The camera lens you choose can have a significant impact on whether you meet your photography goals. You’ll likely know at least something about brand-manufactured lenses, as many camera bodies come with a kit lens.
However, you can also purchase third-party equipment. Doing so can help make some kinds of photography—such as wildlife photography—more accessible to people who don’t have a huge budget.
Third-party and native brand lenses have a unique set of pros and cons. To help you make a better purchasing decision, we’ll identify where they both excel in this guide.
1. Ease of Updating Firmware
One of manythings you should consider when buying your first camerais whether you receive frequent firmware updates. That is also important for lenses, as these updates will help patch potential glitches and performance issues.
Speaking from personal experience, I’ve typically found updating camera lens firmware much easier with brand-manufactured ones. You can often perform these actions through an app on your smartphone.
With third-party lenses, you can often update your firmware by plugging the device into your computer’s USB port and downloading it. However, some users might have more trouble connecting their lenses than others—so this is something to keep in mind. The good news is that even without updating my firmware on third-party lenses, I’ve never encountered issues using them.
Winner:Brand-manufactured lenses
Camera lenses are notoriously expensive, with some costing more than the camera body itself.
Contrary to popular belief, third-party lenses aren’t always affordable. You can get some pretty good deals—I bought a Viltrox 85mm lens in 2021 for the equivalent of around $350—but other manufacturers, such as Samyang, are quite pricey.
Similarly, while many brand-manufactured lenses cost a lot of money, you can also get some good deals. For example,every photographer should consider getting the 50mm—which is often one of the best cost-to-quality lenses you can add to your collection.
How much you spend on lenses will depend on the focal length, along with your aperture and other factors.
Winner:Tie
3. Lens Build Quality
Stock Photo ID: 265139078
It’s needless to say that you don’t want your lenses breaking within a few months of buying them, and fortunately, many camera lenses are pretty well-built. This includes third-party lenses, which often feature weather-sealing and other useful features. Samyang is one example of this.
Many high-end lenses that are manufactured by brands also have useful features and a high-quality build. However, you can also get some that feel quite flimsy. While I loved Fujifilm’s 27mm lens, for example, I always felt like the build quality wasn’t the most sturdy.
If you’re planning to take photos in extreme conditions, see ourguide to essential rainy-day photography equipment.
Winner:Third-party lenses
4. Image Quality
Sure, the photographer is responsible for much of how their images look. But having lenses capable of capturing amazing shots also helps dramatically. So, image quality is something that you should strongly consider when buying a camera lens—especially if you’re no longer a beginner.
In many cases, brand-manufactured lenses produce better results than their third-party counterparts. You’ll often get sharper images, along with punchier colors. The actualities will, of course, vary from company to company.
Having said that, third-party lenses can still provide excellent results. If you’re new to photography, it might be worth purchasing a third-party lens and changing to a native brand later. And if you want to purchase a third-party lens,Viltrox could be worth buying.
5. Compatibility
While you may purchase lens adapters, it’s much more convenient if you buy a lens that’s already compatible with your camera. Considering that manufacturers design lenses for camera bodies they’ve released, you’re often better off buying native lenses for this aspect.
However, one thing you should take into account is that some lenses are only compatible with certain models. So, if you later upgrade, you may also need to sell your lenses.
Third-party lenses often have a broad range of products available, but you’re not guaranteed to find something that both fits your needs and works with your specific model. With this in mind, you may need to do a bit more research before buying a third-party lens that fits your device.
6. Warranties
Having a warranty on your camera lens can provide peace of mind if something goes wrong. Camera manufacturers’ warranties vary, with some being two years and others only being a couple of months.
Your warranties might also vary depending on whether you buy a new or refurbished lens. You can often purchase add-ons for repairs and such if you buy your camera via an electronics store.
With third-party lenses, warranties will also differ. For example, Viltrox offers a one-year limited warranty on products you buy. For other brands, like Samyang, the warranty depends on your region.
If you buy pre-owned lenses, the website you purchase from might add its own warranty.MPB is a great place where you can get second-hand lensesif you’d like to take that route.
Winner:Tie (it depends on the manufacturer)
Third-Party Camera Lenses vs. Brand-Manufactured Lenses: Which Is Better?
Image byNijwam Swargiaryvia Unsplash. No attribution required.
If we tally up the total score, native brand lenses come out on top. It’s worth noting, though, that lots of sections were tied.
If you’re working toward becoming a professional photographer, you’re often better off buying a native lens for your camera manufacturer. Yes, you’ll probably pay more—but at the same time, you will receive better image quality and other useful features.
For hobbyist photographers, third-party lenses are a pretty good choice if you’re just starting out. You will still receive pretty good image quality, and you can always retouch your pictures in editing software likeLightroom or Photoshopanyway. Moreover, the price is more accessible for entry-level photographers.
Make the Best Lens Purchasing Decision
Knowing the difference between third-party and native brand lenses is only one part of the jigsaw. You should also consider which approach is better for you, and doing so will help save you both time and money.
Brand-manufactured lenses often have superior quality, but the build can vary depending on what you choose. Similarly, while you’ll often find it easier to update firmware on native brand lenses, you should double-check to determine whether the warranty is good enough for you.
