Canon releases 3 lenses, including a world-first for a constant aperture zoom, and an affordable superzoom
Nov 2, 2023
Alex Baker
Alex Baker is a portrait and lifestyle driven photographer based in Valencia, Spain. She works on a range of projects from commercial to fine art and has had work featured in publications such as The Daily Mail, Conde Nast Traveller and El Mundo, and has exhibited work across Europe
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Canon has introduced three new lenses that promise to enhance the world of still photography and video production. These lenses cater to a wide range of users, from beginners to professionals, and yes, one of them is really, really big!
The three new lenses are the RF-S10-18mm f/4.5-6.3, the ground-breaking constant aperture RF24-105mm f/2.8 L, and the ultimate affordable super zoom, the RF200-800mm f/6.3-9. Put that lens in your pocket, and people will definitely wonder if you’re pleased to see them.
RF-S10-18mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM Lens
Canon’s RF-S10-18mm lens ($329.99) is designed for EOS R-series cameras with APS-C sensors. This lens offers an ultra-wide-angle zoom, equivalent to 16-29mm on a full-frame camera.
Key features include image stabilization for steady shots, a compact and lightweight design ideal for travel, and an affordable price of $329.99 for those who are price-conscious or just want to experiment with very wide-angle photography.
It’s not super fast with a variable aperture of f/4.5-6.3 so it probably isn’t going to be the first choice for astrophotography. However, judging by Canon’s other lenses in this range, it’s probably still a very good choice if shooting wide open isn’t a concern.
RF24-105mm f/2.8 L IS USM Z Lens
The RF24-105mm lens ($2,999.00) is the world’s first to combine a 24-105mm focal length with a constant f/2.8 maximum aperture. This lens stays the same length while zooming no matter which focal length you’re at. It also has a manual aperture ring for video use. This lens is aimed at higher-end photographers (or anyone willing to drop three grand on a lens) and photojournalists.
The lens should appeal to video shooters as well because of the image stabilization and optimized optics for video production. Additionally, Canon will offer a Power Zoom Adapter for smoother zooming during video shooting, catering to solo camera operators. Firmware updates for the EOS C70 and EOS R5 C cameras in early December will add support for the RF24-105mm lens.
RF200-800mm f/6.3-9 IS USM Lens
Possibly the most interesting lens of the three is the RF200-800mm F6.3-9 IS USM Lens ($1,899.00). Nature, wildlife, and outdoor sports photographers will find this lens very useful for capturing distant action.
This super-telephoto zoom lens boasts a focal length of up to 800mm, up to 5.5 stops of image stabilization, compatibility with optional tele extenders, a weather-resistant design, and a rotating tripod mount.
Canon says that the lens is light enough to carry around with a weight of just 4.5lb (2 kg). That’s impressive for such a long zoom, however, I’m not sure I’d consider that particularly light!
Sure, it’s not super fast with a variable aperture of f/6.3-9, but when shooting at these extreme focal lengths, you probably want more than just an eyelash in focus, anyway.
Technical specs
| Canon RF-S 10-18mm F/4.5-6.3 IS STM | Canon RF 24-105mm F/2.8L IS USM Z | Canon RF 200-800mm f/6.3-9 IS USM Lens | |
| Focal Length | 10-18mm | 24-105mm | 200-800mm |
| Type | Zoom | Zoom | Zoom |
| Maximum Aperture | f/4.5-6.3 | f/2.8 | f/6.3-9 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/32 | f/22 | f/54 |
| Lens Mount | Canon RF | Canon RF | Canon RF |
| Format Compatibility | APS-C | Full-Frame | Full-Frame |
| Angle of View | 107° 30′ to 74° 20′ | 84° to 23° 20′ | 12° to 3° 5′ |
| Maximum Magnification | 0.23x | 0.08 to 0.29x | 0.25 to 0.2x |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 5.5″ / 14 cm | 17.7″ / 45 cm | 2.6′ / 80 cm |
| Optical Design | 12 Elements in 10 Groups | 23 Elements in 18 Groups | 17 Elements in 11 Groups |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 11 | 9 |
| Focus Type | Autofocus | Autofocus | Autofocus |
| Image Stabilization | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Filter Size | 49 mm (Front) | 82 mm (Front) | 95 mm (Front) |
| Dimensions (ø x L) | 2.7 x 1.8″ / 69 x 44.9 mm | 3.5 x 7.8″ / 88.5 x 199 mm | 4 x 12.4″ / 102.3 x 314.1 mm |
| Weight | 5.3 oz / 150 g | 2.9 lb / 1.3 kg | 4.5 lb / 2 kg |
Price and availability
The RF-S10-18mm lens, the RF24-105mm lens, and the RF200-800mm lens are expected to be available in December. Their estimated retail prices are $329.99, $2,999.00, and $1,899.00, respectively.
