Canon’s RF lens range is tailored for EOS R mirrorless cameras, offering options for every photographer. The range encompasses prime and zoom lenses as well as wide-angle and telephoto lenses. Additionally, we have Canon extenders (also known as teleconverters) designed to enhance the effective focal length of a lens and provide extended artistic options. The new Canon RF16-28mm F2.8 IS STM lens is an excellent addition to the range. At a more affordable price, the lens is the smallest and lightest of them all, provides a versatile wide-angle zoom range, and performs very well for photography and videography. Canon describes it as the “take anywhere” kind of lens, and here is why.
Key Features of the Canon RF16-28mm F2.8 IS STM Lens
- Zoom range 16-28mm (APS-C — equivalent to 25.6 – 44.8mm coverage)
- Aperture range f/2.8 – f/22, maintained throughout the zoom range
- 16 elements in 13 groups with 4 UD lenses and 2 aspherical lenses
- Built-in optical image stabilization
- Minimum focusing distance 0.25 m (0.82 ft.) at 16mm and 0.2 m (0.66 ft.) at 28mm
- Weather-resistant construction
- Weighs 1.0 lb. (445g)
What’s New About the RF16-28mm F2.8 IS STM Lens
This new addition to the Canon RF lens lineup brings a very convenient wide-angle zoom range. It provides exquisite image quality and versatility at an affordable price and invites photographers and videographers to benefit from its features. Furthermore, the RF16-28mm F2.8 IS STM is so light and compact that the user can carry it around all day without feeling fatigued. Shooting while on the move with a handheld camera has become the norm. The RF16-28mm’s built-in optical image stabilization allows for shake and blur-free shooting at slow shutter speeds. Ready for any lighting situation and rough adventure, the lens provides complete creative control.
Convenient Zoom Range
The lens comfortably sits at the wide-angle end of the spectrum, with its 16-28mm zoom range. This focal length range is ideal for candid shots and street photography. Additionally, it is perfect for videography, vlogging, landscape photography, and adventure shots.
Yes, you can use it to capture large spaces and vast landscapes, but you can also capture close-ups, thanks to its short minimum focusing distance. Creators can get as close as 25 cm (9.8″) at a focal length of 16mm and 20 cm (7.8″) at a focal length of 28mm.
Optical Design Creates High Image Quality
Although it comes at a convenient price, the lens provides nothing less than impeccable image quality. It features four Ultra-low Dispersion elements, which effectively reduce chromatic aberrations. Two aspherical lenses also suppress various aberrations. Additionally, the physical distribution of the elements helps keep a balanced feel to the lens. They suppress the change in the center of gravity you sometimes feel when using a zoom lens and changing the focal length.
You’ll also appreciate the wide maximum aperture, f/2,8, and its maintenance throughout the zoom range. This aperture allows for bright photos in low-light conditions and produces a beautiful bokeh effect.
Built-In Image Stabilization
Built-in image stabilization is always a good feature in a lens designed for mobile use. Canon takes this feature further and automatically enables optical image stabilization for cameras without IBIS for an effective 5.5 stops of correction.
However, if you use the lens on a camera with IBIS, you get a coordinated control effect of 8.0 stops of shake correction at the center of the image and 7.5 stops at the corners. The coordinated IS means you can safely handhold the camera even in low-light conditions without worrying about blurred photos or videos.
Advanced Focus for Photos and Videos
Canon designed the RF16-28mm F2.8 IS STM lens for videographers, too. It features minimal focus breathing when recording videos and a leadscrew-type STM focusing motor for silent and fast autofocus, resulting in professional-looking video footage. Due to its compact size and reduced weight, you can record videos on the street or in crowded places discretely and undisturbed.
Portable Design
The lens aims to be the ultimate everyday carry lens, the one you always have in your photo bag, just in case. It is dust and weather-resistant and weighs only 1.0 lb. (445g). Pair it with UV and polarizing filters when needed, and you’ll have a long-term companion for all your adventures. The lens uses a 67mm filter.
In terms of dimensions, you’ll barely notice you have it mounted. It has a diameter of approximately 3.0″ and a length of 3.6″ (91mm) when retracted, 4.4″ (112.8 mm) at 16mm, and 4.0″ (102.1 mm) at 28mm.
Who Should Buy the Canon RF16-28mm F2.8 IS STM Lens?
This lens is ideal for photographers and videographers who want impeccable image quality without compromising the workflow’s speed and versatility. The constant maximum aperture allows them to produce bright images in any lighting conditions. It’s a feature not many lenses in this price range offer. In addition, the wide-angle range of focal lengths and the minimum focusing distance give the creator complete control over composition and framing.
Overall, the lens is affordable and adaptable. It suits creators who prefer to rely on a single lens, whether recording outdoor adventures or urban life or vlogging from a studio or their house. The lens is discrete, quiet, resilient, and will meet all their expectations.
Comparable Canon RF Lenses
Canon’s RF lineup includes over 40 lenses of various types. However, when looking for wide-angle zoom lenses, the options are limited to four: the 15-35mm f2.8L IS USM, the 24-105mm F4-7.1 IS STM, the 24-50mm f4.5-6.3 IS STM, and the 24-70mm F2.8 IS USM. The 15-35mm f2.8L IS USM is comparable in terms of zoom range and maximum aperture. But it features a Nano USM motor, which is fast and precise but more expensive. On the other hand, the STM motor is still fast and precise but also small, quiet, and more affordable.
The other three lenses are good if you want a mid-range focal length. However, they won’t capture large spaces and vast landscapes like the 16-28mm lens will. The 24-70mm F2.8 IS USM features the same maximum aperture, and it can complement the 16-28mm lens well, providing focal lengths for portrait, nature, and still-life photography.
Final Thoughts
A compact, take-everywhere lens is an excellent addition to the RF line. The new RF16-28mm F2.8 IS STM fills that space perfectly. It opens new possibilities to wide-angle photographers and invites videographers to consider using an affordable, versatile, and discrete lens while recording in a studio or outdoors. This small and portable lens packs everything a creator desires: high-quality images and videos, high performance in low light conditions, a rugged design, and a smooth workflow when on the go. These are the essentials of a good lens, and Canon checked all the boxes with this one.
