Best RF lenses for Canon mirrorless cameras

At the end of 2018, Canon stepped into the full-frame mirrorless world with the release of the Canon R, introducing the new RF-mount. We have also put together a comprehensive page listing all the available lenses for the Canon RF-mount (Canon lenses and the few third-party options currently available). This mount was designed to make the most of the space freed up by removing the DSLR mirror and optical viewfinder, greatly reducing the distance between the sensor and the lens mount. As with any new mount, older lenses were no longer directly compatible. Even though Canon quickly introduced an adapter so EF-mount lenses could still be used on its new mirrorless cameras, the lens lineup had to be renewed to fully benefit from the RF-mount. In this article, I will go over the Canon RF lenses I consider to be the best.

We’ve also written an article listing the best Canon lenses for sport. In it, you’ll find the best current options for both RF and EF mounts.

Although most EF lenses can be used on newer Canon mirrorless bodies with the adapter without losing performance or image quality, some of them have not been updated for a long time. The shorter distance between the sensor and the lens mount can also help reduce the size and weight of some lenses, or improve image quality. For these reasons, it often makes more sense to invest directly in the RF range rather than buying EF lenses with an adapter. Another point to keep in mind is resale value: as mirrorless becomes more common, older EF lenses may gradually become less sought after and lose value more quickly.

We’ve also recently written an article listing the best Canon lenses for sport. In it, you’ll find all the best options at the moment, for both the RF and EF mounts.

Since the launch of the RF system, Canon has expanded the range quickly, and the official RF and RF-S lineup now includes dozens of lenses. Canon knows that to speed up the transition, it needs to offer a broad enough lens selection so photographers do not fall back too easily on used EF lenses (let’s not forget that Canon earns… nothing on used EF lenses!). Because sales are often strongest in the first months after a product launch, prices are not always likely to drop quickly, which also explains why Canon started by releasing many high-end lenses. Still, the brand has not completely left “amateur” photographers aside and has also introduced several more affordable lenses. So here are, in my opinion, the best lenses Canon currently offers in RF-mount.

Moreover, Canon announced its first two Canon RF APS-C cameras in June 2022, which most likely marked the end of the old Canon EF-M mount. In the link above, you will find all the camera specifications in detail. We have also compiled a complete page covering all current full-frame Canon mirrorless cameras (updated with each release, of course).

In the meantime, if you are wondering which Canon RF lens to choose, here is the selection we particularly recommend. We decided to sort the lenses by focal length, from the shortest (ultra wide-angle) to the longest (super telephoto). For reference, third-party options for the Canon RF-mount have grown since the system launched, especially for APS-C RF-S cameras with officially licensed Sigma and Tamron lenses. Full-frame RF options from Sigma and Tamron remain much more limited, however, so Canon lenses still dominate this guide.

In this article, we will redirect you to two online retailers: B&H and Amazon. This will let you compare prices. You will also find several summary tables throughout the article.

Here are a few lenses that are especially well suited to landscape and architectural photography thanks to their wide angle of view. The table below summarizes the main things to know about the Canon RF wide-angle lenses mentioned here.

Here are the lenses covered in detail below:

• Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS
• Canon RF 14-35mm f/4 L IS US
• Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM

The characteristics of the following Canon RF wide-angle lenses are detailed in the table below.

Perfect for wide framing, the Canon 15-35mm f/2.8 sits among Canon’s high-end lenses. In the EF-mount, Canon previously offered a 16-35mm f/2.8, a focal range also adopted by Sony for its 16-35mm f/2.8 GM. Canon goes a little further here by extending the range to 15mm, and does so without using a fixed petal lens hood that would prevent screw-on filters from being used (so there is no bulbous front element). This ultra wide-angle lens is perfectly suited to landscape and architectural photography.

