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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 50mm f/1.2 S

Nikon Z Mount

NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S — 50mm f/1.2 for Nikon Z, a popular choice in the nikon lineup.

$2,099

Launch price

Released Dec 2020

NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S is 1.3 years newer.

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Wins

5categories

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM

Video & HybridSports & Action

Wins

3categories

NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S

PortraitSports & Action

TL;DR — Key differences

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM wins 3 categories·NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S wins 2 categories
  • ARF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM has higher OIS effectiveness (5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • BNIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.2 vs f/2.8)
  • BNIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.2 vs f/2.8)
  • ARF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM has higher Max magnification (0.3 × vs 0.15 ×)
  • ARF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM has lower Length (125 mm vs 203 mm)

Key specs at a glance

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USMNIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S
Focal Length24-70 mm50 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/1.2
MountCanon RFNikon Z
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
Stabilization5 stopsNo
Weight900 g1090 g
Min Focus21 cm30 cm
Filter Size82 mm77 mm

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 50mm f/1.2 S
Portrait
4.5Fair
9.0Excellent
Sports & Action
7.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
9.0Excellent
4.5Fair
Landscape
7.0Good
4.0Fair
Travel
4.0Fair
2.0Limited
Wildlife
5.5Fair
3.0Limited
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

  • Length

    125 mm vs 203 mm — lower is better

  • Min focus distance

    21 cm vs 30 cm — lower is better

  • Weight

    900 g vs 1090 g — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.3 × vs 0.15 × — higher is better

Reasons to choose the NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S

  • Special elements

    Adds Aspherical, ED

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/1.2 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/1.2 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Custom function button

    Only NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S supports it

  • Diameter

    81 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

NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S

Pros

  • Bright f/1.2 aperture for low light and subject separation
  • Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting

Cons

  • Premium price point
  • Relatively heavy for extended handheld use

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM and NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S at major authorized retailers.

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

Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S

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Full specifications

= category winner

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S
Focal length (Min)
24 mm
50 mm
Focal length (Max)
70 mm
50 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8
f/1.2+2.4 stops wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8
f/1.2+2.4 stops wider
Elements
21
14
Groups
15
11
Special elements
3 Aspherical, 3 UD
Aspherical, ED
RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S
Min focus distance
21 cm−9 cm less
30 cm
Max magnification
0.3 ×2× more
0.15 ×
Autofocus motor
Nano USM
Linear / Stepping Motor
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S
Optical stabilization
Yes
No
OIS effectiveness
5 stops
0 stops
RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S
Weight
900 g−190 g less
1090 g
Length
125 mm−78 mm less
203 mm
Diameter
88 mm
81 mm−7 mm less
Filter thread size
82 mm
77 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
11
RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S
Lens mount
Canon RF
Nikon Z
Format coverage
Full Frame
Full Frame

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