With the long-awaited mirrorless Canon EOS R5 hit the shelves (physical and digital), many people are already looking ahead and pondering what are the best lenses for Canon EOS R5?
See our Editor’s Picks if you’re in a hurry!
Well, there’s no one good answer to write right here, otherwise this would be a short article.
There are, however, many great answers to this question. And depending on what exactly you are looking for, there is one good answer for you.
It’s all a matter of finding out what you want.
In this review article, I’ll go over 8 incredible prime and zoom lenses you can pair with your beloved mirrorless Canon EOS R5 and compare their tech specs.
So, when you get a hold of an R5, you’ll know several choices that you can equip it with right away.
Each lens will have different specialties, different advantages, so we’ll need to also find out which of these details is most important to you.
We’ll compare and contrast the lenses and give a good, clear sense of what each one is about.
Then, we’ll make sure to fit the right lens to you.
Let’s check the shapes and make the perfect fit for you!
Best Overall Zoom Lens (My Favorite)
Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
This Canon zoom lens has a great zoom range, features one of the best apertures for any of the zooms, it’s weather-sealed, has image stabilization, weather-sealing, and features a wide array of excellent elements to keep your photos at the highest quality!
See the review section for in-depth tech details and pros & cons!
Best Overall Prime Lens for Canon EOS R5
Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM
This great prime lens has one of the best apertures available, Ultrasonic motor, and great portrait-style focal length.
It also has impressive elements including a Blue Spectrum Refractive Optics element, which will keep away chromatic aberrations and keep colors crisp and realistic!
See the review section for in-depth tech details and pros & cons!
Best All-Around Lens
Canon RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM
This Canon zoom lens gives you all the flexibility you could possibly need.
From wide-angle to telephoto, shoot whatever style you want with just this one lens!
See the review section for in-depth tech details and pros & cons!
Best Value Prime Lens
Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS Macro STM
This Canon prime lens is inexpensive but still packs in some great features, including its fast aperture and the fact that it’s an excellent choice for Macro shooting!
See the review section for in-depth tech details and pros & cons!
Best Value Zoom Lens
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM
This Canon zoom lens is also inexpensive but comes with image stabilization, and Ultrasonic Motor and the largest zoom range available among any lenses here!
See the review section for in-depth tech details and pros & cons!
Best for Low-Light Landscapes Photography
Laowa 15mm f/2 FE Zero-D
It has a great wide-angle, bright aperture and its Frog Eye Coating make it spectacular in dealing with any water that may get on your lens!
See the review section for in-depth tech details and pros & cons!
Best for Flexible Landscape Shooting
Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM
Another great landscape-oriented lens is the Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM, which still features a nice aperture, which stays consistent throughout its zoom range, in which you are able to adjust the focal length to tailor to any specific landscapes you come across!
See the review section for in-depth tech details and pros & cons!
Best for Bokeh
Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM
Not only is the Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM a great quality lens with its fast aperture, weather-sealing and Ultrasonic motor, it also has a rounded ten-blade diaphragm for excellent bokeh!
See the review section for in-depth tech details and pros & cons!
You likely already know, the Canon EOS R5 has just arrived!
This mirrorless camera is going to wow everyone once available… and for a long time to come after that.
With all the incredible features it comes with, you’ll want to pair it with the right lens. The greatest cameras still need the greatest lenses in order to enhance your work to that near-perfect level.
We’re going to review 8 lenses in this article.
4 primes, 4 zooms.
All magnificent lenses. Anyone could create beautiful work with any of them.
Some are more suited for the professional photographers reading this article.
Some complement the newbie on a budget.
There are lenses for landscapes, portraiture, etc.
So, what are you looking to accomplish?
If you know exactly what you want, perfect.
If you don’t, no sweat. By the end of this article, you’ll know what you want.
We’ll go over all that you can have with each lens, all that each lens is missing out on.
You’ll have a good sense of the advantages and the drawbacks and I’ll help you figure out which lens is best for each specific situation many users find themselves in.
