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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

Sony

FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS

Sony E Mount

World's lightest 400mm F2.8 — 2895g with 3 fluorite elements, XD Linear AF, and OSS.

$12,000

Launch price

Released Jun 2018

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM is 1.2 years newer.

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Wins

5categories

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM

Video & HybridSports & Action

Wins

0categories

FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS

Sports & ActionWildlife

3 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM wins 5 categories·FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS wins 0 categories
  • ARF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM has lower Min focus distance (21 cm vs 270 cm)
  • ARF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM has lower Weight (900 g vs 2895 g)
  • ARF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM has lower Length (125 mm vs 359 mm)
  • ARF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM has higher Max magnification (0.3 × vs 0.16 ×)
  • ARF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM has lower Diameter (88 mm vs 158.1 mm)

Key specs at a glance

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USMFE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS
Focal Length24-70 mm400 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/2.8
MountCanon RFSony E
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
Stabilization5 stops5 stops
Weight900 g2895 g
Min Focus21 cm270 cm
Filter Size82 mm40.5 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

FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS

158 × 359 mm

2895 g (6.38 lb / 102.12 oz)

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM is 234mm shorter and 70mm narrower than FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS.

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM is 1995 g lighter than FE 400mm F2.8 GM 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 400mm F2.8 GM OSS
Portrait
4.5Fair
4.5Fair
Sports & Action
7.5Good
10.0Excellent
Video & Hybrid
9.0Excellent
7.0Good
Landscape
7.0Good
4.0Fair
Travel
4.0Fair
2.0Limited
Wildlife
5.5Fair
9.5Excellent
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

  • Min focus distance

    21 cm vs 270 cm — lower is better

  • Weight

    900 g vs 2895 g — lower is better

  • Length

    125 mm vs 359 mm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    88 mm vs 158.1 mm — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.3 × vs 0.16 × — higher is better

Reasons to choose the FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS

  • Special elements

    Adds 3 Fluorite, 1 ED

  • Custom function button

    Only FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS supports it

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

FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS

Pros

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

Cons

  • Premium price point
  • Relatively heavy for extended handheld use

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM and FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS 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
FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS
Focal length (Min)
24 mm
400 mm
Focal length (Max)
70 mm
400 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Elements
21
23
Groups
15
17
Special elements
3 Aspherical, 3 UD
3 Fluorite, 1 ED
RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS
Min focus distance
21 cm−249 cm less
270 cm
Max magnification
0.3 ×+88%
0.16 ×
Autofocus motor
Nano USM
2 XD Linear Motors
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS
Optical stabilization
Yes
Yes
OIS effectiveness
5 stops
5 stops
RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS
Weight
900 g−1,995 g less
2895 g
Length
125 mm−234 mm less
359 mm
Diameter
88 mm−70 mm less
158.1 mm
Filter thread size
82 mm
40.5 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
11
RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
FE 400mm F2.8 GM 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.