Now more than ever, photographers are working on-the-go, taking jobs across the country, and even around the world. We need lenses built to travel with us, that perform at the highest level, but don’t weigh us down. As the major camera manufacturer, Canon develops some of the best lenses and professional glass on the market. However, more recently, they have shifted to develop more portable, lightweight lens options in their RF series line up, that complement the lighter, travel-friendly, full-frame mirrorless, EOS R series of cameras. They’ve also done a fantastic job with their EF series lenses, to keep up with the ever-changing demands of travel photographers.
These lenses truly strike the perfect balance, and provide the travel-friendly options that content creators, photographers, and videographers need this year and beyond. So, let’s break down some of these best travel lenses, shall we? Here are the top Canon lenses for travel. This article will highlight RF and EF series lenses that combine weight, size, portability, and performance in one package, perfect for travel and the modern-day photographer.
What to look for in a travel lens
A solid travel lens, whether it’s perhaps the best travel Canon lens or a lens from Sony, Nikon, or other brands, has a few key features. These include:
Weight
Airline weight restrictions can make life tough on travel photographers. That’s why you should look for a portable, lightweight lens whenever possible to keep your pack easy to carry and well within airline requirements.
Aperture
The faster the aperture, the more versatility you have to work in low-lit conditions and to get creative with the shot (e.g., blurred backgrounds or bokeh). Look for an aperture range of at least around f/4, although even faster, like f/2, is ideal — especially for night-sky images.
Autofocus
Make sure the lens has solid autofocus capabilities, including fast and accurate focusing. You don’t want to waste precious travel minutes perfecting (or missing) the shot.
Focal length
The focal length you need depends on the type of images you hope to create. If you want to try landscapes or astrophotography, get a wider focal length like 20mm. If you hope to break into wildlife photography, nab a telephoto lens with at least a 300mm focal length. A zoom lens that transitions from wide to telephoto is also a great option for travel.
Best Travel Lenses for Canon Cameras
Whether you’re shooting with a Canon DSLR or mirrorless camera, you’ll find a lens that you can bring with you on your next trip or turn into your favorite primary lens. All you’ll likely need is a Canon Mount Adapter — if you’re using the newest Canon mirrorless systems — and you’re good to go!
Best Canon Mirrorless Lenses for Travel
Canon RF 28-70mm f/2 L USM Lens
When it comes to the best Canon travel lens, it’s hard to top the Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM lens. This Canon travel lens is bursting at the seams with coveted features, including a constant f/2 aperture for stunning bokeh no matter the focal length, a 12-pin communication system to optimize data transfer, and a control ring for easily adjusting settings. It also comes with reliable image stabilization, so you can rest assured that you’ll capture sharp shots, even when shooting handheld.
Key Specifications:
- Full-Format Wide Angle to Telephoto Zoom
- Focal Length of 28-70mm
- Aperture Range of f/2 – f/22
- 9 Rounded Diaphragm Blades
- Weighs 1,430g (3.15 lbs.)
Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens
Another solid option on the list of the best Canon travel lens options is the Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8 L IS USM lens, which offers up to five stops of image stabilization with five stops of shake correction, high image quality via a large-diameter RF mount, and a minimum focusing distance of 0.92 feet — which means you can go from wide-angle landscapes to creative macro shots. The clarity and focusing work in tandem to make this one of many options for the best Canon travels lenses on the market.
Key Specifications:
- Full-Frame Wide Angle Zoom
- Focal Length of 15-35mm
- Aperture Range of f/2.8 – f/22
- Optical Image Stabilization Technology
- 9 Rounded Diaphragm Blades
- Weighs 840g (1.85 lbs.)
Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM
This Canon RF-mount lens is designed for Canon full-frame mirrorless cameras, and more dedicated shooters would appreciate the fact that this mirrorless lens offers a true wide-angle perspective of 24mm and that it bears Canon’s L-series lens technology, ensuring more vibrant, sharp, high-quality images.
For many professionals, it’s a dream to be able to use a smaller, pro-level mirrorless camera and have the option to mount a premium lens that covers a wide range of focal lengths. The RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM offers it all, especially when you want pro-quality images to bring home from your travels.
Key Specifications:
- Full-Frame Wide-Angle to Telephoto Zoom Lens
- Focal Length of 24-105mm
- Aperture Range of f/4 – f/22
- Optical Image Stabilization Technology
- Ring-Type Nano USM AF System
- 9 Rounded Diaphragm Blades
- Weighs 700g (24.7 oz)
Canon RF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM Lens
When it comes to the best Canon lenses for travel, it’s hard not to include the powerful and impressive Canon RF 70-200mm f/4. This, Canon’s shortest and lightest 70-200mm interchangeable zoom lens, promises seriously high quality images—even when zoomed in. The camera features five stops of shake correction (and up to 7.5 stops with coordinated optical image stabilizer and in-body image stabilization). The result? Sharp, crisp shots, even when used handheld.
The lens comes with a control ring for easy settings changes, a 12-pin communication system, and a coating that’s dust and water resistant—all must-have features for travel photographers and videographers.
Learn more about the lens in this hands-on review by Vanessa Joy.
Key Specifications:
- Full-Frame Telephoto Zoom Lens
- Focal Length of 70-200mm
- Aperture of f/4
- Optical Image Stabilizer with up to 5 Stops of Shake Correction
- High Speed, Smooth and Quiet Auto Focus with Dual Nano USM
- Minimum Focusing Distance of 1.96 ft.
- Dust- and Water-resistant with Fluorine Coating
- Weighs 695g (1.5 lbs)
Canon RF 14-35mm f/4 L IS USM Lens
Another Canon lens you can’t skip when it comes to travel is the Canon RF 14-35mm f/4 lens. The lens is perfect for those looking to experiment with landscape, architecture, and even night sky photography. With a wide angle focal length of 14-35mm, this lens will capture entire sweeping scenes that truly draw the viewer in.
Specs-wise, this ultra-wide-angle lens features up to seven stops of shake correction when it’s used in tandem with the EOS R series cameras that feature in-body image stabilization. It also has a minimum focusing distance of 7.9 inches across all focal lengths, not to mention a lightweight construction that’s easy to pack for trips close to home or halfway around the world.
See the lens in action in this hands-on review by Josh Katz.
Key Specifications:
- Wide Angle Zoom Lens
- Focal Length of 14-35mm
- Aperture of f/4
- Optical Image Stabilizer with up to 5.5 stops of shake correction
- High speed, smooth and quiet autofocus with Canon’s Nano USM
- Control Ring for direct setting changes
- Dust- and weather-resistant
- Weighs 540g (1.2 lbs)
Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM Lens
The Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 lens is an all-in-one lens, and one of the best Canon lenses for travel. For starters, this compact lens features a flexible zoom range of 24 to 105mm, which means photographers can go from wide-angle streetscape shots to zoomed in portraits or wildlife subjects—all within seconds, and without the need for a lens change.
The wide-angle zoom was also built for close-up shooting, which means you can capture flowers while on the go, or food from your favorite restaurant in a new city. The lens comes built-in with smart and effective autofocusing to ensure each snap is as sharp as the last. And, this lens is budget friendly and therefore perfect for the aspiring travel photographer.
Key Specifications:
- Wide Angle to Telephoto Zoom Lens
- Focal Length of 24-105mm
- Aperture range of f/4-7.1
- Optical Image Stabilization at up to 5 Stops of Shake Correction
- Control Ring for Direct Setting Changes
- In-camera Digital Lens Optimizer
- Leadscrew-type STM enables Smooth Autofocusing for Still-image and Video Shooting
- Weighs 395g (13.93 oz)
Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM Lens
Whether it’s for portraits of the people you meet or food films to showcase the delicious cuisines around the world, the Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L lens has you covered. It’s another one of the best Canon lenses for travel creators, starting first and foremost with the lifelike photos this stunning 50mm focal length produces. The lens also has a fast aperture that helps it work in low-light situations without compromising on quality.
With the tactile control ring, it’s easy to adjust exposure settings like shutter speed. And, the new RF lens mount design promises a shorter distance between the rear element and camera sensor—meaning improved optical performance your fans and clients will adore.
Key Specifications:
- Standard Lens
- Focal Length of 50mm
- Aperture of f/1.2
- Three Aspherical Elements and One UD Element
- Air Sphere Coating (ASC) Minimizes Lens Flare and Ghosting
- 12 pin Communication System
- Dust- and Water-resistant with Fluorine Coating
- Weighs 950g (2.09 lbs)
Best Travel Lenses for Canon DSLR Cameras
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM
If you’re willing to invest more in a professional-quality Canon travel lens, the 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM is a top choice. Not only does it offer a more versatile “medium zoom” focal length that reaches 70mm, but it also combines a bright maximum constant aperture with the brand’s L-series technology to provide superior low-light, color, and quality performance. Even its Ultrasonic Motor autofocus system is fast and silent, so you’re sure to always catch the perfect moment.
What makes this full-frame lens near perfect is that the premium optics are housed in a rugged, weather-sealed body, making it all the more ideal for outdoor and travel photography.
Key Specifications:
- Full-Frame Wide-Angle Zoom Lens
- Focal Length of 24-70mm
- Aperture Range of f/2.8 – f/22
- Ring-Type Ultrasonic Motor (USM) AF System
- 9 Rounded Diaphragm Blades
- Weighs 805g (28.4oz)
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM
Looking for an awesome “nifty fifty” to document your travels? Fortunately, Canon makes high-quality 50mm lenses that are great for a wide variety of photography styles. The 50mm f/1.8 STM, in particular, is almost everything you’d want in a travel lens: it’s small, lightweight, fast, versatile, and inexpensive.
