The extensive line of high quality lenses has been at the core of Canon's DSLR system.
EF-mount glass caters to the whole spectrum of photographers, from the casual shooter to the professional,
and Canon has been developing its lens offerings and updating existing optics on a regular basis.
Unlike some other camera manufacturers, the company does not publish a roadmap of upcoming lens releases, but based
on industry news and
rumors, we can expect a number of new DSLR lenses
for the EF-mount over the coming months.
The Canon EOS system
So what is in the pipeline or rumored in terms of lens releases? Given that the EF lens catalog
is rather complete, the focus of Canon has been on updating
and modernizing existing lenses. Focusing motors that are fast and provide smooth and quiet AF for video
applications, more effective optical image stabilization, and better lens coatings to reduce flare have
thereby been at the forefront of the innovations. Some recently released optics have, however, also seen a fundamental re-design
of their optical formulas or are, indeed, entirely new lenses. The listing below acts as a roadmap of recent and upcoming
lens launches, and the subsequent table-listing makes it possible to compare the headline specifications of the new optics
with existing lenses in the EF-lineup.
The table below provides a listing of Canon EF and EF-S lenses with their main specifications and prices at
the time of their launch. The list covers Canon's current lens catalog, as well as discontinued optics.
The listed prices are not adjusted for inflation, so that older lenses may appear relatively cheap in nominal terms and
might have been subject to subsequent price increases.
The list contains both EF lenses, which can be used on both full frame and APS-C cameras, and EF-S lenses,
which are especially designed for APS-C. The EF-S optics have a format factor of 1.6,
so that a 50mm focal length will give the same angle of view as an 80mm lens on full frame. EF-S lenses do not cover the entire area of a full frame sensor
and have rear elements that are closer to the camera's sensor to make more compact lens design possible. In order to prevent damage to
the lens or the camera's mirror, EF-S lenses have a tab on the lens mount
that prevents them from being mounted on full frame bodies.
Headline Specifications of Canon DSLR Lenses
Wide-angle Zooms
Focus System (type)
Filter Type (size)
Weather Sealing (y/n)
Lens Dimensions (dia x len)
Lens Weight (net)
Product Launch (year)
Launch Price (USD)
Street Price (USD)
Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM
USM
rear
Y
79 x 83 mm
540 g
2010
1,249
Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM
USM
67
n
75 x 72 mm
240 g
2014
299
Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM
USM
77
n
84 x 90 mm
385 g
2004
799
Canon EF 11-24mm f/4L USM
USM
rear
Y
108 x 132 mm
1,180 g
2015
2,999
Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM
USM
77
Y
84 x 103 mm
600 g
2001
1,499
Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM
USM
82
Y
89 x 112 mm
635 g
2007
1,599
Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM
USM
82
Y
89 x 128 mm
790 g
2016
2,199
Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM
USM
77
Y
83 x 113 mm
615 g
2014
1,199
Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM
USM
77
Y
84 x 97 mm
500 g
2003
799
Canon EF 20-35mm f/2.8L
AF
72
n
89 x 79 mm
570 g
1989
1,199
Canon EF 20-35mm f/3.5-4.5 USM
USM
77
n
83 x 69 mm
340 g
1993
449
Wide-angle Primes
Focus System (type)
Filter Type (size)
Weather Sealing (y/n)
Lens Dimensions (dia x len)
Lens Weight (net)
Product Launch (year)
Launch Price (USD)
Street Price (USD)
Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L USM
USM
rear
Y
77 x 89 mm
560 g
1991
2,199
Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM
USM
rear
Y
80 x 94 mm
645 g
2007
2,199
Canon EF 15mm f/2.8 Fisheye
AF
rear
n
73 x 62 mm
330 g
1987
699
Canon TS-E 17mm f/4L
MF
n
Y
89 x 107 mm
820 g
2009
2,149
Canon EF 20mm f/2.8 USM
USM
72
n
77 x 71 mm
405 g
1992
539
Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L USM
USM
77
Y
83 x 77 mm
550 g
1997
1,349
Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM
USM
77
Y
94 x 87 mm
650 g
2008
1,549
Canon EF 24mm f/2.8
AF
58
n
67 x 48 mm
270 g
1988
349
Canon EF 24mm f/2.8 IS USM
USM
58
n
68 x 56 mm
280 g
2012
599
Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM
STM
52
n
68 x 23 mm
125 g
2014
149
Canon TS-E 24mm f/3.5L
MF
72
Y
86 x 78 mm
570 g
1991
1,349
Canon TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II
MF
82
Y
89 x 106 mm
790 g
2009
1,899
Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 USM
USM
58
n
74 x 56 mm
310 g
1995
449
Canon EF 28mm f/2.8
AF
52
n
67 x 42 mm
185 g
1987
249
Canon EF 28mm f/2.8 IS USM
USM
58
n
68 x 52 mm
260 g
2012
549
Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L USM
USM
72
Y
79 x 86 mm
580 g
1998
1,399
Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM
USM
72
Y
80 x 106 mm
760 g
2015
1,799
Canon EF 35mm f/2.0
AF
52
n
67 x 42 mm
210 g
1990
299
Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM
USM
67
n
78 x 63 mm
335 g
2012
849
Standard Zooms
Focus System (type)
Filter Type (size)
Weather Sealing (y/n)
Lens Dimensions (dia x len)
Lens Weight (net)
Product Launch (year)
Launch Price (USD)
Street Price (USD)
Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
USM
72
n
82 x 88 mm
575 g
2009
799
Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM
USM
77
n
84 x 111 mm
645 g
2006
1,149
Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
USM
67
n
79 x 92 mm
475 g
2004
599
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
AF
58
n
69 x 80 mm
190 g
2003
199
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II
AF
58
n
69 x 80 mm
190 g
2005
199
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
AF
58
n
69 x 70 mm
200 g
2007
199
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II
AF
58
n
69 x 70 mm
200 g
2011
249
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM
STM
58
n
69 x 75 mm
205 g
2013
249
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/4-5.6 IS STM
STM
58
n
67 x 62 mm
215 g
2017
249
Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
AF
67
n
75 x 101 mm
455 g
2009
499
Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM
STM
67
n
77 x 96 mm
480 g
2012
549
Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
USM
67
n
77 x 96 mm
515 g
2016
599
Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
AF
72
n
79 x 102 mm
595 g
2008
699
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
USM
77
Y
83 x 124 mm
950 g
2002
2,099
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM
USM
82
Y
89 x 113 mm
805 g
2012
1,899
Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM
USM
77
Y
83 x 93 mm
600 g
2012
1,499
Canon EF 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 USM
USM
67
n
73 x 69 mm
380 g
1996
399
Canon EF 24-105mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM
STM
77
n
83 x 104 mm
525 g
2014
599
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
USM
77
Y
84 x 107 mm
670 g
2005
999
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM II
USM
77
Y
84 x 118 mm
795 g
2016
1,099
Canon EF 28-70mm f/2.8L USM
USM
77
Y
84 x 117 mm
862 g
1993
1,299
Canon EF 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 USM
USM
58
n
72 x 77 mm
330 g
1991
149
Canon EF 28-90mm F4-5.6 USM
USM
58
n
70 x 71 mm
201 g
2000
249
Canon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 USM
USM
58
n
72 x 75 mm
375 g
2000
539
Canon EF 28-105mm f/4.0-5.6 USM
USM
58
n
