The 6 Best Lenses for Headshots (Full-Frame & APS-C)

In this guide, we’ll help you understand the essential features of pro-grade portrait lenses and list the six best lenses for headshots.

Headshot photography is in high demand, with more and more people seeking professional portraits that accurately capture their likeness.

Headshot images are essential for establishing a professional presence across social media platforms, corporate settings, and websites.

If you want a comprehensive masterclass in headshot photography, check out this guide.

Before you start portrait photography or taking pro headshots, you must have the best lens for your APS-C or full-frame camera.

Let’s take a look.

What Type of Lens Is Best for Headshots?

Enthusiast and professional headshot photographers should prioritize lenses with a few key features.

Prime lenses with focal lengths around 85mm and wide maximum apertures are ideal for capturing stunning headshots. These lenses excel at isolating the subject and enhancing their features.

It’s also important to consider the bokeh and background effects a lens produces, as they play a role in creating visually appealing headshots.

The goal is to achieve a well-defined depth of field that keeps the subject’s face crisp and sharply in focus.

While macro lenses aren’t specifically designed for headshots, they often deliver exceptional sharpness, wide apertures, and impressive results, making them a viable alternative in some cases.

What Focal Length Makes People Look Best in Headshots?

 

The best focal length for headshot photography is between 85mm and 135mm, and the same applies to the best lens for portrait photography.

Shooting portrait photography or taking headshot photos with telephoto lenses with 200-300mm focal lengths is possible.

However, longer focal lengths come at a cost to the aperture and achieving a shallow depth of field to make the subject’s face stand out.

Typically, longer lenses feature a narrower maximum aperture of around f/4, which limits the ability to achieve striking subject separation.

When shooting headshots with a wide-angle lens, shorter focal lengths distort the face’s shape, which stretches horizontally the wider you go.

A prime lens with an 85mm focal range and a wide aperture is the best lens to frame the head and shoulders.

Ideal focal lengths also depend on the space you have to work in.

Zoom vs. Prime: Which Is Best for Headshots?

 

A prime lens has a fixed focal distance, such as 85mm. A zoom lens offers a variable focal range, like 70-200mm.

Prime lenses are traditionally the best choice for headshot photography as they offer excellent sharpness and wider maximum apertures.

Zoom lenses are also suitable for portraits and headshots, as you can quickly shoot close-ups or zoom out for more than just the subject’s head.

However, given the variable focal range, most zooms feature a narrower maximum aperture.

Capturing stunning headshots with a zoom lens is possible, provided the maximum aperture is around f/2.8.

That way, you’ll successfully shoot amazing portraits outdoors or indoors.

The Best Aperture for Headshots

Portrait and headshot photographers find that the best aperture for headshots is between f/1.4 and f/4.

A wide maximum aperture under f/2 ensures some critical features of stunning headshots.

It allows the maximum amount of light to pass through the lens to the camera sensor and ensures sharp facial details in the center of the frame.

The eyes will be the sharpest point of focus, and the outer areas of the face will gently soften.

Finally, a maximum aperture wider than f/2 creates significant subject separation between your model and the out-of-focus background.

If you’re after less blur in your background, f/4 is an ideal aperture.

My 6 Top Picks for Headshot Lenses

Regardless of the brand or camera system you’re shooting with, there’s a perfect choice for you!

Read on to discover our comprehensive list of the 6 top picks for headshot lenses for an APS-C or a full-frame camera.

Below each recommendation, you’ll also find links to a curated selection of top lenses from all major brands.

Nikon Nikkor Z 85mm f/1.2 S (My Top Pick Overall)

The Nikon Nikkor Z 85mm f/1.2 S lens is one of the sharpest Z-mount lenses available today!

While big, heavy, and expensive, the pro-grade lens delivers unparalleled sharpness, exquisite background effects, and bokeh.

There’s no denying that the 85mm focal length is the sweet spot for perfectly framed headshots.

With an f/1.2 wide maximum aperture, you’ll capture sharp facial details, including eyes, nose, and mouth, and soft focus transition towards the rear of the head.

If you’re a Canon RF owner, there’s a suitable prime with nearly the exact specifications.

