The Canon M50 is one of Canon’s most popular mirrorless cameras, known for its compact size, ease of use, and impressive image quality. It’s an excellent choice for photographers and videographers alike, especially for those just starting out in the world of interchangeable-lens cameras. However, to truly unlock the potential of the Canon M50, selecting the right lens is crucial.

Lenses are the eyes of your camera, and each lens serves a different purpose—whether you’re shooting landscapes, portraits, or action-packed scenes. With a wide variety of lenses available, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. This guide will help you navigate the best lenses for the Canon M50, explaining their specific uses and offering tips on how to select the perfect lens for your photography needs.

By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear understanding of which lenses are most compatible with the Canon M50 and which options will suit your photography style, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced photographer.

2. Canon M50 Lens Compatibility

When choosing lenses for your Canon M50, it’s essential to understand the camera’s lens mount and compatibility. The Canon M50 uses the EF-M mount, which is the native lens mount for Canon’s mirrorless APS-C cameras. However, thanks to Canon’s adaptability, you are not limited to just EF-M lenses. Let’s take a closer look at the options available.

EF-M Mount Explained

The Canon M50 comes with an EF-M mount, which is specifically designed for Canon’s line of mirrorless cameras with APS-C sensors. Lenses built for this mount are typically compact, lightweight, and versatile, making them an excellent choice for on-the-go photographers. The compact size of these lenses complements the Canon M50’s small and portable design, providing a more user-friendly experience for travel and everyday photography.

EF-M lenses are designed to maintain a balance between performance and portability. They offer everything from wide-angle to telephoto zoom options, which are perfect for different types of photography, from landscapes to close-up portraits.

Compatibility with EF/EF-S Lenses

One of the great advantages of the Canon M50 is its ability to use Canon EF and EF-S lenses with the help of an adapter. Canon offers the EF-EOS M adapter, which allows you to attach EF and EF-S lenses to your Canon M50 seamlessly. This opens up a world of lens possibilities, especially if you already own Canon DSLR lenses or want to invest in high-quality glass that can be used across different Canon camera models.

With the adapter, you can use a wide range of Canon’s EF lenses, which are traditionally used with full-frame cameras, and EF-S lenses, designed for Canon’s APS-C DSLR cameras. This gives you access to premium lenses like Canon’s renowned L-series glass for professional-quality results, expanding your creative potential.

Benefits of Lens Adaptability

Using adapters to fit EF or EF-S lenses on your Canon M50 allows for more flexibility in your lens choices. You get to explore a wider range of focal lengths, apertures, and features that are not available in the EF-M line. The main benefits of lens adaptability include:

  • Expanded Lens Options: EF and EF-S lenses provide access to more specialized lenses like ultra-wide zooms or long telephoto lenses.
  • Improved Image Quality: EF lenses, especially those in the L-series, often provide superior image quality, especially for professionals or enthusiasts looking for top-tier performance.
  • Reuse of Existing Lenses: If you already own Canon DSLR lenses, adapting them to your M50 allows you to get the most out of your investment without buying new lenses.

While using adapters can slightly increase the size and weight of your camera setup, the ability to use a broader range of lenses can significantly enhance your photography experience.

3. Types of Lenses for Canon M50

The Canon M50 offers a versatile shooting experience, and the variety of lenses available enhances this further. Each type of lens serves a different purpose, catering to specific photography styles and needs. Whether you’re a landscape photographer, a portrait enthusiast, or a videographer, there’s a lens that suits your creative vision. Let’s explore the different types of lenses you can use with the Canon M50.

Prime Lenses

Prime lenses are lenses with a fixed focal length, meaning they don’t zoom in or out. These lenses are often praised for their image sharpness and excellent performance in low-light conditions. They typically have a wider maximum aperture (like f/1.4 or f/2), which allows more light into the camera, resulting in brighter images even in dim environments. This makes them ideal for indoor shooting or night photography.

Prime lenses are also fantastic for achieving a shallow depth of field, giving you those beautiful, creamy backgrounds (bokeh) that make the subject stand out sharply in portraits.

Best Uses: Portraits, street photography, low-light shooting.

Zoom Lenses

Zoom lenses offer a variable focal length, allowing you to zoom in and out without changing lenses. They are highly versatile, making them a popular choice for photographers who need flexibility in framing their shots. With a zoom lens, you can quickly switch from wide-angle views to close-up details without moving from your position.

The flexibility of zoom lenses makes them perfect for travel photography, where you might need to capture a wide landscape one moment and zoom in on distant objects the next. However, zoom lenses typically have smaller maximum apertures (like f/4.5-6.3), meaning they are not as effective in low light as prime lenses.

