The Wex team looks at ten lenses to expand the reach of Canon users.
(Last update: September 2021)
Shooting with good glass doesn't have to empty your bank account, and the best affordable Canon lenses are proof of that. From wide-angles to telephotos, including primes, zooms and macros, there are so many great lenses availabe for Canon users at highly affordable prices.
Canon itself makes plenty of excellent lenses for new and budget users, but it's also worth looking at third-party manfacturers for some of the best bargains out there. Sigma, Tamron, Tokina, Lensbaby and more all make great lenses for Canon, and we've made sure to include a broad cross-section of the options available in our guide.
We've picked out our favourite ten affordable lenses for Canon users right now, and at the bottom of this article we've also rounded up a few alternative choices for those who want more options to explore. Whatever your photographic interests, there will be lenses in here to suit you, so let's count off the best affordable Canon lenses available right now!
1. Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM Lens
Canon's EF 50mm f1.4 USM lens is as compact and sturdy as the f/1.8 version, but thanks to its larger maximum aperture it can create a shallower depth of field in images and is more capable in low light. Given that it's also available for a great price, it definitely merits inclusion here.
New Gaussian optics in the lens eliminate astigmatism and suppress astigmatic difference, while the ultrasonic motor (the 'USM' of the title) ensures fast, accurate focusing, with full-time manual focus override available if you prefer to make precise adjustments yourself.
Versatile and durable, at a size you can take everywhere, the 50mm f/1.4 lens can swiftly become so reliable a companion that you wonder how you ever did without it.
Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM Lens
2. Canon EF-S 18-55mm f4-5.6 IS STM Lens
A standard zoom lens for APS-C Canon DSLRs like the entry-level EOS 250D, the Canon EF0S 18-55mm f4-5.6 IS STM is a highly capable kit lens for the vast majority of standard shooting situations.
Weighing just 215g, it perfectly complements the lighter DSLRs at the more affordable end of the Canon scale. Despite this, however, it still finds room for some of the latest sophisticated lens technology, with a four-stop image stabiliser that helps control for image blur at slower shutter speeds, opening up shooting possibilities in low light.
There's also the Super Spectra coating on the front elements, designed to reduce flare and ghosting and ensure superior light transmission. This means you get bright and vibrant images every time, no matter where you are on the zoom range. A terrific kit lens does everything you need it to, and the Canon EF-S 18-55mm f4-5.6 IS STM fulfils that brief in exemplary fashion.
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f4-5.6 IS STM Lens
3. Sigma 18-200mm f3.5-6.3 DC C Macro OS HSM Lens
Amazing zoom reach doesn't have to cost the earth, and if you like the sound of a lens for a bit of everything, look no further than the Sigma 18-200mm f3.5-6.3 DC C Macro OS HSM Lens. While it's designed for macro close-up shooting, the broad 18-200mm range of this powerful lens means it has applications in all different areas of photography, from landscape to portraiture.
Light and small, this all-around lens is great to take on your travels if you don't want to be encumbered by too many optics. It's designed for APS-C Canon cameras, and with its minimum focusing distance of 39cm, is more than capable of getting in close.
Sigma has including both Optical Stabilisation for smoother shooting hand-held, and its Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) for super-speedy autofocus. This makes for a powerful combination that means you can get experimental with your images in all sorts of different lighting conditions. For the price, this is one of the best all-in-one lenses you can get for a Canon camera!
Sigma 18-200mm f3.5-6.3 DC C Macro OS HSM Lens - Canon Fit
4. Canon RF 16mm f2.8 STM Lens
A welcome addition to the esteemed RF-mount lineup, the Canon RF 16mm f2.8 STM is characterised as 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.
5. Sigma 10-20mm F3.5 EX DC HSM Lens - Canon Fit
This super-wide zoom is a powerful tool for many different types of photography, especially architecture and landscape. Its internal make-up contains several ELD (Extraordinary Low Dispersion) and SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass elements that are designed to correct optical aberrations and produce smooth, consistent images.
There's also a Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) powering the autofocus, and the minimum focusing distance remains at 24cm throughout the entirety of the zoom range.