The Canon RF 85mm f/1.2 L USM lens is optically sharp and delivers amazing headshots in any lighting conditions.

If you’re shooting with an APS-C cropped sensor camera, a wide range of high-quality lenses is ideal for headshot work or portrait photography.

56mm is the APS-C crop sensor camera equivalent of an 85mm full-frame lens. For the best options, check the links listed below.

Nikon F [Amazon | B&H] | Nikon Z DX [Amazon | B&H] | Canon EF [Amazon | B&H] | Canon RF [Amazon | B&H] |  Canon APS-C [Amazon | B&H] | Sony FE [Amazon | B&H] | Sony E [Amazon | B&H] | Fujifilm [Amazon | B&H] | Micro Four-Thirds [Amazon | B&H]

Nikon AF-S 105mm f/1.4 (The Classic Nikon Lens for Headshots)

The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 105mm f/1.4 E ED lens is one of the best in class for headshot and portrait photography.

The 105mm f/1.4 is suited to Nikon F-mount DSLR cameras and delivers superior sharpness to make every facial detail shine.

Its fast f/1.4 maximum aperture is ideal for low-light photography and for separating the subject from the background.

Blurry backgrounds and bokeh are assured even at f/4 with sharp, fine detail control in the center of the frame.

Its shallow depth of field is ideal for framing a model’s head and shoulders or for stepping back to photograph the full body.

While the portrait lens is ideally suited to larger Nikon cameras, its robust body is a little heavy at 985g (2.17lb).

However, the 105mm focal range is ideal for headshots, product photography, and environmental portrait photography.

Though not quite the same as the classic Nikon lens, Sigma makes a well-regarded 105mm f/1.4 for both Canon EF [Amazon | B&H] and Sony FE [Amazon | B&H].

Canon RF 135mm f/1.8 (Best Canon Mirrorless Lens for Headshots)

If you’re taking headshots with a Canon R camera body, it’s hard to go past the Canon RF 135mm f/1.8 L IS USM lens.

It’s a favorite lens choice for portrait photographers.

The longer lens is optically stabilized, one of the sharpest Canon options available, and well-suited to professional-quality headshots.

It features a solid build, ergonomic considerations, and exceptional sharpness and clarity.

With its wide f/1.8 maximum aperture, you’ll capture excellent facial details, appealing backgrounds, and bokeh.

The 135mm focal length is excellent for headshots or pro-grade commercial work.

If you have the room to work with a longer focal length and the $$ to invest, this is a fantastic lens and an excellent focal length for portraits and headshots alike.

The other brands listed below also make great versions of this lens.

Nikon F [Amazon | B&H] | Nikon Z [Amazon | B&H] | Canon EF [Amazon | B&H] | Canon APS-C [Amazon | B&H] | Sony FE [Amazon | B&H] | Sony APS-C [Amazon | B&H] | Fujifilm [Amazon | B&H]

Sigma 56mm f/1.4 (Best APS-C Prime Lens for Headshots)

The Sigma 56mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary lens for Nikon APS-C Z mount cameras is an incredibly affordable headshot lens.

It measures just 66.5 x 59.5mm (2.62 x 2.34″) and weighs as little as 280g (0.62lb), making it almost pocketable.

Despite its fun size, many photographers find it’s an incredibly sharp third-party lens to shoot with.

Its fast aperture and excellent contrast make it ideal for close-up shots of facial features with any Nikon Z crop sensor camera.

Sigma lenses are renowned for achieving optical sharpness, color accuracy, and distortion-free reproduction.

The 56mm f/1.4 achieves excellent subject definition and a shallow depth of field with subtle background softening at f/4 and mesmerizing bokeh at f/1.4.

Being an APS-C format lens, the 56mm focal length equates to an 84mm full-frame sensor equivalent.

APS-C sensor cameras feature a smaller sensor that requires a crop factor for different lenses.

As a result, it’s a perfect focal length for headshots, portraits, products, and much more.

