As one of the most trusted names in photography, Canon cameras have been a staple for both amateur and professional photographers for decades. And as both the newbies and pros know, to get stunning pictures and viral-quality videos, you not only need a quality camera but a quality lens as well.
One of the easiest ways to upgrade your camera without shelling out big bucks is by investing in a new lens. Because not all lenses are created equal, it’s impossible to find one lens that will work for every situation. That’s why you often see wedding photographers lugging around multiple cameras and lenses in between the ‘I do’s and cake cutting. They’re not doing it for extra cardio. It’s because some lenses are designed to capture close-up, intimate moments, while others are better at pulling in light to create a vivid image as the newlyweds enjoy a firework show outside in the dark.
Canon’s EF line of lenses is considered one of the best in the world thanks to their advanced precision manufacturing technologies in optics and microelectronics. With a wide range of lens options, it’s easy to find one that not only fits your needs but your budget as well. We’ve included three lenses in Canon’s EF line because of their versatility, their specific features, and their price points, which make it possible to grow your lens collection.
Before purchasing a new Canon lens for your Canon camera, it’s important to know what type of photos and videos you’ll be shooting. Smaller focal lengths with wide angles are better for architecture and landscape, making them great travel lenses, while larger focal lengths and narrower angles are more adept at portraiture and sports, perfect for taking pics at your family reunion or your child’s first little league game.
To find out which Canon lens is right for you, check out our top three picks below. You may end up taking all of them home thanks to how versatile and useful they’ll be for your next photo op.
1. Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens
An upgrade from the bestselling EF 50mm f/1.8 II lens, the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens is perfect for casual photographers who want to capture vacation photos, family portraits and more.
The EF 50mm is an excellent lens for casual to semi-professional photographers. Perfect for portraits and slower action shots, the EF 50mm has a minimum focusing distance of 1.15 feet and a maximum magnification of 0.21 times, with a wide f/1.8 aperture that lets in eight times the amount of light compared to a standard lens, ideal for shooting photos and video in low-lighting situations.
Pros: If you’re looking for a lens to shoot video, the EF 50mm has a Stepping Motor (STM) that is almost silent, great for outdoor and wildlife filming, marking an upgrade from the previous best-selling model of the EF 50mm f/1.8 II lens.
Cons: At 5.6 ounces, the EF 50mm is significantly more substantial than the EF-S 24mm.
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2. Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM Lens
The wide-angle Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM Lens is both the slimmest and the lightest lens in the Canon EF-S series.
If you’re looking for a lens that will add depth and width to your photos without adding bulk and weight to your camera, we suggest the Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM Lens. The lens features a focal length of 24mm, an aperture of f/2.8 and a maximum magnification of 0.27 times, which is higher than the EF 50mm. Like the EF 50mm, this lens is also great for video thanks to the smooth and silent STM Motor. A polarizer and UV filter for the lens can be purchased at an additional price.
Pros: The lens is easy to use for beginners thanks to its full-time manual focus, which allows for manual focus adjustment when the lens is placed in One Shot AF Mode.
Cons: For those looking for a lens for portraits, going with a faster lens would work better.
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3. Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS II Telephoto Zoom Lens
For action, low-lighting, and long distances, the Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS II Telephoto Zoom Lens can’t be beaten.
If you’re looking for a camera will optimal zoom for taking far-away action shots or capturing your child’s game-winning goal from across the soccer field, we recommend the Telephoto Zoom Lens. Designed with Canon’s Optical Image Stabilizer, the lens will capture crisp and clear photos of moving targets even when far away, up to four stops faster than a lens without the Optical Image Stabilizer. The lens is made with UD-glass, which corrects images through the zoom lens, ensuring your picture looks natural and vibrant.
Pros: The lens enables users to capture images with shutter speeds at 1/15th of a second, eliminating the need to continually lug around a tripod when taking action shots or filming in low light.
Cons: This lens is not compatible with full sensor DSLRs. It’s also bulky, weighing 0.86 pounds.
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