Canon Patent Application Highlights New Compact Zoom Lens Designs

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A new Canon patent application, published on April 28, 2025, outlines several interesting optical system designs. Among them are full-frame-compatible zoom lenses believed to target configurations like a 20–40mm f/2.8 and 20–50mm f/4, as well as an APS-C format lens such as a 12–35mm f/2.5–3.5.

Although it’s uncertain whether these specific designs will reach commercial production, Canon’s track record suggests it’s a real possibility. These lenses might be part of a broader initiative to develop zoom lenses optimized for video applications.

Patent Overview

  • Publication Number: JP2025-68535 (P2025-68535A)
  • Publication Date: April 28, 2025
  • Title: Zoom Lens and Imaging Device Having the Same
  • Filing Date: October 16, 2023
  • Applicant: Canon Inc.
  • Applicant ID: 000001007

The patent describes a compact zoom lens that offers high optical performance.

Background

Zoom lenses used in image capture devices often become bulky when the mass, number, or movement range of lens groups increases during zooming. Previous designs, such as the one cited in Patent Document 1, fall short in correcting optical aberrations effectively throughout the zoom range. This has created a demand for compact, high-performance zoom lenses.

Summary of the Invention

The aim of this invention is to provide a small-form-factor zoom lens with excellent optical quality.

Several of the optical systems in this application suggest designs intended for inner zoom-type lenses, including both full-frame and APS-C models. Some may be considering a powered zoom mechanism with an integrated motor drive, similar to Canon’s RF-S 14–30mm f/4–6.3 IS STM PZ, which appears in related patent filings that assume the use of electric zoom functionality.

The examples include lenses with constant apertures of f/2.8 and f/4, offering user-friendly optics. The focal lengths lean toward the wide-angle end, aligning with the growing demand for video-capable lenses. While the aperture varies only in the APS-C design – reaching a bright f/2.35 on the wide end – all examples are noted for their relatively long lengths. However, their inner zoom construction ensures the center of gravity remains stable during use, which is especially beneficial for video work.

Example 1

  • Focal length: 20.61-38.72
  • F-number: 2.90
  • Half angle of view: 43.64-29.19
  • Image height: 19.65-21.64
  • Total length: 130.70
  • Back focus: 31.45-40.28

Example 2

  • Focal length: 20.61-48.39
  • F-number: 4.10
  • Half angle of view: 43.69-24.09
  • Image height: 19.69-21.64
  • Overall length: 133.51
  • Back Focus: 12.18

Example 3

  • Focal length: 15.47-28.82
  • F-number: 4.10
  • Half angle of view: 52.36-36.90
  • Image height: 20.06-21.64
  • Overall length: 97.47
  • Back Focus: 11.75

Example 4

  • Focal length: 12.37-33.97
  • F-number: 2.35-3.60
  • Half angle of view: 44.47-21.96
  • Image height: 12.14-13.70
  • Overall length: 113.77
  • Back Focus: 11.50

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Canon Patent: RF-S 14-30mm F4-6.3 IS STM PZ

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A noteworthy Canon patent application, published on April 4, 2025, has surfaced. It shares a similar design to the recently announced RF-S 14-30mm F4-6.3 IS STM PZ. A comparable patent was also filed last year. So, I am not sure if this patent refers directly to the RF-S 14-30mm or if it is a new lens design.

Overview

  • Publication Number: P2025050505
  • Publication Date: April 4, 2025
  • Title: Zoom Lens and Imaging Device
  • Application Date: September 25, 2023
  • Applicant: Canon Inc. (ID: 000001007)

The invention describes a compact and lightweight zoom lens with a wide angle of view and high optical performance.

Background

Zoom lenses used in imaging devices must maintain high optical performance across the entire zoom range, particularly at wide angles, while also being compact. Patent Document 1 introduces a negative-lead wide-angle zoom lens, where a lens group with negative refractive power is positioned toward the object side. This design helps achieve both compactness and a wide angle of view.

However, the lens described in Patent Document 1 suffers from inadequate correction of field curvature at the wide-angle end, resulting in reduced image quality at the edges.

This new invention aims to address those issues by offering a negative-lead type zoom lens that is small, lightweight, and delivers high optical performance throughout the entire zoom range, including at wide angles.

Example 1

  • Focal length: 14.42-29.10
  • F-number: 4.08-5.71
  • Half angle of view: 38.88-24.93
  • Image height: 11.63-13.52
  • Overall length: 78.51
  • Back Focus: 12.34

Example 2

  • Focal length: 14.42-29.10
  • F-number: 4.12-6.40
  • Half angle of view: 38.92-24.89
  • Image height: 11.65-13.50
  • Overall length: 78.53
  • Back Focus: 12.41

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Canon Patent: 24-130mm F4 IS and 24-80mm F2.8 IS

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Here is a new Canon patent application for two zoom lenses.