Get your questions ready. Don’t fret if you have none. By the end of this article, questions asked or not, you’ll come out of it with plenty of answers.
And of course, you’ll have the answer to the most important question of all, what are the best lenses for Canon EOS R5?
Read also: Best Lenses for Canon EOS R6
Read also: Best Lenses for Canon EOS M50 Mark II
Read also: Best Lenses for Canon EOS M6 Mark II
Read also: Best Lenses for Canon EOS M200
Read also: Best Lenses for Canon EOS-1D X Mark III
Read also: Best Lenses for Wildlife Photography
Read also: Best Lenses for Sports Photography
Read also: Best Lenses for Car Photography
Read also: Best Lenses for Real Estate Photography
What are the Best Lenses for Canon EOS R5 in 2021?
Quick Answer:
Best Prime Lenses for Canon EOS R5
- Laowa 15mm f/2 FE Zero-D | Best for Low-Light Landscapes Photography
- Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS Macro STM | Best for Value and Macro Shooting
- Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM | Best for Bokeh
- Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM | Best Overall Prime Lens for Canon EOS R5
Best Zoom Lenses for Canon EOS R5
- Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM | Best for Flexible Landscape Shooting
- Canon RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM | Best All-Around Lens for Canon EOS R5
- Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM | Best Overall Zoom Lens for Canon EOS R5 (My Favorite)
- Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM | Best for Value
Comparison Table for the Best Prime Canon EOS R5 Lenses
| Camera Lens | View on Amazon | Elements | Weight (grams) | Coating | Diaphragm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laowa 15mm f/2 FE Zero-D |
 
|
12 elements in 9 groups / 2 Aspherical / 3 Extra-Low Dispersion | 500 g | Frog Eye Coating | Straight five-blade |
| Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS Macro STM |
 
|
11 elements in 9 groups / 1 Aspherical / 0 Low Dispersion | 305 g | Super Spectra Coating | Rounded nine-blade |
| Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM |
 
|
15 Elements in 9 Groups / 1 Aspherical / 1 Ultra-Low Dispersion | 950 g | Air Sphere Coating | Rounded ten-blade |
| Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM |
 
|
13 elements in 9 groups / 1 Aspherical / 1 Ultra-Low Dispersion | 1,195 g | Air Sphere Coating | Rounded nine-blade |
Comparison Table for the Best Zoom Canon EOS R5 Lenses
| Camera Lens | View on Amazon | Elements | Weight (grams) | Coating | Diaphragm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM |
 
|
16 elements in 12 groups / 3 Aspherical / 2 Ultra-Low Dispersion | 840 g | Air Sphere Coating | Rounded nine-blade |
| Canon RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM |
 
|
21 elements in 15 groups / 1 Aspherical / 2 Ultra-Low Dispersion | 752 g | Super Spectra Coating | Rounded seven-blade |
| Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM |
 
|
17 Elements in 13 Groups / 2 Aspherical / 1 Ultra-Low Dispersion / 1 Super Ultra-Low Dispersion | 1,070 g | Air Sphere Coating | Rounded nine-blade |
| Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM |
 
|
17 elements in 12 groups / 0 Aspherical / 1 Ultra-Low Dispersion | 710 g | Super Spectra Coating | Rounded nine-blade |
Best Prime Lenses for Canon EOS R5
1. Laowa 15mm f/2 FE Zero-D | Best Canon R5 Lens for Low-Light Landscapes Photography
The first lens we’re going to take a look at is also the only one on this list not from Canon.
Just a heads up for all you ‘Canon Purists’ who believe your Canon camera should have a Canon lens; the rest of the options will fit the bill.
This Laowa 15mm f/2 FE Zero-D lens is, of course, compatible with your Canon EOS R5, so there’s no worries there.
And this is the best wide-angle lens for your R5 with that excellent 15mm focal length.
It costs around $850, which isn’t too bad at all.