Best Uses: Travel, events, wildlife, and general-purpose photography.

Macro Lenses

Macro lenses are designed for extreme close-up photography, allowing you to capture intricate details of small subjects. They offer a high level of magnification, making them perfect for shooting flowers, insects, and other tiny objects. Macro lenses enable photographers to fill the frame with very small subjects while maintaining sharpness and detail.

These lenses often have specialized focusing mechanisms that allow you to get incredibly close to your subject while keeping it in focus. Macro photography is a unique genre that allows for creative compositions and detailed exploration of textures and patterns.

Best Uses: Close-up photography, nature, and detailed product shots.

Wide-Angle Lenses

Wide-angle lenses have a short focal length, allowing you to capture more of the scene in your frame. These lenses are ideal for landscape photography, architecture, and interior photography, where capturing a wide field of view is essential. They are also popular among vloggers, as the wide-angle view can make handheld shooting easier and more dynamic.

Wide-angle lenses are great for creating a sense of depth and scale, making your subject look smaller in relation to the expansive background. These lenses work best when you want to capture the grandeur of a scene or fit more into your frame without stepping back.

Best Uses: Landscapes, architecture, group shots, and vlogging.

Telephoto Lenses

Telephoto lenses have long focal lengths, allowing you to photograph distant subjects without having to move closer. These lenses are perfect for sports, wildlife, and other situations where physically approaching the subject is difficult or impossible. Telephoto lenses compress the perspective, making distant objects appear closer and more prominent in the frame.

They often come with image stabilization features, which help reduce motion blur when shooting handheld, especially at longer focal lengths. Telephoto lenses are commonly used in situations that require isolating a subject against a blurry background, such as wildlife or sports photography.

Best Uses: Wildlife, sports, portraits, and action shots.

4. Best Lenses for Canon M50 (2024)

Now that you have a good understanding of the different types of lenses available for the Canon M50, let’s dive into some of the top lens choices for 2024. These lenses have been selected based on their performance, versatility, and popularity among Canon M50 users. Whether you’re into portraits, landscapes, or video content creation, these lenses will help you get the most out of your camera.

1. Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM

Best For: Everyday Use, Street Photography
The Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM is a compact, pancake-style lens that’s perfect for everyday photography. Its wide f/2 aperture allows you to capture clear, sharp images even in low light, making it ideal for street photography, travel, and indoor shots. The 22mm focal length is equivalent to about 35mm on a full-frame camera, offering a natural field of view similar to the human eye. Its small size and lightweight design also make it highly portable, making it a go-to lens for Canon M50 users on the move.

Key Features:

  • Compact and lightweight design
  • Wide f/2 aperture for low-light shooting
  • STM autofocus motor for smooth and quiet focusing
  • Great for vlogging and handheld shooting

2. Canon EF-M 32mm f/1.4 STM

Best For: Portraits, Low-Light Photography
For those looking for a high-performance prime lens, the Canon EF-M 32mm f/1.4 STM is one of the best options available. With its wide f/1.4 aperture, this lens excels in low-light conditions and produces stunning bokeh, making it ideal for portraits and close-up shots. The 32mm focal length (equivalent to about 50mm on a full-frame) gives a natural and flattering perspective for portrait work. This lens is also praised for its sharpness, even when shooting wide open at f/1.4.

Key Features:

  • Excellent image sharpness
  • Wide f/1.4 aperture for shallow depth of field and low-light performance
  • STM motor for silent and smooth focusing
  • Perfect for portrait photography

3. Canon EF-M 55-200mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM

Best For: Telephoto, Wildlife, Sports
If you’re looking for a telephoto zoom lens for your Canon M50, the Canon EF-M 55-200mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM is an excellent option. It offers a versatile zoom range, making it ideal for capturing distant subjects such as wildlife or sports events. Despite its zoom range, this lens is relatively compact and lightweight, which is important for a mirrorless setup. The built-in image stabilization (IS) helps reduce camera shake, ensuring sharp images even when shooting handheld at longer focal lengths.

Key Features:

  • Versatile 55-200mm zoom range
  • Image Stabilization (IS) to minimize motion blur
  • STM motor for smooth and quiet autofocus
  • Compact and lightweight for a telephoto lens

4. Canon EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM

Best For: Wide-Angle, Landscapes, Vlogging
The Canon EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM is a highly regarded wide-angle lens, perfect for landscape photography, architecture, and vlogging. Its ultra-wide zoom range allows you to capture expansive scenes or tight spaces with ease. The built-in image stabilization makes it easier to shoot handheld, especially when vlogging or shooting videos. While the aperture isn’t as wide as other lenses, the lens compensates with sharpness and versatility in various shooting conditions.

