The Nikon D5600 camera is a fan favorite for a reason.
It’s a brilliant advanced DSLR that is beginner-friendly and features a high-resolution 24.2MP sensor, articulating screen, 39-point AF system, and other useful features.
And if you’re on the hunt for a good travel camera or blogging camera, the Nikon D5600 is a serious contender!
While it does come with a decent and good kit lens, buying an additional lens can improve your travel photography and videography even more.
Yes, there are tons of lenses out there that are compatible with the D5600.
No, choosing the right one doesn't have to be stressful.
That’s because we have rounded up some of the best lenses for the Nikon D5600 in a simple, easy-to-read guide!
Need a quick answer? We recommend the Nikon 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G.
From lens type to various tech specs, these are some aspects you should consider when buying a lens:
One of the first specs you should note in a lens is the aperture, which determines how much light can enter the lens’ opening. This number is preceded with an F and is part of the lens name itself.
A higher number (like f/4) refers to a more narrow aperture, so that less light can come into the lens. On the other hand, a lower number (like f/1.8) denotes a wider aperture, which means the lens offers better low-light performance.
The focal length is quantified in mm and depicts the distance between the center and focus of your lens. It determines the size of a scene that you can fit into a single frame.
To illustrate, a shorter lens of 18mm is able to capture a larger scene from a shorter distance, compared to a longer 200mm lens. Longer focal lengths are usually reserved for telephoto purposes.
Just as important as the specs of the lens is its price. How much are you willing to spend? Beginners may prefer an all-in-one lens that’s more affordable, whereas a professional would invest more for a higher-quality lens.
It’s a good idea to think about what you’ll use the lens for and go only for features that you need. For instance, if you won’t shoot much in dark environments, you may save some money by getting a F/3.5 aperture rather than F/2.
Unfortunately, the Nikon D5600 doesn’t feature image stabilization, especially because Nikon’s trademark Vibration Reduction technology is found in their lenses.
This means that it’s always worth getting a lens that comes with built-in stabilization. It can help you capture smooth videos and blur-free images, even in low light. Or instead pick up on of these DSLR camera gimbals to ensure steady shots when recording, regardless of the lens.
The next factor to pay attention to is the portability of your lens. Travel bloggers and backpackers might prioritize more compact size and weight over some other factors.
On the other hand, certain types of lenses like the telephoto lens will obviously weight more. Of course, the lens dimensions can also determine which camera backpack you’ll need.
Build quality is also crucial, even though some people overlook it. Features like weather-sealing and lens material may affect how long your lens lasts and how durable it is.
The Nikon D5600 itself doesn’t come with weather-sealing, but can still handle some light rain and dust.
But how do you figure out exactly the perfect features to get in a lens? That’s where knowing the lens type that you need may come in handy.
We’ll talk about this in the next section. In short, a new photographer might want an all-round zoom lens, whereas a wildlife photographer might benefit from getting a super-telephoto lens.
Before we reveal our list, let’s take a look at the most common types of lenses for the Nikon D5600.
The first and perhaps simplest type of lens is the prime lens, which is classic and has only a single, fixed focal length.
While it may not seem too versatile as you can’t change the zoom, prime lenses are typically faster and can produce great quality photos.
In contrast, a zoom lens comes with a variable focal length so you can easily zoom in or out. This makes it more convenient to reframe a scene because you don’t have to move at all.
If you want a versatile lens that you can use for a variety of situations and photo types, then a zoom lens is probably your best bet. With a 24-300mm lens, for example, you can change the focal length to any number between 24 and 300mm.
A wide-angle lens refers to a lens with a wide focal field or angle of view, which means you can capture more of a scene in one frame. This is the best lens for shooting interiors, architecture, landscapes, and group photos.
Most wide-angle lenses lie within the 16-35mm range and can be used for astrophotography. Meanwhile, any lens shorter than 9mm is generally called an ultra-wide-angle lens.