You’ll notice cheaper lenses on this list, but there are quite a few that are well over $1,000.
This Under-A-Grand Option will help those of you out that are on a budget.
TECH SPECS
As mentioned, the 15mm focal length is your ticket to wide angles.
Whether you’re on vacation and want some beautiful landscape shots or you just want great wide-angle architectural shots in your back yard, the Laowa from Venus Optics is the lens for the job.
The lens has a rectilinear design which will give you that ‘Zero-D’ in the name, meaning zero distortion.
Or at the very least, such minimal distortion that is extremely close to zero.
The f/2 aperture is nice and bright and will afford you the ease of shooting in low-light situations if needed.
Three extra-low dispersion elements and two aspherical elements means the Laowa 15mm will keep varying types of aberrations away, resulting in clean photographs!
It also has an incredible hydrophobic Frog Eye Coating which does an amazing job repelling dust and moisture.
Water will not bead up or stay on the lens, rather it will slide right off. This is an excellent option for use in rainy situations and inclement weather conditions.
It also has five straight diaphragm blades which won’t be your best option if you’re in the market for some fantastic bokeh, but it can lend itself to other types of stunning photography.
And it only weighs 500 grams, so you’re getting a lens on the lighter side. Easy to carry around from one landscape to the next!
Pros
- Aperture is quite nice
- Greatest number of low-dispersion elements for excellent color quality
- Great wide angle (Widest of the primes)
- Fairly inexpensive
- Frog Eye Coating doesn’t allow water to bead up on the lens
Cons
- Though it’s a good aperture, it is the worst aperture among the primes
- Diaphragm not helpful in creating shots with bokeh
Expert Opinion:
2. Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS Macro STM| Best Canon R5 Lens for Value and Macro Shooting
For those of you looking for the best macro lens for the Canon EOS R5, meet the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS Macro STM.
If your interest is close-up photography, this may be the macro for your R5.
And at just about $450, this is an inexpensive option. It happens to be the cheapest lens on this list.
If you’re on a real budget and are looking for the cheapest lens for the Canon EOS R5, this doubles as just that.
And it doesn’t have to be used strictly for close-up photography, that’s just its specialty. But it does quite a lot well.
TECH SPECS
You have the 35mm focal length with this macro lens so you will have a nice wide to standard focal length.
Quite nice for someone interested in a prime lens but not needing something specifically ultra-wide-angle or telephoto. This is a happy medium.
The f/1.8 aperture is a nice bright aperture, even brighter than the Laowa we just reviewed.
You’ll have a tough time coming across any issues with lighting here.
With just one aspherical element, it will block out aberrations, but not quite to the extent of other lenses.
Though, this does have a rounded nine-blade diaphragm so all aboard the Bokeh Express. This lens will take you to some tasty bokeh in a flash!
The 35mm features an STM Stepping Motor for fast and quick focusing and an Optical Image Stabilizer which will minimize camera shake by up to five stops.
This will aid you in achieving clear pictures and rid your work of the blurry images you may have dealt with in the past.
This lens has used Super Spectra coating on individual elements to reduce ghosting and lens flare.
And you’ll love that it’s a compact option, weighing only 305 grams, making it easy to take with you where ever you want to go!
Pros
- Aperture is quite nice
- Decent number of elements included
- Very light lens making it easy to bring with you anywhere
- Inexpensive
- Great macro lens
Cons
- Though it’s a good aperture, it is not as good as some other primes
- No low dispersion elements
- Coating on elements is good, though not the best available
Expert Opinion:
3. Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM| Best Canon EOS R5 Lens for Bokeh
Let’s take a look at the Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM, a great lens from Canon.
It costs around $2,300, which is much more than the last two.
When we dive into the tech specs in a moment, you’ll see why this lens is in the upper echelon of lenses on this list.
This is one of the best standard-length lenses for the Canon EOS R5.
A great choice to achieve that happy medium, not too wide, not too telephoto. Just right. Able to capture a variety of situations and subjects.
