If you're choosing between Canon EF and EF-S lenses and your subjects range from portraits to distant action to small details, the four lenses here cover a very different set of jobs. The listed prices run from $157.91 to $799, which means your budget will steer the decision as much as your shooting style. Do you want the fastest possible portrait lens, a flexible telephoto zoom, a true macro prime, or a low-priced manual-focus 85mm? We'll map each lens to a matching use case.
Quick take
The cheapest option is the EF 85mm f/1.8 manual-focus portrait lens, while the price ceiling belongs to the used Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM. In between, Canon's open-box 70-300mm zoom adds reach and image stabilization, and the open-box EF-S 60mm f/2.8 macro is the close-up specialist for APS-C bodies. If you want just one lens, the 70-300mm is the most flexible. If you want the fastest aperture for portraits or low light, the f/1.2 L-series is the obvious draw.
Listed price comparison
| Product | Listed price | Price bar |
|---|---|---|
| Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM Lens - USA, EXC | USD 799.00 | |
| Open Box) Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens | USD 255.00 | |
| Open Box) Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 USM Prime Macro Telephoto Lens | USD 330.00 | |
| EF 85Mm F1.8 Portrait Lens - MF for Canon EOS Rebel T8I/T7I/T7/T6I/T5/T3I/T3/T2I | USD 157.91 |
The price bar shows where each lens falls on the range. The $641.09 spread between the least and most expensive options is the largest gap in this group, and it explains why the manual-focus 85mm and the L-series prime sit at opposite ends of the table.
Decision matrix
| Lens | Best for | Key details | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM | Shallow depth of field portraits | 85mm fixed focal length, f/1.2 max aperture, 72mm filter size | Used condition, fixed focal length |
| Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM | Telephoto reach with stabilization | 70-300mm zoom range, auto and manual focus | Variable aperture, open box |
| Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 USM Macro | Close-up and macro on APS-C | 60mm prime, f/2.8, auto and manual focus | EF-S mount and APS-C format |
| EF 85mm f/1.8 Portrait Lens (MF) | Lowest-priced portrait option | 85mm f/1.8, 6 elements in 6 groups, Canon EF/EF-S mounts | Fully manual focus, no electronic contacts |
Product notes
Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM Lens - USA, EXC
Choose this used 85mm prime if shallow depth of field is the priority. Its f/1.2 maximum aperture is the fastest of the four lenses, and the fixed focal length is a classic portrait framing. The 72mm filter thread is also larger than the 58mm thread on the 70-300mm zoom, which matters if you already have filters in that size. The limitation is that it's a prime lens, so there's no zoom flexibility, and it comes in used condition rather than new. If you need autofocus, the USM focus system is built in, but the L-series name and the very fast aperture come at a premium relative to the other lenses.
Open Box) Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens
This is the reach option. The 70-300mm focal range is the longest of any lens here, and image stabilization helps steady handheld shots at the long end. It supports auto and manual focus. As an open-box item, it's not brand new, but the flexible zoom range makes it a good one-lens travel or wildlife option. The variable f/4-5.6 aperture is the trade-off: it gets slower as you zoom toward 300mm, and it's not as fast as the f/1.2 or f/1.8 primes. The 58mm filter thread is smaller than the 72mm on the L-series prime, so filter compatibility differs between the two.
Open Box) Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 USM Prime Macro Telephoto Lens
For APS-C Canon shooters who want to get close to small subjects, this 60mm prime is the macro specialist in the group. It has a fixed f/2.8 aperture, auto and manual focus, and a focal length characterized as both macro and short telephoto. The limitation is the EF-S mount: it's designed for APS-C bodies. It's also open box, so it isn't new, but the macro capability sets it apart from the two 85mm lenses. If you already use an APS-C Canon and want a compact lens for product shots, flowers, or other close work, this prime covers that range without needing a bigger zoom.
EF 85Mm F1.8 Portrait Lens - MF for Canon EOS Rebel T8I/T7I/T7/T6I/T5/T3I/T3/T2I
This is the lowest-priced portrait lens in the lineup. It's an 85mm f/1.8 prime that is new, and it's compatible with both Canon EF and EF-S mounts. The catch is that it's fully manual: there are no electronic contacts, so you'll need to switch the camera to manual mode and focus yourself. That's a reasonable fit for photographers who want precise control or who are practicing manual focusing, but it won't offer autofocus convenience. The 6-element, 6-group construction and standard lens type keep the design simple, and the listed price puts an 85mm f/1.8 option within reach of a much smaller budget.
Final recommendation by use case
If you want the fastest maximum aperture among these lenses and are comfortable with used gear, the Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM is the one to choose. If you need reach and image stabilization for travel, wildlife, or sports, the open-box 70-300mm zoom is the versatile pick. For macro work on an APS-C Canon, the open-box EF-S 60mm f/2.8 macro is the closest you can get to a dedicated close-up lens in this group. And if your priority is the lowest price, the EF 85mm f/1.8 manual-focus prime gives you portrait framing with manual control.
