Which Canon RF wide angle lens to choose?
Last update: 06/16/2026
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While I have already written a lot about lenses for Sony cameras, I’m now starting to write more specific articles about Canon RF mount lenses. The link above lets you see all the lenses currently available for this RF mount. Today, I’m going one step further with a comprehensive guide to the best Canon RF wide-angle lenses available right now.
At the time of updating this article, the choice has improved, but it is still more limited than with some competing mounts. A few third-party brands now offer wide-angle lenses for this RF mount, both for Canon RF full-frame cameras and Canon RF APS-C bodies. The two links above will give you everything you need to know if you are unsure which Canon camera to choose, whether full frame or APS-C. You will also find details about the current cameras.
In this article, I will also talk about wide-angle lenses for Canon APS-C cameras, detailing the few options that may be worth considering.
I will also discuss the wide-angle lenses that I consider to be the best if you own a full-frame Canon RF camera. For now, the selection includes mainly Canon lenses, along with a few third-party options that are now available for the Canon RF mount.
If you’re looking for lenses, I invite you to take a look at our in-depth guide to the best Canon lenses for sports photography. It covers all the best options for both RF and older EF (SLR) mounts.
Since that article was published, we’ve written a guide to Canon’s versatile lenses. We believe they are suitable for many types of photographer, and are usually more affordable.
Best Canon RF wide-angle lenses
Canon RF Wide-Angle Full-Frame
Here are, in my opinion, the current lenses that can be considered among the best options. The table below summarizes what you should know about each of these lenses.

- Excellent image quality
- High-end construction
- Efficient optical Image Stabilizer
- Smooth, quiet autofocus
- Unique ultra-wide angle lens

- Stabilized optics
- Excellent construction
- Excellent image quality
- Optical flaws present
- Bright lens

- Stabilized optics
- Very good image quality
- Huge optical flaws (RAW)
- Better price than f/2.8
- Compact lens

- Very good price/performance ratio
- Very compact
- Correct construction
- Significant optical defects
- Recessed edges/corners

- Affordable GA alternative
- Limited maximum aperture
- Correct image quality
- Correct construction
- Significant optical defects
Here are the details of the lenses (click on the relevant link):
- Canon RF 10-20mm f/4 L IS STM
- Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS
- Canon RF 14-35mm f/4 L IS USM
- Canon RF 16 mm f/2.8 STM
- Canon RF 15-30mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM
- Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM
Specific features of these lenses are detailed in the table below.
1 – Canon RF 10-20mm f/4 L IS STM
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Available from November 2023, the Canon RF 10-20mm f/4L IS STM is an ultra-wide-angle zoom lens for RF-mount full-frame mirrorless cameras. With a focal length range of 10-20mm and a constant f/4 aperture, it is one of the widest rectilinear zoom lenses available for full-frame cameras. Its optical formula is based on 16 elements in 12 groups, including 3 aspherical elements and one UD (ultra-low dispersion) glass element. It should also be noted that its 9-blade circular aperture, combined with its minimum focusing distance of 25 cm, makes it a versatile lens for wide and immersive shots.
This lens is primarily designed for architecture, landscape, interior photography, and even astrophotography. Its very wide field of view and constant aperture make it ideal for dramatic, immersive images. Built-in image stabilization and smooth, quiet autofocus are among its strengths. On the other hand, its f/4 aperture is better suited to situations where depth of field and portability matter more than maximum brightness.
In short, the Canon RF 10-20 mm f/4 L IS STM is a high-end lens suitable for both professionals and demanding amateurs. It is certainly much more expensive than the RF 14-35 mm f/4 L IS USM, but I think its price is justified given its ultra-wide angle and advanced performance.
2 – Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8 L IS
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While Canon was limited to 16mm with its EF 16-35mm f/2.8 DSLR zooms, the RF mount allowed Canon to offer a 15mm focal length with a 110° angle of view, all in a stabilized lens (IS) with a constant f/2.8 aperture. Combined with the recent full frame RF stabilized cameras, you can get (according to Canon) up to 7 stops of stabilization. For those who own one of the first Canon cameras (R, RP) without sensor stabilization, this is also very good news although the benefit is not as important. The all-weather lens is also sold with a pouch and a lens hood (small in size but enough to protect against falls).
