Best Lenses for Canon 7D [2024 Review]

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Canon’s EOS 7D cameras are APS-C sensor single-lens reflex cameras. They can record 1080p videos and have 18 effective megapixel sensor.

This is one of Canon’s best digital cameras, so it requires an equally effective lens to get the most out of its features.

This article will review the very best lenses for Canon 7D. Before that, we’ll look at the primary features and uses of these lenses.

Review of the Best Lenses for Canon 7D

We’d now like to present you with comprehensive reviews of our top picks for canon 7D lenses. Make sure you read through these closely to find the perfect match. 

Product
Canon EF
Canon EF-S
Canon EF
Brand
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens
Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens for Canon...
Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Medium Telephoto Lens for...
Aperture
50mm
17-55mm
85mm
Focal Length
f/1.8
f/2.8
f/1.8
Product
Canon EF
Brand
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens
Aperture
50mm
Focal Length
f/1.8
Product
Canon EF-S
Brand
Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens for Canon...
Aperture
17-55mm
Focal Length
f/2.8
Product
Canon EF
Brand
Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Medium Telephoto Lens for...
Aperture
85mm
Focal Length
f/1.8

Best Overall: Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens

PROS

  • Lightweight and compact construction
  • Good aperture for low-light photography
  • Stepping motor for smooth and silent autofocus
  • 50mm focal length is good for all kinds of photography
  • Surprisingly affordable compared to other alternatives

CONS

  • Autofocus is a little slow
  • Bokeh is not very smooth

What Recent Buyers Report

Users find the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM to be perfect for low-light, portraits, and close-up pictures. Some have commented that it is a bit heavier than older versions because of metallic focus rings, but it makes up for this by being incredibly versatile and sharp with perfect picture quality.

Many people have been using it for years without any complaints. Even after a few drops, it remains intact, and the picture always ends up sharp with great color contrast.

Why it Stands Out to Us

The Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM has a full rotation servo motor or continuous move servo for smooth and natural videos. The images are sharp across the frame, and you don’t need to use high ISO levels or flash to get good low-light pictures. This will give you a more natural and aesthetically pleasing result.

Who Will Use This Most

This product is very light and has the perfect combination of 50mm focal length and F1.8 aperture, which is ideal for different kinds of photography. The wide aperture makes it suitable for low-light and indoor pictures, and the 50mm focal length fits right into the sweet spot of not too wide nor too long.

Bottom Line

Canon is the best in the business for a reason. Its quality and customer service are consistently superior. Their 50mm lens is our best overall selection because it is a nifty fifty lens that can capture just about anything. The large aperture, smooth autofocus, sturdy build quality, great final image, and reasonable price tag all make this lens a supreme option for photographers.

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens
  • 50 millimeter focal length and maximum aperture of f/1.8
  • Great for portraits, action, and nighttime photography; Angle of view (horizontal, vertical,...
  • Minimum focusing distance of 1.15 feet (0.35 meter) and a maximum magnification of 0.21x

Runner-up: Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS

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

PROS

  • Good low-light aperture for a zoom lens
  • Images are sharp and have good contrast
  • USM motor for fast and smooth autofocus
  • Image stabilization technology for sharp images
  • Versatile focal length for all types of photography

CONS

  • Noticeable barrel distortion in the entire focal length range

What Recent Buyers Report

The Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS is used by people for different kinds of photography because of its wide range. The images produced are sharp with good contrast. The image stabilization feature works well for moving objects. People also use it for low light photography because of the great aperture setting.

Why it Stands Out to Us

We find this lens to be very sharp and fast because of the Ultra Sonic Motor. The image resolution throughout the focal length range is similar and sharp. There is minimal chromatic aberration due to the Super Spectra Coating. The focal length range is also good and includes wide angles and 50mm for portraits. The autofocus is fast and accurate, along with image stabilization. The focus ring is smooth and easy to rotate.

Who Will Use This Most

This lens covers both of the focal lengths that are comparable to normal human vision, 35mm and the 50mm. You can use it for many different purposes, including landscapes, indoor photography, and portraits. The 50mm is considered to be the most versatile as it can be used for just about everything. This can be a game-changer for your traveling kit.

