I can answer this in one sentence. This is the best 24mm F1.4 that Canon has ever made and it’s not even close.

Canon RF 24mm f/1.4 VCM vs Canon EF 24mm f/1.4 USM II

Now for the details. First up we have to compare this against the Canon EF 24mm f/1.4 USM II, which was the best at the time that Canon could do for a wide-angle fast prime.

I’m not sure I even need to say much about this. Higher lines are better. The new RF 24mm has better contrast, FAR better resolution even at the center, and appears to be better for astigmatism as well. Like the comparison of the RF 50mm f/1.4 VCM versus the old EF 50mm f/1.4 USM, this new RF 24mm f/1.4 takes the EF lens back out to the woodshed.

I really do think that Canon is finally getting a handle on mirrorless lens designs. For some of the earlier lenses in the RF timeline, I’d have to invent reasons to be excited about the lens, but lately? Canon has hit them all out of the park.

If you liked the EF version of this lens, you will absolutely love the RF version.

Canon RF 24mm f/1.4 VCM vs Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM

This next comparison is a more recent lens, however, it’s a consumer-grade lens versus a Canon professional-grade “L” lens. But it’s worth seeing just how far ahead the new f/1.4 version is. Also, keep in mind that the RF 24mm f/1.8 is slower and starts at f/1.8 versus f/1.4.

The Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 shows decent performance but if you were happy with that lens and looking to upgrade the Canon RF 24mm f/1.4L VCM is better in terms of contrast, and sharpness across the entire frame. It’s simply a better lens, as it should be; the RF 24mm f/1.8 also handles 1:2 macro, has an IS unit and is far cheaper ($599 versus $1499).

The RF 24mm f/1.4 VCM is easily the best 24mm lens that Canon has ever made. If you want this lens, I strongly suggest preordering.

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here's how it works.

Go to discussion...

214 comments

  1. It's more expensive than I expected
    For me the 24 and 50mm are in line with expected pricing. It's actually "cheap" considering the EF 35mm 1.4 ii was $1800 in 2015 money. The original $2800 rf 70-200 really bumped up the price from the $2100 EF III so not surprised to see the IF version being $3k, though I would have liked to see closer to $2500 given weakness of the Yen.
  2. Today Canon has launched some much-anticipated lenses for the RF mount. Besides the 35mm F1.4, the next hot lens for Canon has always been the 24mm F1.4, and here we are.

    Guess the 5th lens was the 2nd color of 70-200?
  3. Article on the MTF for the 70-200 is posted now.

    Thanks!
    Looks like they could improve the Performance over the non-Z lens, esp. at 70 mm. 200mm looks very close, except for the corners.
    Personally, I'd be in for the smaller form factor of the first RF70-200/2.8.
  4. If I was in for the 70-200 I wouldn't know which colour to choose.
    I suppose I would stick with the Canon white ;)
    Black is the skinnier lens! It is a full 5g less!
    Weight
    Approx. 2.5 lb. / 1115g (White model) / Approx. 2.4 lb. / 1110g (Black model)
  5. I'm spoiled by the 28-70mm f/2 and the original 70-200mm f/2.8 which are all I need for paid work. I have some of the cheaper primes for casual shooting but I may never need an L prime, especially at these prices.
  6. Finally a RF 70-200/2.8 that is worthy to replace the legendary Ef version.
    It’s really light in comparison to the EF version. The EF version is now 1.5x heavier than this new RF version.
    Optically, there’s not much between them. According to the MFT charts, the new RF version is better in the corners, centre performance is pretty similar at 200mm. The 70mm performance is much improved.
    However, these new charts include in-camera software correction. I would expect a far newer lens formula to be better, but it goes to show how good some of the more recent EF lenses are.
    Another thing that strikes me, this new lens with a 1.4x tc is nearly as sharp as the native RF 100-300/2.8 is natively.
  7. I'll have to wait an hour or so before the Dutch prices go public, but it looks like the 50 f/1.2L will be €25 cheaper than the 50 f/1.4L VCM when getting it through grey import.
    The answer is of course to wait for the VCM to hit the grey market, that would make it €300 cheaper, if the pricing behaves like the 35VCM.
  8. Wow, the MFT's for the RF 24mm f1.4 L VCM are up n the japanse site...this is certainly Canon's finest 24mm ever. Maybe optically eclipsing their TSE 24mm.
    working on it now! the difference between the EF and RF is insane, it's not even close.

    all the lenses are top notch for sure.
  9. In terms of MFT charts and camera sensor resolution, anything over 0.85 on the blue lines / dotted lines is going to out resolve a R5 sensor. What gets us sharpness freaks so excited about lenes that fare high sharpness figures is that the higher figures usually indicate superior sharpenss with teleconverters. This new RF 70-200mm f2.8 LIS Z doesn't dissapoint. the 1.4x TC charts show a similar optical resolution at 280mm as the native RF 100-300mm f2.8 LIS is at 300mm. Sure the 100-300 has a one stop advantage, which is massive. However, this new RF 70-200mm f2.8 LIS Z is impressive optically.
    Dial in the weight savings, better MFD and max magnification, slightly better IS system and AF motors....finally a lens to eclipse the old EF lens.
    I'm suprised that this lens doesn't have any flourite elements in it's formula.

Leave a comment

Please log in to your forum account to comment