Hey, Claire!
That’s a great photography question. Just thought I'd warn you that the Sky Community is primarily targeted at services offered by Sky, so you might find some further and more detailed information in a photography or Canon-related forum or website.
With that said, RF lenses (as in the Canon RF mount series) may enhance autofocus and image quality over older designs, and here is why:
Faster, smarter autofocus
RF lenses come equipped with a modern system of electronic communication (12-pin), which allows communication between the lens and the camera body, enabling them to send and receive information much faster compared to older models. This quick communication ensures faster and accurate focus on a subject, including tracking*, which is ideal when shooting moving objects such as humans or animals.
Enhanced image quality
One reason why RF lenses allow for better pictures is that these lenses come close to the image sensor and have a wider mount diameter. This makes it easier for manufacturers to design these lenses and eliminate issues such as distortion and chromatic aberration while making pictures clearer and more sharp and smooth even at corners.
Extra Perks RF lenses also boast better image stabilisation capabilities and features such as Digital Lens Optimization, which work to reduce optical aberrations in real-time.
So yes – native RF lenses might give you a noticeable boost in terms of autofocus speed and image quality when compared to older EF-mount DSLR lenses, and all this when used on new mirrorless platforms. The extent of this advantage would differ from lens to lens, but in general, the RF system has been developed for speed and precision.
Hope that helps!
