Best Pick

Sigma Contemporary 56mm f/1.4 DC DN 56mm

85.9 Video/Cinema Score
56mm f/1.4 Canon EF-M Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

The Sigma 56mm f/1.4 DC DN delivers exceptional sharpness with its f/1.4 aperture and 9-blade diaphragm, plus weather sealing for durability. At just 73g, it's remarkably portable while scoring 93/100 for portraits and 93.9/100 for street photography. Best for APS-C shooters needing a fast, lightweight portrait lens with reliable autofocus and low-light capability.

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Price CA$550
Sigma Contemporary 56mm f/1.4 DC DN 56mm lens

Great Alternatives

These options also score highly and may better suit your specific needs

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM 18-135mm

82.5 Video/Cinema Score
18-135mm f/3.5 Canon EF-S IS
Why we recommend this

A 7.5x zoom range (29–216mm equivalent) and 4-stop image stabilization make this lightweight 454g lens a versatile choice for Canon APS-C cameras. The optical formula with one aspherical and one ED element provides sharp results at a budget price, and the STM motor enables quiet, smooth autofocus for video. It’s best suited for hobbyists and content creators who need a single, affordable lens for everything from travel vlogs to family portraits.

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Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM 18-135mm lens
Price CA$525

Viltrox AF AF 56mm f/1.4 XF 56mm

72.8 Video/Cinema Score
56mm 16 Canon EF-M Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

The f/1.2 aperture and HyperVCM autofocus motor, 150% faster than STM, deliver dramatic subject isolation with precise, rapid focusing. Weather-sealed construction and a 0.5-meter minimum focus distance enable detailed close-ups in any conditions. This lens is ideal for portrait photographers on Fujifilm X-mount who need razor-thin depth of field and sharp, low-aberration rendering.

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Viltrox AF AF 56mm f/1.4 XF 56mm lens
Price CA$336
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Yongnuo AF 50mm F1.8 Camera 50mm

69.4 Video/Cinema Score
50mm f/1.8 Canon EF IS
Why we recommend this

Delivering an f/1.8 large aperture in a mere 119g package, this 50mm prime produces smooth background blur for Canon EF cameras at an entry-level price. Multi-coated optics and gold-plated contacts provide decent light transmission and reliable autofocus communication, though corner sharpness drops for landscapes. Best for portrait beginners and vloggers needing a lightweight, bokeh-capable lens without the cost of first-party options.

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Canon EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM 11-22mm

60.4 Video/Cinema Score
11-22mm f/4 Canon EF-M IS
Why we recommend this

Its 11–22mm focal length (17.6–35.2mm equivalent) covers ultra-wide to wide on APS-C, and built-in Optical Image Stabilization paired with STM autofocus delivers steady, quiet footage ideal for video. The lens focuses down to 0.15 m for a 0.30x maximum magnification, and its 7-blade circular aperture produces soft backgrounds—rare for a wide zoom. This is best for Canon EOS M shooters who need a compact, stabilized ultra-wide for vlogging, real estate walkthroughs, or tight interiors.

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Rokinon AS IF UMC 85mm f/1.4 85mm

60.3 Video/Cinema Score
85mm f/1.4 Canon EF Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its fast f/1.4 aperture and a hybrid aspherical element deliver sharp 85mm portraits with shallow depth of field, while the manual focus design keeps weight to 510g. Weather sealing and an 8-blade rounded diaphragm add durability and smooth bokeh at a budget-friendly price. This lens is best for portrait photographers on Pentax K full-frame cameras seeking precise manual focus control and classic rendering.

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Rokinon AS IF UMC 85mm f/1.4 85mm lens
Price CA$398

Canon Portrait and Travel Two 50mm

60.3 Video/Cinema Score
50mm f/1.8 Canon EF IS
Why we recommend this

The kit pairs the 50mm f/1.8 STM's bright f/1.8 aperture for low-light portraits with the 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM's stabilized ultra-wide view equivalent to 16mm for expansive travel scenes. The 50mm's metal mount and 7-blade circular aperture add durability and smooth bokeh, while both lenses' STM motors provide silent autofocus for video recording. Best for budget-conscious APS-C Canon DSLR shooters needing a lightweight two-lens setup for everyday portrait and landscape work.

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Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM 50mm

56.3 Video/Cinema Score
50mm 22 Canon EF
Why we recommend this

A bright f/1.8 maximum aperture combined with a near-silent STM autofocus motor makes this 50mm prime lens deliver smooth, quiet focusing for stills and video in a lightweight 159g body. The Super Spectra coating reduces flare and ghosting, while a 0.35m minimum focus distance and 0.21x magnification allow close-up shots uncommon at this price point. It's best for portrait photographers and street shooters needing an affordable, compact lens with strong low-light performance on Canon full-frame DSLRs.

