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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
LUMIX S 16-35mm F4

Panasonic

LUMIX S 16-35mm F4

Leica L Mount

LUMIX S 16-35mm F4 — 16–35mm f/4 for Leica L, a popular choice in the panasonic lineup.

$1,299

Launch price

Released Jan 2023

LUMIX S 16-35mm F4 is 3.3 years newer.

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Wins

5categories

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM

Video & HybridSports & Action

Wins

3categories

LUMIX S 16-35mm F4

Landscape

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM wins 4 categories·LUMIX S 16-35mm F4 wins 1 categories
  • ARF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM has higher OIS effectiveness (5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • BLUMIX S 16-35mm F4 has lower Weight (493 g vs 900 g)
  • ARF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/2.8 vs f/4)
  • ARF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/2.8 vs f/4)
  • ARF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM has higher Max magnification (0.3 × vs 0.25 ×)

Key specs at a glance

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USMLUMIX S 16-35mm F4
Focal Length24-70 mm16-35 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/4
MountCanon RFLeica L
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
Stabilization5 stopsNo
Weight900 g493 g
Min Focus21 cm25 cm
Filter Size82 mm77 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

LUMIX S 16-35mm F4 shown to scale

LUMIX S 16-35mm F4

74 × 105 mm

493 g (1.09 lb / 17.39 oz)

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM is 20mm longer and 14mm wider than LUMIX S 16-35mm F4.

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM is 407 g heavier than LUMIX S 16-35mm F4.

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 USMLUMIX S 16-35mm F4
Portrait
4.5Fair
2.5Limited
Sports & Action
7.5Good
5.5Fair
Video & Hybrid
9.0Excellent
5.0Fair
Landscape
7.0Good
9.0Excellent
Travel
4.0Fair
5.0Fair
Wildlife
5.5Fair
3.0Limited
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

  • OIS effectiveness

    5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Optical stabilization

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

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/2.8 vs f/4 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/2.8 vs f/4 — lower is better

  • Min focus distance

    21 cm vs 25 cm — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.3 × vs 0.25 × — higher is better

Reasons to choose the LUMIX S 16-35mm F4

  • Special elements

    Adds 2 Aspherical, 1 ED

  • Custom function button

    Only LUMIX S 16-35mm F4 supports it

  • Weight

    493 g vs 900 g — lower is better

  • Diameter

    73.6 mm vs 88 mm — lower is better

  • Length

    105.4 mm vs 125 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

LUMIX S 16-35mm F4

Pros

  • Versatile zoom range covers multiple focal lengths in one lens
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting
  • Native Leica L mount compatibility

Cons

  • Slower maximum aperture limits low-light performance
  • 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 LUMIX S 16-35mm F4 at major authorized retailers.

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

Panasonic LUMIX S 16-35mm F4

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Full specifications

= category winner

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
LUMIX S 16-35mm F4
Focal length (Min)
24 mm
16 mm
Focal length (Max)
70 mm
35 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8+1 stop wider
f/4
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8+1 stop wider
f/4
Elements
21
12
Groups
15
9
Special elements
3 Aspherical, 3 UD
2 Aspherical, 1 ED
RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
LUMIX S 16-35mm F4
Min focus distance
21 cm−4 cm less
25 cm
Max magnification
0.3 ×+20%
0.25 ×
Autofocus motor
Nano USM
Linear motor
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
LUMIX S 16-35mm F4
Optical stabilization
Yes
No
OIS effectiveness
5 stops
0 stops
RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
LUMIX S 16-35mm F4
Weight
900 g
493 g−407 g less
Length
125 mm
105.4 mm−20 mm less
Diameter
88 mm
73.6 mm−14 mm less
Filter thread size
82 mm
77 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
9
RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
LUMIX S 16-35mm F4
Lens mount
Canon RF
Leica L
Format coverage
Full Frame
Full Frame

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