Canon Lens Compatibility (EF, EF-S, M, R)

Canon DSLR’s come in two mounts, EF and EF-S. The EF mount is designed for cameras with a full-frame sensor and the EF-S is designed for cameras with an APS-C sensor.

Unsure of what sensor your camera has? There’s a really easy way to find out: Canon cameras with an APS-C sensor will have both a red dot and a white square near the top of the camera's lens mount, whereas a full-frame camera will have just the red dot. Also, cameras with a full-frame sensor will have a larger surface area covered by the reflection of the viewfinder on the mirror and it will extend almost all the way to the edges of the mount.

If you own one of the following cameras it has an APS-C sensor and can mount either EF or EF-S lenses:

Any EOS Kiss or Rebel model.

Any EOS model between 20D and 4000D.

The EOD 7D or 7D MkII.

If you own one of the following cameras it has a full-frame sensor and can only mount EF lenses:

Any EOS 5D or 6D model.

And EOS 1D model.*

*Note: The following cameras are included in the full-frame category, however, they have an APS-H sensor. APS-H sensor cameras have a crop factor of 1.3x but will only accept full-frame EF lenses.

Canon EOS 1D, 1D MkII, 1D MkIIN, 1D MkIII, 1D MkIV.

Let’s look at this the other way, say you’ve got a collection of lenses that you love, have spent time collecting, and want to hold on to, but you want to upgrade, replace or purchase an additional Canon body. There's a way to work this out. As with the camera bodies having the white square and/or a red dot on their mount, EF and EF-S lenses have the same markings. At the lower end of the lens barrel, near the mount, and typically next to the switches for AF/MF and IS there will be either a white square or a red dot. The white square means the lens will only work on APS-C sensor bodies. The red dot means the lens will work on both APS-C and full-frame sensor bodies.

Please note: Owners of a Canon APS-C DSLR camera, like an EOS Rebel, can use lenses designed for full-frame sensors but will experience a crop factor of 1.6x*. Owners of a full-frame Canon DSLR, like the Canon 6D MkII, cannot use lenses designed for APS-C cameras.

*Tip: to work out what the new focal length of a lens will be, multiply the focal length by the crop factor. Canon 70-200mm EF lens mounted on a Canon 1300D will have a new focal length of 112-300mm.

EOS M

The Canon EOS M range was Canon's first adventure into a mirrorless camera system. They have a decent range of interchangeable lenses; from small compact primes such as the 22mm f/2 and powerful zooms like the 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS you’re almost certain to be able to cover all bases with these lenses. You can even use Canon EF full-frame lenses when you attach an EF-EOS-M mount adapter.

The “M” in EOS M stands for “mobility”, and that is exactly what you get with this range from Canon. The camera bodies will fit in your hand and will not weigh you down like a professional DSLR. The more recent models often feature built-in WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, 4K video and the EOS M50 can even be used as a webcam.

If you’re a seasoned professional, shooting for ads and commercial work, then this might be a good pocket/chuck in your bag for a day out camera. If you’re just getting into photography or want something to take traveling, shoot discreet street photography, or just a camera that won’t give you a backache, then this might be the system for you.

EOS RF

Even though the Canon EOS R system has only been around since 2018, they’ve tried to get the essential lenses out into photographers' hands in this short time. Canon has tried to harness a light and customizable philosophy with their RF lenses (even though some of the primes can feel weighty). They hit the ground running with superb 50mm and 85mm f/1.2’s, mainly geared toward professional photographers. Canon has now developed affordable zooms, primes, and even super-telephotos like the RF 800mm f/11 due out later this year. All Canon L series RF lenses are weather sealed.

The Canon RF mount has the same 54mm diameter as the EF and EF-S lenses but has a flange focal distance of 20mm, which is a whopping 24mm shorter than the EF/EF-S, this is pretty much down to the fact the RF bodies don’t have a mirror. RF lenses also have four more contacts than their EF/EF-S counterparts, which means faster communication.

In September 2020, Canon released their first cinema camera featuring an RF mount, the Canon EOS C70. To find out more about the C70 head to our guide to Canon cinema cameras here.

Canon CN-E and Sumire

Canon's two lines of production quality prime lenses are almost identical in appearance. The newer Sumire lenses are in pretty much the same housing as the older CN-E lenses, however, with the Sumire, Canon finally brings cine lenses into the realm of PL mount, something they never did with their CN-E range (although they did with their CN-E zooms).

The Sumire’s are aimed more at professionals rather than prosumers as with the CN-E lenses. According to Canon, the full-frame Sumire lenses have a brand new optical design which will allow for a more organic “softer” look and have a smooth fall-off to out-of-focus areas.

Both the CN-E lenses and Sumire's share some qualities. 114mm front barrel diameter, 300° focus rotation, 36° iris rotation, and focus and iris gear positions. The Sumire’s also feature phosphorescent distance indicators, so you can see the markings in the dark.