The Best Kit Lenses of ALL TIME!

[@paulanderson24]

Great to see some M43 love there. Criminally underrated in that system is the 12-32 kit lens. Really compact, fast AF and punches way above its weight in image quality. Drawback being it’s a 3.5 - 5.6 but so versatile

[@amipal24]

Came here to say the same thing. I used the 12-32mm on an air-to-air shoot from helicopter, and the image quality from that glass was simply superb.

[@ej_tech]

I just leave mine wide open and it is still sharp. Also it is NOT powerzoom.

[@eska___]

Honestly surprised this wasn’t on the list.

[@JamieFurlong]

Also came here to say the same thing! I've been shooting m43 for a decade but only recently picked this little baby up and it's quickly became one of my fave lenses.

[@paulanderson24]

@@ej_tech great point. I hate PZ lenses. This lens is a little beast on the small intro compact or “rangefinder” style offerings

[@ruihe4544]

Shooting Fuji xt-20 and 18-55 mm for years and recently moved to Sony a7iv. Just amazed at the jpeg quality of Fujifilm (especially with good lighting)

[@aroundomaha]

Great list. I liked the Fuji 18-55 but love my Pana-Leica 12-60. The extra range makes it a constant companion and the quality keeps it from ever being sold off.

[@MaikKellerhals]

Yes! The Leica 12-60 is just the perfect all-rounder, it's still my default lens!

[@nthc_iq8x374]

and in reality one could argue that panaleica's demise can actually be attributed in saving his OM-D's lens mount.

[@MichaelGerrard]

For the Lumix 20mm f1.7, one of the pics was the 14mm f2.5! That was also sold as a kit with the GF3 I think. I remember I got the 20mm myself, with the GX7. Mostly all kit lenses for Lumix cameras are excellent. I think the stigma for kit lenses is something from DSLR times.

[@jonbarnard7186]

The Nikon 24-70 f4 is also quite good for closeups, if you're into that sort of thing. Not a macro lens, but very good image quality when you move in.

[@creamynessification]

Very sharp lens. I was surprised

[@robert_may]

Yeah this lens is a bit of a bargain secondhand. Easy recommendation for a cheap general zoom for Z mount.

[@rayrayg9]

For APS-C, the Z 16-50mm is an excellent "truly kit" kit lens! I wish I had something very similar (compact) for full frame; the 24-50 doesn't do it for me. And yes, the Z 24-70mm f/4 is magnificent!

[@jonbarnard7186]

Yes I love pancake lenses. The 16-50 is a nice lens. I sold it because of the crop. Listen up Nikon. Give us a full-frame pancake zoom!!!@@rayrayg9

[@scottnelle]

The Fuji 18-55 is really an excellent lens. Figured I'd see it on this list!

[@darwiniandude]

Yep - it's far better than it has any right to be. And I think it would have really helped Fuji too, as people new to the system could get great images immediately with the bundled kit lens.

[@ShutterKnack]

Really fully agree with the list! If you have a top 6, it will be the Pentax 18-135mm WR: sharp, silent AF, versatile, and WR! It really is a one lens setup.

[@marcoscaio.imoveis]

The Sony 16-50 f2.8 SAM DT was a great lens! It came with both a77 and a77 II. It had so many features for the money... fixed 2.8, parafocal, weather sealed, and great image quality. The problem was: A-mount xD

[@JBM12G]

I was thinking of this lens as well. I regret not getting the kit back in the day when I got my a77 II.

[@kwahaus]

I have that lens. Totally agree.

[@jakefelzien]

Panasonic 20-60 is actually #1

[@vladimirkraus1438]

Good joke...

[@theangrymarmot8336]

I have a Panasonic GF1 with the 14mm 2.5 on it - and still love the combo and carry it everywhere. My G9 came with a non-leica 12-60 and it is also a great kit lens that continues to impress me.

[@kulturvilla]

Nice choices. My favorite is Panasonic 20-60, but probably 3 Panasonics would have been too many in the top 5. Not to mention that the 24-105 is also very good including some Macro capability.

[@karikaru]

Love my Lumix 24-105. Also very very good OIS paired with the s5ii. I can take video at 105 handheld that looks like it's on a tripod and I have a familiar tremor. It's very versatile with the macro, OIS, weather sealing, and good focus breathing control.

[@The_golden_charlie]

That 20-60 on an S5 is astonishingly good.

[@kennorris1721]

Yes. The Panasonic S 20-60 is definetely the best Full-Frame Kit Lens ever! Tack sharp, even at 20mm. Even on the S1R. I wonder if Chris and Jordan have even noticed it exists until now...

