portrait lens: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

On a full-frame camera, a 50mm lens is often considered a 'standard' lens but can be used for environmental portraits. On cameras with APS-C sensors, it becomes a short telephoto (~80mm equivalent) and is commonly used as a portrait lens.

Yes, many zoom lenses covering the 70-200mm range are very popular portrait lenses due to their flexibility and optical quality, especially at wider apertures like f/2.8.

Wide apertures allow more light in for faster shutter speeds and, crucially, create a shallow depth of field. This isolates the subject by blurring the background and foreground, which is flattering for portraits.

A portrait lens is optimized for rendering human subjects at a typical portrait distance with minimal distortion and pleasing out-of-focus areas. A macro lens is optimized for high magnification and sharpness at very close focusing distances, often for small subjects. Some lenses can function as both.

A camera lens designed primarily for taking flattering, sharp photographs of people, typically characterized by a medium focal length and a wide aperture.

Portrait lens is usually technical (photography), everyday (among photographers/enthusiasts) in register.

Portrait lens: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpɔː.treɪt ˌlenz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpɔːr.trət ˌlenz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.