Best Lenses for Nikon D3500 in 2023

Looking for the best lenses for Nikon D3500 DSLR camera? Here are our top recommended lenses for Nikon D3500 DSLR camera.

Compact, easy to use and versatile, the Nikon D3500 (Amazon, B&H, Adorama) features a powerful 24.2MP DX-format CMOS sensor, an EXPEED 4 image processor, and a native sensitivity range from ISO 100-25600 to suit working in a variety of lighting conditions. In addition, the Nikon D3500 allows continuous shooting of up to 5fps and FHD 1080p video recording at 60fps. Simply put, the Nikon D3500 is ideal for a fast-paced on-the-go lifestyle, making it the perfect companion for any family event or travel adventure. Here we pick the top rated lenses for you to fulfill your 100% needs.

Below are the top recommended lenses for Nikon D3500 DSLR camera based on usefulness, image quality and price. So just choose the one you need.

Best Lenses for Nikon D3500 DSLR camera

Full List of Recommended Nikon D3500 Lenses

Portrait Lenses | Macro Lenses | Street Lenses | All-in-one Lenses | Wide-angle Prime Lenses | Wide-angle Zoom Lenses | Standard Zoom Lenses | Telephoto Zoom Lenses

Best Portrait Lenses for Nikon D3500

Nikon 50mm f/1.4G: Highly recommended for portrait shooters. An ideal portrait lens when used on a Nikon DX-format digital SLR. And it also a perfect lens for travel, event, environmental and general photography in a wide variety of conditions, with superb optical formula and an ultra-fast f/1.4 maximum aperture.

Nikon 50mm f/1.8G: A must have for standard portraits and everyday use, this Nikon 50mm (75mm equivalent on DX format cameras) with a fast f/1.8 aperture allows you to capture stunning images with a shallow depth-of-field, letting your subjects stand out from their backgrounds. Although the f/1.8 aperture is not as big as the f/1.4 version, the f/1.8 design suits working in difficult lighting conditions and also enables controlling the focus position for using shallow depth of field techniques.

Nikon 85mm f/1.8G: The Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G lens (127.5mm equivalent) is a consumer grade portrait lens with excellent image quality at an affordable price. The Nikon 85mm provides quick, effective auto-focus, allowing you to handle live events and even video with a high degree of precision and confidence. The fast maximum aperture of f/1.8 performs brilliantly under any lighting conditions and delivers beautiful, natural background blur that brings out the best in any subject. Additionally, the Silent Wave Motor affords quick, quiet, and precise autofocus performance along with full-time manual focus override. A great lens for anyone looking for a fast, medium length telephoto optical device.

LensBuy Now
Nikon 50mm f/1.4GAmazon
Nikon 50mm f/1.8GAmazon
Nikon 85mm f/1.8GAmazon

Best Macro Lenses for Nikon D3500

Nikon 40mm f/2.8G Micro: Ideal for shooting general close-ups, delicate flowers, detailed collectables, copy photography, portraits, landscapes and more. This Nikon DX Micro-NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G will allow users to get true 1:1 magnification for extremely close-up imaging. Small enough to be carried everywhere, this standard focal length DX-format Micro-NIKKOR lens provides high resolution and contrast from infinity to life-size (1X). It is the best option for taking high quality stills as well as shooting general close ups. Perfect lens for a photographer who is interested in the finer details.

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Nikon 40mm f/2.8G MicroAmazon
Nikon 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED VR MicroAmazon

Best Street and Walkaround Lens for Nikon D3500

Nikon 35mm f/1.8G: Lightweight, versatile, and affordable, the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G (52.5mm-equivalent lens for DX-format cameras) delivers the consistently stunning images you’d expect from a prime lens. Its fast f/1.8 maximum aperture is perfect for low-light shooting and creating softly blurred backgrounds; and its classic ‘normal’ angle of view (approximating what we see with our eyes) makes it a great all-around lens. A perfect lens for low-light conditions, travel, environmental portrait, street and general photography.

