Best Lenses under CA$700 for street photography

Best Pick

Canon RF 45mm f/1.2 STM

89.5 Street Score
45mm f/1.2 Canon RF
Why we recommend this

Its standout f/1.2 maximum aperture on a full-frame sensor delivers exceptional low-light performance and a very shallow depth of field for portraiture. The lens is remarkably compact and lightweight for its speed, and its STM motor and customizable control ring enhance usability. This prime is best for portrait photographers and content creators who prioritize creamy bokeh and a portable, fast-aperture setup over weather sealing or extreme close-focusing.

Read Full Review

Great Alternatives

These options also score highly and may better suit your specific needs

Canon EF Portrait & Travel 2

77.3 Street Score
10-18mm f/1.8 Canon EF
Why we recommend this

With a fast f/1.8 aperture and STM motor for quiet focusing, the 50mm prime excels in low light and creates soft background blur, while the ultra-wide zoom covers expansive scenes starting at a 16mm equivalent. The kit's combination of a versatile prime and a stabilized wide-angle zoom offers significant creative range for its compact size and weight. This two-lens set is best for portrait photographers and content creators who need both artistic bokeh and wide environmental shots without carrying heavy gear.

Read Full Review

Canon Altura Photo 49MM 0.43x HD Wide Angle

61 Street Score
Screw-on lens fits camera lenses with a 49mm front filter thread IS
Why we recommend this

Its 0.43x wide-angle conversion factor and detachable macro lens offer significant versatility from a single 298g accessory. Its broad compatibility with popular 49mm-threaded kit lenses from Canon, Sony, and Fujifilm makes it a flexible, budget-friendly expansion tool. This is best for mirrorless camera owners wanting to experiment with wide-angle landscapes and high-resolution close-up macro shots without investing in multiple dedicated lenses.

Read Full Review

Best Lenses under CA$1,500 for street photography

Best Pick

Canon RF 16-28mm f/2.8 IS STM

72.4 Street Score
28mm f/2.8 Canon RF IS Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

This lens offers a compact f/2.8 wide-angle zoom with optical image stabilization, making it a lightweight choice for full-frame Canon RF cameras. Its leadscrew-type STM motor provides quiet and smooth autofocus, which is a significant asset for videographers. This lens is best for content creators and vloggers who need a stabilized, fast-aperture zoom for handheld shooting in tight spaces.

Read Full Review
Price CA$1,440
Canon RF 16-28mm f/2.8 IS STM lens

Great Alternatives

These options also score highly and may better suit your specific needs

Canon EF 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Standard

63.4 Street Score
17-55mm f/2.8 Canon EF-S IS
Why we recommend this

Its constant f/2.8 aperture and built-in optical image stabilization provide excellent low-light performance and sharpness for its EF-S mount. The inclusion of UD and aspherical lens elements ensures high optical quality, rivaling many full-frame zooms. This lens is best for Canon APS-C shooters needing a versatile, bright standard zoom for event photography or run-and-gun video work.

Read Full Review

Trioplan 100 f2.8 II

46.2 Street Score
100mm f/2.8 Canon RF
Why we recommend this

Its standout feature is a classic triplet optical design paired with a 15-blade diaphragm, which produces its signature "soap bubble" bokeh for distinctive portraits. The compact aluminum build and full-frame coverage make it a lightweight, character-focused lens for Canon RF shooters. This lens is best for portrait photographers and videographers specifically seeking a unique, vintage-inspired aesthetic over clinical sharpness.

Read Full Review

Best Lenses under CA$2,000 for street photography

Best Pick

Canon L VCM

78 Street Score
24mm f/1.4 Canon RF Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.4 maximum aperture and advanced optics, including a Voice Coil Motor (VCM) and Nano USM system, enable exceptionally fast and quiet autofocus performance. The lens's bright aperture and 24mm focal length make it a versatile prime for both environmental portraits and low-light work. This lens is best for portrait photographers and event shooters who require reliable, high-speed focusing in challenging lighting conditions.

