16 Best Canon L Lenses in 2024

Canon L Lenses are among the best options for photographers looking to improve their image quality and performance. These lenses are known for their durability, sharpness, and versatility, making them a top choice for both professionals and enthusiasts. Our guide highlights the 16 best Canon L Lenses, catering to a wide range of photography styles and needs.

Our top picks include the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM for its exceptional versatility and the Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM for its superior low-light performance. Both lenses are praised for their outstanding image quality. Additionally, we’ve categorized 14 other lenses into EF and RF lenses, ensuring there’s a perfect match for every photographer’s bag.

What Is the Best Canon EF L Lens?

Selecting the best Canon L lenses involved considering sharpness, build quality, and versatility for professional photography. Each lens on our list excels in different scenarios, from low light to macro photography, ensuring top performance. Their inclusion is based on optical quality, durability, and specific features that make them stand out for professional use.

Our Favorite Canon EF L Lenses

Let’s take a closer look at our favorite Canon EF L lenses. From wide-angle to telephoto, these lenses provide options for every scenario, ensuring you find the perfect match for your photography style.

The Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM lens is a top pick for professionals who need versatility and high-quality images. Its wide f/2.8 aperture is great for low light and creating shallow depth of field, making it perfect for portraits. The lens is sharp across the zoom range, with minimal distortion, which is key for professional photography.

This lens is built to last, with weather sealing that protects it in tough conditions. It’s a bit heavy at 1.8 lbs (805 g), but its durability makes it worth the extra weight. The autofocus is quick and reliable, important for capturing fast-moving subjects.

Without any doubt, this is one of the most popular lenses with professional photographers, and the one that many swear they could never be without. This is thanks to its optical quality and flexibility, and the knowledge that they can use it day after day in a host of shooting scenarios.

The Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM lens is a prime choice for those who value sharp, clear images and a durable build. Its f/1.4 aperture makes it a powerhouse in low light, allowing for beautiful shots with a shallow depth of field. This lens is especially good for street and environmental portrait photography, where its wide view can capture more of the scene.

Weighing 1.5 lbs (760 g), it’s a bit heavy, but its quality construction means it can handle tough conditions. However, its optical performance is outstanding, with minimal distortion and excellent sharpness. A 35mm lens is a very popular choice for photographers, as it retains a relatively “normal” view of the world, but is able to cover more of the subject area.

This lens is compatible with all Canon EF-mount cameras, making it a versatile tool for various photography styles. It’s simple in design, focusing on what matters most: taking great photos. Its optical performance is superb, making it ideal for professionals looking for a reliable, high-quality lens. The Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM is a very useful option as a top-quality standard wide-angle lens

The Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM is a superb wide-angle prime lens. Its f/1.4 aperture is perfect for low light, allowing photographers to take stunning shots without a flash. This lens is a solid choice for landscape and architectural photography, where its wide view can fully embrace vast or intricate scenes.

For a wide-angle lens its weight of 1.4 lbs (650 g), is substantial, but it’s relatively light for its capabilities, making it easy to carry on long shoots or travels. There’s no IS, but that’s not such a drawback with a wide-angle lens where the depth of field is naturally large, and shutter speeds can be slower.

Professionals looking for a reliable wide-angle lens will find the Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM to be a very useful addition to their bag. Its build quality and optical performance are top-notch, designed to meet the high standards of Canon’s L series. This lens is especially good for those who prioritize image quality and durability in their work.

The Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM lens is a top choice for photographers who need versatility in wide-angle shots. Its constant f/2.8 aperture across the zoom range is perfect for low-light conditions, allowing for crisp images without the need for high ISOs. This lens is particularly useful for capturing expansive landscapes and detailed architectural shots, where its sharpness and ability to control distortion shine.

Despite its size and zoom range, the weight of 1.7 lbs (790 g), is not unreasonable. After all, it’s built to handle the demands of professional use, with weather sealing that protects it in harsh conditions. Despite lacking image stabilization, its optical performance, including excellent sharpness and minimal chromatic aberration, makes it a valuable tool for professionals. The autofocus is quick and reliable, crucial for capturing fleeting moments in dynamic environments.

