RF-S55-210mm f/5-7.1 IS STM: A Handy Telephoto Zoom Made for APS-C
On 8 February 2023, Canon announced the RF-S55-210mm f/5-7.1 IS STM, a compact and lightweight new RF-S mount telephoto zoom lens designed to complement APS-C EOS R series cameras. Well-equipped for handheld shooting, it features an Optical Image Stabilizer (Optical IS) that corrects camera shake by up to 4.5 shutter speed stops equivalent on its own and up to 7 stops on a camera with In-Body IS.
Closer crops and telephoto compression with a smaller, lighter body
Closer crops and telephoto compression with a smaller, lighter body
With the announcement of the EOS R50 following the EOS R7 and EOS R10, Canon now has a more robust APS-C camera line-up with options that cater to a range of users from entry-level to advanced. As Canon’s third RF-S lens, the RF-S55-210mm f/5-7.1 IS STM is the first telephoto zoom lens in the series and also a timely addition.
Providing a focal length range that covers full-frame equivalent angles of view from 88mm (medium telephoto) to 336mm (nearly super telephoto), the new lens provides a longer reach than the other two existing lenses. Regardless of whether you are shooting stills or videos, it forms a compact, high-mobility combination with the small and light APS-C cameras in the EOS R system, making it a breeze to capture impactful telephoto close-ups.
A telephoto lens can do more than just close-ups of faraway objects! Find out what else you can do with one in:
5 Things to Try with a Telephoto Lens
When combined, the RF-S55-210mm f/5-7.1 IS STM and RF-S18-45mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM cover a huge focal range all the way from wide-angle to telephoto. This, together with their compact sizes and light weight, makes them excellent for travel—and also for shooting handheld videos.
EOS R50/ RF-S55-210mm f/5-7.1 IS STM/ FL: 210mm / Aperture-priority AE (f/7.1, 1/400 sec, EV -0.7)/ ISO 4000/ WB: Daylight
As it reaches further than 300mm full-frame equivalent, the RF-S55-210mm f/5-7.1 IS STM can take close-ups of wildlife such as birds. Despite not being a large aperture lens, it can also achieve nice, creamy background bokeh because of the shallower depth of field at long focal lengths. Great for portraiture, especially for tight shots that draw attention to a subject’s expression.
EOS R50/ RF-S55-210mm f/5-7.1 IS STM/ FL: 210mm / Manual exposure (f/7.1, 1/400 sec)/ ISO 400/ WB: Auto
The perfect match for an APS-C camera
As RF-S lenses like the RF-S55-210mm f/5-7.1 IS STM are designed for APS-C image sensors, which are around half the size of full-frame sensors, they can be made much smaller and lighter than full-frame RF lenses. The RF-S55-210mm f/5-7.1 IS STM weighs only around 270g, which is less than half the weight of the RF70-200mm f/4L IS USM (approx. 695g) and RF100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM (approx. 635g). The optical zoom maintains image quality at the full image sensor resolution regardless of how much you zoom in. It’s one lens you’ll want to have on hand for travel, mountaineering, or other situations where you need the reach, and weight and high-quality photos/videos both matter.
The lens barrel of the RF-S55-210mm f/5-7.1 IS STM extends when you increase the focal length. It is 135mm long when fully extended to the 210mm tele end.
It is only 8.4mm longer than the RF-S18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM superzoom lens when fully retracted, but weighs 40g lighter.
Closest focusing distance: Get closer to nearby subjects, too
Get closer to nearby subjects, too
Telephoto lenses are usually associated with shooting faraway subjects, but did you know that they can help you get closer to nearby subjects, too?
The RF-S55-210mm f/5-7.1 IS STM has a closest focusing distance of 0.73m and a maximum magnification of 0.28x at the 210mm end. This means that it can focus on subjects that are as near as around 0.73m away. You’ll be able to take “telephoto macro” shots of small subjects like flowers or accessories, and even fill the frame with them.
