Canon’s new RF24‑50mm F4.5‑6.3 IS STM lens arrives as a pocket‑sized standard zoom, ready to pair with the compact EOS R8 or any full‑frame R‑series camera.
Published by Abby Ferguson on February 8, 2023.
Canon has just announced a handful of new pieces of equipment aimed at entry‑level photographers, and the RF24‑50mm is the highlight of the lineup. The lens is sold on its own for $299.99, but it is also the default kit lens for the newly announced EOS R8. When purchased together, the kit costs $1,699.00—$100 less than buying the camera and lens separately.
During a recent press trip, we tested the lens exclusively on the R8. While a full‑length review is planned for later, this snapshot gives you an idea of what to expect after two days of shooting in Charleston, South Carolina.
What Is the Canon RF24‑50mm F4.5‑6.3 IS STM?
The RF24‑50mm is a compact standard zoom designed for Canon’s full‑frame EOS R‑series. It covers a practical all‑round focal range from wide to normal—24‑50 mm on full‑frame, and 38‑80 mm on APS‑C‑sensor R‑series bodies. The lens features 4.5 stops of optical image stabilization, an essential companion to the R8’s lack of in‑body stabilization.
Key specs:
• Aperture: f/4.5‑6.3
• Build: 8 elements in 8 groups, including two aspherical elements and Canon’s Super Spectra coating
• Aperture blades: seven (yielding a mildly octagonal bokeh)
• Size: 3.4 inches (8.6 cm) when extended, 7.4 ounces (210 g) overall
Design & Build
The lens is an example of how small a modern zoom can be. Weighing just 7.4 ounces, it fits comfortably in a jacket pocket and barely adds bulk to your camera. Its eight‑group optical design delivers sharp, well‑contrasted images even at the widest settings. The Super Spectra coating reduces flare and ghosting, while the seven‑blade aperture provides pleasant background blur—though the shape isn’t perfectly round.
On the lens body you’ll find an AF/MF switch and a stabilization on/off button. The manual focus ring is dual‑function, letting you program it to a custom setting in the camera’s menu.
Weather sealing is absent, so a rain cover is advisable for wet conditions. We did shoot after a heavy morning in South Carolina, and the lens held up well, but we recommend caution if you plan to expose it to prolonged rain.
First Impressions
What immediately stands out is the lens’s compactness and the excellent balance it offers with the EOS R8. The RF24‑50mm provides a useful wide‑angle to normal zoom without the bulk of a 24‑70 mm kit.
Image quality is impressive for the price. Even at f/4.5, the lens delivers sharp, detailed results with minimal distortion—ideal for architecture and street photography. The stabilization works effectively, and the bokeh, while not perfectly circular, remains pleasing. A minor limitation is the close focusing distance: 11.8 inches (30 cm) at 24 mm and 13.8 inches (35 cm) at 50 mm.
Below are a few sample shots taken with the R8 (unmodified JPEGs). They demonstrate the lens’s overall clarity and the subtlety of its color rendition.
Overall, the RF24‑50mm delivers solid performance for its modest price tag. Its size, weight, and stabilization make it an attractive choice for beginners and travelers alike.
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