooting
- Minimum Focus Distance : 1.64 ft-2.63 ft (0.5 m-0.8 m), Maximum Magnification ratio : 0.27x, Focal-Length : 24-240 mm. Filter Diameter - 72 mm.
Last update on 2022-09-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
At the 24mm end it is perfect for filming and at the 240mm end Louis says it is perfect for zooming into cool sunsets and anything else requiring a telephoto focal length.
The f/3.5-6.3 means that the lens is quite light, which is perfect for vloggers on the move.
This lens also incorporates the Optical SteadyShot for top of the line image stabilization. Which means sharper images and video.
SONY FE 16-35MM F/2.8 GM WIDE ANGLE ZOOM LENS
This G mount lens is from Sony’s professional range of lens and the equivalent to Canons L professional lenses lineup.
The 16-35mm is going to be the best quality lens for this popular zoom focal range. It has the perfect range between 16-35 and will be wide but without the distortion of wider focal lengths.
- Designed to achieve 50 Line pairs/mm resolving power
- Two XA (extreme aspherical) elements w/ high surface precision. Minimum focus distance - 0.28 m (0.92 ft). Maximum Magnification ratio (x)- 0.19
Last update on 2022-09-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The 2.8 aperture means this is a super fast lens and will be great in low light and will produce great shallow depth of field images.
Best Lenses for Vlogging Round Up
I want to keep this list of the best lenses for vlogging to a small selection and not give you too many options that it overwhelms your decision making.
There are hundreds of lenses available but these particular ones I have mentioned you will find in many YouTuber’s arsenal.
Of course as you increase your budget you will find other lenses and cameras for different shooting scenarios, but these lenses will always cover you for vlogging.
Don’t forget to check out the odd vlog on my YouTube, but also for more content on business for creative content makers!
Artist / Photographer / Videographer