Canon released its much-awaited second full-frame mirrorless camera, the Canon EOS RP in 2019. For beginners, it’s the ideal entry-level full-frame Canon mirrorless camera. As the smallest, lightest, and most budget-friendly Canon EOS camera to date, it gives aspiring photographers an attractive opportunity to start their creative full-frame mirrorless journey. This article will help you find the best Canon EOS RP lenses for your photography needs.
This brand new and incredibly handy camera boasts a 26.2MP full-frame CMOS sensor paired with Canon’s latest DIGIC 8 imaging processor, which allows the camera to produce 4K videos and capture images in low-light conditions. It may not be on the same level as the pricier EOS R, EOS R3, EOS R5, or EOS R6, but, with the right lenses, users will be able to make the most of its full-frame imaging capabilities and produce images of excellent quality.
Canon EOS RP: Why you should choose this camera
So why should you choose the Canon EOS RP? Quite simply, the Canon EOS RP is one of the best full frame mirrorless cameras for photography you can buy at this price point and camera segment. It’s also a great choice for photographers who wants to take the next step to full frame and invest in a camera and lens system that is truly exceptional. And that’s exactly the Canon EOS R camera and RF lens series lineup.
As the smallest and lightest full-frame camera in Canon’s mirrorless collection, the Canon EOS RP is a great option for photographers who want plenty of features in a small package. One of the biggest draws to the Canon EOS RP is its size. It’s the lightest and smallest full-frame Canon EOS camera ever built. It is perfect for travel and on-the-go photographers. But it also packs so many amazing features into its small size, which makes it such a good camera.
From the 26.2-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor and DIGIC 8 image processor to its fast and accurate Dual Pixel CMOS autofocus, built-in electronic viewfinder, and vari-angle LCD touchscreen, the Canon EOS RP is a camera built to take your photography to the next level.
Canon EOS RP Lenses & Lens Compatibility
Because of the mirrorless design, lenses for the RP are mounted much closer to the image plane than on DSLR cameras. This results in improved performance and optical quality. You can still take advantage of any of the Canon EFS or EF lenses by using one of the available lens adapters. However, the growing selection of RF lenses is designed to work seamlessly with the Canon EOS RP’s large internal lens mount diameter.
The RP has a 12-pin mount connection for lenses, so communication between the camera and lens is much faster and more detailed than what’s currently available on other camera bodies. The result is faster autofocusing, better metering, more accurate and reliable image stabilization, and improved overall responsiveness.
Canon announced the discontinuation of older EFS and EF lenses, so they’re going all-in on the RF mount. This is great news for photographers who shoot with the Canon EOS RP, ensuring the development and release of even more RF lenses in the future.
Canon already offers a wide range of RF lenses for full frame mirrorless cameras, including prime lenses and versions of popular zoom lenses. Focal lengths from 15mm all the way up to 800mm are available for use with the Canon EOS RP.
Whether you’re looking for a fast prime, a versatile zoom, a shallow depth-of-field lens for shooting macro, or a workhorse full frame lens for shooting weddings, there are so many options to choose from. If you’re waiting for an improved lens lineup before investing in a mirrorless camera like the Canon EOS RP, it just may be time to make the switch.
Below are those dedicated lenses and one EF lens that we would highly recommend you try with the EOS RP.
Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM Lens
The Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM lens is a fantastic RF prime lens for the Canon EOS RP. The 85mm focal length is perfect for portrait and street photography. Its bright, flat aperture of f/2 makes it great for low light situations.
The Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM lens also has built-in optical image stabilization with up to 5 stops of shake correction and Hybrid IS. This compensates for camera shifting and shake during macro shooting. And with a minimum focusing distance of 1.15 feet, this lens can excel even when shooting extremely close to your subject.
