Best Lenses for Canon EOS R in 2023

Looking for the best lenses for Canon EOS R? Here is our full list of top recommended lenses for Canon EOS R full frame mirrorless camera.

Designed for enthusiasts, hobbyists and professionals alike, the Canon EOS R (Amazon, B&H, Adorama) is the first full-frame mirrorless camera to use the new RF mount. Featuring a high-resolution 30.3MP full-frame CMOS sensor along with a DIGIC 8 image processor, the Canon EOS R offers a native sensitivity range of ISO 100-40000 (expanded to ISO 50-102400), fast continuous shooting up to 8 fps, and it supports UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) video recording at up to 30 fps at 480 Mb/s, along with Full HD 1080p shooting at 60 fps and HD 720p at 120 fps for slow motion playback. Matching its UHD video recording capabilities are the built-in Canon Log gamma for greater dynamic range and distortion correction during Movie Digital IS. Accurate focusing is made possible with Focus Peaking, Dual Pixel Focus Guide, and the Dual-Pixel CMOS AF system, which boasts an autofocus speed of 0.05 seconds, a bigger focus area of 88×100 percent, 5,655 manually selectable AF points, and a rack focusing feature (Touch and Drag AF) using the swiveling 3.15-inch 2.1m-dot rear touchscreen LCD. So, the Canon EOS R will be one of the most popular full frame mirrorless cameras on the market and it is an ideal camera for general and social photography, as well as casual video shooters.

So, what are the best lenses to pair with the Canon EOS R? The Canon EOS R features the RF lens mount, which support Canon’s line of RF-mount lenses. And it has full compatibility with all existing EF, EF-S, TS-E and MP-E lenses through the use of mount adapters. So, if you have some EF and EF-S lenses, you can just get one of the four mount adapters, each uniquely designed to meet the individual needs of the user.

If you don’t have any EF or EF-S lenses, or don’t want to get the adapter, and just want to get a professional-like shot, here we looked at all RF-Mount lenses from Canon and other companies, and selected the most suitable native full-frame RF-Mount lenses for Canon EOS R mirrorless camera based on good price, usefulness and high image quality, including leading prime and zoom options from wide-angle to telephoto for portraits, wedding, landscapes, street, macro, videos, sports and wildlife and more. Just choose the one you need!

Best Lenses for Canon EOS R

To help you decide on the best lens for your intended use, I have categorized the lenses into the following groups. This should hopefully make it much easier for you to find the lens that you are looking for. You can click any of the below links to jump to the type of lens that interests you the most.

Kit Lenses | Portrait and Wedding Lenses | Macro and Vlogging Lenses | Standard Zoom Lenses | Wide-angle Prime Lenses | Wide-angle Zoom Lenses | Telephoto Zoom Lenses

Canon EOS R Kit Lenses

Canon RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM

The Best All-in-one Zoom Lens for Canon EOS R.

For about $700 more than the cost of the Canon EOS R camera body alone, you can get a perfect all-in-one zoom lens with a useful wide-angle to telephoto range that can be used for any number of shooting scenarios. With fast and accurate autofocus, versatile 10x optical, as well as an Optical Image Stabilizer (up to five stops), the Canon RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM lens is a great travel and walk-around lens for the Canon EOS R users and perfect for landscapes, portraits, weddings, videos, or distant objects. In addition, the Nano USM system utilizes both a ring type USM and an STM mechanism to realize quick and accurate focusing that is also smooth and near-silent to suit both photography and video applications. The downsides of this lens is the distortion when shooting at the wide and telephoto ends, and the maximum f/4 aperture will be not big enough when in the low light condition. So, if you are in the process of buying the Canon EOS R body, we really love the value of the Canon EOS R with 24-240mm lens kit. If you already own the Canon EOS R body, there are some other attractive options below.

Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM

Ideal Lens for landscapes, street, portraits, events, everyday shooting and much more.