Key Features:

  • Ultra-wide 11-22mm focal length for landscapes and architecture
  • Built-in Image Stabilization (IS)
  • STM autofocus motor for quiet focusing, great for video
  • Compact and lightweight

5. Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN

Best For: Low-Light, Video, Portraits
The Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN is one of the best third-party lenses for the Canon M50. With an incredibly wide f/1.4 aperture, this lens is perfect for low-light photography and videography, allowing you to shoot in dim environments while maintaining high image quality. The 16mm focal length (equivalent to about 24mm on full-frame) is excellent for wide-angle shots and video work, making it a top choice for vloggers and landscape photographers alike. Sigma’s renowned build quality and image sharpness make this lens a worthy investment for serious photographers.

Key Features:

  • Ultra-wide f/1.4 aperture for superior low-light performance
  • Excellent for video work, vlogging, and landscapes
  • Sharp and detailed images, even at wide apertures
  • Third-party alternative with premium performance

5. Third-Party Lens Options

While Canon produces some fantastic lenses for the M50, third-party lens manufacturers such as Sigma, Tamron, and Viltrox also offer excellent alternatives that are often more affordable while still delivering great performance. These lenses can be a great option for photographers who want to expand their lens collection without breaking the bank. Let’s explore some of the top third-party lens options compatible with the Canon M50.

Benefits of Using Third-Party Lenses

1. Cost-Effective: Third-party lenses are often more affordable than their Canon counterparts, making them ideal for budget-conscious photographers. You can get a high-quality lens with similar features at a fraction of the price.

2. Variety of Options: Many third-party manufacturers offer unique lens options that may not be available from Canon. This gives you more flexibility when choosing a lens tailored to your specific needs.

3. High-Quality Build: Brands like Sigma and Tamron are known for producing high-quality, durable lenses. These companies often use premium materials and advanced technology to ensure that their lenses perform on par with or even better than some of Canon’s own lenses.

Popular Third-Party Lenses for Canon M50

1. Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN

Best For: Portraits, Low-Light, General Use
The Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN is one of the most popular third-party lenses for the Canon M50. With a fast f/1.4 aperture, this lens is perfect for low-light conditions and creates beautiful bokeh for portraits. The 30mm focal length (approximately 48mm on full-frame) offers a natural field of view, making it versatile enough for everyday photography. It’s an excellent choice for photographers looking for a high-quality prime lens without the premium price tag.

Key Features:

  • Wide f/1.4 aperture for low-light shooting
  • Exceptional image sharpness and contrast
  • Great for portraits and general photography
  • Affordable alternative to Canon primes

2. Tamron 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III VC

Best For: All-Purpose, Travel, Telephoto
The Tamron 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 is an incredibly versatile all-in-one zoom lens, perfect for travel and everyday use. It covers a wide focal range, allowing you to shoot everything from landscapes to distant subjects. The built-in Vibration Compensation (VC) helps reduce camera shake, making it easier to capture sharp images at long focal lengths. It’s a fantastic option for those who want the convenience of carrying one lens that can handle a wide variety of shooting situations.

Key Features:

  • Wide 18-200mm focal range for versatility
  • Vibration Compensation (VC) for image stabilization
  • Lightweight and portable for an all-in-one zoom
  • Ideal for travel and outdoor photography

3. Viltrox 23mm f/1.4

Best For: Street Photography, Video, General Use
The Viltrox 23mm f/1.4 is another third-party option that has gained popularity among Canon M50 users. With a wide f/1.4 aperture, this lens excels in low-light conditions and offers a great field of view for street photography and video work. The 23mm focal length (approximately 35mm full-frame equivalent) makes it ideal for capturing everyday scenes and landscapes, while the fast aperture ensures you get clear, bright images even in challenging lighting conditions.

Key Features:

  • Fast f/1.4 aperture for low-light shooting
  • Sharp images with excellent background separation (bokeh)
  • Great for video and street photography
  • Affordable and lightweight

Why Consider Third-Party Lenses?

Third-party lenses provide an affordable and often competitive alternative to Canon’s native lenses. For hobbyists, beginners, or photographers on a budget, these lenses allow you to explore different focal lengths and styles of photography without making a huge investment. Moreover, companies like Sigma and Tamron have built strong reputations for producing lenses that rival, and in some cases, outperform native options in certain aspects, such as sharpness and low-light performance.

