Canon’s Legendary EF 24-70mm f/2.8L Might Be Getting a Wider Successor — And Yes, It Would Have VCM
If you’ve been using the RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM and thinking “this is great, but what if it started at 20mm instead?”— first of all, congratulations on your very specific taste. Second: Canon may be thinking the same thing.
According to rumor source, the next iteration of Canon’s flagship workhorse zoom is reportedly in the works, with sources suggesting it could arrive sometime in 2026. The headline detail: the follow-up lens could be wider than 24mm — with the working hypothesis being an RF 20-70mm f/2.8L IS VCM. The source reportedly didn’t know exactly how much wider, which is either honest uncertainty or a carefully maintained air of mystery. We’ll give them the benefit of the doubt.
VCM: The Acronym of the Moment
Here’s the part that’s actually news: this lens would reportedly be Canon’s first VCM (Voice Coil Motor) zoom lens — a significant step, given that VCM autofocus is widely considered the future of high-performance lens AF. Canon already dropped the RF 14mm f/1.4L VCM ($2,599) in February 2026 — alongside the RF 7-14mm f/2.8-3.5L Fisheye STM ($1,899), which uses a leadscrew-type STM motor — so VCM technology is clearly in production and working in the RF lineup. A VCM zoom would be a new frontier.
Nikon and Sony have already been heading in the VCM direction, and Canon has made no secret of wanting to evolve its RF lineup beyond the traditional USM motor. So a VCM-powered 24-70 successor isn’t just a nice rumor — it fits the roadmap.
The 20mm Difference
For anyone who’s shot wide, the jump from 24mm to 20mm is not trivial. It’s the difference between “that almost fits in frame” and “yes, that absolutely fits in frame.” The RF 20mm f/1.4L VCM prime is already in Canon’s lineup, and those who’ve used it know the focal length has real character. A zoom that starts there — at f/2.8 — would be genuinely exciting for event, wedding, and documentary photographers who live on that lens.
It would not, however, be cheap. Plan accordingly.
Don’t Expect It Tomorrow
The CanonRumors source is confident enough that this lens is coming “at some point this year,” but also notes that no new lens announcements are expected in the next couple of weeks. Attention will likely shift to the EOS R7 Mark II first, expected in the coming months. After that, the L glass pipeline should open up again — and we may start hearing more concrete details about the zoom.
NAB in April is traditionally a Cinema EOS moment, so don’t hold your breath for a 24-70 successor there either. But summer? Fall? A man can dream.
Bottom Line
Confirmed: Canon is moving toward VCM zoom lenses. The RF 7-14mm and RF 14mm f/1.4L VCM are real, shipping, and in the wild.
Rumored (with moderate confidence): A follow-up to the RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM is in the works, likely wider than 24mm, possibly an RF 20-70mm f/2.8L IS VCM.
Speculation: It will cost more than you want to spend, arrive later than you’d like, and you’ll buy it anyway.
An anonymous source claims that Canon is planning a new macro lens, longer than 100mm, and with variable magnification ratios. No focal length. No aperture. No timeline. Just a dangling carrot for the macro crowd, and honestly? That’s enough to get people excited.
Canon’s Macro Legacy (The Good Old Days)
Let’s take a quick trip down memory lane, because Canon has made some genuinely wild macro lenses in the past.
The EF 180mm f/3.5L USM Macro, a telephoto macro that gave you true 1:1 reproduction and a generous working distance, meaning you didn’t have to shove the lens two inches from a bug’s face to get a sharp shot. Beloved by macro shooters. Discontinued. No RF replacement has appeared. Macro fans are still waiting.
The MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x Macro, now this was something special. A manual-focus-only lens capable of magnification from 1:1 all the way up to 5:1. Five times life size. At 5x you’re essentially photographing the cellular structure of a gnat’s wing. A deeply weird lens that attracted a deeply passionate following. Also discontinued. Also without an RF successor.
Both lenses are gone from Canon’s active lineup, but you can still find them new-in-box if you look hard enough.
The New Rumor: Combining the Best of Both
Here’s where it gets interesting. The source suggests a lens that would combine:
Focal length longer than 100mm (the 180mm territory)
Variable magnification ratios (the MP-E 65mm territory)
Potentially with autofocus — which the MP-E 65mm notably lacked
The rumor source floats the idea of something like an RF 200mm f/4L with variable magnification as one possibility. That’s entirely speculative, no specs were provided, but it’s a plausible direction given Canon’s recent RF lens design philosophy.
What About the RF 100mm f/2.8L?
Canon does have a current macro for the RF mount: the RF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM, which features 1.4x maximum magnification (slightly beyond 1:1) and excellent hybrid IS. It’s a good lens. But some shooters have noted a focus shift issue when stopping down, and it doesn’t scratch the itch of the longer working distance crowd or extreme magnification enthusiasts.
A 100mm macro is great. A 180mm+ variable-magnification macro with autofocus would be on a different level entirely.
Fact Check
Claim
Status
Canon EF 180mm f/3.5L USM existed
✅ Confirmed — real lens, now discontinued
Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x existed
✅ Confirmed — real lens, MF only, now discontinued
Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM exists
✅ Confirmed — current RF macro, 1.4x magnification
RF 100mm focus shift issue
✅ Reported by multiple shooters
New macro longer than 100mm planned
❓ Single anonymous source, unverified
Variable magnification on new lens
❓ Same anonymous source, unverified
RF 200mm f/4L specifically
❓ Canon Rumors speculation, not from source
Timeline
❌ None given
The Verdict
Low confidence on specifics, but Canon absolutely should make this lens. The EF 180mm and MP-E 65mm communities were passionate and underserved. A modern RF macro that merges long working distance with variable magnification, and adds autofocus, would be a statement lens.
Whether it actually happens is another question. As Canon Rumors admits, the source is anonymous and confidence is low. But hey, a macro shooter can dream.
It’s been a week since the last rumor roundup, and Canon decided that wasn’t enough chaos. Between CP+ 2026 revelations and fresh leaks about their 2026 roadmap, there’s a lot to unpack. Let’s dive in.
1. The CP+ 2026 Concept Camera: Canon Built a Hipster’s Dream
Canon showed up to CP+ 2026 with something nobody expected: a working concept camera that looks like it time-traveled from 1965.
What It Is
The “Analog Concept Camera” is a waist-level viewing camera that borrows its soul from the Hasselblad 500 and Seagull 4. Metal body. Box shape. No giant EVF hump. No flip-out touch screen. No mode dial screaming P/A/S/M.
What it has instead:
Waist-level optical viewfinder — not digital, actual mirrors
Manual focus only — because apparently autofocus is for the weak
1-inch 6MP sensor — yes, six megapixels, this is not a typo
Fixed f/1.8 prime lens — non-interchangeable
USB-C port — the only concession to living in 2026
The Optical Trick
Here’s where it gets weird. Canon didn’t just slap a film simulation filter on a digital sensor. They built a dual-mirror optical system:
Light enters through the lens
First mirror reflects it upward
Second mirror projects it onto the waist-level viewfinder’s ground glass
You see actual optical depth of field. Actual bokeh. Not a digital preview.
When you press the shutter (well, flip the side lever), the mirrors switch positions and the sensor captures the image projected on the glass, not direct light from the subject. Canon claims this produces a more “film-like” rendering.
Two Designs Shown
Retro version: Angular, boxy, metal texture like a 1960s medium format SLR
Modern version: Rounded, slightly more contemporary
My Take
This is Canon throwing elbows at Fujifilm. The X100 series and Instax Evo proved that young buyers don’t care about dynamic range charts — they care about whether the camera looks cool on Instagram. Canon’s response: “You do rangefinder styling? Watch us do waist-level viewing.”
It’s a concept, so it may never ship. But the fact that Canon built a working prototype suggests they’re seriously exploring the “analog experience” market. Reddit is already divided between “this is pretentious garbage” and “shut up and take my money.”
2. EOS RE-1: The AE-1 Tribute We’ve Been Waiting For
The rumor mill has been whispering about Canon’s retro full-frame camera for months. Now we have actual specs.
What We Know
Spec
RE-1 (Rumored)
Sensor
32.5MP Full-Frame CMOS (same as R6 Mark III)
Processor
DIGIC X (entry-level variant)
Video
Severely cut down — this is a photo camera
Price
~$1,999 (significantly below R6 III’s $2,799)
Release
Q4 2026 / Q1 2027
Design
AE-1 inspired, metal body, leather texture
The Strategy
This isn’t a technical showcase. It’s a market play. Nikon proved with the Zf that there’s serious demand for “modern sensor, retro body” cameras. Canon’s response is to give you R6 III image quality in a package that looks like your dad’s 1976 AE-1.
The timing is deliberate: 2026 marks the AE-1’s 50th anniversary.
What Gets Cut
To hit that $1,999 price point while using a premium sensor, something had to give:
Video features will be minimal (no 7K, no open gate)
Processor is entry-level DIGIC X, not the accelerated version
Burst rates likely capped below R6 III
The pitch: “A camera for people who just want to take photos.” Which, honestly, sounds kind of refreshing.
Matching Lenses
Canon is rumored to launch two retro-styled lenses alongside the RE-1. Likely existing optics with vintage exterior designs. Probably a zoom and a prime. L-series red rings? Probably not.