[@karikaru]

@@kennorris1721 they did talk about it and praised it when the s5 too first came out. They did say they didn't feel it was sharp enough on the s1r (going off of memory from when I watched those reviews)

[@kulturvilla]

@@kennorris1721 It's even sharp on my 61MP Sigma FP-L. Sharper than any of all other lenses wide open except Sigma 105/2.8 Macro. Admittedly my other lenses are faster (f1.2 until f2.8).

[@JordanCS13]

I’ve used all but one of these over the years, and I agree with most of your list. Only thing I’d do is swap the Nikon Z 24-70 for the 24-120 Z. I personally have found the 24-120 to be a bit better optically overall, and the extra range is super nice. In fact, the 24-120S is my favorite standard zoom of all time.

[@bikermann42]

I love the RF24-105 f4 that came with my Canon. I have a lot of RF and vintage lenses, but for travelling light on airplanes and such I just take that kit lens. Very versatile, compact and great image quality. I'm especially impressed with the images shot at the wider angles.

[@incredible421]

Very true. During my recent vacation carried several lenses for Canon R and 95% of the time was using 24-105 for its versatility and I hate switching lenses on the go

[@forgottencameras]

Woah a Patlabor shirt Mad respect. Sigma 30mm f1.4 was the best kit lens I've dealt with. Does a great job showing the capabilities of the sdQ right out of the box, and a useful focal length for APS-C, although a little limiting due to the distortion and being so wide.

[@darwiniandude]

I got a Fuji X-T1 & XF56 1.2 'kit' (separate boxes) brand new when my daughter was born, and got some great images. But I bought it at a great price from a shop far away and the 56 1.2 had issues - the focus ring would badly scrape. Functionally fine, but not what I wanted for a new lens. So after I got the new born photos I had to ship the lens back for warranty, there were stock issues. As I had no lens I looked in the local classifieds and picked up a used XF 18-55 ƒ/2.8-ƒ/4 kit lens very cheaply with a few minor body scratches. Wow. What an incredible budget lens. Some of my favourite images from my daughter's first year was shot on this very basic lens. I'd only used the 18-55 canon 3.5-5.6 that can bundles with my wife's EOS - the Fuji was a night and day difference, really sharp, way faster, optical image stabilisation. I eventually sold it in a lens-cull because It was surplus to my needs and eventually rarely used. I think I sold it in a bundle with my X-T1 to it's next owner. Anyway I was hoping it would make your list, I thought it deserved to. Great idea for a video guys, thanks :)

[@Octapolitan]

Olympus m.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f/2.8 - it was a kit lens with E-M5. Great focal range, great optics, delightful to use, build quality, sealing. Even the hood and lens cap are great. It's still a great zoom to use. 🥇 Pentax SMC DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL WR. Same optical formula as with the DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II, but this WR version is weather sealed, feels better than ever, great coatings... Optical performance was so much better compared to others at the time, not too sure how good it is with modern sensors' pixel count though 😅

[@KarlAdamsAudio]

Nice to see the Panasonic 12-60mm f2.8-4 included - I find mine very handy when travelling and there isn't time to faff around with changing lenses. Not that it was ever a kit lens for me, I bought into the system with the original 14-45 f3.5-5.6 supplied with the G1.

[@morcjul]

I have the 12-60 f3.5-5.6 from my G81 and although I always wished to get the Leica, I still think the cheaper version is a great kit lens too.

[@martingreenberg870]

@@morcjul I don’t know hat body the PL12-60mm lens was the kit lens for. I think of it as a premium zoom lens. I bought it separately from any bodies. As morcjul suggests, the 12-60 Panasonic kit lens is surprisingly good. Bough it bundled with a GX9. I planned to sell it to lower the cost of the body. Instead, I rather like it with GX bodies and am keeping it. I own the PL version but it is heavier and larger than the P version. I like it on the G9. You are right about the Fuji kit lens. You mentioned it but I want to reiterate this fact. Yes it is fast at the wide angle side. Yes it is sharp through the zoom range. An important attribute of this lens is the IS. Up until recently, Fuji only made bodies without IBIS. The kit lens helped provide IS for early and small Fuji bodies. Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)

[@noso-1111]

Lots of comments on the Panasonic S 20-60. I have it and the onlything negative is it’s so good, it’s the lense I leave out of the house with and usually miss good shooting opportunities with my very good primes!

[@nikoforu]

I was particularly impressed by the Panasonic Lumix GF1 with the 20mm f1.7 prime lens and Nikon Z6/Z7 with the 24-70 F4S.