Ultra-wide zooms such as these can often be costly when produced by major manufacturers, and it's great to see Sigma come out with this affordable version.
Sigma 10-20mm F3.5 EX DC HSM Lens - Canon Fit
6. Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM
A fine choice for when you want to get as much into the frame as possible, this lightweight wide-angle lens provides an effective focal length of around 16-29mm on the APS-C bodies for which it’s designed, suiting it to landscapes, architecture and interiors among other subjects.
The fact that it’s designed specifically for APS-C bodies allows it to be relatively compact and light, and, as a relatively recent addition to Canon’s line-up, it benefits from the company’s STM technology for fast focusing and quiet operation during movie recording.
The four-stop image stabilisation system lends a hand when capturing images handheld at slower shutter speeds, while a 22cm minimum focusing distance means you can get close up to subjects and still maintain a wide-angle field of view. If you don’t need a lens that’s also compatible with full-frame cameras, this wide zoom is well worth adding to your shortlist.
Canon EF-S 10-18mm f4.5-5.6 IS STM
7. Sigma 105mm f2.8 Macro EX DG OS HSM - Canon Fit
With a 1:1 magnification factor, this Sigma lens qualifies as a 'true' macro lens, and is suitable for full-frame and APS-C Canon DSLRs. Its SLD glass controls aberration, while the Sigma's Hyper Sonic Motor also provides high-speed autofocus. If you prefer to do things manually (as you likely will when shooting macro), there is also full-time manual focus override.
With a generous f/2.8 maximum aperture, especially considering the telelphoto focal length, the Sigma 105mm f2.8 Macro EX DG OS HSM allows users to pick out their main subject in pin-sharp focus with a stylishly blurred background. Also on board is Sigma's Optical Stabilizer, which provides correction worth up to about four stops.
Creating a true macro telephoto with a large maximum aperture for a price like this is an amazing achievement – hats well and truly off to Sigma for this one.
Sigma 105mm f2.8 Macro EX DG OS HSM - Canon Fit
8. Tokina 12-28mm f4 AF AT-X PRO DX Lens
One of the most useful things about this Tokina wide zoom is the fact that the f/4 aperture runs right the way through its zoom range, meaning you can always work with the same light-gathering ability. An impressive lens for its price, the Tokina 12-28mm f4 AF AT-X PRO DX is designed for APS-C DSLRs, and thanks to its overhauled optical design with aspherical elements and super-low dispersion glass, it's capable of producing super-sharp images at all zoom and focusing settings.
Fast autofocus is also on board, thanks in part to the “GMR magnetic precision” control sensor. The overall build is slim and compact, making it a good lens to take on a long hike. Switching between manual and autofocus is a breeze; simply slide the focusing ring forwards or backwards. It's just one of many features that make this smartly designed lens a great choice for Canon users looking for a cost-effective wide-angle optic.
Tokina 12-28mm f4 AT-X PRO DX V Lens - Canon Fit
9. Lensbaby Spark 2.0 Lens
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.
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, aand 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.
Lensbaby Spark 2.0 Lens - Canon EF Fit
10. Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC HSM A
A compact addition to Sigma’s ‘Art’ stable of lenses, using this optic on a Canon APS-C body gives an effective focal length of around 48mm in 35mm terms. This, together with its wide f/1.4 aperture makes it an obvious candidate for portraits, although the aperture also makes it suitable for a broader range of low-light photography and anything where depth of field needs to be shallow.
As the name implies, the lens takes advantage of Sigma’s Hyper Sonic Motor for quiet and snappy focusing, while two SLD elements help to keep chromatic aberration low. The minimum focusing distance of 40cm means that it’s also likely to suit appeal to those shooting nature.
If you’re tempted by a 50mm-type focal length but use a Canon APS-C body (where such a lens would be closer to 80mm), this is an obvious choice.
Sigma 30mm f1.4 DC HSM A Lens - Canon Fit
Also consider...
We keep this list regularly updated. Below are several affordable lenses that have been included in previous versions of this article, all of which are well worth considering if you want to save some money on top-quality optics.
Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM
At just 22.8mm deep this pancake lens barely adds anything to your camera’s overall size and, as one of Canon’s most affordable lenses, doesn’t put too much of a dent in your wallet either.