Canon will also offer two versions of the Power Zoom Adapter for the RF24-105mm lens in Spring 2024, with estimated retail prices of $999.99 and $1,299.00 for the version with the 20-pin port.
Alex Baker
Alex Baker is a portrait and lifestyle driven photographer based in Valencia, Spain. She works on a range of projects from commercial to fine art and has had work featured in publications such as The Daily Mail, Conde Nast Traveller and El Mundo, and has exhibited work across Europe
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59 responses to “Canon releases 3 lenses, including a world-first for a constant aperture zoom, and an affordable superzoom”
The Olympus/OMD 40-150 f 2.8 is a constant aperture zoom so the Canon lens isn’t the “world’s first”.
Mike and arguably better to.
Rico Forlini and far less expensive.
Mike Downey it should say worlds first full frame.. the Olympus is for Micro Four Thirds… its wrong anyways but they aren’t really comparable.
Ally Jones I realize they are different formats and not comparable, but perhaps they should clarify their statement?
Mike Downey does in the article but yea the title is usually clickbatery.. ‘the world’s first to combine a 24-105mm focal length with a constant f/2.8 maximum aperture. ‘
Mike Downey It will be a hell of a lens tbh
Mike and compact,
after years of Canon use I switched to the OM-1 system and love the size and weight savings.
Rico Forlini Same here. I also left Canon as the weight was killing my back. Now I carry two mft cameras and the 12-100mm and 100-400mm lenses for hours while hiking.
Mike Downey well you’re talking about a lens designed for a much smaller sensor
Ash Dolan It’s not the size that counts, she said.
Wow! On other news the dinosaurs were wiped out by a rock from
Space.
World’s first constant aperture zoom? Ok.
Petar Maksimovic that’s what I was thinking. Wtf lol
Petar I read that and thought this person was on drugs!
Petar Maksimovic would be fun if people read the article before they comment, then they’d see this sentence: “The RF24-105mm lens ($2,999.00) is the world’s first to combine a 24-105mm focal length with a constant f/2.8 maximum aperture.” I agree though, it’s hard to fit all that into a short title 😉
Ákos Lumnitzer I only wish… 😉🤣
Alex Baker Would be even more fun if “journalists” stopped writing false sensational titles for the sake of clicks. If the title is false, I’m not wasting my time and insulting my intelligence by reading the trash article.
If this is your article, how about you go and correct/edit that false title so people can stop making fun of this. It also doesn’t help that you dwell around comments trying to convince people that your title is great only if they read the article, very professional.
Petar Maksimovic “a world first for a constant aperture zoom lens”
Learn to read.
Ash Dolan She took my advice and edited the title. Learn to use the internet, it’s an instant medium and you came here three days late, I’m amazed how you even managed that.
Alex Baker Yeah, the title could have been:
World-first Canon RF24-105mm constant aperture zoom lens 😂
Dennis Sakva yeah no one would ever read that 😂
Petar Maksimovic in my experience, writers don’t write headlines, so don’t jump down their throats.
Who the fcuk writes this crap???? Does anyone their really know about photography and technology at that publication, or are you all too lazy to do research 🤔🙄
First. Besides the Canon 70-200 f/4L, 70-200 f/2.8L, 16-35 f/2.8L, etc., etc., etc.
Like _back
Julian Simcock
WHat’s next 200-1000? plz lol
Young Sun Ryuquite possible f/8. Note never photograph snow with a mirror lens. The out of focus snowflakes will be ‘falling donuts’ :p
Who ever wrote this article doesn’t know jack sheet about photography
Robert Elia yup
Robert Elia yeah, tough to fit “at this particular focal length and aperture” into a title with a character limit🤦 but thanks for assuming I don’t know what I’m talking about 🙄
… and all of them look clean and lack personality. 🤔
Worked with Canon for 15 years so I‘m allowed to say this. 😬
Günther Klebinger typical Canon.