Like all L-series lenses, this wide-angle has excellent build quality and delivers very good image quality, even though the shortest focal lengths are slightly weaker at full aperture. Vignetting and distortion are noticeable, especially at the widest focal lengths, but they are easily handled in-camera or in software. Optical stabilization may not seem essential on this kind of lens, but it is worth remembering that the first Canon mirrorless bodies did not have in-body stabilization.

Available at 2500€, it sits in the usual price range for this type of lens. It is a high-end lens that requires a serious investment, so make sure you will really use what it offers.

In June 2021, Canon finally announced an alternative to the high-end 15-35mm f/2.8. While the EF-mount 16-35mm f/4 kept the same focal range, Canon once again used the shorter flange distance of the RF-mount to widen the range and reach 14mm, still without adding a fixed lens hood (with a 114° angle of view at 14mm).

The build quality remains worthy of Canon’s serious, weather-sealed L-series lenses.
Image quality is slightly below the 15-35mm f/2.8, which is understandable, but it still remains very good. Again, distortion and vignetting are significant and will need to be corrected. It also has a shorter minimum focusing distance, which allows for a higher magnification ratio. That can be useful for close-ups and for getting a bit more background blur, even if bokeh naturally remains limited at this type of focal length.

This stabilized wide-angle lens sells for more than 1800€. Canon continues to benefit from the mirrorless novelty effect and the limited number of full-frame third-party alternatives. Some may therefore find the price high, especially compared with the Nikon Z 14-30mm f/4 at 1250€. Still, Canon deserves credit for offering this focal range in a relatively light and compact lens.

At the end of 2021, Canon released a rather “surprising” lens: a lightweight, compact and very affordable 16mm f/2.8. “Surprising” because, at the time, Canon did not yet offer high-end prime lenses below 50mm. Personally, I expected Sony to release a compact, lightweight 16mm for its mount first, so I was surprised to see Canon get there before them.

This 16mm f/2.8 may have a relatively modest aperture for a prime lens, but that is not unusual for this kind of lens, as we also see with Samyang’s 14mm and 18mm f/2.8 lenses. In any case, this is the only way to keep size and weight reasonable at this focal length. The construction is not L-series and feels more “plastic,” but it remains decent, with image quality that is very good for its size (on full-frame, you cannot realistically expect a high-end lens weighing only 165g, especially outside a standard focal length such as 50mm). The optical flaws are even more pronounced than on the two L-series zooms, but they can be corrected in post-production.

Priced at 350€, this entry-level lens is an excellent option if you want an ultra wide-angle lens without spending more than 1500€ on a high-end zoom, especially if you want to travel light.

Here is a summary of the specifications for the Canon RF wide-angle lenses mentioned above:

If you want to go further, we have just published a complete guide to the best Canon RF wide-angle lenses. It includes the three lenses listed above, along with some newer options.

Canon also offers a 5.2mm f/2.8L dual fisheye for 2200€. This is a very specialized lens designed for virtual reality, so it is mainly intended for specific 3D content creation work.

These lenses are better suited to photojournalism, environmental portraits, street photography and everyday photography. You will find some of them in our guide to Canon’s best all-round lenses.

Here is what you should know about the best standard Canon RF lenses in the table below.

Here are the best standard Canon RF lenses in my opinion:

• Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L
• Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS
• Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS
• Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L
• Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS macro
• Canon RF 50mm f/1.8

The main physical characteristics of these standard Canon RF lenses are summarized in the table below.

Shortly after the release of the first Canon R camera, Canon wanted to show what the new mount could make possible (if we set aside the fact that Sigma had already designed an f/2 zoom, the 24-35mm Art, for DSLR mounts). The result was a 28-70mm designed for professional reporters who are not trying to save on size or weight.

With build quality worthy of the L series, this 28-70mm is a high-end lens that delivers strong performance across the whole focal range, although there is a slight drop at the shortest focal length at full aperture. Overall consistency is very good. Distortion is fairly low and well corrected by software, while vignetting is more noticeable but also well corrected.

