Portrait photography gives photographers a chance to get up-close and personal with family, friends, and other subjects. When done successfully, portraiture allows photographers to capture the different personalities of their subjects.
But getting that perfect shot can be challenging for many photographers, even if they’ve successfully captured lots of images — and it’s all because they don’t use the right lenses and focal lengths. So if you’re a portrait photographer armed with a Canon camera, having the best Canon portrait lens in your arsenal will help you produce frame-worthy images.
The Best Canon Lenses for Portraits
Fortunately, newbies and pros have plenty of options when it comes to Canon portrait lenses. But if you still don’t know which lens you should use, we’ve picked out 10 of the best Canon camera lenses for portraits.
This list covers some of the brand’s prime and zoom lenses for DSLR and mirrorless cameras, which are great for capturing portraits. So whether you’re using one or the other to take portraits, your next lens might just be on this list:
Best Canon mirrorless lenses for portraits:
- Canon RF 28-70mm f/2 L USM
- Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM
- Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens
- Canon EF-M 32mm f/1.4 STM Lens
- Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM Lens
- Canon RF 85mm f/1.2 L USM Lens
- Canon RF 85mm f/1.2 L USM DS Lens
Canon RF 28-70mm f/2 L USM
The RF 28-70mm f/2 L USM is one of the newest additions to Canon’s mirrorless lens line-up. It gives the brand’s EOS R system exceptional performance; in fact, it’s one of the best lenses you can get for an EOS RP camera. This zoom lens boasts a maximum aperture of f/2, making it the first full-frame autofocus zoom lens in the world to have this feature.
The RF 28-70mm f/2 L USM offers the same versatility, performance, and image quality that you can see on 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, and 70mm prime lenses. It takes this aspect and combines it with great optics and fast performance. The lens also features a built-in control ring that lets you change your shutter speed, aperture, and other settings whenever you need to. It performs well in extreme weather with a dust and weather-resistant design.
Key Specifications
- Canon RF Full-Frame Standard Zoom Lens
- 28-70mm Focal Length
- f/2-f/22 Aperture Range
- 39 cm Minimum Focusing Distance
- Autofocus Enabled
- 9 Rounded Aperture Blades
- 50.5 oz / 1,430 g
Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM
The RF 24-105 mm f/4 L IS USM brings excellent performance for shooting portraits to the EOS R system. It constantly produces beautiful images with full detail throughout its zoom range, thanks to its large diameter, L-series optics, and a maximum aperture of f/4. This RF lens also delivers smooth, quick, and near-quiet AF with NANO USM technology.
The lens comes in a portable and lightweight package, but don’t let its compact form fool you. It has a well-balanced and improved design that boasts a wide zoom range and a bright maximum aperture. Its zoom range delivers wide-angle, normal, and telephoto lengths, delivering great performance in different conditions.
This standard zoom lens incorporates aspheric and UD elements for aberration, distortion, and astigmatism correction. It produces stunning and soft backgrounds as well with nine rounded aperture blades in its design.
Key Specifications
- Canon RF Full-Frame Standard Zoom Lens
- 24-105mm Focal Length
- f/4-f/22 Aperture Range
- 45 cm Minimum Focusing Distance
- Autofocus & Image Stabilization Enabled
- 9 Rounded Aperture Blades
- 24.7 oz / 700 g
Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens
When it comes to Canon lenses for portraits, it’s hard to beat a 50mm focal length—a size known to deliver stunning, lifelike images that help subjects pop off the page or screen. The Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM lens fits the bill, with a host of features that make it perfect for portrait photography — just see photographer Vanessa Joy’s hands-on review to see for yourself.
For one, the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM lens offers a large f/1.8 aperture that ensures photographers can shoot in low light while simultaneously reaping the benefits of blurred-backgrounds and soft bokeh—all must-have effects for stellar portrait photography. Additionally, this prime lens offers crisp, high-resolution quality, with simple AF capabilities built in for a seamless portrait-photography experience.
