Best Canon lens for video

I have tried many Canon lenses for taking pictures and making videos, but this time, I want to discuss the Best Canon Lens for Video.

In the ever-evolving world of visual storytelling, every frame, every shot, every detail counts. As a photographer and videographer, I realize the value of having the correct equipment. Have you ever wondered which lens can transform your videos into cinematic masterpieces, enhancing your storytelling capabilities?

Join me on this journey as we discover the lens that not only catches but also turns moments into cinematic experiences, adding a touch of enchantment to your filmmaking interests.

Quick list of best Canon lens for video

Here is a quick list of the best Canon lens for video.

1. Canon EF 24–105mm f/4L is II USM
2. Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II
3. Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM Lens
4. Canon 35mm f/1.4 L
5. Canon 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM
6. Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM
7. Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM
8. Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS III USM Lens
9. Canon CN-E 14mm T3.1 L F

 

Detailed analysis of the best Canon lens for video

I am now sharing a detailed analysis of the best Canon lens for video.

1- Canon EF 24–105mm f/4L is II USM

• The Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II USM lens features a versatile focal length range of 24-105mm.
• Its maximum aperture of f/4 makes it good in low light.
• The lens includes a standard 77mm filter thread for filters and accessories.
• It has a maximum magnification of 0.24 x.
• Its weather-sealed design protects it from dust and moisture, making it ideal for photography in all weather.

 

Brand	Canon.
Type	Standard zoom lens.
Lens format coverage	Full frame.
Compatible Mounting	Canon EF.
Focus rotation	84°00′ – 23° 20′
Image Stabilization	The lens has image stabilization.
No.of diaphragm blades	10 blades.
Lens construction	17 elements in 12 groups.
Minimum focus distance	450 mm.
Weight	789 g.
Adjustment	USM, internal focusing mechanism, and full-time manual focus override.

Reasons to buy:

• The focal length range is versatile.
• Outstanding image stabilization (IS).
• L-series optics of the highest quality.
• Maximum aperture remains constant.
• Suitable for a variety of shooting situations.

Reasons to avoid: 

• Moderate distortion and chromatic aberration.
• Not ideal for low-light photography.

 

2- Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

• Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II lenses have 50mm focal lengths.
• The wide f/1.8 maximum aperture provides exceptional low-light performance and a narrow depth of field.
• Not weather-sealed, it does not protect against dust or moisture, making it appropriate for indoor or controlled shooting.
• The lens includes a standard 52mm filter thread.

 

Brand	Canon.
Type	Standard lens.
Lens format coverage	APS-C.
Compatible Mounting	Canon EF.
Focus ring rotation	77  degrees.
Image Stabilization	No image stabilization.
No.of diaphragm blades	7 blades.
Lens construction	6 elements in 5 groups.
Minimum focus distance	0.45 m.
Weight	135 g.
Adjustment	Micromotor-type AF motor without manual focusing.

Reasons to buy:

• The price is reasonable.
• Lightweight and small.
• Maximum aperture (f/1.8) is quite large.
• Excellent for low-light situations.
• Excellent for achieving background blur.

Reasons to avoid: 

• No image stabilization.
• Limited features and build quality.

 

3- Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM Lens

• The Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM Lens has a variable focal length range of 70mm to 200mm, making it useful in various photography settings.
• It has a fixed maximum aperture of f/2.8, allowing for excellent low-light performance and depth of field control.
• The filter thread on this lens is 77mm, which is common for attaching filters and accessories.
• It is weather-sealed and resistant to dust and moisture, making it suited for usage in a variety of environments.
• Canon’s Air Sphere Coating (ASC) helps to reduce ghosting and flare.
• Fluorine coating on the front and rear elements aids in the reduction of smears and fingerprints.

 

Brand	Canon.
Type	Telephoto lens.
Lens format coverage	Full frame.
Compatible Mounting	Canon EF.
Focus rotation	34 – 12 degrees.
Image Stabilization	The lens has image stabilization.
No.of diaphragm blades	8 blades.
Lens construction	23 elements in 19 groups.
Minimum focus distance	1.2 m.
Weight	1430 g.
Adjustment	Inner Focusing System with Ultrasonic Ring Motor. Manual Focus is used exclusively.

Reasons to buy:

• Flexible telephoto zoom range.
• L-series optics of the highest quality.
• A consistent and fast f/2.8 aperture.
• Outstanding image stabilization (IS).
• Construction that is both durable and weatherproof.

Reasons to avoid: 

• Relatively high cost.
• Heavy and bulky.

 

4- Canon 35mm f/1.4 L

• The focal length of the Canon 35mm f/1.4 L lens is fixed at 35mm.
• It has a maximum aperture of f/1.4.
• The filter thread on this lens is 72mm.
• However, because it is not weather-sealed, it does not protect against dust or moisture, which is vital to consider when shooting in inclement weather.

