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Canon

RF 24-105mm F4L IS USM

Canon RF Mount

The ultimate walk-around RF zoom — covers wide to portrait with 5-stop IS in a single versatile package.

$1,099

Launch price

Released Oct 2018

vs

Canon

RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM

Canon RF Mount

A versatile wide-angle prime with 0.5x macro — perfect for street, travel, and close-up photography on a budget.

$499

Launch price

Released Nov 2018

Released within a month of each other.

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Wins

0categories

RF 24-105mm F4L IS USM

Video & HybridLandscape

Wins

7categories

RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM

Video & HybridMacro & Close-up

1 categories tied

TL;DR — Key differences

RF 24-105mm F4L IS USM wins 0 categories·RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM wins 5 categories
  • BRF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM has lower Min focus distance (17 cm vs 45 cm)
  • BRF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM has lower Weight (305 g vs 700 g)
  • BRF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.8 vs f/4)
  • BRF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.8 vs f/4)
  • BRF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM has higher Max magnification (0.5 × vs 0.24 ×)

Key specs at a glance

RF 24-105mm F4L IS USMRF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM
Focal Length24-105 mm35 mm
Max Aperturef/4f/1.8
MountCanon RFCanon RF
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
Stabilization5 stops5 stops
Weight700 g305 g
Min Focus45 cm17 cm
Filter Size77 mm52 mm

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseRF 24-105mm F4L IS USMRF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM
Portrait
5.5Fair
6.0Good
Sports & Action
6.5Good
7.5Good
Video & Hybrid
9.0Excellent
8.5Excellent
Landscape
7.0Good
1.0Limited
Travel
6.5Good
4.0Fair
Wildlife
5.5Fair
2.5Limited
Macro & Close-up
1.5Limited
8.0Excellent

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the RF 24-105mm F4L IS USM

  • Special elements

    Adds 1 UD

  • Weather sealing

    Only RF 24-105mm F4L IS USM supports it

Reasons to choose the RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM

  • Min focus distance

    17 cm vs 45 cm — lower is better

  • Weight

    305 g vs 700 g — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/1.8 vs f/4 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/1.8 vs f/4 — lower is better

  • Length

    63 mm vs 107 mm — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.5 × vs 0.24 × — higher is better

  • Diameter

    74 mm vs 84 mm — lower is better

Shared specifications

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Optical stabilization

Both support optical stabilization

OIS effectiveness

Both 5 stops

Control ring

Both support control ring

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

RF 24-105mm F4L IS USM

Pros

  • Extremely versatile 24-105mm range for travel and events
  • 5-stop optical image stabilization
  • Constant f/4 aperture throughout zoom
  • Nano USM delivers fast, quiet autofocus

Cons

  • f/4 maximum aperture limits low-light capability
  • Heavier than f/2.8 alternatives (700g)
  • Corner sharpness softens at 105mm wide open

RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM

Pros

  • Versatile 35mm focal length for street and travel
  • 0.5x macro capability in a compact prime
  • 5-stop optical image stabilization
  • Affordable entry into RF primes

Cons

  • f/1.8 not as impressive as f/1.4 alternatives
  • Some distortion and vignetting wide open
  • Plastic build, no weather sealing

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the RF 24-105mm F4L IS USM and RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM at major authorized retailers.

Canon RF 24-105mm F4L IS USM

Canon RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM

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Full specifications

= category winner

RF 24-105mm F4L IS USM
RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM
Focal length (Min)
24 mm
35 mm
Focal length (Max)
105 mm
35 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/4
f/1.8+2.3 stops wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/4
f/1.8+2.3 stops wider
Elements
18
11
Groups
14
9
Special elements
1 UD, 1 Aspherical
1 Aspherical
RF 24-105mm F4L IS USM
RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM
Min focus distance
45 cm
17 cm−28 cm less
Max magnification
0.24 ×
0.5 ×2.1× more
Autofocus motor
Nano USM
STM
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
RF 24-105mm F4L IS USM
RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM
Optical stabilization
Yes
Yes
OIS effectiveness
5 stops
5 stops
RF 24-105mm F4L IS USM
RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM
Weight
700 g
305 g−395 g less
Length
107 mm
63 mm−44 mm less
Diameter
84 mm
74 mm−10 mm less
Filter thread size
77 mm
52 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
No
Diaphragm blades
9
9
RF 24-105mm F4L IS USM
RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM
Lens mount
Canon RF
Canon RF
Format coverage
Full Frame
Full Frame

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