Gear Reviews

Best Portrait Lens for the Canon Rebel T7

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Written By Nate Torres

In this guide, I’ll be talking about the best portrait lens I have used with the Canon Rebel T7.

Let’s dive right in.

Best Portrait Lens for the Canon Rebel T7

I believe the best portrait lens for the Canon Rebel T7 is the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM.

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM

  • Focal Length: 50mm (75-80mm on Canon Rebel T7 due to crop factor)
  • Maximum Aperture: f/1.8
  • Image Stabilization: No
  • Best For: Portraits, Street, Travel, Product
  • Budget: $
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This lens is affordable, compact, versatile, and shoots amazing portraits — making it one of the best lenses for the Canon Rebel T7.

In fact, I still use this lens on many of my professional portrait photoshoots.

Here are some example portraits I have taken with the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM:

Portrait Taken With the Canon EF 50mm f1.8
Portrait Taken With the Canon EF 50mm f1.8
Example Night Portrait Taken with the Canon EF 50mm f1.8
Example Night Portrait Taken with the Canon EF 50mm f1.8
Male Portrait Taken with Canon EF 50mm f1.8
Male Portrait Taken with Canon EF 50mm f1.8

Now let’s talk about the focal length, aperture, and build of this lens which are the main reasons why this lens is the best portrait lens on the Canon Rebel T7.

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM

  • Focal Length: 50mm (75-80mm on Canon Rebel T7 due to crop factor)
  • Maximum Aperture: f/1.8
  • Image Stabilization: No
  • Best For: Portraits, Street, Travel, Product
  • Budget: $
Check Price on Amazon →

Focal Length of Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 on Canon Rebel T7

The Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM on the Canon Rebel T7 is like a match made in heaven. Here’s why.

On the Canon Rebel T7, you have to remember that it’s an APS-C crop sensor camera, which means there will be a 1.6x crop factor.

This means the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM will function more like a 75-80mm lens on this camera than the 50mm focal length it would have on full-frame cameras.

Here’s a side-by-side shot I took showing what this lens would look like on a full-frame camera versus a crop sensor camera like the Canon Rebel T7:

50mm on Full Frame Sensor vs. Crop Sensor
50mm on Full Frame Sensor vs. Crop Sensor

So why does this crop factor matter? Well, in portrait photography, I’ve noticed that something magical happens in the 70-100mm range.

The features on your subject get super flattering and there is minimal distortion which means your subject won’t have any giant noses or tiny ears.

This “transformed” 80mm focal length will bring your subjects close enough for intimate portraits while capturing beautiful bokeh.

Aperture of Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 on Canon Rebel T7

The maximum aperture of this lens is f/1.8, which is a pretty wide aperture that will allow you to get even more background blur.

This makes it perfect for when you want to get professional-looking portraits where your subject is in focus, but your background is blurred.

The aperture of the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM is another reason why this lens is the best portrait lens for the Canon Rebel T7.

When it comes to portrait photography, the maximum aperture of your lens is very important as a shallow depth of field will allow you to capture quality bokeh, also known as background blur.

Another benefit of having a wide maximum aperture like f/1.8 is that if you have to take photos in low-light conditions, the wide aperture allows more light into your lens for brighter, clearer images.

Now, let’s move on to the build of this lens.

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM

  • Focal Length: 50mm (75-80mm on Canon Rebel T7 due to crop factor)
  • Maximum Aperture: f/1.8
  • Image Stabilization: No
  • Best For: Portraits, Street, Travel, Product
  • Budget: $
Check Price on Amazon →

Build of Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 on Canon Rebel T7

The build of the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM is another reason why it’s the best portrait lens for the Canon Rebel T7.

The first thing I noticed when I bought this lens was how compact, and lightweight it was.

Pairing this lens with the Canon Rebel T7, which is also light, means you’re in for a comfortable experience!

There is no camera front-heavy feel, which you can get on some lenses.

The build of this lens is solid, and it has a metal mount, which is a nice step up from the plastic mounts I have seen on many other lenses that are more affordable.

Canon EF 50mm f1.8 metal lens mount
Canon EF 50mm f1.8 metal lens mount

This adds a bit of durability where it counts, ensuring a strong connection to your Rebel T7 without adding unnecessary bulk.

EF 50mm f1.8 plastic lens body
EF 50mm f1.8 plastic lens body

Another standout feature of the build is the STM (Stepping Motor) technology which provides smooth and near-silent focusing, making it ideal for intimate, candid portraits.

Lastly, the focus ring on the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM feels very responsive in your hands which is not always found in lenses at this price range.

EF 50mm f1.8 focus ring
EF 50mm f1.8 focus ring

In conclusion, the focal length, aperture, image quality, and build of the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM make it the best portrait lens for the Canon Rebel T7 that I’ve used.

If you’re a portrait photographer, this lens is a must!

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM

  • Focal Length: 50mm (75-80mm on Canon Rebel T7 due to crop factor)
  • Maximum Aperture: f/1.8
  • Image Stabilization: No
  • Best For: Portraits, Street, Travel, Product
  • Budget: $
Check Price on Amazon →

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