Canon RF 24-105mm F/4L IS USM vs Canon RF 24-70mm F/2.8L IS USM — Which Is Better?
Side by side43 specifications |
Canon · f/4 · Canon RF mount
Canon RF 24-105mm F/4L IS USM
74
SCORE
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Canon · f/2.8 · Canon RF mount
Canon RF 24-70mm F/2.8L IS USM
79
WINNER
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon RF 24-105mm F/4L IS USM and the Canon RF 24-70mm F/2.8L IS USM are two L-series zooms for the Canon EOS R system, and both cover full frame on the Canon RF mount. Either lens fits any EOS R camera without adaptation, so the choice comes down to reach and aperture. The 24-105mm arrived in 2018 and the 24-70mm followed in 2019, and both are first-generation L-series zooms starting at 24mm. | ||
| Release Year | 2018 | 2019 |
Production Status ⓘCurrent status of lens manufacturing (e.g., in production, discontinued). |
 In Production | In Production |
Version ⓘThe iteration or release number of a particular lens model. |
I | I |
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 | 100/100 |
Read the Physical ComparisonPhysicalThe 24-105mm F/4 is the lighter and more compact travel option, weighing 700 g against 900 g for the 24-70mm F/2.8. It is also shorter, at 107.3 mm versus 125.7 mm, and 5 mm slimmer, which keeps the packed size down. Both lenses take front filters, but the threads differ. The 24-105mm uses 77 mm filters while the 24-70mm needs 82 mm, so an existing 77 mm filter set transfers only to the longer zoom. | ||
| Lens Weight | 700 g | 900 g |
Lens Diameter ⓘWidth of the lens at its widest point |
83.5 mm | 88.5 mm |
Lens Length ⓘHow long the lens is from front to back. |
107.3 mm | 125.7 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 | 82 mm |
| Optics | 71/100 | 81/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe 24-105mm F/4 is the stronger choice for travel reach, extending to 105 mm where the 24-70mm F/2.8 stops at 70 mm. That extra 35 mm tightens a distant cathedral facade or a performer across a room without changing lenses. The 24-70mm F/2.8 answers with the brighter aperture, holding f/2.8 across the zoom range where the 24-105mm sits at f/4. That buys shutter speed for indoor events and softer backgrounds for portraits. It also focuses far closer, at 21 cm against 45 cm, and reaches 0.3x magnification versus 0.24x for detail shots. | ||
Focal Range ⓘShortest to longest focal length of the lens (zoom range start - end ) |
24–105 mm | 24–70 mm |
Aperture Range ⓘLargest aperture at the lens's shortest focal length to longest focal length (aperture range start - end) |
4 | 2.8 |
| Focal Length Angle of View | 84.07°–23.29° | 84.07°–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. |
45 cm01500 | 21 cm01500 |
Maximum Magnification ⓘLargest size a subject can be reproduced |
0.24x | 0.3x |
| Autofocus Mode |  Yes | Yes |
| Manual Mode |  Yes | Yes |
| Manual Focusing Ring |  Yes | Yes |
| Features | 78/100 | 78/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesImage stabilisation is a shared strength, with both lenses rated at 5 stops of correction for handheld shooting at dusk or indoors. Both lenses carry weather sealing, a fluorine coating that helps the front element shed dust and moisture for easier cleaning, and a zoom lock that stops the barrel from extending in a bag. Neither works with teleconverters, so extra reach must come from the focal length itself. | ||
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 |
 Yes | 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 | 5 stops |
| Construction | 31/100 | 31/100 |
Read the Construction ComparisonConstructionThe 24-70mm F/2.8 uses the larger optical formula, with 21 elements in 15 groups against 18 elements in 14 groups for the 24-105mm F/4. Its three low-dispersion elements outnumber the single one in the 24-105mm, a design that helps control chromatic aberration. Both designs share three aspherical elements, and both zoom by an extending rotary ring, so the zoom action works by the same motion on either lens. | ||
Elements ⓘLens elements refer to individual pieces of glass within the lens. |
18 | 21 |
| Groups | 14 | 15 |
Aspherical Elements ⓘThe number of aspherical lens elements which can help correct aberrations such as spherical aberration. |
3 | 3 |
Bi Aspherical Elements ⓘElements with two non-spherical surfaces |
0 | 0 |
Low Dispersion ⓘElements that reduce chromatic aberration |
1 | 3 |
Super Low Dispersion ⓘAdvanced elements further reducing chromatic aberration |
0 | 0 |
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
Choose the RF 24-70mm F/2.8L IS USM if you shoot weddings, indoor events or portraits. Its constant f/2.8 aperture and 21 cm close focus deliver shutter speed and background control the f/4 zoom cannot match.
Choose the RF 24-105mm F/4L IS USM for travel and walk-around photography, where its reach to 105 mm and lighter 700 g build cover landscapes, details and compressed distant views in one lens. The shared weather sealing and fluorine coating mean neither choice gives up protection.