This Canon lens, which extends slightly as you zoom, does not have a bulbous front element, which means you can use 82mm screw-in filters. The lens is nonetheless quite bulky, standing at 840g and 12.6cm long. The build quality, like all L-series lenses, is outstanding. The minimum focusing distance is 28cm. Fluorine coating for the front and rear lenses limits dust and facilitates cleaning. There are 3 rings on the lens: a wide zoom ring that works very well, a manual focus ring and a customizable control ring to control aperture, exposure compensation, and other functions. There are 2 switches on the barrel: one for AF/MF, and another to enable / disable IS.
Image quality is excellent, even if the shortest focal lengths at full aperture are a bit behind. At medium or longer focal lengths (from 24 to 35mm), the image quality is superior and closing to f/5.6 further improves sharpness. Optical defects are the most disturbing point with a huge vignetting at full aperture (5 stops) and a strong barrel distortion at 15mm which changes to a pincushion one at 35mm. Both can be corrected quite well, either directly through the camera or with a processing software. Flare resistance is given as correct without being exceptional. The autofocus is very good, according to the reviews.
At the end of the day, Canon offers a very strong lens: sharp, stabilized, and weather-sealed, although the price will certainly discourage some buyers (even if it is in the same range as comparable lenses from Nikon or Sony). The lens is still ideal for landscape photography, journalism, wedding and even astrophotography. However, the lens is not perfect as there are some flaws. Those who have a smaller budget and do not have the interest of a large aperture will certainly be interested in the following lens.
3 - Canon RF 14-35mm f/4 L IS USM
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In June 2021, Canon announced the release of a long-awaited lens: a cheaper version of the very expensive Canon 15-35mm f/2.8 L IS, with a smaller aperture. This f/4 version is the spiritual successor to the Canon EF 16-35mm f/4 L IS, the lens I bought when I was using a DSLR. However, Canon went even further by offering 2mm less for an even wider field of view at 14mm (114°). The stabilization, especially when combined with recent Canon RF cameras with in-body stabilization, is a real plus and allows you to shoot at slower shutter speeds. This is the more affordable alternative to the f/2.8 version mentioned above.
This weather-sealed lens does not have a bulbous front element either, allowing landscape photographers to use their beloved ND or polarizing filters (CPL). The lens, of a remarkable build quality, is approximately 10cm long for 544g. Clearly, this is much lighter and shorter than the f/2.8 version. As with the 15-35mm, the fluorine coating of the lenses will always be a plus. The lens has the same 3 rings as the 15-35mm while also lengthening slightly when zoomed in (1cm). The control ring is clickable but can be made silent with a (paid) visit to Canon’s service centre. The magnification ratio is 0.38x which allows (proportionately) to shoot close-ups. The 2 classic switches AF/MF and IS are also available.
As far as image quality is concerned, there is a lot to like, since sharpness is excellent from full aperture and across the focal range, with particularly strong results from around 20mm onward. Stopping down to f/5.6 only slightly improves sharpness. Surprisingly, pictures shot at 14mm are suffering from strong vignetting since the lens doesn’t cover the whole sensor which is actually wider than 14mm. In JPEG, the camera corrects it (inevitably, you won’t even notice it) by cropping the image. You will realize this, however, when you shoot in RAW and notice the black corners of the image… This kind of thing is becoming the norm as brands impose mandatory corrections to JPEGs in the camera, even if Canon takes it here to the extreme. Vignetting and distortion are still very important at 14mm at full aperture. Things get better at longer focal lengths, of course. Several reviews and the “MTF” comparison give a sharpness fairly close to the one you get with the 15-35mm f/2.8. Bokeh is good, knowing that you can get close enough to your subjects to do close-ups. Flare and chromatic aberrations are globally well handled.
