Canon's all-in-one RF-S superzoom covering wide to telephoto in a single compact lens.
The Canon RF-S 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM was launched in 2022 alongside the EOS R7, providing an 8.3x zoom range covering a 29-240mm equivalent on APS-C. Designed as a single-lens solution for travel and general photography, it eliminates the need for separate wide and telephoto lenses in most situations. IS stabilisation, an STM stepping motor, and a 310g package made it a practical companion for the RF-S system. It remains the only native RF-S zoom specifically covering this 18-150mm range, positioned as the do-everything convenience option.
The optical design uses 17 elements in 13 groups, including one UD element, one poly-moulded aspherical element, and one glass-moulded aspherical element. The 55mm filter thread is shared with the RF-S 55-210mm IS STM — consistent filter carry-over across a two-lens RF-S APS-C travel setup. At approximately 310g the lens is light for its 8.3x zoom range, keeping the combined weight with an EOS R10 or R50 manageable for all-day travel. Canon specifies lens IS at 4.5 stops; with Coordinated IS on compatible RF bodies such as the EOS R7, this extends to up to 6.5 stops combined. The STM stepping motor is smooth and quiet for video recording. Minimum focus distance is 0.17m at the wide end, enabling close environmental framing. Variable aperture runs from f/3.5 at 18mm to f/6.3 at 150mm; no weather sealing is specified.
For travel and everyday photography the 29-240mm equivalent is highly practical — wide enough for landscape and interiors at 18mm, reaching moderate telephoto for distant subjects at 150mm without a lens change. IS is effective for static handheld work; the STM motor enables smooth continuous AF for video. As with all superzooms, optical quality involves trade-offs: centre sharpness is good in the mid-range focal lengths, softening at 150mm wide open. At 18mm, in-camera distortion correction handles the barrel distortion effectively. The close focus at 17mm wide enables useful detail shots of nearby subjects.
On the used market the RF-S 18-150mm is strong value as the most versatile RF-S zoom. Check IS operation across the full range, test sharpness at 150mm, and verify STM motor response. The 55mm filter thread is shared with the RF-S 18-45mm. Third-party RF-S lenses from Sigma and Tamron entered the market from mid-2024, including longer-range superzooms (Sigma 16-300mm, Tamron 18-300mm); no direct 18-150mm RF-S equivalent from a third party exists. The 18-150mm IS STM is the natural choice for EOS R7 and R10 users wanting an all-in-one travel zoom.