This is a guide covering the best Canon lenses for landscape photography.
There are a variety of Canon landscape lenses in the market.
These wide-angle lenses come in handy whether you’re trying to take group shots or you just want to give your portraits a wider perspective.
But if you’re looking to invest in the best Canon lens for landscape photography used in capturing picturesque sceneries, there are several things that you’ll need to consider.
And with a variety of options out there, things can get a bit confusing. We’ve come up with a list of Canon lenses for you to choose from.
Each has the potential to be considered the best Canon lens for landscapes. I have listed both EF/EF-S and EF-M lens mounts so make sure you pick the one compatible with your camera’s lens mount.
In a hurry? Here’s the quick overview:
- ⭐ Best Overall Canon Lens for Landscape Photography
- 🌐 Best Canon Lens for Wide-Angle Landscape Photography
- ⛰️ Best Canon Lens for Standard Landscape Photography
- 👩 Best Canon Lens for Portraits & Close-Ups in Landscape Photography
- 💸 Best Budget Canon Lens for Landscape Photography
How to Choose the Best Canon Lens for Landscape Photography?
Focal length: A wide-angle lens, such as a 16-35mm or a 10-18mm, will allow you to capture a wider field of view and fit more into the frame. This can be particularly useful for capturing grand scenes such as mountains, beaches, and cityscapes.
Aperture: A lens with a wide aperture, such as f/2.8 or f/4, will allow you to capture more light and create a shallow depth of field. This can be useful for separating the foreground and background of your shots, and for capturing images in low-light conditions.
Image stabilization: Image stabilization (IS) can be useful when shooting landscapes because it can help to reduce camera shake, which can result in sharper images.
Build Quality: Landscape photography is often done in challenging conditions such as cold, heat, and humidity. Look for a lens that is rugged and weather-sealed to ensure that it can withstand harsh conditions.
Budget: Determine your budget and try to find a lens that meets your needs and fits within your budget.
Compatibility: Make sure the lens you choose is compatible with your camera body.
Table of Contents
10 Best Canon Lenses for Landscapes
1. Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L ll USM
Lens specifications:
- Lens type: Zoom lens
- Max Format size: 35mm FF
- Focal length: 16–35 mm
- Image stabilization: No
- Lens mount: Canon EF
- Maximum aperture: F2.8
- Minimum aperture: F22
- Weight: 635 g (1.40 lb)
- Diameter: 89 mm (3.48″)
- Length: 112 mm (4.39″)
- Sealing: Yes
If you’re looking for the top Canon lens for landscapes, then might as well consider the Canon EF 16-35mm F2.8L II USM zoom lens.
This lens is a good option not only for those who are looking to take picturesque scenarios but also for those who love doing portrait photography.
For starters, it comes with a great range. 16mm to 35mm can be a good pick if you wish to take photos of cities and nature. Performance-wise, it produces sharp results and does well even in low-light scenarios.
Looking at its construction, you get 3 high-precision aspherical lens elements responsible for the stunning results that it produces. The colors are exactly what you can expect from a high-end Canon lens.
It is also equipped with a quiet and accurate AF making it suited even for those who plan on taking videos.
As far as sharpness is concerned, that’s where you’ll notice a slight difference once you use the widest aperture available for this lens.
Canon’s 16-35mm F2.8L II USM zoom lens is a bit soft if you use F2.8.
Then, there is also a slight distortion that you’ll notice if you use the widest focal length.
My Pros With This Lens:
- A great range for both portraits and landscapes
- Fast and quiet AF
- Good for low-light scenarios
My Cons With This Lens:
- The widest aperture produces soft results
- 16mm produces slight distortion
2. Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM
Lens specifications:
- Lens type: Prime lens
- Max Format size: APS-C / DX
- Focal length: 24 mm
- Image stabilization: No
- Lens mount: Canon EF-S
- Maximum aperture: F2.8
- Minimum aperture: F22
- Weight: 125 g (0.28 lb)
- Diameter: 68 mm (2.68″)
- Length: 23 mm (0.91″)
- Sealing: No
The Canon EF-S 24mm F2.8 STM lens is a great lens for a lot of landscape photographers.
