iPhone cameras have no doubt evolved greatly over the past decade. But, unfortunately, even the best smartphones are still not going to be able to compete with a DSLR due to the lack of flexibility alone. And that’s where the best zoom lens for iPhone devices can greatly help.
Using external lenses can give you much greater focus options, zooming capabilities, a wider field of view, and much more than that – depending on how much you are willing to pay. So, without any further ado, let us get right into it!
What is a Zoom Lens for iPhone Devices?
As the name implies, a zoom lens is a lens that you can attach to your iPhone for better zooming capabilities. The thing is that unlike the built-in lenses of your iPhone, an external lens can be much larger and all you have to do is attach it to the iPhone.
Thus, an external lens can give you much greater zooming capabilities than you would otherwise get with even the latest iPhone. And it’s not just about zooming. We are also talking about macro shots, FOV adjustments, patterns, color reproduction, and more.
And it’s not just about iPhones. External lenses should work just fine on any other phone that comes with a camera as well.
Different Kinds of External Lenses
Before reading the reviews, consider taking a look at the different kinds of lenses to get a better understanding of what you are after. To explain it as fast as possible:
- Telephoto: These are the traditional “zooming” lenses. All they do is zoom in over distant scenery and bring things closer to you
- Macro: Macro lenses also zoom in but the difference is that they do so only with close-up objects. Their purpose is to focus on a much smaller screen – sort of like telescopes
- Wide-angle: The opposite of a telephoto. Wide-angle lenses sort of zoom out to capture more scenery at the same distance
- Fisheye/Kaleidoscope: These lenses deliver the effect that the name suggests. Contrary to the above lenses, these ones are about having fun instead of using them as tools
- CPL Circular Polarizing Filter): Sort of regulates brightness in occasions where you may have overly bright skies and it can also reduce reflections and suppress glare from water surfaces
And with that out of the way, here are our top 10 picks!
1: Xenvo Pro Lens Kit: Best Value Macro Lens
This is possibly the most expensive single lens that you can get on this list. However, it also probably offers the best quality that you can get.
In the world of external lenses, lack of quality means blurry images, getting a warping effect when using the wide-angle effect, vignette (dark corners), and other undesirable traits. That’s why investing into an expensive lens may be worth it. But, ultimately, whether such lenses are worth their money or not purely due to the extra quality or not is up to you to decide.
Ultimately, quality is one of the main reasons why Xenvo’s offering is a candidate as the best zoom lens for iPhone devices.
In the box:
- Macro 15x
- Wide 0.45x
Quality aside, Xenvo’s offering can be used as both a macro lens and a wide-angle lens. To be more precise, you can get up to 15x macro zoom and 0.45x wide lens to capture 45% more footage.
Just keep in mind that this is 15x macro zoom and not telephoto. Telephoto lenses are used for zooming over vast distances while macro lenses, by contrast, can only take close-ups.
The only downside that we can think of is that this is arguably a bit of a bad value. For the same money or less, you can find other kits with multiple lenses. Then again, there is the argument of quality and the fact that there are also more pricey options out there. So, again, at the end of the day, the choice is up to you.
Pros:
- High quality
- Macro and wide angle lens on a single package
- Mounts on most smartphones without any issues
Cons:
- A bit pricey for a single lens
2: Moment Tele Lens: Best Telephoto Lens for iPhone
As far as high-end lenses are concerned, very few options can compete with Moment’s offerings. In fact, we’d go as far as to say that they may be your best bet for almost every category.
Let’s start by saying that there is only one downside and that’s pricing. Paying well over $100 for a single lens is extremely expensive – especially if you consider that there are packs that offer a whole set of lenses with a tripod for less than $50.
In the box:
- Telephoto 4x (58mm)
- Microfiber carrying bag
And don’t forget that you can’t mount this one straight to the phone. You also need a Moment case that’s compatible with your phone model. And if there is not one available, you simply won’t be able to use the lens at all. Not unless you come across a trick/workout such as using adhesive or anything similar – which is obviously something we wouldn’t recommend.
In the package, there is only one telephoto lens with a carrying case and its cover.
Moment has previously mentioned that you can get the best results by mixing this lens with another, built-in telephoto lens. But there are mixed reviews on that matter, so, your mileage may vary. Some say that they get a blurrier result when using two telephoto lenses at once.
