Best Lenses for Canon EOS R50 in 2025 « NEW CAMERA

The best lenses for the Canon R50 Camera are here. The Canon R50 features excellent core specs and an advanced AF system similar to the Canon R10 camera. With the Canon R50 camera you can shoot oversampled 4k videos up to 30fps (10 BIT HDRPQ also available) and when shooting still images the Camera is able to capture a full-time burst speed of 15FPS with full-time AF/AF support. A total number of 4,503 manually selectable AF points are also available for precise autofocusing. One of the best entry-level Mirrorless cameras ever made by Canon with excellent internal still and video core specs.

In this post, we have selected some of the best lenses available for the Canon R50 camera. These lenses are best for Canon R50, as well as u can use these lenses for Canon R10, R50V, and R7 also. We have selected the native RF and RF-S Lenses for the Canon R10 camera. And at the end of the article, we have also added third-party lenses for the Canon R10 camera, with a focus on Sigma options. This guide covers the best zoom lenses, prime lenses, bird photography lenses, video lenses, and budget-friendly options, many of which are available at Amazon  (www.Amazon.com). Whether you’re shooting landscapes, portraits, wildlife, or vlogs, this guide will help you find the perfect lens for your Canon EOS R50.

Table of Contents

• 1. Canon RF-S 18-45mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM
• 2. Canon RF 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM
• 3. Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM
• 4. Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM
• 5. Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM
• 6. Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM
• 7. Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM
• 8. Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 USM
• Lens Comparison Table
• Third-Party Lenses for the Canon R50: Sigma and More
• Canon R10 vs. Nikon Z50 and Sony A6400
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
• Conclusion

1. Canon RF-S 18-45mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM – The Best Budget Zoom Lens

The body of the Canon R50 costs $799 with the 18-45mm kit lens, and without the lens, the cost of the camera body is $679. The actual cost of the lens is $269 when purchased separately from B&H. You are only paying $120 extra compared to $269 when u purchase it separately.

The 18-45mm IS STM Lens from Canon is versatile. The focal length you are getting is perfect for landscape, nature, and family-friends photography. The biggest advantage of the kit lens is the price factor and compactness. And at this price, ur also getting Image stabilization (OIS) and STM motors, which are useful for both photography and videography. You can also click some decent portraits at 50mm.

Image stabilization in the 18-45mm Lens works very effectively. As we know, the Canon R50 camera doesn’t have a built-in sensor-shift image stabilization system, so this lens will help you with its Optical Image stabilization feature. up to 4 stops of shake correction or up to 6 stops of Coordinated IS with a compatible camera body

The RF-S18-45mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM has a Center Focus Macro function that captures close-up images with up to 0.26x magnification at 45mm (MF). Achieve up to 0.16x magnification at 45mm focal length with autofocus. When you are using the lens in Manual Focus mode at 35mm focal length, it gives a maximum magnification of 0.59x.

.The Lens also features Canon STM Motor,  which is extremely helpful while shooting videos; the STM motors generate minimal noise.

Why Choose This Lens?

• Budget-friendly at $269 (or $120 extra with the kit).
• Compact and lightweight, ideal for travel and everyday use.
• Versatile focal range for landscapes, portraits, and family photography.
• Optical image stabilization (OIS) for steady shots in low light.
• Silent STM motor, perfect for video recording.

Best For: Beginners, travel photographers, and budget-conscious users looking for a versatile all-purpose lens.

2. Canon RF 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM – The Best All-in-One Zoom Lens 

The Canon’s  8.3x APS-C zoom Lens for Canon R50 packs in a useful 29-240mm (35mm equiv.) focal length range. When you feel your kit lens has limited zoom and you need a more versatile lens, the 18-150mm lens is made for you.

This lens is an all-in-one lens for the Canon R10 camera. Perfect for those who don’t want to change the lens every time they need an all-in-one solution. The Lens also acts as a coverage lens when you are into wedding photography and helps you a lot when u are on travel, covers a wide range of 18mm to tele-end 150mm.

The lens features an STM motor, and stepping drive motors are as fast as well as as silent as autofocus work. Perfect for recording videos and shooting still images too. The OIS in this lens is highly effective and works up to 4.5 Stops, or up to 6.5 stops with Coordinated IS when paired with a compatible camera. Making it a perfect choice for shooting sharp images in low light.

