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10 Best Canon Lens For Portraits of May 2025

TOP PICKS

Bestseller No. 1
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens
Bestseller No. 2
Meike 85mm F1.8 Full Frame Auto Focus Medium-Telephoto Portrait Lens Compatible with Canon EOS EF Mount Digital SLR Cameras 5D Mark IV 6D Mark II
Bestseller No. 3
Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
Bestseller No. 4
EF 85mm F1.8 Portrait Lens - Medium Telephoto Manual Cameras Lens for Canon EOS Rebel T Series (T8i/T7i/T7/T6/T3i/T2i/4000D/850D/SL3/SL2) & High-End DSLRs (6D Mark II/5D Mark IV/90D/80D/77D)
SaleBestseller No. 5 −30%
58MM 0.43x Altura Photo Professional HD Wide Angle Lens (w/Macro Portion) for Canon EOS 70D 77D 80D 90D Rebel T8i T7 T7i T6i T6s T6 SL2 SL3 DSLR Cameras
Bestseller No. 6
Canon RF50mm F1.8 STM Lens, Fixed Focal Length Prime Lens, Compatible with EOS R Series Mirrorless Cameras, Black
Bestseller No. 7
85mm Lens for Canon RF - 85mm f1.8 Portrait Lens Manual Focus(MF) for Canon EOS R/Ra/RP/R3/R5/R5 C/R6/R6 Mark II /R7/R8/R10/R50/R100 Mirrorless Camera (for Canon RF)
Bestseller No. 8
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Standard and Medium Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Cameras, Fixed
Bestseller No. 9
Canon Portrait and Travel Two Lens Kit with 50mm f/1.8 and 10-18mm Lenses (Renewed)
Bestseller No. 10
Canon RF-S 55-210mm f/5-7.1 is STM Lens (Canon RF) for Landscape, Portrait, & Travel Photos/Videos (5824C002) + Filter Kit + Cap Keeper + Cleaning Kit (Renewed)

BUYING GUIDES

Portrait photography is a beautiful art form that captures the essence of a subject, whether it be a person or an animal. The right lens can make a world of difference in the quality and style of your portraits. Canon offers a vast range of lenses that are excellent for portraits. This guide will help you understand the key factors to consider when choosing the best Canon lens for your portrait photography needs.

1. Focal Length: The lens’s focal length, measured in millimeters (mm), greatly affects the look and feel of your portraits. For close-up portraits, a focal length between 50mm and 85mm is generally ideal, providing a flattering perspective. For full-body or group portraits, you might prefer a wider lens (24-35mm). If you want to capture portraits from a distance, such as in event or wildlife portraiture, a telephoto lens (100-200mm) would be appropriate.

2. Maximum Aperture: A lens with a wide maximum aperture (low f-number like f/1.4 or f/1.8) allows more light to enter the lens, enabling you to blur the background and isolate your subject – a sought-after effect in portrait photography known as ‘bokeh’. Wide apertures also help in low-light conditions.

3. Lens Type: Canon offers both prime and zoom lenses. Prime lenses have a fixed focal length and tend to offer superior image quality and wider apertures. They can make you more thoughtful in your composition as you need to “zoom with your feet.” Zoom lenses provide more flexibility with a range of focal lengths, which can be handy in fast-paced environments.

4. Image Stabilization: This feature helps reduce blurriness due to camera shake, particularly when shooting in low light or with slower shutter speeds. However, many portrait photographers use fast shutter speeds or tripods which can negate the need for image stabilization.

5. Autofocus: Consider a lens with a fast and quiet autofocus motor (like Canon’s USM or STM technologies). This feature is especially important if you’re capturing portraits in motion or using continuous autofocus.

6. Lens Mount: Ensure the lens is compatible with your Canon camera body. Canon EF lenses fit on full-frame Canon bodies, while EF-S lenses are designed for Canon APS-C bodies. Canon also has a new range of RF lenses for its mirrorless camera system.

7. Price: Canon’s lens lineup spans from affordable nifty-fifty lenses (like the EF 50mm f/1.8 STM) to professional-grade L-series lenses. Set a budget that aligns with your photography goals and how frequently you plan on using the lens.

Remember, the “perfect” lens for portrait photography can vary greatly depending on your personal style, the types of portraits you shoot, and your camera body. It’s always recommended to test out a lens before purchasing when possible, and read reviews from other portrait photographers. A lens is a long-term investment that should serve you well for many years. Happy shooting!

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