Best Lens for YouTube Videos

The use of Video marketing especially on YouTube along with podcasts is rapidly increasing now. Maybe because the blogging market has become oversaturated and many people found that watching videos is more interesting and easier than reading articles. This is why video and audio is becoming a good medium to attract and connect with your audience, especially with the excessive use of smartphones.

In our recommended vlogging cameras guide which we wrote earlier for those who want to start their YouTube channel and the fact that some DSLR & Mirrorless cameras can be used for shooting videos. We choose the following camera bodies:

• Panasonic Lumix GH5 II
• Sony Alpha a7 III
• Canon EOS M50 Mark II
• Canon EOS R5 C

Moreover, we consider them the best DSLR & Mirrorless cameras for video bloggers right now.

The main reason why these camera models become very popular and adequate for shooting videos is their amazing feature of continuous auto-focus, good image quality at low light, and the ability to change lenses. However, we know that a DSLR or a mirrorless camera needs a suitable and good lens to complete the job.

In this article, we will recommend the best lenses for video shooting with Panasonic, Sony, and Canon DSLR cameras with which you can produce videos for Interviews, talk to cameras, tutorials, software explanations, product reviews, and Fashion channels.

Photo by George Milton

Best Lens for YouTube Videos

A- Lenses for Panasonic Lumix GH5 II Camera

1- Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm I f/2.8 II

Best for: all around, run-and-gun, documentary and events

Key Features

• Micro Four Thirds System
• 24-70mm (35mm Equivalent)
• Aperture Range: f/2.8 to f/22
• Nano Surface Coating
• POWER Optical Image Stabilizer
• Splash, Dust, and Freezeproof Design

Take advantage of Panasonic’s magical dual stabilization (combining the lens stabilization with the camera’s in-body stabilization), and the crop factor, the focal range works out to about 24-70mm. This is just about ideal for grabbing wide shots, and then being able to zoom in to catch some drama up close.

A versatile zoom covering wide-angle to portrait-length perspectives, the Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm f/2.8 II ASPH. POWER O.I.S. Lens from Panasonic is designed for Micro Four Thirds cameras, where it provides a convenient 24-70mm equivalent focal length range.

A constant f/2.8 maximum aperture affords consistent performance throughout the zoom range, and benefits working in difficult lighting conditions as well as enables greater control over depth of field.

The sophisticated optical design employs a series of aspherical, low dispersion, and high refractive index glass elements to control a variety of aberrations and distortions for sharp, clean image quality and a Nano Surface Coating has also been applied to reduce ghosting and flare.

A POWER Optical Image Stabilizer minimizes the appearance of a camera shake to suit handheld shooting, and this O.I.S. system is also compatible with Dual I.S. for enhanced stabilization performance.

Additionally, the lens also features a durable all-metal housing that is dust, splash, and freezeproof to enable its use in harsh climates.

2- Rokinon 35mm Cine t/1.5

Best for filmmaking, music videos, low light situations,

Key Features

• 35mm Lens, T1.5
• Covers Four-Thirds Format
• Multi-Layer Coating to Reduce Flare
• Standard Gearing for Focus and Iris
• Dual-Side Focus and T-Stop Scales
• “De-Clicked” Aperture Ring
• Hybrid Aspherical Lenses
• Manual Focus and Aperture

If you want to consider a proper “cinema” lens. Typically, that means a few things:

• A prime lens
• A de-clicked aperture control ring (there are no audible clicks)
• Increased rotation range on the focus ring for fine-tuning rack focus (also known as pulling focus or racking focus) is a camera-based filmmaking technique in which the focus changes over the course of the shot from one focal plane to another. This effect can be subtle or overt, slow or rapid. Filmmakers use this technique for stylistic and visual storytelling purposes.

The Rokinon 35mm T1.5 Cine DS Lens answers the challenge of assembling a set of lenses over time. The lens comes in Micro Four Thirds Mount and features industry standard geared focus and iris rings that share a common position with other Rokinon Cine DS lenses. To aid focus pullers who have to work both sides of the lens, the aperture and focus scales are marked on both sides of the lens.

This 35mm lens produces a 33.4° angle of view when used on a camera with a four-thirds sized sensor and MFT mount.

Hybrid aspherical lenses render sharply defined images with a minimum of distortion and chromatic aberrations, with a minimum focus distance of just under 12″ from the lens.

B- Lenses for Sony Alpha a7 III camera

1- Sony FE 50mm F1.8

Best Sony Lens for Vlogging

Key Features

• E-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
• Aperture Range: f/1.8 to f/22
• One Aspherical Element
• Double-Gauss Optical Design
• DC Autofocus Motor
• Seven-Blade Circular Diaphragm

The FE 50mm f/1.8 from Sony is a versatile normal-length prime lens designed for full-frame E-mount mirrorless cameras. Its sleek design makes it well-suited for everyday shooting, while the fast f/1.8 maximum aperture benefits working in low-light conditions, as well as offers, increased control over depth of field for selective focus imagery.