Nikon Z DX [Amazon | B&H] | Canon APS-C [Amazon | B&H] | Canon RF [Amazon]|  Sony E [Amazon | B&H] | Fujifilm [Amazon | B&H] | Micro Four-Thirds [Amazon | B&H]

Nikon NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8 (Best Budget Headshot Lens)

The Nikon NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8 S tops our best budget choice.

It offers excellent sharpness, color correction, and distortion-free headshots.

While its f/1.8 maximum aperture isn’t as wide as other 85mm options, background quality and subject sharpness are hard to deny.

The Nikon 85mm f/1.8 is perfectly balanced at 470g (1.03 lb) and compact at 75 x 99mm (2.95 x 3.9″).

It features a solid build, an excellent optical lens configuration, and a Nano-Crystal coating on the front lens element to optimize color and contrast.

Autofocus performance is fast and silent, especially when paired with a Nikon Z7 II or Z8 workhorse.

The enthusiast-level prime lens delivers the perfect headshot focal length for use indoors and out.

Nikon F [Amazon | B&H]  | Nikon DX [Amazon | B&H] | Nikon Z DX [Amazon | B&H] | Canon EF [Amazon | B&H] | Canon APS-C [Amazon | B&H] | Canon RF [Amazon | B&H] | Sony FE [Amazon | B&H] | Sony APS-C [Amazon | B&H] | Fujifilm [Amazon | B&H] | Micro Four-Thirds [Amazon | B&H]

Nikon NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8 (Best Zoom Lens for Headshots)

While the long focal length is suited to sports and wildlife photography, the Nikon NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S is also an excellent headshot lens.

The 70-200mm weighs 1360g (2.99lb) and measures 89 x 220mm (3.5 x 8.66″), making it the most prominent and boldest lens in our headshot lineup.

However, it’s a sharp and versatile lens that grants much flexibility when working at greater distances to a subject.

Telephoto portrait lenses of this nature are ideal for environmental portraits, and the constant f/2.8 max aperture ensures defined subject separation at any focal length.

The NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S lens boasts Nikon’s Vibration Reduction image stabilization, which is ideal for shooting at the telephoto end of the zoom range.

Unlike most zoom lenses, the 70-200mm features an OLED information panel that digitally displays lens settings such as aperture and focus mode.

Nikon F [Amazon | B&H] | Nikon DX [Amazon | B&H] | Canon EF [Amazon | B&H] | Canon APS-C [Amazon | B&H] | Canon RF [Amazon | B&H] | Sony FE [Amazon | B&H] | Sony APS-C [Use the Canon APS-C with a converter] | Fujifilm [Amazon | B&H] | Micro Four-Thirds [Amazon | B&H]

FAQs About the Best Lenses for Headshots

What are the best specs for a headshot?

85mm focal lengths and an f/1.2-f/4 maximum aperture are ideal. With those specs, the head and neck will be in focus, and the background will have blur and bokeh.

What is the most flattering lens for portraits?

The Nikon Nikkor Z 85mm f/1.2 S lens is the most flattering lens for portraits. If you’re a Canon R user, the Canon 85mm f/1.2 L USM lens is equally impressive.

Is 70mm good for headshots?

70mm is an excellent focal range for headshots. At 70mm, you’ll achieve a tight compression where the face is in sharp focus, and the background has a suitable amount of blur.

Can you use a 50mm for headshots?

It’s possible to use a 50mm lens for headshots and still achieve photos without the distortion caused by wide-angle lenses.

What is the best crop-sensor lens to use for headshots?

The best crop sensor lens is the Sigma 56mm f/1.4 prime lens. It features an ultra-wide aperture and an 84mm full-frame equivalent focal length.

Is image stabilization important for headshot photography?

Image stabilization isn’t an essential element in headshot photography. If shooting in low-light conditions, it may be necessary to mount the camera to a tripod so that slow shutter speeds can be set.

What makes a lens good for blurring the background in headshots?

The lens must feature a wide maximum aperture to achieve a pleasing background blur in a headshot. Typically, the headshot lenses feature an aperture of f/2 or wider.

Can I use my macro lens for headshots?

Macro lenses are very sharp and usually feature a wide maximum aperture. As a result, they’re well-suited to shoot sharp headshots.