The best lenses for the Canon EOS R5 and R5 Mark II in 2024: premium lenses for Canon's high-res bodies

A Canon EOS R5, sitting on a wooden outdoor surface, with a selection of Canon, Laowa, Lensbaby, AstrHori and Zhongyi RF lenses
(Image credit: James Artaius)

As an R5 owner since launch day, I've spent the past four years figuring out the best lenses for the Canon EOS R5 – and now the Canon EOS R5 Mark II.

Canon has released some great glass during that time, but some of the best lenses for the Canon EOS R5 have also come from third parties – and now that Canon has opened the RF mount to Sigma and Tamron, that trend is sure to continue.

A day one R5 owner!
Photographer James Artaius holding a Canon EOS R5 up to his eye
A day one R5 owner!
James Artaius

Having reviewed the camera before it launched, I immediately preordered an R5 and have been using it since release day. I was also one of the few UK journalists invited to Canon's gala announcement of the R5 Mark II in Munich, where I tested the camera extensively shooting sports, portraiture and breakdancing.

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.

TOPICS
James Artaius
Editor

James has 22 years experience as a journalist, serving as editor of Digital Camera World for 6 of them. He started working in the photography industry in 2014, product testing and shooting ad campaigns for Olympus, as well as clients like Aston Martin Racing, Elinchrom and L'Oréal. An Olympus / OM System, Canon and Hasselblad shooter, he has a wealth of knowledge on cameras of all makes – and he loves instant cameras, too.