It comes in handy in shooting beautiful cities and nature, but what makes it stand out is the fact that it is catered for both professional photographers and non-pros alike.
However, it comes in as a top choice for those who prefer having a starter-friendly landscape lens.
As far as performance is concerned, it comes in as a great pick if you are particular about sharpness. It is also perfect for travelers who don’t want to get stressed about heavy lenses.
Unfortunately, the stepping motor might be accurate but it is quite noisy. It also tends to back focus when trying to find subjects.
But as far as using the lens as a landscape lens, all you need to do is to set the focus to infinity and you are good to go.
Another thing that is noticeable about this lens is the fact that it doesn’t show any distortion.
And unlike other lenses that we’ve featured, we’d say that it even has the potential to be the best canon lens for landscape photography if you are shooting with enough light.
My Pros With This Lens:
- Sharp results
- Lightweight
- Wide aperture
My Cons With This Lens:
- AF is inaccurate and noisy
3. Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM
Lens specifications:
- Lens type: Zoom lens
- Max Format size: APS-C / DX
- Focal length: 10–18 mm
- Image stabilization: Yes
- Lens mount: Canon EF-S
- Maximum aperture: F4.5–5.6
- Minimum aperture: F22–29
- Weight: 240 g (0.53 lb)
- Diameter: 75 mm (2.94″)
- Length: 72 mm (2.83″)
- Sealing: No
The Canon EF-S 10-18mm F4.5-5.6 IS STM lens is not exactly something that a lot of people would use.
However, this comes in as an interesting pick for pros who are looking for a different approach to landscape photography.
It allows you to shoot with a wider perspective even in comparison to most landscape lenses.
This lens is extremely light, plus it also produces sharp results making it a top contender for the best Canon lens for landscape photography in the eyes of serious photographers.
It also has little to no distortion even if you’re going to use the 10mm wide angle.
What makes it unique is that you get exaggerated angles—something that you don’t get in your average wide-angle lens.
But what are the things that you might not like about the lens?
The biggest downside to this lens is that it tends to produce lackluster results when the sun is about to set. It is only handy during the daytime given the limited F4.5 aperture.
My Pros With This Lens:
- Lightweight
- Produces extremely wide-angle
- Sharp results
My Cons With This Lens:
- A limited aperture that doesn’t do well by sundown
4. Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM
Lens specifications:
- Lens type: Prime lens
- Max Format size: 35mm FF
- Focal length: 35 mm
- Image stabilization: Yes (4 stops)
- Lens mount: Canon EF
- Maximum aperture: F2
- Minimum aperture: F22
- Weight: 335 g (0.74 lb)
- Diameter: 78 mm (3.07″)
- Length: 63 mm (2.48″)
- Sealing: No
If it’s your first time buying a wide-angle lens, it’s always a good idea that you stick to a 35mm focal length.
Just slightly wider than your typical 50mm, it works not only as a good landscape lens but also as a good portrait lens as well. That’s exactly what Canon EF 35mm F/2 IS USM lens is.
It attracts different photographers from those who are looking for a lens that can take group shots with ease to a lens that can do better than 50mm in taking photos of beautiful sceneries.
This lens comes in handy even if you are not using a tripod when shooting landscapes. It comes with an image stabilization feature that can minimize blurry results.
Its IS delivers an equivalent of 4 stops and it can detect panning, or normal shooting making it handy for all types of photographers.
As far as its focus system is concerned, it has a ring-type ultrasonic motor that finds the subject accurately and faster than other lenses that we’ve tried.
It is also compact and lightweight making it a great pick for those who don’t want to be carrying around heavy gear when they travel or when they are working.
Though it is a candidate for the best Canon lens for landscape photography, you might not like the vignetting that you’ll see by the edge of each photo.
My Pros With This Lens:
- Sharp results
- Wide aperture
- Lightweight and compact
- Fast and accurate AF
My Cons With This Lens:
- With vignetting
5. Canon EF-M 22mm f2 STM
Lens specifications:
- Lens type: Prime lens
- Max Format size: APS-C / DX
- Focal length: 22 mm
- Image stabilization: No
- Lens mount: Canon EF-M
- Maximum aperture: F2
- Minimum aperture: F22
- Weight: 105 g (0.23 lb)
- Diameter: 61 mm (2.4″)
- Length: 24 mm (0.94″)
The Canon EF-M 22mm F2 STM lens is equivalent to a 35mm lens for those who use full-frame Canon cameras.