3. EOS R3 Mark II: Global Shutter Confirmed
Remember when the internet said the R3 Mark II “probably won’t ever exist”? Good times.
What’s Confirmed
Multiple sources now agree: Canon is testing a global shutter sensor for the R3 Mark II. This is the same technology Sony used in the A9 III — zero rolling shutter, zero jello effect, perfect for sports.
Spec
R3 Mark II (Rumored)
Sensor
Global Shutter CMOS (Sony A9 III inspired)
Processor
DIGIC X Mark II (new generation)
AF System
Eye-Control AF 2.0 with AI enhancement
EVF
5.76M-dot OLED (same as R1)
Video
6K/120p RAW internal recording
Release
February 2026 (Milan Olympics timing)
Price
$6,500 – $7,000
Eye-Control AF 2.0
The original R3 introduced eye-controlled autofocus. Version 2.0 adds deeper AI to handle complex scenes — sports, birds in flight, chaos at the finish line. The idea: look at your subject, and the camera locks on.
The Olympics Play
Canon always drops flagship updates around major sporting events. The R3 Mark II is being tested by photographers at the Milan Winter Olympics right now. If it ships in February, it’ll be in pros’ hands before the games end.
4. Lens Roadmap: VCM Everywhere
Canon’s 2026 lens strategy is clear: VCM motors for everyone.
Confirmed / Coming Soon
Lens
Status
RF 14mm f/1.4L VCM
Released Feb 4 — 578g, HYBRID prime series
RF 7-14mm f/2.8-3.5L Fisheye STM
Released Feb 4 — 190° coverage
RF 300-600mm f/5.6L IS VCM
Coming 2026 — fills the $3K-$10K gap
RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS VCM II
Updated with VCM motor
RF 28mm f/1.4L VCM
Planned for HYBRID series
RF 70-180mm f/2.8 STM
“Budget trinity” alternative
RF 400mm f/2.8L II
World Cup / Olympics timing
RF 600mm f/4L II
World Cup / Olympics timing
The RF 300-600mm f/5.6L VCM Story
This lens has been rumored in various forms for years — 200-500mm f/4, 150-600mm f/5.6, back to 300-600mm f/5.6. The current consensus:
Constant f/5.6 aperture
L-series optics with fluorite elements
VCM motor for fast, silent AF
Price target: under $10,000
Weight: significantly lighter than the 400mm and 600mm primes
Why it matters: Canon currently has nothing between the $3,000 RF 100-500mm and the $13,000+ supertele primes. Nikon and Sony have been eating Canon’s lunch in this segment.
5. Compact Camera Revivals
Because apparently 2026 is the year of “everything old is new again”:
Camera
Notes
PowerShot G7 X Mark IV
1-inch sensor, 4K 60p, aimed at vloggers
PowerShot SX750 HS
Travel zoom revival
PowerShot V3
G3 X-style compact with EVF
PowerShot V10 Mark II
Update to 2023’s V10
The G7 X series in particular has surprisingly stable demand despite smartphones eating everyone’s lunch. Canon apparently sees enough market to justify an update.
The Big Picture
Canon’s 2026 strategy is becoming clear:
Flagships get serious — R3 Mark II with global shutter, no compromises
APS-C gets love — R7 Mark II and R10 Mark II finally shipping
Retro is money — RE-1 for the AE-1 nostalgists, concept camera for the experimental crowd
Lenses for everyone — VCM motors across the line, budget STM options, super-tele gap filled
Compacts aren’t dead — G7 X and SX series get updates
The question isn’t whether Canon has products. It’s whether they can ship them on time.
Sources: PhotoRumors (CP+ concept), CanonRumors (RE-1, lenses), The New Camera (R3 II, PowerShot), via ITHome, Sina, Sohu
Below is a roundup of the most credible Canon rumors that surfaced in the last two weeks. I’ve grouped the rumors by product family so you can see how they fit together and – just as important – where the rumors are still murky.
1. Full-frame bodies: a “moving target” launch calendar
EOS R6 Mark III The most-quoted leak is that Canon quietly pushed a May product event to “later in the year”, stalling the long-anticipated R6 III as well as several lenses. Behind the scenes, sources cite two factors: a 7-8 % price hike for North-America, and fears that new U.S. tariffs could whipsaw production costs. Specification whispers haven’t changed – 24-30 MP new-gen sensor, 6 K (possibly 8 K) capture, better thermal management, and an EVF upgrade – but commentators now peg the body for late Q4 2025 or even early 2026.
