Best Equipment

Best Lenses for Canon EOS 5D Mark IV

best-canon-5d-mark-iv-lenses

We have selected the best lenses for Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, and ended up with the 10 lenses below.

All of these have superb image quality, with the majority of them also being L lenses (better optics and build quality).

They’re perfect regardless whether you’re a hobby photographer or doing this professionally, as they can all be used for many different types of photography (from landscape, portraits, studio, to action and wildlife and so on).

Prime lenses we covered:
Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM
Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM
Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro

Best zoom lenses we covered:
Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4L IS II USM

You automatically support us if you order anything through our Amazon links, and we highly recommend them because of their low prices, fast delivery and top support, especially when it comes to camera equipment.

Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM

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The Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM is an optically amazing wide angle lens, perfect for architecture, landscape and general wide photography.

Compared to the previous version, there’s less chromatic aberration and overall better quality, especially in the corners of an image. While edges aren’t usually a problem on APS-C cameras, it’s much easier to see that on full frame cameras such as the 5D Mark IV.

Who is this lens for? If you need the f/1.4 because you often shoot indoors, but also want an amazing lens for outdoor photography, you’ll find this one perfect. Clubs, architecture, real estate, night scenes etc., you name it.

You can buy it at Amazon or read more reviews here.

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM

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The Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM is the best-selling lens from Canon, which already says a lot. It’s affordable, compact and delivers high quality images.

It’s amazing for low light photography because the maximum f/1.8 gathers a ton of light, meaning you’ll be able to shoot at night without getting so many blurred images.

Another reason why f/1.8 is so good is because it allows you to completely blur the background, making your subject stand out (called shallow depth of field). It’s the easiest and quickest way to make your shots look professional.

Auto focus is quick, silent and accurate thanks to STM (Stepping Motor), which is also a plus for videographers because you won’t have any noise from auto focusing in your videos.

Who is this lens good for? Everyone. The 50mm focal length is truly good for almost all types of photography, from food, portrait, street, product, low light, animal, to sports and travel photography.

You can buy it at Amazon or read more reviews here.

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

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How to describe the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM? Beautiful colors, razor sharp images, superb quality, creamy bokeh and most importantly, affordable! For less than $400 (at Amazon) you get one of the sharpest prime lenses Canon has ever made.

Featuring an Ultra Sonic Motor, it’ll quickly focus on your subject even in darker conditions. With f/1.8 and 85mm focal length, you can’t even imagine what kind of amazing photographs you’ll be able to take!

Where this lens truly shines at is portrait, wedding and concert photography.

Often shoot in low light? At f/1.8 you’ll be able to get crisp shots without having to raise your ISO speed to extreme sensitivities, although the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is good at handling those speeds.

Who is this lens for? Portrait, concert, street, animal and even sport photographers. If you’ve never used anything but your kit lens, you’ll be blown away by what the 85mm f/1.8 can do. Hands down my favorite prime lens for price/performance, I’ve been using it for years and love it.

You can buy it at Amazon or read more reviews here.

Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM

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The Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM is sharper than the majority of prime lenses on the market.

It’s tack sharp even at f/1.4, features a Ring-type AF motor for fast, silent and accurate focusing with Full Time Manual Focus, and has a closest focusing distance of 0.30cm/11.81″.

Great bokeh, beautiful colors and optical quality, plus it’s built like a tank so you don’t have to worry about easily damaging it. It’s also cheaper and performs better than Canon’s version!

Who is this lens for? If you find the 50mm too long for your needs and need something wider for street, low light, landscape and general photography, the super sharp Sigma 35mm is your best choice.

You can buy it at Amazon or read more reviews here.

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro

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Macro lenses are notorious for being sharp, and the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro is no exception! The focal length is perfect; not too short so you won’t easily scare your subjects, and not too long either (even when on an APS-C camera).

A lot of people think macro lenses are only for small products or animals, but you could honestly use this lens for almost anything, from portraits to sports. With f/2.8 maximum aperture and telephoto length, your backgrounds will look creamy and colorful, and you will also be able to shoot in darker conditions.

Focusing wise, the Ring USM offers very quick and silent auto focus, a must for photographing in the nature. If you want a cheaper, but just as sharp macro lens with no IS, check out the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro that goes for around $600.

Who is this lens for? Portrait, product, bugs, animal photographers. I’ve used it for sports and action as well (subjects far away) and had no complaints regarding the AF speed.

You can buy it at Amazon or read more reviews here.