At 3250€, this lens is clearly aimed at professionals. Some may find its weight and size significant, but let’s be honest: a similar weight, and even a larger size, never stopped professionals from carrying 70-200mm f/2.8 lenses. Unlike the 24-70mm in the same range, it is not stabilized, but on R6/R5 bodies with in-body stabilization, this is not a major flaw. Not to mention that adding stabilization would have increased the weight, size and price of a lens that does not really need it (haha).

One year after the release of the first Canon R mirrorless camera, Canon introduced its more “traditional” standard reportage zoom: not as bright as the 28-70mm f/2, but lighter, cheaper and stabilized. Since the EF-mount L II version was a benchmark on DSLRs, expectations were high for this RF version.

The build quality is once again high-end, and image quality is excellent. There is a slight drop in sharpness at full aperture at 24mm, but it improves very quickly when stopping down. Distortion and vignetting are typical for this kind of zoom and are well corrected by post-processing software. The stabilization is effective and works together with the in-body stabilization of the R6 and R5.

At 2500€, it is not dramatically cheaper than the 28-70mm f/2, but the smaller aperture is offset by a wider 24mm starting point, stabilization, a more compact body and, most importantly, 500g less to carry.

The RF 24-105mm f/4L was one of the first lenses released for the mount, alongside the Canon R, with which it was offered as a kit. This type of lens is appreciated for many uses and is versatile by nature. From reportage and travel to portraits and landscapes, it is often seen as a “Swiss Army knife.”

Its very good build quality, worthy of the L series, is matched by image quality that can compete with the 24-70mm f/2.8L at almost every focal length. It may even be better at 24mm. There is a slight drop at longer focal lengths, which you do not get with a 24-70mm. Distortion and vignetting are more pronounced than on the 24-70mm, but they are very well corrected by software (I feel like I have already said that sentence… more than once, even! ahah).

For 1200€, this is a very appealing alternative to the 24-70mm f/2.8: for half the price, you get more reach, excellent image quality and a small saving in both weight and size. If an f/4 aperture works for you, this zoom may be exactly what you need. In my opinion, it can be even more interesting to pair this zoom with one of the prime lenses mentioned below, so you also have an aperture wider than f/2.8 when needed.

After the 24-105mm f/4, Canon released the first RF-mount prime lens: a 50mm f/1.2. The EF version had been very successful for years, so Canon had every reason to update it and take advantage of the new mount.

As a high-end lens, it is very well built and delivers excellent image quality from full aperture. Vignetting is strong, which is common on lenses with such a large aperture, and decreases as you stop down. Distortion is very well controlled optically. The autofocus has a little trouble moving all those lens elements silently.

At 2500€, this is a fairly typical price, with the Nikon and Sony versions sitting in a similar range. Unless you use a 50mm almost exclusively, it may be wiser to consider one of the two following prime lenses.

The third lens to join the RF range, this 35mm offers many interesting features at a fairly reasonable price. It is a classic focal length for reportage and street photography, where compactness and light weight are always appreciated.

The build quality is good, even though it is not weather-sealed. Image quality is also very good, although the extreme edges are not excellent before f/2.8; overall, however, the image holds up very well. Vignetting quickly decreases as you stop down, and distortion is mild and well corrected. The autofocus is very responsive and relatively quiet. It also offers effective stabilization and carries the macro label, even though its magnification ratio is 1:2 rather than 1:1.

For 550€, it is a very good option that pairs nicely with a zoom such as the 24-105mm f/4. Its performance and features make it a particularly interesting choice for anyone using a Canon mirrorless camera.

We’ve put together a comprehensive review of Canon’s best RF macro lenses if you’re interested in macro photography.

Canon and Nikon have always offered a lightweight, affordable 50mm f/1.8 for their full-frame cameras, and Canon has not abandoned that idea with the RF-mount (unlike Nikon, which released a more premium 50mm f/1.8 S). So, at the beginning of 2021, Canon released this 50mm f/1.8, which suits mirrorless cameras very well thanks to its compact size and light weight.

