TDP review of the Canon RF-S 18-45mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM

Byran has completed his review of the Canon RF-S 18-45mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM, and while his review is generally positive, I was dissappointed to see that even on such a limited focal zoom range lens Bryan discovered that Canon has decided to use software stretching on the wide end of this lens.

this lens has dramatic barrel distortion at the wider end of its focal length range. The geometric distortion is strong enough that Canon forces the correction in the camera and in DPP, regardless of the lens corrections settings. Processing the distortion test images for this lens with third-party software results in the off-the-test-chart framing that shows the true image captured.

I'm not in the same mindset as Bryan here. Especially if you are pairing this lens with an R7 - or if you are comparing alternative kits from other manufacturers.  If the entire lens's overall resolution is low enough, of course, you'll never tell it could be better than it is - as Bryan mentions. But, stretching out high distortion will rob you of resolution in the corners. It doesn't require AI, it simply requires image processing.

I was hoping that Canon decided on the more conservative 18mm to eliviate the QA problems of 15 to 18mm found in the 15-45mm, which used the full image circle, and it seems that it doesn't do this.

While it's a light lens, it should be noted that Canon didn't really save many grams going from the 15-45mm to the 18-45mm in this case as the RF lens flares out at the base, making it comparable to the 15-45mm EF-M lens.

I think Bryan struggled a bit coming up with good reasons to owning this lens and it comes down to; 

The primary strengths of the Canon RF-S 18-45mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM Lens were revealed in the first sentence of this review.

This lens is tiny, measuring only 1.7" (44.3mm) in length and mostly 2.5" (62.4mm) in width.

The 4.6 oz (130g) weight is barely noticeable.

While the focal length range is not especially long, it has the most-used focal lengths included.

This lens produces decent image quality and physically performs well. It even has image stabilization that coordinates with IBIS.

Everyone will love that the price tag is lower than any other Canon RF mount zoom lens. Professional photographers will love the low financial risk of treating this lens as disposable in scenarios dangerous to the lens.

My initial thoughts were if you had the choice and the finances skip this kit with the lens and get the 18-150mm instead. as long as the weight isn't a critical factor for you.   Needless to say, i think that assessment still holds.

Read Bryan's full review here.

If you still want this lens, preorder it here for $299.