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The Canon EF 40mm F2.8 STM is a very slim, very lightweight pancake-style prime lens for both full-frame and APS-C Canon DSLR cameras. It features a stepper motor for fast, quiet focus, particularly important with the contrast-detection method of autofocus used for live view and video. Its optical construction includes an aspherical element and coatings optimized to reduce flare. Its closest focus distance is a mere 30cm, and a circular 7-bladed aperture ensures pleasant rendition of out of focus areas.
The EF 40mm f/2.8 STM is a lens whose impressive image quality belies its low price and tiny size. For APS-C users it's a tiny, inexpensive companion to a kit zoom, and on full frame it offers a great option for general shooting. It's taken a while for Canon to come to the pancake party, but the 40mm takes its place alongside its peers as one of the best examples of its type.
| Lens type | Prime lens |
| Focal length | 40 mm |
| Image stab. | No |
| Lens mount | Canon EF |
| Max aperture | F2.8 |
| Min aperture | F22.0 |
| Min focus | 0.30 m (11.81″) |
| Max magnification | 0.18× |
| Weight | 130 g (0.29 lb) |
| Length | 22 mm (0.87″) |
The EF 40mm f/2.8 STM offers excellent image quality in a tiny, well-made package. For APS-C users it provides a great carry-everywhere complement to a kit zoom, and for full frame shooters it's an excellent general-purpose 'normal' lens. The STM motor means that autofocus is almost completely silent, but it's not super-fast.
Good for: Canon SLR owners who want the image quality of a prime in a tiny, relatively inexpensive package.
Not so good for: Photographers shooting in really low light or aiming for maximum background blur, who'll do better with a faster lens like the EF 50mm f/1.8 II.
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Gold Award
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84%
dpreview score
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Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM Lens | Too low to display |
Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM Lens | Too low to display |
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II SLR Lens | Too low to display |
Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM Pancake Lens with UV Filter, Hood, Cleaning Kit for Canon EOS 60D, 7D, 5D Mark II III, Rebel T3, T3i, T4i Digital SLR Cameras | $159.95 |
Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM | $549.00 |
Canon EF 20mm f/2.8 USM Wide Angle Lens for Canon SLR Cameras | Too low to display |
Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM Pancake Lens with 3 (UV/FLD/CPL) Filters , Hood, Cleaning Kit | $164.95 |
Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM Pancake Lens with Canon 2400 Case + 3 (UV/FLD/CPL) Filters + Hood + Tripod + Accessory Kit for Canon EOS 60D, 7D, 5D Mark II III, Rebel T3, T3i, T4i Digital SLR Cameras | $209.95 |
Focus Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM Lens Bundle with Tiffen 52mm UV Protector and Circular Polarizing Lens + Medium Lens Case + Accessory Kit | $169.95 |
Canon EF 40 mm f/2.8 STM Pancake Lens | $193.70 |
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