[@BrownieX001]

Totally agree on the fuji 18-55mm. It was a big reason why I shifted to their platform

[@stefanwagener]

My favorites: 1. Panasonic 12-32, super compact, pretty sharp 2. Nikon Z 24-120, because of more usable range over the 24-70 and another notch sharper 3. Panasonic 20mm 1.7

[@Luigiz28]

That Panasonic 12-32mm kit lens is a little gem. I shot some of my favorite images with it paired with my Em5 II.

[@sunnybizz4857]

My first entry to MFT was a 20/1.7 with GF-1. I was totally in "artist mode" heaven. The first entry into FF mirrorless was the Z-24-120 f4 which is many levels above previous Nikin kit lenses I've had. Now I'm on the hunt for the panasonic 12-32 😀

[@noenken]

6:58 Minimal error, the Nikon goes to 120mm, not just 105.

[@domtomazo]

I am mainly a prime guy, but got hold of a Olympus 12-60mm lens (12-60 F2.8-4 SWD) that was actually for Four Thirds but fit nicely with the MMF-3 adapter to Micro Four Thirds. To my surprise I have used it a lot. The Panaleica 12-60 in native micro four thirds seems like an even better, especially smaller, lens!

[@ledged_up]

The Fuji 15-45mm also performs admirably. It's extremely light and compact, though it is only f3.5-5.6. I had a decentered copy that I returned but my current copy is consistently sharp across the frame and great at all focal lengths.

[@amermeleitor]

What about Panasonic L Mount? It's worth the cost to pay a little extra for the kit? Or it's better to go with the body only?

[@glsracer]

I was happy to see the PL 12-60 f/2.8-4 and Lumix 20 f/1.7 (plus the image of the 14 f/2.5). These are still some of my favorite lenses along with the 10-25 f/1.7.

[@Vromiaris778]

I am actually absolutely astonshed with the Nikon DX 16-50mm kit lens! Lightweight, super compacts, built-in stability and razor sharp images. Looks goofy… but the images are surely not!

[@justindsphotos]

I have to mention the HD Pentax-DA 20-40mm F2.8-4 Limited DC WR, it is compact, weather sealed, all metal and a throw back to the old Takumar lenses! It gets my pic for the best and was even compared to the Fuji 18-55 by cameraville.

[@justindsphotos]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/m4ipdXSsfKeoeassi=IfXBTAIFeuYeKsrB

[@zahifar3936]

The true kit lens from Panasonic is the 12-60 f3.5-5.6. It is dirt cheap and a very satisfying lens to use! And probably my favourite kit lens. Another kit lens from Fujifilm is the 16-80 f4.

[@darwiniandude]

I had the 16-80 ƒ/4 and while it was good, (got it in a kit with the X-T4) I actually sold it to get the 18-120 PZ, which I much prefer. They're both constant ƒ/4 but the 120 range lets me throw the backrgound out a bit more, and while I got the PZ for video work primarily I actually really like it as an allrounder. I feel the images are a little better than I'd have expected them to be, and the 16-80 was a little worse than I'd have expected. I did like the 16-80 though - but one reason I sold it was because I also have the XF 80 ƒ/2.8 Macro, so there was some overlap there. 16-80 has OIS which combined with IBIS is insane, unfortunately the 18-120 PZ has no OIS but the X-T4 IBIS mostly makes up for it pretty well. 18-120 is only 20g heavier than the 16-80, so for me I quite like the extra reach, and I never owned the old 18-135 which is another kit option.

[@StrangelyIronic]

The flagship bodies came with the PanaLeica lens or at least had a kit option for it over the other lens. I know the GH bodies and the G9 had the PanaLeica as a kit option because that's where I got mine. The G9.ii only has the PanaLeica 12-60 as an option on their site, whereas the G95 has the 12-60 F3.5-5.6.

[@zahifar3936]

@@StrangelyIronic True. I thought of that afterwards. It’s just that when one says kit, one thinks cheap or affordable. As is the case with the kit lenses that come with the crop sensor cameras from Nikon and Canon. Fujifilm have better kit lenses and the more expensive Panasonic micro 4/3 cameras have the lens you mentioned.

[@We.r.outside]

The panasonic 12-60 f3.5 is my favorite 🤟🏽

[@tlg6339]

I enjoyed the video. I'm all in on the Fuji 18-55 f/2.8-4. It's outstanding.

[@billgreen1140]

I’m impressed with the Panasonic S 20-60mm. Optically very good and right in my wheel house for most used focal range.

[@elementary8963]

It really is a good versatile lens.

[@muratbasc8302]

Canon EF-M 18-55 is also a really sharp and fun to use lens, I think it as a slower aperture Canon clone of Fujifilm 18-55mm

[@bmeclipse]

Absolutely correct with the Fuji 18-55. Used it with my XT3, sold it, instantly regretted it, bought it again. Great walking around lens.

