A few days ago, I posted a list of the best-selling cameras in 2022, using data from a contact at B&H Photo. There will always be slight geographical differences in sales from other markets. Still, the data is a good representation of the North American market, with B&H being one of the biggest camera stores in the US. This is fascinating stuff that I have never seen before.
After seeing some interest in the best-selling camera post, I immediately asked if I could get the same sales data for lenses, but this time also asked for it to be broken out into some brand-specific best-seller lists. I have never seen sales data like this before, and it reveals some fascinating insights into the lens market. I’m thankful to my contact within the company for giving us this exclusive insight into what was popular in 2022.
Table of Contents
Best-Selling Lenses of 2022 (All Brands)
- Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN for Sony E mount
- Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II
- Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM
- Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM
- Nikon Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR
- Sony 24-105mm f/4 G
- Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS
- Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S
- Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC ART for Canon EF
- Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS
Would you have guessed that a 3rd party Sony E Mount lens was the best-selling lens in 2022? I’m not sure I would have. Considering the Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 is a few years old, it is doing incredibly well to beat the official Sony 24-70 mm f/2.8 GM II. The Sigma is half the price of the Sony lens, and while the Sony GM II does outperform the Sigma, it’s not by a wide margin. Clearly, the price point is important for buyers in 2022.
The next surprise was how well the Canon nifty-fifty lenses are selling. I would have expected to see the RF version in the top ten, but third place is very high. More surprising is that the EF Mount DSLR version is still in 4th place! Based on the camera sales stats of 2022, Canon isn’t selling many DSLRs these days. However, existing DSLR users still buy some EF lenses in huge quantities. It does beg the question, what is it with Canon shooters and their cheap 50mm lenses? Sony and Nikon’s equivalents don’t register in the top ten, and you must dig into their best-sellers to find them.
Another interesting point is the 7th-place position of the RF 100-400mm lens. The Canon EF 100-400mm L-Series lens was a massive seller in the DSLR days, but the Canon RF lens replacement is technically the new RF 100-500mm lens. The RF 100-400mm is a non-L-Series lens with a smaller aperture and lesser build quality than the original DSLR 100-400mm. Still, it appears that the cheap $600 price point has wowed more than a few Canon mirrorless camera shooters. The RF 100-500mm comes in at 4th place on the RF lens best-sellers list, but that’s not enough to pull it into the top ten.
A less obvious point to consider is the fairly even spread between the top three camera brands. Sony has the best-selling first-party lens on the list, but Nikon and Canon are scattered throughout with a further Sony lens. This shows that sales are relatively strong for all three manufacturers. There is no single manufacturer that is walking away with a truckload more lens sales.
Best-Selling Canon RF Lenses of 2022
- Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM
- Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM
- Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS USM
- Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM
- Canon RF 100mm f/2.8 L Macro IS USM
- Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM
- Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8 L IS USM
- Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM
- Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM
- Canon RF 14-35mm f/4 L IS USM
No huge surprises in the Canon RF top ten apart from the already-discussed 100-400mm sitting above the 100-500mm. I note that the RF 70-200mm f/4 L is missing, but I bet it’s hovering just outside the top ten. The lack of Canon f/1.2 lenses in the top ten is also worth mentioning. Everyone likes to shout about how vital f/1.2 lenses are and laments the lack of them in a lineup when there aren’t enough. But the fact is, they aren’t selling well compared to other lenses—neither the Canon RF 50mm f/1.2 nor RF 85mm f/1.2 made the top ten.
Best-Selling Canon EF Lenses of 2022
- Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM
- Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM
- Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM
- Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM
- Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III
- Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM
- Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
- Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM
- Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM
- Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM
The EF 50mm lens’s existence in the top ten list of lens sales in 2022 proves that Canon DSLR users are still buying lenses, even if they are no longer buying the cameras. As Canon continues slowly discontinuing EF lenses, you can look to this list for the likely candidates for holdouts. There wouldn’t be much point in discontinuing the best-selling EF lenses until the last moment for the EF mount.
Best-Selling 3rd Party Canon EF Mount Lenses of 2022
- Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art
- Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary
- Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Art
- Rokinon 35mm T1.5 Cine DS
- Rokinon 85mm T1.5 Cine DS
- Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary
- Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Sports
- Rokinon 50mm T1.5 AS UMC Cine DS
- Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD
- Rokinon 24mm T1.5 Cine DS
Best-Selling Nikon NIKKOR Z Lenses of 2022
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S
- Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S Macro
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S
All the usual best-selling suspects are in the Nikon Z lens top ten. However, I would have expected the 24-120mm lens to lead the list. Purely anecdotally, this is just the lens I see most often when I bump into other Nikon users. The Nikon Z 24-200mm lens wasn’t really on my radar, but it seems that the sub-$1000 price has caught the eye of many who want a do-it-all lens.
