No matter how expensive your body, unless you put a good piece of glass in front of it you will never see the camera’s full potential.

There are two main types of lens available to you: prime lenses and zoom lenses. Both are capable of stunning results, but does one really outperform the other? Let’s break it down.

Prime Lenses

A prime lens is simply a fixed focal length lens. Less complicated in design than a zoom, primes often deliver higher quality because they only need to be sharp at one focal length. This simplicity brings advantages:

Advantages of a Prime Lens

• Price - Less moving parts usually means lower cost. Classics like the 50mm f/1.8 (“Nifty Fifty”) are affordable and brilliant.
• Faster Apertures - Great in low light and for shallow depth-of-field portraits. Wider apertures open up creative options.
• Weight - Small and light, easy to carry all day. You can pack a few primes and still weigh less than one big zoom.
• Image Quality - Crisp, sharp, beautiful rendering that often outperforms zooms, especially wide open.
• Improves Technique - With no zoom to rely on, you move more, think more, and compose more deliberately. Your feet become your zoom!

Zoom Lenses

A zoom lens gives you multiple focal lengths in one body. Modern engineering means zooms are sharp and reliable across their ranges. They are now the most common choice for photographers.

Advantages of a Zoom Lens

• All-in-one versatility - Switch focal lengths instantly without changing lenses. Perfect for fast-paced environments.
• Convenience - Less lens swapping means less chance of dust on your sensor. Great for events, weddings, and travel.
• Cost-effective coverage - A single zoom can replace multiple primes, covering wide to telephoto in one lens.

So, Prime or Zoom?

The answer really depends on what you shoot.

• Portrait shooters often prefer primes (like 50mm, 85mm) for their sharpness and shallow depth of field.
• Event and wedding photographers lean towards zooms for flexibility in fast-moving scenarios.
• Travel and landscape photographers often use a mix of both: wide zooms for versatility, primes for lightweight and crisp quality.

Personally, I use a mix: 10–18mm, 24–70mm, and 70–200mm zooms, alongside 50mm, 85mm, and 90mm primes. If you’re new, start with a Nifty Fifty. It’s affordable, sharp, and the perfect introduction to the world of primes.