Bottom Line

Overall, the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS is built for Canon EF-S mount cameras, and since the 7D is a crop sensor, then this is a natural choice for it. This is a solid general-purpose lens with a reasonable range of focal lengths. The build quality is sturdy and durable. You get sharp results throughout the frame, including edges. Canon’s optical coating and USM technologies are included in this lens as well.

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens for Canon...
  • 17-55mm wide-angle zoom lens with f/2.8 maximum aperture for Canon DSLR cameras
  • AD and aspherical elements deliver impressive image quality through entire zoom range, Closest...
  • Image Stabilizer lens groups shift to compensate for image shake even in dim lighting

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

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

PROS

  • Budget-friendly option
  • Good aperture for night photography
  • 8-bladed aperture for smooth Bokeh effect
  • Small and compact design makes it easy to carry
  • Sharp results at wide apertures

CONS

  • Noticeable vignetting at full aperture

What Recent Buyers Report

This lens is used for portrait photography because of the long focal length. The construction is quite durable and the images produced are sharp with minimal distortion. The autofocus is fast, the cost very reasonable for most budgets, and the build is compact enough to be convenient for traveling.

Why it Stands Out to Us

We believe that the value you can get out of this low-priced long focal length lens simply cannot be beat. The image resolution is great even when wide open, which is a recurring problem in many fast lenses. The focusing is simple, quick, and accurate. Despite it being light, it is pretty sturdy and durable. Who Will Use This Most

The focal length of the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM makes it perfect for folks who love portrait photography. The wide aperture and 8-rounded aperture rings also help create a creamy Bokeh, which helps remove background distractions.

This effect is often used in portraits. The F1.8 aperture makes it useful for low light and indoor conditions as well. Since it is small and inexpensive, it can be used for traveling and street photography.

Bottom Line

All in all, this is a full-frame lens but will work with crop sensors as well. You can take amazing shoulder-length portraits with the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM without distorting facial features. The color contrast is great. If you are looking for an excellent yet low-priced lens, then this is the way to go.

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

Best Canon 7D Wide Angle Lens: Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM SLR Lens for EOS...

PROS

  • Manual focus override
  • Not very heavy for a zoom lens
  • USM for fast and smooth autofocus
  • Great for landscape and nature photography
  • Aspherical lens and super-UD elements for sharp images

CONS

  • Not good for low-light photography
  • Some chromatic aberrations at full aperture

What Recent Buyers Report

The Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 gives great color contrast throughout the frame. Because of its wide angles, it is used by many for landscape and architecture photography. Zoom lenses don’t generally have wide apertures, so the f/3.5 on this one is pretty good.

Why it Stands Out to Us

This ultra wide-angle lens includes a great range of focal lengths, including the 10mm, which is considered a fisheye lens, but it is an EF-S lens, so its effect range will change to 16-35 mm. It uses USM for easy and fast autofocus with a manual override feature.

The super spectra coating and circular aperture ensure sharp images with no flares and no distortions. The focusing system is entirely internal and does not cause any movement or changes outside.

Who Will Use This Most

Since this is a wide-angle lens, it is used for landscapes and nature. It is a crop sensor lens, so it will not work with full frames, but Canon 7D is a crop sensor, so there should be no problem there.

Bottom Line

Wide-angle lenses can give very artistic results that can capture far-off objects without corrupting the quality. The Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 is lightweight and compact for a zoom lens and comes at a reasonable price.

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM SLR Lens for EOS...
  • 10-22mm wide-angle zoom lens with f/3.5-4.5 maximum aperture for EOS digital SLR cameras
  • Superior AF performance and speed, with full-time manual focus with the turn of a ring
  • Close focusing to 9.5 inches; fills the frame with subjects as small as 3.6 x 5.4 inches

Best Canon 7D Fisheye Lens: Sigma 10mm f/2.8 EX DC HSM

Sigma 10mm f/2.8 EX DC HSM Fisheye Lens for Canon...

PROS

  • HSM motor for fast and quiet autofocus
  • Super multi-layer coating to reduce flares
  • Great angle of view for fisheye photography
  • 0.7-inch close focus distance for great close up shots
  • Hood for blocking extra light and weather protection

CONS

  • Autofocus is difficult to use

What Recent Buyers Report

This fisheye lens is very cheap and has great artistic results. The curvature at the edges is perfect for this type of photography. The focus is very fast and quiet. It is not for everyone and works best in only certain cases because of the wide focal length.

