5 Best Canon Rebel T3i Lenses in 2023 – Picks for Different Budgets

Canon Rebel T3i is a camera that can offer quite a lot in terms of picture quality and fast performance. As well as this unit performs, you can get even more out of it, and because of that, we are going to talk about the best Canon Rebel T3i lenses today and cover their features.

Even though Rebel T3i is considered an entry-level camera, it still offers plenty of fantastic features you would not expect at the price point at it currently stands. With that said, adding a quality lens to it will definitely pay off and will be absolutely worth it in the long run. Our research led us to five excellent lenses we would like to share in this guide, so read on if you want to find out more.

 Top-Performing Lenses for Canon Rebel T3i

1. Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II SLR Lens

This lens is a fantastic fit for Rebel T3i users, not only for its cost-effectiveness but for its great performance as well. You will not have to break the bank for this particular product, but it will indeed deliver the improvements you would expect from a quality lens. Right out of the box, you will notice that the construction quality is on point, which is always a good sign that the product is worth the money.

Once you dive in a bit deeper, you will notice that the value goes way beyond the build quality. Although the exterior is mostly plastic, it comes as an advantage for this particular unit since the weight will be lower, which will contribute to easier handling. This is the lens that achieves a smaller form without the need to resort to a retractable design, which can be very convenient.

Although it is not very wide, 18 mm is suitable for taking photographs in modest-size spaces, while 55 mm will do a pretty good job for taking portraits. This lens will also do a pretty good job of taking some outdoor photographs, such as landscapes. Although it has a relatively narrow aperture, it will still perform pretty well.

This is a really good lens for beginners, and it is not particularly flashy, but it does a fantastic job at this price point and does not compromise quality despite it. With decent image stabilization and good focal length, you will be able to take some great images with it, and as an entry-level lens, it is a great bargain you should definitely consider.

Optical Specifications

2. Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 is STM Lens

Canon EF-S 10-188 mm is a lens that features a fantastic mixture of affordable price and solid optical performance. It checks all the boxes you can think of for Canon cameras, and it is a great step forward when looking for an upgrade for your Rebel T3i. It is lightweight and easy to handle, so it is suitable for choice for both beginner and intermediate photographers.

The fact that this unit is lightweight is a huge positive, as carrying around an extra lens that is hefty can be troublesome. This product is rather small and light, especially when you compare it with other lenses in this class. Furthermore, it has a 67 mm filter thread, which is much smaller than you would expect, and it reduces the weight and expense of the gear you need to carry around it.

This lens can match and even outmatch some of Canon’s pricier 10 – 22 mm lenses in terms of sharpness and performance. Color fringing is not that obvious on this product, but barrel distortion is not one of the best selling points, as it gets a bit worse at the short end of the zoom range. However, this is easy to correct when editing photos or when you use the automatic in-camera fix.

Although this is not a perfect ultra-wide-angle zoom lens, it will still provide you with exceptional image quality and autofocus accuracy, which you would probably expect to get at a higher price point. Overall it is a great product that checks most boxes you require from a quality lens, and it is a worthy consideration for photographers that are looking for an upgrade.

Optical Specifications

3. Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L is USM Lens

This unit is one of the most popular wide-angle lenses for Rebel T3i in today’s market. It will also work very well for full-frame cameras and other ASP-C cameras as well. This is a product that offers excellent quality with a pretty simple yet very effective design. It is a pricier unit than the two lenses we have listed above, but it is very much worth it.

Handling this lens is pretty easy and comfy, and you can use one hand to do so while you can use your fingers to access the focus ring without any issues. It is also important to mention that the body of this unit is made of rubber and plastic, which may be a dealbreaker for some users.

As far as electronic autofocus goes, it is silent and possesses the ability to track objects with exceptional accuracy and speed. Moreover, you will be able to focus the lens manually, which is pretty convenient. The focus department of this lens is excellent and can rival pretty much any model from this class.

The images you get from this unit are very clear and sharp at 35 millimeters, but they come with minor distortion at 16 millimeters which is definitely not a dealbreaker. This product really earns its worth when you test it in various lighting conditions, and it delivers vibrancy and excellent color balance.

Optical Specifications

4. Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Medium Telephoto Lens

Canon EF 85 mm f/1.8 is a lens suitable for a wide variety of applications, including portraits, nature, street, and night photography. Its affordable price should not confuse you, as it provides great value for photographers that are looking for an upgrade to their Canon Rebel T3i camera.

This lens sports ultrasonic autofocus that delivers smooth, silent, and fast subject-tracking abilities you would expect from a more expensive product. In addition, it delivers an amazing depth of field and is capable of taking detailed and beautiful low-light photographs due to its bright maximum aperture.

It will be easy to make your subject stand out, as this lens can deliver amazing bokeh and background blur. With that said, you will be able to take some fantastic portraits with this unit. The overall quality of the images is truly breathtaking, and the consistency levels are through the roof.

