The Best Canon Rebel XS Lenses
This is a list of the 8 best lenses for the Canon EOS Rebel XS. A wide selection of focal lengths for several types of photography are covered. Additionally, each choice will have additional alternatives for lower or higher prices.
Every photographer will be able to get something they’d want in their camera bag.
Best Canon Rebel XS Lenses:
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- Best All-Around Zoom: Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM
- Best Telephoto Zoom: Sigma 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS
- Best Prime Lens: Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM
- Best Lens for Video: Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM
- Best Lens for Portraits: Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM
- Best Lens for Sports & Wildlife: Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2
- Best Lens for Landscapes: Canon EF 20mm f/2.8 USM
- Best Lens for Macro: Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM
All-Around Best Zoom Lenses
Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM: The lens was built for the EF-S mount which is found on cameras that feature APS-C sensors. The construction quality is comparable to what you would expect from Canon’s L-series. It is a major step up from the zoom sold as a kit with the EOS Rebel XS.
The large maximum aperture is constant through the zoom range allowing for a shallow depth of field and beautiful background blur. Built-in image stabilization helps to reduce camera shake and improves photo sharpness.
If out of all Canon lenses that are available, you could only choose a single one, this would be the best choice.
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Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM FLD: Built-in image stabilization means you can take sharp images up to 4 stops slower than with no optical stabilization. With the large aperture and highly usable zoom range, the lens is good for all kinds of photography from landscapes to portraits.
Based on excellent customer reviews, owners highly recommend this lens. It could be your first pick.
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Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM: This lens has a comparable zoom of 24-136mm in 35mm format, making it a terrific pick to leave on the camera for day to day use. It is also among the most useful selections for a single travel lens.
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Best Telephoto Zooms
Sigma 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS: This is similar to having two or three zoom lenses put together together. Having a 16.6x zoom ratio means that all focal lengths from telephoto to wide angle are available. Constructed with 13 groups containing 17 elements, four of which are FLD and 1 SLD element, means it is possible to get high-quality, sharp crisp photos, without having to worry about chromatic aberrations.
The huge focal length range will have the cost of being large and heavy. There are other selections that may be more comfortable to dedicate all day carrying around with the Canon EOS Rebel XS.
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Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS: Here is a small and lightweight lens that still includes a sizeable zoom range. With Four stops of stabilization it is a product that has high-quality overall performance at a cheap price. This is a great solution to avoid excessive weight and size.
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Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III: Smaller sized and lighter weight than the other lenses above, which is a benefit if you would prefer not to transport a heavy kit. The focal length is equivalent to 120-to-480mm on a Canon APS-C sensor, which all EOS Rebel cameras have.
Made without built-in stabilization, it is quite budget friendly. This lens works best outdoors with lots of ambient light.
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Best Prime Lenses
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM: Superb image quality in a lightweight and very compact build that is one of the best lenses made by Canon. The large f/1.8 aperture makes this standard focal length a terrific option for shooting in low light. The lens has a role in every kit and is a must have for every photographers.
Do not buy the earlier version seeing as the motor that powers the focusing system is loud and sluggish. You will in all probability not like the result of trying to save a marginal amount of money. This is doubly true if you are going to use the camera for video.
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Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM: The most compact and thinnest lens engineered for the EF-S mount. A true “pancake” lens that causes it to be the right solution for travel photography as the overall size can’t be matched. It can take photos as close as 6 inches (16 cm).
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Sigma 35mm F1.4 Art DG HSM: A terrific creation displaying what the latest optical engineering is capable of. It takes razor sharp images across the entire image, even if shot wide open. The HSM (hyper-sonic motor) allows quiet, accurate, and fast autofocus.
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Best Video & Vlogging Lenses
Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM: Out of all the lenses for Canon, this is the most appropriate choice for video. Having the ultra-wide-angle zoom range is excellent for creating videos and vlogging. A stepping motor (STM) supplies smooth dependable autofocus that is not going to generate any noise which can ruin audio recording. It is also small and light weight enough to not feel out of place when combined with the Canon EOS Rebel XS.
You can buy it combined with the Canon 50mm f/1.8 STM in the Canon portrait and travel lens kit. The combination is an excellent option if you would like to have two of Canon’s best lenses, while saving a bit of money.
