The difference a portrait lens makes

Most EOS cameras come with a general purpose kit lens that works for most types of photography. However, to take your photography to the next level, it is worth investing in a range of lenses that are beneficial to your genre of choice, such as portrait photography. From focal length and maximum aperture to weight and size, the lens you choose can make a huge difference to your photos.

What primarily sets a portrait lens apart is the focal length and maximum aperture, but there's more to consider when determining the best Canon portrait lens for your needs.

Lens compatibility

Firstly, it's worth considering the camera you have and the lenses that are compatible with it. Canon EOS R System mirrorless cameras such as the Canon EOS R6 Mark III, EOS R8 and EOS R100 give you access to Canon’s best lenses for portraits. EOS R System cameras and lenses use the RF mount, which includes a 12-pin connection between for incredibly fast autofocusing speed and reliability. The creative possibilities offered by mirrorless technology also makes the RF mount a great investment when thinking about future hardware, later on in your photographic journey.

Image stabilisation

Next, remember that you might not always want, or be able, to use a tripod when taking striking portraits. This is where image stabilisation comes in. Lenses such as the Canon RF 35mm F1.8 MACRO IS STM, RF 85mm F2 MACRO IS STM and RF 24-105mm F4-7.1 IS STM all feature image stabilisation, ensuring your images are super-sharp when shooting handheld. Increased stabilisation allows you to slow your shutter speed to let in more light, giving you the versatility to shoot in all kinds of lighting scenarios.

The effect is even greater when pairing a stabilised lens with a camera that has In-body Image Stabilization (IBIS), such as the Canon EOS R6 Mark III – together they can deliver up to 8.5-stops of stabilisation. Even if your lens doesn’t include image stabilisation, you can still benefit from IBIS on its own – it’s especially effective with lenses that have short focal lengths.

Size and weight

There's also size, weight and versatility to consider. For portrait photographers looking to stay agile, or to use their lenses in multiple genres, a small, lightweight lens is a great choice. The Canon RF 50mm F1.8 STM and RF 35mm F1.8 MACRO IS STM are both incredibly compact lenses, making them perfect, affordable kitbag additions for street portrait photographers. This comes without any sacrifice to their classical portrait potential, thanks to wide f/1.8 maximum apertures for beautiful background blurring and flexibility with depth of field. The slim RF 28mm F2.8 STM offers a wider view for group portraits, but weighs just 120 grams. For the utmost versatility, though, look no further than the Canon RF 24-105mm F4-7.1 IS STM. With its vast focal range, this lens is the perfect everyday all-rounder, ideal for almost all genres of photography from ultra-wide 24mm architectural shots to 85mm studio portraits and telephoto 105mm headshots.

Maximum aperture

Another key factor in selecting a lens suited to shooting portraits is its maximum aperture. Aperture refers to the size of the lens opening that lets in light to your camera sensor.

Each lens is given an aperture rating such as f/2.8 or f/4. Some zoom lenses have an aperture rating depending on which focal length is selected; these will show an aperture range such as f/4-7.1. Other zoom lenses, including the Canon RF 24-105mm F4L IS USM and RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM, instead offer a fixed maximum aperture, for a consistent exposure across the zoom range. These lenses, with their constant maximum apertures and weather sealed L-Series build quality are perfect for photographers looking to upgrade from the RF 24-105mm F4-7.1 IS STM, or for those simply demanding a professional-level lens.

The smaller the aperture number, the larger the maximum opening and there are advantages to shooting portraits on a lens with a larger maximum aperture.

A bigger aperture lets in more light through the lens into the camera, so large-aperture lenses such as the Canon RF 45mm F1.2 STM, RF 50mm F1.8 STM and RF 85mm F2 MACRO IS STM are great for shooting in low light (indoor portraits, for example) and for when you need the flexibility to play with light, as in black and white or abstract portraiture. A second benefit is that shooting with the aperture set to its maximum value, often referred to as "wide open", produces more of the background blur often favoured by portrait photographers.

Let's take a look at some examples of taking portrait photographs at different apertures.