This lens is a great choice not only for those who love to shoot photos but even for vloggers.
Its stepping motor focuses silently making it ideal for recording video interviews among other things that video content creators do.
As a lens for landscape photography, you get sharp results and accurate colors. It is also easy to use if you have a tripod.
Unfortunately, it’s not the best if you are looking to shoot with just your hands.
You’d most likely get out-of-focus shots without a tripod given the lack of IS.
My Pros With This Lens:
- Great for portraits and landscapes
- Vivid and accurate colors
- Sharp results
- Quiet AF system
My Cons With This Lens:
- Not easy to use without a tripod
6. Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM
Lens specifications:
- Lens type: Zoom lens
- Max Format size: 35mm FF
- Focal length: 16–35 mm
- Image stabilization: Yes (up to four stops)
- Lens mount: Canon EF
- Maximum aperture: F4
- Minimum aperture: F22
- Weight: 615 g (1.36 lb)
- Diameter: 83 mm (3.25″)
- Length: 113 mm (4.44″)
- Sealing: Yes
One of the biggest considerations that some photographers make when they are looking for the best Canon lens for landscape photography is the zoom range.
Between having a zoom and a prime lens, the former is more practical in different scenarios. For starters, it allows you to just have one lens.
You don’t need to switch lenses plus it is quite practical from an economic point of view. Imagine having multiple lenses in just one lens.
The Canon EF 16-35mm F/4L IS USM lens is a good pick if you are taking photos during the daytime. It is easy to use even if you like shooting without a tripod.
It is also precise when it comes to its AF system. The results are also sharp and the colors are accurate allowing you to justify the beautiful landscapes that you’ve witnessed.
The only thing that can make you hesitate in buying the Canon EF 16-35mm F4L IS USM lens is the fact that it underperforms in low light or when the sun is about to set.
My Pros With This Lens:
- Sharp results
- Accurate colors
- Good zoom range
- Fast AF
- With image stabilization feature
My Cons With This Lens:
- Doesn’t do well in low-light situations
7. Canon 17-40mm f/4L EF
Lens specifications:
- Lens type: Zoom lens
- Max Format size: 35mm FF
- Focal length: 17–40 mm
- Image stabilization: No
- Lens mount: Canon EF
- Maximum aperture: F4
- Minimum aperture: F22
- Weight: 500 g (1.10 lb)
- Diameter: 84 mm (3.29″)
- Length: 97 mm (3.81″)
- Sealing: Yes
This L-series lens is an all-around option for a lot of photographers who might be shooting landscapes and portraits.
If you’re tired of carrying different lenses or switching lenses every single time, then this is probably a more practical choice for you.
It comes with a practical range, sharp results, and a great performing lens under bright lights.
If you are an outdoorsy type of person looking to shoot majestic landscapes, then this is something that you should invest in.
The results are impressive if you are shooting mid-day or in the morning. However, it’s a bit hard to use during sunset or when you are shooting indoors.
The good news though is that you can save on lenses since it offers quite a decent range for those who want to skip bringing multiple lenses to work.
As far as performance for landscape photography, it gets the job done. Is it the best Canon lens for landscape photography?
We’d say that there are better options out there. It’s not just the aperture that is lacking.
Focusing is a bit slow as well. And lastly, you will need to have a tripod if you are shooting landscapes.
It doesn’t have the image stabilization feature found on top of Canon’s wide-angle lenses.
My Pros With This Lens:
- A great range for different purposes
- Practical lens for daytime shooting
- Sharp results
My Cons With This Lens:
- Doesn’t have an image stabilization
8. Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L USM
Lens specifications:
- Lens type: Prime lens
- Max Format size: 35mm FF
- Focal length: 35 mm
- Image stabilization: No
- Lens mount: Canon EF
- Maximum aperture: F1.4
- Minimum aperture: F22
- Weight: 580 g (1.28 lb)
- Diameter: 79 mm (3.11″)
- Length: 86 mm (3.39″)
- Sealing: No
If you’re looking for an alternative lens to a 50mm prime then you might think of the Canon EF 35mm F1.4L USM wide-angle lens.
