12 APS-C Lenses That Outperform Full-Frame: Budget-Friendly and Lightweight
Jan 25, 2025I used to believe that great shots required spending a fortune on lenses, but my perspective has changed. Despite owning two full-frame cameras, I often find myself reaching for my APS-C camera and lenses. Why? because they're smaller and lighter and still deliver exceptional results.
I also made a Youtube Video on this comparison so you can watch it after you read this blog.
Choosing the Right Lens
If you're unsure which lens is right for you, I offer FREE PROJECT FILES with each of the lenses I'll discuss. Download them and experiment with your editing software to see the results firsthand. Maintaining the site that hosts these files is expensive, so if you decide to purchase any of these lenses, using the affiliate links below would be greatly appreciated.
This isn't a sponsored video, and I'm not focusing on a single lens mount. These lenses are available in various mounts, so double-check your camera's compatibility before purchasing.
My Experience with APS-C Lenses
These lenses are all from reputable companies, guaranteeing excellent image quality. I've personally used them all in various situations and want to share my experiences, especially if you're considering an APS-C lens.
Keep in mind that prices can fluctuate, so the prices I mention might differ from the affiliate links.
Why APS-C?
For the past three months, I've used the Sony FX30 with an APS-C lens for overhead shots. I love the extra reach and the amazing image quality.
If you're still unsure after reading this blog, I've created a FREE LENS QUIZ to help you choose the right camera or lens. It asks specific questions and recommends the best option based on your answers.
1. TTArtisans 25mm f/1.8
L-Mount - https://geni.us/LKUcvPA
Canon RF Mount - https://bhpho.to/3P1skkF
Fuji X-Mount - https://geni.us/AHd28 or https://geni.us/icK5c
Sony E-Mount - https://geni.us/NyUtGT or https://geni.us/KW5KhW
This lens is incredibly affordable, priced between $55 and $64, and has received rave reviews. It's available in almost every mount you can think of. I've used it extensively over the past few months for my comparison videos, and it's incredibly sharp.
With an equivalent focal length of 37mm on a full-frame camera, it's perfect for everyday shooting. It's relatively new but has already earned a solid 4.2 out of 5-star rating on Amazon.
I loved using this lens on a Fuji camera. The manual focus encouraged me to be more creative, and the price is unbeatable.
The f/2 aperture makes it suitable for various lighting conditions, from dimly lit interiors to nighttime shots.
The lens has an all-metal body, giving it a solid, high-quality feel. But what truly impressed me was the bokeh. It beautifully blurs the background, creating a dreamy, artistic look.
2. Sigma 16mm f/1.4
Nikon Z - https://geni.us/iprNcr or https://geni.us/nQoYU
L-Mount - https://bhpho.to/4iNR2Th
Canon EF-M- https://geni.us/jZplD or https://geni.us/CIxaU9
Fuji X-Mount - https://geni.us/uFS0M or https://geni.us/y5PJJ
Sony E-Mount - https://geni.us/6TlPh or https://geni.us/9GXDO
This lens is popular for its sharpness and incredible feel, especially for vloggers. It can be used as a grip, and on an APS-C camera, it provides a 24mm full-frame equivalent.
It's on the pricier side at $419, but since its release in late 2017, you can find used ones in the upper $200s.
It's fantastic for capturing everyday moments with a natural perspective. It's wide enough for environmental portraits or street photography but can also be used for landscapes or architecture.
While it's an amazing lens, it's a bit bulky for travel. If you need something more compact, consider the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8.
3. Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8
L-Mount - https://geni.us/J9j83B or https://geni.us/ZAgrv5
Canon RF Mount - https://geni.us/mU14VU or https://geni.us/dmdy5
Fuji X-Mount - https://geni.us/1xxIX or https://geni.us/bi5KrTT
Sony E-Mount - https://geni.us/pE8B5jm or https://geni.us/AJZr2
This lens offers fantastic image quality in a compact size. It's a significant upgrade from kit lenses and is available in Canon RF, Sony E, Fuji X, and Leica L-mount.
Priced at $519, it was a strong contender when I purchased the a6700 in 2023.
Sigma introduced this lens in October 2021. It has a minimum focus distance of 4.8 inches, weather sealing, and an aperture range of f/2.8 to f/22.
I love the constant f/2.8 aperture throughout the zoom range. It produces sharp images, and the autofocus is quick and reliable.
It's more expensive than a Sony kit lens, but I believe it's worth the investment. However, it lacks built-in image stabilization, so consider a gimbal or monopod for smooth video footage.
I often use this lens for general purposes, including headshots and run-and-gun shooting. 
4. Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8
Fuji X-Mount - https://geni.us/oRnhaTI or https://geni.us/DxkjQ
Sony E-mount - https://geni.us/i6sajX or https://geni.us/aNF9N4
The Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 is the most expensive lens on this list but offers the most focal range, from 25 to 105 full-frame equivalent.
It's ideal for wedding photographers and videographers who need both tight and wide shots without changing lenses.
It has a constant f/2.8 aperture and excels for those who need a quick and versatile lens.
If you need a lens for various situations, like vlogging, product reviews, and capturing b-roll footage, this is the one for you.
5. Sigma 30mm f/1.4
L-Mount - https://geni.us/ZB8W or https://geni.us/TAeFPw
Canon RF Mount - https://geni.us/ZN7go or https://geni.us/Y4A0iOy
Fuji X-Mount - https://geni.us/Gp0ZGHm or https://geni.us/KENdi
Sony E-Mount - https://geni.us/F1Co6 or https://geni.us/TagX
Priced between $250 and $300, this lens is much more affordable than full-frame prime lenses. It offers similar image quality to my $800 35mm f/1.4 prime lens, despite its full-frame equivalent being 45mm.
It's one of the most popular lenses on this list, with a 4.8 out of 5-star rating and over 4,000 reviews. It's available in all major lens mounts.
A 45mm prime lens is a specialist but excels in certain types of photography and video. It's perfect for street photography, environmental portraits, and capturing candid moments.
The f/1.4 aperture allows for a shallow depth of field and beautiful background blur.
The Sigma 30 was launched in February 2016, and its longevity speaks to its popularity.
It has a minimum focus distance of 11 inches and a maximum aperture of f/16. I found it challenging to use outdoors in bright daylight without an ND filter.
I would use this lens for mid-range client headshots and as a B-camera lens.
6. Viltrox 75mm f/1.2
Nikon Z - https://geni.us/woDq or https://geni.us/3te9K
Fuji X-Mount - https://geni.us/tOiryk or https://geni.us/jaxEXu
Sony E-Mount - https://geni.us/zt2urMU or https://geni.us/cSHFK
Priced around $580, this lens has actually increased in price over the past six months.
It's available in Sony E-mount, Fuji X, and Nikon Z.
This is the sharpest lens I've mentioned so far. It's my top choice for portrait headshots and client talking-head shots.
However, I've noticed that when subjects are farther from the camera at f/1.2, the background blur can look excessive. Stopping down to f/2.8 often creates a more natural look.
Released in December 2022, it has a 4.4 out of 5-star rating on Amazon.
Be cautious when shooting handheld with this lens, as it can cause rolling shutter effects. For optimal results, use a gimbal or tripod.
It features autofocus, and my tests confirmed its speed and reliability.
With an aperture range of f/1.2 to f/16 and weather sealing, it's great for outdoor shooting.
7. Sirui 35mm f/1.8 Anamorphic
Nikon Z Adapter - https://geni.us/MjDZfiN or https://geni.us/RxY74
Canon EF-M Adapter - https://geni.us/ypNhFXc
Sony E-Mount Adapter - https://geni.us/pwzdz or https://geni.us/1i9NiB
This lens is priced around $509 but doesn't have a native Sony E-mount version. To use it with E-mount cameras, you’ll need an adapter ring.
It's available in other mounts, so ensure compatibility with your APS-C camera.
Anamorphic lenses can be expensive, but this one is a budget-friendly option. It has a 4.2-out-of-5-star rating on Amazon.
The Sirui 35 anamorphic lens was released in 2023. Anamorphic lenses create a cinematic look by capturing extra-wide footage.
This lens offers a 1.33x de-squeeze factor and avoids the distortion common with wide-angle lenses. The Sony FX30 has a de-squeeze function for accurate monitoring, but other cameras might require post-production adjustments.
The minimum focus distance is 2' 8", making it unsuitable for close-ups. The 35mm focal length (50mm full-frame equivalent) can also be limiting in small spaces.
It's a manual focus lens, making it challenging for self-filming due to the minimum focus distance.
This is not a run-and-gun lens; it's best suited for narrative filmmaking. Anamorphic lenses produce beautiful light streaks, a signature cinematic look.
8. 7artisans 25mm t/1.05
L-Mount - https://geni.us/hSU3iYA or https://geni.us/5icAUDa
Canon RF Mount - https://geni.us/IWEd4D or https://geni.us/hKi4
Fuji X-Mount - https://geni.us/BBxSQBY or https://geni.us/wNa4D
Sony E-Mount - https://geni.us/c2nQKe or https://geni.us/QZT9Yr
This lens, priced around $466, doesn't distort the image like an anamorphic lens. It can be used with any APS-C camera to achieve a cinematic look.
It has a 4.1 out of 5-star rating on Amazon.
