LensCanon71% by Neofiliac Team79% by External Reviewers

Canon RF 16mm F2.8 STM

Full-Frame Lens

Product Gallery

Photo 0of Canon RF 16mm F2.8 STM Photo 1of Canon RF 16mm F2.8 STM Photo 2of Canon RF 16mm F2.8 STM Photo 3of Canon RF 16mm F2.8 STM Photo 4of Canon RF 16mm F2.8 STM

Product Overview

Canon RF16mm F2.8 STM is a compact ultra-wide-angle prime lens for the company's RF-mount mirrorless system. The first ultra-wide lens in the RF system, the RF16mm F2.8 STM targets the consumer market as a light and affordable option that should sell in higher volumes.
Aesthetically, the RF16mm F2.8 STM takes on the identical design shared by other affordable RF-mount lenses such as RF50mm F1.8 STM and RF85mm F2 Macro IS STM. It has a moderate f/2.8 maximum aperture and uses a single STM stepping motor for autofocus. These specifications alongside the 7-bladed aperture again affirm the market positioning of this lens.
As per usual, Canon does not include a lens hood for the RF16mm F2.8 STM in the box, though it happily accepts one. There is also a 43mm filter thread.
While this lens does not look like a reason to buy into Canon's RF system, for those who are already bought into the system it is certainly a welcoming addition that will be found in many photographers' bags.

Ratings

What we found

Neofiliac score 71%
Pros
  • Compact and lightweight
  • Good price point
Cons
  • Lens hood not included
  • Lacks weather sealing

What external reviewers found

External score 79%
Pros
  • Good build quality
  • Excellent sharpness
  • Good image quality
  • Compact, light and affordable
  • Lightweight, compact design
  • Ultra-wide coverage
Cons
  • No weather protection
  • No optical stabilisation
  • High price
  • Heavy barrel distortion
  • Vignetting in corners

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Price Comparison

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Specifications

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External Reviews

cameralabs[1]

Reviewer score 77% (normalized by Neofiliac)
Reviewers from cameralabs have found:
Like many compact and affordable lenses today, the RF 16 2.8 makes substantial use of digital corrections, in particular to compensate for significant barrel distortion. If you shoot video or JPEGs in-camera, the corrections take place automatically and you’re left with a normal-looking image. But if you shoot RAW, applying the lens profile in your software will have the same effect, but it also gives you the chance to turn it off.
Pros
  • Ultra-wide coverage
  • Compact, light and affordable
  • Digital corrections
Cons
  • No optical stabilisation
  • Vignetting in corners

digitalpicture[2]

Reviewer score 78% (normalized by Neofiliac)
Reviewers from digitalpicture have found:
The Canon RF 16mm F2.8 STM Lens is compatible with all Canon EOS R-series cameras. The lens has extreme barrel distortion, strong lateral CA, and a budget AF system. The RF 16 uses smaller filters (43mm vs. 82mm) and has a higher maximum magnification.
Pros
  • Low price
  • Low distortion and lateral CA
  • Good image quality
  • Good build quality
Cons
  • High price

pcmag[3]

Reviewer score 82% (normalized by Neofiliac)
Reviewers from pcmag have found:
Canon's RF 16mm F2.8 STM is easy to recommend to Canon system owners. If you're using an EOS R or RP, you may miss the feature for handheld video work. The lens manages both good resolution and crisp multi-point sunstars at f/16.
Pros
  • Lightweight, compact design
  • Excellent sharpness
  • Dust and splash protection
  • Autofocus
Cons
  • Heavy barrel distortion
  • No weather protection

Also Check

Product ComparisonProducts in LensProducts by CanonKeyword autofocusKeyword mirrorlessKeyword prime-lensKeyword rf-mountKeyword ultra-wideKeyword wide-angle

References

  1. ^ Canon RF 16mm f2.8 STM review. [cameralabs].
  2. ^ Canon RF 16mm F2.8 STM Lens Review. [digitalpicture].
  3. ^ Canon RF 16mm F2.8 STM Review. [pcmag].

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