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To create the ideal vlogging setup, you need a suitable camera lens. A new lens can completely change your vlogging style with different focal lengths allowing you to try out different scenes and enjoy a wider variety of vlogging compositions.
I know how difficult it can be to select the right lens. Each manufacturer like Canon has a large range of lenses – how are you supposed to know which is the best Canon lens for vlogging? It’s not always a clear-cut choice and this is why I have used my hard-won knowledge and experience to compile this list of ideal Canon lenses for vlogging.
The Best Lens for Canon M50 Vlogging
Canon M Vlogging Lens
- Portable and lightweight design at just 130g that makes it ideal for active vlogging
- Versatile focal length for wide-angle recording and zoom transitions
- Retractable design with a lock to improve portability when not in use
- The build quality may not be as robust as some of the other EF-M lenses
The Best Canon EF-S and RF Lenses for Vlogging
EF-S Vlogging Lens
- Small and lightweight pancake design
- Excellent low light recording thanks to f/2.8 max aperture
- Fast and almost silent autofocus motor
- Fixed focal length, so less flexibility
Canon RF Vlogging Lens
- Wide-angle focal length is ideal for vlogging
- Superior optical construction
- Small and easily portable
- Some lens distortion
Comparison of Canon Vlogging Lenses
Lens | Compatibility | Pros | Cons | Check Price | |
  | Canon M | - Ideal vlogging focal length. | - More plasticky design | ||
  | Canon M | - Best for capturing cityscapes and landscapes. | - Some lens distortion. | ||
  | Canon EF-S | - Incredibly small and lightweight. | - Fixed focal length. | ||
  | Canon RF | - Fantastic image quality. - Small and compact. | - Some lens distortion. | ||
  | Canon EF & EF-S | - Constant max aperture across zoom range. | - Pretty big and heavy. |
How to Pick the Best Canon Lens for Vlogging
There are several main factors to consider to pick a suitable Canon vlogging lens. You must also look at how and where you want to vlog, and how you will use the lens. This is difficult and can be challenging. To help, I have created an in-depth buying guide with the main factors that make an excellent vlogging lens including:
- Focal length: Is the focal length suitable for vlogging and does it give the perspective you want?
- Zoom vs Prime: Do you require zoom capabilities to create different styles of video?
- Portability: Is the lens easy to carry and suitable for handheld vlogging?
- Autofocus: Does the lens have fast and accurate autofocus?
Focal Length
One of the first considerations is the focal length / focal length range. The focal length of your lens dictates the style of video you can record.
To start, telephoto lenses are typically not used for vlogging unless you need extreme facial closeups in a studio setting. As a result, the best Canon vlogging lenses have a focal length of less than 70mm.
The common focal lengths used are either a wide-angle prime lens or a wide to mid-focal length zoom lens.
Wide-angle Canon prime lenses for vlogging have a focal length of 18, 22, or 24mm. These are considered great focal lengths for vlogging due to their versatility. At 24mm, for example, your videos will have a cinematic, wide-angle perspective that shows plenty of the background. However, the main subject i.e. you, is still clearly definable.
Wide to mid-focal length vlogging lenses are very common as kit lenses. These are usually the starting lens that you can buy with a camera. They have a versatile focal length range that spans from wide-angle, through to mid-range portrait. A great example is the Canon EF-M 15-45mm.
At 15mm you have wide-angle capabilities for immersive vlogging. However, at 45mm, you have some zoom capabilities and thus can exercise greater creative freedom.
Zoom vs Prime
There are two types of Canon vlogging lenses – zoom and prime. Zoom lenses have a focal length range, for example, 17-40mm. In contrast, a prime lens has a fixed focal length, such as 24mm. Both have their advantages and disadvantages.
Zoom lenses give you flexibility in your vlogging compositions. You can record in a wider range of styles, for example. Also, a zoom function means you can create stylish zoom transitions for your footage. The downside is that Canon zoom lenses are typically longer and heavier and thus are not as portable.
Prime lenses are brilliant for set-location vlogging and for “selfie vlogging”. By selfie vlogging, I mean videos where the focus is on you and the perspective doesn’t change much. Here, a zoom function isn’t as important.
Prime lenses typically offer sharper video quality too, compared to a zoom lens at the same focal length. The downside is the lack of flexibility. To get different perspectives on subjects, you are relying completely on movement and your positioning.
Portability
The portability of the lens could also be vital, however, this depends on the type of vlogging you want to create.
If you are vlogging in a studio, your home, or from a set position, portability is not as important. In these settings, your camera and lens are likely to be in a fixed location. Also, you will most likely mount the camera on a tripod.
This means that it doesn’t matter if the lens is large and heavy – you are not carrying it or using the lens handheld. As a result, it won’t put any strain on your arms, and you won’t need to worry about carrying it for long periods.
In contrast, if you are actively vlogging in different locations and for different activities, portability is extremely important. For example, let’s say you are travel vlogging. You visit different European cities and want to record footage as you explore.
In a situation like this, trying to vlog with a bulky and heavy lens is impractical. Firstly, the lens is unwieldy and it may be difficult to hold properly, and steady to get good footage. Secondly, it will put a greater strain on your body.
Therefore, you want a lightweight lens – preferably less than 500g. If possible, it should also have a small footprint. Many wide-angle prime lenses for vlogging are “pancake” lenses and are incredibly flat. This is ideal for vlogging as they weigh virtually nothing, but also add hardly anything to your camera’s profile.
Autofocus
Lastly, autofocus is also highly important. Most modern lenses have an autofocus motor that works in conjunction with the camera’s autofocus system. This dictates how quickly your camera can focus, and how accurate it is.
When vlogging, fast and accurate autofocus is vital. If you are handheld vlogging, you want an AF motor that can easily focus on your face in any lighting situation.
Also, it should be able to focus quickly on other objects and allow you to create smooth video transitions. For example, switching focus between a close and distant object.
The first AF consideration is that a lens even has an AF motor. Using a manual focus lens for vlogging is virtually impossible. This is because you would have to continually adjust the focus ring which would interfere with the video quality.
The second consideration is speed and accuracy. For Canon, their Nano USM and STM autofocus motors are currently considered the best technology available.
Full Reviews of Canon Lenses for Vlogging
1. Canon EF-M 15-45mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM
My top pick for the best Canon lens for vlogging is the Canon EF-M 15-45mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM. This is a brilliant kit lens for Canon EOS M cameras and has a range of features that make it ideal for vlogging.
Firstly, it has a 15-45mm focal length. This gives you flexibility in your recordings, for example, you can zoom in to 45mm for closeups of your face, or zoom out to 15mm for wide-angle shots that include background detail. The focal length range also means that you can create some cool transitions between scenes.
Secondly, it has a compact and lightweight design. The lens weighs only 132g and has a minimum footprint so it is easy to use. Combine this with the relatively lightweight Canon EOS M cameras, and you have a brilliant combination for active vlogging. You could easily mount an EOS M camera and this lens on a monopod or even a stronger selfie stick to improve your vlogging capabilities.
The only minor issue I have with this lens is that it feels a little cheaper than some other EF-M models like the Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM, and Canon EF-M 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM, although this still remains the best vlogging lens for the Canon M50.
- Pros:
- Perfect focal length range of 15-45mm for vlogging
- Lightweight and portable design for easy handheld vlogging use
- Has built-in optical image stabilization for smooth recordings
- Cons:
- The design may feel a little cheaper compared to some other EF-M lenses
Read More:
2. Canon EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM
While the Canon EF-M 15-45mm f/3.5-6.2 IS STM is the best Canon lens for vlogging, the Canon EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM is a great alternative. This multi-zoom lens has a wider-angle focal length range and is thus great for vlogging where you want more detail in your recordings.
At 11mm, you have ultra-wide-angle recording capabilities. This could be great for travel vlogging when you want to show footage of epic landscapes. However, you can easily flip to 22mm for a closer zoom on specific subjects or for selfie shots when you are talking.
Its vlogging suitability is furthered by the built-in image stabilization and stepping motor too. The image stabilization helps improve the smoothness of your records and makes sure that you can track subjects easily when vlogging.
Additionally, the STM autofocus motor will easily keep the focus on yourself as you vlog, and allow you to utilize a range of transition techniques.
The only drawback to this 11-22mm lens is that you could experience some lens distortion at 11mm which could need correcting in video editing software.
- Pros:
- Excellent ultra-wide-angle to wide-angle focal length range
- Consistent sharpness regardless of the focal length
- Has a retractable design with a locking feature for ease-of-use
- Cons:
- Some post-processing may be required to correct lens distortion
3. Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM
If you want an affordable and portable Canon lens for vlogging, the Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM is a brilliant option. This is a pancake lens and it is one of the smallest and lightest Canon lenses available. It has an incredibly narrow profile and weighs only 125g which means using the lens handheld or mounted on a monopod is simple.
The STM Stepping Motor focusing system is also incredibly useful on this lens. It is quiet and therefore shouldn’t be noticeable on your vlogging recordings. However, it is also smooth and accurate. As a result, you can easily create cinematic transitions and focus quickly on different subjects as you vlog.
For APS-C sensor cameras like the Canon Rebel T6 or the Canon 200D this is one of the best lenses to buy – not just for vlogging, but also for things like landscape photography too. Just remember that when using this lens on an APS-C camera, it has an effective focal length of 38mm. This is still ideal for vlogging, however, and still gives a great wide-angle recording perspective.
- Pros:
- Incredibly small and lightweight pancake design
- Great low-light recording capabilities due to the f/2.8 maximum aperture
- Fast and virtually silent STM Stepping Motor autofocus system
- Cons:
- Doesn’t give the same flexibility for focal length as a zoom lens
4. Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM
The Canon RF series of lenses is ever-expanding, and there are already some great RF lenses for vlogging. One of the best current Canon RF lenses for vlogging, however, is the Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM.
This ultra-wide-angle lens has many benefits and is also incredibly cheap too. At 16mm, this is the perfect lens for travel vlogging as you can focus on yourself, while still getting much of your surroundings in the recording too. The only issue is that sometimes the lens distortion is noticeable, so some correction in video editing software could be required.
To further this lens’s usefulness as a travel vlogging model, it also only weighs 165g and has a compact profile. As a result, you could comfortably use it on your RF camera handheld without too much strain on your arms. You could even comfortably use it on a monopod or durable selfie stick.
I also love the f/2.8 maximum aperture which means this camera excels at nighttime vlogging. The underlying sharpness is also excellent and your videos will look superb.
- Pros:
- Small, compact, and lightweight design for superb portability
- Excellent wide-angle focal length for immersive vlogging
- Superior optical construction for excellent recording quality
- Cons:
- Some post-correction may be required to remove lens distortion
5. Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM
My last choice is for traditional Canon DSLRs such as the Canon EOS 80D – the Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM.
This is a brilliant L-series lens but without the typically associated immense L-series price tag. For less than $800 you get a superb quality lens that excels at vlogging due to its autofocus, focal length range, and optical quality.
As an L-series lens, the EF 17-40mm has superior optics and an advanced set of lens elements. This means that you can expect consistent recording quality and sharpness – regardless of the conditions. Additionally, the constant f/4 maximum aperture means this lens is great for nighttime vlogging, and for creating cinematic recordings with bokeh backgrounds.
The focal length of 17-40mm is also brilliant for vlogging. It gives you wide-angle capabilities at 17mm but still allows you to create transitions and experiment with closeups and zoom scenes.
As it is an L-series lens, it also has a durable, weather-sealed design which means it is great for outdoor vlogging in different weather conditions. The only downside is that it is not as portable and compact as other lenses on this list, but still remains an excellent choice if you are looking for a Canon wide angle lens for vlogging.
- Pros:
- L-series optical quality for amazing video consistency
- The constant maximum aperture allows for more vlogging creativity
- Also has a fast and accurate Nano USM autofocus motor
- Cons:
- Not as light and compact as other lenses on this list
So, Which is the Best Canon Lens for Vlogging?
As you can see, there are some fantastic Canon vlogging lenses for different Canon cameras. You should now have a clear idea of the available lenses, and which ones could be suitable for your camera. With this information in mind, you can pick a lens, and use it to improve your vlogging quality.
But which is the top choice? For EOS M camera owners, the best pick is the Canon EF-M 15-45mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM. This is a brilliant kit lens and you can usually buy it as part of a deal with EOS M cameras like the Canon EOS M50 Mark II, or Canon EOS M200. Its lightweight, versatile, and has a quick STM autofocus motor.
For EOS cameras like the Canon 90D, a great choice is the Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0 L USM. This is one of the most affordable L-series lenses and has a brilliant focal length range for vlogging. It also benefits from a Nano USM autofocus motor, and superior optical quality.
Read More:
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Guide to the cheapest cameras for vlogging
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