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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 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

Sony E Mount

The standard telephoto zoom, completely redesigned to be 29% lighter and significantly sharper.

$2,799

Launch price

Released Oct 2021

RF 14-35mm F4L IS USM is 11 months newer.

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Wins

6categories

RF 14-35mm F4L IS USM

Video & HybridLandscape

Wins

2categories

FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

Sports & ActionPortrait

TL;DR — Key differences

RF 14-35mm F4L IS USM wins 3 categories·FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II wins 2 categories
  • ARF 14-35mm F4L IS USM has lower Min focus distance (20 cm vs 40 cm)
  • ARF 14-35mm F4L IS USM has lower Weight (540 g vs 1045 g)
  • ARF 14-35mm F4L IS USM has lower Length (112 mm vs 200 mm)
  • BFE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/2.8 vs f/4)
  • BFE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/2.8 vs f/4)

Key specs at a glance

RF 14-35mm F4L IS USMFE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Focal Length14-35 mm70-200 mm
Max Aperturef/4f/2.8
MountCanon RFSony E
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
Stabilization5.5 stops4.5 stops
Weight540 g1045 g
Min Focus20 cm40 cm
Filter Size77 mm77 mm

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseRF 14-35mm F4L IS USMFE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Portrait
2.5Limited
7.5Good
Sports & Action
6.5Good
9.5Excellent
Video & Hybrid
9.0Excellent
7.0Good
Landscape
8.0Excellent
4.0Fair
Travel
3.5Limited
4.0Fair
Wildlife
5.5Fair
5.5Fair
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

  • Min focus distance

    20 cm vs 40 cm — lower is better

  • Control ring

    Only RF 14-35mm F4L IS USM supports it

  • Weight

    540 g vs 1045 g — lower is better

  • Length

    112 mm vs 200 mm — lower is better

  • OIS effectiveness

    5.5 stops vs 4.5 stops — higher is better

  • Max magnification

    0.38 × vs 0.3 × — higher is better

  • Diameter

    84 mm vs 88 mm — lower is better

Reasons to choose the FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

  • Special elements

    Adds 1 XA, 1 Aspherical, 1 Super ED…

  • Custom function button

    Only FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS 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

Optical stabilization

Both support optical stabilization

Weather sealing

Both support weather sealing

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 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

Pros

  • Extremely lightweight for an f/2.8 telephoto zoom (only 1045g)
  • Virtually instantaneous and silent autofocus with 4 XD Linear motors
  • Stunning optical performance and contrast across entire range
  • Outstanding built-in Optical SteadyShot stabilization
  • Dedicated physical aperture ring with click and lock switches

Cons

  • Very high price tag
  • Lens hood is bulky and can block storage space easily

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the RF 14-35mm F4L IS USM and FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II at major authorized retailers.

Canon RF 14-35mm F4L IS USM

Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

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Full specifications

= category winner

RF 14-35mm F4L IS USM
FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Focal length (Min)
14 mm
70 mm
Focal length (Max)
35 mm
200 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
17
Groups
12
14
Special elements
4 Aspherical, 2 UD
1 XA, 1 Aspherical, 1 Super ED, 2 ED
RF 14-35mm F4L IS USM
FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Min focus distance
20 cm−20 cm less
40 cm
Max magnification
0.38 ×+27%
0.3 ×
Autofocus motor
Nano USM
4 XD Linear Motors
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
RF 14-35mm F4L IS USM
FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Optical stabilization
Yes
Yes
OIS effectiveness
5.5 stops+22%
4.5 stops
RF 14-35mm F4L IS USM
FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Weight
540 g−505 g less
1045 g
Length
112 mm−88 mm less
200 mm
Diameter
84 mm−4 mm less
88 mm
Filter thread size
77 mm
77 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
11
RF 14-35mm F4L IS USM
FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS 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.