Best portrait lenses for Nikon digital SLR cameras published by DxOMark. The best portrait lenses listed below are tested by using the high-end Nikon D800 camera.
The AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.4G lens scored 40 and is the best portrait / prime lens for Nikon, which is currently has expensive price for $1,649. With the same focal length AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.8G lens also scored 40 and priced for $497 from DxOMark test results.
AF-S NIKKOR 200mm f/2G ED VR II is a telephoto prime lens and give superb results for portrait shoots. This lens has an expensive price but also called “sharpest lens ever” by DxOMark and became the new king of portrait lenses.
Portrait lenses are fixed focal length prime lenses and have higher prices. If you own a Nikon DSLR camera in DX format than the best choice will be AF-S DX Micro-Nikkor 40mm f/2.8G with a price for only $277.
Best Portrait Lenses for Nikon DSLR Cameras
Here you can find the best portrait / prime lenses for Nikon DSLR cameras. The cameras you can use to mount these lenses are Nikon D4, D800, D700, D600, D300S, D300, D7100, D7000, D5200, D5100, D3200.
| Lens | Price | DxOMark Score | Buy Now |
| AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.4G | $1,649 | 40 | Amazon |
| AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.8G | $497 | 40 | Amazon |
| AF-S NIKKOR 200mm f/2G ED VR II | $5,819 | 39 | Amazon |
| Zeiss Makro-Planar T 100mm f/2 ZF2 | $1,843 | 36 | Amazon |
| Samyang 85mm f/1.4 Aspherical IF | $329 | 36 | Amazon |
| Sigma 85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM | $894 | 35 | Amazon |
| AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 D IF | $1,199 | 33 | Amazon |
| Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM | $449 | 32 | Amazon |
| AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G | $899 | 32 | Amazon |
| AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 D | $334 | 32 | Amazon |
| AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 G | $469 | 32 | Amazon |
| Tamron 90mm f/2.8 SP Di MACRO 1:1 VC USD | $649 | 32 | Amazon |
| Zeiss Makro-Planar T 50mm f/2 ZF2 | $1,283 | 31 | Amazon |
| AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G | $216 | 31 | Amazon |
| Sigma 70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro | $449 | 30 | Amazon |
| Zeiss Planar T 85mm f/1.4 ZF2 | $1,283 | 29 | Amazon |
| Tamron SP AF 90mm F/2.8 Di MACRO | $499 | 29 | Amazon |
| Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro | $769 | 28 | Amazon |
| AF Micro Nikkor 200mm f/4.0D ED-IF | $1,649 | 27 | Amazon |
| AF-S DX Micro-Nikkor 40mm f/2.8G | $277 | 18 | Amazon |
| Tamron SP 60mm f/2 Di II 1:1 AF Macro | $524 | 17 | Amazon |
| Tokina 35mm f/2.8 AT-X PRO DX Macro | $500 | 17 | Amazon |
| AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 85mm f/3.5G ED VR | $527 | 15 | Amazon |
Why would I want a long (200 mm) lense that is ultrasharp? I’d go for a shorter lense (50-85mm on DX, 85-105 on FF) that has a nice bokeh. Ultrasharp lenses are not very flattering for portrait photography and you will need a lot of post processing to get decent results.
I’d take the 85mm 1.8G if you’re on a budget and the 1.4G if you can afford it.
What about NIKON AF-D 105mm f/2 DC and NIKON AF-D 135mm f/2 DC ?!