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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.
So, let’s save ourselves some cash and find out which are the best affordable lenses for Canon users…
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
.Pros:
- Useful walk-around focal length
- Terrific sharpness for the price
- Very lightweight and portable
Cons:
- No AF/MF switch
- No weather sealing
The long-awaited mirrorless successor to Canon’s famous nifty-fifty for EF-mount DSLRs, the Canon RF 50mm f1.8 STM is a lens that pretty much any EOS R user should consider for their kit bag. Incredibly light, it boasts redesigned optics that have improved sharpness compared to the DSLR version, and it’s hugely impressive just how sharp Canon have made a lens at this price point. Stop down to f5.6 or f8 for the sharpest results, or whack it wide open to f1.8 for shallow depth of field and dreamy bokeh.
The 50mm focal length provides a naturalistic perspective, neither too tight nor too wide, and is perfect for walking around and capturing everyday scenes. The stepping motor ensures that focusing is quick, accurate and near-silent, meaning the lens excels at street photography. Some may quibble with aspects of the physical design – the plasticky body in particular – but if you want a cheap lens that only weighs 160g, that’s the trade-off you have to make.
Pros:
- Amazing value for money
- Bright maximum aperture
- Weather sealing
Cons:
- Manual focus only
- On the heavier side at 730g
Canon has been rather guarded when it comes to allowing third-party autofocus lenses on its RF-mount. There are some signs this may be about to change, but for now if you want a third-party lens for an EOS R camera, you’re looking at manual focus only. If you don’t mind that, the Samyang MF 85mm f1.4 is a standout portrait lens that’s available for a much cheaper asking price than any Canon-made equivalent.
Hitting the 85mm sweet spot for portraiture, the Samyang MF 85mm f1.4 creates beautiful bokeh thanks to its eight-blade diaphragm and f1.4 maximum aperture. For throwing the background out of focus, or working in low light, it’s a dream of a lens. It’s robustly constructed too, with a weather-sealed chassis, and while this does add to the overall weight of the lens, it’s great for getting peace of mind while shooting outdoors.
Pros:
- Designed specifically for APS-C bodies
- Powerful stabilisation (up to seven stops)
- Weighs just 270g
Cons:
- No weather seals
- Aperture drops to f7.1 at long end of zoom.
This isn’t the cheapest RF lens for APS-C cameras – that honour belongs to the RF-S 18-45mm f4.5-6.3 IS STM. However, if you already have an APS-C EOS R camera like the EOS R50 or EOS R10, it’s quite likely you already have that lens, as it tends to be the one bundled in as part of the standard starter kit. So, we’ve instead opted for the Canon RF-S 55-210mm f5-7.1 IS STM as our pick.
Canon’s RF-S lens range is still a little thin, so it’s nice to see a lens as versatile as this for APS-C users, particularly as the range of cameras expands rapidly with new models like the EOS R100. A superzoom can be a challenge to use, but the sophisticated stabilisation system on the RF-S 55-210mm f5-7.1 IS STM is enormously helpful – when combined with a camera’s IBIS system, it can deliver up to seven stops of effective compensation.
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:
- Useful wide zoom range
- Solid for close-ups
- Four-stop stabilisation
Cons:
- APS-C only
- Not weather-sealed
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 it benefits from the company’s STM technology for fast focusing and quiet operation during movie recording. Be aware though that it isn’t compatible with full-frame EF DSLRs, meaning it may not be worth it if you plan to upgrade in the near future.
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.
Pros:
- Terrific sharpness
- Outstanding macro-shooting capability
- 3-year warranty
Cons:
- Canon counterpart has better autofocus
- … but not much to criticise otherwise!
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, there is also full-time manual focus override.
With a generous f2.8 maximum aperture, especially considering the telephoto 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 – while getting a Canon-made lens equivalent will get you USM autofocus, most macro shooters will likely be using manual focus anyway.
Pros:
- Not much pricier than f1.8
- Very lightweight and portable
- Full-time manual focus override
Cons:
- Not weather sealed
- Autofocus loses accuracy at large apertures
Canon's EF 50mm f1.4 USM lens is as compact and sturdy as the f1.8 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.
This is something of an oldie of a lens, dating back a couple of decades. You won’t find modern features like built-in stabilisation, but it’s a solid lens that handles the basics well. The ultrasonic motor (the 'USM' of the title) ensures fast focusing, with full-time manual focus override available if you prefer to make precise adjustments yourself. And indeed you may wish to do so, as it’s an older system and can sometimes be a little hit and miss, particularly when you’re working at the widest aperture settings.
Versatile and durable, at a size you can take everywhere, the 50mm f1.4 lens can swiftly become so reliable a companion that you wonder how you ever did without it.
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.
Honourable Mentions
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. Click on each lens to be taken to its product page where you can learn about what they offer.
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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.
How do we decide?
Our in-house photography experts, store staff and partners all work collaboratively to pour over our guides and tips articles. We also consider emerging trends and customer feedback to make sure our guides are always up-to-date and reflective of what people are truly looking for. By curating only the best products, our guides provide trustworthy recommendations, making it easier for customers to make informed choices with confidence.
If you would like more advice on any purchase our contact centre staff are here to help. Alternatively, you can reach us via email or social media. And don't forget. If you were to purchase anything based on our recommendations you'll be covered by our full returns policy