Canon RF 15-35mm F/2.8L IS USM vs Canon RF 28-70mm F/2L USM — Which Is Better?
Side by side42 specifications |
Canon · f/2.8 · Canon RF mount
Canon RF 15-35mm F/2.8L IS USM
79
WINNER
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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 15-35mm F/2.8L IS USM and the Canon RF 28-70mm F/2L USM are both L-series full-frame zooms for the Canon EOS R system on the same RF mount. They aim at different work: the 15-35mm covers ultra-wide architecture, interiors and landscapes, while the 28-70mm is a standard range for reportage and portraits. | ||
| Release Year | 2019 | 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 ComparisonPhysicalThe 15-35mm is the lighter carry at 840 g against 1430 g, and smaller at 88.5 by 126.8 mm versus 103.8 by 139.8 mm, which suits a travel or walkaround kit. Filters differ too: the 15-35mm takes 82mm filters and the 28-70mm takes 95mm, so each needs its own direct-fit size. | ||
| Lens Weight | 840 g | 1430 g |
Lens Diameter ⓘWidth of the lens at its widest point |
88.5 mm | 103.8 mm |
Lens Length ⓘHow long the lens is from front to back. |
126.8 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. |
82 mm | 95 mm |
| Optics | 81/100 | 82/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe 28-70mm is the low-light pick, holding f/2 across its range where the 15-35mm stays at f/2.8. That wider aperture suits dim wedding receptions and indoor events, giving brighter frames and shallower depth of field at every focal length. The 15-35mm answers with coverage the standard zoom cannot reach, from 15mm interiors and landscapes to a 35mm top end. Its closest focus is 28 cm against 39 cm, and its maximum magnification is 0.21x against 0.18x, so foreground detail can fill more of the frame. Both share a nine-blade automatic diaphragm. | ||
Focal Range ⓘShortest to longest focal length of the lens (zoom range start - end ) |
15–35 mm | 28–70 mm |
Aperture Range ⓘLargest aperture at the lens's shortest focal length to longest focal length (aperture range start - end) |
2.8 | 2 |
| Focal Length Angle of View | 110.53°–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. |
28 cm01500 | 39 cm01500 |
Maximum Magnification ⓘLargest size a subject can be reproduced |
0.21x | 0.18x |
| Autofocus Mode |  Yes | Yes |
| Manual Mode |  Yes | Yes |
| Manual Focusing Ring |  Yes | Yes |
| Features | 78/100 | 52/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe 15-35mm offers image stabilisation rated at 5 stops, keeping handheld wide shots viable in dim churches or at blue hour without a tripod. The 28-70mm offers no stabilisation but has a zoom lock that stops the barrel creeping open in a bag. Both are weather sealed, and both front elements carry fluorine coating that makes cleaning fingerprints and dust easier. | ||
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 stops | N/A |
| Construction | 31/100 | 32/100 |
Read the Construction ComparisonConstructionThe 28-70mm uses the larger formula of 19 elements in 13 groups, including four aspherical elements, two low-dispersion elements and one super-low-dispersion element. The 15-35mm keeps 16 elements in 12 groups with three aspherical elements and two low-dispersion elements for its wide-angle design. Both lenses extend as you zoom. | ||
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 |
2 | 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
Pick the RF 28-70mm F/2L USM for people photography: f/2 across its range gives brighter frames in dark venues and separates subjects from backgrounds in portraits. Pick the RF 15-35mm F/2.8L IS USM when the scene is the subject: 15mm coverage for architecture and star fields, 5-stop stabilisation for blue-hour handhelds, and closer focusing for foreground detail. The two cover different ranges, so the choice comes down to what you photograph.