And pricing aside, the zoom level may be the only downside of this lens. Even much cheaper picks can offer a least 10x zoom. Whether they do it without losing image quality, though, is another matter entirely.
Pros:
- The best telephoto lens that you can get in terms of quality
- Lifetime warranty by Moment
- Great mounting mechanism
Cons:
- Very expensive
- Requires a compatible Moment case to work
3: Selvin Camera Lens Kit: Best Value
At anywhere from $30 up to $46, this isn’t exactly a cheap package. But with 4 decent lenses and a tripod in one package, it no doubt offers one of the best values that you can get. And thus, it’s no surprise that it competes for the best zoom lens for iPhone devices.
Not to mention that it’s not just about zooming. You also get 3 more tools. In the box:
- Telephoto: 22x
- Macro: 25x
- Wide angle: 0.62x
- Fisheye: 235°
- +Tripod
One thing to keep in mind here is that the zoom levels are absolutely massive. 22x zoom certainly sounds like a great idea – but chances are you won’t be able to use it without the tripod at all. At such zoom levels, the tiniest movement is going to make a huge difference not only in terms of stability but also to the general direction of where the camera is pointing at.
Thankfully, the whole package includes a tripod that should work just fine with most smartphones that are average-sized.
And since we’re talking about non-mechanical lenses here that can’t be adjusted to zoom in and out freely, the same thing applies to the macro lens. Actually, another thing to keep in mind here is that the level of focus on the macro lens is fixed. This means that if you want your image to look clear and in focus, getting near that 22x zoom level is a necessity. You’ll have to be extremely close towards the object you want to capture. Whether that’s a good thing or not comes down to personal preferences and needs, though.
If there’s one downside, that’s no doubt the overall level of quality. Compared to our premium picks, this one clearly has a vignette effect and a bit of image warping with the wide-angle lens.
Pros:
- Superb value
- Includes multiple lenses and a tripod in one package
- Massive levels of zoom for both the telephoto and macro lens
Cons:
- A bit underwhelming in terms of quality when compared to our premium picks (But your mileage may vary depending on the phone and the overall fit that you’ll get)
4: Moment Macro Lens: Best Macro Lens
This is another top-notch offering from Moment. If you are not interested in spending top dollar for the top lenses, we’d recommend skipping this one altogether as it’s the most expensive macro lens for iPhone devices, period.
In the box:
- Macro lens: 10x
- Removable diffuser
- Microfiber carrying bag
One interesting addition that we’ve yet to see in other external lenses is the removable diffuser that you can use to prevent shadows. And that can be a game-changer for macro photography as at 10x, you’ll generally have to sit at about an inch away from the object.
Speaking of which, it’s worth keeping in mind that macro photography with a smartphone requires an extremely stable hand. When you are sitting that close to the object of focus, the tiniest movement is going to make a huge difference. That of course applies to telephoto lenses as well. But, at the very least, there is always the option of using a tripod there – something that’s impossible to do with macro photography on smartphones.
Just like with the rest of the Moment lenses, the Moment macro lens only works with a compatible Moment case. If you don’t have one, there is simply no conventional method of mounting the external lens to the phone. And that’s obviously a huge downside for those who a phone that is not compatible with any of the available Moment cases.
The only real downside that we can think of is the high price tag. But, again, that’s the price to pay for high quality.
Pros:
- Very high quality
- The removable light defuser is a welcome addition
- Lifetime warranty
Cons:
- Very expensive
- Limited compatibility with other smartphones as it requires a compatible case
5:Monocular Telescope: Best for Extreme Distances
Having a telephoto lens that can zoom in 5 or 10x is one thing. Having a miniature telescope that can zoom in at 12×50 times, is another. This is more of a gadget for those who want to observe wildlife rather than a simple lens for zooming in to take a picture of a landscape or anything like that.
In the box:
- Telescope: 12×50
- Phone adapter
- Tripod
And, of course, since it’s a monoscope, you can easily use it without a smartphone as well. Speaking of smartphones, the adapter that comes with the monoscope should work with pretty much everything that’s normal-sized.
Also, using the tripod is pretty much mandatory when the phone is attached to the scope. Without the phone, you probably won’t have any issues keeping things stable. But, when a camera is involved, you’ll be hard-pressed to get a solid picture without the tripod.
