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10 Best Low Light Lens For Canon 2025 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Canon RF24-105mm F2.8 L is USM Z Standard Zoom Lens, Mirrorless, Full-Frame Coverage, Close-Focusing, Outstanding Handling, for Events, Photojournalism, Portraiture, Studio Work & Video Creation

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,448
Aperture
Autofocus Performance

Most important from
35 reviews

Aperture
Ideal for low light situations with its ability to open up to a 2.8 aperture, making it suitable for weddings, interviews, documentaries, and athletics.
Autofocus Performance
Focus is almost instantaneous, which is crucial for capturing plays, musical productions, and other indoor events.

The Canon RF24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z lens is a robust option for photographers looking for a versatile lens with excellent low-light performance. One of its main strengths is the constant f/2.8 aperture, which allows more light to enter the camera even at longer focal lengths. This feature is particularly advantageous for those working in dim conditions or during events like weddings and parties, as it helps capture clear images without the need for a flash. The lens also boasts a wide zoom range of 24-105mm, making it suitable for various photography styles, including portraiture and photojournalism.

The lens includes advanced features like image stabilization, which significantly reduces blur from camera shake, especially useful for handheld shooting in low-light scenarios. The close-focusing capability of under 1.5 feet allows for creative shooting angles and unique compositions, while the eleven aperture blades contribute to beautiful, smooth bokeh in your background.

While the lens is well-built and offers great optical quality, it may be on the heavier side for some users, particularly those who prefer lightweight gear for travel and outdoor shoots. Additionally, the price point may be steep for hobbyists or those just starting out in photography. The autofocus performance is generally reliable, but there are instances where it might lag in very low-light conditions, which could be a drawback for users who need quick adjustments.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,448
Aperture
Autofocus Performance

Most important from
35 reviews

Aperture
Ideal for low light situations with its ability to open up to a 2.8 aperture, making it suitable for weddings, interviews, documentaries, and athletics.
Autofocus Performance
Focus is almost instantaneous, which is crucial for capturing plays, musical productions, and other indoor events.
#2

Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM Lens, Black

Rating
10.0
Aperture
Lens Quality and Coating
Autofocus Performance

Most important from
172 reviews

Aperture
The sharpness and color rendering of this lens are truly impressive, especially wide open at f/1.2.
Lens Quality and Coating
Purple fringing has been eliminated, and the lens is tack sharp from center to corner.
Autofocus Performance
The Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM lens is a huge upgrade from its predecessors, addressing previous issues with focusing speed and purple fringing.

The Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM lens is an excellent choice for those seeking high-quality images in low-light conditions. With its bright f/1.2 aperture, this lens allows a significant amount of light to enter, making it perfect for capturing clear and sharp images even in dim environments. The inclusion of Blue Spectrum Refractive optics helps reduce chromatic aberration, ensuring the images have vivid colors and minimal color fringing.

The lens also features a minimum focusing distance of 2.79 feet (0.85 meters), which can be advantageous for portrait and macro photography, allowing you to get closer to your subjects while maintaining sharpness and detail. The control ring, one aspherical element, and one UD (Ultra-Low Dispersion) lens contribute to the quality and ease of use, providing precise control over settings and enhanced image quality.

Furthermore, it is fully compatible with Canon mirrorless full-frame cameras, such as the EOS RP, EOS R, EOS R5, and EOS R6. However, the lens is relatively heavy at 2.64 pounds, which might be a concern for some users, especially when used for extended periods. Additionally, it lacks image stabilization, which could be a drawback for handheld photography, particularly in low-light scenarios. Despite these issues, the Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM lens stands out for its superb image quality and performance, making it an exceptional choice for professional photographers and enthusiasts who prioritize image excellence in their work.

Rating
10.0
Aperture
Lens Quality and Coating
Autofocus Performance

Most important from
172 reviews

Aperture
The sharpness and color rendering of this lens are truly impressive, especially wide open at f/1.2.
Lens Quality and Coating
Purple fringing has been eliminated, and the lens is tack sharp from center to corner.
Autofocus Performance
The Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM lens is a huge upgrade from its predecessors, addressing previous issues with focusing speed and purple fringing.
#3

Canon RF28-70mm F2 L USM Lens, Zoom Lens, Compatible with EOS R Series Mirrorless Cameras, Black

Rating
9.9
Aperture
Focal Length
Lens Quality and Coating

Most important from
294 reviews

Aperture
The constant f/2 aperture offers excellent low-light performance and a shallow depth of field, making it ideal for portrait, event, and landscape photography.
Focal Length
This lens replaces a whole spectrum of primes, delivering sharp focus and incredible image quality at every focal length.
Lens Quality and Coating
The image quality is exceptional, with sharpness across the frame even at the widest aperture.
Autofocus Performance
Fast and nearly silent autofocus makes this lens suitable for both photography and videography.

