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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

Panasonic

LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 35-100mm F2.8 II

Micro Four Thirds Mount

LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 35-100mm F2.8 II — 35–100mm f/2.8 for Micro Four Thirds, a popular choice in the panasonic lineup.

$1,499

Launch price

Released Jun 2017

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM is 2.2 years newer.

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Wins

3categories

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM

Video & HybridSports & Action

Wins

2categories

LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 35-100mm F2.8 II

Video & HybridPortrait

3 categories tied

TL;DR — Key differences

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM wins 3 categories·LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 35-100mm F2.8 II wins 2 categories
  • ARF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM has lower Min focus distance (21 cm vs 38 cm)
  • BLEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 35-100mm F2.8 II has lower Diameter (70 mm vs 88 mm)
  • ARF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM has lower Length (125 mm vs 156 mm)
  • ARF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM has higher Max magnification (0.3 × vs 0.25 ×)
  • BLEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 35-100mm F2.8 II has lower Weight (760 g vs 900 g)

Key specs at a glance

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USMLEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 35-100mm F2.8 II
Focal Length24-70 mm35-100 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/2.8
MountCanon RFMicro Four Thirds
CoverageFull FrameMicro Four Thirds
Stabilization5 stops5 stops
Weight900 g760 g
Min Focus21 cm38 cm
Filter Size82 mm67 mm

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseRF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USMLEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 35-100mm F2.8 II
Portrait
4.5Fair
7.5Good
Sports & Action
7.5Good
7.5Good
Video & Hybrid
9.0Excellent
9.0Excellent
Landscape
7.0Good
3.0Limited
Travel
4.0Fair
4.0Fair
Wildlife
5.5Fair
5.5Fair
Macro & Close-up
5.0Fair
3.5Limited

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 38 cm — lower is better

  • Length

    125 mm vs 156 mm — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.3 × vs 0.25 × — higher is better

Reasons to choose the LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 35-100mm F2.8 II

  • Special elements

    Adds Aspherical

  • Custom function button

    Only LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 35-100mm F2.8 II supports it

  • Diameter

    70 mm vs 88 mm — lower is better

  • Weight

    760 g vs 900 g — 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

Optical stabilization

Both support optical stabilization

OIS effectiveness

Both 5 stops

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

LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 35-100mm F2.8 II

Pros

  • Versatile zoom range covers multiple focal lengths in one lens
  • Built-in optical image stabilization
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting

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 LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 35-100mm F2.8 II at major authorized retailers.

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

Panasonic LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 35-100mm F2.8 II

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Full specifications

= category winner

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 35-100mm F2.8 II
Focal length (Min)
24 mm
35 mm
Focal length (Max)
70 mm
100 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Elements
21
20
Groups
15
15
Special elements
3 Aspherical, 3 UD
Aspherical
RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 35-100mm F2.8 II
Min focus distance
21 cm−17 cm less
38 cm
Max magnification
0.3 ×+20%
0.25 ×
Autofocus motor
Nano USM
Linear / Stepping Motor
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 35-100mm F2.8 II
Optical stabilization
Yes
Yes
OIS effectiveness
5 stops
5 stops
RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 35-100mm F2.8 II
Weight
900 g
760 g−140 g less
Length
125 mm−31 mm less
156 mm
Diameter
88 mm
70 mm−18 mm less
Filter thread size
82 mm
67 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
9
RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 35-100mm F2.8 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 May 2026.