There is also the macro lens, known for its life-sized or 1:1 magnification. This is the lens that you should use for macrophotography, aka capturing super small and close-up subjects.
Some of the most common objects to photograph with a macro lens include bugs, leaves, flowers, fabrics, and even foods. This lens type allows you to get really close with your subject without losing focus and sharpness.
Next up is the telephoto lens, which is what most people probably think of when they hear the word photographer. These huge and heavy lenses have a long focal length to photograph subjects from a great distance.
You can get a telephoto lens to capture fast-paced action and wildlife, but note that it’s usually quite expensive. Which is why it’s not the most ideal choice for beginners.
The last type of lens common for the Nikon D5600 is actually the portrait lens. While it’s possible to use any lens to photograph people, some features are designed to produce flattering photos of the human face.
Most portrait lenses are in the 70 to 135mm focal range. They also have a wider aperture to help produce a shallow depth of field and beautiful bokeh effects.
Minimum focus distance: 0.48 m
Focal length: 18-300 mm
Max aperture: f/3.5
Filter diameter: 77 mm
Weight: 550 g
Size (diameter x length): 78.5 x 99 mm
There is nothing that the Nikon 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G can’t do, and this is why we’ve chosen it as our top pick.
From landscapes to wildlife, portraits to videos, this Nikon lens does it all, and does it well.
We love its impressive zoom range that covers wide-angle and super-telephoto alike, which means you can use this one lens to capture close-ups from a concert and wide picturesque landscapes.
This lens has been designed to shoot stills and HD videos, and the fact that it comes with Vibration Reduction means you can produce super-sharp and blur-free results anytime. Even when handheld!
In addition to a precise and silent AF that’s useful for video recording, it is also relatively compact and lightweight.
While its maximum aperture is only f/3.5, it still performs pretty decently in low light. Of course, we’d recommend other lenses if you’re specifically looking to work in poorly lit conditions.
Minimum focus distance: 0.3 m
Focal length: 35 mm
Max aperture: f/1.8
Filter diameter: 52 mm
Weight: 200 g
Size (diameter x length): 70 x 52.5 mm
When talking about prime lenses for the Nikon D5600, we simply adore the NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G.
It’s versatile, super lightweight and compact, has a fast aperture, and is inexpensive. Everything you might want in a prime lens!
This is the perfect starter lens for anyone who wants a highly portable lens that’s usable for different things and is a great fit in any travel packing list.
But portrait enthusiasts shouldn’t dismiss the NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G either. Thanks to its fast f/1.8 aperture, you can work easily in low light and get super depth-of-field for the most beautiful background blur.
Not to mention that the Silent Wave Motor is quiet and fast, which makes it an excellent companion for your everyday photo sessions.
Plus, its Rear Focusing System ensures that only the rear lens group moves so you can enjoy faster focusing.
Minimum focus distance: 0.5 m
Focal length: 28-300 mm
Max aperture: f/2.8
Filter diameter: 72 mm
Weight: 480 g
Size (diameter x length): 86 x 80 mm
Another zoom lens that we totally adore is the Nikon AF-S DX 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR.
The 16-80mm range is particularly good for documenting everyday life, including wide-angle shots, and portraits.
It features VR image stabilization that can offer up to 4 speeds slower when shooting handheld to achieve blur-free results.
More impressively, it is also the most lightweight 5x zoom lens with an f/2.8-4 aperture currently in the market.
This max aperture is also fantastic for highlighting subjects and creating gorgeous background blur.
Some of its other features include the Nano Crystal Coat for minimized glare, Extra-low Dispersion Glass and Aspherical elements for better sharpness and contrast.
Indeed, this Nikon lens can produce extremely vibrant and rich colors to create truly stunning photos.
It even comes with the unique Tripod VR mode, which gets rid of any vibration from a tripod, if you’re using one.
