Canon has revealed four new lenses for its mirrorless camera lineup, three of which are described as “hybrid” – designed for both video and still photography creators.
The new lenses include the RF 24mm F1.4L VCM, RF 50mm F1.4L VCM, and the RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM Z.
These professional-grade prime and zoom lenses are crafted for Canon’s full-frame cameras and join two recently released lenses in the same series, the RF 35mm F1.4L VCM and RF 24-105mm F2.8L USM Z.
The latter was quietly introduced alongside the RF 200-800mm wildlife lens, expanding Canon’s hybrid lens collection to a total of five.
Alongside the hybrid lenses, Canon has also introduced a new stereoscopic lens designed for spatial video: the RF-S 7.8mm F4 STM DUAL for APS-C, which is compatible only with the EOS R7.
With these four new additions, Canon’s RF lens lineup now includes 52 options, a notable milestone achieved in just six years since the RF mount was first launched.
The RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM Z lens is priced at $2,999 / £3,449.99 / AU$5,399, available in white or black starting November 14.
The RF 24mm F1.4L VCM and RF 50mm F1.4L VCM lenses are slated for release in December, with pricing at $1,499 / £1,679.99 / AU$2,699 and $1,399 / £1,539.99 / AU$2,429, respectively.
Meanwhile, the RF-S 7.8mm F4 STM DUAL will retail for $449.99 / £519.99 / AU$799, becoming available sometime in November.
Canon appears to be targeting creators who work with both video and still photography, as evidenced by these recent lens releases.
Canon emphasizes that the RF mount is designed to “reflect the changing needs of the professional,” catering to the growing demand for versatile lenses suited for both mediums.
While it’s unclear if this trend will shape future lens designs for Canon’s professional mirrorless cameras, it seems like a plausible direction.
The RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM Z complements the existing RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM as a more premium option for hybrid users.
It features an 11-blade aperture, smooth aperture ring, internal zoom, and minimal focus breathing. Compatible with 1.4x and 2x teleconverters, it’s available in white (with a thermal barrier) or black, catering to filmmakers who require discretion on set.
Similar in size and weight to the RF 24-105mm F2.8L USM Z, which weighs just over 1kg, the 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM Z is also compatible with Canon’s Power Zoom adapter, allowing for smooth and precise video zooming. Together, these lenses cover focal lengths from 24mm to 200mm.
Canon has also emphasized that the new RF 24mm F1.4L VCM and RF 50mm F1.4L VCM are nearly identical in size and weight to the RF 35mm F1.4L VCM, forming a trio of video-optimized primes with an aperture ring and minimized focus breathing.
These lenses bring the popular 24mm and 50mm F1.4 prime designs from Canon’s DSLR lineup to the RF mount for mirrorless systems for the first time.
Research by Canon indicates that 65% of professional photographers now incorporate video into their work, reflecting evolving professional needs.
This trio of hybrid lenses may signify a new era in Canon’s lens design philosophy. While premium-priced even by Canon’s standards, these lenses could set a standard for versatile performance across photo and video applications.
