Canon's budget RF-mount standard zoom — lightweight kit lens covering 24-105mm with IS, but slow aperture.
The Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM was released in 2019 as the consumer-tier kit zoom for Canon RF-mount bodies — variable aperture from f/4 at 24mm to f/7.1 at 105mm, not the constant f/4 of the RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM. At 395g and 67mm filter thread it is lightweight for a 4.4x RF zoom. 5-stop IS. STM autofocus. This lens is typically bundled with the EOS R8, R50, and entry-level RF bodies.
The optical design uses 13 elements in 11 groups. Seven aperture blades. The 67mm filter thread. At 395g the lens is lightweight. Minimum focus distance 0.2m at 24mm (AF). 5-stop IS rated at 105mm on EOS R. STM provides quiet, smooth AF for video. Variable aperture from f/4 at 24mm to f/7.1 at 105mm. Maximum magnification 0.5x at 24mm (MF).
The f/7.1 at 105mm is the key practical tradeoff: at 105mm in low light, f/7.1 requires ISO compensation compared to the f/4L variant, and 5-stop IS extends the handheld window for static subjects. For daylight and well-lit indoor photography the variable aperture is largely transparent. At 395g versus the 700g f/4L, the weight saving is the practical advantage for casual travel and everyday use.
On the used market the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM is affordable as a lightweight RF kit zoom. Condition checks: STM AF motor response, IS engagement, 67mm front element for marks, and zoom ring smoothness. Confirm this is the f/4-7.1 STM — the constant f/4L IS USM is a separate, significantly more expensive lens. Compatible with all Canon RF-mount bodies.