TECH SPECS
As mentioned, this is the happy medium standard length on this list of primes.
With its 50mm focal length, this lens is a great choice for those who don’t have specific types of photography in mind and are open to a variety of kinds.
An amazing quality of this lens is the extremely bright f/1.2 aperture which is tied for the best on this list!
This is one of the reasons of the higher cost on this lens, but it’s well worth it if you don’t want to have a single issue with varying light conditions.
There is a total of 15 elements in 9 groups in this lens, which includes 1 Aspherical and 1 Ultra-Low Dispersion element. These will aid in keeping your shots clear, crisp and will fight off varying types of aberrations quite well.
And an Air Sphere Coating will do a marvelous job preventing ghosting and lens flare.
Did somebody say, bokeh?
Though, there will be plenty of lenses on this list that can achieve fantastic bokeh, this is the best lens for the Canon EOS R5 in producing phenomenal bokeh.
With it’s rounded ten-blade diaphragm, this is your Best Bokeh Buddy!
The L in the name of this lens refers to the L line from Canon that is weather-sealed. So, you may take this lens with you outdoors for great shooting whether there is inclement weather or not.
Don’t let water or dust stop you from capturing beautiful outdoor images.
And the USM refers to the Ultrasonic Motor equipped with this lens that delivers you extremely fast and precise autofocus. You may also override this for full-time manual focus if you wish.
The lens weighs about 950 grams so it isn’t the lightest option here, but with a bit more weight, comes a lot to love!
Pros
- Fantastic aperture, tied for one of the best
- Great standard focal length
- Plenty of elements and excellent Air Sphere Coating
- Weather-sealed and has fantastic Ultrasonic Motor
- Best option for bokeh
Cons
- Expensive
- On the heavier side
- Though it has plenty of overall elements, doesn’t have the lowest dispersion
Expert Opinion:
4. Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM | Best Overall Prime Lens for Canon EOS R5
Let’s move on to the next option on the list. The Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM is going to be your best bet for amazing portraits!
This is the best portrait-length prime for the R5 for a number of reasons.
This lens also sits in the more expensive neighborhood similar to the last lens, costing you around $2,700.
It’s the most expensive prime on this list and tied for the most expensive lens on the entire list. For good reason. Let’s take a look at why.
TECH SPECS
That 85mm focal length is what’s going to attribute this to being an amazing portrait-length prime.
And the f/1.2 aperture is what’s going to lift it to incredible status with the bright and clear photos it can help you to achieve.
This ties with the last lens for the brightest aperture on the whole list.
This lens has 13 elements in 9 groups which includes 1 Aspherical and 1 Ultra-Low Dispersion element.
Keep your images clean and crisp and keep away the aberrations with these elements.
Want further protection from color fringing and chromatic aberrations?
In addition to the Ultra-Low Dispersion element, this lens has a Blue Spectrum Refractive Optics element, which essentially eliminates these types of aberrations through use of its ability to refract shorter wavelengths of the visible spectrum.
And the Air Sphere Coating prevents ghosting and lens flare.
Its incredible design works extremely well even in the brightest of lighting conditions.
A rounded nine-blade diaphragm will afford you some tasty bokeh. And the weight of about 1,195 grams makes this a heavier lens.
But it’s another in the line of Canon’s L series making it weather-sealed and ready to go in any outdoor conditions.
And its Ultra Sonic Motor (USM) is fast, precise, and can autofocus like you wouldn’t believe!
Interested in catching wildlife or other subjects in a rainy outdoor setting?
You’ll never miss a clear photo with this lens!
Pros
- Fantastic aperture, tied for one of the best
- Great portrait-length prime lens
- Excellent Air Sphere Coating
- Plenty of elements including an amazing Blue Spectrum Refractive Optics element for excellent color quality
- Weather-sealed and has fantastic Ultrasonic Motor
Cons
- Most expensive prime lens
- Heaviest prime lens
Expert Opinion:
Best Zoom Lenses for Canon EOS R5
5. Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM | Best Canon R5 Lens for Flexible Landscape Shooting
Starting the zoom lenses off here with the Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM.
