Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM Lens
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AI Verdict
A 4.4-ounce, 24mm f/2.8 EF-S prime lens for Canon APS-C cameras, ideal for compact, everyday photography.
This lens is a strong fit for Canon APS-C users who prioritize portability and a natural field of view. Its 4.4-ounce weight and slim design transform a DSLR into a much more discreet and manageable camera for daily use and travel.
If you need a wider field of view for landscapes, look for an EF-S lens with a focal length closer to 10-18mm; for extreme low light, consider a prime lens with an aperture of f/1.8 or faster.
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Pros
- Weighs only 4.4 ounces, making your camera significantly lighter and less bulky for carrying around.
- The 24mm focal length (38mm equivalent on APS-C) offers a natural perspective for general photography.
- Its f/2.8 maximum aperture allows for shooting in lower light conditions and produces soft backgrounds.
- Achieves sharp images, even when shooting wide open at f/2.8.
- Focuses down to 0.16 meters (0.5 feet), allowing for close-up shots with a 0.27x maximum magnification.
- Full-time manual focus override lets you fine-tune focus without switching modes.
Cons
- The STM autofocus motor can be audible during video recording, picking up on in-camera microphones.
- Only compatible with Canon EF-S mount (APS-C) cameras; it will not mount on full-frame EF bodies.
- Manual focus is 'fly-by-wire,' meaning the focus ring lacks a direct mechanical feel, which can be irritating for precise adjustments.
- Some users report slight vignetting when shooting wide open at f/2.8.
Dimension Scores
Users consistently report sharp images with well-controlled chromatic aberrations, even wide open at f/2.8.
The STM motor provides smooth and generally fast autofocus for stills, but it's not the quickest system and can be slower than lead-screw STM types.
The STM autofocus motor is audible during operation, making it problematic for video recording with on-camera audio, and manual focus is 'fly-by-wire'.
Weighing only 4.4 ounces and featuring a slim 'pancake' design, it is the lightest and slimmest EF-S lens, significantly enhancing camera portability.
Best For
- Street photography, due to its compact size and unobtrusive profile.
- Everyday walk-around photography, keeping your camera light and easy to handle.
- Travel, where minimizing bulk and weight is a priority.
- Environmental portraits, capturing subjects within their surroundings with a natural field of view.
Not Recommended For
- Professional video production where silent autofocus is critical.
- Full-frame Canon camera users, as it's an EF-S specific lens.
- Ultra-wide landscape photography, as its 38mm equivalent field of view isn't extremely wide.
Watch Out For
- The STM motor's noise is noticeable in video recordings, making it unsuitable for on-camera audio capture without external microphones.
- Manual focus is 'fly-by-wire,' lacking the tactile feedback of mechanically coupled lenses, which can feel imprecise.
- It's an EF-S lens, so you can't use it on full-frame Canon DSLRs, limiting its future compatibility if you upgrade your camera body.
- While generally sharp, some users have observed slight vignetting at the widest aperture of f/2.8.
Full Specifications
| ASIN | B00NI3BZ5K |
| Brand | Canon |
| Batteries | 1 Lithium Ion batteries required. |
| Lens Type | Wide Angle |
| Item Weight | 4.4 ounces |
| Manufacturer | Canon Cameras US |
| Item model number | EF-S2428STM |
| Product Dimensions | 0.91 x 2.68 x 2.68 inches |
| Compatible Mountings | Canon EF |
| Camera Lens Description | Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM Lens |
| Focal Length Description | 24-24 lens |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
What Buyers Say
What really stands out about this lens is how it transforms your Canon APS-C DSLR into something you actually want to carry everywhere; it's so tiny and light, it almost feels like there's no lens attached. People love that it's sharp, especially for its price, and the f/2.8 aperture is a big step up from typical kit lenses for getting those blurry backgrounds. However, if you're trying to shoot video with your camera's built-in mic, you'll definitely hear the autofocus motor working, which is a bummer.
“Dude, this little pancake lens just lives on my Rebel now. It's so tiny, I actually take my camera out more, and the pictures are way sharper than my old kit lens, plus I can actually get some background blur now, finally! Only thing is, the autofocus sounds like a tiny robot when I try to film stuff, so no vlogging with this one.”
Common Praise
- The lens is incredibly small and light, making the camera much more portable.
- Produces very sharp images, even at its widest aperture of f/2.8.
- The f/2.8 aperture allows for shooting in lower light and creates pleasing background blur.
- Its 24mm focal length (38mm equivalent) provides a versatile, natural field of view for various situations.
- The close minimum focusing distance of 0.16 meters is useful for getting tight shots.
Common Complaints
- The STM autofocus motor makes an audible noise during video recording, which can be picked up by microphones.
- Manual focus is 'fly-by-wire' and lacks the tactile feel of traditional mechanical focusing.
- It's an EF-S lens, so it's not compatible with full-frame Canon cameras, limiting its use if you upgrade.
- Some users noted slight vignetting when shooting wide open at f/2.8.
Ownership Tips
- The camera feels much less front-heavy and more balanced with this lens attached, making it comfortable for extended carrying.
- It often becomes the 'default' lens because of its convenience and image quality, rarely being swapped out for other primes or zooms.
- The 'pancake' design makes it easy to slip the camera into smaller bags or even larger coat pockets without the lens snagging.
- You'll find yourself shooting more candidly because the camera setup is less intimidating to subjects.
- The plastic construction feels durable enough for everyday use, despite its light weight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this lens compatible with full-frame Canon cameras?
No, the Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM is an EF-S mount lens, designed exclusively for Canon APS-C (crop sensor) cameras. It will not physically mount on full-frame EF camera bodies.
Is this lens good for video?
For video, the lens's STM autofocus motor can be audible, which might be picked up by your camera's internal microphone. While it focuses smoothly, the noise makes it less ideal for situations requiring silent operation.
How does it compare to the kit 18-55mm lens?
Compared to the 18-55mm kit lens, the 24mm f/2.8 STM offers a wider maximum aperture (f/2.8 vs. f/3.5-5.6), allowing for better low-light performance and shallower depth of field. It's also significantly smaller and lighter, but it's a fixed focal length (prime) lens.
What kind of photography is this lens best for?
It's particularly well-suited for street photography, general walk-around shooting, and environmental portraits due to its compact size, natural field of view (38mm equivalent), and ability to create soft backgrounds.
Does this lens have image stabilization?
No, the Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM lens does not feature optical image stabilization. You'll rely on your camera's in-body image stabilization if it has it, or use faster shutter speeds to avoid blur.
Buying Guide
When you're looking at a lens like this, you're buying into a specific experience: extreme portability and a fixed focal length. This 'pancake' design means your camera becomes way less bulky, which is awesome for just carrying it around all day. You're giving up the flexibility of a zoom, but in return, you get a wider aperture for better low-light shots and softer backgrounds.
Focal Length (24mm / 38mm equivalent)
This tells you how 'zoomed in' your photos will be. On an APS-C camera, 24mm acts like a 38mm lens on a full-frame camera, which is often called a 'normal' or 'natural' perspective. It's not super wide, but it's wide enough to capture a scene without making things look distorted, kind of like what your eyes see naturally.
Maximum Aperture (f/2.8)
The 'f/2.8' number indicates how much light the lens can let in and how blurry you can make the background. A lower number (like f/2.8) means more light, so you can shoot in dimmer conditions without cranking up your camera's sensitivity (ISO). It also creates that pleasing blurry background effect, separating your subject from the surroundings.
STM Autofocus Motor
STM stands for 'Stepping Motor,' and it's designed for smooth and quiet autofocus, especially beneficial for video. However, with this specific lens, some users find it's not entirely silent for video recording, so it's a trade-off between smooth transitions and potential audio interference.
Alternatives
If this lens isn't wide enough for your landscapes, look for prime lenses with focal lengths under 18mm or zoom lenses starting around 10-12mm. If you need even better low-light performance or more background blur, search for prime lenses with maximum apertures of f/1.8 or f/1.4.
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