Best-Selling 3rd Party Nikon Z Mount Lenses of 2022
- Tamron 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD
- Venus Optics Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO
- Rokinon 14mm f/2.8
- TTArtisan 11mm f/2.8
- Viltrox AF 85mm f/1.8
- TTArtisan 7.5mm f/2 Fisheye
- Viltrox AF 23mm f/1.4 Z
- Viltrox AF 24mm f/1.8
- TTArtisan 50mm f/1.2)
- Tokina SZX 400mm f/8 Reflex
Best-Selling 3rd Party Nikon F Mount Lenses of 2022
- Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary
- Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM
- Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro
- Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD
- Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art
- Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM
- Tokina atx-i 11-20mm f/2.8 CF
- Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2
- Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Sports
- Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2
Best-Selling Sony E Mount Lenses of 2022
- Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II
- Sony FE 24-105mm f/4 G
- Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM
- Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM II
- Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM
- Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G
- Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS
- Sony FE 50mm f/1.8
- Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM
- Sony FE PZ 16-35mm f/4 G
With the Sony 20-70mm f/4 G only hitting shelves in December, it didn’t reach the top ten in 2022. However, I know it is selling incredibly well in 2023, and I expect it to make a strong entrance to the rankings later this year. Perhaps even in the #1 slot. Likewise, I expect the new Sony 50mm f/1.4 GM to enter the top ten in a strong position by the end of 2023, even though it is not slated to ship until April.
Best-Selling 3rd Party Sony E Mount Lenses of 2022
- Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art
- Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2
- Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD
- Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary
- Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art Lens
- Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary
- Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VXD
- Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 Di III RXD
- Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN Art
- Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary
Best-Selling Fujifilm X Series Lenses of 2022
- FUJIFILM XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR Lens
- FUJIFILM XF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 R LM OIS WR Lens
- FUJIFILM XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR Lens
- FUJIFILM XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR Lens
- FUJIFILM XF 35mm f/2 R WR Lens (Black)
- FUJIFILM XF 56mm f/1.2 R WR Lens
- FUJIFILM XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR Lens
- FUJIFILM XF 30mm f/2.8 R LM WR Macro Lens
- FUJIFILM XF 23mm f/2 R WR Lens (Black)
- FUJIFILM XF 18mm f/1.4 R LM WR Lens
Best-Selling 3rd Party Fuji X Mount Lenses of 2022
- Sigma 56mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary
- Viltrox AF 13mm f/1.4 XF Lens
- Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary
- Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary
- Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD
- TTArtisan 50mm f/1.2
- Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary
- Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD
- TTArtisan 35mm f/1.4
- TTArtisan 23mm f/1.4
Top 5 DSLR Lenses of 2022
- Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens
- Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art Lens for Canon EF
- Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR Lens
- Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary Lens for Canon EF
- Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Lens
Top 5 Mirrorless Lenses of 2022
- Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art Lens for Sony E
- Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II
- Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM
- Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR
- Sony FE 24-105mm f/4 G OSS
Top 5 Sigma Mirrorless Lenses of 2022
- Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art Lens for Sony E
- Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary Lens for Sony E
- Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art Lens for Sony E
- Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary Lens for Sony E
- Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN Art Lens for Sony E
Top 5 Sigma DSLR Lenses of 2022
- Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art Lens for Canon EF
- Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary Lens for Canon EF
- Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Art Lens for Canon EF
- Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary Lens for Nikon F
- Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Sports Lens for Canon EF
Top 10 Cinema Lenses of 2022
- Rokinon 35mm T1.5 Cine DS Lens for Canon EF Mount
- Rokinon 85mm T1.5 Cine DS Lens for Canon EF Mount
- Rokinon 50mm T1.5 AS UMC Cine DS Lens for Canon EF Mount
- Rokinon 24mm T1.5 Cine DS Lens for Canon EF Mount
- Sirui 35mm f/1.8 Anamorphic 1.33x Lens (MFT Mount)
- SLR Magic MicroPrime Cine 35mm T1.3 (E-Mount)
- Meike 35mm T2.1 Cine Lens (EF Mount)
- Rokinon 14mm T3.1 Cine DS Lens for Canon EF Mount
- DZOFilm Pictor 20 to 55mm T2.8 Super35 Parfocal Zoom Lens (PL Mount and EF Mount)
- Rokinon 50mm T1.5 AS UMC Cine DS Lens for Sony E Mount
Wow, Rokinon has seen s gap in the market for low-cost cine-style lenses with manual focus and aperture. They are absolutely destroying the competition in the cine lens sales rankings!
Best-Selling Cameras of 2022
If you found this post interesting, make sure you also check out the discussion surrounding the best-selling cameras of 2022. There are a few surprises on that list!
Which mirror less will be suitable for me at present I use Canon 5D MkIii with 100-400 IS II SHOULD I go with R6 or R7