Canon EF 85 mm f/1.8 is one of the best lenses you can opt for, as it can serve various purposes. It offers a great focal range that will allow you to pull some distant objects closer without sacrificing quality. The autofocus is reliable, and the overall performance is definitely worth the price you need to pay for this amazing product.

Optical Specifications

5. Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens

In case you are in the market for EOS prime lenses but do not want to break the bank to get one, Canon EF 50 mm f/1.8 STM lens might be the perfect choice for you. The areas in which this lens performs at its best are portraits and low-light conditions, as the capabilities of this unit work best for these purposes.

This is the lens that can deliver you some amazing artistic backgrounds, thanks to its 7-blade circular aperture that captures amazingly vivid images. There is also a new lens coating that delivers superb color balance and fantastic details while minimizing flare and ghosting, which contributes even further to the quality.

One of the features that truly stand out with this product is its STM motor that works quietly and accurately, and when you compare it to some products in the similar class, it definitely outperforms them in a variety of aspects. As the end result, you will get the ability to capture amazing video quality with cinematic caliber.

The focus ring on this unit is very convenient and easily accessible, which will ensure the ability to adjust the focus manually super-easy. This is a very reliable and versatile unit with an amazing fixed focal length, and its minimum focusing distance of 1.15 feet and rugged metal mount contributes to the overall value even further.

Optical Specifications

Things to Consider When Buying a Lens for Canon Rebel T3i

Now that we have listed some of the finest lenses for Rebel T3i, it is time to single out some of the important features you should have in mind when browsing for an ideal product. In the section below, you will find some of the most important aspects to have in mind in order to get the best value for your money’s worth.

Motor Type

Modern lenses from Canon use different types of motors. Ultrasonic and stepping motors are two of the most common you will find. Stepping or STM lenses are very quiet and smooth and a great pickup for general photography, while UMS are much faster and ideal for sports, nature, action, and street photography.

Lens Type

The lens type is one of the most important considerations you should have in mind when browsing for this product. The most common types you can find in the market are telephoto, wide-angle, macro, and standard. Each of these types is suitable for a different kind of photography, so you should consider the intended purpose for it before spending any money.

Standard ones are good for natural-looking images due to their field of view, which is almost equal to the human eye. Macro lenses allow you to get very close to the subject, while telephoto ones offer exceptional magnification capabilities. Lastly, wide-angle lenses provide a greater field of view due to their shorter focal lengths.

Image Stabilization

If you want to buy a quality lens for your Canon Rebel T3i camera, you should look for one that offers built-in image stabilization. This feature is very important since it compensates the camera movements at slower shutter speeds, which ultimately minimizes the image blurs. In addition, it helps you capture sharper images at slower shutter speeds when you do not have a tripod.

Maximum Aperture

The aperture of the lens is a highly important consideration, as it defines the amount of light that can be transmitted to the image sensor. For example, if you want to capture fast-paced scenes with minimum or complete absence of blur, you should use a lens with a wide aperture, as it allows you to use higher shutter speeds.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use Canon Rebel T3i for professional photography?

Even though this is an entry-level camera, you still get advanced functionality to manually adjust the controls and automatic modes for simple operation. With an appropriate lens and a bit of know-how, you will be able to capture amazing photos and use this unit for professional purposes.

2. What is the best lens for capturing sports for Canon Rebel T3i?

The best and the most affordable lens for capturing sports events with this camera is a 70-300 mm EF lens. You will get enough power and zoom to capture blurless and sharp photos with it.

3. What type of lens does Canon Rebel T3i use?

Canon Rebel T3i works well with all Canon EF and Canon EF-S lenses. It sports Canon’s Digic 4 processor and a powerful 18-megapixel sensor. With an appropriate lens, it can capture some amazing photos in different lighting conditions.

4. What is the kit lens that comes with the Canon Rebel T3i camera?

The Canon Rebel T3i comes with a standard 18-55mm kit lens. This lens is a versatile option that is suitable for a wide range of photography styles, including landscapes, portraits, and everyday shooting. The kit lens is lightweight, compact, and easy to use.

5. What should I look for when browsing for a quality lens?

There is a total of four important considerations when browsing for a quality lens – motor type, lens type, image stabilization, and maximum aperture. You should also consider focal length and autofocus, depending on the photos you want to capture.

6. What factor makes the lens more powerful?

There are various aspects that contribute to the power of the lens, but one of the most important ones is focal length. The shorter it is, the more power you will get out of it.

Final Words

Canon Rebel T3i is a fantastic entry-level camera that can provide you with even better performance and quality if you get an appropriate lens. Not only that the picture will be sharper, but you will also be able to get the specific setup for the type of photography you are into.

We hope you liked our picks and that this guide will help you make an educated choice and get the best value for your money’s worth. In case you are a Nikon D7000 user, check out our guide, in which we have listed some of the finest lenses you can get for it.