Prime VS Zoom Lens: Which Is Best Pros & Cons In 2022

One of the most common difficulties YouTuber face is deciding between a prime and a zoom lens. If you're looking to upgrade your current lens or add a new one to your equipment, read the blog and let me explain the advantages of each of lenses.

A Comparison of the Camera Prime vs Zoom Lens

Prime vs Zoom Lenses: Which is Better?

The honest truth is that the lens you choose to use all depends on your style as a photographer, and what type of shoot you are doing.

The main difference between a prime lens and a zoom lens is of focal length. While prime lenses have a fixed focal length, zoom lenses, on the other hand, have a wider and variable focal length.

Prime lenses (Comparisons are with zoom lenses in the same class)
Advantages	Disadvantages
- Generally more affordable - Generally smaller and lighter - Sharper - Larger maximum aperture, better bokeh - Better low-light performance - Trains your composition - “Zoom with your feet” feels more intuitive to some people	- Only one focal length  - Need to physically move to zoom - Composition is more challenging
Zoom lenses (Comparisons are with prime lenses in the same class)
Advantages	Disadvantages
- Versatility: multiple focal lengths in one body - Convenience	- Smaller maximum aperture - Bigger and heavier  - Might not be as sharp

Prime lenses are great in certain situations like portraits, street photography, and even some landscapes. Zoom lenses are amazing in other scenarios, like large landscapes, for fast moving objects, and to get a nice deep depth of field.

Prime lenses tend to be smaller, lighter and offer better low light performance than zoom lenses. Zoom lenses are generally heavier but thanks to their wider focal range, they are far more versatile.

With zoom lenses, you can get your subject to appear closer or further away with the turn of a ring, and without changing the physical distance.

Try out different types of lenses and learn what lens works well in your situations. Use what works well for you.

Prime vs Zoom Lens FAQs

1. Why are prime lenses more expensive?

Prime lenses can be more expensive due to their wider apertures and superior optical quality. That said, it really depends on what you’re comparing: if you want a zoom lens of comparable focal length and quality, it will likely cost more.

2. Are prime lenses sharper than zoom lenses?

Generally speaking, prime lenses are sharper than zoom lenses of comparable focal lengths. This is because zoom lenses have extra glass inside that has to move in order to shift the focal length, causing some diffraction.

Still, these days there are many excellent and very sharp zoom lenses on the market.
 
3. Are prime lenses better than zoom?

That really comes down to what you want to use it for: each type of lens has its advantages. Primes tend to be sharper, smaller and lighter, and with wider apertures. Of course, they have the limitation of a fixed focal length, so in many situations, a zoom lens is better.

4. Should I buy a prime or zoom lens?

Consider your style of shooting and what you’ll be using it for. If you want flexibility and versatility – one lens that will suffice in many situations – go for a zoom. If you want a beautiful portrait lens with nice bokeh, or a lighter lens to carry around, opt for a prime.

Prime vs Zoom Lens | Final Words

Most photographers end up having both zooms and prime lenses as part of their gear. Some situations might call for different needs that can be best approached with one lens or the other.

To help you find the right type of lens that suits the types of photography that you do, Phonefix has some of the most popular prime and zoom lenses that both aspiring and professional photographers use.

Also Read:

How to Select a Lens for Industrial Camera