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RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM

Canon

RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM

Canon RF Mount

Canon's first RF macro with 1.4x magnification and spherical aberration control for stunning close-up detail.

$1,399

Launch price

Released Apr 2021

vs
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

Sony

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

Sony E Mount

The ultimate standard zoom — incredibly sharp, exceptionally compact, and built for professionals.

$2,299

Launch price

Released Apr 2022

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II is 1 year newer.

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Wins

3categories

RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM

Macro & Close-upSports & Action

Wins

3categories

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

LandscapeSports & Action

2 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM wins 3 categories·FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II wins 2 categories
  • ARF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM has higher OIS effectiveness (5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • ARF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM has higher Max magnification (1.4 × vs 0.32 ×)
  • BFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has lower Min focus distance (21 cm vs 26 cm)
  • BFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has lower Length (120 mm vs 148 mm)
  • ARF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM has lower Diameter (82 mm vs 88 mm)

Key specs at a glance

RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USMFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Focal Length100 mm24-70 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/2.8
MountCanon RFSony E
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
Stabilization5 stopsNo
Weight730 g695 g
Min Focus26 cm21 cm
Filter Size67 mm82 mm

Size and weight, to scale

RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM shown to scale

RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM

82 × 148 mm

730 g (1.61 lb / 25.75 oz)

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II shown to scale

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

88 × 120 mm

695 g (1.53 lb / 24.52 oz)

RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM is 28mm longer and 6mm narrower than FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II.

RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM is 35 g heavier than FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II.

Diameter (⌀) is the maximum barrel width; length is measured from the mount to the front of the lens.

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseRF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USMFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Portrait
4.5Fair
4.5Fair
Sports & Action
7.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
7.0Good
5.0Fair
Landscape
3.0Limited
7.0Good
Travel
2.0Limited
5.5Fair
Wildlife
5.5Fair
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
9.0Excellent
3.5Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM

  • Special elements

    Adds 1 UD

  • OIS effectiveness

    5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Max magnification

    1.4 × vs 0.32 × — higher is better

  • Optical stabilization

    Only RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM supports it

  • Diameter

    82 mm vs 88 mm — lower is better

Reasons to choose the FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

  • Special elements

    Adds 2 XA (extreme aspherical), 3 Aspherical, 2 ED…

  • Custom function button

    Only FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II supports it

  • Min focus distance

    21 cm vs 26 cm — lower is better

  • Length

    120 mm vs 148 mm — lower is better

  • Weight

    695 g vs 730 g — lower is better

Shared specifications

Max aperture (Wide)

Both f/2.8

Max aperture (Tele)

Both f/2.8

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Weather sealing

Both support weather sealing

Control ring

Both support control ring

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM

Pros

  • 1.4x maximum magnification (industry-leading for macro)
  • Spherical Aberration Control for adjustable bokeh
  • 5-stop Hybrid IS for handheld macro
  • Doubles as a sharp 100mm portrait lens

Cons

  • Complex SA control ring adds learning curve
  • Heavy for macro work (730g)
  • Premium macro pricing

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

Pros

  • Outstanding sharpness across the entire zoom range
  • Remarkably small and lightweight for an f/2.8 zoom
  • Four XD Linear focus motors provide blazing-fast AF tracking
  • Excellent close-up magnification
  • De-clickable aperture ring and customized function buttons

Cons

  • No built-in optical image stabilization (relies on body IBIS)
  • High launch price
  • Aperture ring can be easily bumped if not locked

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM and FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II at major authorized retailers.

Canon RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM

Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

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Full specifications

= category winner

RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Focal length (Min)
100 mm
24 mm
Focal length (Max)
100 mm
70 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Elements
17
20
Groups
13
15
Special elements
1 UD
2 XA (extreme aspherical), 3 Aspherical, 2 ED, 2 Super ED
RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Min focus distance
26 cm
21 cm−5 cm less
Max magnification
1.4 ×4.4× more
0.32 ×
Autofocus motor
Nano USM
4 XD Linear Motors
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Optical stabilization
Yes
No
OIS effectiveness
5 stops
0 stops
RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Weight
730 g
695 g−35 g less
Length
148 mm
120 mm−28 mm less
Diameter
82 mm−6 mm less
88 mm
Filter thread size
67 mm
82 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
11
RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Lens mount
Canon RF
Sony E
Format coverage
Full Frame
Full Frame

Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed July 2026.