 

Brand	Canon.
Type	Wide angle lens.
Lens format coverage	Full frame, APS-C.
Compatible Mounting	Canon EF.
Diagonal angle of view	63 degrees.
Image Stabilization	No image stabilization.
No.of diaphragm blades	9 blades.
Lens construction	14 elements in 11 groups.
Minimum focus distance	0.28 m.
Weight	580 g.
Adjustment	Ring-type ultrasonic motor (USM), full-time manual focus.

Reasons to buy:

• Maximum aperture (f/1.4).
• Excellent low-light performance.
• Ideal for creative depth of field.
• Versatile for a variety of photography genres.

Reasons to avoid: 

• No image stabilization.
• Fixed focal length.

 

5- Canon 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM

• The focal length range of the Canon 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM lens is 10-18mm, making it an ultra-wide-angle lens perfect for photographing huge landscapes and architecture.
• It has a variable maximum aperture that ranges from f/4.5 to f/5.6 as you zoom, which may limit its low-light performance compared to lenses with a fixed aperture.
• This lens includes a 67mm filter thread, which allows you to attach various filters and accessories.
• It is not weather-sealed and does not protect against dust or moisture, which is important to consider when shooting in inclement weather.

 

Brand	Canon.
Type	Wide angle lens.
Lens format coverage	Full frame.
Compatible Mounting	Canon EF-S.
Focus rotation	107°30 – 74°20.
Image Stabilization	The lens has image stabilization.
No.of diaphragm blades	7 blades.
Lens construction	14 elements in 11 groups.
Minimum focus distance	0.22 m.
Weight	230 g.
Adjustment	Stepping motor for silent video recording.

Reasons to buy:

• The focal length is ultra-wide.
• Design that is both compact and lightweight.
• The price is reasonable.
•  Image stabilization.

Reasons to avoid: 

• Not as robust as professional-grade lenses.
• Not suitable for low-light conditions.

 

6- Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

• With a fixed focal length of 85mm, the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM lens is ideal for portrait photography and achieving beautiful background blur.
• It has a maximum aperture of f/1.8, which allows for exceptional low-light performance and artistic depth of field adjustment.
• The filter thread on this lens is 58mm, which is normal for attaching filters and accessories.
• However, because it is not weather-sealed, it does not protect against dust or moisture, which is vital to consider when shooting in inclement weather.

 

Brand	Canon.
Type	Telephoto lens.
Lens format coverage	Full frame.
Compatible Mounting	Canon EF.
Focus rotation	28.5 degrees.
Image Stabilization	No image stabilization.
No.of diaphragm blades	8 blades.
Lens construction	9 elements in 7 groups.
Minimum focus distance	85 cm.
Weight	400 g.
Adjustment	Inner focusing, as well as full-time manual focus and USM.

Reasons to buy:

• The price is reasonable.
• Maximum aperture (f/1.8) is quite large.
• Lightweight and compact.
• Excellent for achieving background blur.

Reasons to avoid: 

• No image stabilization.

 

7- Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM

• The focal length of the Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM lens is fixed at 135mm.
• It has a wide maximum aperture of f/2, which allows for excellent low-light performance and a beautiful depth of focus.
• The filter thread on this lens is 72 mm.
• While it is not technically labeled as “weather-sealed,” the L-series certification provides some protection against dust and moisture, making it appropriate for outdoor usage in less harsh situations.

 

Brand	Canon.
Type	Telephoto lens.
Lens format coverage	Full frame, APS-C.
Compatible Mounting	Canon EF.
Diagonal angle of view	18 degrees.
Image Stabilization	No image stabilization.
No.of diaphragm blades	8 blades.
Lens construction	10 elements in 8 groups.
Minimum focus distance	0.9 m.
Weight	750 g.
Adjustment	USM (Ultrasonic Sonic Motor).

Reasons to buy:

• Maximum aperture (f/2) is quite large.
• Outstanding low-light performance.
• Lovely backdrop blur.
• For its class, it is small and light.

Reasons to avoid: 

• No image stabilization.

 

8- Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS III USM Lens

• The Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS III USM Lens has a focal length range of 24mm to 70mm, making it appropriate for a wide range of photography situations.
• Throughout the zoom range, the maximum aperture remains constant at f/2.8.
• The filter thread on this lens is 82mm, which is common for attaching filters and accessories.
• It is weather-sealed and resistant to dust and moisture, making it suitable for usage in various environments.
• Optimized lens coatings for superb color balance and minimum ghosting, as well as a fluorine coating on the front and back lens surfaces to prevent stains and fingerprints.

 

Brand	Canon.
Type	Wide angle lens.
Lens format coverage	Canon APS-C cameras.
Compatible Mounting	Canon EF.
Focus rotation	84 – 34 degrees.
Image Stabilization	No image stabilization.
No.of diaphragm blades	8 blades.
Lens construction	18 elements in 13 groups.
Minimum focus distance	0.38 m.
Weight	910 g.
Adjustment	An ultrasonic ring-type AF motor with full-time manual focusing

Reasons to buy:

• The focal length range is versatile.
• L-series optics of the highest quality.
• A consistent and fast f/2.8 aperture.
• Outstanding image stabilization (IS).
• Construction that is both durable and weatherproof.

