Direct Answer
Choose a lens that solves a limitation in your current kit. A normal or short-telephoto prime can help when you need a wider aperture; a zoom may be more useful when you need framing flexibility. Check the mount, sensor coverage, and complete current price before buying.
The Short Answer
Compare the field of view of 35mm and 50mm on your own camera. On full-frame, 35mm is wider and 50mm is tighter; on APS-C, both frame more tightly. A wider aperture can help with low light and background separation, but prices and performance vary. There is no universal under-$300 choice across every mount.
The Full Explanation
Use your kit lens to discover which focal lengths you actually use. Keep it at a candidate focal length for a session before purchasing a prime, and note whether the framing works in your usual spaces.
Compare a Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM, Sony FE 50mm f/1.8, or an appropriate Nikon Z prime within the matching system. Do not assume the Nikon Z 50mm f/1.8 S has the same low price as other 50mm lenses. Check new and used offers separately.
A wider aperture admits more light at the same shutter speed. The difference depends on the actual apertures: f/1.8 versus f/3.5 is close to two stops; f/1.8 versus f/5.6 is more than three. Depth of field becomes shallower too, so focus accuracy matters.
A prime is not automatically sharper, lighter, or faster to focus than every zoom. Compare specific models. Moving your feet changes perspective; it is not equivalent to changing focal length from the same position.
Buy for the task: a macro lens for small details, a telephoto for distant subjects, a wider lens for tight spaces, or a compact prime for everyday use. Renting first can help you avoid an unsuitable purchase.
What This Means for You
Confirm the exact camera mount and sensor coverage.
Compare total cost, including tax, shipping, and adapters.
Choose a useful focal length and aperture rather than assuming every photographer needs the same first upgrade.
Related Questions
For most photographers, APS-C delivers 95% of full-frame quality at 50% of the cost. Full frame is worth it primarily for extreme low-light work and ultra-shallow depth of field.
Bokeh is the aesthetic quality of the out-of-focus areas in a photo. You get more of it by using wider apertures (f/1.4–f/2.8), longer focal lengths, and placing distance between your subject and the background.
Primes are sharper, faster, lighter, and cheaper. Zooms are more versatile. Start with a prime to learn, then add a zoom when you need the flexibility.
Sources
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