When it comes to quality lenses, Canon is a produces some of the top imaging options. The world’s largest camera manufacturer is known to make some of the best professional glass in the industry and makes dozens of lenses to choose from. Whether you’re focused on the EF Series of lenses for Canon’s DSLR cameras, or the recently established RF series of lenses built for Canon’s dynamic lineup of full-frame mirrorless EOS R cameras, you’ll be certain to find the best Canon lenses for video pursuits.
And when it comes to videography, Canon has several lenses that stand out above the rest, as the top options for a demanding, yet a rewarding creative career. We’ve hand-selected six of the best — three from the EF Series and three from the RF Series — in different focal lengths and price ranges, that provide exceptional bokeh and rich, and dynamic shallow depth of field (essential when shooting video). Here are the six best Canon lenses for video. Let’s get started.
Best Canon EF Lenses for Video:
Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM Lens
For years, the Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM has been considered by many professionals to be one of the best prime lenses that Canon makes. It’s fast, reliable, and takes brilliant images. At a fixed focal length of 50mm, it also is quite versatile, making it perfect for shooting run-and-gun video.
Key Features:
- Full-frame standard prime lens
- Fixed focal length of 50mm
- Aperture range of f/1.2 – f/16
- 72mm filter size
- Ring-Type Ultrasonic Motor (USM) AF System
- 8 elements in 6 groups
- Weighs 19.2 oz. (545g)
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS III USM Lens
The Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L is one of Canon’s most legendary lenses, with, what many would argue, is the most versatile focal range on the market. Wide enough to shoot landscape b-roll, with enough reach to capture tighter shots, the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS III USM Lens is a must for any enthusiast or professional videographer. It’s also a favorite and go-to lens for travel videographers and photographers.
Key Features:
- Full-frame wide angle to standard zoom
- Focal length of 24-70mm
- Aperture range of f/2.8 – f/22
- 82mm filter size
- Ring-Type Ultrasonic Motor (USM) AF System
- 18 lens elements in 13 groups
- Weighs 28.4oz (805g)
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM Lens
The Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L is easily one of the best Canon lenses for video. It’s also highly regarded as the camera maker’s most versatile EF telephoto lens. The 70-200mm and bright flat f/2.8 aperture is perfect for shooting near or far, even in challenging light conditions. It’s a brilliant lens, creating tons of opportunities for the videographer who uses it.
Check out our hands-on review of the lens with wedding photographer Vanessa Joy.
Key Features:
- Full-frame standard to telephoto zoom
- Focal length of 70-200mm
- Aperture range of f/2.8 – f/32
- 77mm filter size
- Ring-Type Ultrasonic Motor (USM) AF System
- 23 lens elements in 19 groups
- Weighs 52.6 oz (1480g)
Best Canon RF Lenses for Video:
Canon RF 28-70mm f/2 L USM Lens
The Canon RF 28-70mm f/2 L USM Lens is a truly revolutionary lens. It combines the versatility of a zoom lens with the performance of a prime lens. It’s one of Canon’s brightest zoom lenses ever, with a constant f/2.0. Having that kind of power at your fingertips, combined with the speed and durability this lens offers, is truly special. It might be expensive, but this lens, combined with the Canon EOS R3, or even the Canon EOS RP, is worth every penny and is one of the most powerful video combinations on the market.
Key Features:
- Full-frame wide angle to telephoto zoom
- Focal length of 28-70mm
- Aperture range of f/2 – f/22
- 95mm filter size
- Ring-Type Ultrasonic Motor (USM) AF System
- 19 lens elements in 13 groups
- Weighs 3.15 lbs. (430g)
Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L USM Lens
The Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L USM lens takes the power, performance, and versatility of its EF series cousin, and offers an equal, if not better shooting experience. This is partly due to the larger RF mount, 12-pin Communication System, and Control Ring. All of these factors help improve speed, communication, and image quality.
Key Features:
- Full-frame wide angle to telephoto zoom
- Focal length of 70-200mm
- Aperture range of f/2.8 – f/32
- 77mm filter size
- Two NANO USM focus motors
- 17 lens elements in 13 groups
- Weighs 2.35 lb (1.07kg)
Canon RF 85mm f/1.2 L USM Lens
If you had to describe the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2 L USM Lens in two words, it would be tack sharp. Shooting with this lens is such a joy, thanks to it’s bright, flat aperture at f/1.2. Add to that the thoughtful features, like Blue Spectrum Refractive Optics and Air Sphere Coating (ASC), which reduce chromatic aberrations, lens flare, and ghosting, and allow the videographer to create the content, every time.
Key Features:
- Full-frame standard prime lens
- Focal length of 85mm
- Aperture range of f/1.2 – f/16
- 82mm filter size
- Ring-Type Ultrasonic Motor (USM) AF System
- 13 lens elements in 9 groups
- Weighs 2.6 lb (1.19kg)
Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM Lens
The RF 50mm f/1.2 L USM is one of the best Canon lenses for video due to its ring-type USM AF system for fast and ultra-precise focusing, exquisite image clarity, and large maximum aperture. It features optical image stabilization and can focus even at 15’’ (40cm). The lens is dust and water-resistant, allowing filmmakers to explore artistic opportunities in any location.
