Canon RF 20-50mm F4 L pairs power zoom with L-series glass

Canon has launched a new wide-angle power zoom lens for its RF mount cameras. The Canon RF 20-50mm F4 L IS USM PZ lens also features image stabilization.

Compact design

The Canon 20-50mm L USM PZ lens is relatively lightweight at just 14.8 ounces (420 g). It’s also compact, measuring 3.9 inches (98.4 mm) in length and 3.1 inches (79.9 mm) in diameter. You can use the zoom ring for both manual and power zoom control. A Zoom mode switch selects between power and manual, alongside a configurable lens function button. The filter thread is 67 mm.

Optical construction

As one of Canon’s L series lenses, the 20-50mm L USM PZ should deliver high image quality. The lens is built with 13 elements in 11 groups. These include three UD (Ultra-low Dispersion) elements and two GMo (Glass-Molded) aspherical elements. Air Sphere Coating and optically suppressed focus breathing round out the optical package.

Power zoom

Offering focal lengths from 20mm to 50mm, the lens gives you a horizontal field of view ranging from 84 to 40 degrees on a full-frame camera. You can control the lens’s internal power zoom via the zoom ring for fully variable speed.

Alternatively, you get two-stage control via a supported camera’s zoom lever, or smooth single-speed when controlling the lens remotely.

Focus

The Canon 20-50mm L USM PZ lens features Nano USM autofocus. Canon says this delivers fast, smooth, near-silent focusing for video and stills. A physical switch on the lens moves between manual and autofocus. The close focus distance is 9.4 inches (240 mm).

Aperture

With a maximum aperture of F4, the Canon 20-50mm L USM PZ isn’t one of the fastest lenses you can get. However, this does help keep the size and weight down. Nine iris blades should also deliver smooth, rounded bokeh in out-of-focus parts of your images.

Image stabilization

The Canon 20-50mm L USM PZ lens features optical image stabilization with up to six stops of shake reduction. When combined with a camera that has in-body image stabilization, you get up to eight stops. A physical switch on the lens body lets you toggle stabilization on or off.

What we think

Canon’s new RF 20-50mm F4 L IS USM PZ lens delivers a zoom range from wide-angle to a standard 50mm. As such, it will work well for landscape, architecture and portrait work. With its power zoom and parfocal design, the lens is also ideal for run-and-gun and documentary shoots. Some users might wish for a wider maximum aperture, but that would make it much larger and heavier. With Canon’s L series optics, you know you’re getting high image quality from your RF mount camera. For anyone who started out shooting with a camcorder, and for many newer creators as well, the RF 20-50mm PZ lens is a very attractive option.

Pricing and availability

The Canon RF 20-50mm F4 L IS USM PZ lens will retail for $1,399 and is set to ship at the end of June.

Canon RF 20-50mm F4 L IS USM PZ lens

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