If all you care about is zooming in over vast distances (up to 360ft, according to the manufacturer), then this is probably the best zoom lens for iPhone devices that you can get.
That said, one of its few downsides is its size. Compared to our other lenses that can easily be carried around even in your pocket, this is absolutely enormous. Not to mention anything about the numerous reports of broken phone adapters. So, you may want to invest in something a bit sturdier.
Pros:
- Comes with both a tripod and an adapter
- Can zoom in over vast distances (Up to 360ft)
- Gives you a small lighting boost in darker areas (Nothing like night vision, though)
Cons:
- Bulkier than most of our picks
- Build quality for the adapter could be better
6: Moment Wide Lens: Best Wide Angle Lens
If you can only invest in one high-quality lens, that should most likely be on a wide-angle lens such as Moment’s offering. The reason being that low-quality wide-angle lenses are usually the ones to present vignetting and warping issues.
And once per usual with Moment lenses, this is quite possibly the best wide-angle lens that you can get your hands on.
In the box:
- Moment wide-angle lens: 0.63x – 18mm
- Microfiber carrying bag
Just like with the other Moment lenses, this wide-angle lens also requires a compatible Moment case to work. Otherwise, there is just no convenient method of mounting the lens to the phone.
In case you are not familiar with wide-angle lenses, think of them as the opposite of telephoto ones. Instead of zooming in, you are just zooming out.
So, this may be a solid candidate as the best zoom lens for iPhone devices, but it’s just not for zooming in. It’s for zooming out.
This is a great way of capturing more footage in one picture. However, it’s worth keeping in mind that wide-angle lenses often introduce a bit of image warping at the sides of a photo. And while that effect is definitely minimized with a premium lens such as this one, some of you may still come across it.
Pros:
- Very little to no image warping (Though your mileage may vary depending on the phone)
- Feels sturdy and high quality
- Lifetime warranty
Cons:
- Expensive
- You need a compatible Moment case to mount it on your phone
7: SIRUI Anamorphic Lens: Best for Video Shooting
All of the lenses we’ve listed thus far are no doubt great when it comes to photography. But, video filming is a different subject. Ideally, if you want to create a mini-movie, a clip, or anything like that, an ultrawide ratio is the way to go nowadays. And that’s what anamorphic lenses such as SIRUI’s creation offer.
Just keep in mind that while this is a great way to get a much wider aspect ratio (2.4:1, to be more precise), it’s not like a single lens is enough to make your phone compete with video cameras that cost thousands and thousands of dollars.
In the box:
- SIRUI anamorphic lens: 1.33x
- Plastic clip
- Hard case
Thanks to the simple clip-on mounting system, you can use this lens with pretty much every phone that has its main camera at the side. However, if yours has it closer towards the center or generally anywhere where the clip will have a hard time reaching, you may want to re-consider buying this one.
Also, in case you are not familiar with it, “aspect ratio” refers to the overall height and width of a video. Cinematic aspect ratios such as the 2.4:1 ratio that this lens offers are generally lower in height and wider in width. So, it’s not the same thing with a wide-angle lens where you just capture more footage at the same aspect ratio.
It’s arguably a bit expensive for a no-name brand. But, at the end of the day, it looks like we get what we pay for. Also, compared to other portable cases, there is definitely a bit of bulk to it – which is to be expected for an anamorphic lens.
Pros:
- Cinematic video shooting on a budget
- Should be compatible with most phones
- The hard carrying case is a welcome addition
Cons:
- A bit pricey
- Has a bit of bulk as far as portable lenses are concerned
8: Skybasic 50x to 1000x: Best Microscope Zoom Lens
Zooming in isn’t just about the macrocosm. It’s also about the microcosm. And while that’s obviously impossible with the cameras of our phone, an external microscope such as Skybasic’s offering should do the trick! For the money that this one asks, it’s no doubt a solid candidate for the best zoom lens for iPhone devices – at least as far as microscopes are concerned.
In the box:
- Mini microscope: Up to 1000x (According to the manufacturer)
It’s worth keeping in mind that unlike the other lenses on this post, this one isn’t’ just a simple lens, and you don’t attach it directly to your phone. Instead, it’s more like a dedicated camera that you can wirelessly connect to smartphones, tablets, computers, and other devices as well. And of course, that includes iPhones as well!
