Best Canon Lens for Video, Starting at $125

Finding the best canon lens for video can be a daunting task. After all, Canon has, well, a ton of different lenses to choose from, and it's particularly challenging for newcomers to the photography world to choose the right lenses (that will fit their camera) to complement their video work and provide new possibilities. Plus, at $330, this lens is one of the more affordable lenses of its type on the market! Of course, we will also take a look at the runners up, a variety of additional Canon lenses that can help you with your next video adventure, so take a look!

Best Canon Lens for Video 2018

#1  Canon EF 50mm f/1 USM Standard & Medium Telephoto Lens - Best Canon Prime Lens for Video

Pros

• Highly versatile telephoto lens for many different shots
• Gaussian optics help prevent astigmatism
• Affordable for such an adaptable lens

Cons

• Lens glass isn't the highest quality
• A little large and heavy for newcomers
• Can't do everything – like extra-wide zoom

If you want the best and most versatile Canon lens for the money, you can stop here. This telephoto lens is an excellent addition for first-time buyers who only have the lenses that their camera came with, and would like to expand for more interesting video shots and many more possibilities, particularly when it comes to zooming. The autofocus motor and two high-refraction lens elements with Gaussian optics are also newbie-friendly, and we like the additional options for including photo software or a UV filter, depending on your goals. We don't suggest you just randomly buy a lens without research, but there's a reason this particular lens is so popular among videographers.

#2  Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens - Best Video Lens for Canon 70D

Pros

• Compact and highly affordable
• Lens coatings ideal for action and low-light shots
• Smooth, continuous autofocus for movies

Cons

• Focus features may take practice for newcomers
• Not a lot of protection without accessories
• Great for depth of field, but not as versatile as some lenses

If you don't have much money to spend on a lens, this 50mm Canon model could be the perfect solution to your video work. It's designed for night shots, portraits, and action shots, with a continuous autofocus that makes the lens ideal for capture video instead of just photos. Of course, you don't have access to any zoom functions, but these are less important when capturing video, and the artistic depth of field on this lens adds other advantages. Note that the filter size is technically 49mm, unusual for Canon lenses of this size, which tend to have larger filter sizes.

#3  Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Medium Telephoto Lens - Best Canon Lens for Video Interviews

Pros

• Reliable 85mm is great for capturing faces
• Ideal for more artistic video with some background blur
• Speedy focus and excellent low light performance

Cons

• Shallow depth of field isn't for everyone
• Heavy lens for newcomers
• Crop factor on smaller cameras may take some getting used to

This 85mm telephoto lens helps videographers interested in artistic shots, with excellent background blur (aka bokeh effect) when it matters and clean, crisp video when it doesn't. It excels at low-light performance (think night shots or concert performances). It's also very speedy for a lens of its size, allowing users to make fast adjustments as they go. While the lens may seem compact to long-term photographers, those without much experience may have to get used to the weight – and the shallow depth of field, which tends to be great for capturing faces or interviews, but requires careful placement and angling.

#4  Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM Lens - Best Canon Rebel T5i Lens for Video

Pros

• Long focal length
• Lightweight for its size
• Produces great color

Cons

• Very pricey for newcomers
• Not suitable for all shots (especially close-ups)
• Unwieldy for those short on space

If you are looking for a lens that performs excellently on longer distances, consider investing in this durable 135mm. Yes, it's large and expensive, but it's also quite lightweight for its class and known for producing remarkable shots with rich color. The downside, as you might expect, is that it's not easy to use up close, and so best saved for capturing video of events or nature at a distance, which might not be everyone's desire.

#5  Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM Lens - Best Video Lens for Canon 80D

Pros

• Excellent ultrawide zoom capabilities
• Stepping motor ideal for video
• Many different lens filter options

Cons

• Wide angle doesn't work for all types of video
• Some issues with flaring
• Slight distortion at widest focal length

This wide-angle zoom lens is excellent at filming landscapes and buildings, making it a valuable tool if you run a travel blog, like to film architecture, or have similar intentions in mind. It also has a stepping motor for video, which means you can make quick, quiet adjustments that won't interfere with your audio. However, like many ultrawide lenses, it does become sensitive to flaring and you may notice some slight "fisheye" distortion in some shots, so experience and proper framing are very important.

#6  Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM Ultra-Wide Angle Fixed Lens - Best Lens for Canon 7D Video

Pros

• Gel-based filter holder
• Built-in dust and moisture proofing
• Compact compared to earlier models

Cons

• Not for the inexperienced
• Particularly expensive
• Wide angle limitations do apply

While this lens takes some heavy investment, if you are serious about your video and photography work and want an excellent lens for nature and landscape capture, it's hard to find a better option. However, it is a fairly niche lens designed specifically for durable wide angle work, so it certainly isn't for everyone.

#7  Canon EF-S 24mm F/2.8 STM Lens - Best Canon Lens for Canon 5D Mark IV

Pros

• A more affordable option for those on a budget
• Extra light and easy to store
• Surprisingly good macro focus

Cons

• All-plastic build isn't as durable as some other lenses
• Combo of manual and autofocus is an odd, unnecessary feature
• No image stabilization

A super-small form factor and a very affordable price help make this Canon lens an ideal purchase for those looking to build up their camera kits in preparation for exciting video. It's also very versatile for such a small, wide-angle lens, allowing you to get up close or capture a lot of landscape, depending on your goals. However, it is fully plastic, so you do have to treat the lens with a bit of extra care.

Don't Have a Camera Yet? Read This First

First, it's important to understand that some cameras you buy come with only the body – you have to buy the lenses separately. This approach allows you to buy only the lens you absolutely need. Other cameras you purchase can come with one or two lenses included in the package, (usually called a kit). This gives you some general lenses to start with, and you can buy more specialized lenses later if necessary. It's important to watch what you are buying! Additionally, you have to make sure that any new lenses you get are compatible with your camera – not all are, and it's not as easy as saying, "Well, I have a Canon camera, so Canon lenses will work with it." On our Amazon pages, you will notice that one of the first bullet points for each lens is a link to a website that will tell you what camera models are compatible. Please visit this link when shopping for a lens and make sure you are getting lenses that work with the camera you plan to buy.

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