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The top Canon RF lenses currently cater to a wide range of photographer needs. Through our extensive testing and evaluation of EOS R System lenses, we have found that Canon’s own mirrorless optics excel in various aspects. The selection of the ‘best’ lens ultimately depends on individual requirements and financial considerations. In the following guide, we have identified the finest RF lenses for diverse purposes based on insights from our expert reviewers, ranging from affordable options to wildlife and portrait photography.
With R-system cameras, the lens choices are predominantly from Canon, yet the selection has expanded significantly, encompassing compact, budget-friendly primes to premium ‘L-series’ optics. Our thorough assessment, including rigorous benchmark tests and practical usage, has enabled us to recommend the most suitable lenses for different preferences.
Best Canon RF Lenses Reviews
1. Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L is USM
If you are searching for a high-quality Canon telephoto lens and price is not a concern, the Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L is an excellent choice. Premium products often come with a higher price tag, and this lens is no exception.
This lens has the potential to turn your wildlife photography dreams into reality. Its impressive versatility is matched by exceptional image stabilization, providing superior shake correction. You can utilize its three stabilization modes to add creativity to your photographs.
The lens incorporates dual Nano USM technology, which enhances autofocus performance with smooth, quiet, and high-speed focusing, ensuring outstanding results on every occasion. Additionally, it includes a control ring that allows you to conveniently adjust exposure settings according to your preferences.
While some may criticize its relatively slow aperture, it is important to note that this lens is not hindered by low light conditions and offers full focus capabilities. Its performance and handling are exceptional, making it a suitable choice for handheld photography and surpassing its predecessors.
The Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM lens is designed to seamlessly work with Canon’s Full Frame Mirrorless Cameras, such as the EOS RP, EOS R, EOS R5, and EOS R6. This compatibility ensures that you can fully utilize the capabilities of both the lens and the camera, resulting in outstanding image quality and performance.
The Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM lens is a versatile super-telephoto zoom lens that empowers photographers to capture distant subjects with precision and creativity. Whether you are a professional in need of top-tier equipment or an enthusiast eager to explore the world of telephoto photography, this lens delivers exceptional results.
2. Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8 L is USM Lens
Sports photography can be quite challenging, especially when positioned at a far distance from the action. To overcome these challenges, a high-quality telephoto lens is essential. Among the recommended Canon telephoto lenses, the RF 70-200MM USM stands out for various reasons.
One of its key features is its lightweight and compact design, making it easy to carry around during photography sessions or events without any hassle.
What makes this lens exceptional is its ability to capture stunning, high-resolution images due to its wide f/2.8 aperture. It consistently performs well in difficult lighting situations or when shooting distant subjects, ensuring top-notch results every time.
Moreover, it is compatible with all Canon full-frame mirrorless cameras, offering seamless integration. The lens provides silent and precise autofocus, along with excellent image stabilization to prevent any blurriness in your photos. The only downside is that it does not support any teleconverters currently available in the market.
The Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM Lens is a fantastic choice for photographers seeking exceptional image quality, portability, and advanced features. Whether you are a professional or an enthusiast looking to enhance your photography skills, this lens is a valuable addition to your gear. With its optical image stabilization, fast autofocus, and versatility, it enables you to capture stunning moments with clarity and precision, regardless of the shooting conditions.
3. Canon RF70-200mm F4 L is USM
The Canon RF70-200mm F4 L IS USM lens is a revolutionary telephoto zoom lens that seamlessly blends portability with uncompromising image quality. It is the smallest full-frame lens in Canon’s lineup, known for its lightweight construction and impressive sharpness. Despite its compact size, this lens performs exceptionally well, rivaling even larger and more expensive counterparts.
One of the standout features of this lens is its remarkable stabilization capabilities. With an impressive 7.5 stops of stabilization, it offers versatility in various shooting scenarios. Whether you’re capturing subjects up close or at a distance, this lens ensures quiet and smooth autofocus operation, thanks to its dual Nano USM technology.
While the center and optical sharpness of this lens are exceptional, some users may find the corner sharpness to be slightly lacking. However, with practice and careful technique, this limitation can be mitigated.
