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RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM

Canon

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM

Canon RF Mount

The cornerstone zoom for Canon mirrorless, featuring 5 stops of optical image stabilization.

$2,399

Launch price

Released Aug 2019

vs

Canon

RF 24mm F1.4 L VCM

Canon RF Mount

RF 24mm F1.4 L VCM — 24mm f/1.4 for Canon RF, a popular choice in the canon lineup.

$1,549

Launch price

Released Oct 2024

RF 24mm F1.4 L VCM is 5.2 years newer.

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Wins

3categories

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM

Video & HybridSports & Action

Wins

5categories

RF 24mm F1.4 L VCM

LandscapePortrait

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM wins 2 categories·RF 24mm F1.4 L VCM wins 3 categories
  • ARF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM has higher OIS effectiveness (5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • BRF 24mm F1.4 L VCM has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.4 vs f/2.8)
  • BRF 24mm F1.4 L VCM has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.4 vs f/2.8)
  • BRF 24mm F1.4 L VCM has lower Weight (530 g vs 900 g)
  • ARF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM has higher Max magnification (0.3 × vs 0.18 ×)

Key specs at a glance

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USMRF 24mm F1.4 L VCM
Focal Length24-70 mm24 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/1.4
MountCanon RFCanon RF
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
Stabilization5 stopsNo
Weight900 g530 g
Min Focus21 cm25 cm
Filter Size82 mm67 mm

Size and weight, to scale

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM shown to scale

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM

88 × 125 mm

900 g (1.98 lb / 31.75 oz)

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

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

RF 24mm F1.4 L VCM

77 × 99 mm

530 g (1.17 lb / 18.70 oz)

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM is 26mm longer and 12mm wider than RF 24mm F1.4 L VCM.

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM is 370 g heavier than RF 24mm F1.4 L VCM.

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 24-70mm F2.8L IS USMRF 24mm F1.4 L VCM
Portrait
4.5Fair
6.5Good
Sports & Action
7.5Good
4.5Fair
Video & Hybrid
9.0Excellent
4.5Fair
Landscape
7.0Good
7.0Good
Travel
4.0Fair
3.5Limited
Wildlife
5.5Fair
2.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
5.0Fair
1.5Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM

  • Special elements

    Adds 3 Aspherical, 3 UD

  • OIS effectiveness

    5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Optical stabilization

    Only RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM supports it

  • Min focus distance

    21 cm vs 25 cm — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.3 × vs 0.18 × — higher is better

Reasons to choose the RF 24mm F1.4 L VCM

  • Special elements

    Adds 1 UD, 1 Aspherical

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/1.4 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/1.4 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Custom function button

    Only RF 24mm F1.4 L VCM supports it

  • Weight

    530 g vs 900 g — lower is better

  • Length

    99.3 mm vs 125 mm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    76.5 mm vs 88 mm — 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 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM

Pros

  • Built-in optical image stabilization (up to 5 stops)
  • Excellent L-series sharpness and build quality
  • Fast and silent Nano USM focus motor
  • Very low chromatic aberration

Cons

  • Heavier than competitive options (900g)
  • Pricey entry threshold
  • Minor barrel distortion at 24mm

RF 24mm F1.4 L VCM

Pros

  • Bright f/1.4 aperture for low light and subject separation
  • Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting

Cons

  • Third-party or older alternatives may offer better value

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM and RF 24mm F1.4 L VCM at major authorized retailers.

Canon RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM

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Full specifications

= category winner

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
RF 24mm F1.4 L VCM
Focal length (Min)
24 mm
24 mm
Focal length (Max)
70 mm
24 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8
f/1.4+2 stops wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8
f/1.4+2 stops wider
Elements
21
13
Groups
15
9
Special elements
3 Aspherical, 3 UD
1 UD, 1 Aspherical
RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
RF 24mm F1.4 L VCM
Min focus distance
21 cm−4 cm less
25 cm
Max magnification
0.3 ×+67%
0.18 ×
Autofocus motor
Nano USM
VCM
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
RF 24mm F1.4 L VCM
Optical stabilization
Yes
No
OIS effectiveness
5 stops
0 stops
RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
RF 24mm F1.4 L VCM
Weight
900 g
530 g−370 g less
Length
125 mm
99.3 mm−26 mm less
Diameter
88 mm
76.5 mm−12 mm less
Filter thread size
82 mm
67 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
11
RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
RF 24mm F1.4 L VCM
Lens mount
Canon RF
Canon RF
Format coverage
Full Frame
Full Frame

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