In conclusion, Canon delivers a very nice, sharp, and tropicalized lens, offering a very good build quality. The price tag is a little high compared to both the DSLR version and the competition’s 14-30mm and 16-35mm f/4, but it remains much cheaper than the 15-35mm. If you don’t need a large aperture (as is often the case with a wide-angle lens), then this lens could be just the right one for you!
4 - Canon RF 16 mm f/2.8 STM
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In late 2021, Canon surprised everyone by releasing this low-priced ultra-wide-angle lens. While Canon has since released an RF 15-30mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM lens, this one doesn’t really play in the same league. At the time, third-party options were very limited for Canon RF, so this was one of the few affordable choices if you wanted a lens with a wide angle of view and a relatively large aperture without spending more than €1,500 on the 14-35mm f/4. So this was a very welcome release for people on a smaller budget. When you say “cheap”, you obviously think of compromises which we are about to detail. Obviously, this is not the L series, and you will not get a carrying pouch or lens hood with it.
The lens is, in many ways, similar to the Canon 50mm f/1.8 RF, which clearly shows the compactness of the lens even if only offering a f/2.8 aperture. The lens is almost identical to the 50mm in terms of weight and size, with a 7cm length for only 165g. The lens is neither stabilized nor weather-sealed and has a 43mm filter diameter. The build is obviously more plastic than what you find with L-series lenses, but it is still decent. There is only one ring on this lens, the well-known ring with the classic Canon RF lens “diamond” texture. There is only one button on the side of the lens, for Focus and Control. The “focus” option will let you choose between AF/MF and the “Control” option will let you choose the functionality of the ring. Finally, the minimum focusing distance is 13cm, which means that you will be very close to the subject (6cm). The AF is said to be good, but not as fast as the 14-35mm / 15-35mm which have a nano USM motor.
Image quality is very strong in the center at full aperture (f/2.8), more average at the edges, and clearly weaker in the extreme corners. Closing to f/4 improves things overall in terms of sharpness and provides a more homogeneous image. Closing to f/5.6, extreme corners are still far from the quality obtained in the center. However, optical defects are there. Vignetting and distortion are huge (worse than the two zooms mentioned above) and so much so that uncorrected images almost look like images shot with a Fisheye lens! However, everything is properly fixed in JPEG in the camera and in software post-processing for RAWs. Chromatic aberrations are strong and visible, especially on the angles, but can be corrected once again. Flare is globally well managed!
In the end, this Canon RF 16mm is a nice package, offering good value for money. The lens is very compact and light, and image quality is very good at the center but it gets worse towards the edges which could be a problem if you are looking for a very homogeneous image. Admittedly, the lens is neither stabilized nor tropicalized and has major optical defects, but these can be corrected -with Lightroom for example-. For the price, I would recommend this lens to anyone on a small budget, looking for a wide-angle lens. Mounted on a Canon R7 (RF APS-C), it feels very well balanced and offers, for example, a slightly more homogeneous 24mm equivalent since the APS-C sensor will be focused on the center of the lens. It is a good entry-level lens and not a bad choice while waiting for wide angle lenses for Canon RF APS-C.
5 - Canon RF 15-30mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM
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In August 2022, Canon released a new, more modest, stabilized wide-angle zoom lens. This Canon RF 15-30mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM follows in the footsteps of the Canon 16mm RF in terms of range, compactness, and price. This wide-angle zoom offers a solution for anyone looking for this type of lens, but unwilling to spend more than 1500€ for a Canon RF 14-35mm f/4. Of course, its aperture is reduced, but this won’t be a problem depending on the type of subject. With a launch price around €700, the lens is sold on its own, without a lens hood or storage pouch.
This Canon RF 15-30mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM has a good build quality, similar to the 16mm. It is obviously not from the L range. As far as the rings are concerned, there is a wide zoom ring that works well, and a focus ring that can be customized via the “Focus/control” switch located on the lens barrel. Also note that there is a button to enable/disable stabilization (IS). The lens extends when zooming and has a very good AF (STM engine). The lens, which has a classic 67mm filter diameter, is compact with only 390g and a 7.6cm length. The minimum focusing distance is 0.28m and the magnification ratio is 0.16x (0.5x in MF at 15mm).
