CameraReview

Canon RF 24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z

Canon · 24–105 mm · f/2.8 · L · Image Stabilization

Canon RF 24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z

Score Breakdown

Scores combine our editorial testing with published lab data.

Physical 99
Optics 83
Features 79
Construction 54
83
SCORE /100
Buying Options
What We Like
+World's first 24-105mm f/2.8 lens combining versatile zoom range with constant bright aperture
+Excellent optical performance with sharp, detailed images throughout the zoom range
+Dual Nano USM motors deliver fast, quiet autofocus with minimal focus breathing
+Up to 8 stops of image stabilization combined with in-body stabilizer for handheld low-light shooting
+Professional-grade hybrid design with cinema-ready iris ring and power zoom adapter compatibility
+Robust L-series build with weather sealing, fluorine coating, and tripod mount
Worth Knowing
−Exceptional price point around $3,300 limits accessibility for most photographers
−Significantly larger and heavier than comparable f/4 zoom lenses, impacting portability and handling
−Requires heavy in-camera digital distortion correction, particularly at 24mm, affecting corner image quality
−Aperture ring currently only functional in video mode on existing EOS R models, not for stills photography

General

About This Lens
The Canon RF 24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z is a groundbreaking hybrid lens that achieves the long-sought combination of a versatile 24-105mm zoom range with a constant f/2.8 aperture. Its sophisticated optical design, dual Nano USM autofocus, powerful image stabilization (5.5 stops optical, expandable to 8 stops with IBIS), and cinema-ready features like the iris ring make it an exceptional all-in-one solution for demanding professionals working in both stills and video. However, its premium $3,300 price tag, substantial size and weight, reliance on digital distortion correction, and current video-only aperture ring functionality may limit its appeal compared to more specialized zoom alternatives.
BrandCanon
Release Year2023
Production Status
ⓘ
Current status of lens manufacturing (e.g., in production, discontinued).
In Production
Pro Branding
ⓘ
Specific branding codes used for professional-tier lenses.
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
System
ⓘ
Indicates which camera system the lens is designed to attach to.
Canon EOS R
Maximum Format
ⓘ
Largest sensor size compatible with the lens.
Full Frame

Physical

99/100
Lens Weight1330 g
Lens Diameter
ⓘ
Width of the lens at its widest point
88.5 mm
Lens Length
ⓘ
How long the lens is from front to back.
199 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
Front Filter Size
ⓘ
Diameter of attachable filters.
82 mm

Optics

83/100
Focal Range
ⓘ
Shortest to longest focal length of the lens (zoom range start - end )
24–105 mm
Aperture Range
ⓘ
Largest aperture at the lens's shortest focal length to longest focal length (aperture range start - end)
2.8
Focal Length Angle of View84°–23.33°
Flange Focal Distance
ⓘ
Distance from lens mount to sensor.
20 mm
Diaphragm Type
ⓘ
Structure and design of the aperture
Automatic
Blades
ⓘ
Number of diaphragm blades in aperture
11020
Zoom Lens
ⓘ
Zoom allows you to vary the focal length, change between long shots and close-ups
Yes
Zoom Mechanism
ⓘ
System enabling zoom function
Electric
Zoom Ring
ⓘ
If zooming is adjusted using a zoom ring
Yes
Zoom Type
ⓘ
The design or approach to zooming
Rotary
Closest Focusing Distance
ⓘ
Minimum distance for a subject to be in focus.
45 cm01500
Maximum Magnification
ⓘ
Largest size a subject can be reproduced
0.29x
Autofocus ModeYes
Manual ModeYes
Manual Focusing RingYes

Features

79/100
Weather Sealing
ⓘ
Weather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions.
Yes
Fluorine Coating
ⓘ
Coating to repel water and oil from lens elements.
Yes
Built In Lens HoodNo
Lens Hood TypePetal
Zoom Lock
ⓘ
Zoom lock allows the zoom ring to be locked at the desired focal length
No
Teleconverter
ⓘ
A teleconverter (extender) is an extra piece of equipment that fits between the lens and the camera body to enhance magnification
No
Image StabilizationYes
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

Construction

54/100
Elements
ⓘ
Lens elements refer to individual pieces of glass within the lens.
23
Groups18
Aspherical Elements
ⓘ
The number of aspherical lens elements which can help correct aberrations such as spherical aberration.
3
Bi Aspherical Elements
ⓘ
Elements with two non-spherical surfaces
0
Low Dispersion
ⓘ
Elements that reduce chromatic aberration
4
Super Low Dispersion
ⓘ
Advanced elements further reducing chromatic aberration
0
CA Reduction
ⓘ
Built-in features to reduce chromatic aberration
0
Internal Focusing
ⓘ
Internal Focusing means that the lens does not change in size during focusing, and the front element does not rotate.
Yes