Anticipation persists for a possible Canon fisheye lens release; is there a potential forthcoming development on this front?
Canon, a renowned name in the photography industry, has been making waves with its EOS R system since its launch in 2018. The company has released multiple versions of the RF nifty fifty and the 70-200mm trinity zoom lenses, catering to the needs of photographers across the globe. However, when it comes to fisheye lenses, the story takes a slightly different turn.
As of mid-2025, Canon has not announced a new RF mount fisheye lens specifically for general photography or travel and landscape use. The recent Canon RF lens releases and announcements relevant to fisheye optics are focused primarily on specialized RF fisheye lenses designed for 3D VR video production.
These lenses, such as the RF5.2mm F2.8 L DUAL FISHEYE, RF-S3.9mm F3.5 STM DUAL FISHEYE, and RF-S7.8mm F4 STM DUAL lens, enable 3D VR filming and are now compatible with Apple's "Projected Media Profile" and spatial photo features for Apple Vision Pro. This highlights Canon's emphasis on VR and spatial video applications rather than traditional fisheye photography for travel or landscapes.
Meanwhile, Canon's recent RF mount lens launches focus more on cinema prime lenses with high optical performance for video and filmmaking, not fisheye or ultra-wide-angle still photography lenses.
For traditional fisheye photography on mirrorless systems, including Canon RF mount, third-party manufacturers like Venus Optics (Laowa) are launching ultra-wide fisheye lenses such as the Laowa 8-15mm f/2.8. This suggests that Canon users interested in fisheye effects for travel and landscape photography might currently rely on third-party options.
The absence of a new Canon RF fisheye lens for still photography or travel/landscape use has left a gap in the market. A Canon-native fisheye lens would likely be valuable for creative ultra-wide-angle imaging, enhancing travel and landscape photography with unique perspectives and immersive wide-angle effects.
The distinctive curved, panoramic distortion offered by fisheye lenses allows for dramatic ultra-wide perspectives, creative composition, and compact travel setups. A lightweight fisheye lens on a Canon mirrorless system could provide portability and flexibility for travel photographers aiming for both wide landscapes and tightly framed artistic shots.
As a seasoned journalist with 25 years of experience, serving as the head of Digital Camera World for 7 of them, the author of this article has a keen understanding of cameras of all makes. The author has previously used a fisheye lens for a magazine feature on India, taking approximately 60% of the shots. The author desires a new prime Canon fisheye lens for the RF mount, considering a fisheye lens an incredibly potent creative tool.
However, the author is not interested in adapting old lenses or using third-party options. The author desires a new fisheye lens for the R5 camera, hoping that Canon will showcase the capabilities of the RF mount with a new fisheye lens. As seven years have passed since the announcement of the Canon RF mount, the author eagerly awaits Canon's announcement of a new Canon fisheye lens for the EOS R system.
The author has worked with various brands such as Olympus, Aston Martin Racing, Elinchrom, and L'Oréal, and has a preference for using a fisheye lens for travel, landscapes, selfies, and "scope" shots. The author's proficiency extends to Canon, Olympus, and Hasselblad cameras, making the author's call for a new Canon fisheye lens all the more significant.
- Canon's EOS R system, known for its DSLR and mirrorless cameras, has been expanding its lens selection since 2018, including the RF nifty fifty and 70-200mm trinity zoom lenses.
- However, in the domain of fisheye lenses, Canon has yet to announce a new RF mount lens specifically for general photography or travel and landscape use.
- The latest Canon RF lens releases are focusing on specialized fisheye lenses designed for 3D VR video production, such as the RF5.2mm F2.8 L DUAL FISHEYE lens.
- Meanwhile, third-party manufacturers like Venus Optics (Laowa) are offering ultra-wide fisheye lenses like the Laowa 8-15mm f/2.8 for Canon RF mount users.
- The author of a recent article, with 25 years of experience in the industry and a preference for using a fisheye lens for travel, landscapes, and selfies, is calling for a new prime Canon fisheye lens for the RF mount.
- The author is hoping that such a lens would enhance travel and landscape photography with unique perspectives and immersive wide-angle effects, and would be suitable for the Canon R5 camera.
- The author, who is experienced with various brands like Olympus, Aston Martin Racing, Elinchrom, and L'Oréal, has previously used a fisheye lens for a magazine feature, and considers a fisheye lens an incredibly potent creative tool.