72 x 75 mm
375 g
1992
499
Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
USM
72
n
78 x 97 mm
540 g
1998
499
Canon EF 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6 USM
USM
72
n
78 x 90 mm
500 g
2000
799
Canon EF 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USM
USM
77
Y
92 x 184 mm
1,670 g
2004
2,499
Canon EF 35-80mm f/4.0-5.6
AF
52
n
69 x 61 mm
180 g
1990
129
Canon EF 35-350mm f/3.5-5.6L USM
USM
72
Y
85 x 167 mm
1,385 g
1993
1,799
Standard Primes
Focus System (type)
Filter Type (size)
Weather Sealing (y/n)
Lens Dimensions (dia x len)
Lens Weight (net)
Product Launch (year)
Launch Price (USD)
Street Price (USD)
Canon EF-S 35mm f/2.8 Macro IS STM
STM
49
n
69 x 56 mm
190 g
2017
349
Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM
STM
52
n
68 x 22 mm
130 g
2012
199
Canon TS-E 45mm f/2.8
MF
72
n
90 x 81 mm
645 g
1991
1,349
Canon EF 50mm f/1.0L USM
USM
72
Y
91 x 81 mm
985 g
1989
2,599
Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM
USM
72
Y
86 x 66 mm
580 g
2006
1,599
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
USM
58
n
74 x 50 mm
290 g
1993
349
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8
AF
52
n
67 x 42 mm
190 g
1987
149
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II
AF
52
n
68 x 41 mm
130 g
1990
99
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM
STM
49
n
69 x 39 mm
159 g
2015
129
Canon EF 50mm f/2.5 Macro
AF
58
n
74 x 50 mm
290 g
1993
329
Canon TS-E 50mm f/2.8L Macro Tilt-Shift
MF
77
n
87 x 115 mm
945 g
2017
2,199
Tele-photo Zooms
Focus System (type)
Filter Type (size)
Weather Sealing (y/n)
Lens Dimensions (dia x len)
Lens Weight (net)
Product Launch (year)
Launch Price (USD)
Street Price (USD)
Canon EF 55-200mm f/4.5-5.6 USM
USM
52
n
70 x 97 mm
310 g
1998
179
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
AF
58
n
70 x 108 mm
390 g
2007
349
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II
AF
58
n
70 x 108 mm
390 g
2011
349
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM
STM
58
n
70 x 111 mm
375 g
2013
349
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM
USM
77
Y
85 x 194 mm
1,310 g
1995
1,349
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
USM
77
Y
86 x 197 mm
1,570 g
2001
1,699
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM
USM
77
Y
89 x 199 mm
1,490 g
2010
1,999
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM
USM
77
Y
89 x 199 mm
1,480 g
2018
2,099
Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM
USM
67
Y
76 x 172 mm
710 g
1999
799
Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM
USM
67
Y
76 x 172 mm
760 g
2006
1,249
Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II USM
USM
72
Y
80 x 176 mm
780 g
2018
1,299
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM
USM
67
n
79 x 145 mm
708 g
2016
549
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
USM
58
n
77 x 143 mm
630 g
2005
649
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM
USM
67
Y
89 x 143 mm
1,050 g
2010
1,349
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM
USM
58
n
82 x 100 mm
720 g
2004
1,299
Canon EF 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 IS USM
USM
58
n
78 x 138 mm
650 g
1995
479
Canon EF 80-200mm f2.8 L
AF
72
Y
84 x 186 mm
1,330 g
1989
1,299
Canon EF 90-300mm f/4.5-5.6 USM
USM
58
n
71 x 115 mm
420 g
2002
199
Canon EF 100-300mm f/4.5-5.6 USM
USM
58
n
73 x 121 mm
540 g
1990
299
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM
USM
77
n
92 x 189 mm
1,360 g
1998
1,699
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM
USM
77
Y
94 x 193 mm
1,570 g
2014
2,199
Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM 1.4x
USM
rear
Y
128 x 366 mm
3,620 g
2013
11,999
Tele-photo Primes
Focus System (type)
Filter Type (size)
Weather Sealing (y/n)
Lens Dimensions (dia x len)
