Everything You Need To Know About Canon RF-S Lens Mount

Canon’s RF-S lens mount has become an essential part of the company’s expanding mirrorless ecosystem, catering specifically to APS-C cameras in the EOS R series. With the growing popularity of Canon’s APS-C mirrorless lineup, understanding the RF-S lens mount is crucial for photographers looking to maximize their gear’s potential.

In this blog, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the Canon RF-S mount, including its compatibility, advantages, and available lenses.

What Is the Canon RF-S Lens Mount?

The Canon RF-S lens mount is a variation of the standard RF mount, designed exclusively for APS-C sensor cameras in the Canon EOS R system. RF-S lenses have the same physical mount as full-frame RF lenses, meaning they can be used on both APS-C and full-frame Canon mirrorless cameras. However, when mounted on a full-frame camera, RF-S lenses typically crop the image due to their design for smaller sensors.

Key Features of RF-S Lenses

  • Designed specifically for APS-C Canon mirrorless cameras
  • Smaller and lighter than full-frame RF lenses
  • Cost-effective alternative to RF lenses
  • Compatible with full-frame EOS R cameras (with a cropped image)

Compatibility and Camera Support

The RF-S lens mount is fully compatible with Canon’s APS-C EOS R mirrorless cameras, such as:

Canon EOS R7 – A high-performance APS-C camera aimed at enthusiasts and sports shooters.
Canon EOS R10 – A compact and budget-friendly option for beginners and vloggers.
Canon EOS R50 – A lightweight entry-level APS-C camera perfect for casual shooters.
Canon EOS R100 – An ultra-affordable mirrorless camera for first-time users.

RF-S Lens Compatibility with Full-Frame EOS R Cameras

Canon full-frame mirrorless cameras, like the EOS R5, R6 Mark II, and R8, can mount RF-S lenses. However, since RF-S lenses are designed for smaller sensors, using them on a full-frame body will result in an automatic 1.6x crop, reducing the effective resolution.

For example:

  • On an EOS R5 (45MP full-frame sensor), an RF-S lens would use only a cropped portion of the sensor, reducing the effective resolution to about 17MP.

Available RF-S Lenses

As Canon expands its APS-C mirrorless lineup, more RF-S lenses are being introduced. Some of the most popular RF-S lenses include:

  • Canon RF-S 18-45mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM – A compact kit lens ideal for everyday photography.
  • Canon RF-S 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM – A versatile zoom lens perfect for travel.
  • Canon RF-S 55-210mm f/5-7.1 IS STM – A budget-friendly telephoto lens for wildlife and sports photography.

Canon EF to RF Lens Mounts Adapter

Mount Name Check Price
EF to RF Amazon | BHphoto
EF to RF + Control Ring Amazon | BHphoto
EF to RF + Filter V ND Amazon | BHphoto
EF to RF + Filter Polarizer Amazon | BHphoto

All the products are available B&HAdorama.

RF-S 18-45mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM $299.00 B&HAdorama
RF-S 18-150m F3.5-6.3 IS STM $479.00 B&HAdorama
Canon EOS R7 $1,499.00 AmazonB&HAdorama
Canon EOS R10 $979.00 AmazonB&HAdorama

Advantages of the Canon RF-S Lens Mount

Compact & Lightweight – RF-S lenses are smaller and more portable than full-frame RF lenses.
Affordable Options – RF-S lenses provide cost-effective solutions for APS-C shooters.
Cross-Compatibility – Can be used on both APS-C and full-frame Canon mirrorless cameras.
Good Image Quality – Designed with Canon’s latest optical advancements for sharp and high-quality results.

The Canon RF-S lens mount is an excellent addition to Canon’s mirrorless system, offering lightweight, affordable, and versatile lenses for APS-C users. Whether you’re a beginner, content creator, or enthusiast photographer, RF-S lenses provide an accessible way to explore the EOS R ecosystem without the high cost of full-frame glass.

As Canon continues to develop new RF-S lenses, APS-C shooters can look forward to more creative possibilities with their mirrorless cameras. Stay tuned for more updates on upcoming RF-S lens releases and future Canon innovations!

Join the Canon Camera Users Group to share your Canon photography. Ask and answer questions that arise and help each others!

Read more Canon Rumors and Canon News.