The 1000x zoom may be a bit of an inflated estimation by the manufacturer, so, take it with a grain of salt. But it still offers a shocking level of zooming that macro lenses can’t deliver.
And while you obviously won’t be able to take pictures of actual human skill cells or anything close to it, you can still surprisingly close to lots of things with great clarity.
Another handy aspect that we like is the option of using the built-in LEDs – which can come in handy when you are so close to an object that no external light can possibly reach it.
It’s also worth mentioning that while there is no Bluetooth for wireless connectivity, the microscope itself produces its own Wi-Fi signal that you can connect to. This means that you can easily take the lens/microscope on the go without having to worry about connectivity issues.
Though, it’s worth mentioning that there are tons of complaints about the app – which is probably the only downside at this price point.
Pros:
- Extreme levels of zoom – almost to the microscopic world
- Battery life is decent (You need it to operate the camera/lens and connect to it wirelessly)
- Doesn’t need to be attached to the phone since it connects wirelessly
Cons:
- Needs to be charged
- Obviously not as portable as a simple clip lens
- The app can be a bit messy
9: Apexel 11 in 1: The Full Package on the Cheap
Not sure what you are after? Do you wanna try a little bit of everything on the cheap? Then you can hardly go wrong with Apexel’s 11 in 1 offering.
In the box:
- Wide lens: 0.63x
- Macro: 15x
- Telephoto: 2x
- Fisheye: 198 degrees
- Kaleidoscope
- CPL filter
- Flow filter
- And star filter
Before you head to the comments, no. We didn’t forget to include the eleventh one. It’s just that you can use the same lens for both wide-angle shots and macro ones as well.
The 2x zoom of the telephoto lens is admittedly a bit low – especially when compared to our other picks. But, at this price point with 11 lenses in one package, we can barely complain.
An interesting addition is the CPL filter. As we mentioned at the beginning of this article, you can use CPL filters to regulate the brightness in case you have overly bright objects in the picture (Such as a bright sky). And, other than that, you can also reduce reflections and glare from water surfaces or other highly reflective objects.
Some of the other filters, such as the star filter and the kaleidoscope filter are more of a gimmick that you can have fun with rather than a utility.
Last, but not least, you also have the color filters to look forward to.
Color filters can deliver more accurate and/or vibrant colors with the help of a filter. But they are situational and your mileage may vary depending on the scenery. And while you can achieve similar results with software, it’s always better if you can get solid results with hardware first.
Pros:
- Very cheap for what it offers
- Comes with most of the lenses that we can think of in one package
- Compatible with plenty of smartphones out there
Cons:
- Some of the lenses may be a bit underwhelming in terms of quality (Which is no surprise at this price point)
10: Moment Fisheye Lens: Best Fisheye Effect
Fisheye lenses for smartphones are commonly seen as a gimmick effect of some sort – and most of them are exactly that. However, Moment’s offering once more drops tons of jaws with their fisheye lens. This may be the only external fisheye lens for iPhone devices we’ve ever seen that doesn’t vignette or reduce the overall image quality.
In the box:
- Fisheye lens: 170 degrees
- Microfiber carrying bag
Unlike cheaper lenses that only warp images, the Moment Fisheye lens acts as a super-wide lens. You can use it to capture much more scenery in one single picture – even more than with a regular wide-angle lens.
While that’s obviously going to introduce a warping effect up to a certain point, it doesn’t reduce the overall quality of the image at all. And in the end, that’s the price to pay for capturing so much more scenery than what is normally feasible.
It’s worth keeping in mind that fisheye works a bit differently compared to a good wide-angle lens. Wide-angle lenses feel more like zooming out while fisheye lenses kind of warp the image around the same aspect ration – which is exactly what creates the fisheye effect. Example down below.
The only downside is that just like with any other Moment lens, a compatible phone case is required. If you can’t find one, there is simply no convenient way of attaching the lens to your iPhone or any other phone for that matter.
Pros:
- Superb quality as far as fisheye lenses are concerned
- One of the most portable options on this list
Cons:
- Expensive
- Requires a compatible Moment case to work
Wrapping Up
These are our top picks for now. Have any more recommendations? Anything to add? Maybe anything to ask? Then let us and everyone else know about it in the comments section down below!
And if you liked this article, feel free to stick around as we regularly post about everything that has to do with technology.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-k-8246a1169/
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