The price of this lens is $499 (B&H Store and Amazon.com) You can use this lens as a default lens for your Canon R50 camera.

Canon RF-S18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM SAMPLE IMAGE –  credit – Chris metcalfe https://tinyurl.com/yvv7pnus

Why Choose This Lens?

• Wide 29-240mm equivalent focal range for diverse shooting scenarios.
• Ideal for weddings, travel, and event photography.
• Fast and silent STM motor for smooth autofocus in video and stills.
• Optical image stabilization for low-light performance.
• A do-it-all zoom lens, available at Best Buy.

Best For: Photographers and videographers needing a single, versatile zoom lens for multiple scenarios.

3. Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM – The Best Wide-Angle Prime for Vlogging

The Lens is a 16mm F2.8 Prime Lens (25mm equivalent), The 16mm Lens is the most affordable canon wide-angle prime lens for the Canon R50 camera with a bright F2.8 aperture and STM motor. The Lens is very compact as well as fast, a perfect lens for everyday use.

Perfect Lens for Handheld Vlogging: If you want to create handheld content, self-vlogging with a Canon R50 camera. The RF 16mm F2.8 STM is highly recommended. The Auto Focus of the lens and very smooth and fast, at the same time the F2.8 aperture helps you to create subject separation while filming and it also helps to capture perfect vlogs even in uncontrolled light conditions. Overall, the RF 16mm F2.8 STM is highly recommended for content creators.

If you want to extract, maximum sharpness you have to stop down to f/5.6, which will give you sharpness in the extreme edges and corners of the image frame. Highly essential while shooting Landscapes, architecture, or interiors with the Canon RF 16mm Prime Lens. The chromatic aberration is also very well controlled, even with automatic in-camera correction switched off. Vignetting is quite noticeable at f/2.8 but in-camera correction is also available for this, once active the in-camera correction then the RF16mm F2.8 Lens becomes a perfect lens without any issues.

The lens is priced at $279 (B&H Store and Amazon.com), the most affordable wide-angle prime lens in Canon RF-Mount, and must have lens for hand-held content creators.

Why Choose This Lens?

• Affordable at $279, available at Best Buy.
• Bright f/2.8 aperture for low-light shooting and subject separation.
• Compact and lightweight (165g), ideal for handheld vlogging.
• Fast and silent STM motor for smooth autofocus.
• Excellent for vlogging, landscapes, and architecture photography.

Best For: Vloggers, content creators, and photographers shooting wide-angle scenes.

4. Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM: Versatile Prime for Street and Macro 

If you own a Canon R50 camera, then for sure the most usable prime lens for you is the 24mm F1.8 Macro STM lens, the RF 24mm F1.8 Macro IS STM Lens equivalent focal length of this lens is 38mm which is near the standard focal length of 35mm. A perfect focal length for shooting landscape and street photography. This 24mm lens can be used for shooting family and friends’ portraits in a home in a low-light environment. Also perfect for capturing macro images due to its 1:2 magnification ratio and close-up shooting distance of 5.5 inches.

Perfect lens for YouTubers: The 24mm lens is a perfect tool for creating office and room vlogs, and also perfect for food photography and close-ups of your fav dish. You have to just maintain a 3 to 5 feet distance from your camera/rest your camera on a tripod, and start making your online content with excellent sharpness and creamy bokeh in the background.

The 24mm Lens is loaded with optical image stabilization. For the first time, I have seen Canon giving us OIS features in Prime lenses like 24mm. The OIS is effective up to 5 stops, or 6.5 stops with coordinated IS, to better enable working handheld in low-light conditions and with slower shutter speeds. Whether you are creating videos with the lens or shooting still images the OIS helps all the time. We also have a full-time manual control option with the Configurable Control Ring of the lens, which can be used to adjust a variety of exposure settings, including aperture, ISO, and exposure compensation.

The lens is available at $499 (B&H Store and Amazon.com) You will feel the price is high. But also think twice that it’s a fullframe lens and will remain compatible with your camera even if you upgrade your camera to full frame. And despite being a 24mm Prime lens, the lens also features OIS and macro Capability, none of such features are available even in competitors’ prime lenses.

Canon RF 24mm F1.8 sample image – Image credit – Martin Moucha https://tinyurl.com/4ucfsfxu

Why Choose This Lens?