It offers a slightly wider perspective with a wide aperture that can give you the bokeh that you need.
This EF mount lens is a great choice for those who are serious about taking photos. It gives users sharp results, accurate photos, and even a great bokeh in case you are going to use it for your portraits.
It is also handy even if you are using it for low-light scenarios. However, shooting anything wider at F/4 will give you soft results.
My Pros With This Lens:
- Good even in low-light scenarios
- Great for portraits and landscapes
- Sharp photos for anything F5 and up
- Accurate colors
My Cons With This Lens:
- Soft when you use the wider aperture
9. Canon EF 20mm f/2.8 USM
Lens specifications:
- Lens type: Prime lens
- Max Format size: 35mm FF
- Focal length: 20 mm
- Image stabilization: No
- Lens mount: Canon EF
- Maximum aperture: F2.8
- Minimum aperture: F22
- Weight: 405 g (0.89 lb)
- Diameter: 78 mm (3.05″)
- Length: 71 mm (2.78″)
- Sealing: No
The Canon EF 20mm F2.8 lens is a favorite of those who prefer capturing the beauty of nature.
With results that are wider than your usual 24mm, you’d be able to appreciate high vantage points better and even when you are shooting mountains and other sceneries.
Is it the best Canon lens for landscape photography? It could be considering its construction, results, and wide aperture.
It can be used not only during bright sunny days but even when the sun is about to set.
It can produce fairly sharp images if you are going to use an F5.0 aperture and up.
Anything lower than F5.0 can give you slightly softer results. It also makes use of an ultrasonic motor for its AF making it relatively silent whenever it is trying to find the subject.
It also comes with zero vignetting making it a favorite for many professional photographers.
My Pros With This Lens:
- Near silent motor for AF
- Overall sharp results
- Durable design
- Meant for portraits and landscapes
My Cons With This Lens:
- Some results are soft depending on the aperture used
10. Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II
Lens specifications:
- Lens type: Zoom lens
- Max Format size: APS-C / DX
- Focal length: 18–55 mm
- Image stabilization: Yes (4 stops)
- Lens mount: Canon EF-S
- Maximum aperture: F3.5–5.6
- Minimum aperture: F22–38
- Weight: 200 g (0.44 lb)
- Diameter: 69 mm (2.7″)
- Length: 70 mm (2.76″)
You might be wondering why the Canon EF 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 IS II Lens is on our list. You may think that it’s far from the best Canon lens for landscape photography given that it’s labeled a standard zoom lens.
Despite its label, it is preferred by many photographers including travelers since they don’t have to bring lots of lenses.
It is designed compact and lightweight making it easy to use throughout the entire day.
They can also use this lens for different situations regardless if they are shooting portraits or landscapes.
When shooting landscapes, this lens brings sharp results and the ability to shoot clear shots even when you don’t have a tripod with you.
The reason behind this is its image stabilization feature combined with decent optics.
Does it have the sharpest results or perhaps the best color? Not exactly.
But given its range, a lot of photographers still prefer to use this lens.
My Pros With This Lens:
- A great range for different situations
- With image stabilization
- Decent quality shots
My Cons With This Lens:
- Mediocre quality shots
FAQ
What Focal Length is Best for Landscape Photography?
Generally speaking, wide-angle lenses are well-suited for landscape photography because they allow you to capture a wide field of view and fit more into the frame.
Do You Need an Expensive Lens for Good Landscape Photography?
An expensive lens is not strictly necessary for good landscape photography. While high-end lenses do offer superior image quality, sharpness, and build quality, they are often much more expensive than more budget-friendly options.
Final Remarks
Finding the best landscape lens can get tricky especially when you are selecting from several Canon lenses in the market.
Some might look similar if you are not familiar with them.
With these options that we have on our list, you can have an easier time choosing the right lens that fits your needs.
I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Nate Torres is a portrait photographer based in Southern California and is also a photography author for Photofocus.com. When he is not photographing clients he is creating educational photography content that he publishes on his website as well as his YouTube Channel. He is also the founder of Imaginated.com, a search engine of educational creators. Learn more about me here → https://www.natetorresphotography.com/about/
