Best Canon Portrait Lenses in 2026

Portrait Lenses
Portrait
Landscape Lenses
Landscape
Wildlife/Sports Lenses
Wildlife/Sports
Travel Lenses
Travel
Macro Lenses
Macro
Street Lenses
Street
Video/Cinema Lenses
Video/Cinema
Budget Lenses
Budget
Professional Lenses
Professional
Budget:
Any price Under £400 Under £800 Under £1,000 Under £2,000 Premium
Brand:
All Brands Sony Canon Nikon Sigma Tamron Fujifilm Panasonic
Mount:

Best Lenses under £400 for portrait

Best Pick

Canon EF Meike 85mm F1.8 SE Mark II STM AF Full Frame Auto Focus Medium Telephoto High

85.7 Portrait Score
85mm f/1.8 Canon EF IS
Why we recommend this

Its standout feature is an 85mm f/1.8 design with an STM motor for silent, smooth autofocus and an 11-blade diaphragm for high-quality bokeh. The lens is further distinguished by a micro Type-C port for online firmware upgrades, enhancing its longevity and feature set. This lens is best for portrait photographers and videographers using Canon EF-mount DSLRs who prioritize smooth focus pulls and creamy background separation.

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Price £260
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Canon EF Meike 85mm F1.8 SE Mark II STM AF Full Frame Auto Focus Medium Telephoto High lens

Great Alternatives

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

Canon RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM Macro

82.4 Portrait Score
35mm f/1.8 Canon RF IS
Why we recommend this ▼

Its standout 0.5x macro magnification and 5-stop optical image stabilization make it a versatile prime lens for a 35mm focal length. The inclusion of a control ring and compact 306g design adds direct manual control and excellent portability. This lens is best for photographers who need a lightweight, stabilized option for close-up product or nature photography, not for dedicated portrait work.

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Canon RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM Macro lens
Price £345
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Best Lenses under £800 for portrait

Best Pick

Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM

84.6 Portrait Score
24mm f/1.8 Canon RF IS
Why we recommend this

Its standout feature is a fast f/1.8 aperture, providing excellent low-light performance and shallow depth of field for a wide-angle prime lens. As an affordable entry into the RF system, it offers great value for expanding a mirrorless kit without sacrificing key optical performance. This lens is best for budget-conscious photographers and videographers who need a versatile wide-angle for landscapes, street photography, and low-light scenarios.

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Price £514
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Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM lens

Great Alternatives

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

Canon L EF 16-35mm IS USM

56.2 Portrait Score
16-35mm f/4 Canon EF IS Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this ▼

Its constant f/4 aperture and built-in Optical Image Stabilizer provide reliable performance for handheld shooting in varied lighting. The lens features a robust L-series build with a fluorine coating for durability and easier cleaning. This lens is best for landscape photographers and videographers who need a sharp, stabilized wide-angle zoom for environmental shots and cinematic b-roll.

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Canon L EF 16-35mm IS USM lens
Price £450
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Best Lenses under £1,000 for portrait

Best Pick

Canon L EF 100mm Macro IS USM

69.9 Portrait Score
100mm f/2.8 Canon EF IS Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its 1:1 magnification and built-in Hybrid Image Stabilization make it a top choice for capturing fine details. The inclusion of an Ultra-Low Dispersion element and Super Spectra Coating ensures sharp, color-accurate images with minimal aberrations. This lens is best for photographers specializing in close-up product shots or detailed nature macro work.

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Price £825
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Also available at:
Amazon.co.uk £890
Canon L EF 100mm Macro IS USM 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

66.8 Portrait 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.

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Canon EF 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Standard lens
Price £859
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Also available at:
Amazon.co.uk £1,059

Best Lenses under £2,000 for portrait

Best Pick

Canon RF VCM

91.1 Portrait 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.

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Price £1,256
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Canon RF VCM lens

Great Alternatives

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

Canon L VCM

89.5 Portrait 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.

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Canon L VCM lens
Price £1,121
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Canon EF EF 70-200mm IS III USM

68.2 Portrait 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.

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Canon EF EF 70-200mm IS III USM lens
Price £1,754
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Premium Lenses for portrait

Best Pick

Canon L RF 50mm USM

77.7 Portrait Score
50mm f/1.2 Canon RF Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its standout f/1.2 maximum aperture delivers exceptional low-light performance and remarkable background blur for subject isolation. The lens incorporates high-quality aspherical and UD elements alongside a specialized Air Sphere Coating to minimize distortion, flare, and ghosting for clean images. This lens is best for portrait photographers seeking ultimate sharpness and beautiful bokeh from a standard prime lens.

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Price £2,154
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Canon L RF 50mm USM lens
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