EOS R50/ RF-S55-210mm f/5-7.1 IS STM/ FL: 210mm / Manual exposure (f/7.1, 1/125 sec)/ ISO 400/ WB: 5000K
Smooth and swift AF that benefits both stills and video
Smooth and swift AF that benefits both stills and video
On the RF-S55-210mm f/5-7.1 IS STM, the autofocus (AF) is driven by a lead-screw type stepping motor (STM), which is capable of smooth yet precise movements. This achieves not only swift AF when shooting stills, but also seamless, natural-looking subject tracking and focus transitions when shooting videos.
The lens supports cameras with focus breathing correction, which corrects the changes in angle of view that may occur when pulling focus during video shooting.
Image stabilisation: Sharper handheld shots, steady handheld videos
Image stabilisation: Sharper handheld shots, steady handheld videos
Up to 7 stops’ image stabilisation with Coordinated Control IS
The RF-S55-210mm f/5-7.1 IS STM is equipped with the Optical Image Stabilizer (Optical IS) that achieves up to 4.5 shutter speed stops’ equivalent image stabilisation*1. When combined with a camera that features in-body image stabilisation (In-Body IS), such as the EOS R7, the Optical IS and In-Body IS coordinate (Coordinated Control IS) to achieve enhanced image stabilisation of up to 7 shutter speed stops’ equivalent*2.
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*1 With the EOS R10. According to CIPA standards (yaw and pitch directions). At focal length 210mm.
*2 With the EOS R7. According to CIPA standards (yaw and pitch directions). At focal length 210mm.
Optical IS only: Up to 4.5 stops effect
Both images shot on: EOS R50 + RF-S55-210mm f/5-7.1 IS STM @ FL: 180mm, 1/8 sec, f/7.1, ISO 1600
Coordinated Control IS on camera with In-Body IS: Up to 7 stops' effect
Both images shot on: EOS R7 + RF-S55-210mm f/5-7.1 IS STM @ FL: 110mm, 1.3 sec, f/8, ISO 640
Banish the wobble in videos: Coordinated Control IS with Movie Digital IS
Shooting videos with a telephoto lens may seem intimidating: the slightest unintended movement could show up as very obvious wobbling. The in-lens Optical IS helps to correct this, and the results are enhanced when the lens is combined with a camera equipped with Movie Digital IS. The two IS systems work together to enhance camera shake correction, helping to achieve steadier footage even if you shoot while walking.
Excellent image quality across the entire zoom range
Excellent image quality across the entire zoom range
A: UD lens elements
B: Aspherical lens elements
Telephoto lenses are prone to colour fringing, which manifests as purple and green discolouration in the outlines of objects. On the RF-S55-210mm f/5-7.1 IS STM, such aberrations are minimised to the lowest level with the help of an aspherical lens and 2 UD lenses. The result is clear, high-quality images throughout the entire zoom range.
Soft and smooth bokeh quality is achieved with the help of the 7-bladed circular aperture.
EOS R50/ RF-S55-210mm f/5-7.1 IS STM/ FL: 210mm/ Aperture-priority AE (f/16, 1/2500 sec)/ ISO 100/ WB: Daylight
RF-S55-210mm f/5-7.1 IS STM: Key specifications
Lens construction: 11 elements in 8 groups
Closest focusing distance: 0.73m (at focal length 210mm)
Maximum magnification: 0.28x (at focal length 210mm)
No. of aperture blades: 7 (circular blades)
Filter diameter: 55mm
Size: φ69.0 x 92.9mm (when fully retracted)
Weight: approx. 270g
Lens hood: ET-60B (sold separately)
RF-S55-210mm f/5-7.1 IS STM: Sample images
EOS R50/ RF-S55-210mm f/5-7.1 IS STM/ FL: 210mm / Aperture-priority AE (f/7.1, 1/50 sec, EV +0.7)/ ISO 100/ WB: Daylight
EOS R50/ RF-S55-210mm f/5-7.1 IS STM/ FL: 210mm / Manual exposure (f/7.1, 1/60 sec)/ ISO 400/ WB: Auto
EOS R50/ RF-S55-210mm f/5-7.1 IS STM/ FL: 210mm / Aperture-priority AE (f/7.1, 1/320 sec)/ ISO 100/ WB: Auto
What’s the benefit of using an RF/RF-S lens with an EOS R series camera compared to an EF/EF-S lens? Find out in:
RF Lenses vs EF Lenses: What's the Difference and How to Decide?
