Canon Announces Development of RF-S 7.8mm f/4 STM Dual Lens

Canon officially announced the development of the RF-S 7.8mm f/4 STM Dual Lens, an APS-C 3D imaging lens compatible with the EOS VR SYSTEM.

• Canon is developing the RF-S7.8mm F4 STM DUAL, an RF lens for 3D video shooting, as part of the EOS VR SYSTEM, with the aim of releasing it in 2024.
• Apple Inc.’s (hereinafter referred to as “Apple”) “Spatial Video” is a 3D image that can be viewed on the spatial computer “Apple Vision Pro,” and this lens is the first Apple-certified input device other than Apple products that supports “Spatial Video.”
• This lens has a field of view of approximately 60°, close to the effective field of view of the human eye, allowing it to capture a variety of everyday scenes at a natural field of view. The AF mechanism provides high-speed, high-precision AF with the same feel as a typical RF lens, allowing even beginners to easily enjoy shooting 3D images.
• “Spatial Video,” which can be viewed with “Apple Vision Pro,” allows you to enjoy 3D images with a sense of depth. By converting footage shot with the “RF-S7.8mm F4 STM DUAL” and the camera “EOS R7” (released in June 2022), which is compatible with this lens, into the “Spatial Video” video format using the app “EOS VR Utility,” it becomes possible to view “Spatial Video” on “Apple Vision Pro.”

Press Release:

Canon Developing New RF-S7.8mm F4 STM Dual Lens for EOS R7 Camera for Recording Spatial Video For Apple Vision Pro

MELVILLE, N.Y., June 10, 2024 — Canon U.S.A., Inc. today announced that its parent company, Canon Inc. is developing the RF-S7.8mm F4 STM DUAL lens for its popular EOS R7 camera¹, enabling users to capture life’s most precious moments in spatial video, and then relive those memories on Apple Vision Pro. The new STM DUAL lens is the latest addition to Canon’s EOS VR System lineup, and will be available later this fall². Canon is the first³ camera manufacturer to introduce a dedicated, interchangeable lens that enables pro users to capture stunning spatial video to experience on Apple Vision Pro.

With the RF-S7.8mm F4 STM DUAL lens, videographers can record gorgeous spatial video even in the most challenging lighting conditions. After capturing video with the interchangeable lens, the EOS VR Utility app transforms the video captured from the camera to spatial video, which viewers can enjoy on Apple Vision Pro.

The RF-S7.8mm F4 STM DUAL lens features a field angle that is similar to a person’s field of view, which enables videographers to naturally capture memorable moments. The lens is also equipped with a high-speed autofocus mechanism, so users of all levels can record amazing spatial video.

Canon launched the EOS VR System for capturing immersive and VR video in 2021, and since then has met the needs for video production in diverse fields including entertainment, tourism, and education. The EOS VR System features dual lenses and utilizes the left and right lenses to produce beautiful content with incredible depth and dimension. To streamline the video production workflow, the light entering from the respective lenses is recorded on a single CMOS sensor, which eliminates the need for camera position adjustments or synchronization prior to shooting, or the need for piecing together footage after filming.

The RF-S7.8mm F4 STM DUAL lens is the latest example of how Canon is continuing to meet the creative needs of pro users who strive to produce stunning immersive video as they explore new ways of storytelling.