If you own a Canon camera, you surely will want to invest in some quality Canon lenses. Nothing is better than the communication between camera and lens when you’re using native lenses. These high-quality robust lenses from Canon can be costly for those without deep pockets, but never fear! There are some cheap lenses for Canon available and, dare we say, some are quite affordable! Cheap, from Canon, does not mean that you are sacrificing quality.
When you know where to look, you can find gear at outstanding prices. So, if you’re looking for cheap lenses for Canon, read on to see some of the best options out there.
1. Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM
The Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM lens is the best pick from our cheap lenses for Canon if you are looking for versatility in portraits. Compared to a standard 50mm lens, the wide f/1.8 aperture lens lets in more than eight times the amount of light. As a result, you get sharp and clear images with less blur and motion.
Action photographers will love this lens because it features near-silent STM (Stepping Motor) technology which focuses quickly when you’re shooting. That way, you can react suddenly and capture beautiful photos even when you have to do it super fast. The Canon EF 50mm lens is compact and lightweight, and besides action and portraits, it is also suitable for nighttime photography. On top of that, the lens is incredibly affordable.
You can read our complete Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM lens review to learn more.
2. Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM
If you’re looking for a cheap lens for Canon that barely adds anything to the camera, then the Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM is the one thanks to its 22.8mm depth. Not only is the EF 40mm one of the most affordable lenses produced by Canon, but it’s also incredibly versatile, making it a useful option for people who want to buy quality, yet budget-friendly accessories for their camera.
The lens is compatible with Canon’s full-frame and APS-C DSLR cameras. The f/2.8 aperture of the lens is wide enough for shallow depth of field on both camera formats. Due to STM technology, it allows you to experience smooth and quiet focusing when shooting.
The advanced lens configuration, including an aspherical element and optimized coatings for minimum ghosting and flare, delivers images of exceptional quality. Compact, versatile, and affordable – this Canon lens has it all.
You can read the full Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM review to learn more about how this lens can be a great fit for your camera.
3. Altura Photo 8mm f/3 Fisheye
If you have a Canon camera and want a new lens, you don’t have to look for lenses made by this specific brand only. There are many other brands on the market whose lenses are completely compatible with Canon cameras, and you can use that fact to your advantage.
Altura’s 8mm f/3 wide-angle aspherical fisheye lens is compatible with Canon APS-C cameras, and the latest model comes with improved optics and build quality for amazing images. The lens includes a removable hood that allows for stunning 180-degree views.
Altura’s lens also comes with a custom-designed protective lens case for safe storage. Thanks to the hybrid, aspherical element and multi-layer lens coating, the lens will give you sharp, crystal clear photos every time. Due to minimized flaring and ghosting, the Altura 8mm f/3 wide-angle aspherical fisheye lens is particularly useful for street photography.
4. Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II
Looking for a zoom lens that is not only versatile but also conveniently priced? Then you may want to consider the Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II. The lens is designed with Canon’s optical image stabilizer technology. On top of that, it is compact and lightweight for even better ease of use.
The high zoom ratio is equivalent to the focal length of 88-400mm, while the image stabilizer effect is equivalent to a shutter speed four stops faster than the lens of the same size but without the stabilizer. With the EF-S 55-250mm, you can capture long-distance and low-light shots with amazing quality.
If you’re into action photography, this lens is a great solution, but it also allows you to take wonderful portraits with blurred background. Therefore, this particular lens serves multiple applications, and with ease of use, it’s definitely one of the best cheap lenses for Canon on the market.
Our review of the Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II has even more info to help you decide.
5. Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM
It’s not uncommon for people to think there are no good cheap lenses for Canon, but that’s not quite correct. This lens combines optical excellence and cutting-edge performance. It gives you an ultra-wide angle of view despite its compact size. The lens is suitable for EOS cameras with an APS-C sensor.
Thanks to the four group optical zoom system and various elements, the EF-S 10-18mm delivers high-contrast and high-resolution images with minimal aberration and glare. Due to the versatility of features, the lens is ideal for everyday photography, travel, still photos, and even video recording. While some lenses are more suitable for travel, stills, or action, this lens allows you to take amazing photos regardless of the situation.
We reviewed the Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM lens and found that it is a perfect example that affordability can come with great quality.
6. Samyang 8mm f/3.5 HD Fisheye
Samyang’s 8mm f/3.5 HD Fisheye is a high-quality lens that also happens to be available for under half the price of its counterparts. The lens is capable of producing photos with impressive sharpness, but at the same time, the build quality is good, and the extra flexibility is provided with the removable hood. As a result, you can use this lens on your full-frame camera as well as APS-C sensors.
Unlike some of the other cheap lenses for Canon, this model doesn’t have autofocus, but it shouldn’t discourage you from getting it. The camera can calculate the exposure, which means the images produced by the Samyang 8mm fisheye are of great quality after all.
7. Vivitar High-Power 500mm/1000mm f/8 Manual Telephoto
Here’s yet another on our list of cheap lenses for Canon caneras that isn’t produced by the popular brand. The Vivitar High-Power 500mm/1000mm f/8 Manual Telephoto is compatible with Canon Digital EOS camera range, and it is equally practical for both beginners and experienced photographers.
The powerful telephoto zoom lens combined with Canon T-mount adapter provides images of exceptional quality with all the utility and sharp precision necessary for great photos. High index, low-dispersion multi-coated optical glass reduces flare while the built-in tripod collar improves lens balance. If you want to take your photography skills to a whole new level, you may want to take this camera lens into consideration.
8. Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM (Budget Winner)
Here’s another compact pancake lens that doesn’t add too much weight to your camera. Its small size is ideal for people who travel a lot and don’t want to carry bulky accessories from one place to another. The lens mounts to APS-C Canon DSLR cameras and provides the same angle of view as a 38mm on a full-frame camera.
It offers the same field of view as the human eye, so the Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 lens is ideal for travel and street photography. Not only is it lightweight, but this lens is also fast and versatile with superior optics and advanced autofocus. The seven-blade circular aperture provides brilliant out-of-focus detail for excellent color balance. The addition of STM technology allows for smooth and silent focus tracking.
Take a look at the Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 review to find out more about the lens.
Your Best Choice of Cheap Lenses for Canon
If you’re looking for cheap lenses for Canon, we’ve listed some amazing products you may want to consider. It’s entirely possible to get high-quality lenses without spending a fortune.
When buying new camera lenses or upgrading your existing gear, you need to take some time to think about your needs and preferences. Take into consideration the types of photos you usually take, environments where you take those photos, and other parameters in order to get the lens that will give you the best value for your money.
If you’re looking for Nikon or Sony lenses, check out the following:
