Canon has unveiled a new lens designed for full-frame mirrorless lens with an unusual focal length range.
- This lens is specifically designed for Canon full-frame mirrorless cameras, providing ultra-wide coverage between 10-20mm, and a fixed f/4 aperture.
- It has a minimum focusing distance of 9.8 inches (0.25m).
- Canon leadscrew-type stepping motor ensures smooth and quiet autofocus. Additionally, it is equipped with five stops of optical image stabilization.
- When paired with EOS R series cameras with IBIS, it offers six stops of image stabilization.
- Furthermore, it has a rear slot that accommodates pre-cut gel filters.
The Canon RF 10-20mm f/4 L IS STM Lens is a compact and well-balanced lens that offers a remarkably wide focal length, making it an exciting prospect for photographers interested in landscape, interior, architecture, travel, and even photojournalism.
The lens has image stabilisation of up to 5 shutter speed stops and up to 6 stops when paired with compatible cameras, allowing for remarkable handheld low-light shots, according to Canon.
Canon 10-20mm f/4 Lens Key Features
- Full-Frame | f/4 to f/22
- Fast Wide-Angle Zoom
- High-Speed STM Autofocus System
- Optical Image Stabilizer
- Programable Control Ring
- One Super UD and Three UD Elements
- Air Sphere and SWC Coatings
- Weather-Sealed Construction
What’s New About the Canon 10-20mm Lens?
Ultra-Wide Focal Length Lens
The most exciting feature of this brand-new lens is its focal length. It offers the widest focal length ever seen on a full-frame lens for Canon mirrorless, which means that this ultra-wide lens is perfect for expanding your creative opportunities in both photography and videography.
The 10mm lens offers a wider field of view, making it ideal for landscape, cityscape, astrophotography, and photojournalism. Meanwhile, the lens has a fixed f/4 aperture, which keeps it compact and allows for plenty of light and bokeh when shooting wide open.
Compact Size and Weight For Photographer
If you're a travel photographer, you'll want a compact and lightweight lens with a good focal length. This lens is perfect for full-frame Canon mirrorless cameras, which means you can pack more gear in your suitcase or avoid carrying heavy equipment.
The lens weighs 1.3 lbs, with 3.3in diameter and 4.4in length. Its size is impressive, given its ultra-wide focal length and fixed f/4 aperture.
Leadscrew-type Stepping Motor
Canon has utilized a signature leadscrew-type stepping motor focus drive, which translates to smooth and quiet autofocus operation, making it an ideal choice for both videographers and photographers. The unique focal length also ensures that the focus works smoothly, which will be appreciated by videographers in particular.
Videographers can expect outstanding image quality from this new lens. In addition to providing smooth focus, it offers a range of features that truly set it apart. The lens is equipped with one super UD lens, three UD lenses, and three aspherical lenses, all of which come with Subwavelength structure coating and Air Sphere Coating. These advanced coatings effectively reduce ghosting and produce excellent optical performance, making this lens a top choice for videographers.
Designs Rear Slot for Filters
Ultra-wide lenses present a challenge for photographers looking to use standard lens filters due to the curved front glass element. Canon has addressed this issue by designing a rear slot behind the lens, which allows the use of pre-cut gel filters. These filters are positioned in front of the camera's sensor but behind the lens, enabling photographers to achieve their desired effect. The filters are easy to install or remove by simply detaching the lens from the camera.
Minimum Focus Distance
With a minimum focusing distance of just 9.8 inches (or 0.25 meters), the new Canon 10-20mm f/4 lens offers photographers unique creative opportunities that are hard to find in other lenses on the market. Thanks to its ultra-wide focal length of 10mm, photographers can get up close to their subjects and capture images that have a distinctive look. The lens has a maximum magnification of 0.12x, making it an excellent choice for close-up photography. With this lens, photographers can unleash their creativity and capture stunning shots that stand out from the crowd.
Who Should Try the Canon 10-20mm Lens?
While the new Canon RF 10-20mm f/4 Lens can be used by any photographer to produce creative images, it is specifically designed for certain types of photographers.
Travel Photographers
This lens is bound to be a favorite among travel photographers. The focal length is perfect for capturing detailed travel images. With a minimum focal length of ten inches, you can capture more than what meets the eye. This lens is also lightweight and compact, making it an ideal travel companion.
Landscape and Astrophotographers
This particular lens is also suitable for landscape and astrophotography. It's especially great for those who enjoy hiking to stunning locations as it's lightweight and offers an excellent ultra-wide angle. With this lens, you can capture every detail in your scene, including close-up foreground details and distant background elements such as mountains, rivers, and lakes.
For astrophotography, a minimum focal distance of 10 inches is ideal for capturing wide-angle Milky Way and night sky images without trailing stars.
Videographers
Finally, videographers of all kinds will love this lens. With the quiet and smooth autofocus, this is a great lens for any video project. The focal length makes this lens a great choice for videographers who want to capture a very large scene, or for the creator who wants to get up close for a cinematic scene. Additionally, the fixed aperture of f/4 makes it easy to zoom without having to adjust your camera settings in the middle of your shoot.
Comparable Canon Lenses
The Canon RF 10-20mm f/4 L IS STM Lens stands out among Canon full-frame mirrorless lenses. It is wider than any other lens in the lineup. The most comparable wide-angle lens in Canon's lineup is the RF 14-35mm f/4, which also has a fixed f/4 aperture, weighs 1.2 lbs (19oz), and has a minimum focusing distance of just 7.9 inches.
The 14-35mm lens provides a wide-angle focal length that is more commonly used than the newly launched 10-20mm lens. Even though the two lenses have only a 4mm difference in their minimum focal length, the disparity between 10mm and 14mm is significant. As a result, these lenses offer vastly different features and capabilities for photographers and videographers.