10 Best Camera Lenses in the Philippines | Best of Tech 2023

Rather than often upgrading your camera, a lens is usually a better investment because it will last far longer than a camera body. It’s also a factor that cameras become obsolete quickly and their used values plummet, especially when newer models are launched. On the other side, many lenses can now be resold for the same price! The best part is that these lenses broaden the scope of what your camera can do, enabling anything from wide-angle images to powerful optical zoom capabilities. With an extensive brand of camera lenses in the market, which then is the best in the Philippines? In our Best of Tech series, we introduce the 10 Best Camera Lenses in the Philippines, providing quality recommendations based on your budget and camera needs. 

This article was last updated on 11 January 2023.

10 Best Camera Lenses in the Philippines

1. Tamron A025 SP 70-200mm F/2.8 Di VC USD G2 Lens

A popular telephoto zoom lens

When traveling or even spending a day hiking, you can’t afford the extra weight and space of five lenses in a backpack or bag. This is where telezooms come in. A telephoto zoom lens is one of the most useful lenses in many camera kits, and Tamron’s 70-200mm focal length range is suitable for a variety of purposes and quite popular. For starters, it’s a rugged lens that can be used in any scenario and provides high-quality images over the bulk of its focus range. It also offers a stunning f/2.8 constant maximum aperture and superior optical and physical innovations.

Sturdy and feature-rich

On top of all the optical assets, this 70-200mm f/2.8 lens also has a sophisticated Vibration Compensation (VC) technology that adjusts for up to five stops of camera shake for crisper handheld photography. There is also a ring-type Ultrasonic Silent Drive autofocus motor for responsive and accurate performance, as well as a full-time manual focus override for fine-tuned control. In addition, the lens is dust- and moisture-resistant for use in harsh environments, and it comes with a rotating, removable tripod foot with an Arca-type compatible base for shooting with a tripod or monopod.

Given all of these incredible qualities, it’s no news that this camera lens is on the pricey side. Still, we feel it is well worth the money because this Tamron lens consistently produces clean and high-quality images.

Why buy this:

• Packed with many fantastic features
• Dust- and moisture-resistant construction
• Curved, ergonomic shape for easy handling
• Pleasing bokeh quality

2. AF-S NIKKOR 16-35mm f/4G ED VR Camera Lens

Best basic full-frame lens

The Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 16-35mm lens needs no introduction if you’re looking for a do-anything lens for your Nikon DSLR. You get not just a broad range of focal lengths, but also the handheld stability of Nikon’s VR (Vibration Reduction) image stabilization, precise focusing, and rich color rendering. Furthermore, having an f/4 fixed aperture lens that spans the focal range without losing brightness or depth of field is a plus.  So, this lens basically can capture sceneries, architecture, and even people in breathtaking detail.

To top it off, the autofocus is quick and silent, and there’s a Nano Crystal Coat to reduce internal reflections while also decreasing ghost and flare and sealing against dust and moisture. And with the ultra-fast, ultra-quiet Silent Wave Motor (SWM) internal focusing motor, the AF-S NIKKOR 16–35mm f/4G ED VR is definitely a sophisticated lens for today’s advanced DSLR cameras.

Why buy this:

• Good sharpness
• Ultra-wide field of view without losing brightness
• Optically stabilized with Vibration Reduction

3. Sony SEL50F25G / FE 50 mm F2.5 G Lens 

With weather-sealing for a more rugged feel

The 50mm primary lens is often the first lens added to a kit to spice up a beginner zoom, but the Sony FE 50mm might easily be overlooked as merely another prime for the system. However, we feel it defines itself with its compact size and superior build! This compact new lens features a quality weather-sealed design, a de-clickable aperture ring, and a focus hold button. Weather-sealing also contributes to the strong feel, so you can give it a solid splash and it will continue to shoot undisturbed. So, it’s no exaggeration to say that the FE 50mm F2.5 G is one of our favorite camera lenses in the Philippines. We adore its light build, optical performance, and weather protection!

Why buy this:

• Small and light build
• Dust and splash protection
• Outstanding resolution

4. Canon EF-M11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM Camera Lenses

The EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM is the ideal addition for EOS M series mirrorless camera users looking for an ultra-wide-angle lens, with a flexible wide-angle zoom range, first-class optical performance, and a fantastic overall design. We really like that it’s collapsible, so it takes up less space in your gear bag when not in use. Although it is not the least expensive option for an ultra-wide-angle zoom lens, the combination of a competitive price, extremely good image quality, and a strong design make this lens a great pick. So when the tiny size and native mount are also taken into account, we believe that this will be the first choice for many EOS M system users!