Image quality is very good in the center at the shortest focal lengths. Quality at the edges and in the extreme corners is lower, and reviews show a clear difference compared with the Canon RF 14-35mm f/4 L IS (which is reassuring, given the price difference!). Closing at f/5.6 and then f/8 further improves sharpness. The longer focal lengths tend to show less sharpness. As far as optical defects are concerned, the same can be found on the Canon RF 14-35mm, with a default correction fixed by Canon on JPEGs (this says a lot about the level of correction one has to perform to get a proper image). When opening a RAW on Dxo for example, you can notice the huge barrel distortion at the shortest focal lengths, as is usual with wide-angles. The barrel distortion turns into a light pincushion one at longer focal lengths. Vignetting is important at full aperture (more than 3 stops), and does not really disappear. But this problem can be managed during post-processing. Same goes with chromatic aberrations which are visible but manageable during post-processing.
In the end, Canon offers a very interesting lens for people wishing to shoot very wide angles, without breaking the bank. Obviously, with such a small aperture, you will be limited in your artistic possibilities, especially when wanting to blur your background, for example (although we rarely buy a wide-angle lens for that). However, at 700€, this is an affordable lens to consider if you’re on a smaller budget.
6 - Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM
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Let’s end this full-frame section, for now, with the last lens that can be considered a wide-angle option on a full-frame camera: the Canon RF 24mm f/1.8. This lens is stabilized (5 stops) but not weather-sealed. It is advertised as a macro lens, although it only reaches a 0.5x magnification ratio rather than true 1:1 macro. This 24mm is in the same range as the existing 35mm, 50mm and 85mm f/1.8-2 Canon RF. Of course, at list price, you can forget about the lens hood and the carrying pouch.
If we look at build quality, it is on par with the entry-level 16, 35, 50 and 85mm. It is a rather well built (but plastic) lens, obviously not as polished as the L series. The lens is very compact, weighing only 270g and measuring 6.3cm in length. Focusing distance is 14cm, which allows to get very close to your subjects. As far as build construction is concerned, it’s the classic 2 switches-AF/MF and another one to turn on/off the stabilizer (IS)-, a rather soft-focus ring, and a notched control ring with the brand’s classic diamond texture. The latter is customizable through the body. It’s worth pointing out that the lens extends slightly when focusing at very close range. It also has a special coating to reduce flare.
Image quality is excellent at full aperture and in the center of the image. However, it is less so, around the edges and the extremes. Closing at f/2.8 and then at f/5.6 provides fully homogeneous images. As with the Canon 16mm, 14-35mm and others, don’t be fooled by the editing imposed by Canon’s body which automatically corrects optical defects. Vignetting and distortion are huge, much stronger than with the lenses mentioned above. In JPEG, it will be managed by the camera but in RAW, it must be corrected. The results for macro appear to be quite good and allow for nice details of close subjects. AF is good without being exceptional, particularly if subjects move too fast.
All in all, Canon offers an interesting somewhat all-purpose lens, which will allow for a lot of creativity with its macro aspect and its large aperture. The image quality at the center is very good and most of the optical defects will not be of concern, thanks to the software corrections, especially if you don’t often shoot using the largest apertures. In my opinion though, listed at 750€, the lens is not a bargain.
And while we’re on the subject of macro lenses, have a look at our in-depth review of the best Canon RF macro lenses available today. There you’ll find details of this 24mm lens and the other current options.
The table below summarizes the main features of these lenses.