The build of this 50mm is similar to the 35mm: not weather-sealed, but still fairly good. It delivers the kind of image quality you expect from a simple 50mm design, with weaker results at wide apertures but a very good level once stopped down by one or two stops. Distortion is very low, and vignetting, which is very visible at large apertures, is corrected by software. The autofocus is effective, though a little noisy.

If you are used to simple 50mm lenses on DSLRs, you will not feel lost with this Canon RF version at 250€. It is a good lens to start with: cheaper than the 35mm, but also a little less strong and a little more predictable.

Here is a summary of the main features of the Canon RF standard lenses mentioned above:

Canon offers another zoom lens that pairs well with the brand’s small, compact full-frame body, the Canon RP: the 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS. Available at 500€, it remains one of the cheapest lenses in the range. It opens to f/4 at the shortest focal lengths, but the aperture narrows as you zoom in, reaching an “acceptable” f/7.1 at the long end, which is not very bright. This lack of light is partly offset by stabilization when shooting still subjects, making it fairly interesting for travel, for example. However, image quality is well below the f/4L version, but its purpose is not the same. This is a compact, lightweight lens, weighing barely 400g.

Canon has also released a more “all-purpose” zoom, meaning one that covers a very wide focal range: the 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS at 1000€. It offers an even wider focal range than the 24-105mm, with an aperture that narrows less than the f/4-7.1 version. It is a little heavier than the 24-105mm f/4L, but of course it offers more focal length versatility, even if image quality is also slightly lower than the 24-105mm f/4L.

In my opinion, these two lenses are less interesting. If you want a zoom with a very wide focal length range, you might just as well consider a camera with a “small” sensor, such as a bridge camera or an expert compact.

Here, I cover lenses between 85mm and 200mm, suitable for reportage, street photography and outdoor portraits.

Here is what you should know about the best Canon RF telephoto lenses, summarized in the table below.

Here are the best current Canon RF telephoto lenses in my opinion.

• Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS
• Canon RF 70-200mm f/4L IS
• Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L
• Canon RF 85mm f/2 IS macro
• Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L IS macro

Immediately below, you will find a table summarizing the key features of these lenses.

At the end of 2019, Canon released the 70-200mm f/2.8 at the same time as the 24-70mm f/2.8. The EF-mount L II version had also been very successful, so Canon was expected to deliver on this type of lens, which it knows perfectly well.

Build quality is excellent, as is image quality from full aperture across the entire focal range. Vignetting and distortion are well controlled and can be corrected by software anyway. Autofocus is excellent, which is fortunate for a lens aimed especially at sports photographers. Canon also used a variable-length design, which significantly reduced both weight and size at 70mm. Unlike traditional 70-200mm f/2.8 lenses, this one extends when zooming. Some people see this as a potential weakness for sealing and responsiveness, while still praising the lower weight and compactness. You have to know what you want… ahah.

For 2850€, this is a typical price for this kind of lens: the newly released Sony is 3000€, the Nikon Z is 2700€ and the Panasonic is 2800€. It is therefore a lens primarily aimed at professional reportage and sports photographers.

In early 2021, Canon introduced the f/4 version of its 70-200mm. This zoom is often appreciated by photographers who do not have the budget or the need for the f/2.8 version, while still wanting L-series build quality and strong performance.

This is still a high-end construction, and the image quality, while not quite equal to the f/2.8 version, is very close and very consistent at all focal lengths from full aperture. Distortion is relatively well corrected, except at the longest focal length, and is easy to correct anyway. Vignetting, on the other hand, is much more visible, but also easy to correct. As with the f/2.8 version, Canon chose a variable-length design, which makes sense; otherwise, it would have been longer than the f/2.8! It is therefore very compact at 70mm, even more so than the f/2.8, and almost 400g lighter.

At 1800€, the price is still high but finally consistent with the 14-35mm f/4L. Let’s hope more third-party options become available, which could eventually help prices come down.