These lenses are also great for those who may already own Canon lenses for a DSLR camera and want to expand their kit without buying multiple lenses for each system.

6. How to Choose the Perfect Lens for Canon M50

Selecting the right lens for your Canon M50 can be overwhelming, given the variety of options available. Each lens serves a different purpose, and choosing the one that aligns with your photography needs is key to getting the most out of your camera. Here are some crucial factors to consider when making your decision.

1. Focal Length

The focal length of a lens determines how much of a scene will be captured and how close or far subjects appear. Lenses with shorter focal lengths, such as wide-angle lenses (11mm-22mm), capture more of the scene, making them ideal for landscapes and architecture. On the other hand, telephoto lenses (55mm-200mm) have longer focal lengths and are perfect for shooting distant subjects like wildlife or sports.

When choosing a lens, consider what kind of photography you’ll be doing:

  • Portraits: 35mm-50mm lenses work well for creating flattering shots with natural perspectives.
  • Landscapes: Wide-angle lenses in the 11mm-22mm range are ideal for capturing vast scenery.
  • Wildlife and Sports: Telephoto lenses with focal lengths of 55mm and above are essential for getting close to distant subjects.

2. Aperture Size

Aperture refers to the size of the lens’s opening, which controls how much light enters the camera. A lens with a wider maximum aperture (e.g., f/1.4 or f/2.8) is great for low-light photography and achieving a shallow depth of field, which blurs the background and makes your subject stand out. These lenses are also great for portraits, where background blur (bokeh) is desirable.

If you often shoot in low-light environments or want to create images with a beautifully blurred background, a lens with a wide aperture will serve you well. For general photography, lenses with apertures around f/3.5-f/5.6 offer a good balance between performance and price.

3. Lens Type Based on Use Case

Different lenses serve different purposes. Consider the type of photography or videography you do most often:

  • Prime Lenses: If you prioritize image quality and shoot in controlled environments like portraits, a prime lens (e.g., 22mm f/2 or 32mm f/1.4) will give you sharp, high-quality images.
  • Zoom Lenses: For travel or versatile shooting, zoom lenses (e.g., 15-45mm or 55-200mm) provide flexibility in framing shots without having to switch lenses.
  • Macro Lenses: If you love shooting close-ups of tiny objects or nature, a macro lens will allow you to capture fine details.

4. Portability and Weight

The size and weight of your lens can significantly affect your shooting experience, especially if you plan to carry your camera around for long periods. Lenses like the Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM are compact and lightweight, making them ideal for travel and street photography. Conversely, telephoto lenses tend to be bulkier, so if portability is a priority, a smaller zoom lens might be a better option.

If you’re into vlogging or handheld shooting, opt for a lightweight and compact lens to keep your setup easy to manage.

5. Image Stabilization (IS)

If you often shoot handheld, image stabilization is a helpful feature that reduces camera shake, resulting in sharper images, especially in low-light conditions or at longer focal lengths. Many Canon lenses, like the EF-M 55-200mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM, include built-in stabilization, which can be a lifesaver when shooting without a tripod.

For video work or handheld photography, having IS in your lens is highly recommended.

6. Autofocus Performance

Smooth and quiet autofocus is essential, especially for video creators. Canon’s STM (Stepping Motor) lenses, like the EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM, are known for their silent and accurate focusing, making them ideal for video work. If you shoot videos or fast-moving subjects, look for lenses that offer fast and reliable autofocus systems.

7. Budget

Finally, your budget will play a significant role in your decision. Canon offers a wide range of lenses at various price points, but third-party lenses from Sigma, Tamron, and Viltrox can provide excellent alternatives at a lower cost. Remember that investing in a high-quality lens will usually provide better long-term value, as lenses typically outlast camera bodies.

If you’re just starting, it might be wise to invest in a versatile zoom lens that covers a wide range of focal lengths. As you become more experienced, you can add specialized lenses like primes or telephotos to your kit.

7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What lenses are compatible with the Canon M50?

The Canon M50 uses Canon’s EF-M lens mount, which is specifically designed for Canon’s mirrorless cameras. You can use all Canon EF-M lenses natively on the Canon M50. Additionally, with an EF to EF-M adapter, you can also use Canon EF and EF-S DSLR lenses, which opens up even more possibilities for expanding your lens collection. Third-party manufacturers like Sigma, Tamron, and Viltrox also produce compatible EF-M lenses.


