Best Pick

Canon EF 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II

84.4 Travel Score
18-55mm f/3.5 Canon EF-S IS
Why we recommend this

Its built-in Optical Image Stabilizer provides crucial shake reduction for handheld shooting in varied travel conditions. The compact 200g design and versatile 28.8-88mm equivalent zoom range make it highly portable for on-the-go use. This lens is best for Canon APS-C camera owners seeking a lightweight, all-purpose kit lens for casual travel photography and basic video recording.

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Great Alternatives

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

Sigma Contemporary 56mm f/1.4 DC DN

70.7 Travel 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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Serounder 37mm 0.39X Professional HD Wide Angle

68.2 Travel Score
5-50mm Canon EF
Why we recommend this

Its 0.39x magnification and 5-50mm focal length provide an exceptionally wide field of view, significantly increasing spatial depth in images. The lightweight 119g build makes it a highly portable option for expanding the scene coverage of compatible cameras and smartphones. This lens is best for travel videographers and photographers who need to capture expansive landscapes or architecture in tight spaces.

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

66.3 Travel 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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Yongnuo EF YN50mm F1.8C

57.2 Travel Score
50mm f/1.8 Canon EF IS
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.8 aperture provides excellent low-light performance and edge-to-edge sharpness, making it a notable first prime lens from Yongnuo. This lightweight 120g lens offers autofocus and image stabilization at a typically budget-friendly price point. It's best for Canon DSLR owners seeking an affordable, fast prime for portraits and indoor photography without the kit lens limitations.

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Rokinon Series II 85mm f/1.4

52.5 Travel 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

Rokinon 85mm f/1.4 AF

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

50.4 Travel 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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Sony Lightdow 55MM 0.43x High-Definition Wide Angle + Macro

50.3 Travel Score
Canon EF-M, Sony E IS
Why we recommend this

Its 0.43x wide-angle conversion and built-in stabilization let you dramatically expand the field of view of your existing lens. The screw-on filter thread mount offers a uniquely versatile and affordable way to adapt multiple camera systems without needing a dedicated native lens. This accessory is best for wildlife and sports photographers needing a lightweight, adaptable solution to capture wider scenes from a fixed position.

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Sigma Art 24mm f/1.4 DG HSM

48.5 Travel 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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Tokina SZ 8mm f/2.8 Fisheye

47.7 Travel 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

IRIX EF 150mm f/2.8 Macro 1:1

46.8 Travel Score
150mm f/2.8 Canon EF Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its 150mm focal length and f/2.8 aperture provide excellent working distance and subject isolation for detailed macro work at a full 1:1 magnification. The Neutrino Coating effectively controls flare and ghosting, enhancing image contrast in challenging light. This lens is best for portrait photographers who also require true macro capability for detailed product or nature shots.

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IRIX EF 150mm f/2.8 Macro 1:1 lens
Price CA$543

Meike 85mm f1.8 Large Aperture Full Frame Auto Focus Telephoto

46.5 Travel Score
85mm f/1.8 Canon EF IS
Why we recommend this

Its f/1.8 maximum aperture and 67mm minimum focus distance provide excellent subject isolation and surprising close-up capability for a portrait lens. The inclusion of a USB port for firmware updates is a unique feature that adds future-proofing to its straightforward electronic design. This lens is best for portrait photographers and hobbyists seeking a versatile, budget-friendly telephoto prime that can also handle detailed close-ups.

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Rokinon AS IF UMC 50mm f/1.4

44.1 Travel 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

Mitakon Zhongyi 20mm f/2 4.5x Super Macro

43.1 Travel Score
20mm f/2 Canon EF
Why we recommend this

Its standout feature is a 5:1 maximum magnification ratio for extreme close-up photography, paired with a very short 20mm minimum focus distance. The lens is remarkably lightweight at 230g and offers a bright f/2 maximum aperture for a macro optic. This lens is best for photographers specializing in extreme, high-magnification macro work of very small subjects like insect details.

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Canon High-Power 420-1600mm f/8.3 HD Manual Telephoto Zoom

43 Travel Score
420-1600mm f/8.3 Canon EF IS
Why we recommend this

Its 420-1600mm focal range, enabled by a built-in 2X teleconverter, delivers exceptional reach for distant subjects, all in a relatively compact 771g package. This makes it a uniquely portable option for ultra-long-distance photography compared to traditional super-telephoto primes. It is best for budget-conscious wildlife photographers or amateur astronomers who need extreme reach without the typical bulk or cost.

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