This doesn't mean, however, that a lens with a slightly narrower maximum aperture, such as the f/4 aperture of the Canon RF 24-105mm F4L IS USM, can't create beautiful blur, especially at telephoto focal lengths. This is because longer focal lengths capture a smaller portion of the background than shorter ones, making any background blur appear larger and more diffuse in the image, and helping your subject stand out more clearly.

Autofocus

Portrait photography doesn’t usually need the super-fast autofocus used for sports or wildlife, but a lens that focuses quickly and quietly is still a big help – especially if you plan to record video as well. Look for Canon lenses with USM (Ultrasonic Motor) or STM (Stepping Motor) technology. These systems offer smooth, near-silent focusing that’s less likely to be picked up by your camera’s microphone.

Thanks to their flattering background blur and natural subject separation, Canon portrait lenses also work brilliantly for video interviews. You can even explore Canon’s hybrid lenses designed to deliver professional-quality results for both stills and video.

Focal length is the distance between the lens and your camera sensor when the subject is in focus, and is stated in millimetres (mm). Zoom lenses have a focal range, written as a minimum and maximum value, such as 24-105mm. Typically, a portrait lens refers to a lens with a focal length of around 85mm or longer, such as the Canon RF 85mm F2 MACRO IS STM, which features a lightweight design and 5 stops of image stabilisation for picture-perfect handheld portraiture.

In the classic head-and-shoulders composition, an 85mm portrait lens provides a flattering level of perspective compression. Facial features are rendered in proportion, while the telephoto focal length helps to separate your model from the background. On a camera with an APS-C sensor, a 50mm lens will produce roughly the same field of view as an 85mm lens on a full-frame camera.

By contrast, using a shorter focal length such as 24mm can exaggerate perspective when used up close, making features nearer to the camera – such as the nose – appear larger. Backgrounds also appear more prominent at shorter focal lengths.

Lenses in the middle of the focal range, such as the Canon RF 35mm F1.8 MACRO IS STM, RF 45mm F1.2 STM and RF 50mm F1.8 STM, can still be great for portraits. These focal lengths distort images less than wide-angle lenses for natural-feeling images, making them great as full-body portrait lenses – especially useful for fashion photographers.

Using a versatile zoom lens such as the Canon RF 24-105mm F4-7.1 IS STM will give you the best of both wide and telephoto focal lengths, and everywhere in between. At its widest 24mm, this lens' field of view will fit in even the largest group portraits and take in a huge array of context in situational street portraits, while the upper range is ideal for classic portraits and close-in headshots.

Wide-angles can be used to great effect in situational portraits, where a subject's surroundings play a vital part in telling a story, and in group portraits, where multiple subjects need to fit into the frame.

If you want to shoot group portraits, the Canon RF 16mm F2.8 STM lens is ideal. If you find yourself photographing a group in a relatively small area, you can achieve a good shot with this ultra-wide-angle.

Lenses with wide maximum apertures relative to their focal length are often called ‘fast’ lenses, as they allow more light into the camera and therefore enable you to use faster shutter speeds. But it’s the smooth, creamy look of the out-of-focus areas in a photo – known as ‘bokeh’ – where fast portrait lenses such as the Canon RF 45mm F1.2 STM and truly excel. With its maximum aperture of f/1.2, the Canon RF 45mm F1.2 STM is the fastest RF lens available outside of Canon’s professional L-series, making it a great choice for creative depth-of-field effects.

Because fast lenses produce an extremely shallow depth of field, precise focusing can be challenging when shooting wide open. Activating Eye Detection in recent Canon EOS R System cameras such as the EOS R6 Mark III and EOS R8 can really help, as the camera will automatically focus on your subject’s eyes. You can even choose whether to prioritise the left or right eye for extra precision.

While you may associate macro lenses with close-up images of fascinating insects or mouthwatering food, the incredible detail they bring out is also perfect for portraiture. In fact, macro lenses are commonly used in fashion and beauty portraiture, to accentuate individual facial features and highlight specific beauty products.

The Canon RF 85mm F2 MACRO IS STM features a 35cm minimum focusing distance, while the RF 35mm F1.8 MACRO IS STM can focus as close as 17cm. By using a macro lens and getting in close to your subject, you can bring exquisite details to the fore, showcasing and celebrating the individual beauty of your subjects.

Written by Peter Wolinski and Marcus Hawkins