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Best Overall - Editor’s choice | Best all-purpose lens for travel vlogging | Best wide-angle lens | Best zoom lens | Best macro lens |
Our Review of the Best Lenses for Canon M50
Best Overall - Editor's Choice - Canon EF-M 32mm f/1.4 STM
Highlights:
- Standard focal length equivalence with 0.25x magnification can capture from medium to close-up shots.
- Fast and bright aperture great for shooting in low-light.
- Small and compact design which makes it ideal for handheld shooting.
Opening our list of the best lenses for Canon M50 is this prime lens, Canon EF-M 32mm f/1.4 STM. On a Canon M50, this lens is in the standard range as its equivalent of 51mm on a full frame. The major edge that this lens has is its brightness. With an aperture of f/1.4, you can expect to get some of the best bokeh shots even in low-light conditions.
For creatives who record on the go, the Canon EF-M 32mm f/1.4 STM allows for that quick focusing needed for recording in a fast-paced environment. One thing that stands out for me about this lens is the fast autofocus, the way it adjusts to the subjects in focus and balances exposure as well is quite impressive. And unlike with some other lenses, the autofocus is noiseless when filming. Then, the 0.25x magnification means Canon M50 users can capture closeup shots that are very detailed which is a great choice for video makers as well.
What also makes this 32mm lens desirable for your Canon M50 APS-C camera is its lightweight design. It complements the small camera body perfectly. The metal mount also locks firmly and allows freedom of use in outdoor conditions.
Best all-purpose lens for travel vlogging - Canon EF-M 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM
Highlights:
- This lens features a two-in-one option that gives you both great zoom capacity and wide angle in one lens.
- It has a very quiet autofocus capability thanks to Canon’s STM motor which makes it a delight for vloggers.
- Relatively small compared to other zoom lenses with this range.
The Canon EF-M 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 is a strong contender for the best zoom lens for Canon M50. With this lens alone, users can go from shooting wide-angle shots to shooting telephoto. Although the aperture isn’t the best, it does suffice for producing clear images under properly lit settings.
With a focal length equivalent of 29mm to 240mm, the Canon EF-M 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM is certainly one of the most versatile lens options available for Canon EOS M50 users. It has a zoom of x8.3 which is just a delight for wildlife photographers and adventurists. And contrary to other all-purpose lens options, this particular product weighs only 300g, which means it’s a delight for travel vloggers.
Another great feature of this camera is its optical stabilization. This is particularly useful when shooting at zoom capacity which makes shots more prone to shakes. Also, the autofocus of this lens works really well. And for professionals who prefer to use manual focus, the focus ring of this camera works seamlessly well.
Best wide-angle lens - Sigma 16 mm f/1.4 (C) AF DC DN
Highlights:
- A prime lens with a focal length of 16mm, equivalent to 25mm wide angle in full frame.
- Bright aperture with f/1.4 rating, great for low-light shooting and stunning bokeh.
- It uses a bayonet mount which fits well on the Canon M50 camera body.
Coming in as the best wide-angle lens on our top picks list for Canon M50s is a third-party lens that packs its weight. The Sigma 16mm f/1.4 AF DC DN is a bright wide lens that works well for Canon EOS M50 and the EOS M50 Mark II as well. Its fast aperture is a big advantage for taking wide shots on a vast landscape.
What stands out for me with this Sigma lens is the beautiful bokeh it delivers with its wide-angle shots. That’s one of the perks of having a bright aperture on a lens. Then, there’s the part of being able to shoot stunning clear images in low-light settings. All of these are possible with its f/1.4 aperture rating. And for focusing on this lens, the AF motors are fast and silent. But not only that, the large focus ring also allows for precise manual focusing.
The build and design of this wide-angle Sigma lens is also admirable. It comes with a lens hood to reduce light flares and reduce the chances for chromatic aberrations. The lens body is also resistant to dust and moisture, making it ideal for outdoor use.
