Best Lenses for Canon 5D Mark IV [2024 Review]

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 “In photography, there is a reality so subtle that it becomes more real than reality.” People who are well versed in the art of photography know just how much effort, time, and heart goes into that one click that leaves everyone awestruck.

Having the right equipment means all your hard work will pay off, and if there is a brand that you can rely on when it comes to top-quality cameras, it is Canon. The brand has conquered the market successfully. The Canon 5D Mark IV is nothing short of a photographer genie, and if you don’t get the right lenses for your camera, then you are not doing it justice.

Therefore, we bring to you the best lenses available so that you have everything to work your magic.

Review of the Best Lenses For Canon 5D Mark IV

Now that we have covered what determines the quality of a good lens, it is time to carefully analyze and review some of the best lenses so that you can make an informed decision. Below is a list of the top lenses that will suit your Canon 5D Mark IV.

Brand
Canon EF
Canon EF
Canon EF
Product
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Standard & Medium...
Canon EF 24-70mm f/4.0L is USM Standard Zoom Lens...
Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Medium Telephoto Lens for...
Aperture
50mm
24-70mm
85mm
Focal Length
f/1.4
f/4.0L
f/1.8
Brand
Canon EF
Product
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Standard & Medium...
Aperture
50mm
Focal Length
f/1.4
Brand
Canon EF
Product
Canon EF 24-70mm f/4.0L is USM Standard Zoom Lens...
Aperture
24-70mm
Focal Length
f/4.0L
Brand
Canon EF
Product
Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Medium Telephoto Lens for...
Aperture
85mm
Focal Length
f/1.8

Best Overall: Canon EF 50mm f/1.4

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Standard & Medium...

PROS

  • Lightweight and easy to carry
  • Auto-focusing and manual focusing
  • Works well in dimly lit surroundings too 
  • Can accommodate many photography scenarios
  • Flare and ghosting have been reduced by super multi-layer coating

CONS

  • Not ideal for professionals
  • Not well-suited to indoor scenarios
  • Optical performance is compromised at extensive zooms

What Recent Buyers Report

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 product has received stellar views on more than one platform. Its ability to blur backgrounds and focus, coupled with macro photography expertise, has been a great hit among its users. Furthermore, its durability and reliability have been praised by many reviewers who even used it in rainy and dusty areas regularly.

Why it Stands Out to Us

This lens has been used to create some of the crispest and sharpest pictures in low lighting, and its top-quality design and craftsmanship did not disappoint. What separates this lens from its competitors is how clear and artistic it makes your photos appear and is perfect for day to day use.

Who Will Use This Most

This product is not well-suited for people who intend to use it indoors to cover an event or some people at a party,  is it also not recommended for professionals. However, if you want to capture nature, or are interested in macro photography, or most of your work is centered outside, then you will absolutely adore using this product.

Bottom Line

To say that this is the answer to all your everyday photography prayers would not be an understatement. Its top-notch features at such a reasonable price make it one of the most attractive and wise options on the market.

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Standard & Medium...
  • Standard focal length 50mm lens is effective in a multitude of shooting situations and ideal for...
  • Elements/Groups: 7/6; Diaphragm: Blades 8; Filter Thread: Font 58mm; An f/1.4 maximum aperture...
  • Ultrasonic autofocus motor (USM) operation is fast, smooth and virtually silent

Runner-up: Canon EF 24-70mm f/4.0L

Canon EF 24-70mm f/4.0L is USM Standard Zoom Lens...

PROS

  • Lightweight, so easily portable
  • No color abnormalities or distortion
  • Can be used in conditions with dust and water
  • Macro shooting allowed up to 0.7x magnification
  • Accommodates camera shake effect for macro shooting by Hybrid IS

CONS

  • Issues with the focus ring
  • Some might consider it to be heavy
  • Faulty communication between the lens and the camera

What Recent Buyers Report

Reviewers have loved using Canon EF 24-70mm f/4.0L product, and it has received increasingly high ratings consistently. Its solid build, focus, optical performance, and zooming function have been lauded by quite a few reviewers who have created masterpieces with this lens.

However, there have been reports that, in some instances, the camera body doesn’t seem to communicate well to the lens. Apart from that, there have been no complaints. 

Why it Stands Out to Us

What makes this lens unique is its ultra-zoom capability and how well it focuses on objects during zooming scenarios. Furthermore, it has been deemed as flare resistant by most of its users, which can be the difference between an average photograph and an art gallery piece.

Who Will Use This Most

This lens is a little on the pricey end, so if you are a photographer who earns enough through their profession and will get the proper use out of it, then we highly recommend this to you. This will allow you to take some stunning pictures that will make you proud of your work.

Bottom Line

All in all, this is an amazing lens that lets you take photos that are well balanced yet also have a touch of raw reality to them. This is strongly recommended to all photography enthusiasts. Its results won’t disappoint you at all.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/4.0L is USM Standard Zoom Lens...
  • L‐Seriesstandardzoomlensdeliverssuperbimagequalityinacompact,lightweightdesign
  • 2 aspheric and 2 UD lens elements for high image quality throughout the entire zoom range
  • Fullmacroshootingmodewithupto0.7xmagnification,easilyaccessiblewithaone‐touch switch at the...

Best for the Money: Canon EF 85mm f/1.8

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Medium Telephoto Lens for...

PROS

  • Comes with a 1-year warranty
  • Can work well in dimly lit conditions
  • Clicks beautiful portraits and natural shots
  • Great focus and blurs background perfectly
  • Has a super spectra coating that minimizes ghosting and helps in daylight

CONS

  • Some issues with auto-focusing
  • Prone to damage due to weather
  • Doesn’t have the image stabilization feature

What Recent Buyers Report

Customers who did their research before buying Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 product were not disappointed and loved creating masterpieces with this lens. Its ability to focus and create a splendid bokeh is what made most people fall in love with it.

However, some people did have complaints like not being able to get close at the minimum focusing distance, but then, you won’t need to do that.

Why it Stands Out to Us

The ability of this lens to artfully capture the fine detailing of the subject has left us mesmerized. It can focus really fast and really well while blurring out the background in just the right way. It has been used to take stunning shots and has definitely made its mark.

Who Will Use This Most

It needs to be understood that this lens is not made to fit all situations, and if you are going to use it for that, you will be disappointed. It is ideal for shooting portraits, or a product, although not huge, which requires the depth of field.

Take your time and shoot multiple shots until you get the right one. However, it is not designed for events like concerts or BBQ nights or subjects that are huge and hard to fit in the frame.

Bottom Line

Overall, this is a marvelous lens, but you need to understand what it is designed for and that it is not a general lens. However, when used correctly, this will prove to be one of the best lenses you’ve used and really bring out the photographer in you.

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Medium Telephoto Lens for...
  • 85 millimetre standard lens with f 1.8 maximum aperture for Canon SLR cameras, Lens Type:Telephoto...
  • Ring-type ultra-sonic monitor (USM) brings subject quickly into focus, Focal length: 85 millimetre,...
  • Natural angle of view and perspective is ideal for portraits and natural images

4. Sigma 35mm F1.4

Sigma 35mm F1.4 Art DG HSM Lens for Canon, Black,...

PROS

  • Comes with a manual focus switch
  • Has an excellent 9-blade aperture range
  • Super multi-layer coating to reduce distortion
  • Hypersonic motor and internal focusing system
  • Specialized low dispersion glass elements for dim lighting

CONS

  • The lens cannot zoom
  • Not the best auto-focus
  • Weather seal absent so prone to damage

What Recent Buyers Report

Customers, in general, have been extremely satisfied with Sigma 35mm F1.4 lens and how it works. Its ability to take a multitude of photos in different settings has been acclaimed by many users who report it to bring life to their photos.

However, one recurring complaint was that the auto-focus doesn’t function well for some users, which results in blurry photographs.

Why it Stands Out to Us

This picture quality of this lens is out of this world, and it takes the sharpest photos. Furthermore, it is a very affordable lens compared to other options in its genre, and it can perform as well or even better than the more expensive ones. It has well earned its place on this exclusive list.

Who Will Use This Most

This lens can be used by professional photographers or people who have a burning passion for photography as it is compatible with DSLRs as well. If you want a lens that will work well in low light conditions yet don’t want to compromise on the quality, then this is built for you. Just be careful not to use it in harsh and rigorous conditions as it doesn’t come with a weather seal.

Bottom Line

Getting great quality at such a price is a rare occurrence, and we believe this lens is a perfect example of such a situation. It has the features of a high-end lens and does justice to your effort without breaking the bank. We strongly recommend it.

Sigma 35mm F1.4 Art DG HSM Lens for Canon, Black,...
  • High speed with large aperture
  • HSM (Hypersonic motor) and inner focusing system
  • Accessories include: Lens Hood (LH730-03), carrying case

5. Sigma 85mm f/1.4

Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens for Canon EF...