Minimum focus distance: 0.29 m
Focal length: 17-50 mm
Max aperture: f/2.8
Filter diameter: 72 mm
Weight: 570 g
Size (diameter x length): 79.5 x 94 mm
The Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 can be the perfect choice for you if you want a budget-friendly zoom lens that still packs a lot in terms of features and quality.
It’s a superb standard zoom lens and features Tamron’s high-standard optics and mechanics.
This lens has a high luminosity that’s great for low-light shooting. It can also give you beautiful bokeh!
One of the coolest features of this lens is undoubtedly its short focusing distance of just 27 cm. All thanks to its 3 Extra Refractive glass elements and compact construction.
This is super useful for when you want to get up close to any of your subjects, such as when photographing the diverse cuisine of Bali.
Granted, it’s not as light as the Nikon 16-80mm f/2.8-4E, but only by 100g or so. It’s still pretty decent in size and weight for a DSLR camera.
The more serious trade-off is actually the lack of image stabilization and the fact that its autofocus may be a little noisy.
Minimum focus distance: 0.22 m
Focal length: 10-20 mm
Max aperture: f/4.5
Filter diameter: 72 mm
Weight: 230 g
Size (diameter x length): 77 x 73 mm
When it comes to wide-angle lenses, we absolute love the Nikon AF-P DX 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G VR.
It’s considered an ultra-wide-angle zoom lens, so you can use it to capture massive landscapes, architecture, interiors, and even large group photos.
This lens comes with silent AF and Vibration Reduction (VR) that also makes it easy and fun to take videos with.
As part of the P NIKKOR series, the Nikon AF-P DX 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G VR features a pulse motor for a super smooth and silent drive system.
Oh, it’s also incredibly compact and light. At only 230g, we think this is a great lens to bring on your travels, whether just for a weekend away or a month-long backpacking adventure, wherever it is!
Note that this lens may not have the widest aperture and shooting blur-free photos in the dark can be tricky. However, with a tripod and some patience, you can achieve beautiful shots of the night sky with it!
Minimum focus distance: 0.24 m
Focal length: 10-24 mm
Max aperture: f/3.5
Filter diameter: 77 mm
Weight: 460 g
Size (diameter x length): 82.5 x 87 mm
The NIKKOR 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G is a compact, 2.4x ultra-wide-angle zoom lens that is one of the best to help you capture breathtaking landscape shots on your Nikon D5600.
Ideal for shooting HD videos and stills alike of sceneries, cityscapes, architecture, and interiors, this lens is also able to focus as close as 0.24m from your subject.
The 10mm end can cover a 109° angle-of-view, which is almost as wide as a fisheye lens! Plus, there’s still minimal distortion so you can produce dramatic photos while exploring your creativity.
This lens is light but feels solid, making it great to pair with polarizing filters too.
We love that it’s very sharp in the center even when shooting wide open, although you may notice that it can get soft on the edges.
Another excellent aspect is that this lens has completely reduced vignetting effects, which is often a problem with most ultra-wide-angle lenses.
Minimum focus distance: 0.49 m
Focal length: 18-200 mm
Max aperture: f/3.5
Filter diameter: 72 mm
Weight: 560 g
Size (diameter x length): 77 x 96.5 mm
If you’re a travel blogger or simply want the perfect lens as your travel companion, we can’t recommend the Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G enough.
This is an extremely versatile 11x zoom lens that comes with Vibration Reduction (VR II), which ensures exceptional clarity even when you’re shooting handheld on the go.
The incredible zoom range is great for landscapes and portraits, as well as capturing faraway subjects. When travelling in a new place, it’s always nice to have a lens that can adapt to a variety of conditions.
In terms of photo quality, this lens offers an outstanding performance that is virtually flare-free. Yes, even when you’re indoors with artificial lighting!
Though shooting at extreme low light can be tricky as its max aperture is only f/3.5, it can still work well in standard conditions.
Minimum focus distance: 0.312 m
Focal length: 105 mm
Max aperture: f/2.8
Filter diameter: 62 mm
Weight: 725 g
Size (diameter x length): 78.33 x 126.4 mm
The Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM wins the title as the best Nikon D5600 lens for macro photography.