Jesus G. Alvarez Yeah. Was very happy with my 5DIII for a long time but somewhere along the way I lost interest in their stuff. 😞
Günther Klebingeryou work with canon for 15 years and didn’t get frustrated with lenses braking af switch on 50 compact macro f2.5 and canon factory service (superglued the switch back on). Sharp lens tho. As a pj stuff happens if your carrying three bodies eventually one will get smashed by the wind blowing the door you are currently walking thru. Switched to Nikon but neither did a good job doing internal lens cleanings. Cause disposable lifestyle thinking they want you to buy new glass. It’s better to send to an independent lens service company who make their living on word of mouth referrals and repeat business.
Byron Lee My EF lenses (16-35, 24-70, 70 – 200 2.8 ) really were reliable and did a great job. Canon forcing me to switch to RF some time in the future made me think fresh. So they somehow forced me. 😉
Günther KlebingerI had the 80-200 2.8 L “magic drain pipe” the sharpest lens at least top two. It was not usm but was sharper and less barrel distortion than many of my Leica prime lenses (could not afford apo glass) too bad I sold it for the first 70-200 usm ( I was a sports photographer in college). The usm wasn’t as sharp. But even the 80-200 zoom ring started to show wear after three years of heavy use. Prefer 1960s Leica glass hard to beat brass and grease. Cla every so often $100-150. Not I’m sorry we don’t service that model anymore. My Japanese photo teacher in college said anytime you see a ii iii they found a way to make it cheaper (maximize profits) even Nikon doesn’t make in Japan anymore it’s Thailand just slap our name on it like tamron and tokina made Nikons of the past. These new canon glass exterior body sloping looks sigma-ish.
Günther Klebinger “lack of personality”. I would say this from the Sony design language instead.
Ale Leivasony made a lot of the imaging sensors for nikon.
https://petapixel.com/2022/09/20/nikon-looks-to-be-rehousing-tamron-lenses-for-its-mirrorless-cameras/
There have been and still are 100’s of constant aperture zooms. Get your facts right.
Philip WiganLad Halliwell read the article ? 😉
Can’t wait to get it! Canon rocks!
200-800 holy cow 5k lense?
$3k h@&ly cr@p you amateurs be spending too much on glass. Those be Leica glass prices. At least with the keith stuff not plastic lens groups/elements.
Leitz stuff…
“Affordable” superzoom? You jest, surely?
THE WORLD’S FIRST CONSTANT APERTURE ZOOM?
What’s my 70-200 f/4L? A lie?
“A world first for constant aperture zoom” not “first constant aperture zoom”, Jesus I hope y’all’s photography is better than your reading comprehension
Angus Rentonthank you!
Instead of a 24-105 2.8 it would have been better to have 24-105 2-2.8. Personally, I would take that over a higher constant aperture.
adding one stop to the 24-105 triples the price? Maybe not!
Very simlar spec by Olympus/OMsystem 100-400mm F5-6.3.
I assume they mean the first CAZ for the RF line. EF has had them for ages. And speaking of EF, I sure wish Canon wasn’t in such a rush to abandon all of us who were loyal (foolish?) enough to spend everything on their gear in the past…
Can Ken Rockwell Confirm?
They’re leaving out world first 2.8 constant aperture zoom at 24-105 focal length so people keep commenting about it.
Affordable. LOL.
Sigma’s 300mm to 800mm f5.6 is constant arpeture and was introduced many years ago.
Great article, thank you. As for the 200-800, I would rather have a lens that is internal zoom not a pumper zoom (better balanced and weather sealed, less prone to sand or dust getting inside), and weighs a few hundred grams more. Also, once a lens is above 1300g, to me the size of the tripod foot as a carry handle is more a deciding factor if a lens can be carried easily, not the overall weight. The Sony 200-600 +1.4x TC seems to tick more of my boxes. Also, the Sony +TC has a higher magnification ratio for small subjects at maximum focal length with the teleconverter… 0.29 vs 0.2x. That is a huge deal for small animals.