Best Budget Lenses Under CA$700 in 2026

The 50mm f/1.8 prime delivers sharp portraits with strong background blur, while the stabilized 10-18mm zoom captures shake-free wide-angle landscapes, both featuring fast, quiet STM autofocus ideal for video. This compact, lightweight 160g kit offers an affordable entry into prime lens quality and versatile ultra-wide perspectives without the bulk. It’s best for travel photographers and APS-C camera users who want a two-lens setup for portraits, landscapes, and smooth video recording on the go.

A 172° field of view and featherlight 120g build define this APS-C fisheye, delivering exaggerated perspectives through a fixed f/5.6 aperture and multilayer-coated optics. Its fully manual, compact design makes it an affordable entry point for extreme wide-angle experimentation without complex electronics. This lens is best for fine art photographers and experimental portrait shooters who prioritize creative distortion over conventional sharpness in well-lit settings.

Its 15mm f/2.4 full-frame prime employs a 15-element, 11-group design with Neutrino coating to suppress flare and ghosting, plus a built-in AE chip for auto metering on Canon EF DSLRs. Weather sealing, a lightweight 599g ABS barrel, and an ergonomic focus ring with a focus lock enable precise, repeatable manual adjustments. This lens fits landscape and architectural photographers who demand flare-resistant optics and dependable manual focus in demanding light.

Reaching an extreme 1600mm focal length with the included 2X teleconverter, this lens offers an affordable entry into super-telephoto photography at a constant f/8.3 aperture. Its relatively light 1080g build and built-in stabilization aid handheld use, though the manual focus and fixed slow aperture demand bright conditions. This lens is best for budget-conscious beginners wanting to experiment with distant wildlife or basic lunar photography on Canon EF-mount DSLRs.

Its f/0.95 maximum aperture on a 50mm DSLR lens enables extreme subject isolation and strong low-light capture, unique for Canon EF mount cameras. The 11-blade diaphragm and all-metal build provide smooth, artistic bokeh and precise manual focus control, rewarding deliberate shooting. This lens is ideal for portrait photographers who prioritize shallow depth-of-field and unique bokeh over autofocus convenience.

The screw-on adapter converts standard 52mm filter threads into a 0.25x fisheye effect with a durable, lightweight 310g aluminum alloy build and low dispersion coating for clean image quality. Its built-in removable macro lens adds close-up capability, making it a versatile, budget-friendly tool for creative perspective shots. This lens is best for hobbyist photographers using Canon EF-mount DSLRs with 52mm filter threads who want a portable, no-battery way to capture dramatic wide-angle or macro images without investing in a dedicated fisheye lens.

The all-metal construction with a hybrid aspherical element delivers sharply defined 180° fisheye views on Canon APS-C DSLRs. Its included removable lens hood and protective case add practical value at an accessible price point. This manual-focus 8mm f/3.0 prime is best for Canon DSLR shooters wanting an affordable entry into dramatic, ultra-wide fisheye photography.

The f/0.95 maximum aperture provides extreme light gathering and razor-thin depth of field control on APS-C sensors, creating an 80mm equivalent portrait field of view. Its 13-blade diaphragm and manual focus design, with a 1.5' minimum focusing distance, deliver exceptionally smooth bokeh and precise subject isolation. This lens is best for portrait photographers on the Canon EF-M system who prioritize low-light performance and distinct background separation over autofocus convenience.

The 650-1300mm zoom range provides extreme reach for distant subjects, while the multi-coated optics aim to reduce flare in daylight and nighttime shots. Its lightweight aluminum alloy body keeps the 3574g lens relatively portable for its class, though it relies entirely on manual focus with a dim f/8.0-16 aperture. This lens is best for budget-conscious hobbyists experimenting with astrophotography or long-range surveillance who can work from a sturdy tripod.

Offering a T2.2 constant aperture and a 13-element optical design with 2 aspherical and 1 ED element, the 16mm wide-angle prime’s unified Cine DS gear system requires no follow focus re-adjustment when swapping lenses. Ultra Multi-Coating reduces flare, while the included petal hood and a 7.9-inch minimum focus distance enable dramatic close-up wide shots. This lens suits APS-C Canon filmmakers who need an affordable, color-matched manual cine lens with close-focusing capability and consistent gearing for video rigs.

The 99g all-metal body and 14mm focal length (21mm full-frame equivalent) provide a distortion-free, ultraportable wide-angle prime with a fixed f/4.5 aperture and manual focus. A 9.1-inch minimum focus distance enables dramatic close-focus perspectives, while the multicoated aspherical design maintains contrast across the frame. This lens suits landscape and architecture photographers needing a compact 21mm-equivalent view, or beginners practicing manual exposure with a durable, featherweight build.

The f/2.0 aperture and ED glass element produce sharp subject isolation with smooth, circular bokeh from its 9-blade diaphragm. Its built-in AE chip enables auto metering on Nikon bodies despite being a manual focus lens, and the Ultra Multi-Coating effectively suppresses flare. This lens is best for portrait photographers seeking a 135mm focal length with fast aperture rendering at a budget-conscious price.