And with the same maximum aperture of f/1.8, you get nothing less than tack sharp focus and luscious bokeh quality. No wonder it’s still one of the most popular Canon lenses to date.
Key Specifications:
- Full-Frame Standard Prime Lens
- Fixed Focal Length of 50mm
- Aperture Range of f/1.8 – f/22
- Gear-Type Stepping Motor (STM) AF System
- 7 Rounded Diaphragm Blades
- Weighs 161.59g (5.7oz)
Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM
This Canon lens also covers a short wide-angle focal range, with a smaller aperture of f/4. What really makes this a must-have (especially for travel photographers with a focus on landscapes or architecture) is that it’s a full-frame lens, which makes it the only short focal length lens we’ve mentioned so far that offers a true wide-angle perspective.
Bonus features include the brand’s coveted L-series lens technology, image stabilization (helpful for handheld shooting), incredible sharpness with reduced chromatic aberration or vignetting, and a rather compact form factor.
Key Specifications:
- Full-Frame Wide-Angle Zoom Lens
- Focal Length of 16-35mm
- Aperture Range of f/4 – f/22
- Optical Stabilizer (OS) Technology
- Ring-Type Ultrasonic Motor (USM) AF System
- 9 Rounded Diaphragm Blades
- Weighs 615g (21.7oz)
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
We already mentioned a 50mm earlier, but this other Canon nifty fifty offers a faster maximum aperture of f/1.4 — the perfect choice for those who want to really throw out backgrounds with a much narrower depth of field. Its eight rounded aperture blades (one more compared to the f/1.8) helps create gorgeous bokeh.
These make the lens even more perfect for taking portraits while traveling. Canon also developed it with high-grade plastics, so it’s lightweight, handy, and incredibly easy to stash in your camera bag.
Key Specifications:
- Full-Frame Standard Prime Lens
- Fixed Focal Length of 50mm
- Aperture Range of f/1.4 – f/22
- Ultrasonic Motor (USM) AF System
- 8 Rounded Diaphragm Blades
- Weighs 290g (10.2oz)
Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM
There aren’t too many lenses for Canon crop sensor mirrorless cameras, so the EF-M 22mm f/2 STM clearly stands out. At first glance, it’s the perfect “pancake lens” that you’ll definitely want to match with your compact camera if you want to be equipped with the lightest camera setup possible.
Once the sensor’s crop factor has been taken into account, you get to shoot with an extended focal length of 35mm, making it great for street photography and other day-to-day snapshots while you’re traveling. You could even insert it right into your pocket and forget it’s there because of its very minimal weight of 105g.
Key Specifications:
- APS-C Wide-Angle Prime Lens
- Fixed Focal Length of 22mm
- Aperture Range of f/2 – f/22
- Inner Focusing (IF) AF System
- 7 Rounded Diaphragm Blades
- Weighs 105g (3.7 oz)
Third-Party Lenses:
Rokinon 20mm f/1.8 ED AS UM
For travelers with a penchant for capturing spectacular images of the night sky, the Rokinon 20mm f/1.8 AS ED UMC prime helps you capture those dreamy images without having to break the bank. It offers a fixed focal length of 20mm and is suitable for full-frame cameras so you get the exact wide-angle perspective.
Rokinon is well-known for producing competitively priced, sharp, and effective lenses. The result? You can capture starry night skies or the Milky Way from wherever in the world you decide to travel to. This is also a great lens for group shots and daytime landscapes.
Key Specifications:
- Full-Frame Wide-Angle Prime Lens
- Focal Length of 20mm
- Aperture Range of f/1.8 – f/22
- Manual Focusing System
- 7 Rounded Diaphragm Blades
- Weighs 490g (17.2oz)
Sigma 18-35mm F/1.8 DC HSM ART Lens
For those shooting with APS-C format Canon cameras, this other Sigma lens is perhaps the most effective and most admired third-party travel lens. It boasts gorgeous optics that professionals can use, such as a blazing fast autofocus and a shorter wide-angle zoom range that enables the use of a much wider maximum aperture.
As for image quality, you get brighter photos in low-light conditions, enhanced sharpness from corner to corner (even at f/1.8), and distortions and aberrations reduced to microscopic amounts.
Key Specifications:
- APS-C Wide-Angle Zoom Lens
- Focal Length of 18-35mm
- Aperture Range of f/1.8 – f/16
- Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) AF System
- 9 Rounded Diaphragm Blades
- Weighs 800g (28.2oz)
Shop the entire collection of Canon lenses at Adorama.