The optical design incorporates one aspherical element to control spherical aberrations and employs a double-gauss configuration to realize sharper, clearer image quality throughout the aperture range with reduced field curvature.

A DC actuator is also employed to provide quick and precise autofocus performance that is also quiet to suit video recording applications.

Additionally, a rounded seven-blade diaphragm is featured to render out-of-focus highlights with a smooth, circular appearance.

2- Sony FE 35mm F1.8

Key Features

• E-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
• Aperture Range: f/1.8 to f/22
• One Aspherical Element
• Linear Autofocus Motor; Internal Focus
• Customizable Focus Hold Button
• Dust and Moisture-Resistant Construction
• Nine-Blade Circular Diaphragm

The fast and compact FE 35mm f/1.8 Lens from Sony provides a versatile wide-angle solution for your full-frame E-mount camera. It boasts a maximum aperture of f/1.8 for selective focus effects and for working in low-light conditions.

To help ensure high-quality imaging in a range of conditions, the lens’ aspherical element reduces aberrations and field curvature while maintaining contrast and edge-to-edge sharpness.

For fast, responsive focusing, the 35mm uses a linear motor and internal focus design, while a customizable focus hold button locks focus when recomposing and can be set to activate other functions, including Eye AF, AF On, Aperture Preview, Shot Result Preview, or Bright Monitoring among others.

In addition, this lens has a dust- and moisture-resistant construction that will permit operation in less-than-ideal weather conditions. Additionally, it has a nine-blade circular diaphragm for smooth bokeh.

 3- Sony Sonnar T* FE 55mm f/1.8 ZA

The lens shoots equally well in bright indoor settings and low-light outdoor environments with internal focusing that is quiet and smooth.

Key Features

• E-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
• Aperture Range: f/1.8 to f/22
• Zeiss T* Anti-Reflective Coating
• Linear Autofocus Motor; Internal Focus
• Dust and Moisture-Resistant Construction
• Nine-Blade Circular Diaphragm

A perfect pairing for full-frame Sony E-mount cameras, the Sonnar T* FE 55mm f/1.8 ZA Lens offers excellent resolution and a fast f/1.8 aperture for photographers looking for a high-performing normal-length prime.

By using three aspherical elements and Zeiss’s legendary T* anti-reflective coating, this lens exhibits an absolute minimum of aberrations and flare.

It also has a linear autofocus motor and internal focus design for fast, responsive AF and achieving a minimum focus distance of 1.6′.

Additionally, the lens is dust and moisture-resistant and uses a nine-blade circular diaphragm for smooth, rounded bokeh.

4- Sony 24-70mm f/4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

Key Features

• E-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
• Aperture Range: f/4 to f/22
• Zeiss T* Anti-Reflective Coating
• Linear Autofocus Motor; Internal Focus
• Optical SteadyShot Image Stabilization
• Dust and Moisture-Resistant Construction

The Vario-Tessar T* FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS is a compact and full-frame Carl Zeiss mid-range zoom lens with a focal range of 24mm to 70mm and a constant maximum aperture of F4 for consistent exposures at any focal length. Zeiss lenses have a reputation for quality and reliability and this lens is no exception.

This lens has a unique circular aperture for a “bokeh” blurred background effect without polygonal-shaped defocused points of light and ED glass to reduce chromatic aberrations and poor color quality at longer focal lengths. Despite its advanced technology, this lens is still lightweight and compact for crisp images at any focal length.

C-1 Lenses for Canon EOS M50 Mark II camera

1- Canon EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6

Key Features

• EF-M Mount Lens/APS-C Format
• 18-35mm (35mm Equivalent)
• Aperture Range: f/4.5-32
• Dynamic Image Stabilization
• Spectra Coatings
• Built-In Stepping Motor

The Canon EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM Lens provides a 35mm equivalent focal length of 18-35mm, and features continuous AF with a built-in STM stepping AF motor to provide smooth, near-silent performance that is especially beneficial to video recording.

An Optical Image Stabilizer helps to compensate for up to 3 stops of camera shake, while Dynamic Image Stabilization corrects for a wide range of motion while shooting video.

A 7-blade diaphragm allows for pleasing out-of-focus areas while two UD lens elements help to minimize chromatic aberrations and reduce color blurring around the edges of the subject.

In addition, two aspherical lenses are combined to help reduce spherical aberration over the entire image area, as well as through the full zoom range. Super Spectra lens coatings help ensure accurate color balance and high contrast while minimizing ghosting.