2. What is the best lens for video on the Canon M50?

For video work, the Canon EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM and Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN are highly recommended. The 11-22mm lens is a wide-angle zoom, perfect for vlogging and handheld video shooting. It also includes image stabilization, which reduces camera shake. The Sigma 16mm f/1.4 offers an ultra-wide aperture, making it excellent for low-light video work and providing beautiful background separation.


3. What is the best all-in-one zoom lens for the Canon M50?

The Canon EF-M 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM is one of the best all-in-one zoom lenses for the Canon M50. It covers a wide range of focal lengths, from wide-angle to telephoto, making it perfect for travel, events, or general everyday shooting. The built-in image stabilization helps keep shots sharp when shooting handheld, and the compact design makes it convenient to carry around.


4. Can I use Canon DSLR lenses on the Canon M50?

Yes, you can use Canon EF and EF-S DSLR lenses on the Canon M50, but you will need an EF to EF-M adapter. Canon’s own EF-EOS M Mount Adapter is a reliable option. This allows you to use Canon’s extensive range of DSLR lenses, offering more flexibility and choice, especially if you already own Canon DSLR lenses.


5. What is the best budget lens for the Canon M50?

The Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM is an excellent budget-friendly option for the Canon M50. It’s a compact prime lens with a wide f/2 aperture, making it great for low-light shooting, street photography, and everyday use. Despite its affordability, this lens delivers sharp images and is a favorite among Canon M50 users.


6. Which lens is best for portraits on the Canon M50?

For portrait photography, the Canon EF-M 32mm f/1.4 STM is one of the best lenses available. Its wide f/1.4 aperture allows for beautifully blurred backgrounds (bokeh), making your subject stand out. The 32mm focal length is equivalent to about 50mm on a full-frame camera, which is ideal for capturing flattering portraits with a natural perspective.


7. What lens should I use for landscape photography with the Canon M50?

For landscape photography, the Canon EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM is an excellent choice. Its wide-angle range allows you to capture expansive views, and the built-in image stabilization ensures sharp images, even when shooting handheld. The compact and lightweight design also makes it easy to carry on long hikes or travel adventures.


8. Are third-party lenses good for the Canon M50?

Yes, third-party lenses from brands like Sigma, Tamron, and Viltrox are excellent alternatives to Canon’s native lenses. They are often more affordable and provide great performance. The Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN and Viltrox 23mm f/1.4 are highly recommended third-party lenses for the Canon M50, known for their sharpness, build quality, and fast apertures.


9. What is the best telephoto lens for the Canon M50?

The Canon EF-M 55-200mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM is the best telephoto lens for the Canon M50. It offers a versatile zoom range, making it ideal for wildlife, sports, and outdoor photography. The built-in image stabilization helps reduce camera shake when shooting at long focal lengths, ensuring sharp images even without a tripod.


10. Can I use Canon M50 lenses on other Canon cameras?

Canon EF-M lenses are specifically designed for Canon’s EOS M series of mirrorless cameras, including the Canon M50. They cannot be used natively on Canon DSLR cameras or other Canon mirrorless systems like the EOS R series, which uses the RF mount. However, EF and EF-S DSLR lenses can be adapted to the Canon M50 using an adapter.

8. Conclusion

Choosing the right lens for your Canon M50 is crucial to unlocking the full potential of this versatile mirrorless camera. With a range of options from Canon’s own EF-M lenses to third-party alternatives from brands like Sigma and Tamron, you can find the perfect lens for any type of photography—whether it’s portraits, landscapes, street photography, or videography.

The Canon M50 is a powerful and compact camera, and pairing it with the right lenses can significantly enhance your shooting experience. Lenses like the Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM and the Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN offer excellent image quality in low-light situations, making them ideal for vlogging, street photography, and general use. If you prefer versatility, zoom lenses like the Canon EF-M 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM offer the flexibility to shoot a wide range of subjects without having to change lenses.

For photographers looking to capture distant subjects, telephoto lenses like the Canon EF-M 55-200mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM are perfect for wildlife and sports photography. Meanwhile, wide-angle lenses such as the Canon EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM are ideal for landscapes and architecture.

The Canon M50 is compatible with a broad array of lenses, including Canon EF and EF-S lenses with the use of an adapter, giving you even more flexibility. Additionally, third-party lenses provide excellent budget-friendly options without compromising on quality, allowing you to expand your creative possibilities without breaking the bank.

Ultimately, the best lens for your Canon M50 depends on your specific needs, whether you’re looking for portability, versatility, or specialized performance. By considering factors like focal length, aperture, image stabilization, and autofocus performance, you’ll be well-equipped to make an informed decision and capture stunning images.

This page was last edited on 9 October 2024, at 10:16 am