[@d3xmeister]

Best at what ? Sharpness ? Details ? Contrast ? Color rendition ? Bokeh ? AF Speed ? Focal range ? Size and weight ? For me, one of the best was the Panasonic 14-140mm that came in kit with GH cameras. Didn’t really missed on any points above. And before, one of the best zooms was the Four Thirds Olympus 12-60mm f/2.8-f/4. I found it much better at rendering and corner sharpness at wide than any mFT alternatives today

[@GUANTA23K]

Panasonic Lumix S 24-105 f4 Macro (0.5x @105 mm) with OIS! It's such an amazing lens! It's also pretty much parfocal (holding focus while zooming).

[@hedydd2]

Best, as in most useful and versatile kit lens in the UK was the Panasonic 14-140 10X zoom which was an optional factory bundle in the UK with the G6 and G7. I bought both cameras with double cashback deals at various times which meant that the body only cost a few Pounds more than the lens would have cost on its own. This lens may not be technically ‘the best’ in terms of sharpness but it is very compact and light, no bigger than an 18-55 ASC lens, and both my examples are my most used ‘grab and go’ lenses to this day.

[@benauer3431]

Olympus 12-45mm f4. Love that little lens

[@DanielM1224]

the panasonic 20-60 is a beast

[@maxhammick948]

The M43 20mm sounds like a fun lens, we need more prime lens kit bundles! The nikon Z 16-50 is a pretty great kit lens, the aperture isn't much to write home about but it's tiny (jacket pocketable on a Z50) and very sharp. Of course, it's hard to find a bad lens on Z!

[@blakeparry1983]

the fuji would be the winner for me based on its price, but yeah the 24-105L deserves a spot (and the RF one is even sharper). also a good one was the old sony 16-50 f.28 for the A-mount aps-c cameras - loved that thing

[@RichardFraser-y9t]

Had that with my old 5Dmk2

[@CPD0123a]

I absolutely love my Pentax 18-135mm. It's so versatile and sharp. It's not ideal for low light, but otherwise it's my go-to for any other situation where I may not have a "perfect" lens for a job.

[@MichaelLaing71]

When I sold most of my Fujifilm gear last year, the 2 lenses I kept were the Fujifilm 90mm f/2 and the Fujifilm 18-55mm f/2.8 - 4. I bought a X-E1 bundled with the 18-55mm and a 55-230mm f/4.5-6.7 back in 2014, just as a fun play around camera, and I have to say the 18-55mm is still a lens I love, particularly for video (not with the X-E1). It was small light, had built in image stabilisation, really good image quality. it was one of the reasons I bought an X-H2 this year, despite, running a GFX100s and a D850. The thing is this was a kit lens, whilst I feel some of the lenses like the Canon 24-105mm f/4 L, which to me isn't really a kit lens, even if it was bundled into some camera bodies.

[@f.iph7291]

What would you say about the DR difference between D850 and GFX100s? Is it visible?

[@LukeVesty]

I own the Fuji 18-55 and have used it on an X-T1 and X-T3. My favourite ever photo was taken with this lens one morning in Paris. Absolutely brilliant travel lens in particular.

[@jimbruton9482]

Couldn't agree more with your no. 1 pick. When I went mirrorless with the Canon R5, I gave my older MD5II with the EF 24-105 F4Lto a family member. I loved this mid- zoom so much, I purchased the RF 24-105 F4L as my 1st RF lens and although I now have other RF lenses, it still remains one of my favorites.

[@lionheart4424]

This year I bought the EF 24-105 f/4 for an old 6D I was able to get at a favorable price. It gets stunning results, but I was able to validate this on my Canon M50. The colors that it gives with good light are amazing. No doubt is the No. 1 kit lens so far after so many years.

[@darrenambler9431]

I’m very impressed with my Canon RFS 18mm to 150mm f3.5 to f6.3 kit lens that came with my EOS R10 - ok, can be a little slow when zoomed but decently sharp, with a very useful focal range!

[@christof4105]

Yep, thats a nice little lens. Im using it on my R7 as a snapshot/sightseeing lens if there is no need for specialized gear. (Edit: typos)

[@christill]

I can’t remember if it came in the box or not. But the 12-40mm f2.8 lens they sell in a kit with the OM-1 I think is pretty impressive.

