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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
AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE

Viltrox

AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE

Sony E Mount

AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE — 135mm f/1.8 for Sony E, a popular choice in the viltrox lineup.

$999

Launch price

Released Sep 2024

AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE is 5.1 years newer.

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Wins

6categories

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM

Video & HybridSports & Action

Wins

2categories

AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE

PortraitSports & Action

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM wins 3 categories·AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE wins 2 categories
  • ARF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM has higher OIS effectiveness (5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • ARF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM has lower Min focus distance (21 cm vs 72 cm)
  • BAF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.8 vs f/2.8)
  • BAF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.8 vs f/2.8)
  • ARF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM has lower Weight (900 g vs 1235 g)

Key specs at a glance

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USMAF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE
Focal Length24-70 mm135 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/1.8
MountCanon RFSony E
CoverageFull FrameFull-Frame
Stabilization5 stopsNo
Weight900 g1235 g
Min Focus21 cm72 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

AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE shown to scale

AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE

93 × 146 mm

1235 g (2.72 lb / 43.56 oz)

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM is 21mm shorter and 5mm narrower than AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE.

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM is 335 g lighter than AF 135mm F1.8 LAB 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 135mm F1.8 LAB FE
Portrait
4.5Fair
9.0Excellent
Sports & Action
7.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
9.0Excellent
4.5Fair
Landscape
7.0Good
4.0Fair
Travel
4.0Fair
2.0Limited
Wildlife
5.5Fair
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
5.0Fair
2.0Limited

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

  • Min focus distance

    21 cm vs 72 cm — lower is better

  • Optical stabilization

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

  • Weight

    900 g vs 1235 g — lower is better

  • Length

    125 mm vs 145.7 mm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    88 mm vs 93 mm — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.3 × vs 0.25 × — higher is better

Reasons to choose the AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE

  • Special elements

    Adds 2 Aspherical, 2 ED, 2 HR

  • 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

AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE

Pros

  • Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting
  • 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 135mm F1.8 LAB FE at major authorized retailers.

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

Viltrox AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE

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Full specifications

= category winner

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE
Focal length (Min)
24 mm
135 mm
Focal length (Max)
70 mm
135 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
14
Groups
15
9
Special elements
3 Aspherical, 3 UD
2 Aspherical, 2 ED, 2 HR
RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE
Min focus distance
21 cm−51 cm less
72 cm
Max magnification
0.3 ×+20%
0.25 ×
Autofocus motor
Nano USM
Linear STM
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE
Optical stabilization
Yes
No
OIS effectiveness
5 stops
0 stops
RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
AF 135mm F1.8 LAB FE
Weight
900 g−335 g less
1235 g
Length
125 mm−21 mm less
145.7 mm
Diameter
88 mm−5 mm less
93 mm
Filter thread size
82 mm
82 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
11
RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
AF 135mm F1.8 LAB 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.