It’s compatible with Canon’s full range of full-frame and APS-C DSLR bodies, with an effective focal length of 64mm when used on the latter. With a relatively standard focal length, you can use it for all manner of subjects, from portraits and reportage to landscapes and more.
Its f/2.8 aperture is wide enough for shallow depth of field on both formats, while the inclusion of STM technology facilitates smooth and quiet focusing in movie recording. Overall, a great versatile option that’s useful for capturing both stills and video.
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM
Thanks to compact proportions, a low price and excellent optical qualities, a 50mm f/1.8 lens is often said to be something everyone should have in their kit bag, and Canon has been refining its EF 50mm f/1.8 lens formula for decades to deliver this latest version.
It arrives with a wealth of improvements over its predecessor, such as a sturdy metal lens mount in place of the previous plastic one, together with a wide focusing ring and a seven-bladed diaphragm on the inside to keep bokeh nice and round.
The STM suffix indicates the lens employs a ‘Smooth Transition for Motion’ stepping motor, which delivers fast and smooth focusing for stills and near-silent focusing when recording movies. Meanwhile, Super Spectra Coatings on the elements work to combat flare and ghosting.
Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di-II LD ASP IF
A fine contender for a kit-lens upgrade, this lens’s main highlight is its constant aperture of f/2.8. This means it can offer this wide aperture at any focal length, which allows you to capture images in darker conditions and utilise shallow depth of field more successfully than with the standard kit lenses that come with most cameras.
It’s designed exclusively for APS-C format cameras, and on a Canon EOS body will deliver an equivalent focal range of around 27-80mm, which is ideal for general-purpose use.
The internal focusing system ensures the barrel conveniently stays the same length while you’re focusing, while Extra Refractive (XR) and aspherical optical elements on the inside help to keep optical distortions low. Furthermore, Tamron also generously provides a five-year warranty for peace of mind.
Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM
This short telephoto lens has been around for a while, and the fact that Canon hasn’t upgraded it yet speaks volumes about its performance.
Compatible with both full-frame and APS-C bodies and ideal for portraiture, it delivers an effective focal length equivalent to 136mm on APS-C-based EOS cameras. Despite its age it offers an Ultrasonic motor for swift and silent focusing, with a manual override option for fine-tuning focus, as well as a small focused-distance window so you can check exactly where the lens is focusing.
There are also Super Spectra coatings to minimise ghosting and flare, which helps when shooting portraits on sunnier days, while its eight-bladed diaphragm keeps bokeh pleasingly round for exquisite background blur.
Tamron 90mm f/2.8 SP Di Macro
Many budget macro lenses are only compatible with cameras fitted with APS-C sensors, but this option from Tamron works with full-frame bodies too, meaning you can keep using it if you upgrade.
In contrast with the raft of cheaper lenses that claim to have macro capabilities, the Tamron 90mm offers the ‘true’ macro reproduction ratio of 1:1, and on a Canon APS-C body provides an effective focal length of around 144mm. This makes it particularly suitable for insect photography, although many photographers have also used it for portraiture with excellent results.
Its outer barrel sports a generously sized ring for precise control over manual focusing, while a focus limit switch helps you to focus faster when shooting within a particular range. Capable and affordable, it’s a great alternative to Canon’s own macro offerings.
Samyang 8mm f/3.5 Aspherical IF MC Fisheye CS II
A brilliant option if you want to dip your toe into fisheye photography but you don’t have the budget for one of Canon’s fisheye optics, this fisheye lens boasts a super-wide 8mm focal length that lets you capture images with a diagonal angle of view of 167 degrees*, when using a Canon APS-C body.
While it’s a manual-focus-only lens, the combination of focus markings on the barrel and the live-view functionality should help you to get focus spot on.
An aspherical hybrid lens and multi-coatings help control aberrations and light transmission respectively, and a lens hood is provided to help you keep stray light from entering the lens – particularly useful with such a wide angle of view.
* This extends to 180 degrees on other APS-C bodies with a 1.5x crop factor. Canon’s current APS-C bodies feature a crop factor of 1.6x.
