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Canon

RF 14-35mm F4L IS USM

Canon RF Mount

A compact, lightweight ultra-wide zoom with 5.5-stop IS — ideal for vloggers, travelers, and landscape photographers.

$1,699

Launch price

Released Aug 2022

vs

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

RF 14-35mm F4L IS USM is 4 months newer.

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Wins

6categories

RF 14-35mm F4L IS USM

Video & HybridLandscape

Wins

2categories

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

LandscapeSports & Action

TL;DR — Key differences

RF 14-35mm F4L IS USM wins 3 categories·FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II wins 2 categories
  • ARF 14-35mm F4L IS USM has higher OIS effectiveness (5.5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • BFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/2.8 vs f/4)
  • BFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/2.8 vs f/4)
  • ARF 14-35mm F4L IS USM has lower Weight (540 g vs 695 g)
  • ARF 14-35mm F4L IS USM has higher Max magnification (0.38 × vs 0.32 ×)

Key specs at a glance

RF 14-35mm F4L IS USMFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Focal Length14-35 mm24-70 mm
Max Aperturef/4f/2.8
MountCanon RFSony E
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
Stabilization5.5 stopsNo
Weight540 g695 g
Min Focus20 cm21 cm
Filter Size77 mm82 mm

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseRF 14-35mm F4L IS USMFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Portrait
2.5Limited
4.5Fair
Sports & Action
6.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
9.0Excellent
5.0Fair
Landscape
8.0Excellent
7.0Good
Travel
3.5Limited
5.5Fair
Wildlife
5.5Fair
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
6.0Good
3.5Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the RF 14-35mm F4L IS USM

  • Special elements

    Adds 4 Aspherical, 2 UD

  • OIS effectiveness

    5.5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Optical stabilization

    Only RF 14-35mm F4L IS USM supports it

  • Weight

    540 g vs 695 g — lower is better

  • Length

    112 mm vs 120 mm — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.38 × vs 0.32 × — higher is better

  • Min focus distance

    20 cm vs 21 cm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    84 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

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/2.8 vs f/4 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/2.8 vs f/4 — lower is better

Shared specifications

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 14-35mm F4L IS USM

Pros

  • Extremely compact for an ultra-wide zoom (540g)
  • 14mm ultra-wide perspective for dramatic scenes
  • 5.5-stop optical image stabilization
  • Center sharpness excellent across range

Cons

  • f/4 maximum aperture limits low-light use
  • More expensive than EF 16-35mm f/4 IS
  • Corner sharpness falls off at 14mm

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 14-35mm F4L IS USM and FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II at major authorized retailers.

Canon RF 14-35mm F4L IS USM

Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

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Full specifications

= category winner

RF 14-35mm F4L IS USM
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Focal length (Min)
14 mm
24 mm
Focal length (Max)
35 mm
70 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/4
f/2.8+1 stop wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/4
f/2.8+1 stop wider
Elements
16
20
Groups
12
15
Special elements
4 Aspherical, 2 UD
2 XA (extreme aspherical), 3 Aspherical, 2 ED, 2 Super ED
RF 14-35mm F4L IS USM
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Min focus distance
20 cm−1 cm less
21 cm
Max magnification
0.38 ×+19%
0.32 ×
Autofocus motor
Nano USM
4 XD Linear Motors
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
RF 14-35mm F4L IS USM
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Optical stabilization
Yes
No
OIS effectiveness
5.5 stops
0 stops
RF 14-35mm F4L IS USM
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Weight
540 g−155 g less
695 g
Length
112 mm−8 mm less
120 mm
Diameter
84 mm−4 mm less
88 mm
Filter thread size
77 mm
82 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
11
RF 14-35mm F4L 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 May 2026.