Best Pick

Sigma Contemporary 56mm f/1.4 DC DN

85.7 Street Score
56mm f/1.4 Canon EF-M Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.4 aperture and 56mm focal length provide excellent subject isolation and a classic portrait perspective on Canon EF-M cameras. The lens is remarkably compact and lightweight at 281g, making it easy to carry for extended shooting sessions. This lens is best for portrait photographers and street shooters using APS-C mirrorless bodies who prioritize a fast, sharp prime with a natural field of view.

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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.

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Rokinon 85mm f/1.4 AF

72.8 Street Score
85mm f/1.4 Canon EF
Why we recommend this

Its standout f/1.4 aperture enables exceptional low-light performance and beautiful background blur, ideal for portraiture. The inclusion of a hybrid aspherical element helps control optical aberrations for sharp images, while its relatively light 485g weight offers good handling. This lens is best for portrait photographers and budget-conscious shooters seeking professional-grade bokeh without the premium price tag of first-party optics.

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Meike 85mm f1.8 SE II Full Frame STM Auto Focus Telephoto

67.3 Street Score
85mm f/1.8 Canon EF IS
Why we recommend this

Its fast f/1.8 aperture and STM autofocus provide smooth, quiet operation ideal for video, while its optical design controls flare and distortion effectively. The lens offers full-frame coverage and features a USB-C port for firmware updates to maintain compatibility. This lens is best for Canon EF-mount photographers shooting portraits, short-range sports, or professional video work requiring minimal focus breathing.

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Sigma Art 24mm f/1.4 DG HSM

69.2 Street Score
24mm f/1.4 Canon EF IS
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.4 maximum aperture and robust HSM autofocus system enable excellent low-light performance and sharpness. The lens's 24mm wide-angle focal length is particularly well-suited for environmental portraits and cinematic video work. This lens is best for portrait photographers and videographers who need a fast, wide prime for creative shallow depth-of-field shots.

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Rokinon Series II 85mm f/1.4

66.4 Street Score
85mm f/1.4 Canon EF Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

With an f/1.4 maximum aperture and a hybrid aspherical element, this lens excels at creating sharp images with a very shallow depth of field and minimal distortion. Its solid metal build and Ultra Multi-Coating contribute to a durable, flare-resistant design ideal for controlled lighting. This lens is best for portrait photographers seeking classic compression and beautiful bokeh on a Canon EF-mount system.

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Rokinon Series II 85mm f/1.4 lens
Price CA$410

Yongnuo EF YN50mm F1.8 Standard Prime

66.2 Street Score
50mm f/1.8 Canon EF
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.8 aperture provides a classic 50mm focal length for achieving a shallow depth of field and low-light capability on Canon EF-mount cameras. This lightweight 119g lens supports both autofocus and manual focus, offering flexibility across various shooting modes. It is best for photographers seeking an affordable, compact prime lens for portrait and street photography on both full-frame and APS-C bodies.

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Laowa Argus 33mm f/0.95 CF APO

66.2 Street Score
33mm f/0.95 Canon EF-M
Why we recommend this

Its f/0.95 maximum aperture delivers exceptional low-light performance and a uniquely shallow depth of field for an APS-C lens, supported by ED and aspherical elements for sharpness. The lens is designed specifically for the Canon EF-M mount, offering a versatile 52.8mm full-frame equivalent focal length ideal for portrait work. This lens is best for portrait photographers and filmmakers using Canon APS-C cameras who prioritize artistic bokeh and low-light capability over autofocus and portability.

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Rokinon AS IF UMC 50mm f/1.4

63.8 Street Score
50mm f/1.4 Canon EF
Why we recommend this

With its bright f/1.4 aperture and inclusion of hybrid and aspherical elements, this lens excels at creating sharp portraits with smooth background blur. Its robust all-metal build and Ultra Multi-Coating ensure durability and reduced flare for the price. This lens is best for portrait photographers and budget-conscious shooters seeking classic 50mm rendering on a Canon EF system.

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Rokinon AS IF UMC 50mm f/1.4 lens
Price CA$425

Tokina SZ 8mm f/2.8 Fisheye

60.6 Street Score
8mm f/2.8 Canon EF-M
Why we recommend this

Its 8mm focal length and f/2.8 maximum aperture deliver an extreme 180-degree angle of view, ideal for immersive, wide-angle shots on Canon APS-C cameras. The lens is notably compact and lightweight at 281g, making it easy to handle for dynamic shooting styles. This fisheye is best suited for photographers seeking dramatic perspective distortion for creative projects or action sports, thanks to its close 4-inch minimum focusing distance.

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Tokina SZ 8mm f/2.8 Fisheye lens
Price CA$410

Samyang 50mm f/1.4 AS UMC

60.2 Street Score
50mm f/1.4 Canon EF
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.4 maximum aperture and inclusion of hybrid and aspherical elements deliver sharp portraits with pleasing background blur. The robust build with Ultra Multi-Coating offers good value for a full-frame prime lens. This lens is best for portrait photographers on a budget who want classic 50mm focal length performance on a Canon EF system.

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Samyang 50mm f/1.4 AS UMC lens
Price CA$500

Tamron Di II SP AF10-24mm F/3.5-4.5 Di-II LD Aspherical

58.2 Street Score
10-24mm f/3.5 Canon EF-S IS
Why we recommend this

Its 10-24mm zoom range on an APS-C camera provides an exceptionally wide 16-37mm full-frame equivalent, making it a versatile tool for expansive scenes. The lens is notably compact for its focal length, weighing just 406g for easy portability on location. This lens is best for landscape and architectural photographers using Canon APS-C bodies who need a lightweight, ultra-wide zoom for capturing vast environments.

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Lensbaby EF Velvet 28mm f/2.5

57.7 Street Score
28mm f/2.5 Canon EF
Why we recommend this

Its standout feature is a soft, glowing effect at wide apertures like f/2.5, enabled by its 8-element optics and 12-blade diaphragm for smooth bokeh. It also offers true 1:2 macro capability with a very short 2-inch working distance, making it unusually versatile for a specialty lens. This lens is best for photographers seeking a distinct, ethereal look in fine-art portraiture and creative close-up work.

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IRIX EF 15mm f/2.4 Firefly

57.6 Street Score
15mm f/2.4 Canon EF
Why we recommend this

Its 15mm focal length and bright f/2.4 aperture provide an ultra-wide perspective with good low-light capability for a full-frame Canon EF system. The optical design incorporates two aspherical and five special glass elements to control distortion and aberrations. This lens is best for architectural and interior photographers needing a sharp, rectilinear wide-angle prime.

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IRIX EF 15mm f/2.4 Firefly lens
Price CA$452

Brightin Star 7.5mm F2.8 III Ultra Wide Angle Fisheye

57.4 Street Score
60mm f/2.8 Canon EF-M IS
Why we recommend this

Its standout 2x magnification and 60mm focal length make it a specialized tool for extreme close-up photography on APS-C Canon EOS-M cameras. The lens's large f/2.8 aperture and long 160-degree focus travel provide excellent low-light capability and precise manual control. This lens is best for dedicated macro photographers who need high reproduction ratios for subjects like insects or intricate product details.

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Mitakon Zhongyi Speedmaster 50mm f/0.95

55.7 Street Score
50mm f/0.95 Canon EF
Why we recommend this

Its f/0.95 maximum aperture provides an exceptionally shallow depth of field and excellent low-light performance for a manual focus lens. The lens is built with 12 elements including one extra-low dispersion element, which helps control chromatic aberrations for cleaner images. This lens is best for portrait photographers and videographers who prioritize ultimate background separation and creative bokeh over autofocus convenience.

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