Canon RF 14-35mm F/4L IS USM vs Canon RF 28-70mm F/2L USM — Which Is Better?
Side by side42 specifications |
Canon · f/4 · Canon RF mount
Canon RF 14-35mm F/4L IS USM
75
SCORE
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Canon · f/2 · Canon RF mount
Canon RF 28-70mm F/2L USM
75
SCORE
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon RF 14-35mm F/4L IS USM and the Canon RF 28-70mm F/2L USM are both L-series full-frame zooms for the Canon EOS R system, built for different jobs. The 14-35mm, from 2021, is an ultra-wide zoom for landscapes, architecture and tight interiors. The 28-70mm, from 2018, covers a classic reportage range at a constant f/2. | ||
| Release Year | 2021 | 2018 |
Production Status ⓘCurrent status of lens manufacturing (e.g., in production, discontinued). |
 In Production | In Production |
Pro Branding ⓘSpecific branding codes used for professional-tier lenses. |
L | L |
Lens Mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Canon RF | Canon RF |
System ⓘIndicates which camera system the lens is designed to attach to. |
Canon EOS R | Canon EOS R |
Maximum Format ⓘLargest sensor size compatible with the lens. |
 Full Frame | Full Frame |
| Physical | 100/100 | 99/100 |
Read the Physical ComparisonPhysicalFor hiking and travel kits, the 14-35mm is the lighter and more compact lens. It weighs 540 g against 1430 g, and measures 99.8 mm long and 84.1 mm across against 139.8 mm and 103.8 mm. Both accept front filters, so polarisers and ND filters stay usable on either lens. Their direct-fit sizes differ, though: 77 mm on the 14-35mm and 95 mm on the 28-70mm, so filters will not swap directly between them. | ||
| Lens Weight | 540 g | 1430 g |
Lens Diameter ⓘWidth of the lens at its widest point |
84.1 mm | 103.8 mm |
Lens Length ⓘHow long the lens is from front to back. |
99.8 mm | 139.8 mm |
Front Filter Compatible ⓘSome lenses are compatible with front filters, some are compatible with back filters and some are compatible with both. Front filters are usually more convenient to add and remove. |
 Yes | Yes |
Front Filter Size ⓘDiameter of attachable filters. |
77 mm | 95 mm |
| Optics | 72/100 | 82/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe 28-70mm is the stronger lens for dim venues: its constant f/2 is two stops wider than the 14-35mm's f/4. That keeps ISO down on evening streets and lets 70mm isolate a subject from its surroundings. The 14-35mm takes the wide end: 14mm frames rooms and skies that 28mm cannot, and it focuses much closer, at 20 cm against 39 cm. Its 0.38x maximum magnification, against 0.18x, gives stronger close-up detail. Both offer autofocus, a manual focus ring and nine-blade diaphragms. | ||
Focal Range ⓘShortest to longest focal length of the lens (zoom range start - end ) |
14–35 mm | 28–70 mm |
Aperture Range ⓘLargest aperture at the lens's shortest focal length to longest focal length (aperture range start - end) |
4 | 2 |
| Focal Length Angle of View | 114.19°–63.44° | 75.38°–34.35° |
Flange Focal Distance ⓘDistance from lens mount to sensor. |
20 mm | 20 mm |
Diaphragm Type ⓘStructure and design of the aperture |
 Automatic | Automatic |
Blades ⓘNumber of diaphragm blades in aperture |
9020 | 9020 |
Zoom Lens ⓘZoom allows you to vary the focal length, change between long shots and close-ups |
 Yes | Yes |
Zoom Mechanism ⓘSystem enabling zoom function |
 Manual | Manual |
Zoom Ring ⓘIf zooming is adjusted using a zoom ring |
 Yes | Yes |
Zoom Type ⓘThe design or approach to zooming |
 Rotary | Rotary |
Closest Focusing Distance ⓘMinimum distance for a subject to be in focus. |
20 cm01500 | 39 cm01500 |
Maximum Magnification ⓘLargest size a subject can be reproduced |
0.38x | 0.18x |
| Autofocus Mode |  Yes | Yes |
| Manual Mode |  Yes | Yes |
| Manual Focusing Ring |  Yes | Yes |
| Features | 79/100 | 52/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe 14-35mm is the better handheld lens: it has built-in image stabilisation rated at 5.5 stops, while the 28-70mm has none. Dusk skylines and slow interior exposures become practical without a tripod on the wide zoom. The 28-70mm has a zoom lock that stops its extending barrel creeping in a bag; the 14-35mm has no lock. Both are weather sealed, both carry a fluorine coating that helps the front element shed dust and smears, and neither takes teleconverters. | ||
Weather Sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | Yes |
Fluorine Coating ⓘCoating to repel water and oil from lens elements. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Built In Lens Hood | ✗ | ✗ |
| Lens Hood Type |  Petal | Petal |
Zoom Lock ⓘZoom lock allows the zoom ring to be locked at the desired focal length |
No |  Yes |
Teleconverter ⓘA teleconverter (extender) is an extra piece of equipment that fits between the lens and the camera body to enhance magnification |
✗ | ✗ |
| Image Stabilization | ✓ | ✗ |
IS Efficiency ⓘIS efficiency refers to the effectiveness of the image stabilization system in compensating for the blurring effects of camera shake, quantified by the number of stops of stabilization it provides. |
5.5 stops | N/A |
| Construction | 31/100 | 32/100 |
Read the Construction ComparisonConstructionThe 28-70mm carries the larger formula: 19 elements in 13 groups against 16 elements in 12 groups. Four of its elements are aspherical, one more than the 14-35mm, which helps correct aberrations at that wider f/2 aperture. The 14-35mm uses three low-dispersion elements, while the 28-70mm uses two low-dispersion elements and one super-low-dispersion element, a glass type aimed at reducing chromatic aberration. Neither lens uses internal focusing. | ||
Elements ⓘLens elements refer to individual pieces of glass within the lens. |
16 | 19 |
| Groups | 12 | 13 |
Aspherical Elements ⓘThe number of aspherical lens elements which can help correct aberrations such as spherical aberration. |
3 | 4 |
Bi Aspherical Elements ⓘElements with two non-spherical surfaces |
0 | 0 |
Low Dispersion ⓘElements that reduce chromatic aberration |
3 | 2 |
Super Low Dispersion ⓘAdvanced elements further reducing chromatic aberration |
0 | 1 |
CA Reduction ⓘBuilt-in features to reduce chromatic aberration |
0 | 0 |
Internal Focusing ⓘInternal Focusing means that the lens does not change in size during focusing, and the front element does not rotate. |
✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
These are complements, not rivals, so the right pick follows your subject. Choose the Canon RF 28-70mm F/2L USM for people, receptions and dim events, where its constant f/2 at 70mm isolates faces from the crowd.
Choose the Canon RF 14-35mm F/4L IS USM for landscapes, architecture and travel: 14mm, 5.5-stop stabilisation and a 20 cm close focus suit handheld wide work. If you shoot both kinds of subjects regularly, owning both is a reasonable plan.