Canon RF Wide-angle Lenses Full-Frame Focallength Max.Aperture Weight
Dim. (Ø x L) Min. FocusDist. Approx.price Best price
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Canon RF 10-20mm f/4 L IS STM
10-20mm f/4 1.3 lb / 570g 3.3 x 4.4" / 84 x 112 mm 9.8" / 25 cm $2 299 Amazon B&H
More info +
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Canon RF 14-35mm f/4 L IS USM
14-35mm f/4 1.2 lb / 544g 3.3 x 3.9" / 84 x 99 mm 7.9" / 20 cm $1 399 Amazon B&H
More info +
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Canon RF 15-30mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM
15-30mm f/4.5-6.3 13.76 oz / 390g 3 x 3.5" / 77 x 88 mm 5.1" / 13 cm $449 Amazon B&H
More info +
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Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS
15-35mm f/2.8 1.9 lb / 840g 3.5 x 5" / 89 x 127 mm 11" / 28 cm $2 199 Amazon B&H
More info +
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Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM
16mm f/2.8 5.82 oz / 165g 1.6 x 2.7" / 40 x 69 mm 5.1" / 13 cm $279 Amazon B&H
More info +
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Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM
24mm f/1.8 9.52 oz / 270g 2.9 x 2.5" / 74 x 63 mm 5.5" / 14 cm $549 Amazon B&H
More info +
If you still have a Canon DSLR camera, you can obviously use the lenses you have as they will be compatible with this RF mount through the EF – RF adapter ring. By the way, I keep an updated page with all current Canon EF (DSLR) lenses.
Canon RF APS-C Wide-Angle
I now present the Canon RF APS-C wide angle lenses that I consider the most interesting.
You can click directly on the lens(es) you are interested in for full details:
- Canon RF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM
- Sigma 10-18mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary RF-S
- Tamron 11-20mm f/2.8 Di III-A RXD RF-S
- Samyang 12mm f/2 AF RF-S
- Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary RF-S
The main features of the presented optics are summarized in a table below.
1. Canon RF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM
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Available since December 2023, the Canon RF-S 10-18 mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM is an affordable ultra-wide-angle zoom lens. With a focal length of 10-18mm (equivalent to about 16-29mm in full-frame terms), you can capture very wide perspectives. Its variable aperture between f/4.5 and f/6.3, combined with built-in image stabilisation, makes it a powerful lens. It offers very good sharpness, good uniformity and good control of chromatic aberrations. It also has a 0.5x magnification ratio, which allows for interesting close-ups.
In terms of size, the lens is very compact and light, so you can easily take it with you wherever you go. When it comes to video, its main assets are its efficient and silent autofocus and stabilisation. Landscape, architecture, real estate and street photographers will love this lens.
As you can see, the Canon RF-S 10-18 mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM is an excellent choice for those looking for an affordable and versatile ultra-wide-angle lens. If you don’t need a tropicalised lens and a large aperture, this is the lens for you!
2. Sigma 10-18mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary RF-S
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Announced in September 2024, the Sigma 10-18 mm f/2.8 DC DN is an ultra-wide-angle zoom for APS-C RF-S mirrorless camera. It immediately stands out from its Canon equivalent with its constant f/2.8 aperture, ideal in low light. Its optical formula is based on 13 elements in 10 groups. It also has a 7-blade aperture, a minimum focusing distance of 11cm and a 0.25x magnification. In addition, its size and weight make it a light and compact lens, perfect for travelling photographers. On the other hand, the lens is not stabilised, which is a shame (although it is less important for a wide-angle lens).
In the field, this Sigma shines in the center at full aperture. At 10 mm, sharpness is remarkable in the center and improves as you close the aperture. At 18 mm, sharpness remains very good from f/2.8, although there is a slight lack of sharpness at full aperture. In terms of use, the lens is suitable for landscape, architecture and even astrophotography.
In conclusion, the Sigma 10-18 mm f/2.8 DC DN is very attractively priced and is a good alternative to the Canon RF-S 10-18 mm f/4.5-6.3, while offering a wider aperture and excellent optical quality. If you’re looking for a bright, compact and powerful ultra-wide-angle zoom, this is the one to get!
3. Tamron 11-20mm f/2.8 Di III-A RXD RF-S
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The Tamron 11-20 mm f/2.8 Di III-A RXD is a premium ultra-wide-angle zoom lens for Canon RF-S, announced in 2025. It offers a focal length range of 11-20mm and is compact and lightweight. In addition, its constant aperture of f/2.8 offers more possibilities in low-light conditions. It has 12 elements in 10 groups, including 5 special lenses (aspherical and low dispersion) to optimise sharpness and limit chromatic aberrations. It also has an RXD autofocus motor for fast and silent focusing.
