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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 800mm f/6.3 VR S

Nikon Z Mount

NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S — 800mm f/6.3 for Nikon Z, a popular choice in the nikon lineup.

$6,499

Launch price

Released Apr 2023

NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S is 3.6 years newer.

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Wins

7categories

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM

Video & HybridSports & Action

Wins

1categories

NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S

WildlifeVideo & Hybrid

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM wins 5 categories·NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S wins 0 categories
  • ARF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM has lower Min focus distance (21 cm vs 500 cm)
  • ARF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM has lower Weight (900 g vs 2380 g)
  • ARF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/2.8 vs f/6.3)
  • ARF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/2.8 vs f/6.3)
  • ARF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM has lower Length (125 mm vs 277 mm)

Key specs at a glance

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USMNIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S
Focal Length24-70 mm800 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/6.3
MountCanon RFNikon Z
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
Stabilization5 stops5.5 stops
Weight900 g2380 g
Min Focus21 cm500 cm
Filter Size82 mm46 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 800mm f/6.3 VR S

104 × 277 mm

2380 g (5.25 lb / 83.95 oz)

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM is 152mm shorter and 16mm narrower than NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S.

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM is 1480 g lighter than NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S.

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 800mm f/6.3 VR S
Portrait
4.5Fair
2.5Limited
Sports & Action
7.5Good
4.5Fair
Video & Hybrid
9.0Excellent
7.0Good
Landscape
7.0Good
4.0Fair
Travel
4.0Fair
2.0Limited
Wildlife
5.5Fair
9.0Excellent
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

  • Min focus distance

    21 cm vs 500 cm — lower is better

  • Weight

    900 g vs 2380 g — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/2.8 vs f/6.3 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/2.8 vs f/6.3 — lower is better

  • Length

    125 mm vs 277 mm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    88 mm vs 104 mm — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.3 × vs 0.16 × — higher is better

Reasons to choose the NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S

  • Special elements

    Adds 3 ED, 1 SR, 1 Fluorite

  • Custom function button

    Only NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S supports it

  • OIS effectiveness

    5.5 stops vs 5 stops — higher is better

Shared specifications

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Optical stabilization

Both support optical stabilization

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 800mm f/6.3 VR S

Pros

  • Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
  • Built-in optical image stabilization
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting

Cons

  • Premium price point
  • Relatively heavy for extended handheld use
  • Slower maximum aperture limits low-light performance

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM and NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S at major authorized retailers.

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

Nikon NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S

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Full specifications

= category winner

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S
Focal length (Min)
24 mm
800 mm
Focal length (Max)
70 mm
800 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8+2.3 stops wider
f/6.3
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8+2.3 stops wider
f/6.3
Elements
21
22
Groups
15
14
Special elements
3 Aspherical, 3 UD
3 ED, 1 SR, 1 Fluorite
RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S
Min focus distance
21 cm−479 cm less
500 cm
Max magnification
0.3 ×+88%
0.16 ×
Autofocus motor
Nano USM
Multi-Focus Stepping Motors
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S
Optical stabilization
Yes
Yes
OIS effectiveness
5 stops
5.5 stops+10%
RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S
Weight
900 g−1,480 g less
2380 g
Length
125 mm−152 mm less
277 mm
Diameter
88 mm−16 mm less
104 mm
Filter thread size
82 mm
46 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
9
RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR 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 June 2026.