2- Sigma 16 mm f/1.4 (C) AF DC DN

Key Features

• EF-M-Mount Lens/APS-C Format
• 6mm (35mm Equivalent)
• Aperture Range: f/1.4 to f/16
• Super Multi-Layer Coating
• Stepping Motor AF System
• Weather-Sealed Construction
• Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm

Mixing a comfortable wide-angle design with an ultra-fast maximum aperture, the 16mm f/1.4 DC DN is part of Sigma’s Contemporary series of lenses and is designed for use with Canon EF-M-mount mirrorless cameras.

Characterized by its bright f/1.4 maximum aperture, this lens is adept at working in low-light conditions and also affords increased control over depth of field for selective focus control. The optical design makes use of several low dispersion and aspherical elements, which control color fringing and various aberrations in order to provide high sharpness and clarity throughout the aperture range.

Individual elements also feature a Super Multi-Layer Coating to suppress flare and ghosting for greater contrast and color fidelity when working in strong lighting conditions. Benefitting the optical assets, this lens also sports a stepping AF motor for quick, quiet, and smooth focusing performance that suits both still photography as well as video applications.

3- Canon EF-M 15-45mm f/3.5-6.3

Key Features

• EF-M Mount Lens/APS-C Format
• 24-72mm (35mm Equivalent)
• Maximum Aperture: f/3.5-6.3
• Optimized Lens Placement Reduces Flare
• STM Stepping AF Motor
• Full-Time Manual Focus Override
• Optical Image Stabilizer
• Retractable Design for Compact Profile

A standard zoom covering wide-angle to short telephoto perspectives, the graphite EF-M 15-45mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM Lens from Canon offers a 24-72mm equivalent focal length range when used with APS-C-format EOS M-series mirrorless cameras. The optical design incorporates three aspherical elements, one of which is glass-molded and the other two are precision molded, in order to control chromatic aberrations and distortions throughout the zoom range. The lens placement has also been optimized, and coatings have been applied, to reduce flare and ghosting for increased contrast and clarity when photographing in difficult lighting conditions.

C-2 Lenses for Canon EOS R5 C camera

For the new Canon RF mounting, until now there are not any super-wide options, and some of the prime lenses might be too expensive for many shooters.

The great advantage of RF lenses is that you get dual pixel AF, the lenses have a manual focus ring, which can control the focus by wire, and each RF lens has a Control Ring at the front of the lens for customizable aperture, ISO, or other adjustments.

1- Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM Lens

Key Features

• RF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
• Aperture Range: f/1.2 to f/16
• One UD Element, One Aspherical Element
• Ring-Type Ultrasonic Motor AF System
• Customizable Control Ring
• Rounded 10-Blade Diaphragm

Distinguished by its speed, the RF 50mm f/1.2 L USM from Canon is a desirable normal-length prime due to its versatile focal length and bright f/1.2 maximum aperture.

This fast design excels in difficult lighting conditions and also benefits from working with shallow depth of field and selective focus techniques. The optical layout incorporates one UD element and one aspherical element, which help to reduce both chromatic and spherical aberrations in order to produce greater clarity and sharpness.

A rounded 10-blade diaphragm also benefits bokeh quality to suit isolating subjects with depth of field. Complementing the imaging capabilities is an apt ring-type Ultrasonic Motor, which delivers fast, near-silent autofocus and full-time manual focus override.

Additionally, a unique Control Ring is integrated into the lens design for intuitive control over exposure settings from the lens itself.

2- Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM

Key Features

• RF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
• Aperture Range: f/2 to f/22
• Ultra-Low Dispersion Elements
• Ring-Type Ultrasonic Motor AF System
• Customizable Control Ring
• Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm

Combining the versatility of a zoom with the speed typically reserved for a prime, the Canon RF 28-70mm f/2 L USM is a wide-angle to portrait-length lens distinguished by its impressively unique f/2 constant maximum aperture.

This bright design yields excellent low-light performance along with enhanced control over depth of field for isolating subject matter.

Ultra-low dispersion glass is employed in the optical design and greatly reduces color fringing and chromatic aberrations to realize high clarity and color accuracy.

Complementing the advanced optical properties is Canon’s proven ring-type Ultrasonic Motor, which delivers fast and quiet autofocus performance along with full-time manual focus control. Additionally, unique to RF lenses, this 28-70mm incorporates a configurable Control Ring for intuitively adjusting exposure settings, including ISO, aperture, and exposure compensation, from the lens itself.

Can’t afford a brand-new lens?

Sometimes, buying a new Lens can be very expensive for many people. However, Keh is a great option to get a used one at a reasonable price. Read the full review here.

Related posts

Best Camera For Filming YouTube Videos

How To Shoot Video With DSLR Camera

How To Shoot Videos Like A PRO In A Low Light Condition

Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed the article, in case you have any questions just drop them below & I will be happy to answer you.

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