Canon Adds EF and EF-M Lens to Lineup

2016.09.15

Along with the news of the Canon EOS M5 this morning, Canon unveiled two new lenses. One for their DSLRs and the other for their mirrorless system.

The EF 70-300mm F/4-5.6 IS II USM is an improved version of the same lens sans II. The new version offers an improved image stabilization system. It also introduces a built-in monochrome LCD which can indicate focus-distance, focal-length or shake level along 2 axis. This could potentially help the user stabilize the lens while shooting in Live-View such that the LCD is visible while framing. Using the traditional OVF though, it remains to be seen how useful it is.

This telephoto zoom covers a full-frame imaging circle, so it is usable with any Canon DSLR. Construction of the lens has been improved but this remains a consumer-grade variable aperture zoom, so it is nor weatherproof by any means. This new lens is scheduled to ship in December for a retail price of $549 USD. Amazon, Best Buy, B&H Photo and Adorama are already accepting pre-orders.

The EF-M 18-150mm F/3.5-5.6 IS STM is the first high zoom-ratio lens for Canon EF-M mount. It offers an 8.3X optical zoom with built-in image stabilization. Its variable maximum aperture is quite dim as usual with such high zoom lenses. With a minimum focus distance of 25cm at wide-angle and 45cm at telephoto, it offers the highest magnification ratio of any EF-M mount at 0.31X.

To match the quietness of mirrorless cameras, this EF-M 18-150mm lens features a quiet STM stepping motor. This Micro USM-type motor allows fast and precise movements needed to focus smoothly during video. As other super-sonic motors usually do, this one supports full-type AF.

The EF-M 18-150mm F/3.5-5.6 IS STM is expected to ship next month for a retail price of $499 USD. Amazon, Best Buy, Adorama and B&H Photo are already all accepting pre-orders.

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