Key Specifications:
- Full-Frame Medium Telephoto Lens
- Focal Length of 85mm
- Aperture of f/2
- Minimum Focusing Distance of 1.14ft (0.35m)
- 12 Elements in 11 Groups
- 67mm Filter Thread Size
- 9 Rounded Diaphragm Blades
- Weighs 500g (1.10lbs)
Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens
The Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS USM lens is a great lens for the Canon EOS RP or any Canon EOS R series camera. It’s one of the best, professional RF L series lenses to date. Its versatile 24-70mm focal range is incredibly useful for all types of photography. Plus, its bright, flat aperture of f/2.8 provides great low-light performance.
Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS USM lens was also built with optical image stabilization of up to 5 stops of shake correction. It has high speed, smooth, and quiet autofocus with Canon Nano USM. You’ll never have to worry about missing focus or having not-sharp images with this lens. With its durable, weather-sealed construction, you won’t have to worry about shooting in variable conditions either.
Key Specifications:
- Full-Frame Wide-Angle Zoom Lens
- Focal Length of 24-70mm
- Aperture of f/2.8
- Minimum Focusing Distance of 0.69 ft (0.21 m)
- 21 Elements in 15 Groups
- 82mm Filter Thread Size
- 9 Rounded Diaphragm Blades
- Weighs 900g (1.98lbs)
Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens
The Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8 L IS USM lens is another fantastic, professional level RF series lens for the Canon EOS RP. Its ultra-wide focal range of 15-35mm makes it perfect for landscape photography especially. Its bright, flat aperture of f/2.8 provides great low-light performance.
The Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8 L IS USM lens was also built with optical image stabilization of up to 5 stops of shake correction. It has fast, smooth autofocus with Canon’s Nano USM. It also is weather-sealed and incredibly durable, like all Canon L-series lenses.
But this lens’ minimum focal distance is what sets it apart as a wide-angle lens. With a minimum focusing distance of 0.92 feet, the Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8 L IS USM lens is incredibly versatile from nearly any distance. Simply put, this is one of the best Canon EOS RP lenses you can buy.
Key Specifications:
- Full-Frame Wide-Angle Zoom Lens
- Focal Length of 15-35mm
- Aperture of f/2.8
- Minimum Focusing Distance of 0.92 ft (0.28 m)
- 16 Elements in 12 Groups
- 82mm Filter Thread Size
- 9 Rounded Diaphragm Blades
- Weighs 840g (1.85lbs)
Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens
The Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM is a great prime lens for the Canon EOS RP, and one of the perfect prime lenses for travel or on-the-go photographers. This nifty fifty lens is incredibly compact and lightweight. Meanwhile, it still provides amazing performance, with a large, flat f/1.8 aperture and fast focusing.
It also has a minimum focusing distance of 0.98 feet, which is great for macro photography, and provides a circular 7-blade aperture, which helps deliver beautiful, soft backgrounds. The best part? You get all these incredible features, at a price point of just under $200, which is a steal when it comes to prime lenses of this quality and size.
Key Specifications:
- Full-Frame Standard Prime Lens
- Focal Length of 50mm
- Aperture of f/1.8
- Minimum Focusing Distance of 0.98ft (0.30m)
- 6 Elements in 5 Groups
- 43mm Filter Thread Size
- 7 Rounded Diaphragm Blades
- Weighs 5.6 oz (160g)
Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM Lens
Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM lens is a fantastic RF telephoto zoom lens for the Canon EOS RP. Its versatile 100-400mm focal range is great for sports, wildlife, and more.
The Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM lens was also built with optical image stabilization with up to 5.5 stops of shake correction. It also houses Canon’s Nano USM technology, which provides fast, smooth, and quiet autofocus throughout the focal range. It includes all of these features and high performance, all at a great affordable price for a telephoto zoom lens.