2. APS-C bodies: “Baby R5” hype and cascading delays
EOS R7 Mark II It might come with a stacked 40 MP APS-C sensor, 8 K/60p video, and be the first Canon mirrorless body that might ditch the mechanical shutter entirely. The new chassis is said to be physically larger so it can share the R5 II’s cooling grip and larger battery. If those specs stick, the R7 II would leapfrog Fujifilm’s X-T5 on resolution while matching its 8 K headline. But the same sources warn that the R7 II is tied to the R6 III event window, so the practical ship date could slide in lockstep.
EOS R10 Mark II Insiders mention the entry-level R10 II as “collateral damage” of Canon’s reshuffled roadmap. Expected upgrades – oversampled 4 K/60 p, livestream-friendly USB, and a flippy screen – are intact, but no firm timing survived the schedule reshuffle.
3. Lens buzz: two threads worth watching
(a) The long super-telephoto zoom What about a RF 300-600 mm f/5.6 L IS USM as the “new big white zoom”? With a design that would slot between the RF 100-500 mm and the long-rumored but heavier (and pricier) RF 200-500 mm f/4. The leak stressed a constant-aperture 5.6 design to keep weight and cost under control, plus an internal zoom to maintain balance on monopods.
(b) A pair of ultra-fast f/1.2 L primes It is rumored that two new f/1.2 L primes for stills shooters are “imminent.” No focal lengths were named, but insiders speculate on a revamped RF 50 mm f/1.2 L (lighter, possibly with VCM focusing) plus a long-awaited RF 35 mm f/1.2 L. Conversation on X during the past ten days shows the story still has legs, with commenters noting the absence of patents for an updated RF 85 mm f/1.2, suggesting Canon may refresh the 50 mm first.
4. RF-S glass: small hints, no hard leaks
Forum chatter continues about four unnamed RF-S lenses scheduled for 2025, but no real specs leaked in the last 14 days. The consensus – based on older road-map slides – is two constant-aperture zooms and at least one compact prime, likely timed to ship with the delayed R7 II and R10 II bodies. Until Canon reschedules its APS-C announcements, that thread remains speculation.
5. Market context: why every rumor now carries an asterisk
Canon’s own financial guidance called for a global price adjustment in April, and North-American retailers have already updated price lists. Add the looming U.S./China tariff hikes and component shortages, and it’s easy to see why every body-launch date leaked this month came with a hedged “late 2025 or 2026” qualifier. Analysts also warn that Canon is spacing releases to avoid cannibalizing R5 II and R1 sales in a year when margins are razor thin.
6. What feels firm – and what still feels fuzzy
Category
Likelihood (next 9 months)
Key unknowns
R6 Mark III
Medium – delayed but highly developed
Final sensor resolution; CP+ 2026 vs. Q4 2025 launch
R7 Mark II
Medium-low – tied to R6 III timeline
Will Canon really go stacked 40 MP APS-C?
R10 Mark II
Low – entry bodies slip first
Whether Canon keeps mechanical shutter to cut costs
Over the last two weeks Canon rumors have shifted from “what’s next?” to “when is next?”. Hard specs on the R7 II fan the flames of an APS-C renaissance, but tariff jitters and component inflation have turned May’s expected launch cycle into a waiting game. On the lens side, a constant-5.6 mega-zoom and refreshed f/1.2 primes look the most solid, yet even these are hostage to Canon’s revised calendar. If you need new gear for summer 2025, the safest bet is still the already-shipping R5 II or existing RF glass. If you can wait, the next nine months should be telling – just keep in mind that every credible leak now carries an economic caveat as big as the cameras themselves.
It’s very easy to understand what’s going on here. The listed lenses have a high likelihood to be released, sooner or later, for the mere fact that they are present in each and every lens lineup. It’s certain that Canon will release them. So why not suggesting they will get announced in 2023, then 2024, and if still not here, let’s suggest 2025. Easy peasy, isn’t it?
They call it educated speculation. I do not ¯\_ (ツ)_/¯
Take this as example for how the rumor industry works, what it is based upon.
I do not. It’s just another educated speculation about what mighty and secretive Canon might do in the future.
Rumor has it that Canon is set to announce an RF 400mm f/4 DO IS lens “some time in 2024”:
[…] Canon will once again bring a DO branded lens to the RF mount, in the form of an RF 400mm f/4 DO IS USM. The lens is coming some time in 2024, and will continue to improve on Canon’s DO lens designs.
So, next month’s rumors about the RF 400MM F/4 DO IS will likely be about not having or indeed having the DO (Diffractive Optics). Boring.
Go out snapping photos, it’s better ;-)
Oh, and if you want to learn how to navigate all those rumor sites without seeing ads and getting tracked, I have a neat tutorial for you.
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