This is an excellent lens for those that are interested in shooting some wide-angles but would like a little flexibility.
Some lenses afford you the excellent wide-angle for that stunning landscape or to capture some great architecture or street shots. But if you want to get a bit of a closer shot, it isn’t as easy.
That is, not until you get a great little zoom like this one!
This lens costs about $2,300 and is one of the best wide-angle zoom lenses for the Canon EOS R5!
TECH SPECS
To start with, you’ll notice from the name, the 15-35mm focal length range on this zoom. This affords you a really nice, wide angle and gives you a bit of flexibility.
Still staying in that wide-angle arena, but giving you the ability to be a bit more zoomed in.
This is the smallest zoom range of all the zoom lenses, so keep that in mind if you prefer the ability for a lot of flexibility. Though, of the four zoom lenses, this is one of two that keeps a consistent aperture throughout the zoom range.
And it’s also one of two with a nice, bright f/2.8 aperture, helping you to achieve stunning photographs!
This lens has 16 elements in 12 groups. This includes 3 Aspherical and 2 Ultra-Low Dispersion elements to block out a bevy of spherical and chromatic aberrations as well as color fringing and distortion.
It’s easy to see how this camera creates beautiful and crisp shots over and over!
It uses the fantastic Air Sphere Coating that many Canon lenses use to limit ghosting and lens flare. It also has a rounded nine-blade diaphragm so that you bokeh lovers can capture incredible bokeh.
This lens is in the L series so it’s weather-sealed. Don’t let the rainy, cold weather stop you from capturing outdoor beauty.
And it possesses an Image Stabilization system which will keep camera shake away and an Ultrasonic Motor which will take care of autofocusing for you quickly, quietly, and accurately.
You, of course, may switch it to manual focus mode if you prefer to take care of that yourself.
This lens weighs about 840 grams so it is a tad on the heavier side, but as long as you’re OK carrying this lens around, it can offer you a lot and capture incredible quality pictures.
Pros
- Great wide-angle zoom lens and it affords you some flexibility in focal length
- Great aperture among zooms, aperture also stays consistent throughout zoom range
- Plenty of elements will aid in keeping photos crisp and free of aberrations, also has incredible Air Sphere Coating
- Weather-sealed
- Image stabilization and has fantastic Ultrasonic Motor
Cons
- More expensive zoom lens
- On the heavy side
Expert Opinion:
6. Canon RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM | Best All-Around Lens for Canon EOS R5
Here we take a look at a fantastic all-around zoom lens from Canon.
The Canon RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM actually only costs about $900, which is fairly inexpensive.
And with the range it provides you, the variety of styles of shooting you can work with, this is quite a steal.
This is one of the best lenses for the Canon EOS R5 if you’re looking to not be limited to one style of shooting.
All those who want an all-around lens that does it all, look here!
TECH SPECS
The 24-240mm focal length range is the second largest range available on this list.
Not only does it give you extreme flexibility, that range goes from a nice wide-angle all the way through to a great telephoto option.
The aperture of f/4-6.3 is decent, not the best one available, and it isn’t consistent throughout the range as you can see. This is a sacrifice you’ll make for the cheaper cost though.
So, if having the brightest aperture isn’t of the biggest concern to you, perhaps lighting doesn’t tend to be an issue for you, this lens can still get the job done!
It has 21 elements in 15 groups including 1 Aspherical and 2 Ultra-Low Dispersion. This lens does quite a fine job fighting off all types of aberrations, distortion and color fringing, keeping your work looking impeccable.
Its weight of 752 grams has it as fairly light lens. And it has Super Spectra Coating to prevent a good deal of lens flare and ghosting. Not quite up to par with the Air Sphere Coating, but still quite nice.
