Choosing the best Canon lenses for your needs can be tricky. Canon’s EOS EF (Electro-Focus) lens mount stretches way back to 1987, which means it's a brilliantly mature system with lots of options. (Looking for the best Canon RF lenses for your mirrorless camera? Check out our separate guide on those).
With nearly 35 years under its belt, there’s naturally a vast range of lenses available from a wide range of manufacturers at different price tags, from double-digit impulse buys to multi-thousand-pound investments. We're here to cut through the confusion and help you choose the best Canon lenses for you.
The diversity of choice makes for some tough decisions. A starting point is to consider just how good your next lens needs to be. At what point are you happy to trade weight for image quality? How important is weather-sealing? Then there’s the question of using Canon’s own-brand lenses versus an increasingly high-quality range of options from third party manufacturers, who are taking the fight to Canon at everything from budget-friendly to professional-grade lenses.
We’ve got a separate guide on the best RF lenses for Canon’s full-frame mirrorless EOS R cameras but, for now, let’s focus on the best lenses for Canon DSLRs. We've split the guide into two sections.
In the first, we'll be looking at the best Canon lenses for APS-C format DSLRs like the Canon EOS 90D and Canon EOS Rebel SL3 / EOS 250D. After that, we’ll be moving onto full-frame compatible lenses for cameras like the Canon EOS 6D Mark II and Canon EOS 5D Mark IV. Whatever your Canon camera or budget, you'll find the best Canon lenses for you in this guide.
Jargon buster: lens types
Why you can trust TechRadar
We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.
Before we start, it’s worth getting the designations of lenses clear at this point.
Canon’s EF (Electro-Focus) lens mount dates back to 1987 and the 35mm film era. The EF-S variant was launched in 2003, to suit Canon DSLRs with smaller, APS-C image sensors (such as the 90D).
There are no problems using EF lenses on APS-C format cameras, but you can’t use an EF-S lens on a full-frame DSLR. The classifications used by Sigma are DC (APS-C) and DG (full-frame) and for Tamron it’s Di-II (APS-C) and Di (full-frame).
We’ve put all of the main contenders through their paces with rigorous lab testing and shooting in all manner of ‘real-world’ scenarios
Canon or third party?
If you’ve got a Canon camera, it might seem sensible to use Canon lenses. However, third-party lenses from the likes of Sigma and Tamron often give similar or even better performance than own-brand Canon lenses, and at more competitive prices.
For this piece, we put all of the main contenders in the various categories through their paces with rigorous lab testing and shooting in a variety of different 'real-world' scenarios.
From those results, here are the best-buy lenses for your Canon APS-C camera body. As well as outright winners in each category, we’ve included some best-value alternatives if you're on a tighter budget.
Best Canon lenses for APS-C DSLRs in 2022:
Wide-angle zoom: Tamron 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 Di II VC HLD
Go wider with this delight from Tamron
Specifications
Type: Zoom
Sensor size: APS-C
Focal length: 10-24mm
Maximum aperture: f/3.5-4.5
Image stabilizer: Yes
Weather seals: Yes
Minimum focus distance: 0.24m
Filter size: 77mm
Dimensions: 84 x 85mm
Weight: 440g
Reasons to buy
+
Good image quality and build
+
Optical stabilizer
Reasons to avoid
-
Not as solid as Canon 10-22mm
-
Pricier than some competitors
A major upgrade from Tamron’s original 10-24mm lens, the ‘VC HLD’ edition adds image stabilization and a new autofocus system, which is quicker and quieter. Handling is also improved, because the focus ring no longer rotates during autofocus. The good-quality build includes weather seals and a keep-clean fluorine coating on the front element. Image quality benefits from good sharpness and contrast, along with well-contained distortions for an ultra-wide zoom lens, and fairly minimal color fringing.
Great-value option: Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM
Around half the price of the price of the Tamron 10-24mm, this is a top-value buy. It matches the Tamron’s maximum viewing angle, includes image stabilization and has a compact, lightweight build that’s well matched to bodies like the EOS Rebel T6 / 1300D and EOS Rebel SL3/250D.
Wide-angle prime: Samyang 10mm f/2.8 ED AS NCS CS
A wide prime angle lens that proves that you don't always need AF
Specifications
Type: Prime
Sensor size: APS-C
Focal length: 10mm
Maximum aperture: f/2.8
Image stabilizer: No
Weather seals: No
Minimum focus distance: 0.24m
Filter size: None
Dimensions: 87 x 104mm
Weight: 580g
Reasons to buy
+
Good build quality
+
Fast aperture rating
Reasons to avoid
-
No autofocus
-
No image stabilization
When you're 100% used to autofocus, going back to manual focus might feel like a backwards step. However, a lens like this gives you such a huge depth field and a short focal length that accurate focusing is less critical. Better yet, the Samyang's distance scale gives you the option to try traditional focusing methods for subjects such as landscape and street photography, such as setting the hyperfocal distance and 'zone focusing'. In terms of image quality, a smart design and high-quality glass helps ensure lovely sharpness, while nano-structure coatings help to keep ghosting and flare to a minimum.
