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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
M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm F2

OM System

M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm F2

Micro Four Thirds Mount

M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm F2 — 12mm f/2 for Micro Four Thirds, a popular choice in the om-system lineup.

$799

Launch price

Released Jun 2012

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM is 7.2 years newer.

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Wins

2categories

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM

Video & HybridSports & Action

Wins

6categories

M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm F2

LandscapeTravel

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM wins 2 categories·M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm F2 wins 3 categories
  • ARF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM has higher OIS effectiveness (5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • BM.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm F2 has lower Weight (130 g vs 900 g)
  • ARF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM has higher Max magnification (0.3 × vs 0.08 ×)
  • BM.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm F2 has lower Length (43 mm vs 125 mm)
  • BM.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm F2 has lower Diameter (56 mm vs 88 mm)

Key specs at a glance

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USMM.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm F2
Focal Length24-70 mm12 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/2
MountCanon RFMicro Four Thirds
CoverageFull FrameMicro Four Thirds
Stabilization5 stopsNo
Weight900 g130 g
Min Focus21 cm20 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

M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm F2 shown to scale

M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm F2

56 × 43 mm

130 g (0.29 lb / 4.59 oz)

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM is 82mm longer and 32mm wider than M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm F2.

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM is 770 g heavier than M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm F2.

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 12mm F2
Portrait
4.5Fair
3.0Limited
Sports & Action
7.5Good
4.5Fair
Video & Hybrid
9.0Excellent
2.0Limited
Landscape
7.0Good
9.0Excellent
Travel
4.0Fair
8.0Excellent
Wildlife
5.5Fair
2.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
5.0Fair
2.5Limited

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

  • Control ring

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

  • Max magnification

    0.3 × vs 0.08 × — higher is better

Reasons to choose the M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm F2

  • Special elements

    Adds 1 Aspherical, 1 ED, 1 Super ED

  • Weight

    130 g vs 900 g — lower is better

  • Length

    43 mm vs 125 mm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    56 mm vs 88 mm — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/2 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/2 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Min focus distance

    20 cm vs 21 cm — lower is better

Shared specifications

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Weather sealing

Both support weather sealing

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 12mm F2

Pros

  • Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
  • Lightweight design easy to carry all day
  • Native Micro Four Thirds 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 M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm F2 at major authorized retailers.

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

OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm F2

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Full specifications

= category winner

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm F2
Focal length (Min)
24 mm
12 mm
Focal length (Max)
70 mm
12 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8
f/2+1 stop wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8
f/2+1 stop wider
Elements
21
11
Groups
15
8
Special elements
3 Aspherical, 3 UD
1 Aspherical, 1 ED, 1 Super ED
RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm F2
Min focus distance
21 cm
20 cm−1 cm less
Max magnification
0.3 ×3.8× more
0.08 ×
Autofocus motor
Nano USM
MSC
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm F2
Optical stabilization
Yes
No
OIS effectiveness
5 stops
0 stops
RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm F2
Weight
900 g
130 g−770 g less
Length
125 mm
43 mm−82 mm less
Diameter
88 mm
56 mm−32 mm less
Filter thread size
82 mm
46 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
7
RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm F2
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.