Canon RF 20-50mm F4L IS USM PZ vs Canon RF-S 18–150mm F3.5–6.3 IS STM
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| CanonRF 20-50mm F4L IS USM PZ | CanonRF-S 18–150mm F3.5–6.3 IS STM | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | June 2026 | June 2022 |
| Optics | ||
| Lens type | Zoom | Zoom |
| Focal length | 20–50 mm | 18–150 mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/4 | f/3.5–6.3 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/22–40 |
| Optical construction | 13 elements in 11 groups | 17 elements in 13 groups |
| Special elements | Two glass-moulded aspherical and three UD elements | One UD, one plastic-moulded and one glass-moulded aspherical element; Super Spectra coating; no fluorine coating |
| Coatings | ASC and Super Spectra; fluorine coating on the front element | – |
| Aperture detail | Constant maximum f/4, minimum f/22 throughout the range | Minimum f/22 at 18 mm and f/40 at 150 mm with one-third-stop display |
| Diaphragm | Nine aperture blades | Seven blades, circular aperture |
| Angle of view | Horizontal 84°–40°, vertical 62°–27° and diagonal 94°–46° on full frame | – |
| Mount and compatibility | ||
| Mounts | Canon RF | Canon RF |
| Image circle | Full frame | APS-C |
| Compatibility | Canon EOS R cameras; full-frame image circle; power-zoom control from camera body or remote devices depends on compatible model and firmware | Canon RF mount with APS-C image circle; full-frame EOS R cameras use an APS-C crop; RF extenders and EF extension tubes not compatible |
| Teleconverter support | Canon RF extenders not compatible | – |
| Focus and stabilisation | ||
| Autofocus | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum focus distance | 0.24 m | 0.12 m (manual focus) |
| Maximum magnification | 0.33× | 0.59× (manual focus) |
| Optical stabilisation | Yes | Yes |
| Autofocus detail | Nano USM autofocus; full-time manual focus; maker rear-focus design retains length during focusing | STM autofocus and electronic manual focusing |
| Focus distance detail | – | Autofocus minimum 0.17 m at 18–35 mm and 0.45 m at 150 mm; manual-focus minimum 0.12 m at 18–24 mm or 0.13 m at 35 mm |
| Magnification detail | Maker maximum magnification 0.14× at 20 mm or 0.33× at 50 mm; no AF/MF mode specified in the table | Autofocus maximum 0.44× at 50 mm, per Japan maker table and Camera Museum; manual-focus maximum 0.59× at 35 mm |
| Stabilisation detail | Maker six-stop optical IS or combined camera/lens eight stops at centre and corners under CIPA-2024, at maximum focal length with its specified camera; not guaranteed in every shooting setup | Optical IS rated 4.5 stops on EOS R10 at 150 mm under CIPA, yaw/pitch; up to seven stops coordinated with EOS R7 sensor IS at 150 mm under CIPA, yaw/pitch; Dynamic IS for movies |
| Video features | Internal multi-speed power zoom and optically suppressed focus breathing; zoom ring switches between powered and conventional manual operation | – |
| Design | ||
| Dust and moisture resistant | Yes | No |
| Filter diameter | 67 mm | 55 mm |
| Maximum diameter | 79.9 mm | 69 mm |
| Length | 98.4 mm | 84.5 mm |
| Weight | 420 g | 310 g (better) |
| Controls | Customisable control ring, focus ring and zoom ring; PZ/MZ selector, custom button, AF/MF and stabiliser switches (Digital Camera World; ePHOTOzine) | Combined focus/control ring and zoom ring; AF/MF and IS controlled through camera settings |
| Zoom design | Internal zoom/focus keeps barrel length fixed; ePHOTOzine describes conventional mechanical manual zoom, while Digital Camera World's prose calls it fly-by-wire; no silent choice between those reviewer descriptions | Extending barrel |
| Filter detail | 67 mm front screw-in filter thread | – |
| Weather resistance | Dust and moisture resistant with mount gasket; maker warns camera attachment is required and protection cannot prevent all dust or water ingress; no waterproof/IP rating inferred | No dust or moisture resistance |
| Dimensions detail | Approximately 79.9 mm maximum diameter × 98.4 mm length | Approximately 69 mm maximum diameter × 84.5 mm length, retracted |
| Weight detail | Approximately 420 g lens | Approximately 310 g lens |
| Lens hood | ES-73B; maker lists E-67 II cap, Lens Dust Cap RF and LP1219 pouch as accessories | EW-60F, sold separately |
| In the box | – | Lens, E-55 front cap, RF lens dust cap and user manual |
| Release detail | Canon Japan's 11 June 2026 notice confirms first sale from 26 June 2026, resolving the earlier late-June launch wording | June 2022 marketed month in Canon Camera Museum |
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