Best Low Light Lenses For Canon [2024 Review]

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So you’ve decided to go for a late-night trip; but how will you save memories if you don’t have any camera tool?

You must have a camera lens that is capable of capturing great and mesmerizing photographs in low light. Canon aims to solve this problem for you.

To help you make your trip more enjoyable, we have analyzed the very best low light lens by Canon. Read on so that you can confidently choose the one that fulfills your requirements.

Review of the Best Low Light Lenses For Canon

It’s impossible to partake in the best low light photography without a high-quality lens. In low light conditions, you especially need to be very careful about the lens. You need to consider its abilities and features before using them. Below, we have reviewed the best low light lenses available on the market.

Brand
Canon EF
Sigma
Canon EF
Product
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Standard and Medium...
Sigma 30mm F1.4 Art DC HSM Lens for Canon
Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L is USM Lens - 9518B002,...
Aperture
50mm
30mm
16-35mm
Focal Length
f/1.4
f/1.4
f/4L
Brand
Canon EF
Product
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Standard and Medium...
Aperture
50mm
Focal Length
f/1.4
Brand
Sigma
Product
Sigma 30mm F1.4 Art DC HSM Lens for Canon
Aperture
30mm
Focal Length
f/1.4
Brand
Canon EF
Product
Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L is USM Lens - 9518B002,...
Aperture
16-35mm
Focal Length
f/4L

Best Overall: Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

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

PROS

  • Super multi-layer coating that reduces lens flare and ghosting
  • Highly refractive elements of the two lenses remove astigmatism
  • Maximum aperture provides clear images in low light places
  • Hypersonic motor provides fast autofocus and manual focus (full time)
  •  Special design eliminates all kinds of defects, chromatic deviations, and coma aberrations

CONS

  • At wider apertures, it can produce blurry pictures
  • Focus ring causes problems after a few months
  • Packaging is very poor, which can cause the lens to break before delivery

What Recent Buyers Report

According to recent buyers, Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 lens creates sharp images. It is the perfect option for portrait photography. It is also much better than the f/1.2 lens. Users have mentioned that it is a great lens for beginners and that it deserves a big thumbs up. They are very happy with the results that it produces.

Why it Stands Out to Us

This low light lens is featured at the top of our list because of its outstanding features and performance. It creates astonishing images in low light. Its maximum aperture is perfect for developing bright, sharp, and lively photographs. It has a hypersonic and ultrasonic motor that helps in auto and manual focusing.

Who Will Use This Most

You can use this lens, especially for portrait photography. Photographers can also use it to capture bright, sharp, vibrant photographs in low light conditions. You can also give it to someone who loves doing photography. Students use it in their schools and college events to capture mesmerizing photos.

Bottom Line

Simply put, this lens is easily the best low light lens available on the market. Its structure prevents different types of distortion and aberrations. This, in return, provides amazing and high-quality results. The features and specifications of this lens are quite impressive, and it is definitely worth buying.

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Standard and Medium...
  • Standard focal length 50 millimeter lens is effective in a multitude of shooting situations and...
  • Elements, Groups: 7 by 6, Diaphragm: Blades 8, Filter Thread: Font 58 millimeter. Minimum focusing...
  • An f 1.4 maximum aperture provides clear imaging in low light situations and shallow depth of field

Runner-up: Sigma 30mm F1.4 Art

Sigma 30mm F1.4 Art DC HSM Lens for Canon

PROS

  • Barrel length maintains the stability and balance
  • Round 9-blade diaphragm provides beautiful bokeh
  • Latest lens technology that helps in providing high-quality performance
  • Rear focus mechanism helps in preventing focusing on aberrations and deviations
  • Made from thermally stable composite material, which minimizes the contraction or expansion of the lens barrel

CONS

  • Calibration is not good
  • Not the right choice for close shots
  • Autofocus stops working at times

What Recent Buyers Report

Customers state that Sigma 30mm F1.4 lens is perfect for outdoor shoots. It has an excellent bokeh. This photography tool is one of the favorite lenses of recent buyers. According to some reviews, its calibration needs some improvement. However, people also like the quality and results that it produces.

Why it Stands Out to Us

This camera lens stands out because of its amazing bokeh. Its maximum aperture is perfect for capturing vibrant, bright, and beautiful photographs. Its barrel length is also very helpful for photographers. You will never regret buying it for your passion for photography.

Who Will Use This Most

You can use this lens as a digital SLR for doing artistic photography. Due to its bright maximum aperture f/1.4 and an angle of view close to the vision of humans, you can use it for different types of photography. It is also helpful for photographers who want to capture high-quality pictures in low light.

Bottom Line

To sum up, this lens surely deserves your attention. If you are a huge fan of clicking photographs, then it is an ideal choice. You can carry and use it easily anywhere. It is also the perfect tool for beginners who are eager to learn low light photography.

