Canon lenses have been quite popular amongst photographers. The company has introduced over 50 options since launching its mirrorless cameras, and it appears it will continue to do so. In a new report, it appears that they are keen on creating a new zoom lens that can be an alternative to the classic 70-200mm f2.8 lenses. Have a look.
According to Canon Rumors, the company has filed a patent 2026-003048, which showcases the design of a 50-150mm f2.8 image-stabilized zoom. This offers a fresh take on the focal length that sits between mid-range and telephoto zoom lenses. The patent is a republication of a patent that was seen earlier this year. This demonstrates that the company is still actively seeking to develop a model that benefits portrait, event, and general telephoto users. Moreover, this also appears to be a more prosumer-friendly aperture zoom, which is likely to sit below L-series lenses.
Mind you, this doesn’t seem to be as fast of a focal length as Sony’s 50-150mm f2 lens!
A Two-Zoom System Strategy
The patent also hints at a larger scheme. A 50-150mm lens can pair with an ultra-wide zoom, such as a 28mm or 35mm lens, offering continuous coverage from wide to telephoto. An obvious companion for this lens is the RF 16-28mm f2.8 IS STM, which is lightweight, features a constant aperture, and differs from the traditional zoom trios.
Canon has accepted the optical stretching at the wider end, and with the image circle inscribing a full frame at 50mm, before expanding the coverage to 85mm. This trade-off will reduce the lens size and element diameter, further reinforcing the idea that this is not an L-series lens. Here are the specs:
- Wide: 51.50mm
- Mid: 85.38mm
- Tele: 145.50mm
Maximum Aperture
- f/2.89 (wide)
- f/2.89 (mid)
- f/2.91 (tele)
Half Angle of View
- 22.78° (wide)
- 14.11° (mid)
- 8.28° (tele)
Image Height
- 19.96mm (wide)
- 21.63mm (mid/tele)
Lens Length
- 176.15mm (wide)
- 214.79mm (mid)
- 236.15mm (tele)
Back Focus Distance
- 50.21mm (constant)
Key Design Notes
- STM focus system
- Optical image stabilization
- Teleconverter compatibility (1.4× and possibly 2×)
- Compact optical groups with small-diameter elements
Teleconverter-Friendly Design
Another intriguing aspect is that the new lens offers teleconverter compatibility, similar to a teleconverter. This means you can pair it with 1.4x or 2x teleconverters, thereby turning the lens into a 70-200mm f4 when paired with the former converter. This also makes the lens flexible for anyone who wants a compact zoom for various uses.
The design is said to place the focusing group (LM) and the image stabilization group (L2) closer together, with a small-diameter element. This is interesting as the IS group sits in an unusual position compared to the other design. This may simplify the design and reduce the lens’s length as well.
Where Does the Lens Fit in the Market
A lens of this nature is already rare, but some companies have managed to create one. For instance, Sony’s 50-150mm f2, which is the first lens to achieve what was once thought impossible. Tamron has a 35-150mm f2-f2.8, while Sigma has launched the Sigma 50-150mm F2.8 APO for DLSRs
Currently, Sony is leading the race, and if Canon launches a product before Sigma or Tamron, it can easily attract more users to purchase the lens. If it costs less than $2000, then many enthusiasts and hybrid shooters will opt for it.
The second patent indicates that the company is serious about the 50-150mm range; however, whether it actually reaches production stages remains to be seen. For now, we must outline what they have planned for 2026.