In early 2020, Canon announced an 85mm f/1.2 in RF-mount. Since Canon had offered this lens in EF-mount for DSLRs, and had already released the 50mm f/1.2, it was logical to see a successor to the DSLR 85mm f/1.2 arrive quickly.

Both build quality and image quality are exceptional. This is clearly a very high-level lens. As with the 50mm, autofocus is relatively fast but a little audible because there are many elements to move. Optical flaws are fairly well controlled and most can be corrected easily in software. Canon offers two versions of this lens: a standard version and a “DS” version with a special optical treatment designed to produce a more refined background blur/bokeh. As with the 50mm, moving to the RF version came with a significant increase in weight.

At 3000€, this is far from an affordable lens, and the DS version is even more expensive at nearly 3500€. This 85mm requires fairly intensive, professional use to justify the purchase, but if you have the budget and want to treat yourself, it will not disappoint. Its very large maximum aperture can also be particularly useful in low light.

In mid-2021, Canon finally released a more affordable and more reasonable 85mm than the f/1.2L, aimed at portrait photographers who cannot put 3000€ on the table.

The build is similar to the 35mm and 50mm f/1.8: a little less high-end than the L lenses, but still quite good. Image quality does not reach the level of the f/1.2, but it remains very good. It is slightly weaker at full aperture, then quickly improves from f/2.8. Distortion is slight and vignetting is fairly noticeable at larger apertures, which is not surprising for a lens in this range. In general, 85mm lenses have a minimum focusing distance of around 85cm, but this one carries the macro label and also offers a 1:2 magnification ratio, along with stabilization like the 35mm f/1.8.

For 700€, this is a very good 85mm with rare features for this type of lens: stabilization and a 1:2 ratio. It is an excellent choice for any “amateur” portrait photographer using the RF-mount.

At the end of 2021, Canon released its first RF macro lens. It is hard to forget the excellent EF 100mm f/2.8 macro, a benchmark for Canon DSLRs for many years. Canon clearly wanted to go further here, especially by introducing a macro lens with a magnification ratio higher than the traditional 1:1.

Build quality is excellent, as is image quality, even from full aperture. It also has an “SA” ring to adjust the character of the bokeh, plus fast and silent autofocus, with a focus limiter on the back to improve reliability and speed. Distortion and vignetting are minor and well corrected. Canon already offers 1:2 macro lenses at both 35mm and 85mm, so it probably wanted to do something truly different with this 100mm by offering a 1.4x magnification ratio, or 1.4:1. Shooting at such a ratio and focal length results in a very shallow depth of field!

For 1550€, you get a high-end macro lens that performs very well in every respect. Its price is still quite high, though, and you will need a real use for macro photography to justify spending more than twice the price of the 85mm f/2. It will be interesting to see whether Canon releases more affordable macro lenses in the future.

Here is a summary of the lenses in the table below.

In this 70mm to 200mm focal length range, there are still few direct alternatives to the lenses in this selection. We will have to wait and see whether a possible 70-300mm f/4-5.6 appears, for example.

Here, I cover lenses with focal lengths longer than 200mm.

You will find below a summary of the key characteristics to remember for all the Canon RF telephoto lenses mentioned below.

So here are the best current Canon RF super telephoto lenses in detail.

• Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS
• Canon RF 400mm f/2.8L IS
• Canon RF 600mm f/4L IS

Below, you will find a table summarizing all the features of the listed lenses.

Also released in late 2021, the 100-500mm was designed to offer a more affordable option than the 400mm and 600mm primes for sports and wildlife photographers. It covers a wider range than Sony’s 100-400mm GM, but its aperture narrows faster (the Sony is f/4.5-5.6).

