Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM Lens + Filter Kit + Accessory kit Review

With an overall score of 16.3/100, this is one of the lowest-ranked lenses in our database. It's a cheap, ultra-slim pancake lens for Canon APS-C DSLRs, but its slow f/2.8 aperture, mediocre autofocus, and complete lack of stabilization make it a poor choice for anything beyond basic daylight snapshots. Avoid for video.

At $180, the Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM is one of the most affordable prime lenses you can slap on an APS-C Canon DSLR. That price gets you a 38mm equivalent field of view, which is a classic 'normal' perspective, and a surprisingly slim 'pancake' design that makes your camera a lot more pocketable. But this is a lens that's been around for a while, and our data shows it's a solid, middle-of-the-pack performer that hasn't kept up with the mirrorless era. Its overall score of 16.3 out of 100 puts it near the bottom of our rankings, and it's particularly weak for video and vlogging, where it scores a dismal 6.4.

Let's be clear: this isn't a lens you buy for cutting-edge performance. Its autofocus system lands in the 44th percentile, which means it's about average for its class but can feel a bit slow and noisy compared to modern STM or USM motors. The f/2.8 aperture is fine for general use, but it's not particularly fast, limiting its low-light capability and background blur compared to an f/1.8 or f/1.4 prime. The lack of any image stabilization (a 40th percentile ranking) means you're relying entirely on your camera body's IBIS, if it has it. For still photography in good light, it's perfectly capable, but it starts to show its age the moment you ask more of it.

The value proposition here is simple: it's cheap. At $180, you're getting a functional, compact prime lens that can teach you the benefits of a fixed focal length without breaking the bank. The included filter kit is a nice bonus. However, that low price comes with significant compromises in performance, build, and future compatibility. You're buying a lens that's firmly in the 'last generation' category. If your budget is absolutely locked at $200, it's an option. But if you can stretch a little further, there are much better-performing lenses, even used ones, that offer faster apertures and better build quality.

Stacked against its peers, the EF-S 24mm f/2.8 looks dated. A used Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM, while not a pancake, offers a much faster aperture for similar money, giving you far better low-light performance and background blur on an APS-C body (it becomes an 80mm equivalent, though). Compared to modern mirrorless kit lenses like the Canon RF-S 18-45mm, you're trading zoom versatility for a slightly sharper prime experience and a more compact form factor, but the modern kit lens will have faster, quieter autofocus and often better video features. The Nikon Z 28mm f/2.8 SE for their Z system is a more modern pancake counterpart, but it's for a completely different mount and typically costs more.

Skip this lens if you shoot video or vlog—its 6.4/100 score for vlogging is a deal-breaker. Also avoid it if you own a Canon mirrorless camera (EOS R, RP, R10, etc.); adapting this mediocre DSLR lens makes little sense when there are better native RF options. Photographers who need weather sealing, fast autofocus, or a bright aperture for low light should look elsewhere. This lens is for a niche, budget-conscious DSLR user only.

We can only recommend the Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM to a very specific user: someone with an older Canon APS-C DSLR who wants the absolute smallest, cheapest prime lens possible for casual stills photography. Its terrible scores for video and vlogging make it a non-starter for content creators. For everyone else, especially those considering a move to mirrorless, this lens is a dead end. Spend a bit more on a used faster prime or save for a native mirrorless lens; your future self will thank you.