Canon has launched a relatively small and lightweight large-aperture wideangle zoom, the Canon RF 16-28mm F2.8 IS STM. With a relatively affordable price and compact retracting design, it’s designed to complement the firm’s RF 28-70mm F2.8 IS STM standard zoom. It’s aimed at users of full-frame mirrorless models such as the EOS R8 who’d like a bright wideangle zoom, but don’t want to spend considerably more on a premium L-series optic.
At a glance:
- £1249.99
- 67mm filter thread
- 20cm minimum focus
- 91mm length, 445g weight
- Canon RF mount only
In design terms, the lens is almost identical to the 28-70mm. It’s about 1mm shorter and 45g lighter, meaning that videographers using gimbals should be able to swap between the two without having to make huge adjustments in balance.
Autofocus employs an STM motor that promises smooth and near-silent operation. In-camera focus breathing correction is supported for video recording with compatible bodies.
Optical stabilisation is built in, promising 5.5 stops of shake reduction on its own, and 8 stops on cameras that include in-body stabilisation. A switch on the side of the barrel turns stabilisation on and off.
Another switch selects between auto and manual focus, with an additional Control position that allows the manual focus ring to be used for changing certain other camera settings.
The barrel boasts a moisture and dust resistant design, including seals around the control rings and mount.
The Canon RF 16-28mm F2.8 IS STM is due on sale at the start of February for £1249.99. Unfortunately, Canon’s matched EW-73E lens hood doesn’t come in the box, but is an optional accessory. This is pretty outrageous given the price.
Canon RF 16-28mm F2.8 IS STM full specifications:
| Price | £1249.99 |
| Filter Diameter | 67mm |
| Lens Elements | 16 (2 aspherical, 4 UD glass) |
| Groups | 13 |
| Diaphragm blades | 9 |
| Aperture | f/2.8 |
| Minimum focus | 25cm – 20cm (16-28mm) |
| Length | 91mm |
| Diameter | 76.5mm |
| Weight | 445g |
| Lens Mount | Canon RF |
| Included accessories | Front and rear caps |
| Optional accessories | EW-73E hood |
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From Canon:
Epic views, stable shots: Canon reveals the RF 16-28mm F2.8 IS STM; a fast ultra-wide zoom that packs a creative punch
London, UK, 23 January 2025 –Launching today,the new RF 16-28mm F2.8 IS STM is an ultra-wide full frame lens that’s small yet powerfully creative. Thanks to an ultra-wide 16-28mm range and a fast f/2.8 aperture, plus 5.5-stops of optical image stabilisation1, 2 and weather-resistance3, it’s a lightweight and compact zoom that’s ready to reward with incredible stills and videos.
With a design that’s based around performance and practicality, the RF 16-28mm F2.8 IS STM lets you capture compelling travel and landscape shots as well as impactful architectural and interior views, with a perspective that packs more into the frame. A wide aperture also inspires a more creative approach to your photography and videos, allowing you to isolate a subject at f/2.8 or keep shooting when light levels drop. And when luggage space is limited, the lens makes a compact companion for travel photography because it retracts to 91mm.
All these innovations are made possible thanks to the Canon RF mount, which offers faster communication between EOS R-series cameras. The RF 16-28mm F2.8 IS STM is the latest compact, feature-filled RF lens from Canon and joins the RF 28-70mm F2.8 IS STM to make a pair of lenses that bridge the gap between compact and lightweight designs and fast aperture performance.
Key features of the RF 16-28mm F2.8 IS STM
- Ultra-wide 16-28mm focal length range with a wide f/2.8 aperture throughout, for a wide variety of shooting scenarios
- 5.5-stops of optical image stabilisation (IS)1
- 8-stops when combined with a camera featuring In-Body Image Stabilizer (IBIS)2
- Excellent image quality and sharp high-contrast images thanks to two aspheric and four UD lens elements plus Super Spectra coating
- Durable build quality with added weather resistance
- 9-blade circular aperture offering great artistic control of bokeh and highlights
- Compact and lightweight at 445g, measuring 76.5mm (W) x and 91mm (L) when retracted
In summary
The RF 16-28mm F2.8 IS STM offers that special combination of an ultra-wide 16-28mm zoom range with a fast f/2.8 aperture throughout, coupled with 5.5-stops1 of optical image stabilisation in a lightweight and compact body. Combining high-quality optics with the creative and practical functionality of a fast aperture, plus a small size that’s great for travel, it’s ideal for enthusiasts wanting to capture landscapes, interiors and wide-angle travel videos or stills.
1 5.5-stops optical image stabilisation (IS) tested according to CIPA standards yaw/pitch directions at a focal length of 28 mm using an EOS R.
2 8-stops image stabilisation (IS) tested according to CIPA standards yaw/pitch/roll directions at a focal length of 28 mm using EOS R1.
3 Although the lens features dust- and water-resistant construction, this cannot completely prevent dust or water droplets from entering the lens.
