Canon RF-S 18-45mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM
Announced May 24, 2022
PixelMeter The PixelMeter is our 1–100 aggregate of reviewer scores from trusted publications and creators. Weighted by source tier — not a raw average, and not PetaPixel’s own review.
Reviewer Consensus
Good
The Canon RF-S 18-45mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM is an exceptionally compact and lightweight kit lens that offers decent sharpness and effective image stabilization for beginners. That said, its limited zoom range, modest aperture, and all-plastic construction make it a modest performer that is best suited as an inexpensive entry-level option.
Weighted from 11 reviewer scores
Pros
- Extremely compact, lightweight, and portable design
- Fast, accurate, and quiet autofocus performance
- Effective, quiet optical image stabilization
- Capable central sharpness and close-focusing ability
- Good value for money, especially when bundled as a kit
Cons
- Modest, dark maximum aperture
- All-plastic build quality lacking weather sealing
- Mediocre image quality including distortion and edge softness
- Limited zoom range
- Lack of physical controls and included accessories
- Launch price $299 (USD)
- Focal length & aperture 18-45mm f/4.5-6.3
- Mount & coverage Canon RF, Canon RF-S APS-C
- Stabilization Optical IS, 7 stops (CIPA)
- Close focus 20 cm (0.16x)
- Filter thread 49mm
- Autofocus motor Stepper motor
- Weight & size 130g (4.6 oz) · 68.9 x 44.3 mm (2.71 x 1.74 in)
What the Reviewers Say
All 11 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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[I]f it only adds around $100 or £100 to the price of a new body, I'd say it's worth getting, even if only as a starter or a spare lens or to enhance the body's resale value.
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While this lens does not produce the ultimate image quality, it makes up for that shortcoming with convenience, utility, and low price.
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This is the kind of lens that can take pretty decent images in optimal situations, but doesn’t really bring much in terms of optical excellent to the table.
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A very limiting zoom range, a middling maximum aperture, and so-so image quality means that this isn't really a lens I can recommend, although [...] it's at least an inexpensive way to get your lens collection off the ground.
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In a general sense, the lens performs well, covers its applications with panache and for general photography can definitely be Recommended.
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The Canon RF-S 18-45mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM is an incredibly lean, lightweight lens that's a great match for the EOS R7 or R10.
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The Canon RF-S 18-45mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM is a downright tiny zoom that delivers competent image quality for newcomers to the system, but it won't please more serious shutterbugs.
- Photo Review 8.9/10
Compact and light in weight, it features a retractable design and, while not particularly fast [...] is a decent ‘take everywhere’ lens and represents good value for money when purchased with a camera body.
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This tiny 18-45mm lens is sharp, focuses very close and is nearly free, but I greatly prefer the RF-s 18-150mm IS STM because it's more than twice as much lens in about the same size package.
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[I]t complements those cameras beautifully because of its compact size.
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The zoom range is quite limiting, the darker aperture is mediocre and the image quality isn’t the best. However, for a small lens with some zoom range [...] this lens can be quite usable.