Best Zoom Lenses for Canon 5D Mark IV

Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM

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The Canon EF 16-35m f/4L IS USM is one of those zoom lenses that have the quality and sharpness of a prime lens, without being too expensive!

If you own a FF camera you can’t use the Sigma above, but the 16-35mm is your best extreme wide option, is sharper than the f/2.8 version and also features IS.

Its closes focusing distance is 0.92ft/0.28m, has 16 elements in 12 groups (2 UD and 3 aspheric elements to reduce chromatic aberration and improve quality) and offers IS up to 4 stops, which can be helpful when you don’t have a tripod and are shooting with slower shutter speeds.

Who is this lens for? Don’t need the more expensive f/2.8 and shoot landscape, architecture and indoors? You’ll love it, and it’s really sharp.

You can buy it at Amazon or read more reviews here.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM

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If you’re a full frame shooter, you will love the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM, it’s the most versatile lens on this list. You’ll be able to cover from wide to standard/medium telephoto ranges with excellent image quality and f/2.8 aperture.

Honestly, I’d consider this lens and the 70-200mm to be a must for almost any photographer that like shooting with zooms. You’re covered for almost all types of photography, from general stuff, weddings, portraits, traveling and indoor sports as well.

There’s no Image Stabilization so be ready to raise your ISO speed from time to time, although you’re pretty safe with f/2.8.

Who is this lens for? All around photographers who want a high quality f/2.8 in booth indoor and outdoor situations.

You can buy it at Amazon or read more reviews here.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM

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The Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM is included in the 5D IV’s kit, but if you bought the body separately, or with another lens, and are looking for an all-around, high quality L lens, this is it.

If you need more zoom than the lens above offers, and can shoot with f/4 (in terms of ISO, the IV is awesome so no issues there unless you often shoot in low light), I’d suggest going with the 24-105mm. It also features Image Stabilization, which the 24-70mm does not!

Who is this lens for? If you need the IS and slightly more zoom compared to the f/2.8 above, you get similar results but for less money.

You can buy it at Amazon or read more reviews here.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM

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The Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM is the most expensive and best 70-200mm lens from Canon (out of 4 versions, ranging from $600 to $2,000). There are two f/4 versions and two f/2.8 versions, each with and without Image Stabilization.

For weddings, this is hands down the best lens out there. It’s long enough so you can capture almost anything without distracting anyone, and the bokeh/background blur looks absolutely amazing.

Its auto focus is super fast and accurate (USM), even in low light conditions where you’ll be doing quite a lot of shooting. Thanks to f/2.8 you also don’t have to raise your ISO speed a lot, resulting in cleaner and sharper images.

When photographing with slow shutter speeds, the Image Stabilization will help you up to 4 stops, but remember that this only applies if your subject isn’t moving. While outdoor photography may not require you to have IS, it’s almost a must for weddings, and is worth the extra price! You definitely want as much help from your system to deliver stabilized shots in all conditions.

Who is this lens for? Portrait, product, bugs, animal photographers. I’ve used it for sports and action as well (subjects far away) and had no complaints regarding the AF speed.

You can buy it at Amazon or read more reviews here.

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4-5.6L IS II USM

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The Canon EF 100-400mm f/4-5.6L IS II USM replaces the old, highly popular 100-400mm that was the best zoom for wildlife photography for its time.

With improved optics, better build quality, faster auto focusing that’s better for today’s DSLR cameras, and a normal zoom twisting mechanism (the old lens required you to push/pull to zoom), the increase in price is logical, and worth it.

Like many L lenses it shines throughout the whole zoom range, and is blazingly fast when it comes to tracking and focusing on your subjects. Because of its f/5.6 at 400mm, you’ll have to bump the ISO when shooting in darker situations.

Who is this lens for? Outdoor photographers that want the best when shooting wildlife, birds and sports, without breaking the bank.

You can buy it at Amazon or read more reviews here.

More Recommended Lenses for Canon 5D Mark IV

canon-ef-70-300mm-f4-5.6l-is-usm-udHere are some more lenses that we recommend, but are aimed at more specific types of photographers.

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM UD – The best 70-300mm from Canon. If you find the 100-400 too expensive, or don’t need that much zoom/weight, this one is a better choice.

Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L USM Fisheye – Perfect for extreme wide angle shooters.

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM – If you absolutely need the slightly bigger (f/1.4 vs f/1.8) aperture because you shoot in low light, get this 50mm version.

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