Why it Stands Out to Us

The Sigma 10mm f/2.8 EX DC HSM boasts a wide-angle view of 167, produces exaggerated perspectives, and allows an excellent minimum focusing distance that lets you shoot objects up close. It comes with a built-in hood to block any extra light rays that might produce flares. The HSM motor makes autofocus fast and smooth.

Who Will Use This Most

Ultra-wide angle lenses like this one are not for everyone. It can take some practice to get used to. The curved edges and exaggerated scenes make for a great dramatic and creative effect. This is specifically made for APS-C digital SLR cameras, which the 7D is.

Bottom Line

For fisheye lenses, this low-priced option is definitely the way to go. Its images are sharp and have good color contrast. The Sigma 10mm f/2.8 EX DC HSM has all the multiple coatings and autofocus features to give professional results.

Sigma 10mm f/2.8 EX DC HSM Fisheye Lens for Canon...
  • Diagonal fish-eye for APS-C format.
  • HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor).
  • Ideal for panoramic shots and creative image design

Best Canon 7D Zoom Lens: Sigma 18-35mm F1.8

Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 Art DC HSM Lens for Canon,...

PROS

  • HSM for smooth autofocus
  • Prime lens with 50mm focal length
  • Durable and lightweight construction
  • Good aperture for low-light photography
  • Low dispersion glass elements for reduced aberrations

CONS

  • Restricted focal length range

What Recent Buyers Report

This is a versatile lens with a 35mm focal length. The F1.8 aperture with the zoom lens is used to capture great night sky images. The results are very sharp and stable. It has some focusing issues that are solved by using the Sigma USB dock.

Why it Stands Out to Us

Zoom lenses generally are not very fast, but the Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 gives you the versatility of different focal lengths and a fast aperture. The wide aperture does not cause any distortions, curvature, or chromatic aberrations — quite an achievement from Sigma. The image resolution can compete with any fast prime lens.

Who Will Use This Most

This lens is made for APS-C sensor cameras. You get an image that almost looks like a 50mm image with it. If you have that, then you will get the most out of the Sigma 18-35mm F1.8. It is perfect for landscapes and indoor photography due to its wide angle. The fast aperture and good range on a crop sensor make it great for traveling.

Bottom Line

This is probably the first of the fast zoom lens line. Hyper Sonic Motor enables accurate autofocus, which comes in handy for night photography. It is made of thermally composite material that makes the lens lighter and stronger, which is perfect for traveling. It is also compatible with Sigma’s Optimization Pro software to upgrade the lens’ firmware.

Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 Art DC HSM Lens for Canon,...
  • F1.8 maximum aperture
  • F16 minimum
  • Ring-type ultrasonic-type AF motor with full-time manual focusing, 72mm filter size

Best Canon 7D Telephoto Lens: Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II

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

PROS

  • Sharp images with no distortion
  • USM for fast and smooth autofocus
  • Dust and weather-resistant features
  • Great long focal length for a telephoto lens
  • Image stabilizer for sharp results at all focal lengths

CONS

  • Very heavy build due to the long focal length range

What Recent Buyers Report

The Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II has different kinds of focal lengths for various types of photography. The ultra-long lengths help take sharp images of far off objects. Its autofocus is also very fast. The heavy size of the build is not the most convenient for travel, but it is acceptable because of its huge range.

Why it Stands Out to Us

This telephoto lens has an inbuilt 4-stop image stabilizer to capture moving objects. The ultra-sonic motor makes autofocus fast and precise. There is also the manual focus override option. This product also features dust and weather protection. Plus, it uses fluorite and UD elements to produce sharp images with no flares.

Who Will Use This Most

The Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II is for professional use rather than for normal family or vacation photography. The long focal length is used to capture nature, especially birds. It is also used for sports photography. Its 4-stop image stabilization has two modes, one for still objects and one for panning. If you use it on the lower end of the focal length range, then it can produce great portraits as well.

Bottom Line

Telephoto lenses are not used by amateurs or hobbyists. They are heavier and take some practice like fisheye lenses. For professional use, this Canon lens produces sharp images with zero chromatic aberrations. It is quite expensive, but for a telephoto lens from Canon, this is not so uncommon.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM Telephoto Zoom...
  • 70-200 mm focal length and 1:2.8 maximum aperture
  • Lens construction consists of 23 elements in 19 groups (1 fluorite and 5 UD elements)
  • 34-Degree - 12-Degree diagonal angle of view

Comparison of the Best Lenses for Canon 7D

When Would a New Lens Come in Handy?

