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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

OM System

M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II

Micro Four Thirds Mount

IP53 weather-sealed standard zoom with constant F2.8, MSC autofocus, and 0.3× magnification at 40mm.

$1,299

Launch price

Released Feb 2022

M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II is 2.5 years newer.

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Wins

1categories

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM

Video & HybridSports & Action

Wins

4categories

M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II

LandscapeTravel

3 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM wins 1 categories·M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II wins 4 categories
  • ARF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM has higher OIS effectiveness (5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • BM.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II has lower Weight (382 g vs 900 g)
  • BM.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II has lower Length (84 mm vs 125 mm)
  • BM.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II has lower Diameter (69.9 mm vs 88 mm)
  • BM.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II has lower Min focus distance (20 cm vs 21 cm)

Key specs at a glance

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USMM.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II
Focal Length24-70 mm12-40 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/2.8
MountCanon RFMicro Four Thirds
CoverageFull FrameMicro Four Thirds
Stabilization5 stopsNo
Weight900 g382 g
Min Focus21 cm20 cm
Filter Size82 mm62 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

M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II

70 × 84 mm

382 g (0.84 lb / 13.47 oz)

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM is 41mm longer and 18mm wider than M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II.

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM is 518 g heavier than M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II.

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 USMM.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II
Portrait
4.5Fair
3.0Limited
Sports & Action
7.5Good
4.5Fair
Video & Hybrid
9.0Excellent
5.0Fair
Landscape
7.0Good
10.0Excellent
Travel
4.0Fair
7.0Good
Wildlife
5.5Fair
2.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
5.0Fair
4.5Fair

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

Reasons to choose the M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II

  • Special elements

    Adds 1 EDA, 2 Aspherical, 1 DSA…

  • Weight

    382 g vs 900 g — lower is better

  • Custom function button

    Only M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II supports it

  • Length

    84 mm vs 125 mm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    69.9 mm vs 88 mm — lower is better

  • Min focus distance

    20 cm vs 21 cm — lower is better

Shared specifications

Max aperture (Wide)

Both f/2.8

Max aperture (Tele)

Both f/2.8

Max magnification

Both 0.3 ×

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

M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II

Pros

  • Constant F2.8 across 12–40mm (24–80mm equiv.)
  • IP53 dust/splash/freeze resistance with ZERO coating
  • Compact 382g body with MF clutch and L-Fn button

Cons

  • No lens-based IS — relies on Sync IS in compatible bodies
  • Extending barrel design

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM and M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II at major authorized retailers.

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

OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II

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Full specifications

= category winner

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II
Focal length (Min)
24 mm
12 mm
Focal length (Max)
70 mm
40 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Elements
21
14
Groups
15
9
Special elements
3 Aspherical, 3 UD
1 EDA, 2 Aspherical, 1 DSA, 2 ED, 1 HD, 2 HR
RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II
Min focus distance
21 cm
20 cm−1 cm less
Max magnification
0.3 ×
0.3 ×
Autofocus motor
Nano USM
MSC (stepping motor)
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II
Optical stabilization
Yes
No
OIS effectiveness
5 stops
0 stops
RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II
Weight
900 g
382 g−518 g less
Length
125 mm
84 mm−41 mm less
Diameter
88 mm
69.9 mm−18 mm less
Filter thread size
82 mm
62 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
7
RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II
Lens mount
Canon RF
Micro Four Thirds
Format coverage
Full Frame
Micro Four Thirds

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