Lenss  > Canon EOS 100D  >  Lens Test Results

Best lenses for your Canon EOS 100D: Wide Angles, Standards and Telephotos

Introduction

Although the 18Mpix ‘Hybrid CMOS’ sensor is similar in performance to previous offerings in the range, the seriously small EOS 100D / Rebel SL1 / Kiss X7 represents a new a direction for the camera giant.  Measuring just 117x91x69mm and weighing around 370g, this APS-C format DSLR mounts a serious challenge mirrorless rivals with EVFs for portability. However, where this little camera scores so highly is by its compatibility with a wide range of high-quality lenses.  We’ve tested the imaging chain of 130 lenses mounted on the EOS 100D/ Rebel SL1 / Kiss X7 with a range of focal lengths encompassing 22mm to 960mm (in full-frame 35mm terms). 

1 Best Prime for your EOS 100D

Although the sensor package has been slimmed down to fit in the smaller body of the Canon EOS 100D, the 18Mpix Hybrid AF CMOS sensor is very similar (although not identical) to that of the Canon new EOS 700D. In fact, if you compare these scores with those using the EOS 700D you see quite similar scores and comparable rankings. The familiar top-three performing primes are tied in first place with a DxOMark Score of 24 points.

Sigma 85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM Canon 969 24
Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM 850 24
Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM A Canon 899 24
Canon EF 85mm F1.2L USM 1599 23
Carl Zeiss Distagon T 35mm f/1.4 ZE Canon 1843 22
Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM 1869 22
Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM 6599 21
Canon EF 100mm f/2 USM 440 21
Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L USM 1420 21
Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM 1070 20
Carl Zeiss Makro-Planar T 50mm f/2 ZE Canon 1280 20
Carl Zeiss Makro-Planar T 100mm f/2 ZE Canon 1840 20
Carl Zeiss Distagon T 35mm f/2 ZE Canon 1030 20
Samyang 35mm F1.4 AS UMC Canon 599 20
Samyang 85mm f/1.4 Aspherique IF Canon 285 20
Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM 10499 20
Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM 1550 20
Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM Canon 499 20
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM 385 20
Sigma 30mm F1.4 DC HSM A Canon 499 20

2 Best Zoom for the EOS 100D: third-party makers well represented

With a DxOMark Score of 20 points, the firm’s EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM is the highest performing zoom of any focal range and format. However, third-party options from Sigma, Tamron and Tokina continue to erode differences, in optical performance at least.

Although handling is subjective our value choices would be the Tokina AT-X 12-24 AF Pro DX or Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM C and either the Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8 EX DC Apo OS HSM or Tamron SP AF 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD (IF) Macro if more reach is required.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM 2299 20
Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8 EX DC APO OS HSM Canon 999 19
Tamron SP 24-70mm F2.8 Di VC USD Canon 1299 19
Tamron SP 70-200mm F/2.8 Di VC USD Canon 1699 19
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM 2499 17
Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM Canon 669 16
Tamron SP AF 70-200mm F/2.8 Di LD (IF) MACRO Canon 770 15
Tokina AT-X 11-16 PRO DX Canon 659 15
Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG APO OS HSM Canon 1699 15
Tokina AT-X 16-28 F2.8 PRO FX Canon 849 15
Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM 1210 15
Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG APO HSM Canon 880 15
Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM 1046 15
Canon EF 28-70mm f/2.8L USM 1269 15
Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC MACRO OS HSM C Canon 499 15
Tokina AT-X 12-24 AF PRO DX Canon 400 15
Tamron SP 17-50mm F/2.8 Di II XR VC LD Aspherical IF Canon 649 14
Sigma 50-150mm F2.8 EX DC APO HSM Canon 469 14
Tamron SP AF 28-75mm F/2.8 XR Di LD Aspherical [IF] Canon 499 14
Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 IF EX DG HSM Canon 899 14

3 Best standard prime (40 to 60mm equivalent) for the EOS 100D

Tied in first place with a DxOMark Score of 24 the Canon 35mm f/2 IS USM (56mm equivalent) is a better match (relative to the huge Sigma 35mm f/1.4) handling-wise on the EOS 100D, and its stabilised optics are a plus for video capture. It’s pricey though and at odds somewhat with the EOS for beginner’s tag-line. 

Smaller still and an ideal complement to the tiny EOS, the video-oriented stepper motor-equipped Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM ‘pancake’ is a good choice. Achieving a DxOMark Score of 18 points it has a more accessible price of $199.

 

Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM 850 24
Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM A Canon 899 24
Carl Zeiss Distagon T 35mm f/1.4 ZE Canon 1843 22
Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L USM 1420 21
Carl Zeiss Distagon T 35mm f/2 ZE Canon 1030 20
Samyang 35mm F1.4 AS UMC Canon 599 20
Sigma 30mm F1.4 DC HSM A Canon 499 20
Canon EF 28mm f/2.8 IS USM 699 19
Carl Zeiss Distagon T 25mm f/2 ZE Canon 1700 19
Carl Zeiss Distagon T 28mm f/2 ZE Canon 1280 18
Canon EF 35mm f/2 400 18
Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM 249 18
Sigma 30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM Canon 440 17
Sigma 28mm F1.8 EX DG ASP Macro Canon 449 17
Tokina AT-X M35 PRO DX AF 35mm f/2.8 Macro Canon 599 17
Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 USM 470 16

100d-lenses

4 Best portrait (70 to short telephoto 140mm) prime lens for the EOS 100D

While it comes as little surprise to see the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM and the Canon equivalents sitting at the top of the rankings, these high-speed models aren’t exactly suited to the take-anywhere spirit of the EOS 100D.

