In this patent application (2024-172505), Canon explores some very small lenses that are marginally longer than your standard body cap. These lenses could technically be used instead of a regular body cap, so you’d have a grab-and-go lens whenever you wanted to take a picture.
Other manufacturers have made these, such as the 7artisans 18mm F6.3 and Olympus 15mm F8.
Could we see Canon release a bunch of these like the patent suggests? Who knows. It would be great for entry-level cameras, especially ones geared toward smartphone users.
There are also some faster pancake designs, but personally, I would love to see Canon make some body cap lenses.
Usually, when you see me babble about lens patents, I leave the total lens length as it is, but this time, I’ll also include the “actual lens length,” which is the physical lens length of just the lens itself. That will give you all a better idea of just how small these are. For those just tuning in for the first time, the lens length includes the focal plane distance between the mount and the sensor (20mm for RF, 18mm for EF-M and 44mm for EF), so we have to deduct 20mm for RF usage. Still, we also have to add the amount of back focus distance, which is how far back the lens sits in the mount since taking the lens off the camera would be its total length. We will also show the “lens protrusion distance,” which will show how far out from the camera body that lens will stick out.
Canon RF 21mm F5.6
This one is a full-frame (with even a full image circle of 21.64mm) and sits 5.8mm in front of the camera. It also sits 8mm inside the lens mount, making the total length 13.8mm
| Focal Length | 21.40 |
| F-Number | 5.6 |
| Half Angle of View | 45.31 |
| Image Height | 21.64 |
| Total Lens Length | 25.80 |
| Actual Lens Length / Lens Protrusion | 13.80mm / 5.8mm |
| Back Focus Distance | 12.00 |
Canon RF 23mm F.8
This is another small lens, but F8 in aperture. Again, it projects across the entire image circle and is very small.
| Focal Length | 23.29 |
| F-Number | 8.00 |
| Half Angle of View | 42.90 |
| Image Height | 21.64 |
| Total Lens Length | 26.00 |
| Actual Lens Length / Lens Protrusion | 14mm / 6mm |
| Back Focus Distance | 12.00 |
Canon RF 26mm F3.2
This one is a little odd because it’s relatively fast, which would have to have an autofocus motor. But, unlike the other designs, this one is potentially large enough to have a focus motor. At 15mm protrusion from the camera body, I would say this one is more of a pancake lens. The total lens length of 20mm is about the same as the EF-M 22mm pancake, so making an auto-focus motor that small has been done before. Just don’t expect it to be a fast-focusing lens.
| Focal Length | 26.30 |
| F-Number | 3.20 |
| Half Angle of View | 39.45 |
| Image Height | 21.64 |
| Total Lens Length | 35.00 |
| Actual Lens Length / Lens Protrusion | 20.01mm / 15mm |
| Back Focus Distance | 14.99 |
Canon RF 28mm F3.5
This is another pancake design slightly bigger than the proceeding 26mm lens.
| Focal Length | 28.07 |
| F-Number | 3.50 |
| Half Angle of View | 37.62 |
| Image Height | 21.64 |
| Total Lens Length | 36.50 |
| Actual Lens Length / Lens Protrusion | 21.5mm / 16.5mm |
| Back Focus Distance | 15.00 |
As with all patent applications, this is a look into Canon’s ongoing research and may not end up being a product.
Source: Japan Patent Office 2024-172505
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Where is the Maple syrup?
Fun aside:
I like the idea of such small lenses, esp. for travel.
If IQ is decent and the price low, I'd be in.