The Canon EOS R100 is one of the most approachable mirrorless cameras for beginners and budget-conscious photographers. Its compact design, intuitive controls, and growing RF lens ecosystem make it an ideal entry point for those ready to step into mirrorless photography. While the camera body is capable, pairing it with the right lens can dramatically expand your creative potential.
Choosing the right lens is about more than just focal length; it’s about matching your photography style with the camera’s capabilities. Whether you’re shooting landscapes, portraits, vlogs, or wildlife, there are affordable options that provide sharp results, smooth autofocus, and pleasing depth of field without breaking the bank.
One of the best ways to get both the Canon EOS R100 and quality lenses at an affordable price is to buy used from platforms like MPB. They offer thoroughly graded and inspected gear, so you know exactly what condition you’re purchasing. More on that later, though!
So, let’s break down options for everyday photography, portraiture, wide-angle shots, macro work, and telephoto needs. By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear roadmap of which lenses are worth investing in and how they can enhance your shooting experience.
Table of Contents
- Understanding the Canon EOS R100 Lens Mount
- Best Everyday Lens: Canon RF-S 18-45mm f/4.5–6.3 IS STM
- Best Upgrade Zoom Lens: Canon RF-S 18-150mm f/3.5–6.3 IS STM
- Best Portrait Lens: Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM
- Best Wide-Angle Lens: Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM
- Best Macro Option: Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM
- Best Budget Telephoto: Canon RF 55-210mm f/5–7.1 IS STM
- How to Choose the Right Lens for Your Style
- Maximizing Your Canon EOS R100 with the Right Lenses
- FAQ
Understanding the Canon EOS R100 Lens Mount
The Canon EOS R100 uses the RF-S mount, which is compatible with both RF-S and RF lenses. Understanding the differences between these two categories is important when selecting the best lenses for the Canon EOS R100. RF lenses are full-frame compatible, while RF-S lenses are designed specifically for APS-C sensors like the R100’s. Both options deliver excellent performance, but RF-S lenses tend to be smaller, lighter, and more affordable.
The R100 does not natively support EF or EF-S lenses, but with Canon’s EF-EOS R adapter, you can access a massive library of older DSLR lenses. This adds flexibility if you already own Canon glass or are looking for budget-friendly options on the secondary market. Buying used through a reputable platform like MPB is especially smart, as every lens and camera is thoroughly graded and inspected, giving you confidence in the precise condition before you purchase.
Because the R100 has an APS-C sensor, there is a 1.6x crop factor to consider. A 50mm lens effectively becomes an 80mm equivalent, and a 16mm ultra-wide becomes about 25mm. Understanding this helps in choosing lenses that match your preferred shooting style. When selecting the best lenses for the Canon EOS R100, keep portability, versatility, and your own shooting habits in mind.
Best Everyday Lens: Canon RF-S 18-45mm f/4.5–6.3 IS STM
The RF-S 18-45mm f/4.5–6.3 IS STM is one of the most practical choices for everyday shooting. Compact and lightweight, it’s ideal for beginners who want a versatile walkaround lens without carrying extra weight. Image stabilization helps capture sharp photos in varying conditions, and the STM motor ensures smooth, quiet autofocus—perfect for both stills and video.
At 18–45mm, this lens covers wide-angle to short telephoto, making it suitable for street photography, travel, and casual family shoots. Its size and affordability make it a natural starting point for anyone building a kit around the R100. The lens produces sharp images with pleasant color and contrast, providing excellent results straight out of the camera.
Many R100 users appreciate how unobtrusive this lens is when shooting in public or crowded areas. It’s light enough to carry all day and offers enough flexibility to cover most everyday scenarios.
Best Upgrade Zoom Lens: Canon RF-S 18-150mm f/3.5–6.3 IS STM
For those looking for a more flexible all-in-one option, the RF-S 18-150mm f/3.5–6.3 IS STM is a strong contender. This lens extends your range from wide-angle to telephoto, letting you capture everything from sweeping landscapes to distant subjects without switching lenses. The built-in image stabilization complements the R100’s compact design and helps reduce blur in low-light conditions.
While slightly larger than the 18-45mm, it still maintains a lightweight profile and is well-balanced on the R100 body. Its versatility is particularly valuable for travel photographers or anyone wanting to minimize gear. The lens produces sharp results throughout its zoom range and has a surprisingly fast and quiet autofocus system for its class.
Best Portrait Lens: Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM
The RF 50mm f/1.8 STM is a classic choice for portraiture. Its fast f/1.8 aperture provides a shallow depth of field and creamy bokeh, allowing your subject to stand out from the background. On the R100, the 50mm lens behaves like an 80mm equivalent, giving a flattering perspective for headshots and lifestyle portraits.
