Canon has introduced its widest-ever rectilinear zoom lens with autofocus, the RF 10-20mm F4 L IS STM, and it appears to be like like one hell of a lens.
Consider the RF 10-20mm – the world’s widest zoom lens with autofocus – because the mirrorless equal of the Canon EF 11-24mm f/4 L USM for DSLRs, which is a steady for skilled structure, inside and panorama photographers, solely it’s a radically totally different design that showcases what’s attainable for mirrorless vs DSLR.
Just like the 11-24mm F4 DSLR stalwart, the RF 10-20mm F4 is a rectilinear ultra-wide angle, which implies straight strains are stored straight all through your entire body as a substitute of barrel distortion which is a normal trait of fisheye and different broad angle lenses. Rectilinear design is a minimal requirement that professional structure and inside photographers particularly anticipate from a large angle lens, and in the event you hold the lens is parallel to your topics, perspective distortion will likely be managed, too.
Impressively, the brand new RF 10-20mm F4 weighs a mere 20.1oz / 570g – that’s lower than half the load of the 11-24mm F4 DSLR stalwart, which is a whopping 41.6oz / 1,180g, and turns into the lightest F4 zoom lens in Canon’s line up. It’s a staggering distinction, I can not consider such a stark distinction between a mirrorless and DSLR lens design.
Canon RF 10-20mm F4 L IS STM: Worth and availability
That is Canon and so naturally the RF 10-20mm F4 is pricy. Nevertheless, its jaw dropping checklist worth – at the very least for a F4 lens – is $2,299 / £2579.99 (I’ll replace this web page with Australia pricing when that data turns into obtainable). The lens is accessible from October 2023.
Naturally, for mirrorless we additionally get improved picture stabilization – mix the RF 10-20mm’s 5-stops of optical stabilization with in-body stabilization of a EOS R-series digital camera and also you rise up to 6-stops of stabilization. You possibly can ditch the tripod extra typically, and keep in mind this lens is half the load, too. Mirrorless for the win.
It’s additionally the primary skilled L-series lens from Canon that makes use of the STM motors for close to silent autofocus. That’s solely attainable as a result of that is such a small and light-weight full-frame L-series lens. The motors hold the main target group in an lively place, so the RF 10-20mm is faster to get began from standby.
I haven’t held the lens but, however it should little doubt pair up very well with an EOS R-series digital camera just like the EOS R5, particularly given the heaviest lens components are positioned on the rear of the lens as a substitute of the entrance, which made the EF 11-24mm entrance heavy.
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And in the event you pair the RF 10-20mm with an EOS R5, you achieve peripheral management picture stabilization – the EOS R5 has the most recent algorithms to right for the attitude of the lens for efficient stabilization. Normally with ultra-wide lenses, fluttering within the corners is clear when stablization kicks in and may be significantly ugly for video. Past the EOS R5, we do not know at this stage which Canon cameras have or may have peripheral management stabilization.
With a bulbous entrance lens factor and built-in lens hood, the 10-20mm F4 lens can not settle for entrance threaded filters. Nevertheless, there’s a rear gelatine filter holder as a substitute, and so you’ll be able to slot the comparatively tiny gelatine filter inside as a substitute.
Evaluation: World firsts, for a worth
I used to be just a little shocked by the checklist Europe worth of the RF 10-20mm F4 L STM lens, however that is Canon in any case and after reflection it’s a extremely succesful lens in line with related ultra-wide zooms.
I’d anticipate its optical high quality to outperform the EF 11-24mm F4 lens when utilizing the F4 aperture, and the distinction in high quality to be much less noticeable when stopped right down to an optimum F11 aperture – we are going to look to check this lens and discover out for ourselves. As an L-series lens, we are able to moderately anticipate flare to be effectively managed, which is a should for an ultra-wide angle lens that’s significantly inclined to flare.
The truth that Canon has been capable of cut back the dimensions and weight fairly a lot – lower than half the load – goes to point out simply what’s attainable with Canon’s mirrorless RF-mount when in comparison with the aged EF-mount. The RF 10-20mm F4 appears to be like like one other thrilling addition to the EOS R-series and can absolutely rank as top-of-the-line Canon RF lenses, if not top-of-the-line lenses bar none for broad angle landscapes and structure. Given its broad perspective in a small package deal, it may additionally double up for video content material creators. Canon followers needs to be enthusiastic about this one.
