Canon Four New RF Lenses Announced – For Year-End Release

Lens News

by Jose PradaOctober 30^th, 2024

Canon has announced the release of three new RF L series hybrid lenses: the RF24mm F1.4 L VCM, the RF50mm F1.4 L VCM, and the RF70-200 F2.8 L IS USM Z. The company has also announced a fourth lens, the RF-S7.8mm F4 STM DUAL lens, which is compatible with the Canon EOS R7 camera and an affordable way to introduce creators to the VR and 3D world. Let’s take a closer look!

Canon continues to expand their RF lineup by adding four new lenses before the end of the year. Two primes (RF24mm F1.4 L VCM, RF50mm F1.4 L), a zoom (RF70-200 F2.8 L IS USM Z), and a VR lens for those looking into new formats (RF-S7.8mm F4 STM DUAL lens). This lens is compatible with the Canon EOS R7 camera and works like a traditional RF-mount lens, making it accessible and attractive for creators entering the VR world.

Canon RF24mm F1.4 L VCM and RF50mm F1.4 L VCM

Happy times for Canon ‘bokeh-lover’ users with these two new hybrid RF fixed lens lineup additions that feature a maximum aperture of F1.4. Months ago, the company launched the first hybrid lens of the series, the RF35mm F1.4 L VCM, which sits in the middle of these new lenses regarding its focal length. 

Both the RF24mm L and RF50mm L are designed and advertised as photo/video lenses. They take advantage of Canon ecosystem features like fast and precise autofocus and an optical design that ensures high image quality. The fast aperture makes them perfect for low-light shooters like documentary filmmakers or journalists.

Both lenses are compact (3.9 inches/9.9cm) and lightweight (18.1 ounces/513 grams for the RF24mm and 20.4 ounces/578 grams for the RF50mm) and feature a unified exterior, helping gimbal users with a more straightforward setup. 

Finally, the lenses’ apertures can be controlled via their iris rings, and both feature a lens function button and customizable control and focus rings.

Canon RF70-200 F2.8 L IS USM Z

The third addition to Canon’s 2D lens catalog is the classic zoom focal range we have seen everywhere in sports, nature, fashion, and news: the 70-200mm. The new RF70-200 F2.8 L IS USM Z is an RF L series lens that shares the same exterior case design and internal mechanics of the RF24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z. Canon assures it also balances effortlessly in gimbals and rigs. The new lens also features optimal image quality with minimal focus breathing, and it’s compatible with extenders and power zoom adapters, which are helpful for video creation.

Other interesting features:

• Close-up shooting with a maximum magnification of 0.3x.
• Image stabilization: up to 5.5 stops in the center on the lens alone, or up to 7.5 stops in the center, and up to 7.0 stops in the corners in coordinate control within-body IS.
• Dust and drip-resistant construction.
• Weight: approximately 1,100gm/2.43 lbs.  

Canon RF-S7.8mm F4 STM DUAL lens

Although virtual reality has been around for many years, it has not really been accessible to the everyday user. Canon wants to change things with releases like the RF-S7.8mm F4 lens, a new addition to the EOS VR System lineup that offers an affordable way to explore storytelling in the expanding world of VR and 3D content creation. Aware of the growing interest in spatial video, Canon designed this 7.8mm, 60-degree lens to capture the format easily.

The RF-S7.8mm F4 STM DUAL lens features a simple workflow to attract new users to this niche. The lens is compatible with the Canon EOS R7 camera, and users can process the captured images with the EOS VR Plug-in for Adobe Premiere Pro and convert the footage to 3D 180° VR. The EOS VR Utility software allows users to convert the footage into 3D 180° VR, 3D Theater, and spatial video, which can be played back on devices like Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest 3.

With the RF-S7.8mm F4 STM DUAL lens, Canon is not only providing a new visual tool but also enhancing the way creators communicate using emerging VR, spatial, and 3D technologies. This lens allows users to capture immersive content, bridging the gap between traditional content creation and the latest in VR and Spatial imagery. It’s an exciting step forward in making high-quality 3D content more approachable for everyone.

Hiroto Kato, vice president, Imaging Products & Solutions at Canon U.S.A., Inc

Price and availability

The Canon RF70-200 F2.8 L IS USM Z and the Canon RF-S7.8mm F4 STM DUAL lens are scheduled to be available in November at an estimated retail price of $2,999 and $449.99, individually. We will have to wait a bit longer for the Canon RF24mm F1.4 L VCM and the RF50mm F1.4 L VCM, projected to arrive in December at an estimated retail price of $1,499.00 and $1,399.00, respectively.

For more information about the lenses, please visit usa.canon.com.

What do you think about Canon’s new additions? Which ones do you think would be a nice addition to your equipment? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!