The best Canon lenses for DSLRs include some of the finest, most famous lenses ever made. Many photographers are still using them on mirrorless cameras instead of the more expensive Canon RF lenses, thanks to the ease of adapting them from one system to another.
With more than 200 EF and EF-S lenses to choose from, it can be difficult to know which one is best. So in this guide I've selected the best Canon lenses for DSLRs, based on our testing and reviews. Personally, my favorite lens is the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM – it's super affordable and ultra versatile, and is one of the best all-round lenses you can have in your bag. But there are plenty more worth considering.
And if you're looking for glass for a specific camera, check out the best lenses for Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, the best lenses for Canon EOS 90D & EOS 80D, and the best lenses for Canon EOS Rebel T6 and T7.
My first ever camera was a Canon AE-1 film SLR, and I've been using Canon kit from the 300D all the way to the R5 Mark II. I've used around 100 of Canon's DSLR lenses, and I still own and use a lot of EF and EF-S glass even on my mirrorless cameras – the best Canon lenses for DSLRs still work great on the EOS R system!
The best lenses for Canon EOS DSLRs
Why you can trust Digital Camera World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out how we test.
The best standard zoom for Canon full-frame DSLRs
The Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM is the choice of many professional photographers around the world, but it’s not particularly good value for money and lacks image stabilization. This Sigma Art lens (designed for premium image performance) isn’t as fully weather-sealed as the Canon, but it’s beautifully built – and in our testing, it matched the Canon for all-round performance and image quality.
Sharpness and contrast are spectacular, while bokeh is lusciously smooth. Autofocus is very quick and extremely quiet, and the four-stop stabilizer helps to ensure sharp handheld shots at relatively slow shutter speeds – something I truly appreciate when using DSLRs. At around two-thirds the price of the Canon lens, it’s a great buy.
Read more: Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM review
Features ★★★★★ | It’s a classic ‘trinity’ f/2.8 standard zoom but with the addition of fast ring-type ultrasonic autofocus and 4-stop optical image stabilization. |
Design ★★★★★ | The lens feels reassuringly robust and beautifully made, although it is a touch on the heavy side. |
Performance ★★★★★ | Image quality is excellent in all respects, backed up by impressive autofocus and stabilization systems. |
Value ★★★★★ | It’s much more ‘affordable’ than own-brand 24-70mm trinity standard zooms from other manufacturers. |
The best telephoto zoom lens for Canon DLSRs
Ever useful, the 70-200mm telephoto zoom range is a standard across all lens manufacturers. It’s suited to a wide range of assignments from portraits to wedding, event and sport photography. Especially at the long end of the zoom range, the lens's 3.5 stops of image stabilization comes in very useful.
Optimum image quality is assured by premium fluorite and Ultra Low Dispersion elements, along with high-tech coatings. Fully weather sealed, rain needn't stop play which can be a vital factor in wedding and event photography, as welel as for sports and wildlife.
Read more: Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM review
Features ★★★★★ | Features include super-fast autofocus, highly effective image stabilization and plenty of handling extras. |
Design ★★★★★ | If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it… The lens is essentially the same as the Mark II but with additional optical coatings. |
Performance ★★★★★ | Performance is top-drawer in most respects, although sharpness at the short end of the zoom range could be a little better. |
Value ★★★★☆ | It’s expensive for a 70-200mm ‘trinity’ zoom lens but well worth the money. |
The best super-telephoto zoom for Canon DSLRs
Canon’s original EF 100-400mm zoom was something of a classic, but wasn’t to everybody’s taste, especially regarding its trombone-style push-pull zoom mechanism. The second edition of the lens has a more typical twist-action zoom ring and a host of upgrades. These include a refined optical path with fluorite and Super UD (Ultra-low Dispersion) elements and high-tech Air Sphere coating.
There’s a more effective, triple-mode image stabilizer, and the Mark II also gains weather seals and fluorine coatings on the front and rear elements. It’s a superb lens but rather expensive for a 100-400mm zoom and lacks the outright telephoto reach of more recent 150-600mm independent designs.
Read more: Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM review
Features ★★★★★ | It’s packed full of features, including rapid autofocus, effective stabilization and a torque adjustment for the zoom ring. |
Design ★★★★★ | There are control switches aplenty and, unlike the first edition of the lens, a proper zoom ring rather than a trombone push-pull affair. |
Performance ★★★★★ | The lens is an excellent performer, easing ahead of the previous edition for image quality. |
Value ★★★★☆ | It’s a chunky telephoto zoom with a heavyweight price tag but is still very good value for money. |
The best full-frame wide-angle zoom
For extreme viewing angles, the Sigma 14-24mm doesn’t go quite as wide as the expensive Canon 11-24mm zoom, nor Sigma’s 12-24mm Art lens, but it comes pretty close – and is only about half the price of the Canon. Our testing returned stellar sharpness across the entire image frame, even when shooting wide open at f/2.8. Distortion is minimal for an ultra-wide zoom, and color fringing is negligible.