It’s a mid-range macro lens, which means it offers the best of both worlds: you can capture very close-up shots while creating some gorgeous background blur (courtesy of its rounded 9 blades diaphragm).
This high performance macro lens comes with an optical stabilization and a wide aperture for better depth-of-field control.
It also features SLD glass to minimize aberration, while its floating inner focus system helps maintain a high rendering.
Even better, if you use Sigma’s APO Tele Converter, you can even enjoy more than 1:1 magnification!
Of course, it also has the trademark Hyper Sonic Motor for a fast and quiet autofocus and full-time manual focus override. This lens has a rounded 9 blades diaphragm which creates an attractive blur to the out of focus areas.
Minimum focus distance: 0.163 m
Focal length: 40 mm
Max aperture: f/2.8
Filter diameter: 52 mm
Weight: 235 g
Size (diameter x length): 68 x 64 mm
We know that macro lenses can be expensive, especially compared to standard zoom or prime lens.
If you’re on a budget or are only getting into macro photography, the Nikon AF-S DX 40mm f/2.8G Micro is worth a look.
It’s also considerably much lighter and more compact, while having a closer minimum focus distance that lets you to get up to 16cm from your subject. This is great for flowers, jewelry, or details in a fashion garment.
With that said, this distance and its slightly wide-angle focal length might make it harder to capture bugs and insects. You’ll need to get super close to them, which may scare away skittish creatures.
This lens also offers a high resolution and contrast, as well as life-sized magnification so you can recreate small details in the most beautiful colors.
We also love that its rounded 7-blade diaphragm allows you to render a smooth and creamy background blur, while the selective focus also enhances this effect more.
Minimum focus distance: 1.1 m
Focal length: 70-300 mm
Max aperture: f/4.5
Filter diameter: 58 mm
Weight: 415 g
Size (diameter x length): 72 x 125 mm
The Nikon AF-P DX 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED VR is not only our favorite telephoto lens for the Nikon D5600, but it’s also surprisingly affordable when you consider its quality.
It’s a powerful telephoto zoom lens that features 4 stops of Vibration Reduction (VR), which ensures blur-free photos even when you’re not using a tripod.
From action-packed sports and concerts, to wildlife and any other distant subject, this Nikon lens can capture it all.
Its optics aren’t to dismiss either. We love that this lens can produce beautiful background blurs, which can be perfect for portraits too!
Plus, it features a quiet autofocus pulse motor that ensures utter silence when you are recording videos.
Not to mention the extra low dispersion glass elements that produce stunning and sharp photos with quality results.
Minimum focus distance: 0.5 m
Focal length: 28-300 mm
Max aperture: f/3.5
Filter diameter: 77 mm
Weight: 800 g
Size (diameter x length): 83 x 114.5 mm
Let’s say you’re a sports or wildlife enthusiasts, and the previously mentioned Nikon AF-P DX 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED VR just isn’t a powerful enough telephoto lens for you.
That is where the Tamron 150-600mm f/5-6.3 comes in. This is a truly fantastic and pro-level ultra-telephoto zoom with a superb optical performance.
Some of its most exciting features include a fast AF, up to 5 stops of VC with 3 different stabilization modes, and Fluorine Coating that helps repel dust, oil, and water.
We personally love the FLEX ZOOM LOCK, a mechanism that lets you lock the zoom and can be super useful when using a long bulky lens like this.
As impressive as these features are, this Tamron lens is actually quite user-friendly!
Minimum focus distance: 0.45 m
Focal length: 50 mm
Max aperture: f/1.8
Filter diameter: 58 mm
Weight: 185 g
Size (diameter x length): 72 x 52.5 mm
Shooting portraits can be a gratifying endeavor as you try to encapsulate a subject’s essence in a photograph.
This is also a great way to connect with strangers that you meet along the way, or even friends and family that you care about!