Professionals in landscape, architecture, and event photography will find the Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM lens to be a very useful addition to their gear. Its build quality, combined with outstanding optical performance, justifies its place in the bags of those who demand the best from their equipment.

The Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM lens is a standout choice for portrait photographers. Its f/1.4 aperture allows for beautifully blurred backgrounds, making subjects pop. This lens is also equipped with image stabilization, a big advantage for shooting in low light without a tripod. Its sharpness is impressive, capturing fine details with minimal distortion.

The build quality is tough for professional use, featuring weather sealing for reliability in various conditions. The autofocus is quick and silent, perfect for capturing candid moments. While it’s not the lightest lens at 2.1 lbs (950 g), its performance in creating stunning portraits and its ability to handle dim settings make it very useful for photographers who prioritize image quality.

Professionals and serious enthusiasts will find the Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM lens to be a valuable addition to their bag. Its optical excellence, combined with image stabilization, ensures top-notch results in a wide range of shooting scenarios, from intimate portraits to fast-paced events.

The Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens is a prime example of Canon’s commitment to high-quality optics and robust construction. Its 100mm focal length is perfect for macro photography, allowing for detailed close-ups with a comfortable working distance. The f/2.8 aperture helps in low light and creates beautiful bokeh, making it also ideal for portraits. This lens stands out for its sharpness and minimal distortion, ensuring images are clear and true to life.

The lens is surprisingly light for an L-Series, weighing 1.4 lbs (625 g), making it easy to handle during long shooting sessions. Its weather sealing offers peace of mind when shooting outdoors. The image stabilization is a game-changer, compensating for camera shake and enabling sharper images at slower shutter speeds.

Photographers looking for a versatile macro lens will find the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM to be a very useful addition to their bag. Its optical performance, combined with image stabilization, makes it a top choice for those who demand the best in image quality and versatility.

The Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III USM lens is a marvel in Canon’s lineup, offering unmatched sharpness and a fast aperture in a surprisingly lightweight package. Its prime 400mm focal length is a boon for wildlife and sports photographers, allowing them to capture distant subjects with stunning clarity and beautiful background blur. The wide f/2.8 aperture excels in low light, providing flexibility in challenging conditions.

You would expect a prime 400mm lens for full frame to be heavy, but this one weighs just 6.3 lbs (2.9 kg), significantly lighter than its predecessors, making it easier to handle, especially for handheld shooting or when on the move. The inclusion of image stabilization is a big improvement, offering up to five stops of shake correction, which is invaluable for capturing sharp images in dim settings or when tracking fast-moving subjects.

Professionals in sports, wildlife, and event photography will find the Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III USM lens to be a very useful tool. Its optical excellence, combined with advanced features like fast autofocus and effective image stabilization, makes it a top choice for those who demand the best from their gear.

The Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM lens is a powerhouse in the realm of telephoto zoom lenses, offering unmatched versatility and image quality. Its constant f/2.8 aperture across the zoom range is crucial for capturing sharp, detailed images even in low light. This lens is a favorite among professionals for everything from sports to portraits, thanks to its ability to isolate subjects with beautifully blurred backgrounds.

Weighing in at 3.1 lbs (1.4 kg), it’s built for the rigors of professional use, featuring robust weather sealing that ensures reliability in any environment. The optical performance is stellar, with minimal distortion and chromatic aberration, ensuring images are clear and true to life. The autofocus is both fast and silent, making it ideal for capturing fleeting moments without disturbance.

For photographers who demand flexibility and top-notch image quality, the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM is a very useful addition to their gear. Its combination of speed, sharpness, and durability makes it an indispensable tool for a wide range of photographic applications.

What is the Best Canon RF L Lens?

Moving from a general overview of Canon L lenses, this section dives into the specifics, ranking the best based on performance, versatility, and innovation. Each lens was chosen for its standout features, such as low light capability, image sharpness, and unique attributes like bokeh quality. These lenses excel in professional photography, offering the tools needed for capturing exceptional images.

