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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

Nikon

NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8

Nikon Z Mount

NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8 — 26mm f/2.8 for Nikon Z, a popular choice in the nikon lineup.

$299

Launch price

Released Feb 2023

NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8 is 3.5 years newer.

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Wins

3categories

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM

Video & HybridSports & Action

Wins

3categories

NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8

Travel

2 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM wins 3 categories·NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8 wins 2 categories
  • ARF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM has higher OIS effectiveness (5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • BNIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8 has lower Weight (125 g vs 900 g)
  • BNIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8 has lower Length (23.5 mm vs 125 mm)
  • ARF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM has higher Max magnification (0.3 × vs 0.07 ×)
  • ARF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM has lower Min focus distance (21 cm vs 28 cm)

Key specs at a glance

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USMNIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8
Focal Length24-70 mm26 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/2.8
MountCanon RFNikon Z
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
Stabilization5 stopsNo
Weight900 g125 g
Min Focus21 cm28 cm
Filter Size82 mm52 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

NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8

70 × 24 mm

125 g (0.28 lb / 4.41 oz)

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM is 102mm longer and 18mm wider than NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8.

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM is 775 g heavier than NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8.

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 USMNIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8
Portrait
4.5Fair
3.0Limited
Sports & Action
7.5Good
4.5Fair
Video & Hybrid
9.0Excellent
2.0Limited
Landscape
7.0Good
2.0Limited
Travel
4.0Fair
7.0Good
Wildlife
5.5Fair
0.0Limited
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

  • Weather sealing

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

  • Control ring

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

  • Min focus distance

    21 cm vs 28 cm — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.3 × vs 0.07 × — higher is better

Reasons to choose the NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8

  • Special elements

    Adds 2 Aspherical, 1 ED

  • Weight

    125 g vs 900 g — lower is better

  • Length

    23.5 mm vs 125 mm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    70 mm vs 88 mm — 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

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

NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8

Pros

  • Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
  • Lightweight design easy to carry all day
  • Native Nikon Z mount compatibility

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 NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8 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
NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8
Focal length (Min)
24 mm
26 mm
Focal length (Max)
70 mm
26 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Elements
21
8
Groups
15
7
Special elements
3 Aspherical, 3 UD
2 Aspherical, 1 ED
RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8
Min focus distance
21 cm−7 cm less
28 cm
Max magnification
0.3 ×4.3× more
0.07 ×
Autofocus motor
Nano USM
Stepping motor
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8
Optical stabilization
Yes
No
OIS effectiveness
5 stops
0 stops
RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8
Weight
900 g
125 g−775 g less
Length
125 mm
23.5 mm−102 mm less
Diameter
88 mm
70 mm−18 mm less
Filter thread size
82 mm
52 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
No
Diaphragm blades
9
7
RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8
Lens mount
Canon RF
Nikon Z
Format coverage
Full Frame
Full Frame

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