The Best Lenses for Canon 80D Users

Written by Nathan Lee Allen
|
Updated on August 17, 2022
Canon 80D
Canon 80D
Nathan Lee Allen
Adorama ALC

Deemed as the perfect camera for both amateur and professional photographers, the Canon 80D offers great features for capturing stills and action shots. It features a 24MP sensor that shows plenty of detail and 45 AF points for more accurate focus selection. The camera also boasts built-in Wi-Fi and Full HD 60p movies to go with its improved operability. On top of that, its excellent performance truly benefits from the various lenses that it uses.

The 80D offers multiple lens options, ranging from kit lenses to telephoto lenses. But your choice of lens will still depend on where you want to use it. Whether you’re shooting portraits, landscapes, or other images, we’ve rounded up the best Canon 80D lenses below.

What mount does Canon 80D use?

The Canon EOS 80D uses the Canon EF/EF-S lens mount, built for Canon’s full-frame and APS-C. There are currently hundreds of Canon and third-party EF and EF-S mount options for photographers and content creators to choose from, so it’s a great camera DSLR mount to buy into. 

Does a Canon EF lens fit on the 80D?

Absolutely. While the Canon EOS 80D is a crop sensor (APS-C) DSLR camera, and EF-S lenses work best on this camera, you can still shoot amazing images with full-frame EF lenses. Just expect a 1.6x crop factor on your EF lens focal length, due to the smaller sensor size.

The Best Lenses for Canon 80D Users

Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM

If you’re searching for an affordable zoom lens that can capture sky, nature, buildings, and real estate shots, this sharp and lightweight lens is just for you. The 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM offers minimal distortion and improved low light performance with a four-group optical zoom system. You can get up to four equivalent stops of shake correction with the Optical Image Stabilizer system.

Additionally, this Canon 80D lens is perfect for daily photography, travel, and capturing stills and videos. This is thanks to its reliable, fast, and silent wide-angle performance. It even performs better than the brand’s 10-22mm zoom lens, making it great for wide-angle photography.

Key Features:

  • APS-C Wide Angle Zoom Lens
  • 10-18mm Focal Length
  • f/4.5-f/29 Aperture Range
  • Autofocus Enabled
  • Image Stabilization Enabled
  • 7 Rounded Diaphragm Blades
  • 240 g / 8.5 oz

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

This EF-S lens packs excellent low light performance, maximum aperture, superb sharpness, and minimal distortion all in one lens. Landscape photographers will find it useful as it offers wide-angle capabilities with premium image quality. And if you love shooting portraits with the 80D, the 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM will give you outstanding portraiture.

But that’s not all this lens has to offer. It also provides easier focus with a narrow focusing ring and quick, quiet autofocus through its USM. The 17-55mm f/2.8 effectively controls chromatic aberrations as well.

Key Features:

  • APS-C Wide Angle to Standard Zoom Lens
  • 17-55mm Focal Length
  • f/2.8-f/22 Aperture Range
  • Autofocus Enabled
  • Image Stabilization Enabled
  • 7 Rounded Diaphragm Blades
  • 645g / 22.75oz

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

The EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM produces amazing spontaneous shots with its speed and smooth focus. Its Nano USM technology provides excellent speed that enables greater focus on your subject. The lens even lets you capture crisper images through its four-stop Optical Image Stabilizer.

This Canon lens features an extensive focal range. The shortest focal length lets you capture certain landscape areas, while telephoto lengths and fast AF help you get closer to the action. The lens is an ideal travel lens as well. This is due to its portable and lightweight design.

Key Features:

  • APS-C Wide Angle to Telephoto Zoom Lens
  • 18-135mm Focal Length
  • f/3.5-f/38 Aperture Range
  • Autofocus Enabled
  • Image Stabilization Enabled
  • 7 Rounded Diaphragm Blades
  • 515g / 18.2 oz

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM

The EF 50mm f/1.8 STM could very well be one of the best least expensive lenses for the Canon 80D on this list. This sharp, lightweight lens is perfect for portrait shots and superb for action photography at night. And just like other Canon lenses, the lens has STM technology that enables quiet focus while shooting video.

This EF lens features an f/1.8 aperture that allows you to create more artistic and dynamic photos. You can make your background blurry and capture images in dim locations using this aperture. It even lets you focus on your subject as you shoot them, making the EF 50mm f/1.8 STM a great portrait lens.

Key Features:

  • Full-Frame Prime Lens
  • 50mm Focal Length
  • f/1.8-f/22 Aperture Range
  • 46° Viewing Angle
  • Autofocus Enabled
  • 7 Rounded Diaphragm Blades
  • 160g / 5.6oz

Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM

As one of the best lenses for the 80D, the EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM delivers excellent performance despite its very short and lightweight build. It features a smooth video autofocus and STM and FTM (Full Time Manual) focus. FTM technology enables manual focusing in videos with set AF. These features make this lens popular among videographers.

The EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM is also a popular choice for astrophotography enthusiasts. You can even use it for street photography since it produces exceptional images in low light. Landscape photographers favor this lens as well.

Key Features:

  • APS-C Wide Angle Lens
  • 24mm Focal Range
  • f/2.8-f/22 Aperture Range
  • 59° Viewing Angle
  • Autofocus Enabled
  • 7 Rounded Diaphragm Blades
  • 125g / 4.4oz

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM

The second least expensive lens for the Canon 80D on our list uses an extremely quiet and quick STM AF system. It also provides manual focusing override through an internal focusing feature. The highest apertures make this EF-S lens very crisp. It also controls distortion well, delivering 0.5% of barrel distortion at 55mm.