Our Favorite Canon RF L Lenses

If you’re a Canon mirrorless user, you’ll want to know about the best Canon RF L lenses. The future is definitely mirrorless, as the range of available lenses grows, and EF ones aren’t replaced. From wide-angle to super-telephoto, this selection covers a broad spectrum, ensuring there’s a lens for every type of photography. Whether you’re capturing landscapes, portraits, or fast-moving wildlife, these lenses promise exceptional quality and performance. With options ranging from the versatile RF 28-70mm f/2L USM to the specialized RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM, photographers can find the perfect tool to enhance their skills and creativity.

The Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM lens is a prime choice for professional photographers. Its wide f/1.2 aperture is perfect for low light and creates beautiful bokeh, making it ideal for portraits. The lens is sharp across the frame, even at wide apertures, which is important for capturing detailed images.

There is no image stabilization, which is not such a hardship with a fast 50mm lens. It’s also not a “nifty” little lens, and weighs 2.1 lbs (950 g), which might be a downside for those who prefer lighter gear.

Compared to the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM DS, the 50mm is more versatile for everyday shooting. Both lenses offer exceptional image quality, but the 50mm’s standard focal length is better suited for a wider range of photography styles.

The Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM lens is a top pick for pros who need flexibility without losing out on image quality. Its constant f/2 aperture across all zoom levels is a big advantage, especially in low light. This feature also helps create stunning bokeh, making it a great choice for portrait photography. The lens is sharp, from center to edge, at all focal lengths.

However, it’s heavy, at 3.1 lbs (1430 g), which might not suit everyone. Also, it lacks image stabilization, which means you might need a tripod in certain situations. But, its fast aperture partly makes up for this, allowing for quicker shutter speeds to avoid blur.

This lens is a good option for photographers who cover events, weddings, or portraits. Its build quality and weather sealing mean it can handle tough conditions. Despite its weight and price, its performance and versatility make it a valuable tool for serious photography work.

The Canon RF 14-35mm f/4L IS USM lens is a solid choice for those who shoot landscapes, architecture, and interiors. Its wide zoom range from 14mm to 35mm covers a lot of ground, making it versatile for various photography styles. The constant f/4 aperture is a good balance, offering decent low-light performance and a compact design. This lens is especially useful for photographers who prefer not to switch lenses often.

Built to last, this lens comes with the durability and weather sealing expected from Canon’s L series. It’s relatively light at 1.2 lbs (540 g), making it easy to carry around for long shoots. The image stabilization is a big plus, helping to keep shots sharp in lower light without a tripod. 

In short, the Canon RF 14-35mm f/4L IS USM is a great option for photographers looking for a wide-angle zoom lens. Its optical performance is impressive, with minimal distortion and good sharpness across the zoom range. While the f/4 aperture might not be the best for extremely low light, the lens’s image stabilization helps make up for it. This lens is very useful for those who value flexibility and image quality.

The Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens is a standout for macro and portrait photography. Its ability to achieve a larger-than-life 1.4:1 magnification ratio sets it apart, allowing for incredibly detailed close-up shots. The lens’s sharpness is exceptional, capturing fine details with clarity across the entire frame. This makes it perfect for photographers who demand the highest image quality for their macro or portrait work.

Equipped with image stabilization, this lens helps reduce camera shake, making it easier to capture sharp images in low light or at slower shutter speeds. This feature is especially useful in macro photography, where even the slightest movement can blur a photo. The SA control ring is another unique addition, offering creative control over the bokeh effect, which can enhance the artistic quality of portraits and close-ups.

In conclusion, the Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM is very useful for photographers specializing in macro and portrait work. Its build quality, optical performance, and innovative features like the SA control ring make it a valuable tool. While its price may be a consideration, the lens’s capabilities justify the investment for professionals and serious enthusiasts alike.

The Canon RF 70-200mm F/2.8L IS USM lens is a versatile tool for professionals. Its constant F/2.8 aperture across the zoom range is perfect for low light and creating beautiful bokeh, making it ideal for portraits and wildlife photography. The lens is sharp, delivering detailed images from edge to edge.

This lens is lighter than its predecessors, weighing 2.3 lbs (1.1 kg), which makes it easier to handle during long shooting sessions. Its weather sealing ensures it can withstand tough conditions, a must-have for outdoor photographers. The image stabilization is a big plus, offering up to 5 stops of shake correction, crucial for capturing sharp images in dim settings or when shooting handheld.