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Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM 50mm lens
Price CA$170

Canon RF 9521B002 24-105mm

55.2 Video/Cinema Score
24-105mm 40 Canon EF IS
Why we recommend this

The STM motor delivers smooth, near-silent autofocus for video, while the 4-stop image stabilizer keeps handheld shots steady across the 24–105mm range. Weighing just 525g, it’s among the lightest full-frame zooms, with manual focus override and optimized coatings that enhance contrast. Best for budget-conscious hybrid shooters who prioritize a portable, stabilized zoom for landscapes, travel, and video, but don’t need wide-aperture isolation for portraits.

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Tamron SP B001C700 10-24mm

52.5 Video/Cinema Score
10-24mm 22 Canon EF-S IS
Why we recommend this

Covering a 10-24mm range (16-37mm equivalent) with built-in stabilization, this lens delivers versatile ultra-wide coverage in a lightweight 406g design. Its compact build and 77mm filter thread make it a cost-effective entry into wide-angle photography without sacrificing filter compatibility. Best for APS-C Canon shooters needing an affordable, stabilized lens for landscapes, architecture, and tight interior spaces.

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AstrHori 120mm F2.8 2X Macro 120mm

52 Video/Cinema Score
120mm f/2.8 Canon EF IS
Why we recommend this

Delivers true 2x life-size magnification with a full-frame f/2.8 aperture, using a 14-element, 9-group optical design that captures fine details invisible to the naked eye. Its all-metal aviation aluminum barrel and clicked 13-blade aperture offer tactile precision and smooth bokeh, equally capable as a 120mm portrait lens with infinity focus. This manual prime lens is best for studio macro photographers capturing intricate subjects like insects or botanical details with a tripod-mounted, deliberate workflow.

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IRIX Firefly 15mm f/2.4 Firefly 15mm

51.5 Video/Cinema Score
15mm f/2.4 Canon EF Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Its 15mm f/2.4 full-frame prime employs a 15-element, 11-group design with Neutrino coating to suppress flare and ghosting, plus a built-in AE chip for auto metering on Canon EF DSLRs. Weather sealing, a lightweight 599g ABS barrel, and an ergonomic focus ring with a focus lock enable precise, repeatable manual adjustments. This lens fits landscape and architectural photographers who demand flare-resistant optics and dependable manual focus in demanding light.

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IRIX Firefly 15mm f/2.4 Firefly 15mm lens
Price CA$454

Mitakon Zhongyi Speedmaster 50mm f/0.95 50mm

47 Video/Cinema Score
50mm f/0.95 Canon EF
Why we recommend this

Its f/0.95 maximum aperture on a 50mm DSLR lens enables extreme subject isolation and strong low-light capture, unique for Canon EF mount cameras. The 11-blade diaphragm and all-metal build provide smooth, artistic bokeh and precise manual focus control, rewarding deliberate shooting. This lens is ideal for portrait photographers who prioritize shallow depth-of-field and unique bokeh over autofocus convenience.

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Tokina atx-i 17-35mm f/4 FF 35mm

46.9 Video/Cinema Score
17-35mm 22 Canon EF Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

A constant f/4 aperture and weather-sealed build pair with three aspherical and two ED elements for consistent edge-to-edge sharpness across the 17-35mm range. The one-touch focus clutch instantly switches between AF and MF, while the 9-blade diaphragm provides smooth out-of-focus rendering at close distances. This lens is best for Nikon F-mount landscape and architecture photographers needing a lightweight 569g zoom that focuses down to 280mm for 1:4.7 magnification near-far compositions.

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Rokinon Cine DS DS16M-C 16mm

46.7 Video/Cinema Score
16mm T22 Canon EF-S
Why we recommend this

Offering a T2.2 constant aperture and a 13-element optical design with 2 aspherical and 1 ED element, the 16mm wide-angle prime’s unified Cine DS gear system requires no follow focus re-adjustment when swapping lenses. Ultra Multi-Coating reduces flare, while the included petal hood and a 7.9-inch minimum focus distance enable dramatic close-up wide shots. This lens suits APS-C Canon filmmakers who need an affordable, color-matched manual cine lens with close-focusing capability and consistent gearing for video rigs.

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BROLEO 58mm 0.25x Fisheye 58mm

46.6 Video/Cinema Score
58mm Canon EOS
Why we recommend this

Its 0.25x fisheye converter threads onto any 58mm filter lens, using low-dispersion optical glass and a protective coating for sharp, high-definition images with minimal aberrations. The aluminum-alloy body weighs just 327g, making it portable and durable, while the removable macro insert adds close-up capability without a separate lens. This accessory is best for hobbyist DSLR shooters with 58mm-thread lenses who want an inexpensive way to experiment with fisheye distortion and macro framing on a single body.

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