The Canon 7D camera is compatible with all modern EF and EF-S mount lenses. You can choose any type, including telephoto, wide, long, zoom, and prime lens. They all have their own unique functions. Here are some of the many ways that a good lens would come in handy:

For Portraits 

You don’t need to be a professional photographer to own a good lens and camera; they frequently come in handy for capturing memorable family events and moments. This way, you can get professional-looking photographs that can be framed and mounted in your house’s photo gallery without having to hire a professional photographer.

For these portrait-type photos, you generally use a longer lens like 80mm or the all-purpose 50mm lens.

For Traveling

Having a good lens with you while traveling is a must. You can capture the beautiful landscapes and sunsets of that area. These lenses are usually wider to capture the entire scene like 20 or 35mm. They are also preferred to be prime for ease of carrying.

portrait of a woman wearing white

For Far Away Objects 

Telephoto lenses are the most uncommon ones, but they give excellent results for making faraway objects appear much closer without losing any sharpness. They are mainly used for nature and sports photography. Bear in mind that they are heavier and much longer than traditional lenses.

Why Did These Lenses Make Our List?

Some of the top features of our best lenses are:

Auto-Focus

All modern lenses have autofocus. This can make things easier when shooting a moving object. The autofocusing feature comes with a motor to make it smoother, quieter, and faster. Smooth autofocus is required when capturing videos or low light images. There are two types of motors, USM (ultra-sonic motor) and STM (stepper motor). The USM is more professional and faster, while the STM is better for videos.  

Sharp Results

The main purpose of a lens is to give sharp images with good color contrast. Lenses should have multiple optical coatings that help capture more light and reduce flare or ghosting. If you are using a zoom lens, its images should not have any distortions throughout its focal length range.

Durable

Your lens should be able to handle the wear and tear of daily life. If it breaks easily, then what is the point of buying an expensive lens? The material used for the body should be sturdy, and many also have weather protection features as well. They help keep the lens dry and make the body easily cleanable.

Aperture

The aperture determines the amount of light that goes into your lens by increasing or decreasing the opening, much like how your eyes dilate or widen. A wide aperture helps capture the good night and low light images. This is always a good feature to have on any lens.

Aspects to Consider Before Buying

Some things to keep in mind while buying a lens for the Canon 7D are:

Sensor Size

The sensor of the camera determines how much light will be captured in the image. APS-C sensor cameras are smaller than full-frame ones. This changes the effective focal length of lenses; for example, a 50mm lens on APS-C with a 1.5x crop factor becomes equivalent to 75mm. So, when you are looking for a particular focal length, you should keep this in mind.  

Size

Carrying around a heavy and long lens is never ideal. The subjects become uncomfortable, and your hand can become tired as well. Small and compact lenses can be easily used for traveling and street photography and make the user inconspicuous. But if you are using a telephoto lens, you might not have this option.  

Focal Range

Many people prefer a prime lens as it gives them more control and artistic freedom. But a zoom lens still has many benefits. If you do different kinds of photography, it is good to have all focal options in one lens. This is also helpful while traveling. There are many wide focal length ranges available, but you might have to compromise on the weight and size.

People Also Ask

If you have any more questions regarding Canon 7D cameras, then you can read our answers to the following frequently asked questions.

Is Canon 7D a Full-Frame?

Canon 7D is a crop sensor camera from the EOS line. Its sensor size is 22.3 x 14.9 mm.

Will Canon EF Lens Fit the 7D?

Every EF and EF-S (for APS-C) mount lens will work with Canon 7D cameras.

Can Any Lens Fit on Canon?

Canon cameras use autofocus technology and will only fit lenses that have that feature. These lenses are labeled as EF. If you are using a full-frame camera, then it will only use the EF lens while the crop sensor cameras use both EF and EF-S. The autofocus should not be a problem as every lens made today has that feature.

Conclusion

Canon 7D can go with a wide range of different lenses; of course, it is best suited to lenses that are made by Canon itself. However, your main priority should be the result these lenses give. You always need a lens that is sharp and removes glare, one that offers image stabilization and weather protection. This combination results in an overall ideal lens.