Finding the best canon lens for video can be a daunting task. After all, Canon has, well, a ton of different lenses to choose from, and it’s particularly challenging for newcomers to the photography world to choose the right lenses (that will fit their camera) to complement their video work and provide new possibilities.
Our top choice is the Canon EF 50mm f/1 USM Standard & Medium Telephoto Lens, the ideal choice for those shopping for their first additional lens.
- This 50mm lens is perfect for capturing high-quality shots with a lot more options for inventive zooming
- More artistic experiments to liven up your video and your photos.
- Better color retention
Plus, at $330, this lens is one of the more affordable lenses of its type on the market! Of course, we will also take a look at the runners up, a variety of additional Canon lenses that can help you with your next video adventure, so take a look!
- The Best Canon Lens for Video
- Canon EF 50mm f/1 USM Standard & Medium Telephoto Lens – #1
- Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM – #2
- Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Medium Telephoto Lens – #3
- Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM Lens – #4
- Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM Lens – #5
- Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM Ultra-Wide Angle Fixed Lens – #6
- Canon EF-S 24mm F/2.8 STM Lens -#7
- Best Canon Lens for Video Buyer’s Guide
- Don’t Have a Camera Yet? Read This First
Best Canon Lens for Video 2018
#1 Canon EF 50mm f/1 USM Standard & Medium Telephoto Lens – Best Canon Prime Lens for Video
Pros
- Highly versatile telephoto lens for many different shots
- Gaussian optics help prevent astigmatism
- Affordable for such an adaptable lens
Cons
- Lens glass isn’t the highest quality
- A little large and heavy for newcomers
- Can’t do everything – like extra-wide zoom
If you want the best and most versatile Canon lens for the money, you can stop here. This telephoto lens is an excellent addition for first-time buyers who only have the lenses that their camera came with, and would like to expand for more interesting video shots and many more possibilities, particularly when it comes to zooming.
The autofocus motor and two high-refraction lens elements with Gaussian optics are also newbie-friendly, and we like the additional options for including photo software or a UV filter, depending on your goals. We don’t suggest you just randomly buy a lens without research, but there’s a reason this particular lens is so popular among videographers.
#2 Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens – Best Video Lens for Canon 70D
Pros
- Compact and highly affordable
- Lens coatings ideal for action and low-light shots
- Smooth, continuous autofocus for movies
Cons
- Focus features may take practice for newcomers
- Not a lot of protection without accessories
- Great for depth of field, but not as versatile as some lenses
If you don’t have much money to spend on a lens, this 50mm Canon model could be the perfect solution to your video work. It’s designed for night shots, portraits, and action shots, with a continuous autofocus that makes the lens ideal for capture video instead of just photos.
Of course, you don’t have access to any zoom functions, but these are less important when capturing video, and the artistic depth of field on this lens adds other advantages. Note that the filter size is technically 49mm, unusual for Canon lenses of this size, which tend to have larger filter sizes.
#3 Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Medium Telephoto Lens – Best Canon Lens for Video Interviews
Pros
- Reliable 85mm is great for capturing faces
- Ideal for more artistic video with some background blur
- Speedy focus and excellent low light performance
Cons
- Shallow depth of field isn’t for everyone
- Heavy lens for newcomers
- Crop factor on smaller cameras may take some getting used to
This 85mm telephoto lens helps videographers interested in artistic shots, with excellent background blur (aka bokeh effect) when it matters and clean, crisp video when it doesn’t. It excels at low-light performance (think night shots or concert performances). It’s also very speedy for a lens of its size, allowing users to make fast adjustments as they go.
While the lens may seem compact to long-term photographers, those without much experience may have to get used to the weight – and the shallow depth of field, which tends to be great for capturing faces or interviews, but requires careful placement and angling.
#4 Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM Lens – Best Canon Rebel T5i Lens for Video
Pros
- Long focal length
- Lightweight for its size
- Produces great color
Cons
- Very pricey for newcomers
- Not suitable for all shots (especially close-ups)
- Unwieldy for those short on space
If you are looking for a lens that performs excellently on longer distances, consider investing in this durable 135mm. Yes, it’s large and expensive, but it’s also quite lightweight for its class and known for producing remarkable shots with rich color. The downside, as you might expect, is that it’s not easy to use up close, and so best saved for capturing video of events or nature at a distance, which might not be everyone’s desire.
#5 Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM Lens – Best Video Lens for Canon 80D
Pros
- Excellent ultrawide zoom capabilities
- Stepping motor ideal for video
- Many different lens filter options
Cons
- Wide angle doesn’t work for all types of video
- Some issues with flaring
- Slight distortion at widest focal length
This wide-angle zoom lens is excellent at filming landscapes and buildings, making it a valuable tool if you run a travel blog, like to film architecture, or have similar intentions in mind. It also has a stepping motor for video, which means you can make quick, quiet adjustments that won’t interfere with your audio. However, like many ultrawide lenses, it does become sensitive to flaring and you may notice some slight “fisheye” distortion in some shots, so experience and proper framing are very important.