Why buy this:

• Compact, retractable lens design
• Ultra-wide zoom lens
• Great price point

5. Sigma 30mm f/1.4 Contemporary Camera Lenses

Great value for money

There’s a lot to like about the Sigma 30mm f/1.4, not least its bargain price, which makes it one of the best value camera lenses on the market. The image quality and autofocus capability are both excellent. Despite the lack of a focus switch, it’s well-made, small, lightweight, and well-priced. And, as with other Sigma lenses, better build quality is an essential part of its appeal, especially with the Global Vision designs. At roughly P14,000, we believe this lens is a pretty strong performer that won’t break the bank.

Why buy this:

• Good bokeh and image quality
• Sleek and compact
• Well-built but lightweight

6. Yongnuo YN50mm F1.8 Camera Lenses

Best budget 50mm camera lens

The compact, lightweight 50mm f/1.8 lens is meant to be fun and cheery, and no camera lens can get any cheaper than this. With Canon and Nikon mounts available, it’s an excellent alternative for individuals on a tight budget who want to go beyond a kit lens and learn what a wide aperture can do. Also, the f/1.8 aperture allows you to isolate your subject while still achieving a soft, hazy backdrop. This is a fantastic prime lens for autofocus or manual shooters, and it is compatible with both full-frame and APS-C cameras! So, if you’re looking for the best affordable 50mm lens, we definitely recommend this one.

Why buy this:

• Best budget-friendly camera lens
• Compact and lightweight

7. Canon EF-S 24mm Lens

Lightweight and compact

The Canon EF-S 24mm, also recognized as the greatest pancake lens ever built, is compatible with all of Canon’s APS-C cameras. These pancake lenses significantly increase the portability of DSLRs and transform them into compact cameras! Moreover, the small and lightweight profile is ideal for street photography, travel photography, and even landscape photography. Despite the size, the image clarity is excellent, allowing you to focus from a distance of only 0.5 feet. So, we could say that this is really a fantastic lens that will not disappoint!

Why buy this:

• Small and lightweight
• Excellent image quality
• Useful focal length
• Affordable

8. Viltrox 85mm F1.8 STM Camera Lenses

The Viltrox AF 85mm f1.8 camera lens is one of the most reasonably priced large aperture 85mm autofocus lenses in the Philippines. But don’t be deceived by its affordable pricing! With all-metal construction, a minimum focus distance of 0.8 meters, and quiet autofocus, we believe it’s a solid lens with the high overall build quality. Moreover, it has superb Bokeh and can produce very crisp details when properly focused! In short, if you spring for the Viltrox, you won’t be easily disappointed because it provides those on a tight budget with a very feasible alternative for saving cash.

Why buy this:

• More affordable than other 85mm lenses
• Excellent bokeh and image quality

9. Canon EF 100-400mm Lens

Despite its age, the Canon EF 100-400mm remains one of the best DSLR camera lenses in the Philippines thanks to its sleek and professional design. Also, because of its vast focal length range and great picture and construction quality, the 100-400mm is one of Canon’s most popular serious wildlife and sports lenses. It’s simply long enough to get to some of the smaller and further away critters! Additionally, the rotating zoom on this high-performance model allows for the most precise composition while handholding. But the best thing is how tough it is, with water and dust resistance so you can shoot in the most extreme situations.

Why buy this:

• Tough build quality; water and dustproof
• Best for long-range zoom

10. Sigma 85mm Art Lens

Built for portrait photography

If you’re a portrait photographer, the Sigma 85mm Art lens features a wide, fast aperture that produces the smooth backdrops that everyone wants these days. It has a hypersonic motor, autofocus is quieter and significantly superior to earlier generations of this lens, and it outperforms the competition. We also think it’s really impressive because many online reviews claim it’s faster than alternatives and consistently hits the appropriate colors. Unfortunately, Sigma falls short when it comes to size and weight because it’s quite hefty and not at all travel-friendly. Despite this, it delivers superb picture clarity, perfect focus, and amazing performance at f/1.4!

Why buy this:

• Super sharp with beautiful bokeh
• Sumptuous image quality

We hope that our guide on the 10 Best Camera Lenses in the Philippines has helped you pick the best camera lens for your photography needs. Please share this with your family and friends if you have found it useful!

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