One of the best entry-level DSLR camera options on the market today, the Canon 1100D is the perfect piece of hardware for those looking to get started in the world of photography – as well as those looking to upgrade from a traditional “point and shoot” or camera phone camera.
Very attractively priced and with just the right amount of features and functions to offer a big upgrade and quality without a steep learning curve, the entire system is driven by its 12.2 megapixel sensor, nine point autofocus capabilities, and the chance to record 720p high definition video with zero headache or hassle.
At the same time, owners of the 1100D will learn pretty quickly that it’s the lenses that they invest in that make all the difference.
If you’re really looking to take your photos (and your video) to the next level you’ll want to get your hands on top-tier glass, making this Canon DSLR even better than it is right out of the box.
That’s why we have put together this quick guide.
Below we highlight what you should be looking for in the best lenses for Canon 1100D cameras and highlight a few of our favorite options that you’ll want to take a closer look at.
Let’s dig right in!
EOS 1100D Lens Compatibility – What You Should Know?
Before we dive right into the meat and potatoes of our favorite Canon 1100D lenses, it’s important to touch on the core component of lens compatibility.
A lot of people new to the world of photography assume that a camera lens is a camera lens and that they will fit pretty much every camera that accepts different types of lenses right out of the gate – but that’s not exactly the case.
Each individual camera manufacturer has their own proprietary mounting system (some of them several mounting systems, in fact), and Canon is no different. There are three different types of lenses that Canon owners can use – those that feature EF, EF-S, and EF-M mounting set ups.
Sure, there are third-party manufacturers that make mounting rings designed to turn almost every lens into a universal lens (provided it offers a mount system like the one we highlighted above) before the most part you want to zero in on lenses that are compatible with your camera directly.
You’ll be happy to know that you will have the chance to use any lens that has EF or EF-S mounting compatibilities.
These are designed specifically for the EOS series mount option, which means you’re going to be able to use these cameras directly without having to worry about any third party conversion rings for extra hardware that can detract from the effectiveness of the lens itself.
Canon Lenses for Canon EOS 1100D
To the surprise of absolutely no one, Canon makes some of the best glass for their own cameras.
For starters, the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM is one of the first lenses you want to consider when you get your hands on this DSLR body.
Announced almost a decade ago (February 2012) this lens has a long and illustrious history as a bit of a “workhorse lens” for professional photographers that need to snap great shots in a wide variety of different conditions and elements.
Featuring a tight, light, whether sealed design, as well as a unique optical design (including to ultralow dispersion glass elements built right in) you’ll find this lens in particular to work straight out of the box in pretty much any situation you find yourself snapping photos – making it a rock solid investment for those that only want to pick up a lens or two going forward.
Those in the market for a zoom lens are going to want to have a closer look at the Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS.
With a 7.5 times zoom ratio, some of the clearest optics in the entire Canon lineup, and maybe the best implementation of Canon’s Smooth Live View focus technology this is a really special lens at a very affordable price point.
Combine all of that with optical stabilization technology, a power zoom accessory (sold separately), and fantastic image fidelity – though there is some “fuzziness” at the periphery – and you’re looking at a very smart investment in a zoom lens right here.
Another of the best lenses for Canon 1100D cameras you’ll want to take a closer look at has to be the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM.
Macro lenses give you an opportunity to take incredibly close up and highly magnified shots with a clarity and fidelity tough to pull off with any other kind of legends, and this example from Canon feels like it was engineered specifically for the 1100D.
Technically a mid telephoto macro lens (the first of its kind from Canon), it also features the now legendary and proprietary Image Stabilization technology Canon engineered as well as some rock solid optics.
This lens also shows off the new proprietary Hybrid Image Stabilization Technology that Canon has invented, a technology designed to compensate for angular and shift camera shake when you are shooting incredibly close up images.
There are a lot of other bells and whistles built right into this camera lens, too, and it’s one of the “must-have” pieces of glass you want to kick your 1100D out with for sure.
Sigma Lenses For Canon EOS 1100D
Sigma has been making lenses for decades for all of the major camera manufacturers in the industry – Canon, Nikon, Sony, Panasonic, Leica, etc. – but they use to have a bit of a mixed reputation when it came to overall quality and reliability.
The number one thing that made Sigma lenses so attractive was their super affordable price points, which is why a lot of new photographers (particularly those purchasing entry-level Canon EOS 1100D DSLRs) flocked to them in droves.
Today, however, Sigma has definitely stepped up their game when it comes to high-quality glass for DSLR cameras.
They have an entire lineup of Sigma lenses specifically designed with the Canon EOS 1100D in mind, and many of them are just as good (if not even better than) the products coming from Canon – and almost always at a much more affordable price point.
If you are comfortable putting third-party glass on your Canon camera (and these days there’s a lot fewer reasons to be nervous about that), here are just a couple of the 1100D lenses you’ll want to zero your search in on:
- Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art
- Sigma 24mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Canon EF
- Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM Canon EF
Tamron Lenses For Canon EOS 1100D
Tamrom is another third-party company that makes pretty incredible lenses at affordable price points for the big camera manufacturers, and they have been in business for more than 60 years.
The big benefit with Tamrom lenses (just like Sigma lenses) is that you’re often able to save at least a little bit of money on high quality lenses comparable to the ones you be able to pick up from the folks at Canon.
This isn’t always the case – and Tamrom definitely has had a few duds in the past – but it’s nice to know that you’ll have a couple of options to sift through when you’re on the hunt for new camera glass.
The best lenses for Canon 1100D Tamrom options that you’ll want to focus on include:
- Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD Canon EF
- Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 DI VC USD Canon EF
- Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD Canon EF
Best Telephoto Lens For Canon 1100D
Telephoto lenses can be a little bit finicky, which is why it’s such a good idea to purchase a lens specifically engineered for the camera that you are using.
When that’s the Canon 1100D there’s no better option out there than the Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS.
A great first party lens, the image quality of this relatively compact and economical telephoto zoom option is maybe the best that Canon has ever produced.
This is all made possible thanks to the extra long focal length range that this model squeezes “under the hood”, but it also has a lot to do with the overall build quality of this lens as well. Canon has really squeezed quite a bit of high performance components into this lens without sending the price through the roof, helping to provide a tremendous amount of value for those that want a telephoto lens without breaking their bank account along the way.
Relatively fast, snappy, and with the ability to capitalize on all of the cutting-edge Image Stabilization technology Canon has been working on these last few years, this is a telephoto lens that you’ll find yourself falling in love with almost right out of the gate.
Closing Thoughts
At the end of the day, finding the perfect lens for your specific needs – and your specific budget – is going to take a little more time than most people consider at first.
But as long as you zero in on the tips and tricks we’ve highlighted above (as well as the specific models that we have highlighted you shouldn’t have any trouble whatsoever finding the best lenses for Canon 1100D options money can buy.
The right lens can change the way your photos look literally overnight. Choose from the options we broke down above and you’ll see the difference immediately!