The top-performance optics are encased in superbly well-engineered and fully weather-sealed construction. It remains my favorite ultra-wide zoom for full-frame DSLRs, but for APS-C cameras the equivalent 22.4-38.4mm isn't really that wide. Check out my pick for an APS-C wide-angle zoom below.
Read more: Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG HSM review
Features ★★★★★ | Typical Sigma DLSR lens features include ring-type ultrasonic autofocus with a physical distance scale under a viewing panel. |
Design ★★★★☆ | Robust build quality includes a weather-sealed mount but the integral hood precludes the easy use of filters. |
Performance ★★★★★ | Image quality is fabulous, from sharpness and clarity to an almost complete lack of distortions. |
Value ★★★★★ | This Sigma lens is standout value for money, especially compared with similar lenses from other camera manufacturers. |
The best portrait prime lens for Canon DSLRs
When buying a portrait prime, you often need to choose between image stabilization or a fast f/1.4 aperture. This Canon lens gives you the best of both worlds, with no compromise in features or image quality – and it's weather-sealed, too, for all-purpose shooting.
I'm a big fan of the smaller and cheaper Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM, but if you can afford the extra outlay then this f/1.4 version is the one to go for. The faster, nine-blade aperture renders beautiful background blur and nice round bokeh balls, and Canon’s advanced Air Sphere Coating minimizes ghosting and flare.
The competing Sigma 85mm f/1.4 Art lens is bigger and heavier, but while it's got more bite in its sharpness it lacks the stabilization – which can make all the difference, especially with a lens this heavy and when working in low light with slower shutter speeds.
Read more: Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM review
Features ★★★★★ | The strong feature set includes both optical image stabilization and fast, virtually silent USM autofocus, complete with full-time manual override. |
Design ★★★★★ | The lens is robust, weather-sealed and impeccably turned out, without being overly large or heavy. |
Performance ★★★★★ | Sumptuous image quality combines scintillating sharpness with beautiful bokeh. |
Value ★★★★★ | It’s an expensive lens but one that really delivers on every level, making it great value for money. |
The best value prime lens for Canon DSLRs
Known as the 'nifty fifty' for its compact size, 'shoot everything' versatilty and excellent image quality, this lens is quite something for how cheap it is. It weighs just 160g but has a solid metal mounting plate and an improved stepping motor autofocus system compared to previous versions. There's also an electronically coupled fly-by-wire focus ring.
A handling benefit is that the focus ring no longer rotates during autofocus and, although audible, autofocus is quieter than in earlier editions of the lens. Focus transition is smooth, so it's suitable for video, but make sure the mic doesn't pick up the sound of the AF motor.
The wide f/1.8 aperture makes it ideal for shooting in low light conditions, while the seven-blade diaphragm enables well-rounded out-of-focus elements when stopping down. This lens is also an excellent and affordable portrait lens for APS-C owners, where the 1.6x crop factor gives it an effective 80mm field of view.
Read more: Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM review
Features ★★★★☆ | The f/1.8 aperture should prove fast enough for most and the stepping motor autofocus is an upgrade over previous versions. |
Design ★★★★☆ | Unlike some older versions, this one has a metal rather than plastic mounting plate, better-rounded aperture diaphragm and the focus ring no longer rotates during autofocus. |
Performance ★★★★☆ | Image quality and other facets of performance are impressive for such a budget-friendly lens. |
Value ★★★★★ | This Canon prime lens is standout value for money although, as usual with non-L-series lenses, the hood is sold separately. |
The best macro lens for Canon DSLRs
The Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM was a trailblazer lens, being the first to feature Canon's ‘hybrid’ image stabilizer, which has since appeared on many other EF and RF lenses across the range. Essentially, this lens opened up a raft of new possibilities in handheld macro shooting – and it also did so while offering absolutely superb sharpness and handling to boot.
For a long time this lens was difficult to recommend with the similar and cheaper Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Macro sitting alongside it. However, with that lens discontinued and increasingly hard to get hold of, Canon's macro regains its status as the best macro option for DSLRs. While it's on the expensive side, the performance is sublime even at narrow apertures.
