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Recommended Canon lenses for general-purpose, everyday photography and kit lens upgrades
General-purpose zooms are designed to handle most day-to-day shots, offering wide-angle to telephoto coverage. Unless you’re a specialist photographer, you’ll probably keep a general-purpose zoom fitted to your DSLR more than any other lens. Indeed if you bought a DSLR kit, you’ll already have a general-purpose lens, so why buy another one?
The answer is to upgrade to a superior model. Better quality zooms may offer superior optics, an extended focal range, tougher construction, quicker and quieter focusing, image stabilisation to reduce camera-shake, or brighter apertures for low-light work and blurred backgrounds.
Remember since this lens will probably be used for most of your shots, it makes sense to use a good quality model. Below you’ll find a selection of ideal models.
Note when we mention full-frame bodies we’re referring to models like the EOS 5D Mark II. When we mention cropped-frame bodies, we’re referring to models like the EOS 450D, 500D, 50D, 7D and the entire range of Digital Rebels. If you’d like to learn more about lens specifications, from focal lengths to f-numbers, please see our lens guide. If you find the information here useful, please support us by shopping at the stores below and if you have any questions about lenses, feel free to ask in the forum!
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Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS review |
Specifications
Focal length: 18-200mm
Aperture: f3.5-5.6
Lens mount: Canon EF-S
EF-S equiv: 29-320mm
FF compatible: No
Anti-shake: Yes
AF motor: Micro Motor
Closest focus: 45cm
Filter thread: 72mm
Hood: Optional EW-78D
Optics: 16 el. / 12 groups
Diaphragm blades: 6
Weight: 600g
Size: 79x102mm
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| Canon’s EF-S 18-200mm boasts a massive super-zoom range, although as an EF-S model it’s not compatible with full-frame cameras. On a cropped body it delivers an equivalent focal length of 29-320mm, from wide-angle to powerful telephoto, covering almost any situation without having to change lenses. There’s no USM focusing and the quality is not as good as zooms with shorter ranges, but the sheer convenience will outweigh the downsides for many. |
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Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS review |
Specifications
Focal length: 18-135mm
Aperture: f3.5-5.6
Lens mount: Canon EF-S
EF-S equiv: 29-216mm
FF compatible: No
Anti-shake: Yes
AF motor: Micro Motor
Closest focus: 45cm
Filter thread: 67mm
Hood: Optional EW-73B
Optics: 16 el. / 12 groups
Diaphragm blades: 6
Weight: 455g
Size: 75x101mm
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| Canon’s EF-S 18-135mm may not have the reach of the EF-S 18-200mm, but still delivers a respectable general-purpose range of 29-216mm on cropped-frame bodies (again it’s not compatible with full-frame models). It’s a more affordable model, often supplied as an optional kit lens on some newer bodies, and like the EF-S 18-200mm, includes Image Stabilisation to iron-out any wobbles. If you can afford to spend more though, consider the EF-S 15-85mm below. |
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Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM review |
Specifications
Focal length: 15-85mm
Aperture: f3.5-5.6
Lens mount: Canon EF-S
EF-S equiv: 24-136mm
FF compatible: No
Anti-shake: Yes
AF motor: USM
Closest focus: 35cm
Filter thread: 72mm
Hood: Optional EW-78E
Optics: 17 el. / 12 groups
Diaphragm blades: 7
Weight: 575g
Size: 82x88mm
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| Canon’s EF-S 15-85mm is the replacement for its popular EF-S 17-85mm, and designed for anyone wanting a quality general-purpose lens for cropped-bodies; note as an EF-S model, it’s not compatible with full-frame cameras. Like its predecessor there’s quick and quiet USM focusing, Image Stabilisation and decent manual focusing, but it now features slightly wider coverage, equivalent to 24-136mm. Like other non-L lenses though, you’ll still need to buy your own lens hood. |
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Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM review |
Specifications
Focal length: 17-55mm
Aperture: f2.8
Lens mount: Canon EF-S
EF-S equiv: 27-88mm
FF compatible: No
Anti-shake: Yes
AF motor: USM
Closest focus: 35cm
Filter thread: 77mm
Hood: Optional EW-83J
Optics: 19 el. / 12 groups
Diaphragm blades: 7
Weight: 645g
Size: 84x110mm
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| Canon’s EF-S 17-55mm f2.8 is the general-purpose zoom for anyone who loves to shoot portraits or work in low light; note as an EF-S model, it’s not compatible with full-frame cameras. The constant f2.8 aperture doesn’t come cheap, but it allows the lens to gather plenty of light and deliver nice blurred backgrounds. There’s also quick and quiet USM focusing, along with Image Stabilisation. An ideal wedding and portrait lens for cropped bodies. |
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Canon EF 24-105mm f4L IS USM review |
Specifications
Focal length: 24-105mm
Aperture: f4
Lens mount: Canon EF
EF-S equiv: 38- 168mm
FF compatible: Yes
Anti-shake: Yes
AF motor: USM
Closest focus: 45cm
Filter thread: 77mm
Hood: EW-83H included
Optics: 18 el. / 13 groups
Diaphragm blades: 8
Weight: 670g
Size): 84x107mm
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| Canon’s EF 24-105mm f4.0L is the ideal general-purpose zoom for owners of full-frame bodies, covering wide-angle to short telephoto with quick and quiet USM focusing, Image Stabilisation, decent manual focusing and ‘L’ quality; and as an L lens you also get a lens hood. Mounted on a cropped-body, it misses out on true wide-angle coverage, but remains a popular choice and a perfect partner for the excellent EF-S 10-22mm ultra-wide zoom. |
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