Sigma 30mm F1.4 Art DC HSM Lens for Canon
  • Offering the bright F1.4 aperture and an angle of view extremely close to that of human vision
  • Macro Focus Range : 0.30 m, Focal Length : 30 mm
  • Placed under the Art category, this large-aperture standard lens with an angle of view equivalent to...

Best for the Money: Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM

Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L is USM Lens - 9518B002,...

PROS

  • Produces very low distortions
  • Resistant to dust, moisture, and water
  • Build quality is excellent, and it’s very light in weight
  • Image stabilizer that prevents defects due to a camera shake
  • Maximum aperture allows you to click bright and sharp photographs in less light

CONS

  • Produces wavy distortion at 16mm
  • Quality of some photographs is not up to the mark
  • Sometimes the corners of the image remain dark while the center is bright

What Recent Buyers Report

Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L is the best Canon wide zoom lens that is perfect for landscape photography. Some customers have mentioned that it does not produce good quality pictures. However, users still love it and don’t regret purchasing it. They love its image stabilization, build quality, and critical focus.

Why it Stands Out to Us

The Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM removes color aberrations and defects due to camera shake, and other distortions using the image stabilizer. The focal length range helps in producing sharp and high-quality photographs. It is very light in weight and easy to use. Thus, people can use it for different types of photography.

Who Will Use This Most

This is a wide-angle lens. Thus, anyone can use it for capturing the beauty of nature, which includes the sky, mountains, cliffs, and lake. It can develop a natural and perfect copy of a large object. Photographers can also use it for portrait photography.

Bottom Line

In a nutshell, this lens provides excellent results at a low cost. It is affordable for everyone. Photographers can use it to take their photography skills up a notch. You can use also use it in all types of weather conditions without any fear.

Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L is USM Lens - 9518B002,...
  • Make sure this fits by entering your model number
  • Full-time manual focus permits critical focusing precision, even in AF mode. Help provide excellent...
  • Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm

Best Canon Zoom Lens for Low Light: Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Standard Zoom Lens

PROS

  • Autofocus is very fast and accurate
  • Waterproof, dustproof, and moisture-proof
  • Excellent build quality and sharpness
  • Highly versatile and durable, making it a worthy investment
  • Lens hood, lens cap, and lens case protect the lens from scratches and make it easy to carry

CONS

  • A bit expensive
  • Quality of the hood is not very good
  • Minor color fringing occurs at shorter focal lengths

What Recent Buyers Report

According to recent buyers, Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L is a compulsory product for photographers. It is an incredible lens that provides you with spectacular results. It is an all-around performer and one of the best of its kind available on the market. Users also love the quality and focusing capability that it promises.

Why it Stands Out to Us

The Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II has maximum protection features like a lens cap and lens case. You can carry it anywhere while traveling easily. Its quality and performance are also worth praising. It provides 100% sharpness and performance and is suitable for every type of weather. Thus, you must at least try this lens once.

Who Will Use This Most

Professional photographers can use this for capturing advertisements and bridal shoots. They are also useful for taking video shots in the television industry and for taking group photos. You can also use it for portrait and landscape photography, where it will create beautiful snaps.

Bottom Line

We are confident that this zoom lens will never disappoint you. You can use it to make beautiful memories and photographs. It is not at all difficult to use and it has an instruction manual, which will also help you in learning photography. It is also successful in receiving a lot of appreciation, making it a worthy investment.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Standard Zoom Lens
  • 24 70 millimetre focal length, 38.4 112 millimetre equivalent focal length on Canon APS C cameras
  • F2.8 constant maximum aperture; F22 minimum, ring type ultrasonic type AF motor with full time...
  • 82 millimetre filters, closest focusing distance: 0.38 meter/1.25 feet

Best Canon 7D Low Light Lens: Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 is Standard Zoom...

PROS

  • Very smooth and perfect live focus
  • Comes with power zoom equipment for free
  • Zoom ratio is 7.5x, which allows it to zoom in and out easily
  • Includes a rear cap and lens cap that protects it from damage
  • Image stabilizer helps in reducing chromatic aberrations and lens defects

CONS

  • Produces distortion sometimes
  • Limited warranty of only 1 year
  • Produces dim corners for wide apertures

What Recent Buyers Report

Purchasers are very satisfied and happy with the results of Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 lens. According to some reviews, its zoom quality is worth praising. It is an amazing lens for capturing action photos. Its STM helps in capturing clear, great, and bright photographs without any vibration or noise.

Why it Stands Out to Us

The zooming features and build quality of the Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS are superb. Its packaging includes a lens cap, power accessories, and rear cap, which is quite impressive. Its autofocus also exceeds expectations. You must buy this lens if you are using a crop sensor; the results will amaze you for sure.

