It’s a big decision to buy the best camera lens for your photography, but one of the first questions you have to answer is prime lens or zoom lens?
Prime lenses are good if you’re looking for something lightweight and versatile. Zoom lenses on the other hand offer greater flexibility.
So which of these two types of lenses is best for you? Let’s take a look at each type.
Table of Contents
What is a prime lens?
A prime lens is a lens in which the focal length does not change. The primary benefit is that, when combined with a camera with interchangeable lenses, the photographer can choose the angle of view and may even be able to change it during shooting. The primary disadvantages are that you need to carry more lenses and lose the ability to zoom in and out automatically. Many professional photographers find that they prefer prime lenses for this reason: they can select the best lens for an individual situation and they have more control over their work.
What is a zoom lens?
A zoom lens is a camera lens that can be used to produce different effects by adjusting the focal length. The zoom lens option will let you get closer to your subject, or it will allow you to take in more of the environment. Most professionals prefer either a fixed-length (i.e., prime) lens or, if they work with interchangeable lenses, one with a broad focal length range.
Prime Lenses Are More Affordable Than Zooms Lenses
Prime lenses are essentially the opposite of zoom lenses. Prime lenses are fixed-length while zoom lenses let you switch between various lengths to frame either a broader or narrower photo. Prime lenses are typically cheaper than zoom lenses because they’re simpler to manufacture and because they’re often smaller in size, which makes them easy to carry around for extended periods of time.
Prime Lenses Are Easier To Use For Beginners And Hobbyists
Prime lenses are typically more expensive than zoom lenses because they typically have a higher quality of build and optical components, produce sharper images and have better color correction.
Zoom lenses also suffer from 3.5-degree barrel distortion at the telephoto end and some vignetting when shooting wide and some zoom lens and some zooms show some noticeable barrel distortion at the wide end of their focal range. Prime lenses, on the other hand, feature a fixed focal length which helps reduce the need to purchase multiple lenses to cover all shooting needs.
Prime Lens Offer Better Low-Light Performance Compared To Zoom Lens
A prime lens is a fixed-length lens, as opposed to a zoom lens which has the ability to change the focal length. This might seem like a disadvantage, but many people prefer prime lenses for their sharpness and low light performance. Zoom lenses are more versatile on the other hand, which can make them more attractive for some photographers.
Prime Lenses Offer Higher Quality Photos
Prime lenses are prime for a reason: they offer better quality photos than zoom lenses. They’re sharper and can capture more detail, which is a good option for photographers who need the highest-quality photo possible.
Advantages Of Zoom Lenses
Below we’ll walk through the main advantages that zoom lenses have over prime lenses.
Zoom Lenses Are More Versatile
One of the main advantages that zoom lenses have over prime lenses is their versatility. Prime lenses require you to be standing in a specific range in relation to your subject, which can be frustrating if you want to capture shots in unusual situations with odd angles. Zoom lenses offer more flexibility because they give you the ability to adjust the focal length during shooting.
Zoom Lenses Have Higher Aperture Settings
Another advantage that zoom lenses have over prime lenses is that they typically have higher aperture settings. Aperture settings are how wide the shutter opens when you’re taking a photo, and the lower the number, the more light will pass through. The extra light can be useful for dark conditions where it’s tough to get a good picture without using flash or making your subject squint in bright conditions.
Conclusion: Are Prime Or Zoom Lenses Better?
Ultimately, prime and zoom lenses both have their strengths and weaknesses. Prime lenses are a good choice for people who need a sharp photo that captures more detail while shooting in low light. Zoom lenses offer extra versatility but are more expensive and are challenging to use when lighting conditions change quickly.
Most photographers will prefer a prime lens, but both have their uses and should be incorporated into every photographer’s camera lens kit.