Nikon AF-P DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR: Coming as a kit lens for Nikon D3500, the Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens (27-82.5mm equivalent) is compact, lightweight all-around lens great for everything from wide group shots and landscapes to family sports and portraits, even in dim lighting. A retractable barrel keeps the lens extremely compact, and its sleek, lightweight design perfectly complements Nikon’s latest DX-format DSLRs. Shoot beautiful photos and HD videos with ease.

LensBuy Now
Nikon 35mm f/1.8GAmazon
Nikon AF-P DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VRAmazon
Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM ArtAmazon

Best All-in-one Lenses for Nikon D3500

Nikon 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G ED VR: Outstanding all-in-one telephoto zoom that can capture all of them beautifully with a single lens! It’s the best answer if you want to pick only one lens for Nikon D3500. Surprisingly compact and lightweight for a 16.7x zoom lens, the Nikon 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G ED VR draws great performance from Nikon DX-format DSLRs and is a highly versatile second lens. It can do just about anything—stills, videos, landscapes, interiors, portraits, wildlife…you can catch stunning close-ups of concert performers and athletes as easily as wide scenic shots. Its compact, balanced design and Vibration Reduction technology help keep photos sharp and videos steady, and the lens’ fast, quiet autofocus system minimizes camera noise during video recording. And it actually weighs less than the Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II.

Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II: The Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 is extremely popular and all-purpose lens for everything, thanks to a combination of great image quality and big zoom range (18mm enough for landscape, 200mm great for sports). The lens features excellent sharpness at tele and wide end and it is fully compatible with DX cameras. The biggest shortcoming of the 18-200mm VR II is that it doesn’t quite have the reach for certain types of telephoto photography. But for travel and use as all-in-one walk-around lens, Nikon 18-200mm is really a nice choice.

LensBuy Now
Nikon 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G ED VRAmazon
Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR IIAmazon

Best Wide-Angle Prime Lenses for Nikon D3500

Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art: Excellent lens – outstanding image quality and smooth, fast, and accurate focusing. With a focal length of 20mm and F1.4 aperture, this lens delivers outstanding large-aperture brightness and bokeh. The wide angle and outstanding image quality make this lens great for seascape, cityscape, and astrophotography, as well as for photos in low light, indoor photography, portraits, and event and wedding photography.

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Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM ArtAmazon

Best Wide-angle Zoom Lenses for Nikon D3500

Nikon 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED: Highly Recommended! Nikon 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G is Nikon’s best DX format wide-angle lens—it’s wider and sharper than any other comparable lens and excellent for landscape photography and architecture. Covering ultra-wide to wide-angle, the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED lens is a 15-36mm-equivalent DX-format lens well-suited for landscape, cityscape, interior, and architectural photography. Autofocus is fast and quiet, making this a good lens for aspiring HD Video filmmakers. The lens images are very sharp and it captures excellent color and contrast. Ideal for dramatic landscape photography, interior architecture photography, travel, weddings and more.

Tokina 14-20mm f/2.0 AT-X Pro DX: Excellent lens! This is the fastest lens ever made by Tokina. And it is extremely sharp! The fast F/2.0 aperture lens offers an equivalent 21-30mm zoom range. The super-bright, constant F/2.0 aperture makes viewing, auto focus and shooting possible in very low light situations while still maintaining reasonable size and weight.

Tokina 11-16mm F/2.8 ATX Pro DX II: Really great Lens! This compact Tokina AT-X 11-16mm f/2.8 PRO DX II ultra wide-angle zoom has a bright constant F2.8 aperture make viewing and auto focus possible in lower light situations but still maintaining a reasonable size and weight. Its angle of view ranges from 104-84° and it can focus as close as 11.8″. An internal silent focusing motor allows the lens to use autofocus on Nikon bodies that do not have an AF drive gear and motor. Fast f/2.8 constant maximum aperture is a clear advantage for low light shooting over slower models and yet possess very good sharpness levels.

