CameraReview
Canon RF 28-70mm F2.8 IS STM
UNSCORED
Canon · f/2.8 · Canon RF mount

Canon RF 28-70mm F2.8 IS STM

Where to buy — 2 offers
Mount
KEY FACTS
BrandCanon
Release Year2024
Production StatusIn Production
Lens MountCanon RF
SystemCanon EOS R
What We Like
+Compact and lightweight at 1.1 lbs with fast f/2.8 constant aperture
+Excellent optical quality at wide to mid-range focal lengths (28-50mm)
+Whisper-quiet, fast, and accurate STM autofocus with minimal focus breathing for video
+Strong 5.5-stop optical IS, expandable to 7.5 stops with IBIS-equipped cameras
+Weather-sealed construction and weather-resistant sealing without L-series cost
+L-series level optical quality in compact consumer-grade package
Worth Knowing
Corner sharpness degradation at 70mm, requiring f/11 to achieve acceptable corner resolution
Retractable design requires manual extension before shooting
No lens hood included despite $1100 price point
Some moderate color fringing at f/2.8 wide aperture (though correctable)

General

Brand
Canon
Release Year
2024
Production Status
Current status of lens manufacturing (e.g., in production, discontinued).
In Production
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
Read our notes on general
The Canon RF 28-70mm F2.8 IS STM is the smallest and lightest RF zoom lens with L-series level image quality. This lens offers a fast f/2.8 aperture throughout the zoom range, allowing photographers to work in low light and achieve creative shallow depth-of-field effects. The 5.5 stops of optical image stabilization coordinate with in-body stabilization to achieve 7.5 stops of correction, enabling handheld shooting in low-light conditions. However, at 70mm, corner quality falls apart with poor corner performance at f/2.8, making it best suited for wide-to-normal focal lengths and everyday creative work rather than telephoto detail work.

Physical

Lens Weight
495 g
Front Filter Size
Diameter of attachable filters.
67 mm

Optics

Focal Range
Shortest to longest focal length of the lens (zoom range start - end )
28–70 mm
Aperture Range
Largest aperture at the lens's shortest focal length to longest focal length (aperture range start - end)
2.8
Blades
Number of diaphragm blades in aperture
9020
Zoom Lens
Zoom allows you to vary the focal length, change between long shots and close-ups
Yes
Closest Focusing Distance
Minimum distance for a subject to be in focus.
27 cm01500
Autofocus Mode
Yes

Features

Weather Sealing
Weather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions.
Yes
Image Stabilization
Yes