
The RF lens mount was developed by Canon and launched in 2018, alongside the EOS R mirrorless camera system to replace the EF mount. The shorter flange distance of the RF mount means that Canon RF lenses can only be used on Canon’s mirrorless EOS R cameras; they are not backward compatible with DSLR cameras using the older EF mount.
While Canon initially continued to develop several more EF mount DSLRs after the launch of the RF mount, they stated publicly at the beginning of 2020 that there would be no more Canon EF lenses for DSLRs. Since then, the Canon RF lens range has expanded rapidly. In this guide, you’ll find detailed specifications of every Canon RF lens and a release date timeline.
Canon RF Lens Terminology Key
Below is a very brief overview of the most common acronyms and abbreviations found within the names of Canon RF lenses. For a more detailed explanation of these and other Canon lens terminology, such as lens coatings and focus motor designs, please take a look at our in-depth Canon lens terminology guide.
- RF – The letters RF designate the lens as designed for Canon’s full-frame mirrorless system using the RF mount. (Canon’s DSLRs used the EF Mount)
- L – Canon’s L-Series lenses, or Luxury lenses, feature their highest level of optical performance and pro-level weather sealing and construction.
- IS – The lens is equipped with Image Stabilization gyros which dampen vibration and camera movement to deliver a sharper image.
- STM – These lenses feature Canon’s Stepper Motor technology, designed for smoother and near-quiet focussing during video recording.
- VR – Stereoscopic lenses designed for virtual reality productions, and compatible with Canon’s EOS VR Utility software.
- DS – Lenses with Canon’s Defocus Smoothing technology deliver smoother out-of-focus background blur.
- SA Control – Featured in the RF 100mm macro lens, Spherical Aberration Control allows you to control the shape and characteristics of foreground and background bokeh.
Canon RF Lens Annual Release Rate
How many new RF lenses does Canon launch every year? The number is variable, but the chart below will give you some historical context and show the split between full-frame RF lenses and APS-C RF-S lenses.
Canon RF Lens Release Dates in Order
Many people are interested in the latest and greatest Canon products, so it can be helpful to see a simple chronological list of Canon RF lenses. The new Canon RF lenses are at the top.
Canon RF Lens Specifications
By default, lenses in the table are sorted by their widest focal length, placing wide-angle lenses at the top and super-telephoto lenses at the bottom.
- Use the filters to narrow down lenses shown in the table.
- Use the horizontal scroll bar below the table to reveal more specifications.
- Mobile users can press the + button to expand lens details.
Canon RF Lens Price Guide
Use the links below to jump to a specific lens.
Canon RF Full-Frame Lenses
Canon RF Zoom Lenses
- 14-35mm f/4 L IS
- 15-30mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM
- 15-35mm f/2.8 L IS
- 24-70 f/2.8 L IS
- 24-105mm f/4 L IS
- 24-105 f/4-7.1 STM
- 24-240mm f/4-6.4 IS USM
- 24-50mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM
- 28-70mm f/2 L USM
- 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS
- 70-200mm f/4 L IS USM
- 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS
- 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS
- 100-300mm f/2.8 L IS
Canon RF Prime Lenses
- 5.2mm f/2.8 L Dual Fisheye 3D VR Lens
- 16mm f/2.8 STM
- 24mm F/1.8 Macro IS STM
- 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS
- 50mm f/1.2 USM
- 50mm f/1.8 STM
- 85mm f/1.2 USM
- 85mm f/1.2 USM DS
- 85mm f/2 IS Macro STM
- 100mm f/2.8 L IS Macro
- 135mm f/1.8 L IS
- 400mm f/2.8 L IS
- 600mm f/11 IS STM
- 600mm f/4 L IS
- 800mm f/11 IS STM
- 800mm f/5.6 L IS
- 1200mm f/8 L IS
Canon RF Extenders
Canon RF-S APS-C Lenses
Canon RF-S Zoom Lenses
Canon RF Zoom Lenses
Canon RF 15-30mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM





Canon RF 15-30mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM – Amazon / B&H / Adorama / Lensrentals / WEX (UK) / digiDirect (AUS) / Camera Canada
Canon RF 24-50mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM





Canon RF 24-50mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM – Amazon / B&H / Adorama / Lensrentals / WEX (UK) / digiDirect (AUS) / Camera Canada
Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS




Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS – Amazon / B&H / Adorama / Lensrentals / WEX (UK) / digiDirect (AUS) / Camera Canada
Canon RF 100-300mm f/2.8 L IS






This is an interesting lens that deserves some additional commentary. Read my thoughts on the Canon RF 100-300mm f/2.8 L IS.
Canon RF 100-300mm f/2.8 L IS – Amazon / B&H / Adorama / Lensrentals / WEX (UK) / digiDirect (AUS) / Camera Canada
Canon RF Prime Lenses
Canon RF 24mm F/1.8 Macro IS STM





Canon RF 24mm F/1.8 Macro IS STM – Amazon / B&H / Adorama / Lensrentals / WEX (UK) / digiDirect (AUS) / Camera Canada
Canon RF 135mm f/1.8 L IS





Canon – Amazon / B&H / Adorama / Lensrentals / WEX (UK) / digiDirect (AUS) / Camera Canada
Canon RF Extenders
Canon RF 1.4x Extender


Canon RF 1.4x Extender – Amazon / B&H / Adorama / Lensrentals / WEX (UK) / digiDirect (AUS) / Camera Canada
Canon RF 2x Extender


Canon RF 2.0x Extender – Amazon / B&H / Adorama / Lensrentals / WEX (UK) / digiDirect (AUS) / Camera Canada
Canon RF-S Zoom Lenses
Canon RF-S 55-210mm F5-7.1 IS STM





Canon RF-S 55-210mm F5-7.1 IS STM – Amazon / B&H / Adorama / Lensrentals / WEX (UK) / digiDirect (AUS) / Camera Canada
Thanks
Very welcome!
Thanks Dan – great start! However, the column sorts don’t work well. Click focal length and it sorts 100mm before 24mm. Ditto with weight (the weights are a mix of pounds and ounces that become a mishmash – best to sort by grams and show all in lbs?)
Thanks for the feedback Chris. I think the zoom focal lengths are really throwing the sorting off something crazy. I’ll have to try and find some time to figure this out.
RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM has IS – you have ‘No’ in the IS column.
Very useful list – thanks!
Dan, this is a great resource! Just one blip I noticed: the length and diameter of the RF 600mm f/4 L IS are shift a column to the right (so the weight is covered by the diameter.)
Sadly, this lens is far out of my hobby budget. Oh, well.
Thanks!
Thanks, Terry, I’ll get that fixed!
You can play with the optical prescriptions for almost all these lenses at the PhotonsToPhotos Optical Bench interactive ray tracer ( https://www.PhotonsToPhotos.net/GeneralTopics/Lenses/OpticalBench/OpticalBenchHub.htm )
Wow! That’s really cool. Do you have something to do with creating this tool?
So great to see this being kept up date! Fantastic resource, thank you.
You’re welcome. Thank you.