Canon to Announce Faster-Than-F/2.0 Zoom Lens in Late 2026?

In news that will shock absolutely no one who has seen camera lens prices lately, Canon is reportedly planning to announce a zoom lens faster than f/2.0 by late 2026. Yes, you read that correctly. Faster than f/2.0. We’re as surprised as you are that it’s taken this long.

The Holy Grail of Zoom Lenses

Canon already gave us the RF 28-70mm f/2L USM back in 2018 when the EOS R system launched, a lens so big it doubles as a recreational fitness device. But since then? Crickets. The rumor mill has been churning for years about what Canon might do next, and apparently the answer is: go even wider.

According to the rumor source there’s “pretty good proof” that an f/1.4L zoom lens is on the horizon. Late 2026 is the target. So if you’ve been holding your breath, please exhale.

Sony’s Doing It, So Obviously Canon Has To

Let’s be real: Sony kicked off the f/2 zoom party with the FE 50-150mm f/2 GM and the FE 28-70mm f/2 GM. Both are magnificent. Both are absurdly expensive. And both have Canon shooters collectively weeping into their reflection elements.

Canon, being Canon, can’t let Sony have all the fun. So expect Canon’s offering to be… let’s say “ambitious.” Possibly in the same way the 28-70mm f/2L was ambitious, i.e., heavy enough to require a insurance waiver.

Wait, APS-C Too?

The rumors also hint at an APS-C (RF-S) f/1.4 zoom, potentially alongside a new EOS 7D Mark II expected sometime in mid-2026. This would be Canon’s way of saying, “We know you exist, crop-sensor users. We haven’t forgotten about you. Mostly.”

Patent Pending

Canon being Canon, they’ve filed approximately seventeen bazillion patents covering f/1.4 zoom optical designs for full-frame, Super35, and APS-C sensors. One particularly wild patent describes a 4.2-6.5mm f/1.2 for Super35 sensors. Is this for a PowerShot? Are we getting an f/1.2 compact camera? Maybe! Probably not! Who knows!

What We Actually Know

• ✅ Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM exists (2018, ~$2,300, 1.5kg of optical excellence)
• ✅ Sony has f/2 zooms (50-150mm f/2 GM, 28-70mm f/2 GM)
• ✅ Canon has filed f/1.4 zoom patents
• ❓ Late 2026 announcement — unconfirmed
• ❓ f/1.4L zoom specs — speculative
• ❓ EOS 7D Mark II — pure rumor
• ❓ APS-C f/1.4 zoom — also pure rumor

The Verdict

Will this lens exist? Almost certainly. Will it be absurdly expensive? Absolutely. Will it weigh more than your first car? Probably. We’re here for it.

Stay tuned for more updates, or don’t. Canon will announce it when they announce it, and we’ll be here to write about it either way.

source: canonrumors.com