Key Specifications:
- Full-Frame Telephoto Zoom Lens
- Focal Length of 100-400mm
- Aperture range of f/5.6-8
- Minimum Focusing Distance of 3.94ft (1.2m) at 100mm, 2.89ft (0.88m) at 200mm, and 3.44ft (1.05m) at 400mm
- 12 Elements in 9 Groups
- 67mm Filter Thread Size
- 9 Rounded Diaphragm Blades
- Weighs 22.4 oz (635g)
Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM
The Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM is a unique piece of glass that is specially designed to offer one of the most useful fixed focal lengths, along with macro features. Paired with the EOS RP’s full-frame sensor, you get the real equivalent of a 35mm lens, thus letting you capture spectacular travel, street, and close-up photos.
Other key features of this lens are its super lightweight and compact body, Stepper Motor (STM) AF system for smooth and near-silent focusing during video recording, and Optical Image Stabilization for up to 5 stops of camera shake correction during handheld shooting. Thanks to its advanced optics and hybrid features, it’s one of the most creative Canon EOS RP lenses on the market.
Key Specifications:
- Full-Frame Wide Angle Macro Lens
- Fixed Focal Length of 35mm
- Aperture Range of f/1.8 – f/22
- Minimum Focusing Distance of 0.56 ft.
- Stepper Motor (STM) AF System
- Up to 5 Stops of Optical Image Stabilization
- 11 Elements in 9 Groups
- 52mm Filter Thread Size
- 9 Rounded Diaphragm Blades
- Weighs 305g (10.88 oz)
Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM
Canon EOS RP users will definitely benefit from the use of “nifty fifty” lenses. With a fixed yet highly versatile focal length of 50mm, the Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM offers a “normal” angle of view of the world minus the excessive cropping and distortions that you typically get from wider-angled or telephoto lenses. This makes it ideal for portraiture, still life, events, food, and even street photography.
But that’s not the highlight of this lens. It also boasts a wide maximum aperture of f/1.2, which is even faster than the popular f/1.4 EF lens, leading to remarkable low-light performance and stunning bokeh quality. As a top quality L-series lens, it produces great colors and contrast, as well as sharper and more detailed images — even at the edges of your frame.
Key Specifications:
- L-Series Full-Frame Lens
- Fixed Focal Length of 50mm
- Aperture Range of f/1.2 – f/16
- Minimum Focusing Distance of 1.31 ft.
- Ultrasonic Motor (USM) AF System
- Glass-Molded (GMO) Aspherical Element
- 15 Elements in 9 Groups
- 77mm Filter Thread Size
- 10 Diaphragm Blades
- Weighs 950g (33.44 oz)
Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM
The Canon RF 28-70mm f/2 L USM lens offers a useful zoom focal range that’s great for different types of photography. At 28mm, you can capture nearly wide-angle shots of landscapes and cityscapes. Zoom in for other popular focal lengths, like 35mm and 50mm, and end at 70mm for a much closer shot.
The best part? You can use the maximum aperture of f/2 and maintain your exposure throughout the zoom range. Its 9 rounded aperture blades produce luscious-looking background blurs that you can compress closer to your subject at 70mm. And as another L-series lens, you get only superior image quality and faster autofocus compared to standard lenses.
Key Specifications:
- Full-Frame Wide Angle to Telephoto Zoom Lens
- Focal Length of 28 – 70mm
- Aperture Range of f/2 – f/22
- Minimum Focusing Distance of 1.28 ft.
- Ultrasonic Motor (USM) AF System
- 19 Elements in 13 Groups
- 95mm Filter Thread Size
- 9 Rounded Diaphragm Blades
- Weighs 1.43kg (50.4 oz)
Canon RF 24-105mm f4L IS USM
The Canon RF 24-105mm f4L IS USM offers a longer telephoto zoom range for those who are looking to get in on the action. Its high-end features include a constant maximum aperture of f/4, which is a definite plus considering standard lenses’ apertures can get even smaller (f/5.6) at the long end and produce darker images.
The lens features the brand’s very own ring-type NANO Ultrasonic Motor technology for fast and precise autofocusing, as well as optical image stabilization for sharper, more detailed images. It’s also an L-series lens, so you get professional-quality images and a robust lens body that can handle harsh weather conditions.
