From my other blog http://www.thephotographytipsblog.com/primes-zoom-lenses/

In this article, I am going to go over the differences between primes and zoom lenses.

Primes

A prime lens has a fixed focal length. The common ones are 24mm, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm. There are also some longer ones like 300mm and higher. Primes are usually sharper than a zoom due to less moving parts. Another advantage to a prime is the aperture. Where "professional" glass is normally a f/2.8, a prime can go wide open to f/1.8 or even lower f/1.4.

I personally own the Nikon 50mm f/1.8 which was my first full frame lens, I love it and it has a home in my camera bag at all times. I also just bought a Sony A7R and the only lens I have for it at the moment is a 50mm f/1.8 and it's pretty awesome too.

Prices

Primes can range in price from a couple hundred dollars up to thousands. For example, I got a Nikon 50mm f/1.8 (The Nifty-Fifty) and it ran me about $219. Where the Nikon 85mm f/1.4 is about $1600. If you need the big glass for sport or wildlife you can be looking at $5000+++++ depending on the focal length.

Pros

Super-sharp images
Light weight and size (unless you get the big glass)
Low light capabilities
Shallow depth of field
You can get the full frame version even on a crop camera in case you upgrade later

Cons

No zoom you have to move your feet to zoom
Focal length is fixed

Zooms

Zooms are lenses that have different focal lengths. The "Holly Trinity" of lenses would cover all focal lengths. An example would be 14-24mm, 24-70mm, and 70-200mm. That would be an example of the "perfect" set up. Now if you do not need all those lengths you can replace some with the primes like we talked about above.

Lenses that zoom are just, that zoomable. Unlike primes, if you saw something happening in front of you and you didn't want to have to move to get close you just adjust the zoom ring and bam you are in the action.

Zoom lenses might not be as "sharp" as a zoom but a good zoom lens is no slouch when it comes to image quality. I leave my 24-70 f/2.8 on my camera at all times, and I have taken many many amazing photos with it.

Another thing to watch out for is variable aperture zooms. This means instead of a f/1.8 or f/2.8 the aperture would be f/3.5-f/5.6. So the more you zoom out the closer it gets to f/5.6 which means you are gathering less light. To fix it you would have to bump the ISO which could make your pictures a little more grainy. Outside in the sun or in a nice lighted room that you can control would help with the ISO issue. Still, if you are starting out and trying to stay cheap the variable aperture zooms are normally much cheaper.

My advice is, if you are really serious about your photography spent the extra money on good lenses right off the bat. It will save you money in the long run.

Prices

Most zooms can range from cheap to expensive depending on what you get. I have paid $175 for a Tamron 70-300mm (here is a video I made about this lens) and my Nikon kit zoom 55-200mm cost over $200 at the time (still have them, but do not use them as much). You can also find used lenses which can save you some money, but if you go the used route make sure you check it out of you can to make sure it work correctly.

The name brands like Canon and Nikon lenses can be very pricey especially if you are just starting out. Each lens of the "Holy Trinity" are over $2000.

So if you are just starting out you can get an off brand like a Sigma or Tamron which are usually a little cheaper and sometimes just as good, if not better than the main brands.

The company Tamron has a nice 150mm-600mm which can run around $1000 or less, which is great for wildlife if you can not afford a prime or just want the versatility of a zoom.

Pros

You can stand in place and zoom to your subject
With the "Holy Trinity," you can cover all of the focal lengths
Easy to travel with (take one lens like a 55-200 or 70-300)

Cons

Not as sharp as a prime
Not a macro lens
Focus can be slower on the cheaper zooms
Some are variable aperture