Who Will Use This Most

This camera zoom lens is a very helpful photography tool for people who love to travel. Photographers can use it to cover large areas, especially in commercial shoots. You can also use it to make videos and sharp photographs. It is a very high-quality option for portrait and landscape photography.

Bottom Line

Wrapping up our reviews, this Canon lens is a perfect choice for those who love to capture pictures. It has spectacular and amazing features. These features will help you in protecting the body of the lens and provide you with high-quality results. You can use it for several different types of photography.

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 is Standard Zoom...
  • 18 135mm lens with f3.5 f.5.6 aperture; for use with APS C cameras
  • 35mm equivalent to 29mm 216mm focal length range
  • Dedicated image stabilization

Comparison of the Best Low Light Lenses For Canon

Can You Really Find a Quality Low Light Lens That’s Affordable?

Yes, of course you can find a low light camera lens that is of excellent quality and is also inexpensive. According to some people, low priced products are not worth it and are of poor quality. However, this is not always the truth.

We can find lenses that are affordable and have amazing performance too. To clear out your confusion about quality and price, we’ve listed some of the best low light lenses for Canon. They produce sharp and bright photographs. They are resistant to water, dust, and humidity.

You can use them for different types of photography as they provide the same results in well-lit places too. Thus, it is possible to find a quality low light lens that is affordable as well.

How to Choose a Low Light Lens for Canon

Choosing an appropriate low light lens is not an easy task. There are hundreds of options available on the market, but you need to be careful about a few things. You can’t just simply go out and buy the first one you see. Some points to consider before selecting a low light lens are as follows:

Shutter Speed 

The speed at which the shutter closes or opens is one of the most important factors that needs your attention. This speed tells you the amount of light that will enter the camera lens. A fast shutter speed allows very little light to go through the camera.

For low light conditions, high speed is desirable. It will prevent image defects due to camera shake. However, for dim lighting, no zoom (prime) lens is preferred, as it has a large aperture. 

person holding a black camera on a black surface

Image Stabilizer

A lens with an image stabilizer provides excellent results. It helps you in minimizing chromatic aberrations, deviations due to lens shakes, color defects, and other types of distortions. An image stabilizer improves the performance of the lens. It provides sharp, high-quality photographs.

Autofocus and Manual Focus

The focus is the main part of a lens. A lens can offer auto and manual focus. In places with less light, you need a very fast and efficient focus technique. Autofocus helps you in getting accurate and sharp pictures of the subject. Meanwhile, in manual focus, you can adjust the ring according to your needs.

When Would a Low Light Lens Come in Handy?

Low light lenses, apart from being highly suitable for shooting in dim lightings, have other uses too. These include:

Shooting at Night

Nowadays, people love to go on a family outing at night. They love spending quality time with each other, even when there is little ambient light for taking pictures. But wait! How will you save these cherished memories? The only solution to this is to take pictures, and using low light lenses for capturing such beautiful memories is the best option.

Thus, you should carry a camera with this type of lens to click amazing pictures of your family and your friends.

Indoor Functions

If you want to shoot in a place where the room is dimly lit and has very little light around you, then you will need a very high-speed lens. You cannot use flash at many different venues, so you will require a low light lens that will help you in clicking vibrant photographs. It will provide you with bright, sharp, and natural results.

Making Videos

You can also use these lenses to make great videos. Through a low light lens, you can capture scenes at night, in dim light, and in dark places. You can even use it to add special effects to your video. Since these lenses are waterproof, dust-proof, and moisture-proof, you can also use them in television shoots for different scenes.

What Do I Need To Know Before Buying a Low Light Lens?

There are a few aspects that you need to consider before buying a low light lens. Purchasing a lens requires some skills and basic knowledge. You need to pay special attention to these points to get amazing results.

Purchase Value

The first thing you need to pay attention to is your budget. You need to keep both your funds and requirements in mind before making a final decision. You should buy a lens that has all of the excellent features you need and is affordable too. There are a lot of high-quality and inexpensive low light lenses available on the market. You just need to find the best one for yourself.

Aperture of the Lens

The aperture of a lens allows light to enter your camera. It controls the amount of light admitted. A lens with a large aperture allows more light to enter and vice versa. For a low light lens, the aperture should be wider so that it can allow more light to enter. For example, f/1.4 will perform better than f/5.6.

Purpose of Buying the Lens

You should know the purpose for which you are purchasing the lens. A prime lens of 50mm will help you in portrait photography. It provides you with high-quality pictures. A macro lens helps shoot close shots of flowers and small insects. Similarly, a wide-angle lens is useful for landscape photography.

Conclusion

Now you don’t need to worry about the picture quality for dark places. Low light lenses are here to sort out your problem. They will help you in capturing beautiful and amazing shots in low lighting situations. This article will provide you enough details for buying a perfect lens. So read through it all and make the perfect pick.