Key Features:
- Full-frame standard prime lens compatible with EOS R full-frame mirrorless cameras
- Fixed focal length of 50mm
- Aperture range of f/1.2 – f/16
- 77mm filter size
- Minimum Focusing Distance 15.74’’ (40cm)
- 15 elements in 9 groups
- Weight 33.51 oz. (950g)
Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens
The best Canon lens for video should be a zoom lens. The RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS USM is fast, quiet, and versatile. Zoom range allows you to take environmental shots and close-ups, and the large maximum aperture allows you to continue filming even in low lighting conditions. The lens features optical image stabilization and shake correction, high-speed communication with the camera, and precise and reliable autofocus. The minimum focusing distance is 8.26’’ (21cm) with the widest focal length and 14.96’’ (38cm) with the telephoto focal length.
Key Features:
- Full-frame zoom lens
- Zoom range 24-70mm
- Maximum aperture f/2.8
- High Speed, Smooth and Quiet Auto Focus with Nano USM
- 82mm filter size
- 21 elements in 15 groups
- Weight 31.74 oz. (900g)
Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Lens
If you think the best lens for video needs a wide zoom range, the RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM may be the answer. It is an all-around lens that allows you to record videos without changing the lens. The RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM features a large maximum aperture constant throughout the zoom range, optical image stabilization, a ring-type NANO USM autofocus motor, and enhanced optics. It is also compact, lightweight, and weather-resistant. It is definitely one of the best Canon lenses for video and photography.
Key Features:
- Full-frame zoom lens compatible with EOS R full-frame mirrorless cameras
- Zoom range 24-105mm
- Maximum aperture f/4, minimum aperture f/22
- Optical image stabilization
- Minimum Focusing Distance 17.71’’ (45cm)
- 18 elements in 14 groups
- Weight 24.69 oz. (700g)
Canon RF 5.2mm f/2.8 L Dual Fisheye 3D VR Lens
For a more unconventional filmmaker, the best lens for video may be a fisheye lens. And the RF 5.2mm f/2.8 L Dual Fisheye 3D VR is a good choice if you want a Canon video lens. It is the world’s first lens able to capture stereoscopic 3D 180deg VR imagery to a single image sensor. If stereoscopic 3D capture is your thing, this is the best Canon lens for video for you.
Key Features:
- Full-frame fisheye prime lens compatible with EOS R5 camera
- Fixed focal length of 5.2mm
- Aperture range of f/2.8 – f/16
- Minimum Focusing Distance 7.9’’ (20cm)
- 12 elements in 10 groups
- Weight 12.4 oz. (352g)
How to Choose the Best Lens for Video: Top Features to Look for
When selecting a lens for video, you should consider technical specifications and personal preferences. For example, you may want a Canon video lens because you are a fan of Canon’s high-quality products and already own a Canon camera. You may also consider the price, purchasing a new or second-hand lens, compromising portability over image quality, or sustainability. Here are the top five features to look for when purchasing a lens for video.
Lens Compatibility
This is, without doubt, the first thing to check. The lens should be compatible with your camera. You can choose an OEM lens, such as a Canon video lens for your Canon mirrorless or DSLR camera, or a compatible third-party one with the same mount system as your camera.
Lens type (prime vs. zoom)
A prime lens provides a single focal length; a zoom lens provides a range of focal lengths. Prime lenses are more accurate and reliable; zoom lenses are more versatile. Consider your workflow and the type of video footage you want to record before making this decision. For example, a vlogger may need a prime lens because they usually record in a static setup. A journalist may need a zoom lens because they often shoot in unpredictable environments.
Focal length
Whether you choose a prime or zoom lens, the focal length is a big decision. Ask yourself whether you need a creative fisheye lens or a zoom lens that covers both wide and telephoto focal lengths. You may choose a natural-looking 50mm lens or experiment with everything between 24mm and 100mm. If you get it wrong, you will have to improvise and change either the scene or camera position.
Autofocus
Having a lens with a fast and accurate autofocus motor is essential for shooting videos because it allows you to follow a moving subject or adjust zoom without blurring the footage. The camera detects and tracks the subject automatically. For example, the best Canon lens for video features a ring-type NANO USM autofocus motor and a 12-pin communication system for fast and smooth autofocus.
Image stabilization
If you plan to record videos without a tripod, you need a lens with image in-body stabilization. And while many lenses have electronic image stabilization, what you want is optical image stabilization (meaning the lens has the optic design for this and not just an electric circuit).
For more lens options shop our entire line of Canon EF SLR lenses and Canon RF mirrorless lenses at Adorama.