Read Full Review
Price CA$1,990
Canon L VCM lens

Great Alternatives

These options also score highly and may better suit your specific needs

Canon RF VCM

74.5 Street Score
35mm f/1.4 Canon RF Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.4 maximum aperture and VCM autofocus system provide exceptionally fast, quiet operation ideal for video capture. The lens also features a dedicated iris ring for manual control and an Air Sphere Coating to reduce flare. This lens is best for hybrid shooters and videographers who need a fast, versatile prime with professional-grade control and minimal focus breathing.

Read Full Review
Canon RF VCM lens
Price CA$1,999

Biotar 58mm f/1.5 II

37.9 Street Score
58mm f/1.5 Canon RF
Why we recommend this

Its manual focus design and 14-blade diaphragm produce exceptionally smooth bokeh, ideal for portrait photographers seeking a classic look. The substantial 1361g weight and lack of stabilization make it a poor choice for handheld video or travel. This lens is best for portrait photographers who prioritize creamy, cinematic background blur and don't mind manual operation.

Read Full Review

Best Lenses under CA$3,500 for street photography

Best Pick

Canon L VCM

79.1 Street Score
20mm f/1.4 Canon RF Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.4 maximum aperture and 20mm focal length provide an ultra-wide perspective with exceptional low-light capability. The lens is uniquely designed for hybrid creators, featuring a Voice Coil Motor for smooth, silent video autofocus and a de-clickable aperture ring for manual control. This lens is best for full-frame Canon shooters specializing in astrophotography, immersive environmental portraits, or documentary-style video work.

Read Full Review
Price CA$2,399
Canon L VCM lens

Great Alternatives

These options also score highly and may better suit your specific needs

Canon EF EF 70-200mm IS III USM

58.9 Street Score
70-200mm f/2.8 Canon EF IS
Why we recommend this

Its f/2.8 maximum aperture and advanced optics, including one fluorite and five UD elements, deliver exceptional sharpness and color fidelity. The lens is also built with a robust, professional-grade construction and features effective image stabilization for handheld shooting. This lens is best for professional event photographers and videographers who require reliable performance in controlled environments.

Read Full Review
Canon EF EF 70-200mm IS III USM lens
Price CA$3,292

Canon TS-E 50mm f/2.8L Macro Tilt-Shift

50.2 Street Score
50mm f/2.8 Canon EF IS
Why we recommend this

Its 50mm f/2.8L tilt-shift design offers precise perspective control and a 1:2 macro capability, ideal for architectural detail shots and product photography. The inclusion of UD and aspherical elements with specialized coatings ensures high sharpness and reduced flare. This lens is best for architectural photographers and product shooters needing to correct perspective distortion while capturing fine details.

Read Full Review
Canon TS-E 50mm f/2.8L Macro Tilt-Shift lens
Price CA$3,430

Premium Lenses for street photography

Best Pick

Canon L IS USM Z

63.7 Street Score
24-105mm f/2.8 Canon RF IS Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its constant f/2.8 aperture across a versatile 24-105mm zoom range provides exceptional low-light performance and creative flexibility for a standard zoom. The lens incorporates high-end optical elements like aspherical and UD glass for sharpness and is driven by dual Nano USM motors for fast, quiet autofocus. This lens is best for event photographers and hybrid shooters who need a single, high-performance lens for both stills and video in varied lighting conditions.

Read Full Review

Great Alternatives

These options also score highly and may better suit your specific needs

Canon RF 28-70mm F2 L USM Standard Zoom for EOS R-Series Cameras

56.2 Street Score
70mm f/2 Canon RF Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its standout feature is a constant f/2 maximum aperture across its 28-70mm range, offering exceptional low-light performance and background blur uncommon for a standard zoom. The lens incorporates specialized elements like Super UD glass and an Air Sphere Coating to control chromatic aberration, flare, and ghosting for high image quality. This lens is best for Canon EOS R photographers who prioritize a versatile, fast-aperture zoom for portraits and events over portability, given its substantial 1429g weight.

Read Full Review