Canon's new RF 16-28mm F2.8 wide-angle zoom lens impressed me, but I'm less convinced we need it
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A perfect partner with the EOS R8 and EOS R6 Mark II. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. Canon has unveiled its latest ultra-wide-angle zoom lens for its full-frame mirrorless cameras, the RF 16-28mm F2.8 IS STM, and I got a proper feel for it during a hands-on session hosted by Canon ahead of its launch.
![[Canon RF 16-28mm F2.8 IS STM lens attached to a Canon EOS R8 on a wooden table]](https://vanilla.futurecdn.net/cyclingnews/media/img/missing-image.svg)
It features a bright maximum F2.8 aperture across its entire 16-28mm range, and is a much more compact and affordable option for enthusiasts than Canon’s pro RF 15-35mm F2.8L IS USM lens. Consider the 16-28mm a sensible match for Canon’s beginner and mid-range full-frame cameras, such as the EOS R8.
Design-wise, the 16-28mm is a perfect match with the RF 28-70mm F2.8 IS STM lens. The pair share the same control layout and are almost identical in size, although the 28-70mm lens is around 10% heavier. The new lens is seemingly part of a move by Canon to deliver more accessible fast-aperture zooms that fit better with Canon's smaller mirrorless bodies – the 16-28mm weighs just 15.7oz / 445g and costs $1,149 / £1,249, much less than the comparable pro L-series lens.
Despite its lower price, the 16-28mm still feels reassuringly solid. The rugged lens, which is made in Japan, features a secure metal lens mount. You get a customizable control ring, autofocus / manual focus switch, plus an optical stabilizer switch, and that's the extent of the external controls.
When paired with a Canon camera that features in-body image stabilization, such as the EOS R6 Mark II, you get up to eight stops of stabilization; the cheaper EOS R8 isn't blessed with that feature, and on that camera the lens offers 5.5 stops of stabilization.
