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Best Canon Lenses

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By
An expert product reviewer with over a decade of experience dissecting the latest gadgets and gear across various industries.
Updated

Main Features

  • Large f/1.2 aperture
  • USM autofocus
  • Weather-sealed construction
  • Superior optical performance

Product Overview

The Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM is a premier choice for photographers who demand the highest image quality. With its large f/1.2 aperture, this lens excels in low-light conditions and produces a beautiful shallow depth of field, making it ideal for portraits.

The lens features advanced optics and coatings to minimize aberrations and provide outstanding sharpness and color fidelity. The USM (Ultrasonic Motor) ensures fast, smooth, and quiet autofocus, while full-time manual focus override allows for precise control.

The robust build quality, weather sealing, and superior performance make it a staple in any professional's kit.

PROS
  • Exceptional sharpness
  • Excellent low-light performance
  • Beautiful bokeh
  • Durable build quality
CONS
  • Expensive
  • Heavy

Product Specifications

  • Focal Length 50mm
  • Maximum Aperture f/1.2
  • Minimum Aperture f/16
  • Lens Mount Canon EF
  • Format Compatibility Full-Frame
  • Filter Size 72mm
  • Weight 580g

Main Features

  • Constant f/2.8 aperture
  • Image Stabilization
  • Advanced optical elements
  • Nano USM autofocus

Product Overview

The Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM is a must-have for Canon EOS R series users. This lens covers a versatile range of focal lengths from wide-angle to short telephoto, making it suitable for landscapes, portraits, and event photography.

The constant f/2.8 aperture ensures consistent exposure and depth of field across the zoom range. The Image Stabilization system provides up to 5 stops of shake correction, ensuring sharp images even in low light.

The lens features advanced optical elements, including aspherical and UD elements, to reduce aberrations and enhance image quality. The Nano USM motor delivers fast, accurate, and quiet autofocus, ideal for both stills and video.

PROS
  • Excellent image quality
  • Fast and accurate autofocus
  • Effective image stabilization
  • Solid build
CONS
  • High price
  • Bulky

Product Specifications

  • Focal Length 24-70mm
  • Maximum Aperture f/2.8
  • Minimum Aperture f/22
  • Lens Mount Canon RF
  • Format Compatibility Full-Frame
  • Filter Size 82mm
  • Weight 900g

Main Features

  • Extensive focal range
  • Optical Image Stabilizer
  • Dual Nano USM
  • L-series quality

Product Overview

The Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM is designed for photographers who need extensive reach without compromising on quality. With a focal range of 100-500mm, it is ideal for capturing distant subjects such as wildlife or sports.

The lens features a variable aperture of f/4.5-7.1, which helps keep the size and weight manageable. The Optical Image Stabilizer provides up to 5 stops of shake correction, enhancing handheld shooting capability.

The Dual Nano USM focus system ensures fast and precise autofocus, while the L-series build quality guarantees durability and weather resistance. This lens also incorporates advanced optical elements and Air Sphere Coating to minimize flare and ghosting.

PROS
  • Excellent reach and quality
  • Effective image stabilization
  • Fast and quiet autofocus
  • Durable and weather-sealed
CONS
  • Expensive
  • Variable aperture

Product Specifications

  • Focal Length 100-500mm
  • Maximum Aperture f/4.5-7.1
  • Minimum Aperture f/32-54
  • Lens Mount Canon RF
  • Format Compatibility Full-Frame
  • Filter Size 77mm
  • Weight 1370g

Main Features

  • 1:2 magnification ratio
  • Optical Image Stabilizer
  • STM autofocus
  • Compact and lightweight

Product Overview

The Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM is a unique lens that combines the best of macro and portrait photography. With a 1:2 magnification ratio, it allows you to capture stunning close-up shots with intricate details.

The f/2 maximum aperture provides beautiful background blur and performs well in low-light conditions. The lens features an Optical Image Stabilizer offering up to 5 stops of shake correction, which is particularly useful for macro work.

The STM motor ensures smooth and quiet autofocus, ideal for both stills and video. Its compact size and lightweight design make it a practical addition to any photographer's kit.

