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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

Sony

FE 300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS

Sony E Mount

Compact 300mm full-frame telephoto at 1640g with 5.5-stop OSS and linear AF.

$1,399

Launch price

Released Sep 2024

FE 300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS is 5 years newer.

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Wins

6categories

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM

Video & HybridSports & Action

Wins

2categories

FE 300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS

WildlifeVideo & Hybrid

TL;DR — Key differences

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM wins 5 categories·FE 300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS wins 0 categories
  • ARF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM has lower Min focus distance (21 cm vs 150 cm)
  • ARF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM has lower Weight (900 g vs 1640 g)
  • ARF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM has lower Length (125 mm vs 209.5 mm)
  • ARF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/2.8 vs f/4.5)
  • ARF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/2.8 vs f/4.5)

Key specs at a glance

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USMFE 300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS
Focal Length24-70 mm300 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/4.5
MountCanon RFSony E
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
Stabilization5 stops5.5 stops
Weight900 g1640 g
Min Focus21 cm150 cm
Filter Size82 mm67 mm

Size and weight, 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

FE 300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS

89 × 210 mm

1640 g (3.62 lb / 57.85 oz)

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM is 85mm shorter and 1mm narrower than FE 300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS.

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM is 740 g lighter than FE 300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS.

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 USMFE 300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS
Portrait
4.5Fair
2.5Limited
Sports & Action
7.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
9.0Excellent
7.0Good
Landscape
7.0Good
4.0Fair
Travel
4.0Fair
2.0Limited
Wildlife
5.5Fair
8.5Excellent
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 150 cm — lower is better

  • Weight

    900 g vs 1640 g — lower is better

  • Length

    125 mm vs 209.5 mm — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/2.8 vs f/4.5 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/2.8 vs f/4.5 — lower is better

  • Diameter

    88 mm vs 89 mm — lower is better

Reasons to choose the FE 300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS

  • Special elements

    Adds 2 ED, 1 Super ED

  • Custom function button

    Only FE 300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS supports it

  • OIS effectiveness

    5.5 stops vs 5 stops — higher is better

  • Max magnification

    0.31 × vs 0.3 × — higher is better

Shared specifications

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Optical stabilization

Both support optical stabilization

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

FE 300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS

Pros

  • Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
  • Built-in optical image stabilization
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting

Cons

  • Relatively heavy for extended handheld use
  • Slower maximum aperture limits low-light performance

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM and FE 300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS at major authorized retailers.

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

Sony FE 300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS

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Full specifications

= category winner

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
FE 300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS
Focal length (Min)
24 mm
300 mm
Focal length (Max)
70 mm
300 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8+1.4 stops wider
f/4.5
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8+1.4 stops wider
f/4.5
Elements
21
16
Groups
15
13
Special elements
3 Aspherical, 3 UD
2 ED, 1 Super ED
RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
FE 300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS
Min focus distance
21 cm−129 cm less
150 cm
Max magnification
0.3 ×
0.31 ×+3%
Autofocus motor
Nano USM
Linear motor
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
FE 300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS
Optical stabilization
Yes
Yes
OIS effectiveness
5 stops
5.5 stops+10%
RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
FE 300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS
Weight
900 g−740 g less
1640 g
Length
125 mm−85 mm less
209.5 mm
Diameter
88 mm−1 mm less
89 mm
Filter thread size
82 mm
67 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
11
RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
FE 300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS
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.