The Nikon AF-S 50mm f/1.8G is the best portrait lens to get for the Nikon D5600. Its classic 50mm focal length is perfect for portraits.
It’s also super inexpensive and lightweight, at only 185g, perfect to pair with a DSLR and still enjoy the ultimate portability.
Moreover, the wide f/1.8 aperture can give you stunning, creamy bokeh, while ensuring sharp and blur-free photos even when the lighting isn’t good.
Minimum focus distance: 0.8 m
Focal length: 85 mm
Max aperture: f/1.8
Filter diameter: 67 mm
Weight: 350 g
Size (diameter x length): 80 x 73 mm
Another exceptional portrait lens that we couldn’t not mention is the Nikon AF-S 85mm f/1.8G, which offers a slightly different focal length than the Nikon 50mm f/1.8.
While a 50mm focal length is a popular choice for portrait photographers, we adore the 85mm as it adds the least amount of facial distortion on your subject.
But this focal length is still enough to provide some separation between the person and the background, so you can achieve a fantastic bokeh effect!
Additionally, this Nikon lens also has an Internal Focus (IF) system for fast and silent autofocus. Not to mention its wide aperture that can be useful for shooting in weddings, concerts, or other low light situations.
Minimum focus distance: 0.29 m
Focal length: 17-50 mm
Max aperture: f/2.8
Filter diameter: 72 mm
Weight: 570 g
Size (diameter x length): 79.5 x 94 mm
Are you looking for the right lens that you can use for a range of shots, especially everyday street sceneries? Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 may be what you need.
This lens features great optics and performance, as well as high luminosity that is ideal for use in low light. You can also create gorgeous bokeh with it.
Furthermore, the various lens elements like the LD glass as well as the Internal Surface Coating also work together to produce sharp images with the most supreme quality.
It’s also reasonably priced, and we’d say that the value for money isn’t bad either!
Minimum focus distance: 0.45 m
Focal length: 18-105 mm
Max aperture: f/3.5
Filter diameter: 67 mm
Weight: 420 g
Size (diameter x length): 76 x 89 mm
The Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR has got to be the best budget lens you can get for your Nikon D5600.
It’s not the cheapest, but it offers the most versatile range and best photo quality, for its price.
Thanks to its zoom range, this lens is perfect for all sorts of photography types. From portraits and food, to group shots, landscapes, and street, you name it.
The photo quality is also quite impressive, considering its affordable price tag, as this lens offers impressive sharpness throughout its focal range.
Despite the relatively narrow max aperture, we love that the 3-stop Vibration Reduction (VR) helps compensate for this.
Meanwhile, the 45cm minimum focus distance is a decent one that still allows you to achieve a shallow depth of field for some stunning close-ups!
Like choosing a lens for any other camera, the best lens for your Nikon D5600 will be the lens that fits your specific needs.
For instance, you will love the Nikon 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G as a versatile and standard zoom lens. But the Nikon AF-P DX 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G VR might be a better choice if you’ll be shooting wide-angled sceneries or architecture.
The NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G is our go-to prime lens to recommend for anyone using the Nikon D5600. It’s affordable, good for portraits and landscapes alike, and a good fit for most, regardless of your photography level!
Yes, the Nikon D5600 is a great camera to get if you are serious about macro photography. Check out the Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM as it’s among the best macro lenses for the D5600.
Yes, we think that the Nikon D5600 is good for beginners. It’s mid-range in terms of the price for an entry-level camera, but comes with useful features like an articulated viewing screen.
For beginner photographers, we recommend trying a lens that is more versatile and can be used to explore a huge range of photo types, like the Nikon AF-S DX 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR.
That’s it for the 15 best lenses for the Nikon D5600.
From all-round everyday photography to sports and macro, we’ve tried to include many options to help you find your perfect lens.
So, which of these lenses are you getting?
Can you think of any good lens for the Nikon D5600 that we’ve missed?
Comment down below as we’d love to hear your thoughts!
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