Characterized by its exceptional focal range and fixed maximum aperture of f/4, the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens is a premium walkaround lens, and it is great for capturing more of a scene at the widest focal length, zooming in on faraway objects from a distance at the longest focal length, and covering a variety of shooting scenarios in between. The lens also utilizes a ring-type NANO USM autofocus motor for achieving fast and accurate yet smooth and noiseless focusing in both photo and video modes, making it ideal for landscapes, portraits and much more. In addition, ideal for use in nearly any shooting scenario, this Canon RF 24–105mm F4 L IS USM zoom is benefitted by a five-stop-effective Image Stabilizer to minimize the appearance of camera shake for sharper handheld imagery. Also complementing handling is a unique customizable Control Ring, which can be configured to adjust a variety of exposure settings settings, including aperture, ISO, and exposure compensation. It is really an ideal zoom lens for all-day photography.

LensBuy Now
Canon EOS R with 24-240mm LensAmazon | B&H
Canon EOS R with 24-105mm LensAmazon | B&H
Canon RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USMAmazon | B&H
Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USMAmazon | B&H

Best Portrait and Wedding Lenses for Canon EOS R

Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM

An ideal lens for portraits, weddings, fashion, still life, close ups and more.

With its fixed 85mm focal length and wide f/1.2 maximum aperture, the Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM lens is ideal for photographing portraits, weddings, fashion and more, and great for low-light situations and producing beautiful, soft backgrounds. It gives you fast autofocus speed, and works great with the Eye Detection AF feature found in the EOS R and EOS RP cameras to provide impressive focus on a subject’s eye. With 13 elements in 9 groups and a 9-blade aperture system, it can deliver sharp and detailed images with gorgeous background blur and remarkable consistency. All this and more, including Blue Spectrum Refractive Optics (BR) to help reduce chromatic aberration and Air Sphere Coating to help minimize flaring and ghosting, combine to give you a lens you’ll want among your favorites. This Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM lens is a “world-class” prime lens for the serious and professional portrait shooter, raising the bar for optical and low-light performance.

Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM DS

Smoother bokeh in wide-aperture images. Great for portrait, wedding, and fashion imagery.

Featuring a fixed 85mm focal length, bright f/1.2 maximum aperture and fast, highly-precise AF, as well as Defocus Smoothing, the RF 85mm F1.2 L USM DS lens elevates the look of portraits, creating dreamlike, romantic images with softer edges in out-of-focus areas — all while maintaining tack-sharp focus of your subject. Differentiating itself from Canon‘s other RF 85mm f/1.2 lens, this RF 85mm f/1.2L USM DS version features a DS (Defocus Smoothing) coating that helps to soften and smooth the bokeh quality when working at wider aperture settings, making it particularly suitable for shallow depth of field applications. What you focus on will be very sharp, and the edges of background highlights will be smoother than the non-DS version of the RF 85mm lens. With Blue Spectrum Refractive Optics (BR) for reduced chromatic aberration, and a fluorine coating that prevents dust and water from entering the lens, the RF 85mm F1.2 L USM DS is a sophisticated choice for portrait, fashion, wedding photography and more.

Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM

Great choice for portraiture, weddings, street shooting, and fine art photography.

Designed to deliver tack-sharp results even in low-light situations, the Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM lens has a large maximum aperture of f/1.2 for increased light-gathering power and stunning bokeh, as well as a ring-type USM AF system for fast and ultra-precise focusing. In addition, it features a tactile control ring near the front of the lens that allows you to adjust exposure settings such as shutter speed and aperture without taking your eye off the electronic viewfinder. Its refined optical formula, engineered specifically for the RF mount, delivers consistent, impressive performance with shallow depth of field and eye-catching background blur. The RF 50mm f/1.2 L USM gives you amazing image clarity and a wealth of detail even in the corners or the edges of the frame, plus it has a minimum focusing distance of roughly 15 inches. Whether capturing portraits, still life, weddings or anything in between, photographers and videographers can expect gorgeous, detailed and sharp results from the center of the image to the periphery.

LensBuy Now
Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USMAmazon | B&H
Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM DSAmazon | B&H
Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USMAmazon | B&H
Mitakon Zhongyi Speedmaster 50mm f/0.95 IIIAmazon | B&H
Rokinon MF 85mm f/1.4 LensB&H | Adorama

Best Macro and Vlogging Lenses for Canon EOS R

Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS Macro STM

Ideal lens for close-ups (food, plants, bugs, birds), street scenes and landscapes, as well as vlogging.

