Canon EF 24-105mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM

The Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM is a lightweight, versatile zoom with best-in-class stabilization and a surprisingly useful macro mode. The f/7.1 aperture at the long end is the main compromise, and it hurts in low light and for portraits. Prices range from USD 406 to USD 904, so shop carefully, the Newegg listing at the low end is the one to grab. If you want one lens for travel and everyday shooting, this is a strong budget pick. If you shoot portraits or low-light events, look elsewhere.

The optical performance here is a pleasant surprise for a budget zoom. Canon packed 17 elements into 13 groups, including 2 aspherical elements and 1 ED element, plus the Super Spectra coating. In our database, the optical quality lands in the 88th percentile, which means it punches well above its price class. Sharpness in the center is genuinely good, especially in the 24-70mm range. Corners soften a bit wide open, but stop down to f/8 and things even out nicely. The Super Spectra coating does its job too, keeping flare and ghosting under control when you're shooting into bright light.

The stabilization is the real standout. Canon claims 4 stops of correction, and our data puts it in the 92nd percentile for stabilization. That's best-in-class territory for a lens at this price. In practice, you can hand-hold at 1/15s at the wide end and still get sharp shots. At 105mm, you're looking at maybe 1/30s if you're steady. That's huge for a lens with a slow variable aperture, because it means you can keep your ISO down in situations where you'd normally be cranking it. The STM autofocus is smooth and nearly silent, which is great for video. It's not the fastest focusing lens we've tested, landing in the 74th percentile for AF, but it's accurate and predictable. For stills, it's fine. For fast action, you'll notice it hunting occasionally.

The Sigma Art 17-40mm f/1.8 DC is a completely different animal. It's wider, faster, and built for APS-C sensors. If you're on a crop body and want shallow depth of field, the Sigma is the better choice. But it's heavier, pricier, and doesn't give you the 105mm reach. The Tamron Di III 70-180mm f/2.8 VC VXD G2 is a telephoto zoom with a constant f/2.8 aperture. It's a fantastic lens for portraits and events, but it starts at 70mm, so you'd need a second lens for wide shots. The Canon's 24-105mm range is more practical as a single-lens solution.

The Sony G Master SEL24F14GM is a prime lens, so it's not really a direct competitor. But it's worth mentioning because it represents the opposite philosophy: one focal length, exceptional quality, no compromises. The Canon is about flexibility. The Sony is about perfection at 24mm. If you're a landscape shooter who wants the absolute best wide-angle performance, the Sony wins. If you want one lens for everything, the Canon makes more sense. The Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 is a portrait specialist. It's sharper, faster, and produces much nicer bokeh than the Canon at 85mm. But it's a prime, so you lose the zoom range. The Viltrox LAB AF 35mm f/1.2 is another prime, and it's a low-light monster. None of these primes can match the Canon's versatility, but all of them beat it on image quality in their specific focal lengths.

Here's where things get interesting. The price spread on this lens is wild. We're seeing listings from USD 406 to USD 904 across five US retailers. That's a USD 498 gap for what should be the same lens. The best deal we found is on Newegg, where the international model with a 2-year warranty comes in at the lower end of that range. If you're paying anywhere near USD 900 for this lens, you're getting taken for a ride. At USD 406, it's a genuinely compelling value. At USD 904, you're within striking distance of used L glass or a constant aperture third-party zoom.

For the money, the feature set is hard to beat at the low end of that price range. You're getting stabilization, macro capability, and solid optics in a package that weighs about as much as a can of soup. The catch is that you're also getting a slow aperture and no weather sealing. If you shoot mostly in good light or on a tripod, the value proposition is strong. If you shoot indoors or at night, you'll be fighting the f/7.1 ceiling constantly, and that changes the math.

The Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM is one of those lenses that makes you do a double take. It's not an L series, it doesn't have a constant aperture, and the f/7.1 at the long end sounds like a typo. But Canon clearly built this thing for a specific person: someone who wants a do-it-all zoom without the do-it-all price tag or the do-it-all weight. At 525g, it's lighter than a lot of primes, and it covers everything from wide interiors to short telephoto portraits on full-frame RF bodies.

The interesting bit here is the Center Macro Focus position. Flip the zoom ring to the macro setting and you get 1:2 magnification, which is genuinely useful for flowers, food, and small product shots. Most budget zooms treat close focusing as an afterthought. Canon made it a headline feature, and that changes how you think about this lens. It's not just a walkaround zoom, it's a walkaround zoom that can suddenly get weirdly close to things.

Who's this for? Someone buying their first full-frame RF camera and wanting one lens that does most things okay. Travel shooters who don't want to lug a bag of glass. Hobbyists who shoot a bit of everything and don't want to swap lenses every ten minutes. If that sounds like you, keep reading. If you're shooting weddings or low-light events, this probably isn't your lens, and we'll get into why.

But first, a quick note on naming. The product data here is a bit of a mess. The title says RF 9521B002, but the specs list both an EF 24-105mm f/3.5-5.6 and an RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1. The description and highlights point to the RF version, so that's what we're reviewing. Just know that if you're shopping, double-check which mount you're actually buying. The EF and RF versions are different lenses with different apertures, and you don't want to end up with the wrong one.

If you shoot portraits, events, or anything in low light, this lens will frustrate you. The f/7.1 maximum aperture at 105mm means you're either cranking ISO to noisy levels or missing shots entirely. The bokeh is harsh and busy, so even when you do get subject separation, it won't look great. Portrait shooters should look at a fast prime instead, something like an 85mm f/1.8 or a 50mm f/1.4. Event shooters need a constant f/2.8 zoom, and there are third-party options that won't break the bank.

Also skip this if you shoot in harsh weather. No weather sealing means rain, dust, and sand are real risks. If you're a landscape shooter who's out in the elements, a weather-sealed lens is worth the extra money. And if you already own a decent kit lens, this probably isn't enough of an upgrade to justify the cost. The optical gains are real, but they're incremental, not transformative. Save your money for something that addresses a specific weakness in your current setup.

For travel and everyday shooting, this lens is a solid pick. The stabilization alone makes it worth considering, especially if you shoot handheld in mixed light. The macro mode is a genuine bonus that adds real utility. If you're buying your first RF camera and want one lens to learn on, this is a great starting point. Just make sure you're paying the low end of that price range. At USD 406, it's an easy recommendation. At USD 904, it's not.

For portrait shooters, this lens falls short. The bokeh is busy and harsh, the aperture is too slow for subject isolation, and the portrait score in our database is a disappointing 54.7 out of 100. If portraits are your main thing, save up for a fast prime or a constant f/2.8 zoom. For video shooters, the STM autofocus and stabilization make this a decent option, but the variable aperture means you'll need to watch your exposure when zooming mid-shot. For macro enthusiasts, the 1:2 magnification is a nice trick, but it's not a replacement for a dedicated macro lens. Think of it as a bonus feature, not a primary reason to buy.