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Canon launches distortion-free compact ultra-wide 10-20mm f/4 lens

The new Canon RF 10-20mm F4L IS STM (Image Source: Canon)
The new Canon RF 10-20mm F4L IS STM (Image Source: Canon)
Canon has just launched what it claims is the “widest auto focus zoom lens ever made for a full frame camera”, the RF 10-20mm F4L IS STM. It is a non-fisheye (aka rectilinear) lens which provides zero distortion with straight lines right to the frame edges, making it the ideal lens for architectural and landscape photography. The compact 570 g lens can be pre-ordered for US$2,299 and will be available in November.
Camera Launch

Last week, when we reported on SIGMA’s ultra compact and lightweight 10-18mm F2.8 wide-angle lens for the L-Mount, E-Mount and X-mount, a Canon RF version was conspicuously absent because of Canon’s controversial exclusion of third-party lenses from its mirrorless mount. Now, Canon has launched its own ultra wide lens, the RF 10-20mm F4L IS STM. And unlike SIGMA’s APS-C lens which is equivalent to 15-27 mm in 35 mm, the Canon’s new lens is a true full frame lens, making it “the widest full-frame auto-focus zoom lens ever” according to Canon.

While sub 16 mm is typically the domain of fisheye lenses which have extreme barrel distortion, this new lens has a rectilinear optical design, which means straight lines stay straight right to the frame edges. This makes it ideal for capturing dramatically wide perspectives of architecture and landscapes. At just 570 g, it is also remarkably compact – in fact less than half the weight of Canon’s older EF 11-24mm f/4L USM lens for SLR cameras.

Edge-to-edge straight lines in architecture (Image Source: Canon)
Edge-to-edge straight lines in architecture (Image Source: Canon)
Dramatically wide perspectives in landscapes (Image Source: Canon)
Dramatically wide perspectives in landscapes (Image Source: Canon)

As an L-series lens, it features high-quality coatings to reduce ghosting and flare, and a durable dustproof and waterproof build for professional use. Its stepper motor ensures smooth and quiet focusing, which is particularly useful for video. It also has a function button and control ring that can be assigned to control different shooting functions/parameters. A built-in lens hood protects the bulbous, protruding front element, but makes screw-in filters impossible, so a rear filter holder is provided that can take gelatin filters.

The new Peripheral Control IS technology addresses a common issue with image stabilisation (IS) on wide-angle lenses. Typically, uneven distortion characteristics at the edges create a wobbly effect in video and blurring in still shots when using IS. Canon has employed a special algorithm to counter this effect and deliver up to 5 stops of optical stabilisation (or 6 with in-body stabilisation).

The Canon RF10-20mm F4 L IS STM lens is expected to be available in November for US$2,299, and can be pre-ordered now from Canon’s US and Europe websites. Those looking to get into full-frame photography can buy the Canon EOS R6 Mark II full frame camera, or the newly released Canon EOS R8 full-frame camera with RF 24-50mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM lens on Amazon

Rear filter holder for gelatin filters (Image Source: Canon)
Rear filter holder for gelatin filters (Image Source: Canon)
Built-in hood to protect front element (Image Source: Canon)
Built-in hood to protect front element (Image Source: Canon)
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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2023 10 > Canon launches distortion-free compact ultra-wide 10-20mm f/4 lens
Vishal Bhardwaj, 2023-10-11 (Update: 2024-08-15)