Building on the success of the R3, the Canon EOS R1 proves that there’s more to cameras than megapixels. Designed as Canon’s high-end sports and action camera, the R1 uses a 24.2-megapixel full-frame sensor capable of capturing stills at up to 40 fps, or even taking both video and stills simultaneously. The 96-megapixel high-resolution mode, pre-continuous shooting, and fast sensor read-out speeds are also key features attracting photographers to the R1. But, a good camera is only half of the equation — the other half is the optics. But what are the best lenses for the Canon EOS R1?
The Phoblographer has tested a majority of the RF family of lenses, from basic budget models to super telephotos that cost more than most people’s first cars. For getting the most out of the R1’s list of features, we recommend choosing an L series RF lens with speed and reach to take advantage of the body’s action capabilities.
Here are the lenses that we’d choose to pair with the Canon EOS R1. We’re focusing on optics for sports and wildlife as that’s what the R1’s features are aimed at. But if your favorite focal length isn’t on this list, you can find a guide to all of the compatible optics in our complete guide to Canon RF lenses.
Why You Should Trust Us
The Phoblographer has been doing real-world photography gear tests longer than any other photography publication currently run. We also have the largest database of real-world lens reviews, amongst other things like straps, camera bags, lights, accessories, and more. Here’s why that matters:
- AI Can’t Do This Job: These days, other publications do roundups, sometimes using generative AI. That’s the same as a person researching products and then making a decision without actually trying it. All of our reviews and guides are written not just by humans but by working photographers — not AI. Computers don’t use cameras, so why would you trust AI to recommend cameras for you?
- Research and Practical Experience: Here at the Phoblographer, humans consult on what roundups to do with guidance from an editor. Then, a human goes through our database of reviews and selects the best products based on our own internal research. The human creating the roundup has practical experience with photography gear and will apply their knowledge of what’s best to the already human-based experience provided in our reviews.
- We Block AI Bots: The Phoblographer blocks indexing bots from reading our site, so what’s here can only be read here.
How we Test and Choose the Best Lenses for the Canon EOS R1
- The Phoblographer’s various product round-up features are done in-house. Our philosophy is simple: you wouldn’t get a Wagyu beef steak review from a lifelong vegetarian. And you wouldn’t get photography advice from someone who doesn’t touch the product. We only recommend gear we’ve fully reviewed in these roundups.
- If you’re wondering why your favorite product didn’t make the cut, there’s a chance it’s on another list. If we haven’t reviewed it, we won’t recommend it. This method keeps our lists packed with industry-leading knowledge. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
- When we test lenses, we’ve got various things in mind. First off, we consider who might want to buy the lens and what they might do with it. With that in mind, we try to tackle at least three genres of photography with that lens in various situations. If the lens has weather resistance, then we’ll test it accordingly with a weather-resistant camera. We also test the autofocus of the lens in continuous mode, single mode, with exposure preview effects, without those effects, and then with all the major image quality parameters. These days, no one really makes a bad lens — but some are far better than others.
- In this specific roundup, we’re basing our findings on the reviews that we’ve done. We’re choosing a favorite, but we’re also giving photographers a bunch of others that they might like, depending on how they shoot.
Our Choice Among the Best Lenses for the Canon EOS R1: Canon 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM
Most photographers drawn to the Canon EOS R1 are those who crave speed, including sports and wildlife photographers. Well, the Canon RF 100-500mm f4.5-7.1 L IS USM is one of our favorite Canon mirrorless lenses for sports and birding. Despite having a very wide 100mm to 500mm zoom range, the lens is surprisingly light. The autofocus is fast enough to keep up with the likes of the R1. Plus, this lens has nice colors and sharp subjects. The only real downside is that this lens isn’t cheap and, at 500mm, the widest aperture is f7.1. Still, for photographers who need the speed and versatility of a super telephoto zoom lens, the RF 100-500mm f4.5-7.1 L IS USM is a great choice.
In our Canon 100-500mm f4.5-7.1 review, we state:
“Here’s the deal, the Canon RF 100-500mm f4.5-7.1 L IS USM is an excellent lens. There isn’t really a single flaw about it. It’s compact compared to some competitors, the image quality is wonderful, and it’s weather sealed. And $2,699 for what you’re getting isn’t too awful of a price point, though it’s also not a no-brainer purchase. For what this lens is, it’s exemplary, and I think that any serious birding photographer will really enjoy it as long as you’re not hiking with it for a while. There isn’t much to complain about with the Canon RF 100-500mm f4.5-7.1 L IS USM.”
Pros
- Pretty light
- Fast-focusing
- Image stabilization is awesome
- Nice colors
- Gorgeous bokeh
- Super sharp
Cons
- Expensive
- F7.1 max aperture at the long end
For Some Photographers, These Might be the Best Lenses for the Canon EOS R1
The Canon 100-500mm f4.5-7.1 is the first lens that we’d pair with the Canon EOS R1 because it offers an excellent balance between telephoto reach and a compact design. But that narrower f7.1 on the long end will undoubtedly bother some photographers, while others may want both a telephoto and a wide-angle zoom. If the Canon 100-500mm isn’t your style, here are three more lenses we recommend for the R1.
Canon RF 28-70mm f2 L USM: Best Wide-Angle Zoom for the Canon EOS R1
While most action photographers need super-telephoto reach, there are some scenarios where you are crammed in up close to the action. Or maybe you want a lens that can handle a wide range of scenarios, from landscapes to portraits. The Canon RF 28-70mm f2 L USM is that lens. The optic’s bright f2 aperture means this lens is no slouch for low-light work and even portraiture. The beautiful image quality, faster-than-normal aperture, and durable build put this lens among our favorites for the RF system as a whole. The biggest downside is that it’s larger and heavier than the more common 24-70mm f2.8, and mounted on the larger body of the R1 will be even more so. It also lacks built-in stabilization, though that isn’t much of an issue when the R1 has 7.5 stops of stabilization without the help of a lens. If you need both an ultra-wide aperture and the versatility of zoom, you can’t beat the 28-70mm f2.
