Canon RF 15–30mm F4.5–6.3 IS STM vs Canon RF 16–28mm F2.8 IS STM
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| CanonRF 15–30mm F4.5–6.3 IS STM | CanonRF 16–28mm F2.8 IS STM | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | August 2022 | February 2025 |
| Optics | ||
| Lens type | Zoom | Zoom |
| Focal length | 15–30 mm | 16–28 mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/4.5–6.3 | f/2.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22–32 | f/22 |
| Optical construction | 13 elements in 11 groups | 16 elements in 13 groups |
| Special elements | One plastic-moulded aspherical and two UD elements; Super Spectra coating; no fluorine coating | Four UD elements and two aspherical elements, including a large-diameter replica aspherical element |
| Aperture detail | Minimum f/22 at 15 mm and f/32 at 30 mm | – |
| Diaphragm | Seven blades | Nine blades |
| Angle of view | – | Full-frame horizontal 98°–65°, vertical 74°10′–46° and diagonal 108°10′–75° |
| Mount and compatibility | ||
| Mounts | Canon RF | Canon RF |
| Image circle | Full frame | Full frame |
| Compatibility | Full-frame Canon RF mount; compatible with APS-C EOS R bodies; RF extenders and EF extension tubes not compatible | Canon EOS R cameras; full-frame image circle. Physical 16–28 mm focal length, distinct from RF16mm F2.8 STM prime |
| Focus and stabilisation | ||
| Autofocus | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum focus distance | 0.128 m (manual focus) | 0.2 m |
| Maximum magnification | 0.52× (manual focus) | 0.26× |
| Optical stabilisation | Yes | Yes |
| Autofocus detail | STM autofocus and electronic manual focusing | Lead-screw STM autofocus and electronic full-time manual focus; inner focusing keeps lens length constant during focusing |
| Focus distance detail | Autofocus minimum 0.28 m across the zoom range; manual-focus minimum 0.128 m at 15 mm and 0.28 m at 20–30 mm | Maker minimum focus distance 0.20 m at 28 mm; Digital Camera World reports 0.25 m at 16 mm. Maker AF/MF distinction absent and omitted |
| Magnification detail | Autofocus maximum 0.09× at 15 mm, 0.11× at 20 mm and 0.16× at 30 mm; manual-focus maximum 0.52× at 15 mm, 0.11× at 20 mm and 0.16× at 30 mm | Maker maximum magnification 0.26× at 28 mm; no unpublished AF/MF distinction inferred |
| Stabilisation detail | Optical IS rated 5.5 stops with EOS R at 30 mm under CIPA, yaw/pitch; coordinated IS rated seven stops with EOS R5 at 30 mm under CIPA, yaw/pitch | Lens optical IS rated 5.5 stops at 28 mm with EOS R8, yaw/pitch under CIPA2024. Coordinated EOS R1 body/lens IS rated eight central and7.5 peripheral stops at28mm, yaw/pitch/roll. Digital Camera World measured about four stops on EOS R8 at16mm, a different test condition |
| Video features | – | Maker describes smooth quiet movie autofocus; Digital Camera World reports minimal focus breathing |
| Design | ||
| Dust and moisture resistant | No | Yes |
| Filter diameter | 67 mm | 67 mm |
| Maximum diameter | 76.6 mm | 76.5 mm |
| Length | 88.4 mm | 91 mm |
| Weight | 390 g (better) | 445 g |
| Controls | Combined focus/control ring with selector, zoom ring and IS on/off switch | Shared focus/control ring and AF/control/MF selector; separate zoom ring and IS switch |
| Zoom design | Barrel extends towards the 15 mm setting | Retractable zoom must be extended for shooting; maker length91mm stored,112.8mm at16mm and102.1mm at28mm. Camera-side electronic distortion correction is part of the optical design according to Canon Camera Museum |
| Filter detail | – | 67 mm front filter thread |
| Weather resistance | No dust or moisture resistance | Dust and moisture resistant construction requires attachment to a camera; cannot completely prevent dust or water ingress and is not waterproof |
| Dimensions detail | Approximately 76.6 mm maximum diameter × 88.4 mm length, retracted | Approximately76.5mm maximum diameter ×91mm stored;112.8mm long at16mm and102.1mm at28mm |
| Weight detail | Approximately 390 g lens | Approximately445g lens |
| Lens hood | EW-73E hood and LP1116 pouch, sold separately | EW-73E, sold separately |
| In the box | Lens, E-67 II front cap, RF lens dust cap and user manual | UK maker store lists lens, E-67 II front cap, Lens Dust Cap RF and user manual |
| Release detail | August 2022 marketed month in Canon Camera Museum | February2025 marketed month in Canon Camera Museum; original Japan maker announcement and FAQ specify lateFebruary. No exact international first retail day inferred. Co-sold ultra-wide zooms are alternatives, with no inferred successor link |
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