Key Specifications
- Canon RF Full-Frame Standard Prime Lens
- 50mm Focal Length
- f/1.8 Aperture
- Circular 7-Blade Aperture
- 0.98 Ft Minimum Focusing Distance
- Up To 7 Stops of Shake Correction with EOS R Series Cameras with In-Body Image Stabilizer
- Weight: 5.6 oz (160g)
Canon EF-M 32mm f/1.4 STM Lens
Another top-notch option for Canon lenses for portraits is the beloved Canon EF-M 32mm f/1.4 STM lens. This compact and lightweight Canon portrait lens features all the perks photographers love with a prime lens: a large aperture, gorgeous image quality, and impressive functionality—all within its small and easily packable build.
This lens works just as well for day shots as it does for lower-lit images, thanks to the fast f/1.4 aperture. Additionally, the color accuracy and level of detail are spot-on, delivering a final product that looks polished, clean, and worth framing on the wall or publishing online or on social media.
Key Specifications
- Canon RF Full-Frame Standard Prime Lens
- 32mm Focal Length
- f/1.4 Fixed Aperture
- Circular 7-Blade Aperture
- Close-up Shooting with up to 0.25x Maximum Magnification
- 14 elements in 8 groups
- Weight: 8.29 oz (235.02g)
Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM Lens
For full versatility when it comes to Canon lenses for portraits, look no further than the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM lens. Praised for its lightweight frame and variety of focal lengths, this portrait lens works across various scenes, letting photographers capture everything from close-up portraits with blurred backgrounds, to wider shots that show a subject immersed in the scene.
Alongside its flexible zoom range, the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM lens features a 0.5x maximum magnification—excellent for close-up focusing—with an array of autofocus features to make shoot day a breeze. And, while this lens may be a zoom, it guarantees stunning image quality across the focal range, ensuring each image is as impressive as the last.
Key Specifications
- Canon RF Full-Frame Wide Angle to Telephoto Zoom Lens
- Focal Length: 24-105mm
- f/4-f/7.1 Aperture Range
- Image Stabilization, up to 5 stops of shake correction
- Maximum Magnification of 0.5x with Center Macro Focus
- Weight: 13.93 oz (395g)
Canon RF 85mm f/1.2 L USM Lens
For gorgeous tighter portrait images, try the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2 L USM Lens. This lauded lens is beloved for its crisp image quality and low-light versatility, with an f/1.2 aperture that ensures subjects stay grain-free and sharp, even in darker situations. The Canon RF 85mm f/1.2 L USM Lens is packed with must-have portrait photography features, including its prime image quality and impressive autofocus speed that works with eye detection AF integrated into the EOS R and EOS RP cameras.
Additionally, the lens’ blue spectrum refractive optics promise reduced chromatic aberration while the included air sphere coating works to minimize flaring and ghosting—helping those images shine to their fullest.
Key Specifications
- Canon RF Full-Frame Telephoto Lens
- Focal Length: 85mm
- f/1.2 Aperture
- Minimum Focusing Distance of 2.79′ (0.85m)
- One Aspherical Element and One UD Lens
- Dust- and Weather-resistant with Fluorine Coating
- Weight: 2.6 lb (1.19kg)
Canon RF 85mm f/1.2 L USM DS Lens
Another stellar Canon lenses option for portraits is the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2 L USM DS Lens. The Canon RF 85mm f/1.2 L USM DS lens is known for its stunning bokeh that softly adds interest to the background while ensuring the subject of each portrait photo stands out.
Additionally, the fast aperture guarantees this lens will create solid results no matter the lighting, while the prime lens also ensures dazzling and crisp images from corner to corner. This lens is designed for the EOS R full-frame mirrorless camera range, which means it works with the line’s many top features, from autofocus to image stabilization.
Key Specifications
- Canon RF Full-Frame Telephoto Lens
- Focal Length: 85mm
- f/1.2 Aperture
- New Defocus Smoothing (DS) technology for beautiful bokeh
- 13 Elements in 9 Groups
- BR optics (Blue Spectrum Refractive Optics)
- Minimum Focusing Distance of 2.79 ft./0.85m
- 2.63 lb (1.19kg)
Best Canon DSLR lenses for portraits:
- Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM
- Canon EF-M 32mm f/1.4 STM
- Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
- Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM
- Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM
- Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM
- Canon EF-M 55-200mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM
Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM
The EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM fixed lens has the widest aperture in an IS lens, which freezes action in low-light situations. This feature also helps make your subjects stand out from distracting backgrounds with a very strong blur. You’ll get a very good perspective for your portraits as well, thanks to the 85mm focal length of this IS USM lens.
The EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM offers superb image quality and produces clear photos in extremely low light through image stabilization. It also features accurate and quick focusing for fast image capture and shooting fast-moving subjects. And if you’re shooting in extreme weather, the lens boasts a dust and weather-resistant design.
Key Specifications
- Canon EF Full-Frame Telephoto Lens
- 85mm Focal Length
- f/1.4-f/22 Aperture Range
- 85 cm Minimum Focusing Distance
- Autofocus & Image Stabilization Enabled
- 9 Rounded Aperture Blades
- 33.5 oz / 950 g
Canon EF-M 32mm f/1.4 STM
With high-quality optics for shooting portraits, people, and candid shots, this EF-M lens was made for unleashing greater creativity. It has a 51mm equivalent focal length and a wide aperture so you can get creative with your images. These features enable shooting in low-light situations, too.
The lens features an aspherical design with 14 elements in 8 groups. These elements bring out remarkable detail and edge-to-edge sharpness in your images. It even boasts Super Spectra Coatings to help get rid of stray light. Without these special coatings, stray light can make your images look washed-out and give them less accurate color.
The EF-M 32mm f/1.4 STM works with all cameras in the EOS M series. It comes in the same design as the other EF-M optics and features a 60.9mm diameter. And since it’s portable and lightweight, the lens will suit portrait photographers in need of a lens that offers both high image quality and portability.
Key Specifications
- Canon EF-M APS-C Telephoto Lens
- 32mm Focal Length
- f/1.4-f/16 Aperture Range
- 23 cm Minimum Focusing Distance
- Autofocus Enabled
- 7 Rounded Aperture Blades
- 8.3 oz / 235 g
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
The next fixed focus lens on our list offers a quick maximum aperture and focusing system, giving you excellent performance when shooting portraits and other subjects. This 50mm lens features Gaussian optics and dual lens elements with high refraction for sharp images at f/1.4. It also offers very fast and near-silent autofocus, thanks to its Ultrasonic Motor (USM). You can even change your focus in AF mode with a full-time manual override feature.
The EF 50mm f/1.4 USM boasts a virtually rounded diaphragm for softer, more even blur in certain areas of your images. The feature makes clear objects in the foreground stand out against a smooth and blurry background. And for accurate color balance and improved contrast in your photos, the lens features Super Spectra Coatings in its design. The coatings offer less flare and ghosting as well.
Key Specifications
- Canon EF Full-Frame Telephoto Lens
- 50mm Focal Length
- f/1.4-f/22 Aperture Range
- 45 cm Minimum Focusing Distance
- Autofocus Enabled
- 8 Rounded Aperture Blades
- 10.2 oz / 290 g
Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM
The EF 85mm f/1.8 USM is another Canon prime lens that’s perfect for portrait photographers due to its short telephoto length, large maximum aperture, and quick autofocus. It gives you crisp, clear photos at all apertures and features a virtually rounded aperture for softer, more uniform blur in out-of-focus areas.
The focal length of this lens will help you shoot flattering images by slightly compressing your perspective. A smaller perspective makes your subject’s facial features look smaller. The EF 85mm f/1.8 USM even offers a large maximum aperture of f/1.8 for handheld shooting in low light and control over depth of field. The latter lets you produce creative effects for your images.
This 85mm lens also comes with a ring-type Ultrasonic Motor, just like the EF 50mm f/1.4 USM. The motor gives you very fast and near-silent autofocus, along with a full-time manual override. The lens will let you use special filters while you shoot with a non-rotating front element. It’s a great feature if you want to make your images more creative.