In our Canon 28-70mm f2 review, we state:
“Although the Canon RF 28-70mm f2 L USM is a massive lens, it’s also understandably so. The photographer who will spring for this lens really needs the extra stop of light and genuinely wants super high-quality images. That’s what you’re going to get with the Canon RF 28-70mm f2 L USM. Couple this with better autofocusing abilities that have come out recently and the exemplary build quality, and you’ve got an excellent lens–on paper. The truth is, though, not everyone wants a big, chunky lens like this. Lots of photographers go for them and adore the feel, but the point of mirrorless is to go smaller. The counter-argument to this, though, is that Canon is doing things no one else is. In making faster aperture lenses than everyone else, the size will also get bigger.”
Canon RF 400mm f2.8 L IS USM: Best Telephoto Prime for the Canon EOS R1
If you want the best possible image quality on the R1 with a telephoto reach, grab the Canon RF 400mm f2.8 L IS USM. The photos coming from this lens are impossibly dreamy, with enough background blur to achieve near-solid colors while photographing wildlife. The quick autofocus also makes this lens an excellent choice for sports. It’s also excellent for your chiropractor, as you’ll be visiting more often if you haul this heavy lens around. While it may be best for photographers who aren’t hiking 10 miles or who can easily use a monopod on the sports sidelines, the sharp, colorful images can be worth the high cost for the most serious sports and wildlife photographers.
In our Canon RF 400mm f2.8 review, we said:
“The Canon RF 400mm f2.8 L IS USM is an excellent piece of glass. The bokeh is dreamy while subjects remain sharp. The autofocus has a great hit rate even with action. And the durability and control scheme is made for pros.”
Canon RF 70-200mm f2.8 L IS USM: Best Mid-Range Telephoto for the Canon EOS R1
The Canon EOS R1 is a workhorse camera, and, as such, it deserves a workhorse lens. The Canon RF 70-200mm f2.8 L IS USM is one such lens. The optic offers superb image quality, with excellent sharpness and colors. But, beyond that, it also has a fast autofocus motor, excellent image stabilization, and a durable build. It’s a great lens as a companion to the 28-70mm f2 or for sports that don’t quite need the reach of the 100-500mm.
In our Canon RF 70-200mm f2.8 review, we said:
“We’re going to be honest here; the Canon RF 70-200mm f2.8 L IS USM isn’t exactly an impulse buy for all of us. But for those who earn taxable income from their photography, it makes sense. Not only is there image stabilization and exceptional build quality, but it’s got beautiful image quality. The bokeh is nice and creamy even though there are better portrait lenses on the market. The colors you’ll get are going to be much better than most of what you see on the market. And finally, with Canon’s great autofocusing abilities, you’re going to nail a shot in the dark. The Canon RF 70-200mm f2.8 L IS USM deserves high marks all around.”
Using this Guide to the Best Lenses for the Canon EOS R1
If you’re considering purchasing anything from this list, consider the following:
- All the product images and sample photos in these roundups are shot by our staff. In fact, we don’t talk about products at length in roundups like this unless we’ve done full reviews of them. But you can surely know that we’ve done all the research ourselves.
- We’d never recommend a product to you that we haven’t tested or that we really didn’t like. You can reference our linked reviews, for more information on this.
Tips on Choosing the Best Lenses for the Canon EOS R1
The Canon EOS R1 is one of the brand’s most advanced mirrorless cameras. But, to take advantage of features like the cross-type autofocus, pre-continuous shooting, and 40 fps bursts, the R1 is going to need good glass.
- Consider only L series glass. Canon’s L series lenses are the brand’s most advanced. Pairing a high-end camera like the EOS R1 with a budget lens is like dipping caviar in ketchup. You won’t be able to take advantage of the R1’s speed, image quality, and weather-sealing if you get a lens without those three key features. You don’t need the most expensive lens ever made, but you should look for the key L in the lens name.
- The lenses above focus on sports and wildlife photography because that is who the R1’s faster speeds are aimed at. If you shoot another genre, like portraits, the lenses above may not be the best choice. That’s in part also because other genres like portraits and landscapes will be more drawn to the higher resolution yet lower price R5 Mark II.
- The Canon EOS R1 has 7.5 stops of stabilization built-in or 8.5 with certain lenses. That’s enough that choosing a stabilized lens is more of a bonus than a necessity. Stabilization is nice for longer lenses, but shorter lenses like the 28-70mm f2 should do just fine with the body stabilization.
- The Canon EOS R1 weighs about 2.5 pounds. It’s a larger camera because of that built-in vertical grip. While that’s excellent for vertical shooting, ergonomics, and battery life, keep in mind the total weight you’ll be carrying around, especially if you’re planning to use the camera a lot when out hiking or walking long distances. It’s less of an issue if you’re sitting in a wildlife blind or relegated to one spot on the sidelines.
Picking the right Lenses for the Canon EOS R1 for you
- What’s your budget?
- How will you use the product?
- What lighting situations are you in, and how will that affect what you’re doing? Our reviews hyperlinked in this article can help with that.
- Are you traveling a lot with it?
- Will you be using it in a situation that’s a bit rougher?
- Who else uses this product? How are they using it?
- What’s so appealing about this product that I can’t get from what I have already or something else?
- When will I really have time to use this product?
- Where will I bring this product?
- How will this product help bring me joy and joy in my photography?