Canon has introduced its most affordable and compact VR lens to date, the RF-S7.8mm F4 STM Dual, priced at $450. This lens, comparable in size to a standard camera lens, is designed for creating 3D VR content suitable for headsets such as the Meta Quest 3 and Apple Vision Pro. Its development was initially hinted at during the WWDC 2024, alongside the announcement of Apple’s latest Vision Pro operating system.
The lens, however, is specifically tailored for APS-C cameras and is currently compatible only with Canon’s 32.5-megapixel EOS R7. The EOS R7 camera itself is priced at $1,300 for the body, making the total cost for a complete setup approximately $1,750.
Canon has a history of experimenting with stereoscopic VR lenses, most notably with its RF5.2mm F2.8 L Dual Fisheye. That model is larger, more expensive at $2,000, and requires manual focus. It offers a nearly 180-degree field of view, which closely resembles human vision, and a heightened 3D experience due to a 2.36-inch gap between its elements.
In contrast, the new 7.8mm crop sensor lens has a narrower 63-degree field of view. The closeness of its elements, at 0.46 inches apart, lessens the 3D effect, particularly for subjects farther away. For optimal results, subjects should be between 6 to 20 inches away, posing a challenge for content creators. However, the lens offers the advantage of autofocus and features a button and control wheel for manual focus adjustments on the left and right sides.
Images and videos captured with the EOS R7 and the new lens require processing via Canon’s EOS VR Utility app or an Adobe Premiere Pro plugin, both subscription services. Following this, the content can be experienced on headsets like Meta Quest 3 and Vision Pro in various formats, including 180-degree 3D VR and 3D Theater. The RF-S7.8mm F4 STM Dual lens is currently available for pre-order at $449 and is expected to be released in November.