In terms of performance, sharpness in the center is exceptional from f/2.8. At the edges, you will have to close the aperture a little to get a more homogeneous image. As for optical flaws, distortion and vignetting are visible, but can be corrected in post-production.
As you will have understood, the Tamron 11-20 mm f/2.8 Di III-A RXD is mainly intended for landscape, architecture, astrophotography and video. This Tamron lens is positioned as a premium alternative to the Canon RF-S 10-18 mm f/4.5-6.3, with better low-light performance and a brighter constant aperture. Compared with the Sigma 10-18 mm f/2.8 DC DN, it offers a slightly longer zoom range, while the Sigma remains the more compact option.
4. Samyang 12mm f/2 AF RF-S
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The Samyang AF 12 mm f/2 RF-S is a high performance and affordable ultra wide angle lens. It offers a full-frame equivalent focal length of 19 mm and a bright f/2 aperture, perfect for low-light and astrophotography. It is also well built and weather-sealed, with a metal mount.
In terms of image quality, it is very sharp from f/2 in the center, with a little less sharpness at the edges. To improve uniformity, you need to close to f/5.6. Vignetting is visible at full aperture, but decreases as you close the aperture. In terms of other flaws, the lens does a good job of controlling flare and chromatic aberrations. The lens is ideal for landscape, architectural and astrophotography.
All in all, the Samyang AF 12 mm f/2 RF-S is an excellent choice if you want a bright wide-angle lens at a low price! It has many advantages: it is lightweight, versatile and produces good image quality.
5. Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary RF-S
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Available for Canon RF-S from early 2025, the Sigma 16 mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary is an ultra-bright prime lens. This lens offers a focal length equivalent to about 26mm on full frame, making it ideal for landscape, architectural and astrophotography. Thanks to its large f/1.4 aperture, the lens excels in low-light conditions and offers more control over depth of field than most ultra-wide APS-C zooms.
In terms of performance, it is made up of 16 elements in 13 groups, including 2 SLDs and 3 FLDs to reduce chromatic aberrations and improve sharpness. The lens is compact and lightweight. Its autofocus is fast and precise, although a little less responsive than some high-end lenses, silent and ideal for still and video photography.
In short, the Sigma 16 mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary scores big: a fixed focal length that combines image quality, large aperture and compactness.
In the table below you will find all the features of these lenses.
Canon RF APS-C wide-angle lenses Focallength Max.Aperture Weight
Dim. (Ø x L) Min. FocusDist. Approx.price Best price
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Canon RF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM
10-18mm f/4.5-6.3 5.29 oz / 150g 2.7 x 1.8" / 69 x 45 mm 5.5" / 14 cm $299 Amazon B&H
More info +
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Sigma 10-18mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary RF-S
10-18mm f/2.8 9.17 oz / 260g 2.8 x 2.5" / 72 x 64 mm 4.7" / 12 cm $659 Amazon B&H
More info +
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Tamron 11-20mm f/2.8 Di III-A RXD RF-S
11-20mm f/2.8 12.52 oz / 355g 2.9 x 3.4" / 73 x 86 mm 5.9" / 15 cm $659 Amazon B&H
More info +
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Samyang 12mm f/2 AF RF-S
12mm f/2 7.51 oz / 213g 2.8 x 2.2" / 70 x 57 mm 7.9" / 20 cm $449 Amazon B&H
More info +
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Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary RF-S
16mm f/1.4 0.9 lb / 415g - 9.8" / 25 cm $489 Amazon B&H
More info +
Wide-angle lens alternatives for the Canon RF mount?
I will deliberately not mention the two 14mm f/2.8 AF/MF Samyang/Rokinon lenses that were released. Although these lenses were available for a while, they are now almost nowhere to be found, after Canon’s restrictions on third-party autofocus RF lenses complicated this release…
So, while the choice is improving, autofocus wide-angle options for the RF mount remain more limited than on some competing systems. However, there are a few third-party lenses with manual focus. Most of them are from Laowa or TTArtisan. You will find all these alternatives on our page dedicated to lenses that fit the RF mount bodies.