The 7Artisans 25mm t/1.05 was released in December 2021. I was impressed by the accurate skin tones, even in low-light conditions.
With a minimum focus distance of 2' and a weight of 956g, it can be front-heavy on smaller cameras. Consider using a rig for balance.
It's a manual focus lens, which offers greater control over focus.
I would use this lens for cinema photography, especially in run-and-gun situations. The background effects and f/1.05 aperture are excellent for low-light conditions. However, due to manual focus, it's not ideal for client headshots or portrait videography.
9. Viltrox AF 23mm f/1.4
Nikon Z - https://geni.us/uWstodt
Canon EF-M - https://geni.us/FfCII
Fuji X-Mount - https://geni.us/1WoDOZ or https://geni.us/DHAXyA
Sony E-Mount - https://geni.us/5Q3prxD or https://geni.us/E9lhH1M
This is one of my favorite lenses on this list due to its versatility.
It costs $299 and is compatible with Sony E, Fuji X, Nikon Z, and Canon EF. It has a 4.8-out-of-5-star rating on Amazon.
I used this lens with Fujifilm X-T5, X-T50, and Sony a6700 cameras. It was my go-to lens despite owning other primes and zooms.
The 23mm focal length (35mm full-frame equivalent) is wide enough without excessive distortion and can also create close-ups. It's handy for indoor shots where space is limited.
The f/1.4 aperture offers flexibility with depth of field and low-light shooting. The autofocus performs well with both Fuji and Sony cameras.
The image quality is generally good, although I've noticed some purple fringing in a harsh light at wide apertures. The bokeh can be slightly messy at times, but it's not a major drawback.
It's a great size for everyday use. Overall, it's a fantastic choice, especially for the price.
10. Sigma 56mm f/1.4
Nikon Z - https://geni.us/5Xbn1 or https://geni.us/eTh4g
L-Mount - https://geni.us/7Y6I or https://geni.us/7Y6I
Canon EF-M - https://geni.us/BFeWA4p or https://geni.us/PkRvRxB
Fuji X-Mount - https://geni.us/aLRVeU or https://geni.us/GKOXu
Sony E-Mount - https://geni.us/q4wi3 or https://geni.us/Y82lYwB
This is another excellent portrait lens for both photography and client headshots.
It's available in all major lens mounts and starts at $479, making it about $100 cheaper than the Viltrox 75mm f/1.4. It has a 4.8 out of 5-star rating on Amazon.
The Sigma 56mm combines a slightly longer focal length with a wide aperture, perfect for portraits with a creamy background blur.
If I had a budget of around $500 and needed a lens for client headshots, this would be my choice.
It's also great for low-light shooting and product photography.
Like the Viltrox 75mm, I recommend using a tripod or gimbal with this lens.
11. Viltrox 13mm f/1.4
Fuji X-Mount - https://geni.us/Yekc or https://geni.us/J6EHqF
Nikon Z - https://geni.us/p2PabM or https://geni.us/muQ4U7
Sony E-Mount - https://geni.us/ODcs or https://geni.us/rGSS3
This lens is much smaller than the Sigma 16mm, making it ideal for travel.
Priced around $459, it's one of the sharpest lenses I own. It's an excellent choice for vlogging and real estate photography due to its impressive autofocus.
It's available in Sony E-mount, Fuji X, and Nikon Z, with a 4.7 out of 5-star rating on Amazon.
The Viltrox 13mm was released in January 2022. The f/1.4 aperture excels in low-light conditions. The 20mm full-frame equivalent is perfect for expansive scenes.
With a minimum focus distance of about 8 inches, it's well-suited for close-ups and product photography.
The skin tones produced by this lens are superior to those from the Viltrox 75mm f/1.4, possibly due to the difference in focal length.
The minimum aperture of f/16 allows for the effective use of ND filters in bright environments.
I would use the Viltrox 13mm for vlogging, on-the-go content creation, and landscape shots.
12. Kit Lens
Sony Kit Lens - https://geni.us/AwwuK or https://geni.us/J8u7
Fuji Kit Lens - https://geni.us/fUfsU or https://geni.us/KrVMW
I couldn't complete this list without mentioning the kit lens.
Most cameras offer a kit lens option, which provides a significant discount when purchased with the camera.
Kit lenses offer a versatile zoom range, typically covering wide-angle to short telephoto. They are affordable, lightweight, and compact, making them convenient for everyday photography and travel.
While not as fast or sharp as prime or standard zoom lenses, they are a good starting point until you can upgrade.
I started with a kit lens on my a7iii and used it for many client shots.
(Shot with Sony Kit Lens)
Conclusion
I hope this blog has provided valuable insights into the world of APS-C lenses. Remember to check out my free camera quiz and the free project files for this video. Have a great week! - Joe
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