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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

Viltrox

AF 35mm F1.2 LAB Z

Nikon Z Mount

AF 35mm F1.2 LAB Z — 35mm f/1.2 for Nikon Z, a popular choice in the viltrox lineup.

$1,099

Launch price

Released Sep 2024

AF 35mm F1.2 LAB Z is 5.1 years newer.

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Wins

4categories

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM

Video & HybridSports & Action

Wins

4categories

AF 35mm F1.2 LAB Z

PortraitSports & Action

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM wins 3 categories·AF 35mm F1.2 LAB Z 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 higher Max magnification (0.3 × vs 0.1 ×)
  • BAF 35mm F1.2 LAB Z has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.2 vs f/2.8)
  • BAF 35mm F1.2 LAB Z has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.2 vs f/2.8)
  • ARF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM has lower Min focus distance (21 cm vs 35 cm)

Key specs at a glance

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USMAF 35mm F1.2 LAB Z
Focal Length24-70 mm35 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/1.2
MountCanon RFNikon Z
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
Stabilization5 stopsNo
Weight900 g920 g
Min Focus21 cm35 cm
Filter Size82 mm77 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 35mm F1.2 LAB Z

82 × 109 mm

920 g (2.03 lb / 32.45 oz)

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM is 16mm longer and 6mm wider than AF 35mm F1.2 LAB Z.

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM is 20 g lighter than AF 35mm F1.2 LAB Z.

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 35mm F1.2 LAB Z
Portrait
4.5Fair
7.0Good
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
0.0Limited

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

  • Optical stabilization

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

  • Min focus distance

    21 cm vs 35 cm — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.3 × vs 0.1 × — higher is better

  • Weight

    900 g vs 920 g — lower is better

Reasons to choose the AF 35mm F1.2 LAB Z

  • Special elements

    Adds 2 Aspherical, 3 ED, 3 HR

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/1.2 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/1.2 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Length

    109 mm vs 125 mm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    82 mm vs 88 mm — 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 35mm F1.2 LAB Z

Pros

  • Bright f/1.2 aperture for low light and subject separation
  • Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting

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 AF 35mm F1.2 LAB Z at major authorized retailers.

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

Viltrox AF 35mm F1.2 LAB Z

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Full specifications

= category winner

RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
AF 35mm F1.2 LAB Z
Focal length (Min)
24 mm
35 mm
Focal length (Max)
70 mm
35 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8
f/1.2+2.4 stops wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8
f/1.2+2.4 stops wider
Elements
21
13
Groups
15
10
Special elements
3 Aspherical, 3 UD
2 Aspherical, 3 ED, 3 HR
RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
AF 35mm F1.2 LAB Z
Min focus distance
21 cm−14 cm less
35 cm
Max magnification
0.3 ×3× more
0.1 ×
Autofocus motor
Nano USM
Linear STM
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
AF 35mm F1.2 LAB Z
Optical stabilization
Yes
No
OIS effectiveness
5 stops
0 stops
RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
AF 35mm F1.2 LAB Z
Weight
900 g−20 g less
920 g
Length
125 mm
109 mm−16 mm less
Diameter
88 mm
82 mm−6 mm less
Filter thread size
82 mm
77 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
11
RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
AF 35mm F1.2 LAB Z
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.