[@martingreenberg870]

I have the Olympus 12-40mm lens. It is in their “Pro” series. It lives on my EMD 1 Mii. A lovely lens. No IS but it lives on an IBIS enabled body. Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)

[@pgy8863]

Great list. I liked them all. The Pana M43 20 f1.7 is just a great, unique lens. It'd be pretty awesome if Panasonic made a v3 that was weather sealed, and if I'm not asking too much, a faster focus system. The rest of the list is a good one. I thought that you'd have picked the affordable, small and good Panasonic 12-60 3.5-5.6. Yes it's slower that the Leica, but it's so small and affordable with good image quality and some weather sealing. Now a suggestion for the boys: Worst kit lenses. I'd suggest that Sony APS 16-50! Yikes!

[@simond1574]

My Faves: Olympus M.Zuiko digital ED 14-42mm 3.5-5.6 EZ silber - It made my M10 with the additional LC-37C lens cap to kind of automatic compact camera. And it was a masisve upgrade to the EOS 450 with the 18-55 before. Loved it. Fujifilm Fujinon XF 18-55mm 2.8-4.0 R LM OIS - I really would like such a lens in other systems. Relatively compact, but with wider aperture, than the other APSC kit lenses.

[@bigtiger567]

Pana12-32 and olympus 14-42 are also good kit lenses.

[@WestEpicVisuals]

Did not expect rhe panny 20mm to make this list but im here for it. Its so cheap but so good for the money, it lives on my g85 for an ultra cheap and light travel setup. Also turns out that on the G9ii the CAF now works! Still noisy and slow AF but definitely usable

[@yawningmarmot]

It's very good. I do wish they upgraded the focus motor to that of the Panasonic 25mm 1.7, though. It would make a perfect lens.

[@BobbyCash814]

I love that my canon eos r came with a rf 24-105 f4. That thing is my most used lens; always great photos and rarely do I need more.

[@gmcubed]

I've only tried 3 kit lenses, 2 canon, one fuji. I didn't realize how bad I had it on canon until I I tried the fuji variant of the 18-55. Noy only was it fast and sharp, its great for video, if you don't mind the variable aperture when zooming. unlike the canon kits I've tried, the zoom on fuji is butter smooth, and not plasticy. Plus, the aperture ring makes it hard to go back. I would be using it more often except I tent to reach for the shorter 18-35 sigma (adapted) instead, since it has a constant, fast aperture, and thats more useful to me in a lot of day to day cases than zoom range.

[@Razor2048]

For the really low price points (entry level), the Nikon AF-P 18-55 f/3.6 - 5.6 VR was quite good in terms of detail. It is one thing to get a decent kit lens with a $2000+ camera purchase like with prosumer level gear. But it is another thing to get it in a $400-500 camera where the sharpness is decent throughout the range, along with very quick auto focus. While it is good to appreciate lenses from higher end camera bundles, at the entry level end, it is rare to find a good kit lens, and the AF-P series have been one of the few exceptions.

[@WiwatChang]

Mine is the EF-M22mm f2.0 that came with my first mirrorless, the original EOS-M.

[@TheRealMarxz]

got the GF1 with the 20mm and shot with that exclusively on the MFT system for about 4 years and is still one of my favourite MFT lenses - may have got the 25 15 and 12 Lumix Leica lenses and the 12-60 2.8-60 as a kit on the G9 but the 20 mm will always be in my kit (the 14mm pancake that came with my GF3 that it was a kit lens for - purchased used for like $40 I've taken that lens and even the GF3 around the world) and yeh the 24-105 f/4 that came with my 5Div is quite a versatile lens and started my move away from _NEEDING_ 2.8 zooms on my various 5D's - its a little ripper. Another favourite kit lens which was sort of a two for the price of one was the 14-42mm II kit lens that came with my GX7 it's no pancake and yes it's slower than the 20mm but it's so very very sharp and so very very light - now the two for the price of one was that her at least in Australia if you pre-ordered the GX7 + 14-42 kit at their promotional roadshow you got the 45-150 as a freebe - yeh I know that doesn't quite count by your criteria but like the 14-42mm that was light small and sharp from wide open - I spent 6 months traveling through Japan (technically two lots of 3 months... because visa restrictions) with just the GX7 the GF3, the two pancake kit lenses and the two kit zooms, first time I ever traveled that far and that long with out at least an APC DSLR and the holy trinity of 2.8 L lenses .... what a relief to not lug that lot around and still get good shots, it was like in my old film days of leaving the Nikon F4 + lenses and just taking the Olympus XA or the Yashica Electro 35 GT

[@laurendelosreyes9615]

Nikon 24-70 f4, olympus 12-40mm 2.8 and panny 20mm for me

[@0M0rty]

The Panasonic 12-32 is a maybe a bit unusual but compelling choice nonetheless IMO. It isn't fast nor particularly sharp (but ok considering the resolution of m4/3 sensors). The big plus is size. With rangefinder style M4/3 bodies, this thing is pocketable* and thus can be your daily carry. It's special because it makes your camera compete not with big boy cameras, but phones, where the zoom range and IQ look a lot better now. * in jacket/cargo pants, to be fair. Still that's most of the year in most places

[@JikoMuskato]

Yeah, I bought the EF 24-105mm F4 L IS USM even seperately to my 5D Mark III back in 2012. And it's been my most used lens ever since.