Best zoom lens - Canon EF-M 55-200mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM
Highlights:
- Long focal length range equivalent to 88 – 320mm on full frame.
- It provides a marvelous zoom range which allows users to get stunning telephoto shots.
- Despite it being a telephoto lens, it is very compact and lightweight which makes for easy portability.
The Canon EF-M 55-200mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM lens is our choice for the best zoom lens for Canon M50. We’ve chosen this lens because you would hardly get a telephoto lens for the Canon M50 APS-C cameras that would surpass the range of this particular lens. So, if you’re into shooting sports events or recording wildlife, this might just be the best option you’ve got.
A standout feature of this lens is its image stabilization. This is especially needed when filming long-distance subjects at maximum focal length. Shakes are often exaggerated at this point, so the IS technology is very much an added advantage.
The autofocus system of this lens is also impressive. It uses the Canon STM mechanism to easily pick out the subjects in each shot. Moreso, the autofocus motors are stealth and don’t contribute any extra noise when recording videos. The lens design also comes with center sharpness, which allows image subjects to pop even better.
With a weight of 260g and a pocketable size, it comes as an apparent relief to users as it is made for easy carriage which helps those on forays into distant locations. Adventurists and travel vloggers who shoot lots of telephoto images would very much fancy adding this lens to their collection. And even more interestingly, this lens is the cheapest on our list of top picks for Canon M50 cameras.
Best macro lens - Canon EF-M 28mm f/3.5 Macro IS STM Lens
Highlights:
- Standard focal length with 2.1x macro lens magnification power.
- It has two LED lights at the top for better lighting when shooting at close distance.
- Effective autofocus motors that’s fast, precise, and noiseless.
The Canon EF-M 28mm f/3.5 IS STM lens is a macro lens for Canon EOS M50 cameras. It has a short focal length of 28mm which is equivalent to about 45mm on full frame. So, as a macro lens with a short focal length, it means users need to get close to the subject to unleash the potential of this lens. Be that as it may, this macro lens offers a 1.2x magnification, good enough to get great detail from each image.
While the f/3.5 aperture isn’t exactly the most impressive, it does deliver a fast shooting experience. To even better the experience, this lens has two LED lights at the top which works to eliminate shadow casted from moving close to the subject.
And the most notable advantage of this Canon macro lens is its effective AF system. The autofocus is precise and fast, even at a close distance and also when taking quick shots. The optical stabilization of the lens also plays a part in delivering clear images with impressive magnification, also effective for extreme close-up shots in filming.
How to Choose the Best Lens for Canon M50
Choosing a suitable lens for your Canon M50 can be quite tasking especially for beginners or casual camera owners. But once you get a hold of the basics of how a lens works with a camera body, then the decision process becomes easier.
Also read: Top-rated Canon Lens for Video
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But first, what should you know about the Canon EOS M50 before selecting a lens to work with it? The most important feature to note here is the camera sensor. The Canon M50 and its successor, the M50 Mark II both use an APS-C sensor. As such, the lens features on this camera takes a crop factor of 1.6x. This is what results in the equivalent focal length rating of each lens with regards to a full frame. For example, a 32mm APS-C lens is equivalent to a 51mm on a full frame body.
Does this mean that any lens can be used with any camera body as long as we factor in the crop factor? Well, not so easy. Fitting a lens on a camera body also has to do with the accompanying lens mount. For Canon lenses, they designate specific models to different camera types. Here is how Canon lens mounts are distributed:
- EF: These are lenses that are designed to work with DSLR cameras with full frame sensors
- EF-S: Lenses that are compatible with DSLR cameras with crop sensors.
- RF: These kinds of lenses work with mirrorless cameras with full frame sensors.
- EF-M: Crop sensor mirrorless cameras compatible.
So, as Canon EOS M50 cameras are mirrorless APS-C cameras, the native lens mount is the Canon EF-M.
