The Canon EOS R50 V is a versatile, compact mirrorless camera designed with content creators and beginner photographers in mind. With its lightweight body, advanced autofocus system, and ability to shoot 4K video, it’s quickly becoming a favorite in the Canon mirrorless lineup. But to unlock the camera’s full potential, choosing the best lenses is essential.
In this guide, we’ll break down the recommended lenses for the Canon EOS R50 V, covering various photography genres such as portrait, landscape, macro, travel, street, and video. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to enhance your gear, here’s everything you need to know about the best lenses for the Canon EOS R50 V.
Canon EOS R50 V Store Links at B&HPhoto / Adorama.
Understanding the Canon EOS R50 V Lens Mount
Before diving into lens recommendations, it’s important to know that the Canon EOS R50 V uses the RF mount, specifically optimized for Canon’s mirrorless system. This means the camera is compatible with RF and RF-S lenses, and you can also use EF and EF-S lenses via an adapter—though RF lenses are the most optimized for performance.
The Canon R50 V features an APS-C sensor, meaning there’s a 1.6x crop factor to consider when choosing focal lengths.
1. Best All-Around Lens: Canon RF-S 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM
If you’re looking for one lens to do it all, the Canon RF-S 18-150mm is arguably the best lens for general use with the Canon EOS R50 V. It covers a wide focal range, making it great for landscapes, portraits, and even wildlife photography.
Key Features:
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29-240mm equivalent focal range
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Compact and lightweight
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Optical Image Stabilization
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Silent STM autofocus for smooth video
Why It’s Recommended: This lens is ideal for beginners and travelers who want one convenient lens to cover multiple scenarios without swapping gear.
Store Links : Amazon, B&H, Adorama
2. Best Portrait Lens: Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM
When it comes to capturing beautiful portraits with a shallow depth of field, the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM is a must-have. Known as the “nifty fifty,” this lens is affordable, sharp, and delivers stunning bokeh.
Key Features:
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Large f/1.8 aperture
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Crisp image quality
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Lightweight and budget-friendly
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Great in low light
Why It’s Recommended: Perfect for beginners looking to step into portrait photography, offering premium results at an accessible price.
Store Links : Amazon,B&H, Adorama.
3. Best Landscape Lens: Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM
For landscape lovers, cityscapes, or even real estate shots, the Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM is a wide-angle gem. It’s also fantastic for vlogging, giving a dramatic, immersive field of view.
Key Features:
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Ultra-wide 16mm perspective
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Bright f/2.8 aperture
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Compact pancake design
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Great edge-to-edge sharpness
Why It’s Recommended: Wide-angle shots demand clarity and dynamic range—this lens delivers both while keeping your kit lightweight and travel-friendly.
Store Links : Amazon/B&H/Adorama
4. Best Macro Lens: Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS Macro STM
For photographers who love capturing the details of flowers, food, or tiny textures, the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS Macro STM is a top pick. It’s versatile enough to double as a street or walkaround lens as well.
Key Features:
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1:2 macro magnification
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Fast f/1.8 aperture for beautiful bokeh
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Image stabilization
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Close focusing distance (0.17m)
Why It’s Recommended: This lens strikes a perfect balance between macro functionality and everyday usability.
Store Links : Amazon, B&H, Adorama.
5. Best Telephoto Lens: Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM
If you’re into wildlife, sports, or even distant street photography, a telephoto zoom is essential. The Canon RF 100-400mm IS USM is surprisingly compact for its range and works well with the R50 V’s crop factor.
Key Features:
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160-640mm effective zoom on APS-C
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Image Stabilization
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Nano USM for quick and quiet autofocus
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Excellent reach and clarity
Why It’s Recommended: For such an extensive zoom range, this lens is lightweight and affordable—a great companion for the adventurous shooter.
Store Links : Amazon/B&H/Adorama
6. Best Travel Lens: Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM
The RF 24-105mm STM is one of the best lenses for travel with the Canon EOS R50 V. It offers a versatile zoom range in a compact body, and it’s ideal for everything from wide shots to casual portraits.
Key Features:
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Broad zoom range
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Optical Image Stabilization
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Close-up capabilities
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Smooth and quiet video performance
Why It’s Recommended: The ideal lens when packing light is a priority. Whether you’re shooting at a local market or a mountain range, this lens can handle it all.
7. Best Street & Everyday Lens: Canon RF 28mm f/2.8 STM
For candid shots, street photography, and everyday moments, the RF 28mm f/2.8 STM is a sleek, fast prime lens that pairs perfectly with the Canon EOS R50 V.
Key Features:
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Pancake design for portability
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Wide f/2.8 aperture
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Natural field of view (44.8mm equivalent on APS-C)
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Fast and silent focusing
Why It’s Recommended: Compact, sharp, and intuitive—everything a beginner needs for walking around the city or shooting on the go.
Store Links : B&H Photo Video/Adorama/Amazon
8. Best Video Lens: Canon RF 15-30mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM
For vloggers and content creators, a wide zoom lens like the RF 15-30mm STM is ideal. It gives you the flexibility of a zoom while keeping your framing wide enough for talking-head videos and environmental storytelling.
Key Features:
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Ultra-wide to standard zoom
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Smooth STM autofocus
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Built-in image stabilization
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Lightweight design
Why It’s Recommended: The lens makes a great pairing with the Canon EOS R50 V’s 4K video capabilities, especially for handheld and walk-and-talk shots.
Store Links : B&H Photo Video/Adorama/Amazon
Tips for Choosing the Best Lenses for Your Canon EOS R50 V
When building your lens kit, consider the following:
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Focal length needs: Choose based on your most common subjects (e.g., portraits vs. landscapes).
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Aperture requirements: A wider aperture (like f/1.8) helps in low light and delivers more background blur.
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Portability: If you travel or vlog, compact lenses are a big advantage.
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Budget: Thankfully, Canon has released many budget-friendly lenses in the RF and RF-S lineup.
All lenses listed above are recommended based on their compatibility, performance, and value when paired with the Canon EOS R50 V.
Final Thoughts
The Canon EOS R50 V is a strong mirrorless camera that becomes even more powerful when paired with the right glass. From the best lenses for portraits and landscapes to macro and video, the Canon RF ecosystem offers incredible versatility. Whether you’re a complete beginner or a content creator looking to maximize your setup, the lenses featured in this guide are all recommended for getting the most out of your R50 V.
By investing in the right lens—or lenses—you’ll elevate your photography and videography experience, ensuring sharper images, better bokeh, and more creative flexibility.