[@lout1587]

This last month, I have enjoyed shooting the Olympus 14-42 f3.5-5.6 kit lens on my new-to-me Pen F. Very sweet kit, it is.

[@emmetkowler]

I shoot with multiple GH6’s for video. All kitted with that 12-60. Never disappointed

[@kamcma1]

The Pentax 18-55mm II was an optical improvement on its predecessor, then they made a weather-sealed version (WR). That paired great with Pentax's weather-sealed DSLRs, even low-end ones. The Panasonic 14-42mm II is very sharp, and has less distortion to correct out than many M43 mid-range zooms. The kit versions all come with a plastic mount, but boxed versions have a metal mount. The Panasonic 14-140mm f/3.5-5.6 (not the earlier f/4-5.8 lens) is very sharp for a 10x super zoom. To people saying the Panasonic 12-32mm: it's small, but it has reliability problems because it's partly assembled with glue. I would take the 14-42mm II over the 12-32mm.

[@CPD0123a]

And then the 18-135mm Pentax basically obsoleted the 18-55mm because it's just as sharp, but more versatile.

[@peribot9226]

The pentax 28-105 for full frame is honestly amazing, really sharp throughout the zoom, especially when stopped down a little. It's also very light and somewhat compact, plus the amazing weather sealing on it. It's quickly became one of my go to lenses in my kit, whenever i don't need fast apertures or need a telephoto, it's usually this or the 43.

[@StrangelyIronic]

I love my Olympus 12-40mm F2.8 and even the 12-45mm F4 I got bundled in a sale when I bought my E-M5 Mark III new years ago. The PanaLeica 12-60 is a great lens, but those two are also pretty solid. I gave my PL 12-60 E-M1.iii to my work/travel partner when she started considering MFT, with our work requiring a lot of travel all over and then tons of walking, hiking, etc. to get to remote areas. Since then, I've actually used the 12-45 F4 more and more and have been pleased with the results. Depending on the job, I use the 12-100 F4 or 12-40+40-150mm F2.8, but that's not kit lens territory anymore.

[@NickABQQm]

Glad my 20mm 1.7 got its mentioned🎉

[@the_wiki9408]

honorable mentions: Panasonic 12-32. Slow aperture, but so compact and light while still being sharp. Fuji 35mm f2 - one of the few good prime kit lens options. Nikon 18-70 3.5-4.5. Kit lens for the D70 was faster and more range than the boring 18-55s. Pity it didn’t last longer in Nikon’s lineup or influence Canon to make one.

[@artistjoh]

I bought my Lumix G9 in a Pro-kit that included the 12-35mm f2.8 which proves that kit lenses can be pro-quality. It was an expensive kit, but it still gave me a good discount on that lens. Panasonic has been a great manufacturer for offering some superb kit lens options.

[@trulsdirio]

I am actually amazed by the humble Nikon AF-P 18-55 VR. It is really sharp, super compact, hasn't broken after almost eight years of use and just does it's job, especially for landscape work I still love using it.

[@sierragold]

The Panasonic 20mm f1.7 is a fantastic small, light lens. And indeed, the Fuji 18-55 is also. I can report that both lenses are insanely sharp!

[@tizio54]

Great lens but I sold it because of noisy and slow auto-focus. It's due for an update, preferably weather sealed.

[@torrel8074]

Panasonic S 20-60 is shockingly good for a kit lens. Variable aperture, but having the extra wide is nice and its quite well corrected.

[@Narsuitus]

Since I usually buy used cameras, I usually do not get kit lenses. However here are two exceptions: 1. I received a Nikon N70 film camera as a gift. It came with a Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5 to 5.6 G AF VR kit lens. Up to that point in time, I was not a fan of zoom lenses but was so impressed with the performance of this lens that I kept it and even bought a few more zoom lenses. 2. I had decided to buy a new graphite Fuji X-Pro2 mirrorless digital but was disappoint to learn that is only sold with a 23mm f/2 Fujinon lens. Since I already owned a 23mm f/1.4 Fujinon lens, I felt that I did not need another 23mm lens. Therefore, I had planned on selling the 23mm f/2 as soon as possible. However, for some reason, I decided to try the lens before I sold it. I was so impressed with its size and performance that I decided to keep it.

