Canon RF 16mm F2.8 STM vs Canon RF 20mm F1.4 L VCM

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RF 16mm F2.8 STM compared with RF 20mm F1.4 L VCM

	CanonRF 16mm F2.8 STM	CanonRF 20mm F1.4 L VCM
Overview
Released
Released	October 2021	April 2025
Optics
Lens type
Lens type	Prime	Prime
Focal length
Focal length	16 mm	20 mm
Maximum aperture
Maximum aperture	f/2.8	f/1.4
Minimum aperture
Minimum aperture	f/22	f/16
Optical construction
Optical construction	Nine elements in seven groups	Fifteen elements in eleven groups
Special elements
Special elements	One aspherical element	One Super UD, two UD, one BR and two glass-moulded aspherical elements; ASC, SWC and Super Spectra coatings; front fluorine coating
Diaphragm
Diaphragm	Seven blades	Eleven blades with circular aperture
Mount and compatibility
Mounts
Mounts	Canon RF	Canon RF
Image circle
Image circle	Full frame	Full frame
Compatibility
Compatibility	Canon RF mount, full-frame image circle; RF extenders and EF extension tubes not compatible	Canon RF mount for full-frame and APS-C EOS R cameras; RF extenders not compatible. Iris ring provides movie aperture control; Canon lists EOS R, RP, Ra, R3, R5, R6, R6 Mark II, R7, R8, R10, R50, R100 and R5 C as unable to set still-photo aperture with this ring even with their latest firmware
Focus and stabilisation
Autofocus
Autofocus	Yes	Yes
Minimum focus distance
Minimum focus distance	0.13 m	0.2 m
Maximum magnification
Maximum magnification	0.26×	0.19×
Optical stabilisation
Optical stabilisation	No	No
Autofocus detail
Autofocus detail	STM autofocus and electronic manual focusing	Rear focusing system driven by a VCM motor
Focus distance detail
Focus distance detail	Minimum focusing distance 0.13 m; inner barrel extends when powered and during focusing	Minimum focus 0.2 m
Magnification detail
Magnification detail	Maximum 0.26× reproduction	Maximum 0.19×
Stabilisation detail
Stabilisation detail	No optical IS, per OpticalLimits and Cameralabs; compatible camera stabilisation is separate	No optical stabiliser; Canon rates EOS R1 in-body stabilisation at 8 stops centrally and 5 stops in the corners under CIPA-2024 testing
Design
Dust and moisture resistant
Dust and moisture resistant	No	Yes
Filter diameter
Filter diameter	43 mm	67 mm
Maximum diameter
Maximum diameter	69.2 mm	76.5 mm
Length
Length	40.2 mm	99.3 mm
Weight
Weight	165 g (better)	519 g
Controls
Controls	Combined focus/control ring and function switch; Cameralabs notes manual focus also needs selecting in camera settings	Electronic manual-focus, customisable control and smooth-action iris rings; iris Auto-position lock; customisable lens function button; AF/MF switch
Filter detail
Filter detail	Only one filter at a time; Canon 250D/500D close-up lenses and PL-C B circular polariser not compatible	67 mm front thread and rear filter holder; Canon specifies a single rear filter no thicker than 0.2 mm and recommends removing the holder when unused to avoid possible ghosting
Weather resistance
Weather resistance	OpticalLimits and Cameralabs report no weather sealing	Dust and moisture resistant construction with mount rubber seal
Dimensions detail
Dimensions detail	Approximately 69.2 mm maximum diameter × 40.2 mm length, retracted	Approximately 76.5 mm maximum diameter × 99.3 mm length
Weight detail
Weight detail	Approximately 165 g lens	Approximately 519 g lens
Lens hood
Lens hood	EW-65C, sold separately	EW-73H hood included
In the box
In the box	Lens, EF-43 front cap, RF lens dust cap and user manual kit	Lens, E-67 II front cap, RF dust cap, EW-73H hood, LP1219 case, rear filter holder and user manual
Release detail
Release detail	October 2021 marketed month in Canon Camera Museum	April 2025 marketed month in Canon Camera Museum