It has a rounded seven-blade diaphragm, so it can capture some nice bokeh, but if bokeh is your game, this wouldn’t be your first choice.
This is not a weather-sealed lens, but it does feature an Image Stabilization system and an Ultrasonic Motor.
You’ll experience less camera shake with this lens and the autofocus works quickly and quietly so as not to delay or distract.
For just about $900 and with all the features packed into this lens, you can see why many a photographer flock to this great value lens!
Pros
- Great all-around zoom lens with huge focal length range from wide-angle to telephoto
- Greatest number of elements among zoom lenses
- Super Spectra Coating is good for limiting ghosting and lens flare
- Image stabilization and has fantastic Ultrasonic Motor
- Fairly inexpensive and is on the lighter side
Cons
- Aperture is decent but not the best, also does not stay consistent throughout zoom range
- Creates good bokeh but not the best among these lenses
- Super Spectra Coating is good but not the best coating available
- No weather-sealing
Expert Opinion:
7. Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM | Best Overall Zoom Lens for Canon EOS R5 (My Favorite)
Now, we take a look at an excellent telephoto zoom lens.
The Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM is the best quality telephoto zoom lens for your Canon EOS R5.
It will cost about $2,700, so yes, it’s expensive. One of the most expensive on this list, but it’s all for good reasons.
We’ll take a look at some details and you’ll see why this lens is so highly coveted.
TECH SPECS
The 70-200mm focal length range for the zoom is great. It’s not the largest zoom range, but it is definitely affording plenty of flexibility for most.
This is the lens you’ll want if you know you want to be working strictly in the ‘telephoto arena’ but want flexibility within that arena.
The reason why you want this one?
The reason why this is the best quality one?
A lot of that has to do with it’s impressive and consistent f/2.8 aperture.
Among the zoom lenses with large zoom ranges, this is the fastest aperture and the only consistent one.
Tied with the 15-35mm for bright aperture, but of course affording you much more flexibility.
It has 17 elements in 13 groups. This includes 2 Aspherical elements to block out spherical aberrations and distortion.
And to prevent any color fringing or chromatic aberrations, there is one Ultra-Low Dispersion element and also one Super Ultra-Low Dispersion element.
Super! Ultra! Yes, all perfect words to describe this lens.
The impressive Air Sphere Coating is used on this Canon lens to limit much ghosting and lens flare.
And a rounded nine-blade diaphragm will give you some beautiful bokeh, if that’s what you’re into.
Another weather-sealed lens in the L series from Canon allowing you to shoot plenty of beauty outdoors, no matter the weather.
An Image Stabilization system prevents camera shake so your shots can keep the blur away.
And an Ultrasonic Motor will autofocus quite fast and accurately without you even noticing it’s working. Switch to manual focus if you so desire.
This is a hefty lens, weighing about 1,070 grams, though it has a sleek design that may make you forget about the extra weight.
Either way, this is an incredible choice for those looking for some excellent telephoto range on a zoom lens!
Pros
- Great telephoto zoom lens with a flexible focal length range
- Great aperture among zooms, aperture also stays consistent throughout zoom range
- Large number of elements including multiple low dispersion elements to prevent color fringing and keep excellent color quality
- Image stabilization and has fantastic Ultrasonic Motor
- Weather-sealed and has incredible Air Sphere Coating
Cons
- Not the largest zoom range available
- Most expensive zoom lens
- Heaviest zoom lens
Expert Opinion:
8. Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM | Best Canon EOS R5 Lens for Value
Lastly, we’ll take a look at the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM.
If you came for a flexible zoom range, then this is the lens you should think about leaving with.
This is the largest zoom range of all the lenses here.
And the cost is only about $500, keeping it inexpensive for those of you on a budget.
Let’s take a look at the great features you’ll get with this great value option.
TECH SPECS
As mentioned before, the 70-300mm focal length range is the largest zoom range available here. This is massive flexibility here, affording you a huge range within the telephoto lens arena.