Reminder - How to choose a wide-angle lens?
As usual, I’ll end this article with some tips to consider when choosing a wide-angle lens. If you want to know more about it, you can also read our article explaining how to choose a camera lens.
Focal length
This will depend on what you want to shoot. For a full frame sensor, we can get an ultra wide-angle lens with a focal length below 16mm and a wide-angle lens between 16 and 35mm. Obviously, for an APS-C sensor, you will have to apply a 1.6x crop factor from Canon to find the equivalence. This point is now much less true than before, as Canon and third-party brands have started releasing dedicated RF-S wide-angle lenses for APS-C bodies such as the Canon R7 and R10.
As for the choice of focal length, beware! Be sure you visualize what a 14 or a 15 mm focal length will get you, because distortions are significant on this type of focal length. You can also use my article explaining how to choose between a prime and a zoom lens with the zoom lens still being the most versatile.
On a personal note, this is why I like having a wider focal range when traveling or shooting landscapes: it allows me to capture more subjects with the same lens, or at least diversify my compositions more easily.
Maximum aperture
As is often the case with photography, there are no easy answers. Everything will depend upon your use, habits and very often, your budget. Most people use wide-angle lenses for landscape photography, architecture and for wide interior shots, for example. Thus, the point of having a large aperture depends on multiple factors.
As a reminder, you should know that having a larger aperture will allow you to:
- Shoot faster (going from f/4 to f/2.8 will allow you to shoot twice as fast),
- Limit motion blur in low-light conditions (even if, in reality, for landscape or architecture, you will often use a tripod),
- Blur your background/foreground in a better manner (admittedly, it’s all relative with this type of short focal length because you have to get very close to the subject for that),
- Reduce your depth of field (related to the point below, but obviously shooting with f/2.8 will allow you to have a shorter area of focus on your subject than shooting with f/4).
In my case, I often use a wide-angle lens for landscape photography which means an aperture between f/4 and f/8, for example. So, the appeal of having a large aperture for landscape shooting in the middle of the day, appears limited. However, it could be useful should you want to play with the depth of field, and thus isolate a piece of the subject with landscape behind, for example, or blur a background of limited interest.
Finally, in low-light conditions, it will be more interesting to have a stabilized lens which will allow you to gain 3 to 4 stops of speed, rather than having a lens that opens a little more. If you shoot on a tripod, the question does not even arise. I know that I personally use my (relatively) wide aperture Tamron 20mm f/2.8 for landscape photography when I am in the middle of a forest with low light. Shooting with full aperture (f/2.8) helps me avoid too high an ISO and keep a good image quality.
Keep in mind that a lens with a larger aperture will be more expensive, heavier and more cumbersome.
Stabilization
As I said above, the point of having a stabilized lens depends on you shooting in low-light conditions, allowing you to take pictures at very low shutter speeds. It could also be interesting should you have a non-stabilized Canon RF camera.
Use of filters
I used to always have a section on this subject when I owned a DSLR because it was important to me and to many landscape photographers who use filters (polarizing, GND or ND). However, nowadays, with many recent mirrorless wide-angle lenses, including the Canon RF wide-angle lenses mentioned in this article, you can usually use screw-in filters. So this point is less restrictive than it used to be.
I’m reaching the end of this article on current Canon RF wide-angle lenses. Obviously, you have a limited choice, especially when compared to other brands. However, although the choice has improved with a few third-party RF-S options, Canon RF still remains more closed than some competing systems.
In the meantime, I invite you to read our summary of the best current Canon RF lenses, which includes some of the lenses mentioned in this article as well as standard, macro and telephoto lenses. If you are interested, we have also written a comprehensive guide to Canon RF pancake lenses.
I will continue to write about this RF mount, because while choice is still limited, depending on the desired type of focal length, things are progressing at quite a fast pace…
See you soon,
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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