30 Best Canon Lens For Portraits

Are you looking for the best Canon Lens for portraits? In today’s age of digital photography, photographers are able to take advantage of different camera lens to capture stunning portraits. Canon is one of the most well-known manufacturers of camera lenses, offering an extensive array of lenses to suit a wide variety of photography needs. No single lens can be shared as the “best” lens for portrait photography, but there are a variety of different lenses that have been designed to capture the best portrait of your subject. In this article, we will explore thirty of the best Canon lenses for portrait photography and the pros and cons associated with them.

1. Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM

The Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM is an exceptional lens for portrait photography. Thanks to its wide maximum aperture of f/1.2, this lens provides excellent levels of brightness and contrast and is ideal for shooting in low-light conditions. It also has a near-silent ultra-sonic motor for quiet, fast focusing. The lens is well-built and has a dust- and moisture-resistant construction, making it a great choice for outdoor shooting. The only downside of this lens is that it can produce some distortion when shooting at wide apertures, which can be corrected in post-processing.

2. Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

The Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM is a high-end lens designed specifically for portrait photography. It has a wide maximum aperture of f/1.2, providing exceptional levels of brightness and contrast, as well as excellent depth of field control. Additionally, this lens also has a near-silent ultra-sonic motor for smooth, fast focusing. The lens has an outstanding build quality, with dust and moisture resistance for outdoor shooting. The only downside to this lens is that it can be quite heavy and expensive.

3. Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM

The Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM is a versatile telephoto zoom lens for portrait photography. It has a fast maximum aperture of f/2.8 and an impressive four-stop image stabilization system for sharp, blur-free photos at slower shutter speeds. Additionally, it has a near-silent ultra-sonic motor for fast and accurate focusing. The lens is well-built, with dust and moisture resistance, but it can be quite heavy and expensive.

4. Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM

The Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM is a versatile standard zoom lens for portrait photography. It has a fast maximum aperture of f/2.8 and an excellent image stabilization system. Plus, it has a near-silent ultra-sonic motor for fast and accurate focusing. The lens has a well-built construction, with dust and moisture resistance, but the lens can be quite heavy and expensive.

5. Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

The Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM is an excellent macro lens for portrait photography. It has a fast maximum aperture of f/2.8 and an impressive four-stop image stabilization system for sharp, blur-free photos at slower shutter speeds. Additionally, this lens also has a near-silent ultra-sonic motor for fast and accurate focusing. The lens is well-built, with dust and moisture resistance, but it can be quite heavy and expensive.

6. Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM

The Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM is an outstanding telephoto prime lens for portrait photography. It has a wide maximum aperture of f/2 and is designed to capture stunning and detailed portraits. Additionally, it has a near-silent ultra-sonic motor for fast and accurate focusing. The lens is well-built, with dust and moisture resistance, but it can be expensive.

7. Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM

The Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM is a wide-angle prime lens for portrait photography. Thanks to its wide maximum aperture of f/1.4, this lens produces sharp, contrasty images and provides excellent depth of field control. Additionally, it has a near-silent ultra-sonic motor for fast and accurate focusing. The lens is well-built, with dust and moisture resistance, but it can be expensive.

8. Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM

The Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM is a versatile ultra-wide-angle zoom lens for portrait photography. It has a fast maximum aperture of f/2.8 and an impressive image stabilization system for sharp, blur-free photos at slower shutter speeds. Additionally, this lens also has a near-silent ultra-sonic motor for fast and accurate focusing. The lens has an outstanding build quality, with dust and moisture resistance, but it can be quite heavy and expensive.

9. Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM

The Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM is an excellent standard-length prime lens for portrait photography. It has a wide maximum aperture of f/1.4 and an impressive four-stop image stabilization system for sharp, blur-free photos at slower shutter speeds. Additionally, this lens also has a near-silent ultra-sonic motor for fast and accurate focusing. The lens is well-built, with dust and moisture resistance, but it can be quite heavy and expensive.

10. Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM

The Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM is a versatile telephoto zoom lens for portrait photography. It has a fast maximum aperture of f/4 and an impressive four-stop image stabilization system for sharp, blur-free photos at slower shutter speeds. Additionally, it has a near-silent ultra-sonic motor for fast and accurate focusing. The lens is well-built, with dust and moisture resistance, but it can be quite heavy and expensive.

11. Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

The Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM is an excellent standard-length prime lens for portrait photography. It has a wide maximum aperture of f/1.4, providing excellent brightness and contrast levels and great depth of field control. Additionally, it has a near-silent ultra-sonic motor for fast and accurate focusing. The lens is well-built and has a dust- and moisture-resistant construction, but it can be a bit soft wide open.

12. Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM

The Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM is a versatile standard zoom lens for portrait photography. It has a fast maximum aperture of f/4 and an impressive four-stop image stabilization system for sharp, blur-free photos at slower shutter speeds. Additionally, it has a near-silent ultra-sonic motor for fast and accurate focusing. The lens is well-built, with dust and moisture resistance, but it can be quite heavy and expensive.

13. Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM

The Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM is an affordable wide-angle prime lens for portrait photography. Thanks to its wide maximum aperture of f/2.8, this lens provides excellent brightness levels and great depth of field control. Additionally, it has an ultra-sonic motor for fast and accurate focusing. The lens is well-built and has a dust- and moisture-resistant construction, but it can suffer from distortion and softness at wider apertures.

14. Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II USM

The Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II USM is a versatile standard zoom lens for portrait photography. It has a fast maximum aperture of f/4 and an impressive five-stop image stabilization system for sharp, blur-free photos at slower shutter speeds. Additionally, it has a near-silent ultra-sonic motor for fast and accurate focusing. The lens is well-built, with dust and moisture resistance, but it can be quite heavy and expensive.

15. Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

The Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM is a versatile wide-angle zoom lens for portrait photography. It has a fast maximum aperture of f/2.8 and an impressive four-stop image stabilization system for sharp, blur-free photos at slower shutter speeds. Additionally, this lens also has a near-silent ultra-sonic motor for fast and accurate focusing. The lens has an outstanding build quality, but it is quite expensive and cannot be used on full-frame cameras.

16. Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM

The Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM is an excellent macro lens for portrait photography. It has a fast maximum aperture of f/2.8, providing excellent brightness and great depth of field control. Additionally, it has a near-silent ultra-sonic motor for fast and accurate focusing. The lens is well-built, with dust and moisture resistance, but it can be quite expensive.

17. Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM

The Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM is a budget-friendly telephoto zoom lens for portrait photography. It has a variable maximum aperture of f/4-5.6 and an impressive four-stop image stabilization system for sharp, blur-free photos at slower shutter speeds. Additionally, this lens also has a near-silent ultra-sonic motor for fast and accurate focusing. The lens is well-built, with dust and moisture resistance, but it can be a bit soft when shooting wide open.

18. Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM

The Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM is an affordable ultra-wide-angle zoom lens for portrait photography. It has a variable maximum aperture of f/4.5-5.6 and an impressive four-stop image stabilization system for sharp, blur-free photos at slower shutter speeds. Additionally, this lens also has a near-silent ultra-sonic motor for fast and accurate focusing. The lens is well-built, with dust and moisture resistance, but it can suffer from chromatic aberration at wider apertures.

19. Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM

The Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM is a budget-friendly macro lens for portrait photography. It has a fast maximum aperture of f/2.8, providing excellent brightness and great depth of field control. Additionally, this lens also has a near-silent ultra-sonic motor for fast and accurate focusing. The lens is well-built, with dust and moisture resistance, but it cannot be used on full-frame cameras.

20. Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM

The Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM is a high-end telephoto zoom lens for portrait photography. It has a variable maximum aperture of f/4-5.6 and an impressive four-stop image stabilization system for sharp, blur-free photos at slower shutter speeds. Additionally, this lens also has a near-silent ultra-sonic motor for fast and accurate focusing. The lens is well-built, with dust and moisture resistance, but it can be quite heavy and expensive.

21. Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

The Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM is an affordable ultra-wide-angle zoom lens for portrait photography. It has a variable maximum aperture of f/3.5-4.5 and a near-silent ultra-sonic motor for fast and accurate focusing. The lens is well-built, with dust and moisture resistance, but it can suffer from distortion and softness at wider apertures.

22. Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM

The Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM is a versatile ultra-wide-angle zoom lens for portrait photography. It has a fast maximum aperture of f/2.8 and an impressive image stabilization system for sharp, blur-free photos at slower shutter speeds. Additionally, this lens also has a near-silent ultra-sonic motor for fast and accurate focusing. The lens is well-built, with dust and moisture resistance, but it can be quite heavy and expensive.

23. Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

The Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM is a versatile wide-angle zoom lens for portrait photography. It has a variable maximum aperture of f/4-5.6 and an impressive four-stop image stabilization system for sharp, blur-free photos at slower shutter speeds. Additionally, this lens also has a near-silent ultra-sonic motor for fast and accurate focusing. The lens is well-built, with dust and moisture resistance, but it can suffer from chromatic aberration at wider apertures.

24. Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 USM

The Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 USM is an excellent wide-angle prime lens for portrait photography. Thanks to its wide maximum aperture of f/1.8, this lens produces sharp, contrasty images and provides excellent depth of field control. Additionally, it has a near-silent ultra-sonic motor for fast and accurate focusing. The lens is well-built and has a dust- and moisture-resistant construction, but it can suffer from distortion at wider apertures.

25. Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM

The Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM is a budget-friendly standard zoom lens for portrait photography. It has a variable maximum aperture of f/3.5-5.6 and an impressive four-stop image stabilization system for sharp, blur-free photos at slower shutter speeds. Additionally, this lens also has a near-silent ultra-sonic motor for fast and accurate focusing. The lens is well-built, with dust and moisture resistance, but it can be a bit soft when shooting wide open.

26. Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

The Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM is a versatile wide-angle zoom lens for portrait photography. It has a variable maximum aperture of f/3.5-5.6 and an impressive four-stop image stabilization system for sharp, blur-free photos at slower shutter speeds. Additionally, this lens also has a near-silent ultra-sonic motor for fast and accurate focusing. The lens is well-built, with dust and moisture resistance, but it can be quite expensive.

27. Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM

The Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM is a budget-friendly standard zoom lens for portrait photography. It has a variable maximum aperture of f/3.5-5.6 and an impressive four-stop image stabilization system for sharp, blur-free photos at slower shutter speeds. Additionally, this lens also has a near-silent ultra-sonic motor for fast and accurate focusing. The lens is well-built, with dust and moisture resistance, but it can be a bit soft when shooting wide open.

28. Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

The Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM is an affordable standard zoom lens for portrait photography. It has a variable maximum aperture of f/3.5-5.6 and an impressive four-stop image stabilization system for sharp, blur-free photos at slower shutter speeds. Additionally, this lens also has a near-silent ultra-sonic motor for fast and accurate focusing. The lens is well-built, with dust and moisture resistance, but it can suffer from chromatic aberration at wider apertures.

29. Canon EF-S 15-55mm f/2.8-4 IS STM

The Canon EF-S 15-55mm f/2.8-4 IS STM is an affordable wide-angle zoom lens for portrait photography. It has a variable maximum aperture of f/2.8-4 and an impressive four-stop image stabilization system for sharp, blur-free photos at slower shutter speeds. Additionally, this lens also has a near-silent ultra-sonic motor for fast and accurate focusing. The lens is well-built, with dust and moisture resistance, but it can be a bit soft when shooting wide open.

30. Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM

The Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM is a budget-friendly telephoto zoom lens for portrait photography. It has a variable maximum aperture of f/4-5.6 and an impressive four-stop image stabilization system for sharp, blur-free photos at slower shutter speeds. Additionally, this lens also has a near-silent ultra-sonic motor for fast and accurate focusing. The lens is well-built, with dust and moisture resistance, but it can be a bit soft when shooting wide open.

Final Thoughts On Best Canon Lens For Portraits

As you can see, there is no single lens that can be shared as the “best” one for portrait photography. Canon offers an extensive range of lenses that are designed to capture the best portrait of your subject. The lenses discussed in this article all offer excellent levels of brightness, contrast and depth of field control, as well as dust and moisture resistance. Additionally, most of them also have an ultra-sonic motor for fast and accurate focusing. However, these lenses often come with a few drawbacks, including weight, size and expense.