What's The Best Lens For A Canon EOS Digital Camera? The Top Choices Revealed

The Canon EOS series of digital cameras include some of the best SLR models available on the market for enthusiastic amateurs and aspiring professionals. However, a camera body is not the most important piece of equipment when it comes to photo quality. The most important piece of equipment is the camera lens.

Putting a substandard lens on a Canon EOS camera is like attaching a pair of crappy speakers to a great stereo system, buying a Ferrari to drive on a bumpy dirt road. For this reason, it is far better not to buy a Canon SLR camera with the basic starter kit. Because the lens that comes with said starter kit is rather dreadful. Instead, buy the camera body only and then buy your lenses a la carte. Here are our suggestions for lenses to consider. Each of them will work on any Canon EOS SLR camera.

^{(Note: We've given each lens a grade for the quality of photos it produces and for its price value. We've assumed that the "average" lens would get a C for both. Obviously, this article being a "best of" list, most of the lenses we review here get grades higher than that. If you have a question about a particular lens feel free to leave it in a comment, below)} 

Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

18mm all the way to 200mm is a lot of focal length for one relatively inexpensive lens to cover. For optimal quality you would be better off buying two lenses to service this range (see our suggestions, below). However, if you are looking for one high value do-it-all lens (because of budget constraints, for example, or to take with you traveling) then this is your choice. This lens is excellent quality for the money, especially since it includes optical image stabilization.

_{WEIGHT: 600 g / 21.1 oz | PHOTO QUALITY PRODUCED: B+ | VALUE FOR MONEY: A}

Cosina Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto 28-210mm

If you are purchasing only one lens for your Canon EOS camera and absolutely can't spend more than $100 then you are in luck. At its list price of $230 this Cosina lens is a bargain. At its current Amazon price of $79 purchasing this lens is akin to legal shoplifting. The photo quality achievable with this lens isn't as high as you'll get with the other options we review in this article. But the quality is above average, making the Cosina 28-210mm the perfect choice for the novice budget-conscious photographer or for a kick-around lens you don't have to worry about taking care of.

_{WEIGHT: 394 g / 13.9 oz | PHOTO QUALITY PRODUCED: C+ | VALUE FOR MONEY: A+}

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8

Instead of getting one all-purpose lens you are better off, photo-quality wise, getting two: one that can zoom down to a wide angle focal length and another that can go up to a telephoto.

With these two Canon EF lenses you'll miss out on the 55-70mm focal lengths. But that's the only flaw with this otherwise superb lens combo. Both lenses are capable of stellar, professional-quality photographs and both include image stabilization. The 70-200mm half of this lens pair is particularly fantastic with a build quality that matches lenses that cost more than $8000.

Canon EF-S 17-55mm:

^{WEIGHT: 646 g / 22.8 oz | PHOTO QUALITY PRODUCED: A  | VALUE FOR MONEY: B+}

Canon EF 70-200mm:

^{WEIGHT: 1,470 g / 51.8 oz | PHOTO QUALITY PRODUCED: A+ | VALUE FOR MONEY: A}

Sigma AF 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6

If the best lens combo (above) is out of your price range then consider this one: a wide angle lens from Sigma and a downgraded telephoto from Canon.

The main thing you'll be sacrificing by going with this more budget lens combo route is lens speed. However, in optimal lighting conditions the quality of photos you can take with these lenses rival that you can achieve with our best combo. Further, you'll get a wider range of focal lengths, from 17mm all the way through to 300mm. The Canon half of this duo even comes with image stabilizing, though the Sigma lens does not.

Sigma AF 17-700mm:

^{WEIGHT: 609 g / 21.5 oz | PHOTO QUALITY PRODUCED: A- | VALUE FOR MONEY: A}

Canon EF 70-300mm:

^{WEIGHT: 629 g / 22.2 oz | PHOTO QUALITY PRODUCED: B+ | VALUE FOR MONEY: B+}

Canon EF 800mm f/5.6L

Canon EF 600mm f/4L

Canon EF 500mm f/4L

You've seen those close-up action photos that make you go WOW! Like a rich and detailed shot of a surfer riding a wave, with the surfer's expression and each drop of ocean caught in an instant. Or the shot of a flower and a hummingbird with its wings frozen in the moment. 

If you wonder how photographers are able to snap such vibrant and detailed photos, while also being so far away from their subjects, here's your answer: a high quality, fixed focal length, telephoto lens.

And these three Canon L-series telephoto lenses are supremely high quality.

What makes them so effective, besides their superb build and superior optics, is their fast speed. As any professional photographer knows, the greater the focal length the more lens speed maters. Which is why no budget telephoto lens make this list—none of them work very well.

Each of these three lenses are rather expensive. But with each you also get what you pay for. The 800mm, especially, is worth the large sum it commands. This lenses are perfect for sports and nature photography and to use on an animal safari or birdwatching trip. 

Canon EF 800mm f/5.6L:

^{WEIGHT: 4.5 kg / 9.9 lbs | PHOTO QUALITY PRODUCED: A+ | VALUE FOR MONEY: B+}

Canon EF 600mm f/4L:

^{WEIGHT: 5.4 kg / 11.8 lbs | PHOTO QUALITY PRODUCED: A | VALUE FOR MONEY: C}

Canon EF 500mm f/4L:

^{WEIGHT: 3.8 kg / 8.5 lbs | PHOTO QUALITY PRODUCED: A+ | VALUE FOR MONEY: B-}

Canon EF 85mm f1.2L II

If there exists a single perfect lens for an EOS digital camera it is this lightening quick Canon L-series Mark II. There is probably no lens of a similar focal length that's better. Sadly, perfection has its price. From a pure cost standpoint you'd probably get more use out of the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L (reviewed above). But if you want the thrill of a high-end professional lens without an off-the-charts high-end price this lens is — can we say it again? — perfect.

_{WEIGHT: 1,026 g / 36.2 oz | PHOTO QUALITY PRODUCED: A+ | VALUE FOR MONEY: C-}

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens

This little 50mm gem might be our favorite lens. First, because it is incredibly and unbelievably inexpensive. Second, because it is super light weight and very fast. But most of all because it takes photos with a clarity and sharpness far beyond what its price tag would suggest. It is the perfect lens for portraits but also fun for walking around with and seeing what create shots come your way. An absolute must-buy lens for any Canon EOS camera owner.

_{WEIGHT: 130 g / 4.6 oz | PHOTO QUALITY PRODUCED: A | VALUE FOR MONEY: A++}

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