It is worth noting that this lens is not compatible with teleconverters, which may be a drawback for certain users. However, when paired with Canon cameras featuring In-Body Image Stabilization (IBIS), the Canon RF70-200mm F4 L IS USM lens offers even greater stability. The combination of the lens’s optical image stabilizer and IBIS provides an astonishing 7.5 stops of shake correction, allowing you to push the boundaries of low-light and telephoto photography.
Overall, the Canon RF70-200mm F4 L IS USM lens is a standout addition to our list. Its compact size, exceptional image quality, and impressive stabilization capabilities make it a top choice for photographers seeking a versatile telephoto zoom lens.
4. Canon RF100-400mm F5.6-8 is USM
Canon telephoto lenses are known for their steep price point, which can be a primary challenge for many photographers. However, if you’re on a tight budget, there is a viable solution available. The Canon RF100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM telephoto lens offers a wallet-friendly option without compromising on quality and performance.
This lens comes with a range of exceptional features that contribute to its high-quality performance. Firstly, it boasts a lightweight and compact design, making it easy to carry around for on-the-go photography. Additionally, its impressive zoom range of 100-400mm caters to a wide variety of photographic needs, ensuring a comprehensive photography experience.
The lens also incorporates enhanced image stabilization to correct any camera shake, while Canon’s Nano USM technology enhances autofocus precision with smooth and discreet operation. It’s important to note that this budget-friendly option may not have advanced weather-proof sealing and has a relatively slow aperture.
However, these drawbacks are outweighed by the lens’s lightweight and compact form, making it an ideal choice for beginners and photographers on a tight budget. While it may not be among the top-performing lenses in the market, it certainly caters to a specific niche.
Thanks to Canon’s Nano USM technology, autofocus is not only high-speed but also exceptionally smooth and quiet. Whether you’re capturing wildlife in its natural habitat or documenting a sports event, this lens ensures quick and discreet focusing on your subjects.
In conclusion, the Canon RF100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM lens is a compact and versatile telephoto zoom lens that empowers photographers to effortlessly capture distant subjects. With its optical image stabilization, compatibility with IBIS-equipped cameras, minimum focusing distance, and Nano USM autofocus, it proves to be a valuable tool for various photographic styles and situations.
5. Canon RF800/11 is STM(N)
The Canon RF800/11 IS STM(N) lens is a top choice for those seeking a high-value Canon telephoto lens. With an 800-millimeter focal length, this lens stands out in its price range, offering impressive quality without a hefty price tag.
This lens excels in combining sharpness with a lightweight, compact design, making it a versatile tool for photography. It maintains strong image stabilization and autofocus capabilities, while also being compatible with teleconverters for added versatility. The gap-less diffractive optics reduce chromatic aberration, ensuring consistently superior image quality.
While the lens performs best in well-lit conditions for optimal autofocus, it lacks weather sealing, making it unsuitable for use in rainy weather. Despite these limitations, it remains a strong option, especially for wildlife photographers looking for great value.
The Canon RF800/11 IS STM(N) tackles the challenge of camera shake in super telephoto photography with its optical image stabilization technology. Offering up to 4 stops of shake correction, this lens ensures sharp, steady images even in challenging shooting conditions.
This lens redefines super telephoto photography by combining extreme reach with portability through its innovative design. With gapless double-layer diffractive optics, a fixed f/11 aperture, and optical image stabilization, the Canon RF800/11 IS STM(N) delivers exceptional image quality for sharp, vibrant telephoto shots. Whether you’re capturing wildlife, astrophotography, or sports, this lens empowers you to capture distant subjects with precision and ease.
Final Word
It’s undeniable that the RF-mount system is rapidly gaining momentum, with Canon’s evident dedication to its growth. A significant number of their iconic and beloved EF-mount lenses have now been adapted into RF versions, and in many instances, these RF lenses outperform their predecessors. What’s more, they all harness the potential of the programmable control ring, providing a level of flexibility previously unattainable with DSLRs.
With this comprehensive overview of Canon’s RF lenses, we aim to assist you in navigating through the array of options available and ultimately guide you towards selecting the perfect lens for your specific needs.