The Canon RF 70-200mm F/2.8L IS USM is very useful for photographers who need a high-quality, flexible zoom lens. Its build quality, optical performance, and stabilization make it a valuable addition to the camera bag of serious photographers and videographers alike.

The Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM DS lens is a prime example of Canon’s commitment to excellence in the L-Series lineup. Known for its stunning bokeh and sharpness, this lens is a favorite among portrait photographers. Its wide f/1.2 aperture not only allows for shooting in low light but also provides a shallow depth of field, making subjects pop against a smoothly blurred background.

Weighing in at 2.6 lbs 1.2 kg), it’s on the heavier side, reflecting its solid build and high-quality glass. Despite its weight, the lens is well-balanced, ensuring comfortable use during long photo sessions. The Defocus Smoothing (DS) coating is a unique feature that enhances the bokeh effect, setting this lens apart from its counterparts.

In conclusion, the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM DS is highly recommended for professionals who prioritize image quality and artistic expression in their portraits. Its performance in creating beautiful background blur and capturing detailed subjects makes it a valuable tool for serious photographers. While the investment is significant, the results speak for themselves, making it a worthy addition to any photographer’s bag.

The Canon RF 135mm f/1.8L IS USM lens is a prime example of optical excellence in Canon’s L series. Its 135mm focal length is perfect for portraits, offering a flattering compression and beautiful bokeh that truly makes subjects stand out. The wide f/1.8 aperture not only excels in low light conditions but also contributes to the lens’s ability to isolate subjects with a shallow depth of field. This lens is a go-to for professionals who demand sharp, detailed images with minimal distortion.

It is surprisingly manageable for its size at 2 lbs (935 g), balancing well on Canon’s mirrorless bodies. The inclusion of image stabilization is a game-changer, compensating for up to 5.5 stops of camera shake, which is invaluable for handheld shooting in dim settings or when precise focus is crucial.

The Canon RF 135mm f/1.8L IS USM is highly recommended for portrait and sports photographers looking for a lens that combines high performance with creative flexibility. Its build quality, sharpness, and stabilization make it a powerful tool for capturing stunning images. Whether in a studio or on the field, this lens is sure to impress with its capabilities and results.

The Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM lens is another example of versatility and quality in the L series. Its extensive zoom range makes it a powerhouse for wildlife and sports photographers, offering the flexibility to capture distant subjects with stunning clarity. Despite its variable aperture, the lens performs admirably in well-lit conditions, and its built-in image stabilization is a boon, effectively reducing camera shake across its focal range.

For a lens with this zoom range, it is surprisingly light at 3 lbs (1.4 kg), and it strikes a good balance between portability and performance, making it a popular choice for photographers on the move. The weather sealing ensures it can withstand challenging conditions, which is very useful for outdoor shooting. The optical performance is impressive, with minimal chromatic aberration and sharp images from edge to edge, thanks to its advanced lens construction.

The Canon RF 100-500mm lens is a valuable tool for photographers who need reach without sacrificing image quality. Its construction, combined with effective stabilization and fast autofocus, makes it a reliable option for capturing fleeting moments in nature or sports. While the narrower aperture at the telephoto end may limit its use in low light, the overall performance and versatility make it a strong contender for those looking to expand their shooting capabilities.

Conclusion: The Best Canon L Lenses

If you want an L-Series lens, you are spoilt for choice. The range offers some of the best lenses available, so whether you are a DSLR or mirrorless shooter, there’s something in this review for you.  These lenses cost a lot of money, and this highlights the importance of choosing the right lens for professional photography, whether it’s for low light conditions, macro photography, or capturing wide landscapes. The top picks, Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM and Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM, stand out for their exceptional quality and versatility, making them indispensable tools for photographers.

The Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM is praised for its sharpness and durability, essential for professional work. The Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM is noted for its low-light performance and beautiful bokeh, perfect for portraits. With 14 other lenses divided into EF and RF categories, you have a wide range of options to enhance your shooting capabilities.