Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM 60mm
The true 1:1 magnification and flat-field focusing deliver sharp, distortion-free macro images, while the fast f/2.8 aperture and ring-type USM provide silent, precise autofocus with full-time manual override. Its compact 335g build and 96mm equivalent focal length on APS-C bodies make it a surprisingly effective portrait lens with pleasing background separation. This lens is best for APS-C Canon shooters who need a dedicated macro optic for detailed product or nature close-ups without sacrificing handheld usability.
Snapshot
The 30-Second Version
A razor-sharp macro and portrait prime that's one of the best values in the Canon EF-S lineup. Skip the overpriced new listings and grab a renewed one to see what your camera can really do.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Tack-sharp with true 1:1 macro magnification 94th
- Fast, silent USM autofocus with full-time manual override 85th
- Doubles as a fantastic 96mm-equivalent portrait lens 83rd
- Compact and lightweight at just 335g 82nd
Cons
- EF-S mount only, useless on full-frame bodies
- No weather sealing, so be careful in the field
- Working distance is tight for skittish insects
- Plastic build feels a bit budget for the price
What owners think
The Word on the Street
How owner sentiment changed over time
ExclusiveBased on when customers actually wrote their reviews - so you can see whether early praise held up.
Based on 8 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.
The proof
Performance
The sharpness is what gets you. At f/2.8 it's already crisp, and stopping down to f/4 or f/5.6 delivers pixel-level detail that makes you want to re-shoot your entire jewelry box. The USM autofocus is a standout, ranking in the 94th percentile for its class, it snaps into focus with confidence and the full-time manual override is a lifesaver for fine-tuning macro shots. The real surprise is the bokeh. It's not just smooth, it's creamy enough to land in the 82nd percentile, making out-of-focus backgrounds melt away nicely for a non-L lens.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Macro |
| Focal Length Min | 60 |
| Focal Length Max | 60 |
| Elements | 12 |
| Groups | 8 |
| Aspherical Elements | 2 |
| ED Elements | 1 |
| Coating | Super Spectra Coating |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 |
| Min Aperture | f/2.8 |
| Constant | Yes |
Build
| Mount | Canon EF-S |
| Format | APS-C |
| Weight | 0.3 kg / 0.7 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 52 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | USM |
| Stabilization | Yes |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 198 |
| Max Magnification | 1:1 |
vs Competition
The obvious alternative is a longer macro like Canon's own 100mm f/2.8L, but that's a much pricier full-frame lens. If you need more working distance for bugs, save up for that. The real fight is against a modern superzoom like the Sigma 16-300mm or Tamron 18-300mm. Those are infinitely more versatile for travel and general shooting, but they can't touch this prime's macro sharpness or wide aperture for portraits. This is a specialist, and it wins in its specialty.
| Spec | Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM 60mm | Sigma Contemporary 16-300mm f/3.5-6.7 DC OS | Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD | Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 | Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 | Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 60mm | 16-300mm | 17-70mm | 17-28mm | 12-35mm | 18-135mm |
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 | f/3.5 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/3.5 |
| Mount | Canon EF-S | Sony E | Sony E | Nikon Z | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E |
| Stabilization | true | true | true | false | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | false | true | true | true | true | false |
| Weight (g) | 335 | 615 | 544 | 450 | 306 | 326 |
| AF Type | USM | HLA | RXD | Stepping Motor | Autofocus | Linear motor |
| Lens Type | macro | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | AF | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM 60mm | 94.2 | 81.1 | 71.3 | 84.9 | 72.8 | 83.3 | 33.7 | 61.7 | 82.4 |
| Sigma Contemporary 16-300mm f/3.5-6.7 DC OS Compare | 53.8 | 84.5 | 64.2 | 87.4 | 99.2 | 76.6 | 99.6 | 81.9 | 99.2 |
| Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD Compare | 53.8 | 86.4 | 69.1 | 85.5 | 91.2 | 83.3 | 89.6 | 86.1 | 82.4 |
| Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 Compare | 86.8 | 86.4 | 75.6 | 85.5 | 88.3 | 83.3 | 68.1 | 71 | 36.8 |
| Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 Compare | 53.8 | 81.1 | 85.7 | 50.7 | 86.6 | 83.3 | 80.6 | 86.1 | 96.9 |
| Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Compare | 98 | 74.6 | 73 | 40.3 | 78.7 | 76.6 | 95.8 | 90.2 | 82.4 |
Price
Value & Pricing
Pricing is all over the map, from $370 to a laughable $950. Do not pay anywhere near the high end. At around $400, this lens is a steal for the optical quality you're getting. The sweet spot is finding a clean used or renewed copy from a reputable seller on Amazon, which gets you 90% of the performance of Canon's L-series macro glass for a fraction of the cost.
Read more
Overview
This is the sharpest little secret in Canon's APS-C lineup. The EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro is a lens that does two things absurdly well for the money: it's a true 1:1 macro that reveals insane detail, and it doubles as a flattering 96mm-equivalent portrait lens. The autofocus is fast and silent thanks to the ring-type USM motor, and the f/2.8 aperture gives you real subject separation. It's not a do-it-all zoom, and it's strictly for crop-sensor bodies, but if you want to explore macro or just get a killer short telephoto prime, this is it.
Common Questions
Q: Will this lens work on my Canon 5D or other full-frame camera?
Nope, it's strictly for APS-C sensor cameras like the Rebel series, 70D, 80D, or 90D. It won't even mount on a full-frame body.
Q: How close can I get to my subject?
The lens focuses down to about 20cm, which gives you life-size 1:1 magnification. For tiny bugs, you'll be pretty close, so a ring flash can help.
Q: Is the autofocus good for video?
It's quiet and accurate, but not silent. The USM motor is great for stills, but you might pick up a slight whirring with the onboard mic. An external mic solves that.
Who Should Skip This
If you're a one-lens traveler who wants to shoot landscapes and wildlife, this isn't it. The 60mm focal length on a crop body is too tight for wide vistas, and the lack of zoom will frustrate you. Go grab a superzoom like the Sigma 18-300mm instead.
Verdict
Get this lens if you're on a Canon crop-sensor body and want to dive into macro photography without breaking the bank. It's a gateway drug to the tiny world, and the portrait results are a massive bonus. Just be smart about the price you pay and know that you're buying optical brilliance wrapped in a consumer-grade plastic shell.