A wide-angle macro lens, the Canon RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM opens a broad level of imaginative new possibilities for photographers and moviemakers looking for a compact and versatile lens. Capable of focusing down to 6.7″ at half life-size, this lens is ideal for photographing everything from close-ups of plants to street scenes and landscapes. The integrated Dual Sensing IS (5-stop image stabilization) helps combat camera shake while the STM motor ensures silent focusing – both of which make this a great videography lens. An advanced optical design is benefitted by a Super Spectra coating, which helps to control flare and ghosting for greater contrast and color accuracy when working in bright or backlit conditions. Also, an STM motor affords impressively quiet and smooth autofocus performance and full-time manual focus override. The RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM is an ideal and lightweight companion capable of high-quality, creative photos and video anywhere, anytime.

LensBuy Now
Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS Macro STMAmazon | B&H
Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STMAmazon | B&H

Best Standard Zoom Lenses for Canon EOS R

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM

Perfect all-purpose lens for all types of photography ventures.

With a standard focal length zoom range, a bright f/2.8 maximum aperture, NANO USM technology for accurate and silent AF operation- combined with reduced focus breathing for more seamless focus transitions – the dynamic Canon RF 24-70mm F2.8 L IS USM lens helps you cover it all, from portraits and landscapes, to travel and everyday moments. Bright f/2.8 constant maximum aperture ensures sharp and stunning images. With 21 elements in 15 groups and a 9-blade aperture system, it maintains consistent illumination throughout the zoom range to deliver stunning images with gorgeous background blur. The featured Nano USM technology enhances video performance, especially when tracking moving subjects, by achieving accurate and silent AF. Whether shooting handheld or in poorly-lit situations, this lens ensures that pictures stay sharp and steady with up to five stops of shake correction. In addition, an Image Stabilizer also compensates for up to five stops of camera shake to help produce sharper handheld shots in difficult lighting conditions. This Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM is a perfect all-purpose lens for all types of photography ventures.

Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM

Ideal for portraits, wedding photography, landscapes, nightscapes and more.

With a wide-angle to portrait-length focal range and an impressive constant maximum aperture of f/2, this bright Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM all-around zoom lens is capable of utilizing faster shutter speeds and delivering professional-quality images for different photography niches like portraiture, landscape, wedding photography, and photojournalism. It’s also capable of performing well in low-light conditions and delivering exceptional bokeh quality with its nine rounded aperture blades, both for isolating subjects and adding more dramatic results while taking photos and recording videos. Equipped with Canon’s reliable Ultrasonic Motor (USM) ring, users can expect fast and quiet AF performance, as well as seamless manual focus control. The RF 28–70mm F2 L USM is an ideal lens for professionals, advanced photographers and anyone who wants phenomenal image quality to tell their story with.

Budget Option:

Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM

Perfect for landscapes, portraits, travel and more, the RF 24-105mm F4-7.1 IS STM is a compact, lightweight lens for EOS R Series cameras, offering a versatile zoom range* that captures different subjects with ease. For macro enthusiasts, the RF 24-105mm F4-7.1 IS STM is particularly advantageous, featuring an impressive maximum magnification of 0.5x using Center Macro Focus – helping you snap photos from as close as one inch away. Your images and videos will remain clear and steady, too, thanks to a leadscrew-type STM motor that enables smooth autofocusing, and optical image stabilization with up to 5 stops of shake correction. And, with a control ring that allows for quick setting changes, including shutter speed and aperture, the RF 24-105mm F4-7.1 IS STM lens puts quality, convenience and control in your hands.

LensBuy Now
Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USMAmazon | B&H
Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USMAmazon | B&H
Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STMAmazon | B&H

Best Wide-angle Prime Lenses for Canon EOS R

Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM Lens

Supremely lightweight and compact (165 g), an ideal lens for landscape, architecture, travel photographer as well as vloggers.

Compact, versatile, speedy and affordable, the Canon RF 16mm F2.8 STM lens is a terrific complement to any EOS R series digital camera. Offering an ultra-wide angle of view and a bright f/2.8 aperture, it’s an excellent choice whether taking interior photos in tight spaces, seeking out the perfect landscape, or as the perfect webcam lens when used in combination with an EOS camera and EOS Webcam Utility on a video call. A bright f/2.8 lens combined with the full-frame sensor of each EOS R series digital camera allows for fast shutter speeds in low light with less noise and the ability to beautifully blur the background in close-up shooting or video recording. With a 16mm F2.8 lens, you can experiment with enhancing perspectives, capturing starscapes, or with the close focusing distance of 5.11 inches, get up close to your subject while still keeping the background more visible. Video users will find this ultra-wide lens a natural for vlogging, especially with its supremely light weight.

