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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

Sigma

28-45mm F1.8 DG DN Art

Nikon Z Mount

28-45mm F1.8 DG DN Art — 28–45mm f/1.8 for Nikon Z, a popular choice in the sigma lineup.

$1,499

Launch price

Released Sep 2024

28-45mm F1.8 DG DN Art is 5 years newer.

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Wins

6categories

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM

Video & HybridSports & Action

Wins

2categories

28-45mm F1.8 DG DN Art

Portrait

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM wins 3 categories·28-45mm F1.8 DG DN Art wins 2 categories
  • ARF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM has higher OIS effectiveness (5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • B28-45mm F1.8 DG DN Art has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.8 vs f/2.8)
  • B28-45mm F1.8 DG DN Art has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.8 vs f/2.8)
  • ARF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM has lower Min focus distance (21 cm vs 30 cm)
  • ARF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM has lower Length (125 mm vs 153.4 mm)

Key specs at a glance

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM28-45mm F1.8 DG DN Art
Focal Length24-70 mm28-45 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/1.8
MountCanon RFNikon Z
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
Stabilization5 stopsNo
Weight900 g950 g
Min Focus21 cm30 cm
Filter Size82 mm82 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

28-45mm F1.8 DG DN Art

89 × 153 mm

950 g (2.09 lb / 33.51 oz)

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM is 28mm shorter and 1mm narrower than 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN Art.

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM is 50 g lighter than 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN Art.

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 USM28-45mm F1.8 DG DN Art
Portrait
4.5Fair
6.0Good
Sports & Action
7.5Good
4.5Fair
Video & Hybrid
9.0Excellent
5.0Fair
Landscape
7.0Good
4.0Fair
Travel
4.0Fair
2.0Limited
Wildlife
5.5Fair
2.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
5.0Fair
3.5Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM

  • OIS effectiveness

    5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Special elements

    Adds 3 UD

  • Optical stabilization

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

  • Min focus distance

    21 cm vs 30 cm — lower is better

  • Length

    125 mm vs 153.4 mm — lower is better

  • Weight

    900 g vs 950 g — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.3 × vs 0.25 × — higher is better

  • Diameter

    88 mm vs 88.9 mm — lower is better

Reasons to choose the 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN Art

  • Special elements

    Adds 2 SLD

  • Custom function button

    Only 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN Art supports it

  • 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

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

28-45mm F1.8 DG DN Art

Pros

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

Cons

  • Relatively heavy for extended handheld use
  • 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 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN Art at major authorized retailers.

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

Sigma 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN Art

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Full specifications

= category winner

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
28-45mm F1.8 DG DN Art
Focal length (Min)
24 mm
28 mm
Focal length (Max)
70 mm
45 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
17
Groups
15
15
Special elements
3 Aspherical, 3 UD
2 SLD, 3 Aspherical
RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
28-45mm F1.8 DG DN Art
Min focus distance
21 cm−9 cm less
30 cm
Max magnification
0.3 ×+20%
0.25 ×
Autofocus motor
Nano USM
Stepping motor
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
28-45mm F1.8 DG DN Art
Optical stabilization
Yes
No
OIS effectiveness
5 stops
0 stops
RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
28-45mm F1.8 DG DN Art
Weight
900 g−50 g less
950 g
Length
125 mm−28 mm less
153.4 mm
Diameter
88 mm−1 mm less
88.9 mm
Filter thread size
82 mm
82 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
11
RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
28-45mm F1.8 DG DN Art
Lens mount
Canon RF
Nikon Z
Format coverage
Full Frame
Full Frame

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