Canon's latest L-series 'hybrid' prime lens is even wider than the last
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission. Rendering: Canon Canon has announced the RF 20mm F1.4 L VCM ultra-wide prime as part of its L-series "hybrid" prime lenses designed for both stills and video work. The 20mm F1.4 shares many characteristics with the existing 24mm, 35mm and 50mm F1.4 L VCM lenses, not least its very similar dimensions and weight, allowing it to be used interchangeably in situations like gimbal-based shooting. Like the existing VCM primes, the 20mm F1.4 can be fitted with both a front 67mm screw-in filter or with a rear-mounted slot-in filter. The design features 15 elements in 11 groups, including two UD and three Super UD elements and a Blue Spectrum Refractive element that refracts blue light to a greater degree than other wavelengths, helping to correct chromatic aberration in wide-angle lenses. It also features the use of both Air Sphere and Sub-wavelength coatings to reduce the likelihood of incident light or internal reflections from lowering image contrast. Rendering: Canon Like the other lenses in the Hybrid prime series, the 20mm has a control ring that can be used to adjust various settings, and a dedicated aperture / iris ring that works when used with the latest R-series cameras. By default the control ring has click stops but it can be made smooth-rotating by Canon service centers, for a fee. The 20mm F1.4 can focus as close as 20cm (7.9"), giving a maximum magnification ratio of 0.19x. Canon says it's been designed to have minimal focus breathing, so that the field of view doesn't significantly change as you approach close focus distance. The 99.3mm length and 77.4mm width of the lens are consistent with the 24, 35 and 50mm lenses that currently make up the rest of the series, and the weight of 519g (18.3 oz) is very similar to its siblings, meaning there's no need to re-calibrate a gimbal or adjust any rigging if the lenses are being swapped during a video project. The Canon RF 20mm F1.4 L VCM will be available at a recommended sales price of $1699. Press release: Canon Unveils New Lenses for High-Level Social Creators Seeking Visual Excellence and Greater Expression Across Stills and Cinematic Video 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
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| Rendering: Canon |
Canon has announced the RF 20mm F1.4 L VCM ultra-wide prime as part of its L-series "hybrid" prime lenses designed for both stills and video work.
The 20mm F1.4 shares many characteristics with the existing 24mm, 35mm and 50mm F1.4 L VCM lenses, not least its very similar dimensions and weight, allowing it to be used interchangeably in situations like gimbal-based shooting.
Like the existing VCM primes, the 20mm F1.4 can be fitted with both a front 67mm screw-in filter or with a rear-mounted slot-in filter.
The design features 15 elements in 11 groups, including two UD and three Super UD elements and a Blue Spectrum Refractive element that refracts blue light to a greater degree than other wavelengths, helping to correct chromatic aberration in wide-angle lenses. It also features the use of both Air Sphere and Sub-wavelength coatings to reduce the likelihood of incident light or internal reflections from lowering image contrast.
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| Rendering: Canon |
Like the other lenses in the Hybrid prime series, the 20mm has a control ring that can be used to adjust various settings, and a dedicated aperture / iris ring that works when used with the latest R-series cameras. By default the control ring has click stops but it can be made smooth-rotating by Canon service centers, for a fee.
The 20mm F1.4 can focus as close as 20cm (7.9"), giving a maximum magnification ratio of 0.19x. Canon says it's been designed to have minimal focus breathing, so that the field of view doesn't significantly change as you approach close focus distance.
The 99.3mm length and 77.4mm width of the lens are consistent with the 24, 35 and 50mm lenses that currently make up the rest of the series, and the weight of 519g (18.3 oz) is very similar to its siblings, meaning there's no need to re-calibrate a gimbal or adjust any rigging if the lenses are being swapped during a video project.
The Canon RF 20mm F1.4 L VCM will be available at a recommended sales price of $1699.
Press release:
Canon Unveils New Lenses for High-Level Social Creators Seeking Visual Excellence and Greater Expression Across Stills and Cinematic Video
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.* For additional information, please visit usa.canon.com.
* Specifications, availability and prices are subject to change without notice. Actual prices are set by individual dealers and may vary.
Canon RF20mm F1.4 L VCM specifications
| Principal specifications | |
|---|---|
| Lens type | Prime lens |
| Max Format size | 35mm FF |
| Focal length | 20 mm |
| Lens mount | Canon RF, Canon RF-S |
| Aperture | |
| Maximum aperture | F1.4 |
| Minimum aperture | F16 |
| Aperture ring | Yes |
| Number of diaphragm blades | 11 |
| Optics | |
| Elements | 15 |
| Groups | 11 |
| Special elements / coatings | 2 UD, 3 Super UD elements, 1 BR element |
| Focus | |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Motor type | Linear Motor |
| Full time manual | Yes |
| Focus method | Internal |
| Distance scale | No |
| DoF scale | No |
| Physical | |
| Weight | 519 g (1.14 lb) |
| Diameter | 77 mm (3.03″) |
| Length | 99 mm (3.9″) |
| Sealing | Yes |
| Filter thread | 67 mm |
| Filter notes | Also features a rear-mount filter slot |
| Hood supplied | Yes |
| Hood product code | EW-73H |
| Tripod collar | No |
| Optional accessories | Comes with LP1219 lens case |
