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There is a new round of optical designs from Canon showing off what appears to be APS-C prime lenses. We all know that Canon does need to add a few more native RF-S options to their lens lineup.
There are four new designs that are likely for APS-C cameras, and they look quite small size, which a lot of people like. Unfortunately for the enthusiast, they aren't the fastest lens designs out there, but that probably wouldn't matter for the potential target consumer.
The most interesting lens and what I would consider the most likely candidate to become a product is the RF-S 10mm F2.8 design. The design looks quite small, at only about 45mm in physical length.
There does look to be some stretching with this design, but this is going to be the norm going forward if you want to make lenses as small and light as possible.
Optical Designs
Canon RF-S 10mm F2.8
| Focal length | 10.02 |
| F-number | 2.83 |
| Half angle of view | 48.98 |
| Image height | 11.52 |
| Total lens length | 65.00 |
| Back focus distance | 12.00 |
Canon RF-S 12mm F2.8
| Focal length | 12.38 |
| F-number | 2.83 |
| Half angle of view | 42.99 |
| Image height | 11.54 |
| Total lens length | 63.50 |
| Back focus distance | 12.00 |
Canon RF-S 18mm F2.8
| Focal length | 18.13 |
| F-number | 2.83 |
| Half angle of view | 33.83 |
| Image height | 12.15 |
| Total lens length | 70.71 |
| Back focus distance | 12.00 |
Canon RF-S 28mm F2.8
| Focal length | 28.17 |
| F-number | 2.83 |
| Half angle of view | 24.14 |
| Image height | 12.63 |
| Total lens length | 67.03 |
| Back focus distance | 15.32 |
There are new RF-S lenses coming
Canon will be releasing new RF-S lenses in 2026. I think we're going to see some “prosumer” lenses as well as lenses like we see from these latest patent designs.
I do wish Canon would bring the EF-M 32mm F1.4 over to the RF mount, but here we wait.
A small wide angle prime like an RF-S 10mm F2.8 STM would probably sell in droves if it came to market, even if it doesn't interest me all that much.
Remember, just because something appears in patent applications doesn't mean it will ever become a consumer product. This just gives you an idea of where Canon could be going with future lenses.
Interesting that the patent design for the RF-S 28/2.8 looks very different from the existing RF 28/2.8. I suspect if any of these designs become products, it will be the wide one(s).
On another note, the 12mm and 18mm would be very compelling street-style prime lenses for Canon's smaller APS-C cameras.
I would tend to disagree. But only because of Canon's reluctance (regarding APS-C) to release anything that isn't going to either be incredibly popular or cost-effective.
The R50 has sold quite well from what I understand - but then again, the reasoning to produce the R100 is anyone's guess.
And all the first-party RF-S lenses (excluding the fisheyes) have been within the cost-effective range.
Canon has lost any incentive to take calculated risks or focus on anything other than their professional range of cameras/lenses. I'm just glad the Sigma and Tamron partnerships have proven fruitful.
28mm is too long for my personal taste so I would have prefered a 24mm pancake as well.
It is a sad situation that Canon didn't even convert existing and highly regarded EF-M lens designs until today.
And the old "double zoom kits" are really annoying, even if they are still well sold at entry level.
I still don't get, why Canon did decide to design the RF-S 55-210mm F5-7.1 IS STM, instead of converting the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM.
I don't see the size/weight advantage over losing the extra 40 mm and the brighter aperture.
120210 (thanks, @Maximilian) has fewer elements than the EF-S 55-250, and far fewer than the EF-M 55-200. Thus, the 'advantage' of the RF-S 55-210mm is not to the benefit of consumers but rather to Canon – it's cheaper to produce and Canon still charges more for it meaning an even higher profit margin.At this point, I´d just be glad if Canon releases RF-S primes.
W(thanks, neuro) this is just 🤢If - at least - it would have been much smaller, but it isn't.
I've used it quite a lot for traveling (light) and for being cheap (in case of theft) together with my 200D and it performed (both photos @250mm plus cropping):
RF-S 28mm F2.8？ Oh there already have a RF 28mm F2.8....small, cheap and strong...