Great-value option: N/A
Samyang's wide-angle prime is a bit of an anomaly, making wide-angle prime lenses for APS-C format cameras almost non-existent. You could try the Canon EF-S 24mm pancake lens, but by the time you take the crop factor into account, it's less 'wide-angle' and more 'standard'.
Standard zoom: Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM
It’s an oldie, but still very much a goodie - and a great price, too
Specifications
Type: Zoom
Sensor size: APS-C
Focal length: 17-55mm
Maximum aperture: f/2.8
Image stabilizer: Yes
Weather seals: No
Minimum focus distance: 0.35m
Filter size: 77mm
Dimensions: 84 x 111mm
Weight: 645g
Reasons to buy
+
Fast, constant aperture
+
Crisp image quality
Reasons to avoid
-
No weather seals
-
Lens hood sold separately
This lens is now more than a decade old, but don't let that stop you from considering it. While the camera bodies of 10 years ago might look outdated nowadays, that's less of a problem with lenses where designs don't change quite so rapidly. This classic zoom lens is the only one on the list to feature a fast and constant (meaning that it's available through the whole zoom range) f/2.8 aperture, making it great for creating shallow depth of field effects and shooting in low light. There's also a range of enthusiast-friendly features such as ring-type ultrasonic autofocus and a focus distance scale beneath a viewing window. You pay a price for these great specs though, with it being the most expensive standard zoom for APS-C format Canon cameras - still if you need something versatile for everyday usage, it's a great option.
Great-value option: Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM | C
This third-party option is fairly compact and lightweight. While it doesn't have the f/2.8 constant option of the Canon, f/2.8-4 is still fairly wide. It delivers impressive image quality and comes at a bargain price.
It’s an oldie, but still very much a goodie - and a great price, too
Specifications
Type: Zoom
Sensor size: APS-C
Focal length: 17-55mm
Maximum aperture: f/2.8
Image stabilizer: Yes
Weather seals: No
Minimum focus distance: 0.35m
Filter size: 77mm
Dimensions: 84 x 111mm
Weight: 645g
Reasons to buy
+
Fast, constant aperture
+
Crisp image quality
Reasons to avoid
-
No weather seals
-
Lens hood sold separately
This lens is now more than a decade old, but don't let that stop you from considering it. While the camera bodies of 10 years ago might look outdated nowadays, that's less of a problem with lenses where designs don't change quite so rapidly. This classic zoom lens is the only one on the list to feature a fast and constant (meaning that it's available through the whole zoom range) f/2.8 aperture, making it great for creating shallow depth of field effects and shooting in low light. There's also a range of enthusiast-friendly features such as ring-type ultrasonic autofocus and a focus distance scale beneath a viewing window. You pay a price for these great specs though, with it being the most expensive standard zoom for APS-C format Canon cameras - still if you need something versatile for everyday usage, it's a great option.
Great-value option: Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM | C
This third-party option is fairly compact and lightweight. While it doesn't have the f/2.8 constant option of the Canon, f/2.8-4 is still fairly wide. It delivers impressive image quality and comes at a bargain price.
Standard prime: Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC HSM | A
A practically perfect focal length with a fast aperture rating
Specifications
Type: Prime
Sensor size: APS-C
Focal length: 30mm
Maximum aperture: f/1.4
Image stabilizer: No
Weather seals: No
Minimum focus distance: 0.3m
Filter size: 62mm
Dimensions: 74 x 63mm
Weight: 435g
Reasons to buy
+
Excellent build quality
+
Impressive performance
Reasons to avoid
-
No image stabilizer
-
No weather seals
Canon's 1.6x crop factor makes this Sigma 30mm equivalent to around 48mm - that's pretty close to the classic 50mm focal length beloved by many. It's also one of Sigma's 'Art' class lenses, meaning that you get a beautiful construction, as well as a fast f/1.4 aperture. You get fast shutter speeds in low light without needing to boost your ISO settings, but you also get a nice and tight depth of field. Sharpness is impressively good, even at the widest available aperture. Meanwhile, autofocusing is fast due to the rear-focusing mechanism that drives the smaller, rear elements of the lens via a ring-type ultrasonic system. Further good news is that the front element neither extends nor rotates during focusing.
