5 Budget Lenses for Beginners in 2025

Starting out in photography can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to choosing the right lenses. While high-end lenses can offer incredible performance, they’re not always necessary (or practical) for beginners. Fortunately, plenty of budget-friendly lenses deliver excellent image quality without sacrificing your savings. In this blog, we highlight five of the best budget lenses for beginners in 2025, including options for different camera systems. Whether you’re into portraits, travel, or macro photography, these lenses offer something for everyone.

1. Nikon AF-S 50mm f/1.8G: The Nifty Fifty

First up, we have the Nikon AF-S 50mm f/1.8G, also affectionately known as the “Nifty Fifty.” This lens is a classic for a reason. It’s sharp, lightweight, and offers a wide aperture of f/1.8, perfect for portraits with beautiful background blur (aka bokeh).

The Nifty Fifty is a versatile lens, ideal for both full-frame and APS-C Nikon DSLRs. APS-C cameras provide a slightly tighter focal length of 75mm, making it an excellent choice for portraiture or detailed shots. This lens is often pre-owned for under $150, making it one of the most affordable ways to elevate your photography.

Why It’s Great for Beginners:

• Sharpness: Excellent image quality even at wider apertures.
• Low-light Performance: The f/1.8 aperture allows more light in, making it a great lens for shooting in darker environments.

Affordable: High-quality glass at a price that won’t break the bank.

2. Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM: The Pancake Lens

For Canon users, the Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM is an outstanding choice, especially for those who need a compact, lightweight option. Often referred to as the “pancake lens,” this prime lens is ultra-portable, making it perfect for street photography, travel, or everyday shooting. The f/2.8 aperture offers great low-light performance and a smooth background blur.

You can typically find this lens pre-owned for around $110, making it one of the most affordable prime lenses available. Whether you’re capturing street scenes or wide-angle landscapes, this lens is a solid all-around performer for beginners.

Why It’s Great for Beginners:

• Compact Design: Ultra-portable, making it easy to carry around all day.
• Great for Travel & Street Photography: The wide-angle and small size make it ideal for capturing wide vistas or candid street shots.

Affordable: It offers fantastic value for its price.

3. Sony E 55-210mm f/4.5-6.3 OSS: Telephoto on a Budget

If you’re using a Sony mirrorless camera and want to explore telephoto photography (think wildlife, sports, or candid street shots), the Sony E 55-210mm f/4.5-6.3 OSS is a fantastic budget-friendly choice. This lens offers a nice zoom range, allowing you to get closer to subjects without physically moving. The built-in Optical SteadyShot (OSS) helps reduce camera shake when shooting at longer focal lengths, making it ideal for handheld shots.

This lens typically sells pre-owned for around $200, offering an affordable alternative to pricier telephoto zoom lenses. It’s a great starter telephoto lens for beginners who want to try their hand at longer focal lengths without spending a fortune.

Why It’s Great for Beginners:

• Versatile Zoom Range: A great all-around telephoto lens for many subjects.
• Optical SteadyShot: Helps minimize shake at longer focal lengths.
• Affordable: At around $200, it’s a great way to dive into telephoto photography.

4. Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM: A Versatile Zoom

For those looking for a more versatile zoom lens, the Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM is an excellent option for APS-C cameras. Whether you’re shooting landscapes, portraits, or events, the constant f/2.8 aperture ensures that you get consistent performance even in low-light situations. With optical stabilization (OS) and a fast aperture, it’s perfect for those who want a “do-it-all” lens at a budget-friendly price.

Pre-owned versions of this lens typically cost between $200-$350, which is a steal for a lens that offers such pro-level quality. Its range and sharpness make it a great all-around option for beginners who want a reliable, versatile zoom lens without spending too much.

Why It’s Great for Beginners:

• Fast, Constant Aperture: The f/2.8 aperture remains the same throughout the zoom range, providing excellent low-light performance.
• Optical Stabilization: Ideal for handheld shooting in challenging conditions.
• Versatile Range: Covers wide-angle to mid-telephoto focal lengths.

5. Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro: Macro Photography on a Budget

If you’re looking to dive into macro photography, the Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro is a fantastic, budget-friendly option that offers excellent performance at a price much lower than some of its competitors. This lens features a 1:1 magnification ratio, which allows you to capture incredibly detailed shots of tiny subjects, like insects, flowers, or products.

The f/2.8 aperture ensures sharpness and beautiful bokeh, and the Optical Stabilization (OS) makes handheld macro photography easier. Typically available for around $300-$430 pre-owned, this lens offers high-end macro capabilities without the high-end price tag.

Why It’s Great for Beginners:

• 1:1 Magnification: Perfect for true macro shots.
• Optical Stabilization: Helps reduce camera shake when shooting at very close distances.
• Affordable for Macro: Macro lenses tend to be expensive, but this one offers great value for its price.

Are one of these lenses the right fit for you? 

Starting your photography journey doesn’t have to break the bank. These budget-friendly lenses offer exceptional image quality and versatility, making them perfect for beginners in 2025. And with amazing prices on pre-owned gear at KEH.com,  you add to your kit at a fraction of the price.

Ready to upgrade? Explore our full selection of affordable lenses and start shooting.