Canon announces the mid-budget RF16-28mm f/2.8 IS STM

Canon has unveiled the RF16-28mm f/2.8 IS STM, a full-frame, constant aperture, wide-angle zoom lens designed for the EOS R mirrorless system which will retail between $1,800 – $1,869.

 

This new addition marks Canon’s second 'non-professional-grade' constant aperture zoom lens in their lineup, which will complement the RF28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM – which currently retails for around $1,615. 

It's worth noting that the professional-grade RF 'L' lenses in this range—the RF15-35mm f/2.8L IS and RF24-70mm f/2.8L IS—are significantly heavier and more expensive. Both pro lenses are priced around $3,145 while weighing 840g and 900g, respectively.

 

The new RF16-28mm f/2.8 IS STM weighs 445g, while the RF28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM weighs 495g, which means they are good for all-day carry. Both lenses are almost identical in size, which makes it easier for hybrid shooting if you have a gimbal or cage setup. 

Consumers have been crying out for cheaper, lighter-weight lenses from Canon, and it's nice to see that they are finally arriving. And the other good news is Canon claims that this new lens's "optical sharpness is on par with the RF15-35mm F2.8L IS." 

The new lens features weather-sealing capabilities similar to Canon's 'L' series lenses and includes 5.5 stops of Optical Image Stabilisation (IS). It offers a minimum focusing distance of 20cm, providing a magnification of 0.26x. Additional specifications include a 67mm filter size, a 9-blade aperture, and a compact design measuring 76.5mm in diameter and 91mm in length.

 

After future testing, it will be interesting to see how this lightweight, weather-resistant, and far more affordable lens performs—and whether there's still a reason to choose the comparable L  lens instead (apart from the inconvenience of having to 'unlock' the zoom prior to shooting).

The lens is currently available for pre-order, and you can find out more about the lens on the Canon Australia website.