Key Specifications
- Canon EF Full-Frame Telephoto Lens
- 85mm Focal Length
- f/1.8-f/22 Aperture Range
- 85 cm Minimum Focusing Distance
- Autofocus Enabled
- 8 Rounded Aperture Blades
- 15 oz / 425 g
Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM
This 40mm prime lens is more than just a portable pancake lens. It packs a fast maximum aperture for low-light shooting and better control over depth-of-field. The EF 40mm f/2.8 STM lets you shoot with less or more focus with its f/2.8 to f/22 aperture range. You won’t need to use flash for handheld shooting in low light as the lens has a quick f/2.8 aperture.
The lens also provides smooth and silent autofocus in videos through stepping motor technology (STM). The Movie Servo AF mode for compatible Canon cameras supports this feature. Its 40mm focal length is versatile as well, making it an ideal lens for travel, portrait, landscape, street photography, and more. You’ll get excellent image quality with an aspherical design and Super Spectra coatings on the lens.
Key Specifications
- Canon EF Full-Frame Telephoto Lens
- 85mm Focal Length
- f/2.8-f/22 Aperture Range
- 30 cm Minimum Focusing Distance
- Autofocus Enabled
- 7 Rounded Aperture Blades
- 4.6 oz / 130 g
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM
Rounding out our top Canon prime lenses for portraits, this EF lens is portable and lightweight with a large f/1.8 aperture. It offers a 50mm focal length if you’re using it on a full-frame DSLR and an 80mm equivalent length for an APS-C model. The EF 50mm f/1.8 STM also delivers great low-light performance with its bright aperture. It even works with seven rounded blades for impressive, clear images and stunning blur.
This 50mm lens is hailed as the most portable lens of its kind with a new exterior design. The design makes it easier to adjust manual focus, thanks to enhanced focus ring placement. Canon even improved the lens placement and included new coatings on the EF 50mm f/1.8 STM for great color balance and less ghosting and flare in your images. And with stepping motor technology in the Movie Servo AF feature, you’ll get smooth and silent autofocus during photoshoots.
Key Specifications
- Canon EF Full-Frame Telephoto Lens
- 50mm Focal Length
- f/1.8-f/22 Aperture Range
- 35 cm Minimum Focusing Distance
- Autofocus Enabled
- 7 Rounded Aperture Blades
- 5.6 oz / 160 g
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM
The first of the Canon zoom lenses for portraits on our list comes with a large aperture throughout a 24-70mm focal length and advanced optics. It also features quick and quiet autofocus, full-time manual focus, and a rounded aperture for easier use.
For less chromatic aberration and color blurring, the lens uses Super UD and UD elements in its design. It boasts two types of aspherical lenses as well. They achieve less spherical aberration over your images and the full zoom range. The EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM even features optimized lens coatings for great color balance and less ghosting.
This EF lens provides fast and silent autofocus through its ring-type USM and optimized AF algorithms. It makes your background stunning and soft with nine rounded aperture blades. These features lie within a dust and water-resistant design, which helps the lens withstand demanding situations and higher shot capacity.
Key Specifications
- Canon EF Full-Frame Standard Zoom Lens
- 24-70mm Focal Length
- f/2.8-f/22 Aperture Range
- 38 cm Minimum Focusing Distance
- Autofocus Enabled
- 9 Rounded Aperture Blades
- 28.4 oz / 805 g
Canon EF-M 55-200mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM
Aside from the EF-M 32mm f/1.4 STM prime lens for portraits, Canon also offers a few zoom lenses for its mirrorless models. This 55-200mm zoom lens is part of the brand’s mirrorless lens line. It comes with an Image Stabilizer feature that prevents possible blur due to camera shake. The feature also lets you use up to 3.5 stops of slower shutter speeds for low-light handheld shooting.
The lens is the longest telephoto zoom lens among EOS M lenses. Its extended zoom range makes it a perfect lens for portraits and other types of images. It even offers quick and precise focus through STM technology. The lens features advanced optics as well, achieving crisp detail, dynamic contrast, and vivid colors throughout your images.
Key Specifications
- Canon EF-M APS-C Telephoto Zoom Lens
- 55-200mm Focal Length
- f/4.5-f/32 Aperture Range
- 1 m Minimum Focusing Distance
- Autofocus & Image Stabilization Enabled
- 7 Rounded Aperture Blades
- 9.2 oz / 260