PROS
  • Great for macro and portraits
  • Effective stabilization
  • Smooth and quiet autofocus
  • Lightweight and compact
CONS
  • Plastic build
  • Not true 1:1 macro

Product Specifications

  • Focal Length 85mm
  • Maximum Aperture f/2
  • Minimum Aperture f/29
  • Lens Mount Canon RF
  • Format Compatibility Full-Frame
  • Filter Size 67mm
  • Weight 500g

Main Features

  • Bright f/1.8 aperture
  • STM autofocus
  • Compact design
  • High-quality optics

Product Overview

The Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM is the go-to lens for photographers looking for an affordable yet high-quality standard prime lens. Known for its compact size and lightweight design, it is perfect for everyday use and travel.

The f/1.8 maximum aperture allows for excellent low-light performance and beautiful background blur, making it great for portraits and street photography. The STM (Stepping Motor) ensures smooth, near-silent autofocus, which is beneficial for both stills and video.

Despite its budget-friendly price, the lens features an advanced optical design that delivers sharp, high-contrast images. It is an essential addition to any EOS R system.

PROS
  • Affordable
  • Lightweight and compact
  • Good low-light performance
  • Quiet autofocus
CONS
  • Plastic build
  • No image stabilization

Product Specifications

  • Focal Length 50mm
  • Maximum Aperture f/1.8
  • Minimum Aperture f/22
  • Lens Mount Canon RF
  • Format Compatibility Full-Frame
  • Filter Size 43mm
  • Weight 160g

Understanding Your Photography Style

The first step is to identify the type of photography you intend to pursue. Canon offers a wide range of lenses tailored to different needs:

  1. Portrait Photography: For capturing stunning portraits, look for lenses with wide apertures (e.g., f/1.2, f/1.4, f/1.8). The Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM is a popular choice due to its sharpness and beautiful background blur (bokeh).

  2. Landscape Photography: Wide-angle lenses are ideal for landscapes. The Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM offers excellent sharpness and image stabilization, making it a great option for capturing expansive scenes.

  3. Macro Photography: For close-up shots of small subjects, a dedicated macro lens like the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM provides exceptional detail and a 1:1 magnification ratio.

  4. Wildlife and Sports Photography: Telephoto lenses are essential for capturing distant subjects. The Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM is renowned for its fast autofocus and image stabilization, making it suitable for fast-moving subjects.

  5. Street Photography: Compact and lightweight lenses with a moderate focal length work best. The Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM, also known as the “nifty fifty,” is highly regarded for its affordability and image quality.

Compatibility with Your Camera Body

Canon lenses are designed to fit different camera mounts, primarily EF and RF mounts. EF lenses are compatible with Canon’s DSLR cameras, while RF lenses are designed for the newer mirrorless R-series cameras. Some RF lenses offer advanced features and superior optics, but they tend to be more expensive. If you own an EF-mount camera and plan to upgrade to an RF-mount camera in the future, consider lenses that can be adapted using Canon’s EF-EOS R mount adapter.

Optical Quality and Build

The quality of the optics in a lens significantly affects the image quality. Canon’s L-series lenses, marked with a red ring, are known for their superior build and image quality. These lenses often feature weather sealing, making them durable in various shooting conditions. Non-L series lenses can also offer excellent quality but at a lower price point, making them more accessible for hobbyists and beginners.

Budget Considerations

Your budget will play a crucial role in your decision-making process. Canon lenses range from affordable to high-end professional models. It’s important to balance your budget with your needs. For instance, if you are starting out, investing in a prime lens like the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM can provide great value without breaking the bank. On the other hand, professional photographers might prioritize high-end lenses like the Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM for its exceptional performance and quality.

Research and Reviews

Before making a purchase, spend time reading reviews and watching video comparisons. Websites like DPReview, Ken Rockwell, and YouTube channels such as Tony & Chelsea Northrup or Jared Polin provide in-depth reviews and real-world usage scenarios. These resources can give you insight into the strengths and weaknesses of different lenses.

Conclusion

Choosing the best Canon lens depends on your specific photographic needs, the camera body you use, your budget, and the quality you desire. By understanding these factors and conducting thorough research, you can select a lens that will enhance your photography and help you achieve your creative vision.