Canon has expanded its range of hybrid prime lenses with the launch of the RF20mm f/1.4L VCM, now the widest option in its Voice Coil Motor (VCM) lens series. The new lens is aimed at photographers and videographers looking for ultra-wide-angle capabilities with strong performance across both stills and video.
Offering a wide 20mm focal length and a bright f/1.4 maximum aperture, the RF20mm f/1.4L VCM provides high image quality, fast autofocus, and a compact form factor. Weighing only 519g and measuring just 99.3mm in length, it promises portability without compromising on professional-grade optics.
Andrew Koh, Senior Vice President and Head of Singapore Operations Group at Canon Singapore, said: โTo address the needs of an increasing number of content creators who regularly switch between photography and videography to enrich their content, we have launched the ultra-wide-angle RF20mm f/1.4L VCM. The latest addition to the existing range of VCM lenses will empower users’ capabilities to create expressive video with astounding quality.โ
Compact design with ultra-wide capability
The lens delivers expansive perspective and low-light flexibility in a size that defies expectations for a lens of this type. Traditional ultra-wide-angle lenses with large apertures tend to be bulky, but Canon has managed to combine both traits into a lightweight design.
Photographers can take advantage of the 20mm focal length and large aperture to capture architectural scenes in full detail, or shoot in low-light conditions with confidence. In addition to the 67mm front filter thread, the RF20mm f/1.4L VCM includes a rear filter holder that supports sheet-type filters. These are placed close to the sensor to reduce the chance of distortion, enhancing the lens’s creative versatility.
Purpose-built for video recording
The RF20mm f/1.4L VCM has been engineered with video creators in mind. Canon has integrated focus breathing reduction into the lens design, ensuring that changes in focus donโt shift the compositionโespecially important when using camera bodies without built-in breathing correction.
The lens uses a high-thrust VCM, which is controlled by a high-performance microprocessor. This combination enables smooth, near-silent autofocus transitions during video recording, while still offering fast and accurate focus for photography. This makes it an ideal choice for hybrid content creators who need consistent performance across both mediums.
Canon has also ensured compatibility and consistency across its VCM lens lineup. The RF20mm shares the same 67mm filter size, similar weight and size, and matching control layout as its counterparts, allowing users to swap between lenses with minimal rebalancing when using gimbals or other stabilisers. A clickless iris ring allows for seamless aperture adjustments during video shooting, and the rotation direction matches lenses in Canonโs Cinema EOS System, enabling smooth transitions between setups.
High optical performance across the frame
The RF20mm f/1.4L VCM is the first lens in Canonโs VCM range to include Blue Spectrum Refractive (BR) optics. This advanced element suppresses chromatic aberration, which often affects ultra-wide lenses. The result is sharper images with accurate colours from centre to edge.
Two glass-moulded aspherical lenses have been added to reduce common distortions and correct sagittal coma flareโan issue particularly relevant in night photography. This makes the RF20mm well-suited for capturing point light sources such as stars, with minimal distortion and clear definition.
The lens also features Canonโs Air Sphere Coating (ASC) and Subwavelength Structure Coating (SWC), which significantly reduce flare and ghosting. These coatings ensure clear, contrast-rich images even when shooting towards bright light sources. Canon has designed this lens with future imaging demands in mind, making it suitable for use with high-resolution systems, including 8K video production.
Availability and pricing
The Canon RF20mm f/1.4L VCM will be available from 21 April 2025 at a recommended retail price of S$2,629. It will be sold through authorised Canon retailers.
