Canon RF 16mm F2.8 Review
Released in 2021, the Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM is an ultra-wide-angle prime lens designed for Canon’s RF-mount mirrorless cameras. With its compact size, lightweight design, and affordable price, it is an excellent option for landscape, architecture, astrophotography, and vlogging. Despite being one of the most budget-friendly RF primes, it offers strong performance and a fast f/2.8 aperture, making it a versatile addition to Canon’s RF lineup.
Build and Design
The RF 16mm f/2.8 STM is built with portability in mind, weighing only 165g. Its small size makes it a perfect companion for Canon’s compact full-frame bodies, such as the EOS R8 or RP, as well as APS-C models like the R7 or R10, where it provides a 25.6mm equivalent focal length.
The lens features a plastic exterior with a metal lens mount, which helps keep the weight down while maintaining durability. There is a single control ring that can be used for manual focus or reassigned to functions like ISO or aperture. The lens lacks a dedicated focus mode switch, requiring menu navigation to toggle autofocus and manual focus.
One notable omission is weather sealing, so extra care is needed when shooting in harsh conditions. The front element accepts 43mm filters, a relatively small and less common size.
Optical Performance
For an ultra-wide lens at this price point, the RF 16mm f/2.8 delivers solid optical quality. Center sharpness is impressive, even at f/2.8, making it a strong choice for landscape and astrophotography. However, the edges are softer wide open and improve when stopped down to f/5.6 or f/8.
There is noticeable barrel distortion, which is expected for such a compact wide-angle design. While this can be corrected in-camera for JPEGs and video, RAW shooters may need to apply distortion correction in post-processing. Some vignetting is present at f/2.8 but is easily mitigated by stopping down or applying lens corrections.
Bokeh is surprisingly smooth for an ultra-wide lens, especially at close focusing distances, thanks to the f/2.8 aperture and 17cm minimum focusing distance. This allows for creative wide-angle close-ups with strong subject separation.
Autofocus Performance
The lens uses Canon’s STM (Stepping Motor) autofocus system, which provides fast, quiet, and accurate focusing. It performs well for stills and is particularly useful for video, thanks to its smooth operation and minimal focus breathing.
For vlogging and handheld video, autofocus remains responsive, especially when paired with Canon’s face and eye-detection AF. The wide field of view helps keep subjects in frame, even at arm’s length.
Handling and Versatility
The RF 16mm f/2.8 is an incredibly versatile lens for its size and price. Its ultra-wide perspective makes it well-suited for landscapes, travel, architecture, and astrophotography. For APS-C users, it becomes a slightly less extreme 25.6mm equivalent, making it useful for street and environmental portraits.
Its compact size makes it ideal for gimbal work, and its ability to focus closely adds creative possibilities. However, the lack of image stabilisation means handheld low-light shooting requires careful technique or pairing with an IBIS-equipped camera.
Drawbacks
- Noticeable distortion, particularly at the edges, requiring correction in post-processing
- No weather sealing, limiting its durability in extreme conditions
- Edge sharpness wide open is not as strong as the center
- No optical image stabilisation, which would benefit handheld shooting
Conclusion
The Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM is an excellent ultra-wide prime for photographers and videographers who want an affordable, lightweight, and fast-aperture lens. While it has some distortion and lacks weather sealing, its portability, autofocus performance, and sharp central resolution make it a great choice for vlogging, landscapes, and creative wide-angle photography.
For those who need an ultra-wide perspective without breaking the bank, the RF 16mm f/2.8 offers great value and is a fun, capable lens to have in any RF kit.
Examples
Here are some recent photos I captured using the Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM lens. These sample shots highlight the lens’s performance across different conditions, settings, and subjects. To view the complete collection of photos taken with this lens, the link.