Reasons to avoid: 

• No image stabilization.
• Limited close-up capabilities.

 

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

• The Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM lens has a focal length range of 15 to 35mm.
• It has a fixed maximum aperture of f/2.8, which enables exceptional low-light performance and creative depth of field control.
• This lens features an 82mm filter thread.
• It is also weather-sealed, providing dust and moisture protection and making it appropriate for various environmental circumstances.
• This function improves the lens’s dependability in adverse weather or outdoor photography scenarios.

 

Brand	Canon.
Type	Telephoto lens.
Lens format coverage	Full frame.
Compatible Mounting	Canon RF.
Diagonal focus rotation	109 – 63 degrees.
Image Stabilization	The lens has image stabilization.
No.of diaphragm blades	9 blades.
Lens construction	16  elements in 12 groups.
Minimum focus distance	0.28 m.
Weight	860 g.
Adjustment	Smooth and quiet autofocus with nano USM.

Reasons to buy:

• Zoom ranges from ultra-wide to wide-angle.
• L-series optics of the highest quality.
• A consistent and fast f/2.8 aperture.
• Image stabilization (IS) that works.
• Designed specifically for Canon’s RF mount mirrorless cameras.

Reasons to avoid: 

• Relatively high cost.
• Larger and heavier compared to some alternatives.

 

What to look for in the best Canon lens for video

1- Aperture 

When looking for the best “Best Canon Lens for Video,” understanding aperture is essential. The aperture is important in videography because it determines how much light enters the lens and influences the depth of field.

Look for lenses with a large aperture, often denoted by a low f-number, such as f/1.4 or f/2.8. A larger aperture provides for better low-light performance and gorgeous background blur, which adds to the cinematic appeal.

To avoid jarring changes when recording, look for lenses with smooth and silent aperture adjustments. You may obtain the required visual effects and professional-quality footage by considering the aperture while looking for the best Canon lens for video.

 

2- Image stabilization 

When looking for the “Best Canon Lens for Video,” image stabilization is an important characteristic to look for. Look for optical image stabilization (OIS) or in-body image stabilization (IBIS) in lenses.

OIS in the lens reduces unnecessary camera shake, resulting in smoother, more stable video output. Furthermore, IBIS can supplement OIS by stabilizing shots even more, making it an ideal feature for handheld videography.

Prioritize Canon lenses with effective image stabilization technology to ensure your movies are crisp and free of the distractions of shaky camera movements, regardless of the shooting conditions.

 

3- Autofocus 

When looking for the “Best Canon Lens for Video,” autofocus performance is an important factor to consider. Look for autofocus systems that are fast and silent, such as Canon’s STM (Stepping Motor) or USM (Ultrasonic Motor) technologies.

These systems provide smooth and silent focus shifts, making them excellent for video recording. In addition, look for lenses having full-time manual focus override, which allows you to fine-tune focus manually as necessary.

Another feature to consider is Dual Pixel Autofocus (DPAF), which provides precise and dependable focus tracking, particularly in live view or while using the camera’s LCD screen. Excellent autofocus skills must be prioritized for professional video results with the best Canon lens.

 

4- Focal length 

When deciding on the “Best Canon Lens for Video,” keep the focal length in mind. The focal length of a lens influences its field of vision and is important in framing your photos. Versatility is often essential in videography.

Zoom lenses with changing focal lengths, such as 24-70mm or 70-200mm, let you adapt to varied shooting situations. Prime lenses with fixed focal lengths, such as 50mm or 85mm, can, on the other hand, give excellent image quality and low-light performance.

Your video needs, such as wide-angle pictures, close-ups, or artistic depth of field, determine the best option. With the best Canon lens for video, choose a focal length that matches your videography style.

 

Best Canon lens for video FAQs

1- What focal length is best for video?

The normal focal length for most interviews is 35mm, used in both “commercial” promotions and documentaries. This width includes many background elements, which helps set the tone for corporate movies, testimonials, etc. A 50mm lens, on the other hand, is far closer to what the human eye sees on its own.

2- Does the camera lens improve video quality?

Does the quality of a camera lens alter the image? Absolutely. Your footage is only as excellent as your equipment, much like when you use a gimbal or a drone. You’ll need a well-chosen, clean camera lens that will assist you in capturing the right photo every time.

3- How can I improve my DSLR video quality?

When shooting video, one of the most important things to know is that your shutter speed should be set to double your frame rate. This will assist you in creating smooth, cinematic-looking motion. It will help prevent any light flicker in your photographs.

4- What is a 50mm lens good for in videography?

Some of the reasons why the 50mm format is so popular in the filmmaking business. The 50mm is an excellent lens. It’s ideal for wide pictures as well as close-ups. This adaptability makes it an excellent choice for filmmakers who must capture many pictures.

 

Conclusion 

In conclusion, I have done an extensive research to present you with the top choices for the best Canon Lens for Video. Now it’s your turn to take the decision.

Previously, I explored the best camera lens for cinematography, and it has a variety of lenses. If you want more options except canon, you can get help from that. Let your visual storytelling shine with the best Canon lens for video.