This small, light telephoto lens can perfectly capture telephoto images in low light. It’s also a perfect choice for outdoor photography. But if your background is not dim and if you use ISO 1600-3200, you can use the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM indoors as well. It can even be an excellent lens for capturing stunning footage.

Key Features:

  • APS-C Standard to Telephoto Zoom Lens
  • 55-250mm Focal Length
  • f/4-f/32 Aperture Range
  • Autofocus Enabled
  • Image Stabilization Enabled
  • 7 Rounded Diaphragm Blades
  • 375g / 13.2oz

Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

This USM lens is extremely durable due to its high-quality plastic construction and metal mount. Both features make it less susceptible to eventual wear. This lens also offers up to 4x slower shutter speeds through its image stabilizer.

The EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM is an extremely versatile lens with a 24mm wide-angle end and a 136mm telephoto end. The feature lets you shoot different kinds of images, whether they’re landscapes, portraits, or flora. This very clear lens delivers effective image resolution throughout its focal range as well.

Key Features:

  • APS-C Wide Angle to Standard Zoom Lens
  • 15-85mm Focal Length
  • f/3.5-f/36 Aperture Range
  • Autofocus Enabled
  • Image Stabilization Enabled
  • 7 Rounded Diaphragm Blades
  • 575g / 20.3oz

Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8

Last but definitely not least, we have the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM ART lens. It’s a remarkably crisp lens with the perfect focal length for any shooting situation. The lens can be used for wedding, travel, street, interior, and general photography. You can use it to shoot in low light as well.

This Sigma lens offers well-controlled, more remarkable chromatic aberration. It also controls distortion effectively. The lens even provides you with quick and quiet autofocus through its Hyper Sonic and AF motors. What’s more, it’s extremely lightweight and sturdy with Thermally Stable Composite material in a high-quality construction.

Key Features:

  • APS-C Wide Angle Zoom Lens
  • 18-35mm Focal Length
  • f/1.8-f/16 Aperture Range
  • Canon EF Lens Mount
  • Autofocus Enabled
  • 9 Diaphragm Blades
  • 800g / 28.2oz

Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD Lens

The Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD Lens is the world’s first 22.2x ultra-telephoto all-in-one zoom lens for APS-C crop sensor cameras, and one of the most versatile third party Canon 80D lenses you can buy.

The Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD Lens was also built with Tamron’s Vibration Compensation (VC) for stable shooting throughout the focal range. Autofocus is quick, accurate, and quiet as well, thanks to Tamron’s proprietary High/Low Torque-modulated Drive (HLD), and the lens is designed to be durable, built with a moisture-resistant construction, so you can take this lens just about anywhere and capture content, no matter the weather.

Key Features:

  • World’s first 22.2x ultra-telephoto all-in-one zoom lens
  • 620mm full-frame equivalent telephoto reach
  • Tamron Vibration Compensation (VC) for confident telephoto shooting
  • HLD means quick, accurate, and quiet autofocus
  • 1:2.9 Max. Mag. Ratio for versatile close-up capability
  • Moisture-Resistant Construction
  • Compatible with TAMRON TAP-in Console, an optional accessory product

Sigma 50-100mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art Lens

Sigma Art Lenses are known for their high performance, and the Sigma 50-100mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art Lens backs up those claims. Simply put, this APS-C zoom lens is one of the most powerful third-party Canon 80D lenses you can buy.

The Sigma 50-100mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art Lens has an ultra-bright, flat f/1.8 aperture that creates beautiful bokeh and great low light performance throughout the 50-100mm zoom range, making it a fantastic lens for portraits.

Combine that aperture with high-quality glass elements and Sigma’s Hyper Sonic Motor that delivers fast accurate autofocus, and you have a brilliant zoom lens. Pair it with the Canon EOS 80D to deliver amazing results.

Key Features:

  • Ultra-bright f/1.8 aperture throughout the zoom range
  • APS-C format lens ideal for portraits
  • Expressive bokeh effects
  • Ultra-high optical performance
  • HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor) delivers high AF speed
  • Full-time manual focus override
  • Inner zoom and inner focus system
  • FLD glass, SLD glass, and high-refractive index, high-dispersion glass help minimize aberrations
  • Rounded 9-blade diaphragm
  • Tripod socket designed for stable, comfortable operation

Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC HSM ART Lens

If you’re looking for a high-performing APS-C prime lens at an affordable price, the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC HSM ART Lens is a great option and one of the best Canon 80D lenses for photographers who prefer shooting with primes.

The Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC HSM ART Lens is designed with an ultra-bright f/1.4 aperture that provides incredible shallow depth of field and beautiful bokeh, and the 30mm focal length makes it versatile enough to shoot portraits, products, and more. Add in Sigma’s Hyper Sonic Motor for high autofocus speed and performance, and low dispersion glass to reduce chromatic aberrations, and you have a third-party prime lens that is the perfect match for the Canon EOS 80D

Key Features:

  • Ultra-bright f/1.4 aperture with impressive shallow depth of field
  • APS-C format lens ideal for portraits
  • Expressive bokeh effects
  • Ultra-high optical performance
  • HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor) delivers high AF speed
  • Minimum focusing distance of 30cm/11.8 inches
  • Exclusive low-dispersion glass
  • High-precision, rugged brass bayonet mount
Nathan Lee Allen
Nathan Lee Allen is a storyteller and photographer from Kentucky. Check out his work on his website nathanleeallen.com, on Facebook.com/peaktopierglobalstudio, and Instagram @nathanleeallen.