You simply cannot beat the quality and sharpness of Canon RF lenses. They have become one of the most trusted brands and are leading the industry of digital and mirrorless cameras. The RF lens lineup only further proves that point as these lenses became sharper, faster, and packed with even more technology.
The RF line has a number of budget-friendly options, making the Canon EOS line appealing to every level of photographer. This list will show you the top lenses for every budget and kind of photographer.
Canon RF-Mount Cameras
When Canon announced the RF line, photographers of every genre had reason to pay attention. These cameras and lenses would soon become some of the most advanced in the market. Two of the best camera bodies now offered are the EOS R3 and R5 and — combined with any of these lenses — become absolute powerhouses in design and technology.
Canon EOS R3 Mirrorless Camera Body
The EOS R3 is built for professional sports, wildlife, and events photographers. It has a 24MP stacked sensor and an autofocus system that can be controlled by moving your eyes. Most importantly, this camera handles extremely well and, of course, is completely weather-sealed. The R3 and the R5 could both be considered Canon’s current flagship RF camera bodies.
Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless Camera
The Canon EOS R5 is my go-to camera for both photo and video in the field, designed with a 45MP with 8k video capabilities and an option for RAW or 10-bit 4:2:2 C-log recording. This is the successor to the coveted 5D-series in the DSLR camera line. This camera is one of the top full-frame cameras currently on the market.
Best RF Mount Lenses
Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens
The Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 is an awesome lens to have in your kit. I used it as my go-to prime lens for a while before upgrading to the f/1.2 and I loved every second with it. It’s definitely an appealing lens for beginners, with a wide aperture great for portraiture and low-light situations. Even as a professional, I thought the lens produced high-resolution imagery. Paired with a body that has in-body IS, you can easily take handheld shots at slower shutter speeds.
Pros
- Compact and lightweight
- Hybrid focus/control ring
- Sharp up to f/4
Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM Lens
The RF 35mm f/1.8 is the smallest and lightest lens available for the RF system. For the price, this lens gives you a bright maximum aperture along with detailed photos, even at its widest aperture. You may notice some vignetting and barrel distortion at wide apertures, but that’s just a sacrifice of going with a more budget-friendly prime lens.
Pros
- Sharp optics
- Macro capable
- Optical stabilization
Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM Lens
The RF 16mm is considerably small and light for being an ultra-wide angle lens. It’s small enough to fit in your pocket so there’s no reason to ever not have it with you. The dual-purpose control ring makes it easy to control certain settings as you go. Thanks to its price point, this lens serves as a great starter lens, or even a backup, in your everyday kit.
Pros
- Ultra-wide field of view
- Very affordable
- Hybrid manual focus/control ring
Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM Lens
A great budget option for landscape photographers — or those wanting to learn photography from the beginning — the 24-105mm f/4 is lightweight, sharp, and cost-efficient. Though it won’t appeal much to enthusiasts and professionals, the lens offers a generous zoom range, five stops of image stabilization, and a smooth, quiet STM autofocus system. Its versatile focal length gives users a large range of framing without the need to change lenses.
Pros
- Fast and quiet AF
- Light and compact
- Stabilized optics
Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM Lens Bundle
The 24mm f/1.8 is another reasonably priced prime lens that Canon released for the R family. Along with the other primes, the 24mm has 1:2 macro capabilities. The fast and accurate STM focus system works silently and smoothly. The lens also has five stops of image stabilization built-in. For a lens this small, this is a great feature.
Pros
- Small and lightweight
- Image Stabilization
- Macro Capable
Canon RF 14-35mm f/4 L IS USM Lens
The Canon RF 14-35mm f/4 is exceptionally lightweight for a zoom lens. This ultra-wide lens is useful for landscapes and is super easy to travel with due to its size. The lens does make optical corrections at 14mm to compensate for some heavy barrel distortion. But, overall, the optics on this lens are still very sharp. It would be beneficial to vloggers and photographers who sometimes delve into video. Although, for more serious video work, it may be best to invest in the 15-35mm f/2.8 lens.
Pros
- Compact for being ultra-wide
- Fast, quiet AF
- Weather-sealed
Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens with Filter Kit & Cleaning Kit
This lens is my workhorse on the EOS R5. It is the most used and most versatile lens in my kit. Even though its maximum aperture is f/2.8, this lens is sharp enough and creates enough bokeh to be considered for professional portraiture. Like most of the higher end RF line, this lens is weatherproof and extremely durable. This lens could benefit any photographer out there who is willing to fit it into their budget.
Pros
- Superburd resolution
- Fast AF
- Excellent stabilization
Canon RF 85mm f/1.2 L USM Lens w/Filter Kit, Cleaning Kit, Microfiber Cloth
Coming in at 2.6 pounds, this 85mm lens is thick but it’s worth the extra weight. Details are sharp even at the edges of the frame. There is no distortion visible in photos, and you won’t often see any vignette. There is another edition to this lens — the DS — which omits the Defocus Smoothing filter that changes the way background blur shows in images and reduces light transmission. This lens is perfect for portraiture enthusiasts and professionals.
Pros
- Excellent f/1.2 optics
- Sharp resolution
- Fast AF
Canon RF 600mm f/4 L IS USM Lens
The RF 600mm f/4 is optically identical to the DSLR-mount EF 600mm f/4. It weighs nearly 7 lbs, so using a tripod or monopod is going to be a necessity. This is especially if you are shooting a subject that is moving. You can utilize 52mm filters at the rear of the lens, which is a great feature. The images that this tank produces are worth hauling it around. It creates rich color, soft background and sharp detail in every image.
Pros
- Excellent autofocus
- Weather-sealed
- Great built-in IS
Canon RF 800mm f/5.6 L IS USM Lens
The Canon RF 800mm f/5.6 lens has an impressive reach that produces sharp imagery with soft backgrounds. Priced at $13,000 and weighing about 6.9 lbs, shooting on this lens will be tiresome and possibly a learning curve. Although, the photos you create will make it all worth it. It also features the drop-in 52mm filter system along with optical stabilization.
Pros
- Optical IS
- Focus hold button
- Mode switch on the lens
Canon RF 1200mm f/8 L IS USM Lens
Though you could purchase the 600mm f/4 and combine it with the 2x teleconverter, you won’t get the true sharpness you would if you used the 1200mm f/8 lens. The 1200mm is the longest-reaching lens in the Canon family and it is a powerhouse for wildlife, sports, and photojournalism. F/8 might seem like a narrow max aperture but, if you are shooting at a 1200mm depth, the background blur is still going to be very present in your images. It simply means you may have to have your ISO higher than normal, considering your shutter speed will need to be fast.
Pros
- Weather-sealed
- 9 Diaphragm blades
- Longest reach in Canon lineup
Conclusion
The Canon family is expanding on the world-class technology it has always put into its cameras. The RF system is often criticized for being big and heavy for mirrorless lenses. However, if you consider the max aperture, durability, and how many glass elements are in these lenses, the size and weight make sense.
All in all, even though the EF line is still incredible to work with, the EOS RF family is the future of Canon. If you haven’t made the move to the R system yet, you may want to consider it as the line continues to advance and expand at a rapid rate.