Great-value option: Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM
Teeny tiny and extremely lightweight, this 'pancake' lens is less than an inch in length and only weighs 125g. Although f/2.8 isn't a super fast aperture, image quality is excellent and it's a charming little prime lens for travelling light. What's more, it's super cheap, too.
(Image credit: Sigma)
Superzoom: Sigma 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM | C
A contemporary lens with big reach
Specifications
Type: Zoom
Sensor size: APS-C
Focal length: 16-300mm
Maximum aperture: f/3.5-5.6
Image stabilizer: Yes
Weather seals: Yes
Minimum focus distance: 0.39m
Filter size: 67mm
Dimensions: 75 x 100mm
Weight: 540g
Type: Zoom
Sensor size: APS-C
Focal length: 18-300mm
Maximum aperture: f/3.5-6.3
Image stabilizer: Yes
Weather seals: No
Minimum focus distance: 0.39m
Filter size: 72mm
Dimensions: 79x102mm
Weight: 585g
Reasons to buy
+
Supersized zoom range
+
Good balance of power and weight
Reasons to avoid
-
No weather-seals
-
Focus ring rotates during autofocus
Canon’s own-brand EF-S 18-200mm superzoom lens is pretty ancient and lacking in telephoto reach. Tamron makes some very good alternatives, with 16-300mm and 18-400mm options that go considerably wider and longer, respectively. For our money, however, this Sigma 18-300mm gives the best balance of supersized zoom range and impressively sharp image quality without being overly large or heavy. As such, it’s typical of Sigma’s ‘Contemporary’ line up of lenses.
The only minus points are that it lacks weather-seals and the focus ring rotates during autofocus, but it’s sufficiently far forward so that you can easily keep your fingers clear. All in all, it’s the ideal travel lens for Canon APS-C format DSLRs and a great all-rounder for whenever you need to keep swapping between wide-angle and telephoto focal lengths, and everything in between.
Great-value option: Tamron 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC
Remarkably compact and lightweight for a superzoom, the new edition of Tamron’s 18-200mm makes an excellent all-in-one ‘travel lens’, and is unbeatable value at the price.
(Image credit: Canon)
Portrait prime: Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM
A great quality lens for virtually impulse-buy money
Specifications
Type: Prime
Sensor size: APS-C
Focal length: 50mm
Maximum aperture: f/1.8
Image stabilizer: No
Weather seals: No
Minimum focus distance: 0.35m
Filter size: 49mm
Dimensions: 69 x 39mm
Weight: 160g
Super-telephoto zoom: Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM | C
Humongous telephoto reach, but not too physically enormous
Specifications
Type: Zoom
Sensor size: Full-frame
Focal length: 150-600mm
Maximum aperture: f/f/5-6.3
Image stabilizer: Yes
Weather seals: Yes
Minimum focus distance: 0.28m
Filter size: 95mm
Dimensions: 105 x 260mm
Weight: 1,930g
Reasons to buy
+
Incredible reach on an APS-C camera
+
Advanced features and spec
Reasons to avoid
-
Not as robust as the ‘Sport’ version
-
Only has a weather-sealed mount
Despite the fact that this lens delivers a ridiculous long effective focal length of 960mm at its longest end of its zoom range when used with an APS-C format body, it's surprisingly not too much of a monster. Coming in at less than 2kg, it's the ideal option for wildlife photographers - indeed it's almost a kilogram lighter than Sigma's 150-600mm Sport lens. You get many of the same features as its bigger sibling, including dual, switchable autofocus modes, dual-mode stabilization and a dual-position autofocus range limiter. You also get the same zoom lock mechanism which lets you lock the lens at any marked (numbered) position. As for performance, that's great too with fantastic autofocus speeds, stabilisation and sharpness. Handling is also great, too.
Great-value option: Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM | C
The maximum focal length is comparatively modest but Sigma’s Contemporary class super-telephoto zoom is nicely compact and lightweight, making prolonged handheld shooting less of a strain.
Despite the fact that this lens delivers a ridiculous long effective focal length of 960mm at its longest end of its zoom range when used with an APS-C format body, it's surprisingly not too much of a monster. Coming in at less than 2kg, it's the ideal option for wildlife photographers - indeed it's almost a kilogram lighter than Sigma's 150-600mm Sport lens. You get many of the same features as its bigger sibling, including dual, switchable autofocus modes, dual-mode stabilization and a dual-position autofocus range limiter. You also get the same zoom lock mechanism which lets you lock the lens at any marked (numbered) position. As for performance, that's great too with fantastic autofocus speeds, stabilisation and sharpness. Handling is also great, too.
Great-value option: Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM | C
The maximum focal length is comparatively modest but Sigma’s Contemporary class super-telephoto zoom is nicely compact and lightweight, making prolonged handheld shooting less of a strain.
