Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM

The Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM is a unique wide-angle macro with best-in-class stabilization and solid autofocus. It's not great for portraits or bokeh lovers, but for close-up work with context it's a strong buy. At USD 519 from Newegg it's a good deal, at USD 640 it's a harder sell.

Sharpness is solid, middle of the pack for this class, and the Super Spectra Coating keeps flare mostly under control. Autofocus is a standout, quick and quiet thanks to the STM motor, and the stabilization is genuinely best-in-class. The 0.5x magnification at a 140mm minimum focus distance means you can get surprisingly close to your subject while still keeping context in the frame. But the bokeh is a weak spot, and the f/1.8 aperture ranks near the bottom compared to other fast primes. For macro work it's above average, but for portraits it's underwhelming.

Against the Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN, the Canon gives you stabilization and macro capability but loses the zoom flexibility. The Viltrox AF 13mm F1.4 is wider and faster for astro work, but it's manual focus only and has no stabilization. The Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 is a zoom with better versatility, but it's bigger, heavier, and can't focus nearly as close. If you want one lens that does wide-angle and macro on an RF body, none of these competitors really match it.

Pricing is all over the place right now. We're seeing USD 519 to USD 640 across seven US listings, which is a USD 121 spread for the exact same lens. The best deal we found is at Newegg, where it's bundled with a filter kit and cap keeper at the lower end of that range. At around USD 520 this is a fair price for a stabilized macro prime. At USD 640 it's harder to justify unless you specifically need the wide-angle macro combo.

The Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM is a weird little lens in the best way. It's a wide-angle prime that can focus close enough for half-life-size macro shots, which is not a combo you see every day. On a full-frame body you get a proper 24mm view, and on APS-C it turns into a handy 36-38mm walkaround lens. At 270g it basically disappears in your bag.

Canon packed in image stabilization rated for 5.5 stops, which is huge for handheld close-ups and low light. The f/1.8 aperture is bright enough for most situations, though it's not going to blow anyone away with background blur. This is a practical lens, not a showpiece.

Skip this if you need a dedicated portrait lens, the bokeh is rough and the 24mm focal length isn't flattering for faces. Also skip it if you shoot in harsh weather, since there's no sealing. And if you already own a fast 24mm or 35mm prime, the macro capability alone probably isn't worth the upgrade unless you specifically want the wide-angle close-up look.

This lens is for photographers who want to shoot small things in context. Flowers, food, product shots, details with environment around them. It's also a sneaky good video lens thanks to the stabilization and quiet AF. If you're on an APS-C RF body like the R10, it doubles as a great street photography prime. But if you want creamy bokeh or a dedicated portrait lens, this isn't it.