The Canon RF28-70mm F2 L USM Lens stands out as an excellent choice for photographers who often work in low-light conditions, especially those using Canon EOS R Series mirrorless cameras. Its constant f/2 aperture is a significant advantage, allowing for better light capture and creating beautiful depth-of-field effects. This is particularly valuable for indoor events or nighttime photography, where lighting can be challenging.

In terms of lens quality, the RF28-70mm is an L-series lens, which means it’s designed for high image quality with superior optics. The lens also features a dust- and water-resistant design with a fluorine coating, making it suitable for outdoor shooting in various weather conditions.

The 28-70mm focal range provides versatility, allowing you to capture wide landscapes or detailed portraits with ease. Additionally, the control ring is a handy feature for quick adjustments on the fly, enhancing the user experience. The lens does have some heft, weighing 3.15 pounds, which might make it a bit cumbersome for extended use or travel. Some users might find the price tag steep, especially if they’re budget-conscious. While the autofocus performance is generally reliable, heavy reliance on autofocus in dim situations can sometimes lead to slower focusing speeds. If you're a Canon user who needs a high-quality, low-light lens for versatile shooting scenarios, the Canon RF28-70mm F2 L USM Lens is a strong contender, but be mindful of its weight and cost when making your decision.

Rating
9.9
Aperture
Focal Length
Lens Quality and Coating

Most important from
294 reviews

Aperture
The constant f/2 aperture offers excellent low-light performance and a shallow depth of field, making it ideal for portrait, event, and landscape photography.
Focal Length
This lens replaces a whole spectrum of primes, delivering sharp focus and incredible image quality at every focal length.
Lens Quality and Coating
The image quality is exceptional, with sharpness across the frame even at the widest aperture.
Autofocus Performance
Fast and nearly silent autofocus makes this lens suitable for both photography and videography.

Buying Guide for the Best Low Light Lens For Canon

Choosing the right low-light lens for your Canon camera can significantly enhance your photography, especially in dimly lit environments. A good low-light lens allows you to capture clear, sharp images without relying heavily on artificial lighting or high ISO settings, which can introduce noise. When selecting a low-light lens, it's important to consider several key specifications that will impact the performance and suitability of the lens for your needs.
ApertureAperture refers to the size of the lens opening that allows light to enter the camera. It is measured in f-stops (e.g., f/1.4, f/2.8). A lower f-stop number means a larger aperture, which allows more light to reach the camera sensor. This is crucial for low-light photography as it helps to capture brighter images. Lenses with apertures like f/1.2, f/1.4, or f/1.8 are ideal for low-light conditions. If you often shoot in very dim environments, opt for a lens with the lowest f-stop number you can find.
Focal LengthFocal length determines the field of view and magnification of the lens. It is measured in millimeters (mm). For low-light photography, prime lenses (fixed focal length) like 35mm, 50mm, or 85mm are popular because they typically offer wider apertures compared to zoom lenses. If you need versatility and the ability to zoom, look for zoom lenses with a constant wide aperture (e.g., 24-70mm f/2.8). Choose a focal length based on your typical shooting scenarios: wider angles (e.g., 24mm) for landscapes and interiors, and longer focal lengths (e.g., 85mm) for portraits.
Image StabilizationImage stabilization (IS) helps to reduce camera shake, which is especially useful in low-light conditions where slower shutter speeds are often necessary. This feature can be found in some lenses and helps to produce sharper images without the need for a tripod. If you frequently shoot handheld in low light, consider a lens with built-in image stabilization. However, if you primarily use a tripod or shoot static subjects, this feature may be less critical.
Lens Quality and CoatingThe quality of the lens elements and the coatings applied to them can affect the amount of light transmission and reduce issues like flare and ghosting. High-quality lenses with advanced coatings will perform better in low-light conditions by maximizing light transmission and maintaining image contrast. Look for lenses from reputable manufacturers that emphasize optical quality and have good reviews regarding their performance in low light.
Autofocus PerformanceAutofocus performance is crucial in low-light situations where achieving sharp focus can be challenging. Lenses with fast and accurate autofocus systems will help you lock onto your subject quickly and precisely. Consider lenses with ultrasonic motors (USM) or stepping motors (STM) for better autofocus performance. If you often shoot moving subjects in low light, prioritize lenses known for their reliable autofocus capabilities.

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