This is a guide covering the best lenses for the Canon 5D Mark IV.
Announced in 2016, the Canon 5D Mark IV was big news, and for good reason. It’s a great camera with an excellent build, handling, and ergonomics.
Being a popular camera, there are also a lot of great lenses to choose from.
I know how exciting, yet difficult it can be to find the perfect lens for your camera especially since it can be an investment.
So make sure to review all the lens options for the Canon 5D Mark IV. That way you can make the best decision for you! If you choose a lens outside of this list, make sure it is an EF-lens mount lens because that is the lens type compatible with the Canon 5D Mark IV.
In a hurry? Here’s the quick overview:
- ⭐ Best Overall Lens for the Canon 5D Mark IV
- 👩 Best Portrait Photography Lenses for the Canon 5D Mark IV
- 🌄 Best Landscape Photography Lenses for the Canon 5D Mark IV
- ⚾️ Best Sports Photography Lenses for the Canon 5D Mark IV
- 💸 Best Budget Lens for the Canon 5D Mark IV
How to Choose the Best Lens for the Canon 5D Mark IV?
Focal Length: Consider the focal length that you’ll need for the type of photography that you want to do. For example, a wide-angle lens would be good for landscapes, while a telephoto lens would be good for wildlife and sports photography.
Aperture: Look for a lens with a wide aperture (low f-stop number) for better low-light performance and shallow depth of field.
Image Stabilization: Look for a lens with built-in image stabilization if you plan to shoot in low light or if you have shaky hands, this will help reduce blur in your photos.
Quality of Glass: Look for a lens with high-quality glass elements, this will give you sharper images and better color reproduction.
Compatibility: Make sure the lens is compatible with your camera. The lenses that I’ve listed are all Canon EF mount lenses, which are compatible with the Canon 5D Mark IV.
Price: Consider your budget and look for a lens that offers good value for money.
Purpose: Determine the main purpose of your photography, whether it is portraits, landscapes, wildlife, sports, etc. This will narrow down your options.
Brand: Canon has a wide range of lenses, and you may want to consider the availability of that for the lens that you are interested in.
Reviews: Before you make a purchase, read some reviews from other users and experts about the lens you are interested in. This will give you a better idea of how the lens performs in different situations.
Table of Contents
11 Best Lenses for Canon 5D Mark IV
1. Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM
Specifications:
- Lens type: Prime lens
- Maximum aperture: F1.2
- Minimum aperture: F16
- Max Format size: 35mm FF
- Focal length: 50mm
- Image stabilization: No
- Lens mount: Canon EF
- Weight: 580g (1.28 lb)
- Diameter: 86mm (3.38″)
- Length: 66mm (2.58″)
- Materials: Metal barrel, metal mount
- Sealing: No
My Pros With This Lens:
- Applicable in different situations
- Weather-resistant design
- With an MF and AF switch outside
- Wide aperture
My Cons With This Lens:
- n/a
Considering all the best lenses for Canon 5D Mark IV that we’ve reviewed, I believe the Canon EF 50mm F1.2 L USM lens is the best overall lens for the Canon 5D Mark IV.
It offers a wide aperture plus the standard 50mm focal length making it a perfect option for a number of scenarios including shooting portraits or shooting places.
By design, it’s a handy option. It has a weather-resistant design plus it even has a switch for AF and MF on the side.
2. Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
Specifications:
- Lens type: Prime lens
- Maximum aperture: F1.4
- Minimum aperture: F22
- Max Format size: 35mm FF
- Focal length: 50mm
- Image stabilization: No
- Lens mount: Canon EF
- Weight: 290g (0.64 lb)
- Diameter: 74mm (2.91″)
- Length: 51mm (1.99″)
- Materials: Plastic barrel, metal mount
- Sealing: No
My Pros With This Lens:
- Fast and accurate autofocus
- Performs well in low light conditions
- Beautiful bokeh
My Cons With This Lens:
- Some report that the USM motor is fragile
The Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM lens is a great option for those who find the 50mm f1.8 lens a bit lacking in terms of performance in low-light conditions.
It offers great bokeh and superb performance even indoors.
It even has an ultrasonic autofocus motor that allows fast and accurate focusing.
The downside to this lens is that the USM motor is quite fragile and it is a bit noisy whenever it’s focusing.
3. Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM
Specifications:
- Lens type: Prime lens
- Maximum aperture: F2.8
- Minimum aperture: F32
- Max Format size: 35mm FF
- Focal length: 100mm
- Image stabilization: Yes
- Lens mount: Canon EF
- Weight: 625g (1.38 lb)
- Diameter: 78mm (3.06″)
- Length: 123mm (4.84″)
- Materials: Plastic barrel, metal mount
- Sealing: Yes
My Pros With This Lens:
- Great for taking photos of small subjects
- Silent focusing
- With image stabilization
- Sharp images
My Cons With This Lens:
- Users say that it could perform better in low light conditions
The Canon EF 100mm f2.8 IS USM Macro Lens is a favorite by many who do food photography (check out best cameras for food photography) or those who take photos of small subjects such as insects.