Canon patent application 2024160458 (Japan, published 11/14/2024) discusses optical formulas for two zoom lenses:

  • 24-130mm F4 IS
  • 24-80mm F2.8 IS

From the patent literature:

  • To obtain a compact zoom lens having a bright F-number, a high zoom ratio, and high optical performance.
  • Background Art: Zoom lenses used in imaging devices such as those described above are required to have high performance with minimal aberrations and high resolution up to high spatial frequencies. In such zoom lenses, the degradation of optical characteristics due to diffraction cannot be ignored. Since the degradation of imaging performance due to diffraction is determined by the F-number of the zoom lens, zoom lenses are required to have a bright open F-number (large aperture ratio). Also, in order to reduce noise when imaging in dark places, a bright F-number is required throughout the entire zoom range. Furthermore, zoom lenses are required to be compact and to have a high zoom ratio.

Example 1

  • Focal length: 24.72-130.99
  • F-number: 4.08-4.12
  • Half angle of view: 37.84-9.38
  • Image height: 19.20-21.64
  • Total length: 127.91-182.91
  • Back focus: 11.19-47.32

Example 2

  • Focal length: 24.72-82.44
  • F-number: 2.88-2.91
  • Half angle of view: 37.91-14.71
  • Image height: 19.25-21.64
  • Total length: 141.91-178.40
  • Back focus: 12.29-33.22

More Canon patents are listed here.

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Canon Patent: 200-1000mm F6.3-9 IS Lens For RF Mounts

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Here is a new Canon patent application.

Canon patent application 2024111453 (Japan, published 8/19/2024) discusses optical formulas for a telephoto zoom lens, the 200-1000mm F6.3-9 IS.

Example 1

  • Focal length: 203.00-776.00
  • F-number: 6.42-9.18
  • Half angle of view: 6.08-1.60
  • Image height: 21.64
  • Total length: 331.63-421.61
  • Back Focus: 37.98-96.27

Example 2

  • Focal length: 203.00-699.99
  • F-number: 5.60-7.10
  • Half angle of view: 6.08-1.77
  • Image height: 21.64
  • Total length: 347.80-447.80
  • Back Focus: 38.65-94.84

Example 3

  • Focal length: 158.88-600.00
  • F-number: 5.89-9.18
  • Half angle of view: 7.75-2.07
  • Image height: 21.64
  • Overall length: 332.30-447.10
  • Back focus: 38.50-92.00

Example 4

  • Focal length: 199.98-980.38
  • F-number: 6.43-9.18
  • Half angle of view: 6.17-1.26
  • Image height: 21.64
  • Total length: 362.79-482.80
  • Back focus: 38.64-100.15

More Canon patents are listed here.

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Canon Patent: RF 28-70mm F2.8 Lens

28-70mm f2.8
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Canon patent application 2024104916 (Japan, published on August 6, 2024) discusses various optical formulas for a yet to be released RF lens: 28-70mm f2.8.

From the patent literature:

  • Description of the Related Art: In recent years, imaging optical systems used in imaging devices have been required to have high optical performance, a high zoom ratio, and a small size.
  • The zoom lens of Patent Document 1 has a lens group arranged in the order of positive, negative, positive, positive, negative, positive, from the object side to the image side. However, since the refractive power of the second lens group is strong, the chromatic aberration of magnification at the wide-angle end tends to become large, and the fluctuation of the curvature of field occurring during zooming tends to become large .
  • SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENTS: An object of the present invention is to provide a zoom lens which has high optical performance, a high zoom ratio and is compact.

Example 1

  • Focal length: 28.80-67.90
  • F-number: 2.88-2.92
  • Half angle of view: 34.93-17.67
  • Image height: 21.64
  • Total length: 132.38-158.83
  • Back Focus: 15.39-34.87

More Canon patents are llisted here.

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Canon Patent: 15-28mm F2.8 And 17-30mm F2.8 Lenses

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Canon patent application 2024101615 (Japan, published 7/30/2024) discusses optical formulas for two lenses:

  • 15-28mm F2.8
  • 17-30mm F2.8

From the patent literature:

  • A zoom lens that is compact yet has a wide angle of view and good optical performance over the entire zoom range.
  • [Background Art]There is a demand for a compact, wide-angle zoom lens as an imaging optical system used in imaging devices such as single-lens reflex cameras, video cameras, broadcast cameras, and silver-halide film cameras. As such a zoom lens, Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose a zoom lens that is composed of a first lens group with negative refractive power, a second lens group with positive refractive power, and a subsequent lens group, which are arranged in this order from the object side to the image side.
    In a negative-lead type zoom lens, in order to miniaturize the entire system while achieving a wide angle of view and high optical performance, it is important to properly arrange the lens groups that make up the zoom lens, and the configuration and power arrangement of the first lens group are particularly important.
  • The present invention provides a zoom lens that is compact yet has a wide angle of view and good optical performance over the entire zoom range, and an image pickup apparatus using the same.

Example 1

  • Focal length: 15.488-27.160
  • F value: 2.900
  • Half angle of view: 54.532-38.744
  • Image height: 17.550-20.460
  • Total length: 140.161-129.964
  • Back focal length: 13.270

Example 2

  • Focal length: 16.482-27.299
  • F value: 2.900
  • Half angle of view: 52.826-38.443
  • Image height: 18.100-20.460
  • Total length: 141.472-132.922
  • Back Focus: 14.138

Example 3

  • Focal length: 17.423-31.170
  • F value: 2.900
  • Half angle of view: 51.201-34.556
  • Image height: 18.100-20.430
  • Overall length: 153.392-141.859
  • Back focal length: 13.330