The 300mm being the largest that any of these lenses touches, this is the best telephoto zoom lens for the Canon EOS R5 if you think zoom and you want… zoom!
The last option was a fantastic telephoto zoom lens of immense quality.
This is a fantastic telephoto zoom lens, which still provides you great quality, but keeps your budget in mind.
If you’re looking for quality at a lower cost, look no further.
You’ll notice the aperture here isn’t as good as the last option. The f/4-5.6 is decent, but it’s not the fastest nor is it consistent throughout the zoom range. If this detail doesn’t bother you, then don’t worry about it!
A great quality is the 17 elements in 12 groups that this lens possesses.
This includes 1 Ultra-Low Dispersion element for fighting off chromatic aberrations and color fringing to keep the color correct in your captures!
Unfortunately, there are no Aspherical elements in this lens.
However, this lens has a rounded nine-blade diaphragm for some beautiful bokeh… and the lack of an aspherical element can actually aid you in achieving even better bokeh! Bokeh in mind for your shots?
This could actually be a great choice for you.
This lens also has a Super Spectra Coating applied to its elements to limit some ghosting and lens flare.
It weighs about 710 grams which keeps it on the lighter side, especially among the zoom lenses.
This lens does not have weather-sealing like some of the others on this list. But it does possess a fine Image Stabilization system to prevent camera shake and an Ultrasonic Motor for fast, accurate and near-silent autofocus.
For just about $500, this lens packs quite a bit of fine features in.
Sure, it doesn’t have all the features of some other more expensive lenses, but if everything you want is included with this lens, then this is a fine choice for you that won’t break the bank!
Pros
- Great telephoto zoom lens with most flexible focal length range
- Good number of elements and a great choice for creating bokeh
- Super Spectra Coating is good for limiting ghosting and lens flare
- Image stabilization and has fantastic Ultrasonic Motor
- Cheapest and lightest zoom lens on the list
Cons
- Aperture is decent but not the best and does not stay consistent throughout the zoom range
- Does lack any aspherical elements
- Super Spectra Coating is good but not the best coating available
- No weather-sealing
Expert Opinion:
Best Lenses for Canon EOS R5 (2021) — Buyers Guide
There you have it. 8 of the best lenses for the Canon EOS R5. Extraordinary all in their own ways.
There are plenty of options and plenty of things to love.
There are great prime lenses here, great zoom lenses, the uses ranging from one to another.
So, what is it you plan to use your new Canon EOS R5 for?
Is it one specific style of photography you plan on?
One niche you are a master in?
Do you have multiple ideas in mind for your camera?
Are you someone to not limit yourself to just one area of photography?
Have you spent a lot of time in photography or are you relatively new?
Do you have a budget and what does it look like?
All things to consider when taking a look at this list. No matter what your situation is, there is a lens on this list for you.
Let’s figure out which lens is the best for you and your Canon EOS R5.
Let’s cater to your exact needs.
Here are some frequently asked questions when people consider lenses for the R5.
In answering these questions, it should help clear up any questions or concerns you have at this time.
Reviewing all the lenses is likely helpful, but with all the details, I’m sure plenty of you are still trying to figure out a few things.
So, let’s get your questions answered. And let’s answer some more questions, perhaps questions you didn’t realize you needed answered.
And let’s make this all clear as day for you.
What are the overall best lenses for Canon EOS R5?
If you just want a lens that’s the best quality, through and through; for prime lenses, I would say that the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM is the most appealing with its fast aperture, great variety of elements, weather-sealing and incredible Air Sphere Coating.
However, for zoom lenses, I’d choose the Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM.
You will sacrifice a bit in the aperture area; however, you still have weather-sealing and Air Sphere Coating and you get more elements to block out aberrations, you have a great zoom range for flexibility and image stabilization! This lens really gives you a lot!
What are the greatest lenses for the mirrorless Canon EOS R5 if I want quality at a low cost?