It’s not only one of the best lenses for Canon 5D Mark IV but it is also one of the most popular.
This lens includes an image stabilization feature plus a silent focusing capability.
On top of that, it offers sharp images. However, to get good results, you need to have good lighting.
Also, check out the list of best Canon macro lenses.
4. Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM
Specifications:
- Lens type: Zoom lens
- Maximum aperture: F2.8
- Minimum aperture: F32
- Max Format size: 35mm FF
- Focal length: 70–200mm
- Image stabilization: Yes
- Lens mount: Canon EF
- Weight: 1440g (3.17 lb)
- Diameter: 89mm (3.5″)
- Length: 199mm (7.83″)
- Materials: Magnesium alloy
- Sealing: Yes
My Pros With This Lens:
- Takes great photos even if you don’t have a tripod
- Sharp images
- Covers good distance
My Cons With This Lens:
- Heavy
The Canon EF 70-200mm f2.8 lens is a great handheld telephoto lens that you can use whenever you are shooting moving subjects from afar.
It’s one of the best lenses for Canon 5D Mark IV if you are into sports photography or if you are trying to capture moments from a wedding while being discreet and far from your subject.
It made use of Canon’s air sphere coating that helped minimize ghosting and flair.
Plus, you get to enjoy the optical image stabilization that automatically corrects your shaky hands.
The only thing that might turn you off about this lens is its weight.
5. Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM
Specifications:
- Lens type: Prime lens
- Maximum aperture: F2
- Minimum aperture: F22
- Max Format size: 35mm FF
- Focal length: 35mm
- Image stabilization: Yes
- Lens mount: Canon EF
- Weight: 335g (0.74 lb)
- Diameter: 78mm (3.07″)
- Length: 63mm (2.48″)
- Sealing: No
My Pros With This Lens:
- Wide aperture
- With great bokeh
- With image stabilization feature
- Takes sharp images
My Cons With This Lens:
- n/a
The Canon EF35mm f/2 USM Wide Angle Lens is the most versatile of the wide-angle lenses that we’ve featured for street photography. (Check out a full list of the best wide-angle lenses for Canon).
It allows you to shoot not only landscapes but even portraits with this lens.
And with a wide aperture, it gives you good bokeh too.
This lens offers image stabilization plus superb image quality that makes it a top choice even by pros.
6. Canon 50mm F/1.8
Specifications:
- Lens type: Prime lens
- Maximum aperture: F1.8
- Minimum aperture: F22
- Max Format size: 35mm FF
- Focal length: 50mm
- Image stabilization: No
- Lens mount: Canon EF
- Weight: 159g (0.35 lb)
- Diameter: 69mm (2.72″)
- Length: 39mm (1.54″)
- Sealing: No
My Pros With This Lens:
- Wide aperture
- Sharp images
- Great bang for buck
My Cons With This Lens:
- Construction is made mostly out of plastic
The Canon Standard EF 50mm F1.8 II lens stands out in our list of best lenses for Canon 5D Mark IV for a number of reasons.
First, it’s a budget-friendly option compared to the Canon 50mm lenses with a wider aperture.
You get a 50mm prime lens that takes sharp images and good bokeh.
It does well even in low-light conditions.
However, it doesn’t have a robust construction or a weather-proof design like the Canon 50mm f1.2 lens.
7. Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM
Specifications:
- Lens type: Prime lens
- Maximum aperture: F1.8
- Minimum aperture: F22
- Max Format size: 35mm FF
- Focal length: 85mm
- Image stabilization: No
- Lens mount: Canon EF
- Weight: 425g (0.94 lb)
- Diameter: 75mm (2.95″)
- Length: 72mm (2.81″)
- Materials: Plastic barrel, metal mount
- Sealing: No
My Pros With This Lens:
- Fast autofocus
- Great bokeh
- Performs well even in low light conditions
- Sharp images
My Cons With This Lens:
- Can be difficult to shoot unless you have a tripod
If you are into macro photography or you plan on taking portraits from a relatively far distance, one of the best lenses for Canon 5D Mark IV that you might want to add in your bag is the Canon EF 85mm F1.8 USM Medium Telephoto Lens.
This lens has an ultrasonic motor known for its fast autofocus.
On top of that, it gives you sharp images and the ability to blur the background.
However, there is no image stabilization feature which means that it’s difficult to use in case you don’t have a tripod.
8. Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM
Specifications:
- Lens type: Prime lens
- Maximum aperture: F1.4
- Minimum aperture: f22
- Max Format size: 35mm FF
- Focal length: 85mm
- Image stabilization: Yes
- Lens mount: Canon EF
- Weight: 950g (2.09 lb)
- Diameter: 87mm (3.43″)
- Length: 105mm (4.13″)
- Materials: Magnesium alloy
- Sealing: Yes
My Pros With This Lens:
- Sharp images
- Great bokeh
- With image stabilization
My Cons With This Lens:
- n/a
The Canon EF 85mm f1.4 L IS USM lens is considered one of the best lenses for Canon 5D Mark IV not only for its superior bokeh and sharp images but also for its ability to stabilize the shots.
It has the IS feature that allows users to not rely too much on a tripod.
And also, its autofocus isn’t as accurate as you want it to be.
9. Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III
Specifications:
- Lens type: Zoom lens
- Maximum aperture: F4 – 5.6
- Minimum aperture: F32 – 45
- Max Format size: 35mm FF
- Focal length: 75–300mm
- Image stabilization: No
- Lens mount: Canon EF
- Weight: 480g (1.06 lb)
- Diameter: 71mm (2.8″)
- Length: 122mm (4.8″)
- Materials: Plastic barrel, metal mount
- Sealing: No
My Pros With This Lens:
- Takes sharp photos
- Lightweight design
- With an ultrasonic motor for quiet and accurate focusing
My Cons With This Lens:
- Needs good lighting
A list of the best lenses for Canon 5D Mark IV won’t be complete without a handy and reliable telephoto lens.
The Canon EF 75-300 mm f4-5.6 III Telephoto lens is a good option for those who love to do sports photography or nature photography.
It has lightweight glass material to help reduce the overall weight of the lens. It also combines an ultrasonic motor known for its quiet autofocus.
However, one of the biggest drawbacks of this lens compared to the L lenses is the fact that it doesn’t do well indoors.
It’s not the lens you want if you are in shooting weddings where flash photography isn’t allowed (check out the list of best Canon lenses for wedding photography).
10. Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM
Specifications:
- Lens type: Zoom lens
- Maximum aperture: F4 – 5.6
- Minimum aperture: F32 – 45
- Max Format size: 35mm FF
- Focal length: 70–300mm
- Image stabilization: Yes
- Lens mount: Canon EF
- Weight: 630g (1.39 lb)
- Diameter: 77mm (3.01″)
- Length: 143mm (5.62″)
- Materials: Plastic barrel, metal mount
- Sealing: No
My Pros With This Lens:
- With image stabilizer
- Near quiet autofocus
- Sharp images
- Good range
My Cons With This Lens:
- Setting it up on manual focus can take a bit of time
The Canon EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS II USM Lens offers the widest range of telephoto lenses that we’ve offered.
But this isn’t the only reason why it’s one of the best lenses for Canon 5D Mark IV.
It is also known for its fast and near-silent autofocus.
You also get sharp images not to mention an image stabilizer feature that allows you to use it even when you don’t have a tripod.
The biggest drawback is the fact that the manual focus overwrite is electronic.
This means that it takes time to set things up on the camera.
11. Rokinon FE14M-C 14mm F2.8
Specifications:
- Lens type: Prime lens
- Maximum aperture: F2.8
- Minimum aperture: F22
- Max Format size: 35mm FF
- Focal length: 14mm
- Image stabilization: No
- Lens mount: Canon EF
- Weight: 649g (1.43 lb)
- Diameter: 87mm (3.43″)
- Length: 96mm (3.78″)
- Sealing: Yes
My Pros With This Lens:
- Sharp images
- Reduces flair and ghosting
- Takes wide-angle shots of city and landscapes
My Cons With This Lens:
- No autofocus
The Rokinon FE 14M-C 14mm F2.8 Ultra Wide Lens is a good option for shooting street photography as it offers you a complete view of the city that you are trying to shoot.
Though it comes from a third-party brand, it takes outstandingly sharp images.
It features ultra multi-coating that can reduce flare and ghost images.
The downside to this lens is that you have to rely on manual focusing only.
FAQ
Who is the Canon 5D Mark IV For?
The Canon 5D Mark IV is a high-end DSLR camera that is targeted toward professional photographers, as well as advanced hobbyists who are looking for a camera with high image quality, advanced features, and good performance.
What Lens Mount is the Canon 5D Mark IV?
The Canon 5D Mark IV uses an EF lens mount. The EF lens mount is a type of interchangeable lens mount developed by Canon for their 35mm film and digital single-lens reflex cameras.
Concluding Remarks
You will need the right lens to maximize the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and its powerful specs.
With these lenses that we’ve mentioned, you can get the right lens for different scenarios.
However, some of these lenses are above the budget of your average photographer.
Be sure to compare the lenses to see which one fits your needs.
Also, check out the full list of the best Canon lenses.
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Nate Torres is a portrait photographer based in Southern California. Outside of photography, Nate specializes in SEO, content marketing, and entrepreneurship. He is also the founder of Imaginated.com, a platform for creator education.