And anyway an 85mm is the equivalent to a 135mm lens on an APS-C format body which is often too ‘long’ for indoor portraits. For sheer portability, high-imaging performance and rock-bottom price, the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II (80mm equivalent) would be our first choice (and for a little more versatility, the Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM would be our second).

 

Sigma 85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM Canon 969 24
Canon EF 85mm F1.2L USM 1599 23
Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM 1869 22
Carl Zeiss Makro-Planar T 50mm f/2 ZE Canon 1280 20
Samyang 85mm f/1.4 Aspherique IF Canon 285 20
Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM Canon 499 20
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM 385 20
Carl Zeiss Planar T 85mm f/1.4 ZE Canon 1280 19
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II 99 19
Sigma 70mm F2.8 EX DG Macro Canon 499 18
Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM 390 18
Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM 379 18
Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM 1574 18
Carl Zeiss Planar T 50mm f/1.4 ZE Canon 725 17
Tamron SP AF 60mm F/2 Di II LD [IF] MACRO Canon 499 14

5 Best wide and standard zoom (27 to 120mm equivalent) for the EOS 100D 

Although the top positions are occupied by more specialized (and high priced) optics, models from third-party makers continue to impress in image quality.

In third place, with a DxOMark Score of 16 the Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM is promising and while Canon’s 18-55mm kit lenses score quite highly, our value choice overall remains the new C series Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.0 model at $499. Bear in mind there’s some crossover in focal lengths between ultra-wide, wide and standard zooms, which accounts for the re-arranging of rankings.

 

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM 2299 20
Tamron SP 24-70mm F2.8 Di VC USD Canon 1299 19
Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM Canon 669 16
Tokina AT-X 16-28 F2.8 PRO FX Canon 849 15
Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM 1046 15
Canon EF 28-70mm f/2.8L USM 1269 15
Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC MACRO OS HSM C Canon 499 15
Tamron SP 17-50mm F/2.8 Di II XR VC LD Aspherical IF Canon 649 14
Tamron SP AF 28-75mm F/2.8 XR Di LD Aspherical [IF] Canon 499 14
Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 IF EX DG HSM Canon 899 14
Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM 1399 14
Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF] Canon 459 14
Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 EX DC Macro Canon 419 14
Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM 1500 14
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS 149 14
Canon EF 20-35mm f/3.5-4.5 USM 299 13
Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM Canon 460 13
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II 178 13
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM 250 13
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM 1221 13

6 Best super zoom (5x and more) for the EOS 100D

While the overall DXOMark scores are on the low-side in this category, these lenses are indispensible for travel photography and are hugely popular due to their versatility.

If video is high on your list of priorities then the stepper motor equipped Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM would be well suited to the EOS 100D’s Hybrid AF capabilities. If it can be found in kit form it would be better value than buying it later for $549. Otherwise, coming in second place, and priced at $349, the regular (non-STM model) would make a solid choice.

 

Canon EF-S 18-135mmm F3.5-5.6 IS STM 549 13
Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS 349 12
Canon EF 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USM 2570 12
Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC MACRO OS HSM Canon 850 11
Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 II DC OS HSM Canon 399 10
Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS Canon 370 10
Tamron 18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD Canon 649 10
Canon EF-S 18-200mm_f/3.5-5.6 IS 595 10
Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC Canon 250 9
Tamron AF 18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC LD Aspherical [IF] Macro Canon 1334 9
Tamron AF 28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC LD Aspherical [IF] Macro Canon 600 9
Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM Canon 529 9
Tamron AF 18-250mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro Canon 270 8

7 Best wide angle zoom (13 to 38mm equivalent) for the EOS 100D

If a wider angle of view is required, there are number of choices available. Canon’s highly regarded EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 is one of the pricier options now and new models from third-party lens makers have overtaken it in image quality.

At $400, the Tokina AT-X 124 (12-24mm) AF Pro DX (19-38mm equivalent) stands out for its high ranking and DxOMark Score of 15 points though the Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6 DC HSM (equivalent to 13-25mm in 35mm format) is the one to go for if your looking to match the extreme perspective of some of those fearfully expensive full-frame lenses on your tiny EOS 100D.

 

Tokina AT-X 11-16 PRO DX Canon 659 15
Tokina AT-X 12-24 AF PRO DX Canon 400 15
Tokina AT-X PRO SD 11-16 F2.8 IF DX II Canon 655 14
Sigma 10-20mm F3.5 EX DC HSM Canon 649 14
Sigma 8-16mm F4.5-5.6 DC HSM Canon 699 12
Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM 845 12
Tamron SP AF11-18mm F/4.5-5.6 Di II LD Aspherical [IF] Canon 499 11
Sigma 12-24mm F4.5-5.6 EX DG HSM II Canon 1400 10
Sigma 12-24mm f4.5-5.6 EX DG Canon 840 8

DXOMARK encourages its readers to share comments on the articles. To read or post comments, Disqus cookies are required. Change your Cookies Preferences and read more about our Comment Policy.