Canon RF 24-70mm F/2.8L IS USM vs Canon RF 28-70mm F/2L USM — Which Is Better?
Side by side43 specifications |
Canon · f/2.8 · Canon RF mount
Canon RF 24-70mm F/2.8L IS USM
79
WINNER
|
Canon · f/2 · Canon RF mount
Canon RF 28-70mm F/2L USM
75
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon RF 28-70mm F/2L USM is the faster constant-aperture standard zoom, while the Canon RF 24-70mm F/2.8L IS USM is the wider-range stabilised alternative. Both are L-series full-frame zooms for the Canon EOS R system on the same RF mount, arriving in 2018 and 2019 respectively. | ||
| Release Year | 2019 | 2018 |
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 | N/A |
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 RF 24-70mm is the substantially lighter carry at 1 lb 15.7 oz (900 g), against 3 lb 2.4 oz (1430 g) for the 28-70mm. It is also smaller at 3.48 x 4.95 inches versus 4.09 x 5.5 inches, so it packs more easily in the same bag. Both accept front filters, but at different sizes: 82mm on the 24-70mm and 95mm on the 28-70mm. Anyone building a filter set around one lens will not get direct-fit sharing with the other. | ||
| Lens Weight | 900 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. |
125.7 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's f/2 aperture is the headline for available-light work, giving a full stop over the 24-70mm's f/2.8 at both ends of its range. That means faster shutter speeds in dim venues and shallower depth of field for portrait separation at every focal length. Both reach 70mm, keeping head-and-shoulders portraits in range, but the 24-70mm starts 4mm wider at 24mm for interiors and landscapes the 28-70mm cannot fit as broadly. It also focuses closer, 21 cm against 39 cm, and reaches 0.3x magnification versus 0.18x, so small subjects such as flowers fill more of the frame. | ||
Focal Range ⓘShortest to longest focal length of the lens (zoom range start - end ) |
24–70 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 | 84.07°–34.35° | 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. |
21 cm01500 | 39 cm01500 |
Maximum Magnification ⓘLargest size a subject can be reproduced |
0.3x | 0.18x |
| Autofocus Mode |  Yes | Yes |
| Manual Mode |  Yes | Yes |
| Manual Focusing Ring |  Yes | Yes |
| Features | 78/100 | 52/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesOnly the 24-70mm offers image stabilisation, rated at 5 stops, which steadies handheld shooting in dim light on bodies without in-body stabilisation. The 28-70mm leaves stabilisation to the camera body or a tripod. The two lenses do share useful protection and handling features. Both have weather sealing for shooting outdoors, fluorine coatings that help the front element shed dust and smudges, and a zoom lock that stops the barrel from extending in transit. | ||
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 | N/A |
| Construction | 31/100 | 32/100 |
Read the Construction ComparisonConstructionThe 28-70mm supports its f/2 aperture with 19 elements in 13 groups, including 4 aspherical and 2 low-dispersion elements, one of them a super-low-dispersion type, to help control aberrations across the zoom. The 24-70mm uses 21 elements in 15 groups, with 3 aspherical and 3 low-dispersion elements. Neither lens uses internal focusing, so the barrel extends while focusing on both. | ||
Elements ⓘLens elements refer to individual pieces of glass within the lens. |
21 | 19 |
| Groups | 15 | 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
Choose the RF 28-70mm F/2L USM if you shoot dim receptions, theatre or dusk portraits and want the extra stop plus shallower depth of field at every focal length. That f/2 aperture is the reason to pick it.
Choose the RF 24-70mm F/2.8L IS USM as the more versatile everyday standard. Its 24mm wide end covers interiors and landscapes the 28-70mm cannot frame as broadly, its 5-stop stabilisation steadies handheld low-light shots, and its closer 21 cm focusing and 0.3x magnification handle detail work.