Rokinon AF 14mm f/2.8 RF Lens

Great lens for landscapes, architecture and outdoor photography.

Offering a super wide field of view along with an autofocus design, this Rokinon AF 14mm f/2.8 RF compact lens is packed with 113.9 degree of broad angle of view (currently the widest) and fast and precise autofocus function. Optically, this AF Rokinon 14mm RF mount lens offers a bright f2.8 aperture range and a rounded seven blade aperture for pleasing bokeh and star effects. Its 14 element/10 group design utilizes UMC anti-reflective coating plus six special elements (3 Aspherical, 1 High Refractive Index, and 2 Extra-Low Dispersion) to provide minimum distortion and outstanding full frame image quality from corner to corner. Additional features include a Manual/AutoFocus switch, dust and moisture resistant weather sealing, a built in lens hood, high aluminum alloy housing, and a rear holder to allow use of gel filters without vignetting. This lens is the best partner for your outdoor photography with the enhanced features.

LensBuy Now
Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM LensAmazon | B&H
Rokinon AF 14mm f/2.8 RF LensB&H | Adorama
Rokinon MF 14mm f/2.8 LensB&H | Adorama
Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Zero-D LensAmazon | B&H
Laowa 15mm f/2 FE Zero-D LensAmazon | B&H

Best Wide-angle Zoom Lenses for Canon EOS R

Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM

Ideal lens for landscapes, architecture, videos and other wide-angle shots.

This Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM lens features a bright f/2.8 maximum aperture, 15-35mm focal length, smooth image stabilization and more, helping you capture landscapes, architecture and other wide-angle shots in full view and clear detail. As Canon’s first F2.8 wide zoom lens equipped with IS for full-frame with a CIPA standard of five stops, the Canon RF 15-35mm F2.8 L IS USM lens is furnished with edge-to-edge sharpness throughout the zoom range to capture clear images with high image clarity from the center of the image throughout the entire focal range. With 16 elements in 12 groups and a 9-blade aperture system, the Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM lens is capable of gorgeous, out-of-focus areas and soft backgrounds throughout its zoom range. Its constant f/2.8 maximum aperture allows shallow depth of field and provides control over background blur. Equipped with Canon’s Nano USM technology for quiet and smooth focusing, and up to 5 stops of shake correction, the Canon RF 15-35mm F2.8 L IS USM is perfect for shooting outdoors at dusk or in inclement weather, or indoors in dimly lit rooms. An Image Stabilizer also compensates for up to five stops of camera shake to help produce sharper handheld shots in difficult lighting conditions. Whether you’re shooting videos, still images of nature, close ups, architecture or sports, the RF 15-35mm F2.8 L IS USM lens can easily provide stunning images with minimal distortion.

LensBuy Now
Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USMAmazon | B&H

Best Telephoto Zoom Lenses for Canon EOS R

Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

Great lens for portrait, wedding and sports and wildlife.

Highly recommended! Featuring a large and bright f/2.8 aperture and the 70-200mm focal zoom ranges, the Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM lens is engineered to deliver sharp images with beautiful background blur and it is an ideal workhorse lens for professional and amateur photographers shooting sports, wildlife, wedding and event action. A first for Canon lenses, the new RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM features two Nano USM motors providing an even greater level of high-speed autofocus for still image shooting and quiet and smooth autofocus for video shooting. The lens also incorporates a floating focus control, another Canon first, that drives the two lens groups individually while using the two aforementioned Nano USM motors. The floating focus lens element shortens focusing distance and help reduce breathing, providing users with fast, consistent and reliable performance. Coupled with a large f/2.8 maximum aperture for sharp, bright images and videos, even in low-light settings, Canon’s Nano USM technology for fast and virtually silent AF and up to 5 stops of shake correction, the RF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM will quickly become a favorite among portrait, wedding and sports photographers.

LensBuy Now
Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USMAmazon | B&H