Canon’s EOS R hobbyist cameras just got a huge boost from Sigma’s new primes
- Sigma has announced four APS-C prime lenses for Canon’s RF mount
- They all have a bright f/1.4 aperture, with focal lengths from 16mm to 56mm
- The news is a boost for hobby cameras such as the EOS R7 and EOS R10
Sigma has just announced the first four prime lenses for Canon’s RF-mount hobby cameras – and they’re a long-awaited boost to models like the Canon EOS R7 and EOS R10.
Until recently, Canon courted controversy for keeping its RF mount closed to third-party manufacturers. That finally changed in April, and today we see the fruits of that decision with four new APS-C prime lenses with a bright f/1.4 aperture.
These lenses are the 16mm f/1.4 DC DN (ideal for street and travel), 23mm f/1.4 DC DN (an all-rounder equivalent to 37mm on full frame), 30mm f/1.4 DC DN (perfect for tighter street photography) and 56mm f/1.4 DC DN (a great new option for portraits).
While Sigma previously announced two zoom lenses for the RF mount – the 10-18mm f/2.8 DC DN and 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN – this quartet of primes is a little more exciting and improves the options available to Canons APS significantly. -C mirrorless cameras.
APS-C sensors are smaller than full-frame equivalents, so you’ll typically find them in more affordable hobby camera bodies. In Canon’s range, models such as the Canon EOS R10 and EOS R7 have built-in image stabilization (a useful feature as none of Sigma’s new lenses are optically stabilized).
As usual, Sigma’s new lenses promise pretty good value for money and can be pre-ordered now. The 16mm f/1.4 DC DN costs $489 / £389 and the 23mm f/1.4 DC DN costs $599 / £479, both available from January 23. The 30mm f/1.4 DC DN ($369 / £319) and 56mm f/1.4 DC DN ($529 / £419), meanwhile, will go on sale a little earlier, on December 5.
What about full-frame Canon cameras?
These four Sigma lenses may be largely identical to the lenses announced for Nikon Z cameras in February 2023, but they’re still a big bonus for anyone who owns (or wants to buy) an APS-C Canon camera.
Canon fans are starved of lens choice enjoyed by Sony and Fujifilm shooters, whose mounts now offer a wide range of third-party options such as Viltrox, Tamron and Sigma.
But these new Sigma primes, which are particularly attractive to street, travel and portrait photographers, mean Canon cameras are finally catching up to their rivals in the lens department – at least the models with APS-C sensors.
The bad news is that Canon doesn’t seem to be encouraging a similar openness to the best full-frame cameras in its range. There’s no news or comment on comparable lens options for the Canon EOS R5 II, meaning these cameras will continue to lack some of the more exotic and affordable glass enjoyed by rivals.
That’s not necessarily a dealbreaker for everyone and hasn’t stopped the EOS R5 Mark II from nominating Nikon to our Camera of the Year award, but it’s something to think about depending on your shooting needs and tastes. in lenses.