This is a guide covering the best lenses for Canon EOS R6.
The Canon EOS R6 is a great full-frame mirrorless camera that captures great photos and videos.
The Canon EOS R6 is a great camera not only for those who are shooting photos but even for video content creators.
This mirrorless camera is a favorite by both pros and serious hobbyists. And when it comes to maximizing the camera’s capabilities, you will need the right lens.
Finding the right lens can be tricky. Some users are a bit overwhelmed by their options.
What does the best lens for Canon EOS R6 look like?
To help simplify the process, we’ve come up with a few options from both Canon and third-party lenses to help guide you. It’s also important to note that the Canon EOS R6 only is compatible with Canon RF mount lenses.
In a hurry? Here’s the quick overview:
- ⭐ Best Overall Lens for Canon EOS R6
- Canon RF50mm F1.8 STM
- → Prime lens with a fixed focal length of 50mm and a maximum aperture of f/1.8, which makes it well-suited for low-light photography and shallow depth-of-field effects.
- 👩 Best Portrait Lens for Canon EOS R6
- ROKINON 85mm F1.4
- → Portrait lens with a fixed focal length of 85mm.
- 🌐 Best Wide-Angle Lens for Canon EOS R6
- Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS Macro STM
- → Has macro capabilities, which allow it to focus on subjects at very close distances.
- 🔭 Best Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon EOS R6
- Canon RF 70-200mm F4 L IS USM
- → Works well with a wide range of photography applications, including portraits, sports, and event coverage.
- 💸 Best Budget Lens for Canon EOS R6
- Canon RF50mm F1.8 STM
- → Also the best overall lens. It’s known for its quality and value.
How to Choose the Best Lens for the Canon EOS R6?
Lens type: As mentioned, the Canon EOS R6 has a Canon RF mount so if you choose to get a lens outside of this lens, make sure it’s an RF lens!
Focal length: The focal length of a lens determines the angle of view and perspective of a photograph. Consider what type of subjects you will be photographing and what focal length will be most suitable for your needs.
Aperture: The aperture of a lens determines the amount of light that enters the camera and affects the depth of field in a photograph. Lenses with wider apertures (e.g. f/1.4, f/1.8) are generally more expensive, but offer greater low light performance and shallow depth of field effects.
Image stabilization: Image stabilization helps to reduce camera shake and blur in photographs, particularly when shooting at slower shutter speeds or longer focal lengths. Consider a lens with image stabilization if you plan on shooting in low light or hand-holding the camera.
Price: Finally, consider your budget when choosing a lens for the Canon EOS R6. There are a wide range of lenses available at different price points, so you should be able to find something that fits your needs and budget.
Table of Contents
7 Best Lenses for Canon EOS R6
1. Canon RF50mm F1.8 STM
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 RF
- Sealing: No
- Weight: 160g (0.35 lb)
- Diameter: 69mm (2.72″)
- Length: 41mm (1.61″)
My Pros With This Lens:
- Feels very small and light, great in the hands
- It photographs very sharp
My Cons With This Lens:
- If you are shooting video, sometimes you could barely hear the autofocus in the audio
I think the Canon RF50mm F1.8 STM lens is the best overall lens for the Canon EOS R6.
It’s a good option for most situations given its focal length.
It comes with a wide aperture, a versatile focal length, not to mention, great overall usability.
It is a favorite by many photographers including those who love to shoot stunning portraits and landscapes.
The Canon RF50mm F1.8 STM lens is compact.
It is lightweight and easy to carry around especially if you don’t want to fill up your bag with heavy lenses.
It’s a great lens for both indoors and outdoors. It’s the type of lens that won’t disappoint when used in low-light situations.
It offers sharp results across the entire aperture, plus the lens can blur the background well if you need to produce bokeh.
The lens also comes with a coating that is responsible for the vibrant colors produced by the lens.
The stepping motor is responsible for the smooth transition when taking videos and when it comes to tracking subjects.