Key Specifications:
- Full-Frame Wide Angle to Telephoto Zoom Lens
- Focal Length of 24 – 105mm
- Aperture Range of f/4 – f/22
- Minimum Focusing Distance of 1.48 ft.
- Ring-Type NANO Ultrasonic Motor (USM) AF System
- Optical Image Stabilization Technology
- 18 Elements in 14 Groups
- 77mm Filter Thread Size
- 9 Rounded Diaphragm Blades
- Weighs 700g (24.64 oz)
Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM
The Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM is an older lens that’s designed for Canon DSLRs. Although not an RF lens, it can be used on the EOS RP with the use of the Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R.
There is certainly a whole range of other full-frame EF lenses to choose from, but we highly recommend the 85mm for its maximum wide aperture of f/1.8, versatile fixed focal length that’s great for portraits, and compact size that’s very fitting for a handy mirrorless system like the EOS RP.
Key Specifications:
- Full-Frame Telephoto Lens
- Fixed Focal Length of 85mm
- Aperture Range of f/1.8 – f/22
- Minimum Focusing Distance of 2.8 ft.
- Ring-Type Ultrasonic Motor (USM) AF System
- 9 Elements in 7 Groups
- 58mm Filter Thread Size
- 8 Diaphragm Blades
- Weighs 425g (15 oz)
Are RF Lenses Better than Conventional Lenses?
In some ways the comparison between RF lenses and conventional lenses is an unfair one to make.
Conventional lenses have been the dominant type of lens on the market for decades. Through tough manufacturer competition and the growing demands of the photography industry, Canon has developed plenty of exceptional EFS and EF lenses featuring ultra-fast glass, low dispersion elements, impressive image stabilization, and highly responsive auto focus.
If you’re a tried-and-true DSLR photographer, it’s easy to find fantastic Canon lenses capable of achieving the apertures, shutter speeds, and image qualities you’re looking for.
Better for Full-Frame Mirrorless Cameras
If you’re a full-frame mirrorless convert, then RF lenses will always be the superior choice for you. When a lens is designed specifically to integrate seamlessly with a camera body, that lens will always be the optimal choice.
While lens adapters make it easy to use your existing EFS and EF lenses with mirrorless cameras like the Canon EOS RP, you may be sacrificing speed and a bit of functionality. Introducing an extra element like a lens adapter gives you one more potential point of delay or miscommunication.
Better Technology
Additionally, because Canon is focusing all of its attention and energy on developing their range of full-frame mirrorless lenses, the technology in these new additions tend to outshine their DSLR equivalents. This means faster glass, improved stabilization, more responsive autofocus motors, and other clever developments that simply weren’t possible with DSLR technology.
The bottom line is this: if you were to compare the performance of an EF lens on a DSLR body to an RF lens on a mirrorless body, the results may be similar. But if you’re determined to shoot with a fantastic new camera like the EOS RP, then a mirrorless lens is the way to go.
What’s the Difference Between RF and EF Lenses?
There are a few key differences between RF and EF lenses. Some of these are relatively technical and complicated while others are more straightforward.
Lens to Camera Communication
The RF lens mount uses 12 contact pins to facilitate communication between the camera body and the mirrorless lens. The EF lens mount only uses 8 pins. That seemingly small difference results in much faster lens to camera communication, improved autofocusing, faster transfer speeds, and better image stabilization.
Image Stabilization
Thanks to the 12-pin system and other beneficial upgrades like faster camera processors, RF lenses are better equipped to evaluate real-time camera shake and blur. Image-stabilized RF mount lenses have dual gyro sensors, which help the camera pick up on accidental movement and shake.
The result of this improved image stabilization technology is crisper images in low-light settings.
Upgraded Lens Mount
The mount for Canon EOS RP lenses and lenses for other mirrorless cameras feature a significantly shorter flange-mount distance, or the distance between the back of the lens and the image sensor. The lens mount is also wider than EF lens mounts. These lens mount upgrades result in reduced aberrations and clarity issues while improving low-light performance.
