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MELVILLE, NY, March 26, 2025 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, has announced two new lenses designed for social media creators: the RF-S14-30mm F4-6.3 IS STM PZ, Canon’s first RF Lens with Power Zoom optimized for cinematic video, and the RF20mm F1.4 L VCM, a f/1.4 hybrid prime lens that enables high levels of expression across photo and video shooting.
The RF-S14-30mm F4-6.3 IS STM PZ lens is designed with a variety of shooting scenarios and needs in mind, from cinematic video to livestreaming and selfie POV. The RF-S14-30mm F4-6.3 IS STM PZ lens is packed with convenient functions for both still and video formats, including a wide angle of view, smooth cinema-style Auto Focus, optical Image Stabilization that suppresses blur in challenging situations, and more. Its uniform design and simple operability make it a worthy standard lens for the new Canon EOS R50 V camera, also announced today. When paired, the camera and lens make a beautiful, minimalist package, although the lens can also be seamlessly matched with Canon’s larger EOS R series of cameras.
The outstanding feature of the RF-S14-30mm F4-6.3 IS STM PZ lens is its power zoom design. Its fixed-length zoom with customizable control rings allows each individual creator to achieve their desired style and expressive intentions, while its ease of use allows them to prioritize their creative flow above all else. The use of a ring-style control for power zoom operations instead of a button or lever makes it possible to zoom from any direction regardless of shooting style. This gives more flexibility in angle of view adjustments, allowing users to enjoy great creative possibilities with smooth zooming while securely holding the camera, or zooming to change the angle of view from the front when taking selfies. And in vertical orientation, it provides outstanding operability that does not interfere with camera controls.
The RF20mm F1.4 L VCM is a 20mm ultra wide-angle lens and is the fourth addition to Canon’s RF Hybrid Prime series specifically designed for creators who switch between photo and video shooting. This lens pushes the boundaries of creative expression, offering extensive width, and depth, and beautiful dramatic effects for those who seek a high level of output across still and video shooting. Perfect for creators, video journalists, corporate video professionals, and independent filmmakers, the new RF20mm F1.4 L VCM lens is an impressive addition to Canon’s products that cater to the new era of hybrid shooting needs.
The lens features quiet, fast, and precise AF for both still and video shooting due to Canon’s actuator and focusing systems. It features dramatically reduced focus breathing compared to non-VCM lens, an iris ring for convenient movie shooting, and more. The unbeatable expressive power of an f/1.4 large aperture combined with shallow depth of field lends outstanding optical performance and enables rich, dynamic bokeh. The RF20mm F1.4 L VCM can also be used for shooting rich and clear videos and stills in dark places without increasing the sensitivity. Additionally, the UD and Super UD lenses and the Blue Refractive (BR) optics dramatically reduce the color bleeding that tends to occur with large aperture lenses.
The design of Canon’s RF Hybrid Prime series, now with the addition of the RF20mm F1.4 L VCM lens, was conceptualized to take full advantage of the RF Mount with its minimalist features and compact nature, to create an elegant, sleek camera package that any creator would be proud to take out of their camera bag.
Pricing and Availability
The RF-S14-30mm F4-6.3 IS STM PZ Lens is currently scheduled to be available in July 2025 for an estimated retail price of $329.99. * The RF20mm F1.4 L VCM is currently scheduled to be available in April 2025 for an estimated retail price of $1,699.00.
Canon RF 20mm f/1.4L VCM
- Midwest Photo $1699 (Free 3-year CarePAK with CANONVIDEO Code)
- B&H Photo $1699
- Adorama $1699
- Canon USA $1699
- Wex Photo £1919
- Foto Koch €1999
Canon RF-S 14-30mm f/4-6.3 IS STM PZ
- Midwest Photo $329
- B&H Photo $329
- Adorama $329
- Wex Photo £379
- Foto Koch €399
Although I love the weight on that lens
Of course, with all these great videos features such as Iris control, aperture ring, customizable button and having a unique series with lenses in identical sizes, it really does distinguish itself from the Sigma 20mm DG DN (e-mount). Therefore, the higher price is somewhat justified.
But unfortunately I don't do video and I can´t/ won´t use any of these features. For me personally, it kind of is the disappointment I had expected. For this summer, I'll buy a used copy of the Sigma 20mm F1.4 for EF mount. Since I won´t be carrying this heavy beast everywhere, my hope for the future would either be a 20mm F1.8 similar to the 24mm/ 35mm offerings or a Sigma 20mm F1.4 for RF mount. I don´t believe the second one will come to fruition and I don't see Canon making another (better priced) 20mm F1.4 suited for/ focused on stills photography.
In Germany, the markup to US pricing including VAT is about 16% or 107 €. This is about the usual markup...
At the current exchange rate, $649 is £503. Add 20% UK VAT and it's still only £603.
The correct calculation would be: A net price of $649 would be 603,50€ and Germany adds 19% (!!!) of VAT, so that would be 718€. Therefore the markup is less then 50€ or ~6%.
Interestingly, almost the same applies to the RF20mm: $1699 is 1579€, when adding VAT the German price should be 1879€. The acutal price is again ~6% higher.
Saving money on lenses but risking financial ruin whenever you need medical help? Not for me, sorry!
Only one Australian retailer has a price and is AUD3000 which is basically the USD pricing + 10%GST. At least Canon Australia isn't gouging buyers here vs Europer/UK
I can't justify the price at this time vs my Sigma EF20/1.4 but the Canon version is 60% of the weight and a third of the length.
A 14/1.4 or 18/1.4 would need to be too big to match the other VCM lenses.
Does Anybody else thinks, the VCM idea was a bit stupid? Without the VCM body some lenses would be far shorter.
I really despise the size of the 24-105/2.8. It’s to long, because it uses the 70-200 Z body.
I will be interested in your thoughts once you receive your RF20/1.4
John Rutter even did a sky at 85mm so about 180 panels and the stitching caused many headaches and swore never to do it again!
Trevor Dobson uses 35mm and 50mm but doesn't have a astro modified body so he takes longer exposures with a Ha front filter as well. For a full arch, he will stitch together ~100 images (foreground/sky and Ha).
He uses the longer focal lengths as the Ha front filter is only available for those lenses.
What he is able to achieve with cheaper equipment puts the rest of us to shame! Having access to bortle 1 skies in Western Australia helps immensely.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/trevor_dobson_inefekt69/