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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

Samyang

AF 24mm F1.8 FE

Sony E Mount

AF 24mm F1.8 FE — 24mm f/1.8 for Sony E, a popular choice in the samyang lineup.

$399

Launch price

Released Sep 2020

AF 24mm F1.8 FE is 1.1 years newer.

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Wins

3categories

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM

Video & HybridSports & Action

Wins

5categories

AF 24mm F1.8 FE

Sports & ActionPortrait

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM wins 2 categories·AF 24mm F1.8 FE wins 3 categories
  • ARF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM has higher OIS effectiveness (5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • BAF 24mm F1.8 FE has lower Weight (230 g vs 900 g)
  • ARF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM has higher Max magnification (0.3 × vs 0.13 ×)
  • BAF 24mm F1.8 FE has lower Length (70.5 mm vs 125 mm)
  • BAF 24mm F1.8 FE has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.8 vs f/2.8)

Key specs at a glance

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USMAF 24mm F1.8 FE
Focal Length24-70 mm24 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/1.8
MountCanon RFSony E
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
Stabilization5 stopsNo
Weight900 g230 g
Min Focus21 cm25 cm
Filter Size82 mm58 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

AF 24mm F1.8 FE

65 × 71 mm

230 g (0.51 lb / 8.11 oz)

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM is 55mm longer and 23mm wider than AF 24mm F1.8 FE.

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM is 670 g heavier than AF 24mm F1.8 FE.

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 USMAF 24mm F1.8 FE
Portrait
4.5Fair
6.0Good
Sports & Action
7.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
9.0Excellent
3.5Limited
Landscape
7.0Good
5.0Fair
Travel
4.0Fair
5.0Fair
Wildlife
5.5Fair
1.0Limited
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

  • OIS effectiveness

    5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Optical stabilization

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

  • Weather sealing

    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 0.13 × — higher is better

  • Min focus distance

    21 cm vs 25 cm — lower is better

Reasons to choose the AF 24mm F1.8 FE

  • Special elements

    Adds 2 Aspherical, 1 HR, 1 ED

  • Weight

    230 g vs 900 g — lower is better

  • Length

    70.5 mm vs 125 mm — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/1.8 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/1.8 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Diameter

    65 mm vs 88 mm — lower is better

Shared specifications

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

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

AF 24mm F1.8 FE

Pros

  • Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
  • Lightweight design easy to carry all day
  • Native Sony E 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 AF 24mm F1.8 FE at major authorized retailers.

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

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Full specifications

= category winner

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
AF 24mm F1.8 FE
Focal length (Min)
24 mm
24 mm
Focal length (Max)
70 mm
24 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8
f/1.8+1.3 stops wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8
f/1.8+1.3 stops wider
Elements
21
8
Groups
15
6
Special elements
3 Aspherical, 3 UD
2 Aspherical, 1 HR, 1 ED
RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
AF 24mm F1.8 FE
Min focus distance
21 cm−4 cm less
25 cm
Max magnification
0.3 ×2.3× more
0.13 ×
Autofocus motor
Nano USM
Linear STM
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
AF 24mm F1.8 FE
Optical stabilization
Yes
No
OIS effectiveness
5 stops
0 stops
RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
AF 24mm F1.8 FE
Weight
900 g
230 g−670 g less
Length
125 mm
70.5 mm−55 mm less
Diameter
88 mm
65 mm−23 mm less
Filter thread size
82 mm
58 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
No
Diaphragm blades
9
9
RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
AF 24mm F1.8 FE
Lens mount
Canon RF
Sony E
Format coverage
Full Frame
Full Frame

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