The only problem, when used on video, is that the motor tends to produce some noise.
You can also find this lens on Best Buy and Walmart
2. Meike 50mm F1.7
Specifications:
- Filter Diameter: 52mm
- Aperture: f/1.7-f/22
- Minimum focus: 0.5m
- Length: 54.5mm
- Diameter: 61mm
- Weight: 310g
- Lens Mount: Canon RF
My Pros With This Lens:
- I love the color and saturation with this lens
- Great sharpness edge to edge
- Great price point
My Cons With This Lens:
- When shooting wide open, there is a small lack of clarity and the highlights can be a bit “bloomy” when in a bright setting
Investment seems to be a concern for some photographers and videographers. And if this is your concern, there’s always a good alternative lens for you.
You might want to consider the Meike 50mm F1.7 Full Frame Manual Focus Prime Lens.
Though it’s a third-party lens, it brings great results that can match your expectations.
Is it the best lens for Canon EOS R6? Some features make it a great candidate for the best lens for Canon R6.
For starters, it has a wide aperture that can deliver superb bokeh and perform well even when used indoors.
It is made of metal. However, even if it is made of metal, it is not as heavy as you think.
The reason for this is the absence of a motor. With no AF motor, you get a lens that can give you mixed reviews depending on who you are going to ask.
If you’re a photographer reliant on AF when shooting subjects, then this might not be a good deal for you.
However, if you are shooting videos, you don’t have to worry about a noisy motor that the Canon EOS R6 might pick up.
A lot of photographers who love this lens are mostly people who enjoyed shooting old film cameras. This gives you the freedom to control the depth of field.
As for the quality of the shots, the images turned out above average. Though it’s not the best, it produces sharp results even when the aperture is wide open at F1.7.
You can also find this lens on Walmart
3. Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM
Specifications:
- Lens type: Zoom lens
- Maximum aperture: F2.8
- Max Format size: 35mm FF
- Focal length: 70–200 mm
- Image stabilization Yes
- Lens mount Canon RF
- Weight: 1070g (2.36 lb)
- Diameter: 90mm (3.54″)
- Length: 146mm (5.75″)
- Sealing: Yes
My Pros With This Lens:
- I love the stabilization
- Has a good protection against minor splashes
My Cons With This Lens:
- Bit on the pricier end
A lot of professional photographers tend to use the Canon 70-200mm F2.8 IS USM lens for shooting sports and nature photography.
It’s also common to see the Canon 70-200mm F2.8 IS USM lens listed on different websites as their best lens for Canon EOS R6.
So what should you be excited about in case you go for this lens?
For starters, it comes with a wide aperture making it easy to use in different situations. It can create beautiful bokeh and could even perform well in low-light situations and indoors.
This is an ideal range if you are shooting shy subjects or when shooting animals in the wild in their habitat.
You can get portraits from afar making it less invasive on the part of your subject. It’s the type of lens that will allow you to work from a great distance making it perfect for capturing candid moments.
The lens produces sharp results in the entire range of the focal length.
This also comes with an image stabilization feature that makes it easier to use even when you don’t have a tripod.
It can compensate up to 5 stops, making the Canon 70-200mm F2.8 IS USM lens ideal for handheld shooting.
It is known for its sharpness and vibrant colors making it a favorite by a lot of pros when partnered with the Canon EOS R6.
Given all the things that we’ve mentioned, it’s not surprising why some users consider it the best lens for Canon R6.
Though it’s a near-perfect lens for different applications including weddings, nature photography, and sports photography, there are still a few flaws that you should be aware of.
For one, it doesn’t have a uniform filter size as other F2.8 lenses from Canon.
