Best Lenses for the Canon M50 and M50 Mark II: 5 Picks

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The quick answer

For the best lenses for the Canon M50 and M50 Mark II, my favorite starting point from this list is the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM. It's a bright, compact prime that I enjoyed for portraits and everyday photos. For a versatile zoom, I like the EF 24-105mm f/4L, while the Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 is my specialty ultra-wide pick.

These are five DSLR lenses I used in my 2020 video, rather than native EF-M lenses. You'll need an appropriate EF-to-EOS-M adapter, and the adapter you choose changes the view and total cost.

Watch the full M50 lens comparison on YouTube.

My Canon M50 lens picks at a glance

Lens	Why I like it	Main tradeoff
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM	Budget-friendly portrait and everyday prime	Fixed focal length; tighter view with a standard adapter
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM	Versatile stabilized travel zoom	Large and front-heavy on the M50
Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM, original	Bright wide zoom, particularly with a focal reducer	More expensive and requires an adapter
Rokinon 85mm T1.5 Cine	Characterful portrait and video look	Manual focus and long minimum focus distance
Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8	Special-purpose ultra-wide view	Corner darkening with my focal reducer; noisy, slower AF

Before you buy: EF-M, adapters, and crop

The M50 and M50 Mark II use Canon's EF-M mount. EF-M lenses fit directly. Canon EF and EF-S DSLR lenses need an EF-to-EOS-M adapter; RF and RF-S lenses are for a different mount and cannot be used on these cameras.

In the video I used a Viltrox EF-EOS M2 0.71x speed booster with my EF lenses. Its optical element reduces the image, giving a wider view and roughly one stop more light at the sensor with a compatible full-frame lens. It does not turn the M50 into a full-frame camera, and autofocus and image quality can vary by lens.

A standard EF/EF-S-to-EOS-M adapter has no focal-reducing optics. With it, multiply the focal length by roughly 1.6 for the full-frame-equivalent field of view. A 50mm lens therefore frames like about an 80mm lens on full frame. With a 0.71x reducer, the same lens gives roughly a 57mm equivalent view. The physical lens focal length doesn't change when you're describing crop alone.

APS-C lens caution: The Tokina is designed for APS-C. I tried it with my speed booster in the video, but the Viltrox listing specifies EF lenses for the reducer, and APS-C lens coverage or physical fit can be a problem. Don't assume an EF-S or third-party APS-C lens is safe to mount to a focal reducer. Verify the exact combination with the manufacturer; a standard adapter is the straightforward starting point for the appropriate Canon-mount Tokina.

1. Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM: my favorite budget pick

If I had to choose one from the video as a first lens, this is it. I like the EF 50mm f/1.8 for portraits, street photos, and the background separation it can create. It's small compared with the L-series zooms and gave me a pleasing image in both photos and video.

With a standard adapter, the approximately 80mm-equivalent view is great for tighter portraits but can feel cramped indoors. The speed booster I used gives a wider view. At the time I filmed, I quoted about $125 new for the lens, before an adapter; check current pricing rather than expecting that historical price.

Compare the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM.

2. Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM: versatile travel zoom

The 24-105mm gives me a useful range without constantly changing lenses, and I appreciate its image stabilization for handheld photos and video. I bought my copy used for about $450 at the time I made the video, but that was one deal rather than a promise of what you'll find today.

The biggest downside on the M50 is balance. The lens and adapter make the little camera front-heavy, so I wouldn't pick it for the smallest possible travel kit. A standard adapter also makes the wide end less wide, about 38mm equivalent, while the reducer I used gives a wider view.

Compare Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 IS USM options. Check the generation and listing before buying, since versions differ.

3. Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L: a brighter wide zoom

For a wider zoom with a constant f/2.8 aperture, I like the original EF 16-35mm f/2.8L. It worked well for the wide look I wanted for video, vlogging, and interiors, particularly with the focal reducer.

I found my first-generation lens for about $350 used when I filmed, which I considered an unusually good deal. Don't treat that as a current market price. With a standard adapter, the view is approximately 26-56mm equivalent, so it isn't as wide as the boosted setup shown in the video.

Check used original Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L lenses at KEH. Confirm condition and generation on the listing.

4. Rokinon 85mm T1.5 Cine: characterful portraits

The Rokinon 85mm Cine has a look that reminds me of a vintage lens, especially in its background rendering. I enjoy it for portraits and video when I'm behind the camera and can take time to focus. The cinema version I used has geared controls and a de-clicked aperture.

There is no autofocus, and the long focal length makes filming yourself difficult if you can't easily check focus. Its minimum focusing distance also made small product close-ups frustrating for me. With a standard adapter, 85mm frames like roughly 136mm on full frame, so allow plenty of working room.

Check the Rokinon 85mm T1.5 Cine in Canon EF mount. Confirm the mount and version before ordering.

5. Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8: ultra-wide for special situations

The Tokina is the pick when you need a very wide view for interiors or a dramatic perspective. It was new to my kit when I filmed, so my impressions were based on limited use. I don't normally need an ultra-wide lens as often as the other options here.

In my speed-booster test, the 11mm end showed strong dark corners, while the view around 13mm had less visible darkening in that particular setup. Your result may differ, and this is not a general compatibility guarantee. I also noticed softer results, chromatic aberration, and autofocus that was louder and slower than the other lenses in the video. The very wide perspective can make close portraits look stretched.

Check used Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 lenses for Canon at KEH. Check the exact version, mount, and adapter fit before buying.

Which M50 lens should you choose?

Start with the 50mm f/1.8 if you want an affordable portrait lens and have enough space for its field of view. Choose the 24-105mm if zoom range matters more than compactness. The 16-35mm and Tokina suit different wide-angle needs, while the Rokinon 85mm is for someone happy to focus manually.

Include the adapter in your budget, and check both lens and adapter compatibility before ordering. Used prices, condition, and availability vary. My guide to buying used camera gear covers the checks I make when comparing listings.

Frequently asked questions

Do EF lenses fit the Canon M50 directly?

No. The M50 and M50 Mark II use EF-M mounts. Canon EF and EF-S DSLR lenses need a suitable EF-to-EOS-M adapter; check each third-party lens and adapter combination.

Can I use RF lenses on the M50?

No. RF and RF-S lenses are for Canon's EOS R mount, not the M50's EF-M mount. Check the full lens name carefully when shopping.

Do I need a speed booster?

No. A standard adapter mounts compatible EF and EF-S lenses without changing their optics. A compatible focal reducer gives a wider view and increases the effective light reaching the sensor, but costs more and requires closer compatibility checks.

Which lens is best for portraits?

The EF 50mm f/1.8 STM is my accessible starting point here. The Rokinon 85mm T1.5 offers a different look if you have more room and are comfortable focusing manually.

Keep reading

• Canon M50 issues to know before buying
• Canon R50 vs R100 vs M50
• Where to buy used cameras and lenses

Watch more camera videos on FoxTailWhipz on YouTube.