Canon has announced a new RF lens for its mirrorless cameras: the world’s first full-frame zoom lens with a range of up to 800mm. The 200-800mm F6.3-9 IS USM offers unprecedented range without the need for (optional) teleconverters, which is the equivalent of a phone with 30x optical zoom, but without a noticeable loss of image quality.
We’ve already posted an RF 200-800mm review and labeled the lens as an ideal pairing with the EOS R7 and EOS R5 cameras for keen wildlife and sports photographers, especially those focusing on birds, or for safaris and basic sports. undoubtedly deserves a place in our best Canon lenses guide.
Canon is on a roll right now: after recently launching the ultra-wide RF 10-20mm F4L lens, the company has subsequently announced the RF 200-800mm alongside two other new lenses: Canon’s fourth crop-sensor mirrorless lens. the RF-S 10-18mm F4.5-6.3; and the RF 24-105mm F2.8L IS USM Z, which Canon describes as the first in a series of professional hybrid lenses.
Let’s briefly review each lens.
Canon RF 200-800mm F6.3-9 IS USM: the world’s longest zoom lens
Canon already has an RF 800mm F11 IS STM lens in its range, but the more expensive RF 200-800mm F6.3-9 IS USM offers an excellent zoom range and a slightly better maximum aperture, as well as weather resistance.
When paired with Canon’s flagship APS-C camera, the EOS R7, you get image stabilization up to 7.5 stops, subject detection autofocus and an equivalent focal length of 1200mm thanks to the 1.5x crop of the sensor size. It’s a dream combination.
For such a far-reaching lens, the RF 200-800mm feels good in the hand, and at 72.3oz / 2,050 grams it’s relatively light to carry around for longer periods, despite the list price of £2,299.99 (US/Australia prices to follow) is low. competitive for the features offered.
Canon RF-S 10-18mm F4.5-6.3: fourth and widest crop sensor lens
The small and lightweight RF-S 10-18mm F4.5-6.3 is specially designed for the EOS R7, EOS R50, EOS R10 and EOS R100 cameras and is the fourth and widest APS-C zoom lens for Canons mirrorless crop sensor cameras, and it couldn’t come soon enough.
We were nervous about how quickly Canon has launched new crop sensor cameras like the ones mentioned above, but conversely slow to release supporting native lenses, which doesn’t bode well and makes it harder to fully recommend those cameras, even the EOS R10 which we rate as the best camera for beginners. Fortunately, there is now a more expensive ultra-wide lens, the RF-S 10-18mm F4.5-6.3, which weighs just 150 grams and is also optically sharper than the RF-S 18-45mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM kit lens.
With Canon recently discontinuing its EOS-M series – another line of APS-C cameras that never got enough love to really shine – time is running out for Canon to update the range of native lenses for its crop sensor EOS R-mount fill before the consumer chooses other systems.
We got our hands on this new optically stabilized lens and found it to be very well balanced with the EOS R50, with excellent close focusing and a maximum magnification of 0.5x. It’s a good option for landscape and macro photography, plus vlogging, and has a list price of £379.99 (US and Australian prices to follow).
Canon RF 24-105mm F2.8L IS USM: Canon’s first ‘hybrid’ mirrorless lens
One for the pros: the Canon RF 24-105mm F2.8L could be the only lens filmmakers/photographers ever need. It is a thick lens that, according to Canon, offers the same optical quality as the RF 24-70mm F2.8L pro lens.
Designed with filmmakers in mind, the RF 24-105mm F2.8L fills the gap between Canon’s film lenses and photocentric RF lenses, and is compatible with an optional Canon Power Zoom adapter for smooth zoom and remote control.
The recommended retail price is £3,439.99, while the Power Zoom adapter is available in two versions and comes with a starting price of £1,476.62 (US and Australian prices to follow).
Analysis: Canon on roll
After a busy first half of 2023 launching new cameras, Canon has spent the second half of 2023 unveiling new lenses, which bodes well for photographers and filmmakers joining the system. New cameras are making headlines, supporting lenses are providing a better everyday reality for those invested in the system.
With the launch of the RF 200-800mm, Canon has demonstrated its continued innovation in the EOS R mount, and this could be the best zoom lens available for keen wildlife and sports photographers. And it’s the new crop-sensor RF-S 10-18mm lens in particular that is reassuring a large number of Canon fans, who will no doubt be hoping Canon keeps this up – a new RF-S prime lens seems like the logical next product, pronto.