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Tokina AT-X 116 PRO DX-II 11-16mm f/2.8: It is very convenient to quickly switch from MF to AF without moving your hand off the focus ring because of the one-touch focus clutch. With a fast f/2.8 constant aperture this lens is a fantastic way to get started with astrophotography.
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Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM ELD SLD: Here’s another wide angle zoom that is loaded with optical engineering. The internal focusing system makes it possible to use a petal-type lens hood which generally will do a considerably better job of blocking light than a standard lens hood. Noiseless functionality is guaranteed by a HSM (hyper sonic motor).
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Best Portrait Photography Lenses
Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM: Many people would consider this lens the most desired lens for portrait photography manufactured by Canon. The fast f/1.8 aperture is a good choice for photography in low light and can be used to create a shallow depth of field, with creamy bokeh, to isolate the subject. For wedding photographers, this is a essential lens.
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Sigma 50mm F1.4 Art DG HSM: An excellent lens that is an excellent pick for portrait photography along with street, landscape, and studio work, with a professional construction quality. Amazingly sharp from corner to corner wide open with almost no distortion or vignetting.
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Canon EF 100mm f/2 USM: Close to the Canon 85mm f/1.8, but provides a "" narrower field of view. Like the other two lenses mentioned, it is great for low-light shooting in a small package that is comfortable to use.
This lens is not currently being made, so finding one in stock could be hard. There are still many of used copies available. Check a variety of sites to get the best price.
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Best Sports & Wildlife Lenses
Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2: This 2nd gen lens represents a large improvement from Tamron. Image quality has become better throughout the whole zoom range and also having a very good construction quality. An ultrasonic silent drive motor drives the autofocus system that is astonishingly accurate and fast. With this on your camera, you will find you experience no problems taking great action or wildlife shots.
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Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Contemporary DG OS HSM: The Sigma offers a light and streamlined build for a telephoto zoom lens. Also, the hyper sonic motor and optical stabilization, there’s an accelerometer that helps improve photographs when panning. As an additional perk, there’s usually a promotional deal that bundles additional items including free shipping if you buy the lens. That’s good as free camera gear is almost impossible to pass up.
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Canon EF 100-400mm F4.5-5.6L IS II USM: Undeniably, the lens has better picture quality than the other 2. However, that level of high performance goes along with a substantial price that is significantly larger than that of the camera. One of the great features this lens has is a rotation-type zoom ring which has adjustable torque control making it possible to customize the lens to your personal preference.
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Best Landscape Photography Lenses
Canon EF 20mm f/2.8 USM: Tipping the scales at only 14.3oz (405g), this is a wide focal length lens that remains lightweight and compact. There is a manual focus override, even when the lens is set to autofocus, which makes it easier to nail focus. If you plan on bringing the Rebel XS with you on hikes, this lens is a great selection as it will fit in virtually every camera bag.
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Samyang 14mm f/2.8 IF ED UMC: This is a cheaper ultra-wide lens with a built-in petal-type lens hood. A very good pick for not only landscapes but also for real estate and astrophotography. The closest focusing distance is 10.8 inches (14 cm), but that will cause noticeable distortion.
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Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art: With a pro build quality, the f/1.4 20mm is the widest angle lens Sigma offers in the Art series. Featuring 15 elements in 11 groups with a Low Dispersion and 5 Special Low Dispersion elements, spherical aberration, field curvature, and axial chromatic aberration are almost non-existant.
It is a somewhat heavy and large piece of glass. You shouldn’t expect the lens being nicely balanced on the camera.
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Best Canon Macro Lenses
Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM: The first to be manufactured for the EF-S mount, this is a true macro lens, able to achieve 1:1 magnification. The front element does not rotate when focusing, as it features an internal focusing. You’re going to love the sharp photos produced by this lens. It’s a terrific pick to use with the EOS Rebel XS due to the small size and value being tough to beat.
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Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM: A pro L-series lens with optical stabilization and internal focusing. It is a great choice to use out into the field as it is weather sealed. Invest in this lens and you will not need to go searching for another option.
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Tamron AF 90mm f/2.8 Di SP A/M 1:1 Macro: With recessed front element and an outstanding working distance, you’ll probably never want to make use of the lens hood. However, it doesn’t have an internal focusing system, which means that the lens will extend when closely focusing on a subject.
A further potential downside if you desire to use it as a portrait lens is that there’s no integrated image stabilization. However, if you use a flash that won’t be a concern.
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