[@calebkelstudios]

Nikkor 24-70 f4, what a lens. I still use this lens as my go-to studio lens more than 2 years after getting it alongside my z6. Very sharp, compact and beautiful..

[@rmgibbs1861]

Ty! A very Happy New Year!

[@RJPhotographics]

Getting in there at 0:27 before any commentary on contenders. Top of my list is the Lumix 12-32. What an absolute peach - and it's twin lens kit compadre the 35-100. Sure there are some software corrections, but it delivers the goods and is so portable. Fuji's XF 18-55 is nice, as is the Sony power zoom APSC one and Lumix 12-60 f3.5-5.6, but that little Lumix is something else. Some real munters out there in the kit lens sphere.

[@caleidoo]

I remember, almost 15 years ago, skipping the Nikon D50 & 18-55 F3.5-5.6 kit and just buying the D50 body-only and going for the D70 kitlens: the excellent 18-70mm F3.5-4.5. It served me well and felt great to handle, it was a couple of steps above the 18-55mm plastic mount kit lenses of the time, on all levels. But that was the last time I bought a kitlens, after going pro. I did buy a Fuji kit lens kit for my X-E3 travel & fun kit, next to my Nikon full frame kit I used professionally. The 16-50 F3.5-5.6 & 50-230mm F4.5-6.7, excellent combined range of 24-350mm equivalent. Both are extremely light and compact - which my was goal - and performed well. I do rarely use them, I almost always use cheap manual Chinese prime lenses on the X-E3, because they are fun and have very imperfect vintage rendering. The complete opposite of my modern Nikon Z system.

[@julioareck]

I like to travel with light and compact gear, but without compromising quality too much. That's why I keep my good old Fuji 18-55 with me: it's compact and gives me decent quality. Paired with the 70-300, they cover most of my needs.

[@TippyMaggee3-l4m]

Kudos to the writing team for "Jordana White" satirical reference. As usual great writing guys--ad libing. It's one of the reasons I love these videos. Not to mention the charisma.

[@MrVara411]

Love the m43 love on this video! I've been shooting micro four thirds for almost a decade and have no plans/desire to go anywhere else. Love the quality photos I'm getting with these fun, tiny lenses and bodies. The used market is also (mostly) very affordable!

[@DavidDegnan]

The Canon RF 24-105 F4 L is why I bought my EOS RP, was so excited by the image quality reviews were talking about. Still love it, but I love my cheap fast primes a lot, and def looking to upgrade the body and think the 24-105 will only be more and more useful with more capable autofocus

[@derbagger22]

I have the RF 24-105 f/4. My RP had the 24-240 kit lens and while I loved that versatility, I'm so much happier with the 24-105 and the f/4 is so good when traveling. I know it's a yawn lens for some, but it's what stays on my R6 most of the time.

[@ElGrecoDaGeek]

@petapixel - a minor goof in that last image, it's the Nikkor 24-120 f4 S line (based on the 24-120 f4 F Mount obviously). Chris properly identified it earlier, but it looks like a copy paste mistake on the graphic.

[@AnnaVahtera]

I still carry Panasonic 20mm pancake with my camera bag. It's such a nice lens and combined with the E-M5 or GX9 bodies it makes the whole cameras really small and usable. Even as a woman with small-ish hands, the cameras stay perfectly usable. Shoutout to the Panasonic's 12-32 and 35-100 tiny lenses. They're not fast, but you can get a whole kit fit for a handbag and the image quality is nothing to sneer at. When you realize the 35-100 is full-frame terms is a 70-200 and you can put it into your pocket, it changes your mindset :)

[@tumbleweedfarm]

My personal favorite kit lens is the Sony 16-55. Works great as a remote wifi rig with the power zoom!

[@brianmckeever5280]

I was surprised I owned two of those! Panasonic MFT 20mm 1.7 and 12-60mm 2.8-4.0.

[@martingreenberg870]

Shows your discerning eyes when choosing lenses. Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)

[@LucaPetraliaPhotography]

I had the Pana 20mm 1.7 and the Fuji 18-55. Both exceptional kit lenses

[@shred3005]

Pentax DFA 28-105mm for full frame K-1. Sharp, smooth AF, weather sealed and not big or heavy. Great travel zoom

[@GhislainLeduc]

Hey Jordan and Chris, HAPPY NEW YEAR! Love, health and lots of free time to live your dreams in 2024. I was wondering, I have been shooting pictures all my life as an amateur and pro for a few years and stopped. I am still using a Nikon D800 which I think it's still perfect for the portrait pictures I normally take but I want to start doing interviews and film in 4k. Do you have any kit to suggest ? (I have no z lenses and am looking for 2 body and lenses), I was looking at the Nikon Z8 but quite expensive and it doesn't film as long as the Sony's Fx-30 (dx). Not sure I need FX format as for Interview, I'll have lights etc. :) Tks in advance and have a wonderful day!