If you are looking while on a budget and want the best value option, then you could choose the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS Macro STM, which is the cheapest prime lens.
It still has a great aperture, image stabilization, and provides a decent wide-angle to standard focal length.
Or you could go with the cheapest zoom lens, which is the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM.
Here, you’ll be provided with the largest zoom range and plenty of other great features. If you want to zoom… this lens zooms!
What’s the best Canon EOS R5 lens if I’m interested in close-up photography?
Here, you will definitely want the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS Macro STM as it is best-suited for macro uses.
What’re the best lenses for Canon EOS R5 if I’m interested in creating bokeh in my shots?
There are plenty of great options on this list; anything with a rounded nine-blade diaphragm will create lovely bokeh.
However, in the land of the rounded nine-blade diaphragms, the rounded ten-blade diaphragm is king.
The Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM has just that and is phenomenal for bokeh.
As that is a prime lens, perhaps you’re looking for a zoom lens that can capture fantastic bokeh.
The Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM is a close second with its rounded nine-blade diaphragm and lack of aspherical elements which can actually complement your quest for bokeh!
What’re the best compatible lenses for Canon EOS R5 if I like to shoot landscapes?
My pick would be the Laowa 15mm f/2 FE Zero-D.
It has the widest angle of all the prime lenses and ties with one of the zoom lenses on this list for widest angle.
Wide-angles is what you want for landscapes.
It also has a nice, bright aperture.
And the Frog Eye Coating will allow you to shoot your landscapes beautifully no matter if it’s raining or not!
If you didn’t mind sacrificing aperture for a bit of flexibility in the focal length, the Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM is a close second.
Still shoots wide angles, allows you flexibility in the zoom range, and is still weather-sealed. But the aperture is not as great here.
What’s the best portrait lens for Canon EOS R5?
I would choose the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM.
It has the perfect focal length and an amazing f/1.2 aperture for you along with several elements that will keep your portraits looking impeccable!
What’s the best all-around zoom lens for the mirrorless Canon EOS R5?
Here, I would choose a very flexible zoom range in the Canon RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM.
It’s the second largest zoom range available and it spans from wide-angle to telephoto.
There is a lot you can do with this lens. This can appeal to many different kinds of photographers.
What’s the best outdoor lens for Canon EOS R5?
There are many lenses that are great for outdoor shooting with their weather-sealing and protection from dust, cold and moisture.
They each have their own strengths, so let’s break it down like this.
Best Outdoor Lens for Bokeh: Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM
Best Outdoor Lens for Portraits: Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM
Best Outdoor Lens for Bright and Colorful Landscapes: Laowa 15mm f/2 FE Zero-D
Best Outdoor Lens for Flexible Landscape Shooting: Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM
Best Outdoor Lens for Overall Flexibility: Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
Best Lenses for Canon EOS R5 (2021) — Conclusion
As you can see, there are many different versions of the greatest compatible lenses for Canon EOS R5.
It all depends on your definition of ‘GREAT’.
There are some clear distinctions between these lenses, some distinctions that are a bit more subtle.
But as long as you know what it is you need out of your lens; you can find the best option here.
With all these questions answered, it should make the choice much easier for you.
Just remember…
- If you’re on any kind of a budget, take note of the quality for the inexpensive options.
- If you plan on doing any outdoor shooting and aren’t sure if weather conditions may vary, look for something with weather-sealing to be safe.
- If you may have to deal with tough lighting conditions, the better the aperture, the less you’ll have to worry about that.
- If you’re strictly interested in shooting wide-angle or telephoto, there are lenses that specialize in those. If you prefer flexibility, there are lenses that do that as well.
- If you want to create beautiful bokeh, the diaphragm is a key contributor to how well the lens can handle that.
- And above all, the answer to the best lens for the Canon EOS R5 may be a different answer for you than for others. But it is here on this article. So, give the list a good look, and choose the one that fits your style best!