You can also find this lens on Best Buy and Walmart
4. Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS Macro STM
Specifications:
- Lens type: Prime lens
- Maximum aperture: F1.8
- Minimum aperture: F22
- Max Format size: 35mm FF
- Focal length: 35mm
- Image stabilization: Yes
- Lens mount Canon RF
- Weight: 305g (0.67 lb)
- Diameter: 74mm (2.91″)
- Length: 63mm (2.48″)
- Sealing: No
My Pros With This Lens:
- Very sharp image quality
- Feels small and light which is great
- I like the autofocus
My Cons With This Lens:
- I wish there was weather sealing
In case you’re after shooting landscapes, real estate properties, or portraits, we suggest that you try the Canon RF 35mm F1.8 IS Macro STM lens on your Canon EOS R6.
Some hobbyists and even professional photographers consider this as a must-have inside their camera bag.
It comes with a highly versatile focal length that makes it practical in different situations.
For instance, we tried shooting small indoor spaces using the Canon RF 35mm F1.8 IS Macro STM lens.
Compared with nifty fifty lenses, this lens stands out since it gives you a wider perspective on your shot.
Also, it has a wide aperture that makes it easy to use if you’re shooting in low-light situations.
As a portrait lens, some photographers love this prime lens compared to a 50mm lens.
It performs better when taking group shots and if you plan on shooting portraits with more background.
There are even some instances it has been used for macro photography given that it can shoot subjects up close.
If you need more lighting, the lens is compatible with Macro Ring Lites and the Macro Twin Lites.
What makes this lens unique is its performance not only in photography but even when taking videos.
It comes with an image stabilization feature making it arguably the best lens for Canon EOS R6 if you are after making video content.
Its stepping motor performs quietly and could easily locate the subject.
What’s not to like? If you’ve used lenses with an ultrasonic motor, you’d notice that its stepping motor isn’t as snappy.
But overall, it’s not exactly a flaw but it’s worth mentioning especially if you’ve been spoiled by lenses with USM-powered AF systems.
To see a full list of the best macro Canon Lenses, check out our guide.
You can also find this lens on Best Buy and Walmart
5. ROKINON 85mm F1.4
Specifications:
- Focal Length: 85mm
- Maximum Aperture: f/1.4
- Minimum Aperture: f/16
- Lens Mount: Canon RF
- Lens Format Coverage: Full-Frame
- Image Stabilization: No
- Filter Size 77 mm (Front)
- Weight 1.28 lb / 583.8 g
My Pros With This Lens:
- The weather sealing is good
- I found it too have a bit low of contrast and saturation
My Cons With This Lens:
- No AF motor
- Wish it was a bit sharper when wide open
We suggest the Rokinon 85mm F1.4 lens if you’re after a prime lens that comes with a wide aperture, and can take closer shots better than your 50mm prime lens.
It’s a good option in case you’re a portrait photographer or you often shoot macro photography.
Construction-wide, it comes with 9 elements in 7 groups. Rokinon also used multi-coated glass to give users vibrant colors.
If you’re into shooting outdoors, this is your perfect lens because of its weather-sealed metal chassis. It is also equipped with a slip-resistant matte finish.
Though it’s a third-party lens and not an official Canon lens, it’s a top candidate for the best lens for Canon EOS R6.
This lens comes with an amazing depth of field allowing users to isolate subjects when shooting both portraits and macro photography.
Unfortunately, its biggest downside is the lack of AF motor.
On top of that, it also doesn’t have an image stabilization feature, unlike other lenses that we have featured.
We’ve tried shooting without a tripod and it can sometimes be a hit-or-miss.
But considering the great colors, wide aperture, and robust design, it’s still a top contender for the best lens for Canon EOS R6 that you don’t want to ignore.
You can also find this lens on Walmart
6. Canon RF 70-200mm F4 L IS USM
Specifications:
- Lens type: Zoom lens
- Maximum aperture: F4
- Minimum aperture: F32
- Max Format size: 35mm FF
- Focal length: 70–200 mm
- Image stabilization: Yes
- Lens mount: Canon RF
- Weight 695g (1.53 lb)
- Diameter: 84mm (3.31″)
- Length: 119mm (4.69″)
- Materials: Magnesium alloy
- Sealing: Yes
My Pros With This Lens:
- Has a quiet autofocus
- Has great resolution
- Love the optical stabilization
My Cons With This Lens:
- Found some minor softness at the corners at 70mm and vignetting at 200mm
A slightly less powerful version of the Canon 70-200mm F2.8 IS USM lens, the Canon 70-200mm F4L USM lens is still something that you’d appreciate in case you’re after macro photography, nature photography, or even shooting portraits.
The downside to this lens is that it doesn’t have the wide aperture that other zoom lenses have.
It means that it is not used indoors. But for outdoors or in situations with enough lighting, the lens won’t disappoint at all.
It also comes with an image stabilization feature allowing the users to shoot with minimal wasted shots even without a tripod.
It offers up to 5 stops for its shake correction and could reach up to 7.5 stops if combined with the in-body image stabilizer of cameras.
If you are going to compare the Canon RF70-200mm F4L IS USM lens to other lenses with the same zoom range, you’d notice that this lens is light and short.
This is also the reason why it’s a popular choice among travelers who want to have a long-range lens on their bag.
Despite not having a wide aperture, it’s still a good pick for the best lens for Canon EOS R6.
Overall, it’s something that advanced hobbyists and even professional photographers can enjoy using.
You can also find this lens on Best Buy and Walmart
7. Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM
Specifications:
- Lens type: Prime lens
- Maximum aperture: F2
- Max Format size: 35mm FF
- Focal length: 85mm
- Image stabilization: Yes
- Lens mount: Canon RF
- Weight: 500g (1.10 lb)
- Diameter: 78mm (3.07″)
- Length: 91mm (3.56″)
My Pros With This Lens:
- Pretty bright for a macro lens
- Love the image stabilization
My Cons With This Lens:
- With it had a bit extra weather resistance
The Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro lens IS STM is a top choice for the best lens for Canon EOS R6 if you find the 50mm prime lens to be a bit lacking in terms of range.
This lens is a great replacement for those who love shooting macro photography and even for those who prefer shooting portraits while allowing some space to their subjects.
You get sharp photos and vibrant colors for this lens.
This lens has become a staple lens for many vloggers given its quiet stepping motor that allows users to track their subject smoothly.
It also comes with an image stabilization feature that makes it easier to capture your subject even if you don’t have a gimbal or a tripod.
Though it is considered by some photographers as the best lens for Canon EOS R6, you also have to know some of its flaws.
For instance, the stepping motor is known to back focus. It also tends to be a bit slow even if it’s smooth.
You can also find this lens on Best Buy and Walmart
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Canon EOS R6 a professional camera?
The Canon EOS R6 is a mirrorless camera that allows for interchangeable lenses. The hallmark of the camera is that it uses the RF lens mount system.
Do EF lenses work on EOS R6?
The answer is YES. This newly released camera has the capacity to use EF lenses. EOS R6 works with RF lenses to provide the best optical performance, but you can also mount EF lenses via an optional adapter that uses a computerized protocol known as electronic manual focusing, which allows you to adjust the focus of your lens manually just like high-end models such as EOS R or L Series lenses.
Can I use Sigma lens on Canon R6?
What can I say? The answer is YES. Sigma manufactures a number of lenses which work perfectly on Canon EOS R6. Sigma has a long history in developing high-quality lenses, and they continue to lead the way with their line of ART series EF lens adapters for EOS R6.
There are plenty of lenses to choose from in case you decided to use the Canon EOS R6.
However, the best lens for Canon EOS R6 might depend on several considerations. For instance, are you after a portrait lens or do you need a lens that can help you with your video content?
These options that we’ve featured will give you a variety of lenses to choose from.
We’ve included Canon and third-party lenses to make sure that you are getting the right match for your needs.
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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.