Lens Weight (net)
Product Launch (year)
Launch Price (USD)
Street Price (USD)
Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM
USM
52
n
73 x 70 mm
335 g
2005
469
Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.5 1-5x Macro
MF
58
n
81 x 98 mm
710 g
1999
1,099
Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L USM
USM
72
Y
91 x 84 mm
1,025 g
1987
1,849
Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM
USM
72
Y
91 x 84 mm
1,025 g
2006
1,999
Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM
USM
77
Y
89 x 105 mm
950 g
2017
1,599
Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM
USM
58
n
75 x 71 mm
425 g
1992
399
Canon TS-E 90mm f/2.8
MF
58
n
88 x 74 mm
565 g
1991
1,299
Canon TS-E 90mm f/2.8L Macro Tilt-Shift
MF
77
n
87 x 117 mm
915 g
2017
2,199
Canon EF 100mm f/2.0 USM
USM
58
n
75 x 73 mm
460 g
1991
449
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM
USM
58
n
79 x 119 mm
600 g
2000
599
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
USM
67
Y
78 x 123 mm
625 g
2009
1,049
Canon EF 135mm f/2.0L USM
USM
72
Y
83 x 112 mm
750 g
1996
999
Canon EF 135mm f/2.8 SF
AF
52
n
69 x 98 mm
390 g
1987
399
Canon TS-E 135mm f/4L Macro Tilt-Shift
MF
82
n
89 x 139 mm
1,100 g
2017
2,199
Canon EF 180mm f/3.5L Macro USM
USM
72
Y
82 x 187 mm
1,090 g
1996
1,399
Canon EF 200mm f/1.8L USM
USM
rear
Y
130 x 208 mm
3,000 g
1988
3,495
Canon EF 200mm f/2L IS USM
USM
rear
Y
128 x 208 mm
2,520 g
2008
5,699
Canon EF 200mm f/2.8L USM
USM
72
Y
83 x 136 mm
790 g
1991
699
Canon EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM
USM
72
Y
83 x 136 mm
765 g
1996
749
Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM
USM
rear
Y
128 x 252 mm
2,550 g
1999
5,399
Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM
USM
rear
Y
128 x 249 mm
2,400 g
2010
6,099
Canon EF 300mm f/4.0L IS USM
USM
77
Y
90 x 221 mm
1,190 g
1997
1,499
Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS USM
USM
rear
Y
163 x 349 mm
5,370 g
1999
7,999
Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM
USM
rear
Y
163 x 343 mm
3,850 g
2010
9,999
Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III USM
USM
rear
Y
163 x 343 mm
2,840 g
2018
11,999
Canon EF 400mm f/4.0 DO IS USM
USM
rear
Y
128 x 233 mm
1,940 g
2000
5,999
Canon EF 400mm f/4 DO IS II USM
USM
rear
Y
128 x 233 mm
1,200 g
2014
6,899
Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM
USM
77
Y
90 x 257 mm
1,250 g
1993
1,349
Canon EF 500mm f/4.0L IS USM
USM
rear
Y
146 x 387 mm
3,870 g
1999
7,599
Canon EF 500mm f/4.0L IS II USM
USM
rear
Y
146 x 383 mm
3,190 g
2011
9,499
Canon EF 600mm f/4.0L IS II USM
USM
rear
Y
168 x 449 mm
3,920 g
2011
11,999
Canon EF 600mm f/4.0L IS III USM
USM
rear
Y
168 x 448 mm
3,050 g
2018
12,999
Canon EF 600mm f/4.0L IS USM
USM
rear
Y
168 x 456 mm
5,360 g
1999
8,849
Canon EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM
USM
rear
Y
163 x 461 mm
4,500 g
2008
12,999
Canon EF 1200mm f/5.6L USM
USM
rear
Y
228 x 836 mm
16,500 g
1993
89,999
Further Reading
A more comprehensive compendium that also contains information on Canon FD lenses has been made available by
Christian Schnalzger on Google Docs.
Also, the EF-mount is well supported by third party lens producers, and you can find an overview of the offers
of Sigma and Tamron for Canon DSLR on separate pages.
Moreover, if the existing catalog of native EF lenses does not contain what you are looking for, what about
using some legacy lenses on your EOS via an adapter? Admittedly one loses autofocus and aperture coupling,
but there are some truly excellent lenses that were originally designed for Leica-R or
Contax cameras and work very well on a modern digital camera. Or if
you are looking for a bargain, what about some legacy third party optics from Soligor,
Tamron Adaptall or Vivitar?