• Versatile 38mm equivalent focal length for street, landscape, and portraits.
• Bright f/1.8 aperture for low-light performance and creamy bokeh.
• Optical image stabilization for handheld shooting.
• Macro capability with 1:2 magnification for close-up photography.
• Full-frame compatibility, available at Best Buy.

Best For: YouTubers, street photographers, and those needing a versatile prime lens with macro capabilities.

5. Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM – The Best Prime for Professional Portraits

Perfect for professional-quality portraits with a Canon R50 camera. The Canon RF 35mm F1.8, when paired with the Canon R50, gives you an equivalent focal length of 50mm Lens in full-frame format (due to Canon APS-C 1.6x crop factor) So it actually will act as a 50mm F1.8 with optical image stabilization and macro capability. A perfect lens for wedding pros, models & fashion photographers.

The size of this lens is slightly larger than the 24mm F1.8. It measures 74.4 x 62.8 mm and weighs 305g. However, this is still relatively light and compact, and very easy to carry for the shoot. The lens pairs very comfortably with the Canon R50 camera and has a sleek look and feel. There is a focus switch on the side of the lens; the lens does support full-time manual focus. That is, you can manually focus the lens by adjusting the focus ring even when the camera is set to autofocus.

With the Canon RF35mm F1.8 lens, you get an aperture range of f/1.8 – f/22. When the Max aperture when used helps to isolate the image from the environment with creamy background blur, it all helps you to generate a perfect cinematic output. With the additional Macro capability of the lens, you get tack-sharp images. The lens features Super Spectra coating that has been applied to individual elements to reduce the ghosting and flare for greater contrast and color neutrality when working in strong lighting conditions.

$499 (Amazon.com | B&H Store) is the price of a 35mm F1.8 IS STM Macro lens, this is a very reasonable price lens if you look at its features. The lens is a full-frame lens and features Macro capability as well as optical image stabilization. We highly recommend this lens for the Canon R50 camera.

Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM

Why Choose This Lens?

• 50mm equivalent focal length, ideal for professional portraits.
• Bright f/1.8 aperture for cinematic bokeh and low-light performance.
• Optical image stabilization for steady handheld shots.
• Macro capability for detailed close-ups.
• Full-frame compatibility, available at Best Buy.

Best For: Wedding photographers, portrait photographers, and those seeking a professional-grade prime lens.

6. Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM: The Best Budget Prime Lens

Best budget lens for photographers, if you want to shoot portraits with your camera a want a budget prime lens, then the nifty-fifty Canon RF50mm F1.8 Lens is best for you. The RF 50mm lens is equivalent to 85mm when paired with a Crop sensor camera like the Canon R50.

The telephoto prime lens measures 69 x 40 mm and weighs 160 g. This makes it the lightest lens on our list of prime lenses, balancing well with the weight of the camera. To suppress spherical aberrations, Canon has introduced one precision-molded (PMo) aspherical element inside this lens, it also upscales the sharpness and accurate subject rendering. Very light to carry around and excellent for beginners, great view and clear pictures!

The overall image quality is fantastic. You’ll love how easy it is to snap incredibly sharp, beautiful photos using this lens, and your subjects will love it even more. Although the lens has a limited Macro capability of 50cm, so if you want a better macro-performing lens you have to buy the other two primes (24mm and 35mm) mentioned above in the list.

With a price tag of $199 (B&H Store | amazon.com) Canon RF 50mm, F1.8 STM Lens is the most affordable prime lens in the RF lineup. The reason behind that is the lens doesn’t have the OIS like the other prime lenses as well as macro capability.

Why Choose This Lens?

• Affordable at $199, available at Amazon.com
• 85mm equivalent focal length for stunning portraits.
• Lightweight and compact, ideal for beginners.
• Bright f/1.8 aperture for excellent low-light performance and bokeh.
• High image quality with minimal aberrations.

Best For: Beginner photographers and those focused on portrait photography on a budget.

7. Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM – The Best Prime for Portraits

The ultimate portrait lens for professionals,  Canon 85mm F2 Macro  Lens features optical image stabilization, Macro capability as well as a stepping drive motor for smooth yet fast focusing transitions. The equivalent focal length of an 85mm lens on the Canon R50 body will be 136mm. It reminds me of Canon’s popular 100mm F2.8 Macro Lens. The lens can be used effectively when you want to capture wildlife’s beauty without disturbing them. 85mm (136mm on R50) will allow you to work from a distance and also 5 stops of Optical Image stabilization within. So, you can also take some amazing macro shots or portraits of models handheld.