#6 Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM Ultra-Wide Angle Fixed Lens – Best Lens for Canon 7D Video
Pros
- Gel-based filter holder
- Built-in dust and moisture proofing
- Compact compared to earlier models
Cons
- Not for the inexperienced
- Particularly expensive
- Wide angle limitations do apply
While this lens takes some heavy investment, if you are serious about your video and photography work and want an excellent lens for nature and landscape capture, it’s hard to find a better option. However, it is a fairly niche lens designed specifically for durable wide angle work, so it certainly isn’t for everyone.
#7 Canon EF-S 24mm F/2.8 STM Lens – Best Canon Lens for Canon 5D Mark IV
Pros
- A more affordable option for those on a budget
- Extra light and easy to store
- Surprisingly good macro focus
Cons
- All-plastic build isn’t as durable as some other lenses
- Combo of manual and autofocus is an odd, unnecessary feature
- No image stabilization
A super-small form factor and a very affordable price help make this Canon lens an ideal purchase for those looking to build up their camera kits in preparation for exciting video. It’s also very versatile for such a small, wide-angle lens, allowing you to get up close or capture a lot of landscape, depending on your goals. However, it is fully plastic, so you do have to treat the lens with a bit of extra care.
Best Canon Lens for Video Buying Guide
When shopping for a new Canon lens, keep these things in mind to avoid buying the wrong lens for the job!
- Look for The Right Lens for the Job
- Obvious, right? But take this step slowly and do your research. For example, the three primary “sizes” for lenses are Full Frame, APS-C, and Micro Four Thirds, each with corresponding sensors that will affect how the lens functions.
- Choose the right lens for your camera and your goals, understand how the lens will interact with the camera sensor, and you will avoid unpleasant surprises.
- Don’t Try to Compare Focal Lengths:
- Those millimeter specs you see for all lenses, like 18-55mm, refer to the focal length of the lens. That’s a handy number for understanding how far or near a specific lens can be positioned to a specific camera sensor (more or less: the history of lens specifications is convoluted and annoying).
- However, it’s not much good as a comparison tool between different lenses when making up your mind. Focal length ranges change between brands and models and are affected by the type of sensor in your camera as well. Study the spec, but don’t make direct comparisons.
- Understand Crop Factor:
- Crop factor refers to the general ratio that’s used to describe cameras in a more standard way that is handier for comparison, although unfortunately confusing to newcomers. Crop factor is a camera spec such as “1.6x” which means that if you multiply a lens focal length by 1.6, you will get the “full frame” equivalent focal length.
- So, if you know the crop factor of your camera, you can apply it to any new lens you are looking at to find out where full frame equivalent focal length is. Compare this to your desires for a lens, and you’ll get a better idea of how that lens will perform with your camera.
- Don’t Worry Too Much About Aperture:
- Aperture, or f-stop, refers to how much you can control the area of focus – what part of the photo is focused and how much light is let into the shot. This is a very nice spec for artistic photographers who may need to adjust the aperture range for various effects.
- However, it means very little for video, since you almost always want the full video in focus and apertures set wide for better light. The exception is if you are planning on taking complex action shots or dim light video, which is a fairly rare need.
- Wide Angle or Zooming Power? Both are Good:
- When comparing lenses using some of our tips, you may find your primary decision between more of a wide angle lens that can capture more content at once, and more of a telephoto-style, zooming lens with some innate optical zoom capabilities.
- It’s best to find a lens that falls somewhere between these two options. As you take video, there are times when you want to be more panoramic and times when you want to be more intimate, so a lens with a wide range is often a smart choice.
- Look for Upgraded Canon Lens Models:
- Canon lenses may have either an “II” or an “L” next to the lens title. These both mean that the lens has been upgraded to a more durable, efficient design. They cost more (the L lenses especially are meant for professionals) but it’s almost always worth that cost.
Don’t Have a Camera Yet? Read This First
First, it’s important to understand that some cameras you buy come with only the body – you have to buy the lenses separately.
This approach allows you to buy only the lens you absolutely need. Other cameras you purchase can come with one or two lenses included in the package, (usually called a kit). This gives you some general lenses to start with, and you can buy more specialized lenses later if necessary. It’s important to watch what you are buying!
Additionally, you have to make sure that any new lenses you get are compatible with your camera – not all are, and it’s not as easy as saying, “Well, I have a Canon camera, so Canon lenses will work with it.”
On our Amazon pages, you will notice that one of the first bullet points for each lens is a link to a website that will tell you what camera models are compatible. Please visit this link when shopping for a lens and make sure you are getting lenses that work with the camera you plan to buy.
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