The best Canon portrait lenses in 2024: fast primes for your EOS camera

Best Canon Portrait Lenses
(Image credit: Canon)

Welcome to our guide to the best Canon portrait lenses. Whether you're using a Canon DSLR, an EOS M mirrorless camera or one of the latest EOS R mirrorless cameras, these are the fast primes that will get you perfect portraits, every time.

As Digital Camera World's go-to lens reviewer, I've covered lenses for all of Canon's systems, and this list represents the best of the best, in my view. One thing to note, however, is that I've not just picked the most expensive professional lenses – there are multiple instances where I think a cheaper lens is a smarter buy, and I've made sure to include budget-friendly options.

Our portrait pro
Matthew Richards
Our portrait pro
Matthew Richards

Portraits have been my bread and butter as both an EOS and EOS R shooter for many years. As Digital Camera World's principal lens reviewer, I've tested more primes and zooms than most people have had hot dinners – and the lenses on this list are my top recommendations.

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Matthew Richards

Matthew Richards is a photographer and journalist who has spent years using and reviewing all manner of photo gear. He is Digital Camera World's principal lens reviewer – and has tested more primes and zooms than most people have had hot dinners! 

His expertise with equipment doesn’t end there, though. He is also an encyclopedia  when it comes to all manner of cameras, camera holsters and bags, flashguns, tripods and heads, printers, papers and inks, and just about anything imaging-related. 

In an earlier life he was a broadcast engineer at the BBC, as well as a former editor of PC Guide.

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