[@AmadeuszAndrzejewski]

I'd give a honorary mention to the Panasonic 20-60 mm f/3.5-5.6 Yes, it is dark, but the image quality is awesome and it broke the 24-xxx lens system starting off at 20 mm.

[@kcphotogeek6207]

I know the old DSLR kits were somewhat laughed off but I do think it’s worth noting that the Pentax 18-55 was weather sealed so you could get a weather sealed body and lens new for under 800USD that was and is hard to come by for interchangeable lens camera, the closest I can think was the Lumix G85 with 12-60mm f3.5-5.6 The Pentax weather sealed combo allowed me to get some of my favorite shots in horrendous monsoon conditions. Though my favorite kit lens ever is the Panaleica 12-60mm f2.8-4.0 fantastic lens which can often be had for well under 500usd secondhand

[@kcphotogeek6207]

@mipmipmipmipmip I have that lens too and agree it’s a great kit lens. I was specifically referring to their comment on the 18-55 Canon, Nikon and Pentax versions. I would rate the Pentax 18-135mm higher, ideal for landscape shooters on a tight budget

[@michaelscaplis]

I got the 2 Lumix lensen mentioned. Both second hand and they are indeed very good.

[@mundanestreet7874]

i loved the nikon z 16-50 dx kit lens. the fuji 18-55 is the goat tho

[@scottparis6355]

The Fuji kit lens is the best I've ever found. Got it with (I think) an FT-2, still use it with my XT-5. Only downside is no aperture ring. I'm afraid the if they bring out a replacement, it will be mostly about cost-saving, like most new equipment this year. The other best kit lens, for me, was the one that came with the first Panasonic camera I ever bought, a G2, I think. Not a pancake, and don't offhand ermember the focal lengths, but I think I won the QC lottery. Super super sharp. Still use it with my latest Olympus camera.

[@Ranger7Studios]

The Canon EF-S 18-135mm should be on this list. I got one with my 60D and I used it for years. A very versatile lens with a great range.

[@cgriggsiv]

I know what you mean My Pentax k - 70 came with the 18-135 but I wish it would have came with the 18-270 Both lenses are 62 mm threaded but I think the 18-270 was more versatile

[@darwiniandude]

I have to agree. Came with my wife's 650D, and at the time, an incredible combo. Had great close focus, OIS, nice video abilities too... I guess it suffers from being incompatible with full frame EF cameras but that EF-S 18-135 OIS was my preference whenever I used my wife's camera. 216mm 35 quiv. was just so useful, and great optically for what it is.

[@xmeda]

My first DSLR lens bought with my first Pentax DSLR was the mighty Sigma 17-70/2.8-4.5 which is the true king of "kit lenses" :D although not being in any standard kit, for me it was, because I bought it with the camera as one order. And it serves me even today. It is all in one kind of lens, that can go wide, a bit of short telephoto, it can do some low light with F2.8, can do fantastic close-ups... reliable workhorse. Now I have three of them, two 17-70/2.8-4.5 and one slightly modernized 17-70/2.8-4.0 with HSM :D And it amazes me, that till this day there is no other lens as capable as this one.

[@alexanderhartmann7950]

My first Exa 1b (used) came with a 50/2.8 Kiev88 (used) with 90/2.8 Nikon D200 (used) with 18-70 Nikon Z6 new came with a F-Z adaptor Z8 barebone

[@iarkou]

Sony DT 16-50mm F2.8 SSM that came in a kit with the Sony SLT-A77. Sharp, fast, weather resistant, silent and internal focusing.

[@EP50009]

I agree. THE BEST KIT LENS, PERIOD.

[@EdSaenzDrums]

The EF-M 15-45mm f3.5-5.6 IS STM is a great sharp little lens with image stabilization and is often overlooked.

[@ScottJWaldron]

A Patlabor t-shirt, wow! One of my favorite mecha universes.

[@q3aki]

i still use my 24-105 in the studio - funny that thru years, i didnt switch to newer versions or 24-70. But fuji here in 2nd, absolutely love it.

[@erichramone7812]

Super cool video. I was always inpressed with the Nikon Z 24-70 f4s.

[@garykings5723]

The Fuji kit lens is ultimately what sold me on going with an X-T30ii over an A6400. It was my first camera and I didn't want to be buying a lens that I'd be immediately looking to upgrade out of, and I especially didn't want my first lens giving me disappointing enough results to make me quit early. The 18-55mm is brilliant, and while I have more lenses now, this remains central to my kit in many ways.