This lens is remarkably affordable while maintaining high image quality. Its lightweight design and quiet autofocus make it easy to handle during extended portrait sessions. Even in lower light conditions, the wide aperture ensures sharp subjects and pleasing background separation.
Best Wide-Angle Lens: Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM
The RF 16mm f/2.8 STM is a compact and fast ultra-wide lens that brings creativity to your kit. On the R100, it’s roughly equivalent to 25mm, making it perfect for landscapes, vlogs, and interior photography. Its lightweight design ensures that you can carry it easily for long shooting sessions.
Despite its small size, the lens produces sharp, detailed images with minimal distortion. The f/2.8 aperture allows for better low-light performance and subtle background separation. Its versatility makes it a great companion for travel photographers or anyone looking to expand their creative perspective.
Best Macro Option: Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM
The RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM is a hybrid lens that covers both macro and general-purpose shooting. Its 1:2 magnification allows for detailed close-ups of flowers, food, or products while still functioning as a sharp street or portrait lens. On the R100, this lens acts like a 56mm equivalent, offering versatile framing options.
The lens features image stabilization and excellent sharpness, making it practical for handheld macro work. Its f/1.8 aperture also supports low-light shooting and creative depth-of-field effects. While slightly pricier than other options, the performance and versatility justify the investment.
Best Budget Telephoto: Canon RF-S 55-210mm f/5–7.1 IS STM
The RF-S 55-210mm f/5–7.1 IS STM brings telephoto reach in a lightweight and budget-friendly package. On the R100, this lens acts like an 88–336mm equivalent, giving ample distance for wildlife, sports, or outdoor portraits. Despite its small size, it offers solid image stabilization and surprisingly sharp optics for the price.
Its smooth autofocus and compact design make it easy to handle, even for photographers new to telephoto shooting. The lens covers a wide zoom range without requiring multiple lenses, making it a practical choice for those who want reach without a heavy kit.
How to Choose the Right Lens for Your Style
When selecting the best lenses for the Canon EOS R100, consider your primary photography style. Travel photographers may prefer the RF-S 18–45mm or RF 16mm for portability. Portrait shooters often gravitate toward the RF 50mm f/1.8 or the RF 35mm macro. Those seeking an all-in-one solution might choose the RF-S 18–150mm, while wildlife and sports photographers benefit from telephoto options like the RF 55-210mm.
Starting with one or two versatile lenses is usually smarter than buying every lens at once. Gradually expanding your kit allows you to understand which focal lengths and styles suit your needs. MPB’s used gear platform makes it easier to experiment with different lenses thanks to their transparent grading system, warranty, and return policy.
Ultimately, the best lenses for the Canon EOS R100 are those that match your shooting style, budget, and creative goals.
Maximizing Your Canon EOS R100 with the Right Lenses
The Canon EOS R100 is a compact, capable mirrorless camera that can adapt to nearly any photography style when paired with the right lenses. From budget-friendly primes to versatile zooms and specialized macro or telephoto lenses, there are options to enhance every aspect of your photography. Using MPB to acquire these lenses adds value, reliability, and peace of mind with their grading, inspection, six-month warranty, and seven-day return policy.
With the lenses outlined here, you can build a kit that covers wide-angle landscapes, portraiture, everyday shooting, macro details, and telephoto subjects—all without overspending. Each lens complements the R100’s compact body, providing a balanced and enjoyable shooting experience.
By carefully choosing the best lenses for the Canon EOS R100, and considering high-quality used gear from MPB, you can expand your creative possibilities, capture sharper images, and gain the confidence to explore new photographic opportunities.
FAQ
Can I use EF or EF-S lenses on the Canon EOS R100?
Yes, with the Canon EF-EOS R adapter, you can use most EF and EF-S lenses. MPB offers many used EF and EF-S lenses in graded condition with a warranty.
Is the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 a good portrait lens on the R100?
Absolutely. On the R100, it acts like an 80mm equivalent, providing flattering portraits with creamy bokeh and excellent sharpness.
Which lens is best for travel photography with the R100?
The RF-S 18–150mm f/3.5–6.3 IS STM or the RF 16mm f/2.8 STM are both excellent choices due to their versatility and compact size.
Are third-party RF lenses reliable for the R100?
Many third-party RF lenses offer solid optical quality at lower prices. MPB sells pre-owned third-party lenses that are inspected, graded, and covered by warranty.
What is the best all-in-one lens for beginners using the R100?
The RF-S 18–150mm f/3.5–6.3 IS STM is ideal for beginners who want one lens that covers a wide range of shooting scenarios without switching lenses frequently.
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