LensBuy Now
Nikon 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G EDAmazon
Tokina 14-20mm f/2.0 AT-X Pro DXB&H
Tokina 11-16mm F/2.8 ATX Pro DX IIAmazon

Best Standard Zoom Lenses for Nikon D3500

Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art: Highly recommended! The first lens to buy for Nikon D3500. The Sigma 18-35mm 1.8 DC HSM Art lens is a new benchmark in photographic history and a must have for every camera bag, it is the first wide-angle to standard zoom lens to achieve a large aperture of 1.8. The Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 Art (35mm-equivalent focal length range of 27-52.5mm) is ideal for landscapes, portraits, still life, snap shots, casual, and close-ups and the Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) ensures smooth, fast and accurate autofocusing.

Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM: Budget option! Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM large-aperture standard zoom lens covers a 17-50mm focal length (equivalent 26-75mm) and offers a large aperture of F2.8 throughout the entire zoom range, making it ideal for many types of photography such as press, events, weddings, portraits, and general use (especially portraiture and landscapes). The OS, Sigma’s anti shake feature offers the use of shutter speeds approximately 4 stops slower than would otherwise be possible. HSM provides fast and quiet AF. The Super Multi-Layer coating reduces flare and ghosting. This lens boasts superior peripheral brightness and provides sharp, high contrast images even at the maximum apertures. If you need to be ready for any photographic opportunity, even low light, then this Sigma lens is perfect. Compact and light weight, it’s a necessary addition to your camera bag.

Nikon 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5G ED: An excellent travel and all-purpose lens! This lens features a compact, lightweight design making it a highly portable lens that is ideal for travel. Its 18mm wide-angle perspective brings more of what you see into the frame, ideal for shooting indoors or in close quarters, capturing architecture and landscapes as well as group portraits. But zoom all the way in, and you get a natural 35mm perspective that mimics the field of view of our eyes, ideal for just about any photo or video application.

LensBuy Now
Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM ArtAmazon
Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSMAmazon
Nikon 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5G EDAmazon

Best Telephoto Zoom Lenses for Nikon D3500

Nikon AF-P 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED-IF VR: The Nikon AF-P NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR (105–450mm on DX cameras) strikes an outstanding balance between size, zoom power and Vibration Reduction, making it a great choice for handheld photos and videos of sports, action, concerts, weddings, wildlife, travel and general photography. The electronic diaphragm allows for smooth exposure transitions in video as well as with burst shooting. One extra-low dispersion element greatly reduces color fringing and chromatic aberrations in order to produce greater clarity and color accuracy. Additionally, Vibration Reduction image stabilization compensates for up to 4.5 stops of camera shake for sharper handheld shooting.

Nikon DX 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED VR II: A versatile and compact telephoto zoom lens that is well-suited for portraiture, sports, or wildlife photography with an affordable price. Well-suited to landscapes, sports, and portraiture, the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED VR II ncorporates one extra-low dispersion element for clear, accurate rendering and reduced color fringing. It is an amazing value and offers good performance with respectable levels of sharpness at many settings. Its versatile zoom range goes from 55mm, which is great for portraits and group shots, up to 200mm telephoto for catching close-ups on the sports field, school events and more. Nikon Vibration Reduction (VR) image stabilization provides 4.0 stops of blur free handheld shooting, assuring dramatically sharper still images, steadier HD videos and enhanced low-light performance.

Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD: Excellent Super Telephoto Zoom! Featuring image stabilization, fast, quiet autofocusing, and advanced lens coatings for sharp, contrasty photos, the lens is ideally suited for sports and wildlife photography, as well as for landscapes. It has a built-in tripod mount for use on tripods and monopods. On an APC-C sensor camera its focal range is equivalent to 233-930mm. VC image stabilization helps to reduce the appearance of camera shake to enable greater hand-held shooting capabilities in low-light conditions.

LensBuy Now
Nikon AF-P 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G VRAmazon
Nikon DX 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED VR IIAmazon
Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USDAmazon