The hybrid image stabilizer counteracts horizontal and vertical shift, as well as the usual angular vibration or ‘wobble’, making it more effective in close-up shooting. It's listed as four-stops' worth of compensation, however this is only for general shooting – at true macro magnifications, the compensation is equivalent to 2 stops, which to be fair is still very good.
For EF-S bodies, take a look at the best APS-C macro lens further down.
Read more: Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM review
Features ★★★★★ | Great features include ‘hybrid’ optical stabilization, which was a world first when this lens was launched. |
Design ★★★★★ | Solid and dependable, the lens is typical of Canon’s exalted L-series line-up and includes extensive weather-seals. |
Performance ★★★★☆ | Image quality and all-round performance are very good overall but lose out to the newer equivalent Canon RF lens. |
Value ★★★★☆ | It’s comparatively pricey to buy for a macro optic, which is no surprise for one of Canon’s top-end lenses. |
The best APS-C standard zoom for Canon DSLRs
Some impressive Canon APS-C format standard zooms have come and gone, including the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM, Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM and the Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM. They’re all now obsolete, thanks to the mirrorless march of progress, making the relatively humble and compact EF-S 18-55mm one of the last standard zoom lenses standing.
Predominantly sold as a kit lens with some of Canon’s entry-level APS-C format DSLRs, various versions of the lens were available over many years, with and without image stabilization and with stepping motor or more basic autofocus actuators. The EF-S 18-55mm f/4-5.6 IS STM is the last in the line, and definitely the one to go for.
Read more: Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/4-5.6 IS STM review
Features ★★★★☆ | Useful features include smooth and near-silent stepping motor autofocus, and optical image stabilization. |
Design ★★★★☆ | Switches are on hand for AF/MF focus modes and stabilization on/off, and the design is conveniently compact. |
Performance ★★★★☆ | Image quality and overall performance are good but sharpness drops off at the long end of the zoom range. |
Value ★★★★☆ | It’s good value on its own, even better as part of a DSLR kit, but the hood isn’t included. |
The best APS-C wide-angle zoom for Canon DSLRs
The 1.6x crop factor of Canon’s APS-C cameras is quite limiting for those who want to shoot wide. A regular kit lens that offers 18mm at the wide end gives an effective focal length of 28.8mm in full frame terms, which really isn’t that wide.
If you want to get a wider perspective from a Canon APS-C DSLR, the Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM is an excellent lens to choose. Covering an equivalent focal range of 16-29mm, it's also incredibly lightweight to carry; not everyone likes plastic lenses, but you can't argue with the weight saving.
In our testing, this little and affordable lens performed admirably, even out-resolving Canon’s pricier 10-22mm lens. There's a fair amount of barrel distortion that's noticeable if you leave it uncorrected – but why would you? Equipped with a stepping motor autofocus system for fast, accurate focusing, the EF-S 10-18mm lens even packs in a built-in image stabilization system.
A hugely impressive package for the price, the Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM lens is a no-brainer of a buy for anyone shooting on APS-C Canon DSLRs who wants to capture landscapes and cityscapes.
Read more: Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM review
Features ★★★★☆ | Optical image stabilization and stepping motor-driven autofocus are strong features but the lens hood is sold separately. |
Design ★★★★☆ | The lens lacks any weather-seals but is incredibly compact and lightweight for an ultra-wide-angle zoom. |
Performance ★★★★☆ | Sharpness and clarity are good, and Super Spectra coatings are on hand to combat ghosting and flare. |
Value ★★★★☆ | The lens gives you a lot of bang for your buck, even adding the ‘optional’ hood into the financial equation. |
The best APS-C telephoto zoom for Canon DSLRs
About half the price of Canon’s now obsolete full-frame EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM telephoto zoom, this EF-S optic for APS-C format bodies is smaller, lighter, and more affordable. It gives a powerful, effective reach of 400mm (in 35mm equivalent terms) at the long end of its zoom range, while at the short end, it picks up neatly where Canon's 18-55mm standard kit lens leaves off. An upgrade over the previous IS II model, the STM lens features redesigned optics and a stepping motor for powering autofocus, instead of a basic electric motor.
I like how the stepping motor enables smooth and virtually silent autofocus transitions that are well-suited to video as well as stills capture. The optical image stabilizer also performs well, with an effectiveness of about 3.5 stops. Handling is an improvement over previous generations of the lens, in that the focus ring no longer rotates during autofocus.
