Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM

If you’re after an own-brand APS-C format Canon prime lens, this is the only option

This is the only prime lens that Canon produces specifically for APS-C format DSLRS. You could also use a full-frame compatible 24mm lens, but this dinky optic has a lot going for it. As a pancake lens it’s compact and lightweight at 68x23mm and 125g. That makes it stealthy for street photography, especially when mounted on one of Canon’s smaller cameras like the 200D and 2000D.

With an ‘effective’ focal length of 38.4mm, the lens gives a natural perspective that’s very close to that of the favoured 35mm on a full-frame camera. Autofocus is courtesy of a ‘gear type’ STM (Stepping Motor) system. Unlike ‘leadscrew type’ STM, more often used in zoom lenses, gear wheels are used to drive focusing. This makes the system slightly slower and more audible, rather than it being almost silent in operation. But the autofocus assembly is smaller, enabling the lens to be more compact. The inner barrel of the lens extends when focusing to shorter distances, but doesn’t rotate.

Like other STM lenses, manual override of autofocus and fully manual focusing are available via an electronically coupled focus ring. Unless the camera is switched on and focusing is activated, for example after a light press of the shutter button, manual override is unavailable.

Performance

The lens punches above its weight in terms of image quality, with stellar sharpness, negligible colour fringing and little barrel distortion. Overall, it’s an ideal lens for street photography on APS-C DSLRS.