Many of the zoom RF lenses also feature a constant maximum aperture at all focal lengths. This is a huge bonus when using longer focal lengths like 200mm or beyond.
Size and Weight
With a compact camera system like Canon’s mirrorless cameras, it’s helpful to have more lightweight lenses to choose from. As Canon continues to grow its lens lineup, they also prioritize compact elements and lightweight components.
As a result, shooting with RF lenses guarantees a reduction in the weight of your camera kit and helps boost photographer stamina by reducing fatigue. Every little bit helps.
Do all Canon lenses fit all Canon cameras?
Unfortunately, the answer is no. Every Canon camera series is designed to optimally perform with its corresponding lens mount. Each lens mount has different design features that allow for maximum performance and communication between the lens and the camera.
For example, Canon’s EF mount is made for its full frame DSLR cameras. The newer RF mount is made for the EOS R line of full frame mirrorless cameras. The EF and RF mounts are similar but not interchangeable. While both are 54mm wide, the RF mount has a much wider mounting flange, which allows for the lens to sit much closer to the camera sensor. This shorter distance to the sensor, referred to as Flange Back Distance (FBD), allows for lenses to be designed much faster and smaller than EF series lenses. The RF mount also has a 12-pin communication system, versus the EF mount’s 8-pin communication system, which allows for greater communication between the camera and lens.
The Canon camera series go with their specific lens series/mount as follows:
- RF series lenses and RF mount → Canon full frame mirrorless EOS R cameras
- EF series lenses and EF mount → Canon full frame DSLR cameras
- APC-S series lenses and APC-S mount → Canon crop-sensor APC-S cameras
- M series lenses and M mount → Canon M series cameras
Fortunately, for Canon shooters who have invested in a specific series over time, there is good news. Here is a breakdown of which Canon camera systems are compatible with which Canon lens systems:
- EOS R full frame mirrorless cameras → Compatible with RF series lenses and EF series lenses, with the EF-EOS R lens mount adapter attached
- Full frame DSLR cameras → Compatible with EF series lenses only
- Crop-sensor APC-S cameras → Compatible with APC-S series lenses and EF series lenses, with a 1.5x crop factor due to the smaller sensor size
- M series cameras → Canon M series lenses and EF series lenses, with the EF-M lens mount adapter attached
Does the Camera or the Lens Make a Bigger Difference?
In many ways the answer to the question of lens vs. camera depends on who you ask.
Some photographers believe that megapixels reign supreme. They believe that the best camera on the market with the newest technology and the most impressive specifications will result in better images and higher image success rates.
On the other hand, there are photographers in the world who take photographs with inexpensive, low-megapixel, and somewhat-obsolete cameras. And yet, they’re capturing breathtaking images that demonstrate superior framing and understanding of photographic principles.
Ultimately, your success is more about what you know how to do than it is about what tools you use to achieve your shots. If you have a bit of extra money set to aside and you’re trying to decide between upgrading your camera or your lenses, here are a few things to consider.
What’s Missing from Your Kit?
When you shoot, do you feel like your camera is struggling to process your images? Are you constantly let down by your maximum frames-per-second capabilities? If so, a new camera may be a more important investment.
Do you find that you love the performance of your camera, but you’re constantly wishing you had better low-light performance, improved autofocus, more expansive focal lengths, or greater control over depth of field? In those circumstances, investing in the right lens may be the perfect upgrade for you.
Futureproof Your Kit
The undeniable fact is that photography is trending toward mirrorless cameras. The expansive selection of Canon EOS RP lenses is evidence that mirrorless technology is on the rise.
If you’re planning on making any investments toward your photography kit, it’s a good idea to investigate making the switch to mirrorless cameras and lenses to futureproof your investment.
To see the Canon EOS RP in use — along with some of the lenses above — check out this video with Nathan Lee Allen for AdoramaTV:
