10 Affordable Lenses for Canon Users | 2023

Looking for cheap Canon lenses? With the rising cost of living affecting everyone across the UK, it’s getting harder and harder to find the spare cash to spend on new photo gear, and you could be forgiven for thinking that photography just isn’t something you can afford right now.

We’ve put this guide together to help out those who are feeling the pinch. These are our picks of the ten best affordable lenses for Canon users – lenses that will give you an array of different perspectives and shooting options, all without breaking the bank. Every lens on this list comes in below the £499 mark – and many are considerably cheaper than that. What’s more, these are all lenses that our staff really rate, and ones we think more than justify their price tags.

We’ve divided this guide up by lens mount, of which Canon currently offers three:

Canon RF lenses - These are lenses for Canon’s newest flagship mirrorless system, the EOS R cameras. You might have assumed that these lenses would invariably be ridiculously expensive, but this isn’t the case – Canon has done an admirable job of filling out the budget end of this range with some stellar affordable lenses. We’ve included lenses that will fit both full-frame and APS-C EOS R cameras, as well as an option specifically designed for the smaller sensor models (referred to as an RF-S lens).

Canon EF lenses - Canon’s venerable DSLR range is still ticking along, and has built up one of the biggest lens ranges in existence, with great options both from Canon themselves and from third-party manufacturers. We’ve included a few older lenses here that still deliver the goods for a fraction of the price they commanded on launch, and once again we’ve got options for both full-frame and APS-C.

Canon EF-M lenses - If you’re using one of Canon’s enduringly popular EOS M cameras, these are the best cheap lenses to kit yourself out with. The EF-M range isn’t the largest, but there are some interesting optics on there with unique features. 

So, let’s save ourselves some cash and find out which are the best affordable lenses for Canon users…

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Best affordable Canon RF lenses

Canon’s mirrorless RF-mount EOS R system has been in existence for five years now. In a way, this is both a long time and a short time for a camera system to have existed. On the one hand, five years is long enough for the firm to have had time to bed in and come out with a fantastic selection of lenses for users of all stripes (not to mention all budgets). At the same time, it’s not really long enough for there to be many older versions of newer lenses, which is often a great way to pick up a high-end lens for a bargain price.

Nevertheless, there are plenty of inexpensive options in the RF range, and we’ve picked out our favourites for the first section of the guide. Remember too that EF lenses can be adapted to work with EOS R cameras if you have the correct EF-EOS R adapter

ros:

• Slim, pocketable construction
• Wide view is great for vlogging
• Fast, reliable autofocus system

Cons:

• No weather seals
• No built-in stabilisation
  
  

A welcome addition to the RF-mount lineup, the Canon RF 16mm f2.8 STM is a compact and lightweight lens offering an ultra-wide-angle field of view. Optimised for both photo and video applications, this 16mm f2.8 lens is incredibly versatile and well-suited to mid-level Canon mirrorless systems. It is further equipped with an advanced optical structure combined with a maximum f2.8 aperture and near-silent STM motor, resulting in super-smooth AF performance and all-round adaptability. 

This allows for additional creative freedom when experimenting with depth of field, with this affordable Canon RF-mount lens lending itself to everything from landscape photography to high-end vlogging.

Optical quality is generally very good. If you were to turn off the automatic distortion correction functionality in EOS R cameras then you’d notice some pretty significant barrel distortion, but the solution is to simply not do that. It is worth being aware though that the low price of the lens means it skimps on some features like weather-sealing and built-in stabilisation.

Best affordable Canon EF lenses

Canon’s EF mount has a long, storied history, having originally made its debut back in the 1980s in the days of film SLRs. It’s a big, sprawling system, with loads of fantastic lenses available both new and on the second-hand market. There are also lots of third-party options too, with manufacturers like Sigma and Tamron releasing compelling alternatives to the Canon-made optics. If you’re a Canon DSLR photographer, you’ll never be short of a good lens. 

We’ve included both EF and EF-S lenses in this section of the guide – EF-S lenses are designed specifically for DSLRs with APS-C sensors, and won’t work with full-frame models. EF lenses, on the other hand, will work with both types, though larger ones may feel a little unbalanced on a smaller APS-C body. Some of the lenses in this section are a good few years old, but they all have two things in common – they’re cheap, and they produce fantastic images.

Pros:

• Unique “sweet-spot” focus effect
• Beautiful, dreamlike bokeh quality
• Tactile handling experience

Cons:

• Particular “look” won’t suit all situations
• Requires fully manual operation
  
  

For something a little different, and an escape from the ongoing wars of who's got the sharpest lens, why not try a Lensbaby optic? These lenses are designed with priority given to creative expression and character rather than technical perfection, and the Spark 2.0 is a shining example of the firm's trademark tilt-shift look.

By physically bending the lens, you can manually set the point of focus in an image, and surround it with stylised blur that gives your images a dreamlike effect. Bokeh is the name of the game, and the 12-blade aperture on the Lensbaby Spark 2.0 ensures that its images are immediately striking. 

The unique squeeze-to-focus mechanism also makes the lens fun and tactile to use, and the results you get are always striking. The lens is compatible with full frame and APS-C cameras, so users of all Canon DSLRs can try out the distinctive experience of Lensbaby photography.

Best affordable Canon EF-M lenses

Canon’s EOS M cameras may not be as glamorous as its full-frame flagship EOS R models, but they are enduringly, hugely popular, regularly selling gangbusters across the globe. The lens range is fairly small but plays to the series’ strengths, with lots of compact optics that provide a great deal of shooting flexibility in a small package. As the EOS M cameras are popular with vloggers, many EF-M lenses also boast video-friendly features like silent focusing.

EF-M lenses tend not to be too expensive, but some are cheaper than others. We’ve picked out a couple that we reckon provide great value for money, and would both work as an excellent choice of second lens for those looking to upgrade from the kit zoom.

Pros:

• Very light for such a big zoom
• Decent stabilisation
• Reliably snappy autofocus

Cons:

• No weather seals
• No physical switches on barrel
  
  

This lens may offer a large telephoto zoom range, but it’s surprisingly light and dinky, as befitting the EOS M camera range. As such, the Canon EF-M 55-200mm f4.5-6.3 IS STM is an excellent travel lens, its effective 88-320mm focal range making it easy to bring distant subjects into sharp focus. You’re also helped along by the built-in stabilisation, which provides 3.5 effective stops of compensation. That may not sound like much compared to newer lenses, but it’s great to have in a pinch and is a useful way to eke a bit more life out of the lens when the light starts to fade. 

This is a pretty simple lens – the barrel isn’t weather-sealed, and there are no physical switches to speak of. This means if you want to switch from manual to autofocus, or activate or deactivate stabilisation, you have to delve into the camera’s menus.

Honourable Mentions

FAQs

How do I choose the right Canon lens for my camera?

When selecting a Canon lens, consider factors such as your photography style, budget, and desired focal length. Canon offers a wide range of lenses for different purposes, including wide-angle, telephoto, macro, and prime lenses. Additionally, check the compatibility of the lens with your camera model to ensure proper functionality.

What is the difference between EF and EF-S lenses for Canon?

Canon lenses come in two main categories: EF (Electro-Focus) and EF-S (Short back-focus). EF lenses are compatible with all Canon DSLR cameras, whereas EF-S lenses are designed specifically for cameras with APS-C sensor size. EF-S lenses are generally more affordable and compact but offer similar optical quality to EF lenses within their range.

What is image stabilisation (IS)?

Image stabilisation (IS) is a feature found in some Canon lenses that helps reduce camera shake and produce sharper images, particularly in low-light situations or when using slower shutter speeds. Canon offers two types of image stabilisation: in-lens stabilisation (IS) and in-camera stabilisation (IBIS). IS lenses have built-in stabilisation, while IBIS relies on the camera body's stabilisation system.

Can I use Canon lenses on other camera brands?

Canon lenses are primarily designed for Canon cameras and use the Canon EF or RF mount. However, with the use of lens adapters, it is possible to mount Canon lenses on some other camera brands. It's important to note that certain functionalities, such as autofocus and electronic communication, may be limited or not available when using Canon lenses on non-Canon cameras. 

What does the "L" mean on Canon lenses?

The "L" on Canon lenses signifies the luxury or professional series of lenses. These lenses are known for their exceptional optical quality, durability, and advanced features. Canon's L-series lenses often incorporate high-grade glass elements, weather sealing, fast apertures, and superior image performance.