The tele–prime lens measures 78 x 90.5 mm and weighs 500 g. This makes it the largest and the heaviest lens on our list. The Configurable Control Ring can be used to adjust a variety of exposure settings, including aperture, ISO, and exposure compensation. The rounded nine-blade diaphragm contributes to a pleasing bokeh quality.

The lens creates creamy bokeh at F2 and is perfect for portraits, I have used this lens with a Canon R5 camera, and at F3.5 to 5.6 the lens produces razor-sharp images with an exceptional amount of details resolved through the sensor. With its macro capability, the lens is able to do 1:2 maximum magnification along with a minimum focusing distance of 1.15. And the Configurable Control Ring on this lens can be used to adjust a variety of exposure settings, including aperture, ISO, and exposure compensation.

The price tag $549 (B&H Store | amazon.com) makes this lens one of the most costly prime lenses on our list. Although with Optical image stabilization, Macro capability, a Steeping drive motor, and a rounded nine-blade diaphragm make this lens the perfect choice for professional photographers.

Why Choose This Lens?

• 136mm equivalent focal length for professional portraits with super background blur.
• Optical image stabilization for handheld shooting.
• Macro capability with 1:2 magnification for detailed close-ups.
• Creamy bokeh and sharp images at f/3.5-5.6.
• Configurable Control Ring, available at Amazon.com

Best For: Professional photographers shooting portraits, birds, and macro photography.

8. Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 USM – The Best Zoom for Bird and Wildlife Photography 

Prime lenses do give the best quality possible since they have minimal moving lens elements inside them optimized for the best performance. However, zoom lenses like the 100-400 are also a worthwhile investment.

With prime lenses, if you want to have an optical crop you have to physically move toward your subject. This isn’t always possible depending on what or where you’re shooting. So, we have lenses like the 100-400mm (equivalent focal length 160mm – 640mm).

The resolving power of this lens is just amazing even when paired with the Canon R5 camera, lens features Max magnification up to .41X @ 400mm. So, it’s worthwhile to say the lens also has macro capability. To reduce the chromatic aberrations and color fringing throughout the zoom range the lens has One Ultra-Low Dispersion element. The lens features a built-in optical image stabilization system effective up to 4 stops when used with R10, and up to 6 stops of camera shake and Nano USM AF to promote faster focusing performance.

You have to pay $599 (B&H Store | Amazon.com) to get this lens, It may look pricy to you. But the sharpness, OIS, Bokeh, and AF performance are highly impressive. Equivalent to equivalent focal length  160mm – 640mm when used with APS-C body and 100-400 when used with Full frame.

Why Choose This Lens?

• Massive 160-640mm equivalent focal range, ideal for bird and wildlife photography.
• Optical image stabilization for steady shots.
• Macro capability with 0.41x magnification at 400mm.
• Fast and accurate Nano USM autofocus.
• High resolving power, available at Best Buy.

Best For: Wildlife and bird photographers needing a versatile telephoto zoom lens.

Canon R10 vs. Nikon Z50 and Sony A6400: Lens Ecosystem and Camera Comparison {#comparisons}

We have also made some comparison which includes Canon R10 vs Nikon Z50 and Canon R10 vs Sony A6400. The Canon R50 shares many similarities with the R10, including its APS-C sensor and autofocus system. Compared to the Nikon Z50, the R50 offers a higher number of AF points (4,503 vs. 209) and slightly better video capabilities with 10-bit HDRPQ. Against the Sony A6400, the R50’s oversampled 4K and faster burst speed (15FPS vs. 11FPS) give it an edge for hybrid shooters.

Lens Ecosystem Comparison:

• Canon RF/RF-S: Canon’s RF-mount ecosystem is growing, with versatile options like the RF 16mm f/2.8 STM and RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 USM. RF-S lenses are designed for APS-C cameras like the R50, offering compact and affordable options. Sigma and Tamron now provide RF-S lenses, enhancing choices.
• Nikon Z (DX): Nikon’s Z-mount DX lenses are limited, with options like the Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR. The selection is smaller than Canon’s RF lineup.
• Sony E (APS-C): Sony’s E-mount has a robust APS-C lens lineup, including the Sony E 16-55mm f/2.8 G. However, Canon’s RF lenses often provide better stabilization and macro capabilities.

