Best Camera Lenses of 2017

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Now that 2018 is knocking on the door, I thought it would be a good time to take a look back at some of the very best camera lenses of 2017.

No matter what you need the lens for, there's something on this list for any photographer.

And just because these are some of the best lenses 2017 had to offer doesn't mean that they'll automatically be obsolete once the calendar flips to January 1st. Instead, any of the lenses on this list can last you a lifetime.

What's more, none of these lenses are terribly expensive, particularly when you buy pre-owned. That means you can get a great lens and save your pocketbook at the same time.

Having said that, here's some great prime and zoom lenses for Canon and Nikon camera systems.

Editor's Tip: Great glass is a must-have, but buying brand-new lenses can be expensive. Stretch your budget further and buy pre-owned lenses. Doing so could save you hundreds of dollars. Explore pre-owned lenses now.

2017's Best Prime Lenses

Nikon AF-S 50mm f/1.8G

Everyone needs a nifty fifty in their bag, and for Nikon shooters, there's nothing better than the Nikon AF-S 50mm f/1.8G.

This lens gets top marks for its performance and versatility - you can use it for landscapes, portraits, city scenes, travel photography, you name it.

And with a massive f/1.8 aperture, you can shoot in low-light conditions and still get sharp, detailed images.

Additionally, it's fast, small and lightweight, and is built like a tank, so it will likely last you longer than your camera!

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Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM

Much like the 50mm from Nikon, Canon's version, the EF 50mm f/1.8 STM is small and compact, but delivers quite the punch.

The same big, bright f/1.8 aperture gives you loads of options for taking photos in bright or dim lighting.

The stepping motor offers smooth and silent autofocus so you can keep your attention on your subject and not on a noisy lens.

And like the Nikon, this bad boy is inexpensive, yet incredibly versatile.

In fact, no matter what your camera system is, a solid 50mm lens should be at the top of your must-have list.

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Editor's Tip: Fifty millimeter lenses are among the most popular for good reason. You can pick one up for a great price at MPB, one of the world's best marketplaces for buying used photography gear. You can even trade your old gear in to upgrade to something new or sell your old gear outright and put the money in the bank. Have a look at their inventory and see what you need to do to sell your old cameras and lenses by clicking here.

2017's Best Zoom Lenses

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM

Let me start by saying that this lens isn't the best lens Canon has ever made.

However, when you consider the price and what you get for that money, it's the best bang for your buck you can get for a Canon zoom.

With a focal range of 55-250mm, you can tackle just about any photography task, from close-ups of distant landscape features to carefully composed half-body portraits.

It has optical image stabilization, so you get a few more stops of leeway with your shutter speed when you shoot handheld.

And don't think that it's a big, bulky, and heavy lens, either. It weighs only 1.2 pounds, which isn't bad at all for a zoom of its size.

Besides, you can pick up one of these used for well under $100, so it's an incredible value!

You can get a complete review of the lens in the video above by Dustin Abbot.

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Sigma 24-105mm f/4 DG OS HSM

Another excellent zoom lens, albeit a more expensive one, is the Sigma 24-105mm f/4 DG OS HSM.

For starters, this is simply an incredibly well-rounded lens that offers you an ideal focal range for capturing images of everything from portraits to landscapes to images of wildlife.

It produces images that are sharp, clear, and have minimal distortion.

You can get excellent reach with the 105mm focal length, but also take gorgeous close-ups with a minimum focusing distance of about one-and-a-half feet.

The hypersonic motor is a nice touch as well, giving the lens fast and accurate autofocus that's also extremely silent.

Add in optical image stabilization for improved handheld shots, a relatively small form factor, and a weight of less than two pounds, and you have the makings for a great all-around lens that will serve you well.

Better still, Sigma makes variations of this lens for Nikon, Sony, and Canon cameras.

Get a more detailed review of this lens in the video above by Jared Polin.

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