See our full Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM review
Features ★★★★☆ | A stepping motor-based autofocus system and optical image stabilization are the leading features. |
Design ★★★★☆ | It’s quite a basic design but does at least include focus mode and stabilization switches. |
Performance ★★★★☆ | Image quality and overall performance are good but short-zoom edge-sharpness could be better. |
Value ★★★★☆ | It’s good value if not entirely great and as usual with non L-series Canon lenses, you have to buy the hood separately. |
Lab data and comparisons
The graphs below show the comparative performance of the lenses in this guide, based on our in-house lab tests. The high-end primes lead the way for sharpness, with the Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM and Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM being particularly impressive. The APS-C format EF-S zoom lenses bring up the rear.
Scores for sharpness and color fringing are averaged from data taken across the entire image frame, from the center to the edges and corners, throughout the aperture range. For zoom lenses, the scores are also averaged from data measured at all marked focal lengths, and the same applies to distortion.
Bear in mind that these average values don't fully reflect specific areas of performance. For example, a zoom lens might have noticeable barrel and pincushion distortion at its shortest and longest focal lengths respectively, which tends to average out when looking at the data overall. For more detailed graphs of each lens's performance, which give the full picture, check out the graphs in our full standalone lens reviews.
How to choose the best Canon lens
The best Canon DSLR lenses will depend on your budget and the type of photography you do and what camera you have. In the guide above, we've picked out the best Canon lenses and third-party lenses for Canon EF and EF-S mount in different focal lengths and for different budgets based on our own reviews and testing.
For many photographers, a good telephoto zoom lens is the first extra lens they buy because it gives them that extra reach that most kit lenses aren't capable of. That's why we've placed the excellent value Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 at the top of our guide. If you're doing wildlife photography or sports, chances are you'll want still more reach, especially if you're using a full-frame camera. For that, we think the best option is the Sigma, 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM, which is great value compared to Canon's own super-telephoto zooms (see our full guide to the best Canon telephoto lenses for more options).
When shooting portraits, you generally want to lift people from their surroundings and make them the centre of attention. That can be hard to achieve if you’re shooting against a detailed or cluttered background. A lens with a medium to long focal length and a ‘fast’ aperture of f/1.4 or f/1.8 can solve the problem. With a tight depth of field, it’ll enable you to throw the background out of focus and make people stand out from their environment. The Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM does the job spectacularly well here. Those with APS-C cameras might prefer the classic nifty-fifty.
Standard zoom lenses are versatile pieces of glass, but if you're keen on shooting landscape or architectural photography, then you might want to consider investing in a wide-angle zoom.
Can you use other brand lenses on a Canon?
Yes. Several third-party manufacturers make lenses that fit EF and EF-S mounts, and some of them are very good. Sigma and Tamron are big lens brands that make optics for Canon DSLRs, and in some cases they are sharper or better value than Canon's own optics. There are also many Chinese manufacturers, such as Laowa, that offer fantastic optics at even lower prices.
What is the best Canon lens for shallow depth of field?
Shallow depth of field is achieved by three factors: the size of the image sensor, the focal length of the lens, and the widest (or fastest) aperture of the lens. That being the case, you would be looking at full-frame lenses with the longest focal length and fastest aperture. Depending on the use case, this could include the Canon EF 50mm f/1.2, the Canon EF 85mm f/1.2, the Canon EF 300mm f/2.8 and the Canon EF 600mm f/4.
Are EF and EF-S lenses interchangeable?
Both EF and EF-S lenses can be used on Canon APS-C cameras, but only EF lenses can be used on Canon full-frame DSLRs. It's also important that you consider which type of camera you have when choosing the focal length of a lens. The crop sensor on APS-C cameras provides a narrower field of view. This means that to get an ultrawide effect on an APS-C camera, you'll need a shorter focal length than you would on a full-frame. Meanwhile, a 55-250mm zoom on a crop-sensor camera may give a field of view comparable to around 88-400mm on a full-frame camera.
Does Canon still make EF and EF-S lenses?
For the moment Canon is still making and selling many of the most popular lenses for its DSLRs, but it has also discontinued a good number too. That means that some Canon DSLR lenses are now only available secondhand or renewed.
How we test Canon lenses
Our team of writers has reviewed and tested all of the Canon DSLR lenses included in this guide both through standardised lab tests and by using them in real-world conditions for different uses. We find the combination of lab and real-world testing works best, as each reveals different qualities and characteristics of the lens.
Our lab tests are carried out in scientifically controlled conditions using the Imatest testing suite – analysis software that measures resolution in line widths/picture height, a measurement widely used in lens and camera testing.
To choose the best Canon EF and EF-S lenses to include in this guide, we considered our lab test results and our hands-on reviews. We also considered what each lens is useful for to provide recommendations for different needs. We also factored in value to make recommendations for photographers on different budgets. You can read more about how we test.