For detailed camera comparisons, check out trusted reviews on sites like DPReview or Imaging Resource.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) {#faqs}

Q: Where can I buy the best lenses for the Canon EOS R50?
A: Many of the recommended lenses, such as the Canon RF-S 18-45mm, RF 16mm f/2.8, RF 50mm f/1.8, and RF 100-400mm, are available at Best Buy. You can also check B&H Photo and Amazon.com for competitive pricing and availability.

Q: What are the best zoom lenses for the Canon R50?
A: The Canon RF-S 18-45mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM ($269) is the best budget zoom for everyday use, while the Canon RF 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM ($499) offers a wider 29-240mm range for travel and weddings. For bird and wildlife photography, the Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 USM ($599) provides a 160-640mm reach. The Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary ($549) is a top third-party zoom with a bright aperture for video and low-light shooting.

Q: What are the best prime lenses for the Canon R50?
A: The Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM ($199) is the best budget prime for portraits, offering an 85mm equivalent focal length. The Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM ($499) is ideal for professional portraits and macro, with a 50mm equivalent. The Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM ($279) excels for vlogging and landscapes. The Sigma 56mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary ($429) is a fantastic third-party prime for portraits and low-light video.

Q: What are the best lenses for bird photography with the Canon R50?
A: The Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 USM ($599) is the top choice for bird photography, offering a 160-640mm equivalent focal length and OIS. The Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM ($549) is a prime option for closer bird shots with a 136mm equivalent. For budget-conscious shooters, the Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III ($199) with an EF-EOS R adapter is a viable option, though less sharp.

Q: What are the best video lenses for the Canon R50?
A: The Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM ($279) is the best for vlogging due to its wide 25mm equivalent and fast aperture. The Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM ($499) is great for YouTube and cinematic shots with OIS. The Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary ($549) offers a versatile zoom range and bright aperture for professional video. The Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM ($499) is also excellent for video with its stabilization and cinematic bokeh.

Q: What are the best Sigma lenses for the Canon R50?
A: The Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary ($549) is a versatile zoom lens with a constant f/2.8 aperture, ideal for video and low-light photography. The Sigma 56mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary ($429) is a top prime lens for portraits and low-light video, offering a 90mm equivalent focal length. Sigma’s RF-S lenses are optimized for the R50’s APS-C sensor.

Q: What are the best cheap lenses for the Canon R50?
A: The Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM ($199) is the most affordable prime for portraits. The Canon RF-S 18-45mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM ($269 or $120 with kit) is a budget-friendly zoom. The Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM ($279) is a cost-effective wide-angle prime for vlogging. For adapted lenses, the Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III ($199) with an EF-EOS R adapter is a cheap telephoto option.

Q: Can I use EF lenses with the Canon R50?
A: Yes, Canon EF and EF-S lenses are compatible with the Canon R50 using the Canon EF-EOS R Mount Adapter ($99). This expands budget options, such as the Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III for bird photography.

Conclusion 

The Canon R50 is one of the best entry-level mirrorless cameras ever made by Canon with excellent internal still and video core specs. Whether you’re a beginner, a vlogger, or a wildlife enthusiast, there’s a lens on this list to suit your needs. For budget-conscious users, the Canon RF-S 18-45mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM ($269) and Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM ($199) offer incredible value. For versatile zoom, the Canon RF 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM ($499) is ideal. Vloggers will love the Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM ($279), while professionals can rely on the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM ($499), Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM ($549), and Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 USM ($599) for top-tier performance. Sigma lenses like the 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary ($549) and 56mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary ($429) provide excellent third-party options for video and portraits. For bird photography, the RF 100-400mm and RF 85mm f/2 are standout choices.

Investing in the right lens will elevate your Canon R50’s capabilities, whether you’re shooting landscapes, portraits, birds, or videos. Explore these options at Best Buy, B&H Photo, or Amazon.com to find the best deals and start capturing stunning visuals today.

What’s Your Favorite Canon R50 Lens? Let us know in the comments which lens you’re using or planning to buy for your Canon R50. Share this guide with fellow photographers and check out our other Canon R50 tips and reviews!