PROS

  • Has a T-STOP of 1.7 
  • Has an incredible focus feature
  • Built from thermally stable material
  • Can cover several genres of photography
  • Has a Hypersonic motor and multi-layer coating to eliminate ghosting 

CONS

  • Inefficient customer service
  • Sigma has quality control issues

What Recent Buyers Report

Sigma 85mm f/1.4 lens has received outstanding reviews and ratings not just from customers but professional reviewers and platforms as well. It has succeeded in satisfying most of its customers, and the image quality of this lens has been deemed remarkable. 

Why it Stands Out to Us

We find this to be one of the most impressive products from Sigma and has a torque that is 1.3x better than the last model. The focus feature on it works like magic, it will focus on the pupil of the eye but blur out the eyelashes. All in all, it’s an absolute delight to work with.

Who Will Use This Most

This is a professional lens that is designed to fit the needs of professional photographers, so if anyone is looking for that quality, they should seriously consider this.

It can cover an array of situations, including but not limited to, portrait, night, landscape, photojournalism, low light photography, events, and wedding photography. Furthermore, it is also compatible with Mount converter MC-11, so Sony E-mount users will love using this product too.

Bottom Line

Sigma has really outdone itself by releasing this product. It is an incredible lens that will allow you to take fascinating pictures and will help you in creating wonderful memories. All in all, it’s a professional lens for people who take photography seriously.

Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens for Canon EF...
  • The Sigma 85mm 1.4 DG HSM Art is the latest addition to the world renowned Sigma Global Vision Line
  • It has equipped newly designed hyper sonic motor (HSM) for nimble AF control, 1.3 times better...
  • This lens is compatible with Mount converter MC-11 , so Sony E-mount users can also enjoy this lens...

How to Choose a Canon 5D Mark IV Lens

We understand how important it is for you to buy the right lens for the Mark IV, keeping in mind the money you have invested in it. This is why we have outlined what makes a lens suitable for you and a top-quality product, which will give you a world-class photography experience.

Prime or Zoom

There have been countless debates over this topic, and much like most elements from your photography gear, this too is a matter of inclination. Prime lenses coupled with fixed apertures will give you great command over light and depth of field. It also offers decent optics, which is especially useful for professionals.

However, if your subject doesn’t fit the frame perfectly, then it could be a little problematic. Zoom, on the other hand, allows you better control and customization that your situation demands but can occasionally compromise the detailing. The challenge here is to find the balance between zoom and detailing. 

two camera lenses on a wooden surface

Source

Pro-Grade Lenses

Professional lenses, for the most part, do have a better build, features, and image quality. They add fine details to your photos, and if you are a professional photographer, then you probably require that.

However, there are some options available on the market that have stunning results but are not as expensive. In the end, it comes down to the skills of the photographer and the time, effort, and dedication he/she puts in the shot.

Image Stabilization

The Canon 5D Mark IV does not come with a built-in image stabilizer, therefore, it is wise to invest in a lens that comes with the feature. If you are opting for moving landscape photography, then this becomes even more integral as there is only so much balance that you can achieve manually.

The slightest shake or even pushing the shutter release could be all it takes to wreck a potentially stunning photograph. In-lens image stabilization resolves the issue by making adjustments electronically and greatly minimizes that effect. 

What Do I Need To Know Before Buying?

If you have spent money to buy the Canon 5D Mark IV, then you would only want the lenses that will do right by this glorious camera. Therefore, there are certain things that need consideration before spending your hard-earned money so that you buy a lens that you will love using.

Compatibility

Although we have only listed the products that are compatible with the Canon 5D Mark IV, it is always a good idea to check if the one you are planning to buy is compatible with your camera or not. Furthermore, sometimes the lens is compatible, but there isn’t effective communication between the lens and the body, hence, this must be carefully considered. 

Focal Length

There is a large collection of lenses that can be used with your Canon 5D Mark IV, and the best one for you depends on your imaging preference. We advise you to thoroughly research what you want as that will dictate whether a prime would work for you or a standard range or telephoto or zoom.

Aperture

There are debates on whether a fixed aperture is better or the variable one. Again, it comes down to personal preference, but we advise a fixed one. Once you get the hang of how to use it, you will understand how it reacts to and treats light, and by adjusting some settings, you can take a stunning shot with the look you were going for. 

Conclusion

Photography is something that can take your mind off of your worries and transfer you to the moments you have already captured or are trying to. Therefore, it is important to have the right tools to allow you to explore the photographer in you.

We have tried to help you by highlighting everything you need to know before making your purchasing and carefully reviewed some of the best products out there. We really hope this helped.