The build quality of this Canon lens remains high-end and in line with the L series, with fairly strong image quality even though it drops slightly at the longest focal lengths. Autofocus is very fast and quiet, which is ideal for sports and wildlife. Despite its broad focal range, it remains relatively light and compact thanks to its variable-length design. It is a shame, however, that the maximum aperture is only f/7.1 at 500mm, while competitors offer brighter options overall, including Sigma’s recent 150-600mm f/5-6.3 and Tamron’s 150-500mm f/5-6.7. Shooting in low light at f/7.1 will not be easy and will usually require higher ISO values.

At 3100€, the price may seem high, but it belongs to the L range (Sony’s GM range is also close to 3000€). Compared with the 400mm and 600mm prime lenses at 13,000€ and 14,000€, it remains more “reasonable.”

At the beginning of 2021, Canon released its constant-aperture sports and wildlife telephoto lenses: the 400mm f/2.8 and 600mm f/4L. Alongside Nikon, Canon is one of the most established brands in this field, so it had to offer professional lenses of this kind quickly.

Still in the L range, it is no surprise to find a very high-end construction and high-level optical performance. Image quality is excellent from full aperture, and the autofocus system is fantastic. Optical flaws are very minor and most can be corrected easily. To avoid the need for large front filters, a drop-in filter system allows you to use 52mm filters.

For 13000€, you can expect excellence, and that is exactly what you get. Of course, you also need to be able to afford and use that excellence… ahah. Like the 600mm below, this prime lens can be used with Canon’s x1.4 and x2 teleconverters.

Alongside the 400mm f/2.8, Canon released this 600mm f/4L, just as Sony had also released two lenses with the same characteristics some time earlier.

No need to go much further: this 600mm f/4 has the same qualities as the 400mm, in a slightly longer and larger barrel that gives you 200mm more focal length, a smaller aperture and a longer minimum focusing distance.

For 14000€, I would say the same thing as for the 400mm 😉!

Here are the characteristics summarized in the table below.

Canon has been offering the surprising 600 and 800mm f/11 IS for some time now. They are surprising because their aperture is fixed. Canon seems to want to give amateurs who cannot afford bright telephoto lenses access to rare focal lengths, while keeping the lenses fairly light, compact and affordable. Even though they are quite long (around 27 and 35cm for the 600mm and 800mm, which is still relatively “short” for such focal lengths), they weigh around 1kg and cost around 800€ and 1050€, respectively. That said, in absolute terms, I still think it may be better to look at a Micro Four Thirds body and Panasonic’s 100-400mm (200-800mm equivalent in full-frame), with non-fixed apertures and the equivalent of both focal lengths in a single lens, plus more if you like that setup ☺.

In late 2021, Canon also released a 100-400mm f/5.6-8. Even though the apertures are even smaller than on the 100-500mm L, those apertures and the more plastic design (it is not an L lens) allow it to weigh only 635g and measure 16.5cm, with a price of 750€. Image quality seems quite good and autofocus responsive. Even if the Tamron 150-500mm and Sigma 150-600mm options were available in RF-mount, the weight and price of this 100-400mm would still be undeniable advantages.

That’s it, we’ve reached the end of this article on the best Canon RF lenses of the moment. The RF range has grown a lot since its first years and is now much more complete, even if we are still waiting for more affordable options in several categories and more full-frame third-party autofocus lenses. There is no doubt that Canon will continue to expand the range with more and more interesting lenses.

With the mirrorless trend now clearly established, it seems unlikely that Canon (or Nikon) will return to DSLRs and the EF range in any meaningful way. I therefore think it is more worthwhile to invest in the RF line instead, although some of these lenses will probably remain fairly expensive for quite some time.

I’ll continue to update this article as new releases arrive, of course. The RF range is now broad enough to justify more specific guides by focal length or use, and some of those guides are already available on the blog.

See you soon, and I hope this helps you choose the right lens!

Written by Sylvain PONS

I've been passionate about photography since 2010, learning as I went along. Today, I dedicate myself to guiding others in their choice of camera gear and sharing a variety of tips to improve their photography skills.

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