Now that we’ve sorted the lens classifications and what would fit on the camera body we’re discussing, let’s consider the features to look out for when choosing the best lens for your Canon M50:
Lens Class
The lens type is a feature that indicates how versatile and effective a camera lens would be. Basically, you have the option of going with a prime lens or a zoom lens. Prime lenses have a single focal length and a constant aperture. So, you’re restricted to one shot type when shooting on a prime, you only get to zoom by adjusting your distance to the subject. However, prime lenses are usually bright (with large aperture), lightweight, and cost less.
On the other hand, a zoom lens offers the versatility of being able to change focal length. Some lenses do as much as going from wide angle to telephoto. The drawback here is that they are heavier, bulkier, and cost more. So, again, it depends on where you’ll be using your camera and what you aim to capture; that would inform whether to choose a zoom lens, a prime lens, or combine both.
Brand
Even though the camera body is made by Canon, that doesn’t confine the compatible lens options to just Canon products. There are other brands that produce quality camera lenses that would fit perfectly on your Canon EOS M50 body. All that’s needed is for the lens to have an EF-M mount. And oftentimes, these third-party makers offer lower prices than the native Canon lens of same quality. Recommended brands include Sigma, Laowa, Rokinon, Tamron, 7Artisans , among others.
Also read: Lenses for Canon R5
Aperture
Lighting and exposure can be likened to what gives life and meaning to subjects being captured. This is why the aperture of a lens is very important. It controls the amount of light reaching the camera sensor. So, an important metric to pay attention to is the f-rating of a lens. The smaller the f rating, the wider the aperture and the brighter the lens. So, if you’ll be spending more shooting time shooting in low-light conditions like indoors, you should consider spending on a lens with wide aperture.
Focal Length
Focal length refers to how much light can be spread and brought together on your camera sensor; also known as to diverge or converge light. In essence, the focal length of a lens determines what comes into focus on your camera. Short focal length means wider field of view, long focal length means you get to capture more distant images. Focal length choice in lenses generally informs what you plan on covering. For instance, sports and wildlife filming requires telephoto lenses with long focal length.
Focusing
The best camera experience comes fast and accurate focusing. So, camera lenses that can pull this off with autofocus are much better than those that require manual focusing. Beginners especially find camera lenses with good AF easier to use, while professionals might fancy the need to manually focus on certain details when capturing images. Having both on a lens always comes in handy.
Image stabilization
Stabilization is a big deal to get that clear image, and it starts from the components itself. This is even more crucial when recording videos. So, it’s usually better to opt for a lens with optical image stabilization. If image stabilization is vital to your shooting process, then it’s advisable to stick to native Canon lenses only, as this works best for stabilization.
Also read: Best Lens for Canon Rebel T6
Cost
Your budget is what would bring all the factors together in making a lens decision for your Canon EOS M50. To get the most value for money, it’s best to consider the most important lens feature in your camera works, and this should dictate which product you would spend on above other features.
Yes, Canon M50 cameras can use EF-S or EF lenses by using an EF-EOS M optical mount adapter. With this adapter, you can get more lens options from the myriad of DSLR lenses available.
The Canon M50 uses the EF-M lens mount which is native to mirrorless Canon cameras with a crop sensor.
Conclusion
The best lens for Canon M50 doesn’t have to be just one product, the choice lens can vary per situation. Depending on the intended usage of the camera, the choice lens can be a wide-angle lens, a standard lens, or a telephoto. And it could also vary between a zoom lens or a prime.
As a headline choice, we pick the Canon EF-M 32mm f/1.4 STM as our top lens. The major advantage with this standard prime lens is its bright aperture which allows for stunning bokeh shots and also impressive performance in a dim lit environment.
References:
- Jimmy Chin. (3 September, 2021). Basic Photography 101: Understanding Focal Length in Camera Lenses. Masterclass. Retrieved from https://www.masterclass.com/articles/basic-photography-101-guide-to-understanding-focal-length#what-is-focal-length