Best Pick

Canon EF 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 is STM

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

Its STM motor provides smooth and quiet continuous autofocus for video, while its Optical Image Stabilizer offers up to four stops of shake correction. This compact and lightweight lens is a versatile standard zoom for Canon's APS-C cameras, featuring a useful 0.25m minimum focusing distance across its entire zoom range. It's best for travel photographers and videographers who need a stabilized, all-purpose kit lens for run-and-gun shooting.

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Great Alternatives

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

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

80.6 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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Rokinon 85mm f/1.4 AF

78.2 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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Sigma Contemporary 16mm F/1.4 DC DN

77.8 Score
16mm f/1.4 Canon EF-M
Why we recommend this

Its fast f/1.4 maximum aperture provides excellent low-light performance and shallow depth of field for a wide-angle lens. Designed for Micro Four Thirds cameras, it offers a versatile 24mm equivalent focal length in a compact form. This lens is best for portrait photographers and content creators who need a bright, wide prime for environmental shots and indoor work.

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Rokinon AS IF UMC 50mm f/1.4

76 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

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

74.6 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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Yongnuo EF YN50mm F1.8C

74.2 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

73.9 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

Sigma Art 24mm f/1.4 DG HSM

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

71.9 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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Laowa Argus 33mm f/0.95 CF APO

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

69.8 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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Lensbaby EF Velvet 28mm f/2.5

68.3 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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Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO

68.2 Score
100mm f/2.8 Canon EF
Why we recommend this

Its standout 2:1 maximum magnification and f/2.8 aperture provide exceptional close-up detail and background separation for a macro lens. The optical design, including two low-dispersion elements, ensures sharp, color-accurate images even at its highest reproduction ratios. This lens is best for dedicated macro photographers and scientists who require greater than life-size magnification for subjects like insects or intricate textures.

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IRIX EF 15mm f/2.4 Firefly

68.2 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

Samyang 50mm f/1.4 AS UMC

68.1 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