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Canon

RF 28-70mm F2L USM

Canon RF Mount

The world's first f/2 standard zoom — unmatched low-light performance and shallow depth of field across the range.

$2,999

Launch price

Released Oct 2018

vs
RF 50mm F1.2L USM

Canon

RF 50mm F1.2L USM

Canon RF Mount

Flagship RF 50mm f/1.2 L prime with Ring USM, 15-element design, and weather-sealed L-series build.

$2,299

Launch price

Released Dec 2018

RF 50mm F1.2L USM is 2 months newer.

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Wins

2categories

RF 28-70mm F2L USM

★ Sports & Action

Wins

5categories

RF 50mm F1.2L USM

★ Portrait★ Sports & Action

1 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

RF 28-70mm F2L USM wins 0 categories·RF 50mm F1.2L USM wins 5 categories
  • BRF 50mm F1.2L USM has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.2 vs f/2)
  • BRF 50mm F1.2L USM has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.2 vs f/2)
  • BRF 50mm F1.2L USM has lower Weight (950 g vs 1430 g)
  • BRF 50mm F1.2L USM has lower Length (108 mm vs 140 mm)
  • BRF 50mm F1.2L USM has lower Diameter (89.8 mm vs 104 mm)

Key specs at a glance

RF 28-70mm F2L USMRF 50mm F1.2L USM
Focal Length28-70 mm50 mm
Max Aperturef/2f/1.2
MountCanon RFCanon RF
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
StabilizationNoNo
Weight1430 g950 g
Min Focus39 cm40 cm
Filter Size95 mm77 mm

Size and weight, to scale

RF 28-70mm F2L USM

⌀104 × 140 mm

1430 g (3.15 lb / 50.44 oz)

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

RF 50mm F1.2L USM shown to scale

RF 50mm F1.2L USM

⌀90 × 108 mm

950 g (2.09 lb / 33.51 oz)

RF 28-70mm F2L USM is 32mm longer and 14mm wider than RF 50mm F1.2L USM.

RF 28-70mm F2L USM is 480 g heavier than RF 50mm F1.2L USM.

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 28-70mm F2L USMRF 50mm F1.2L USM
Portrait
4.5Fair
9.0Excellent
Sports & Action
6.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
5.0Fair
4.5Fair
Landscape
4.0Fair
4.0Fair
Travel
2.0Limited
2.0Limited
Wildlife
3.0Limited
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
0.0Limited
0.0Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the RF 28-70mm F2L USM

  • ✓

    Special elements

    Adds 1 Super UD, 2 UD

  • ✓

    Min focus distance

    39 cm vs 40 cm — lower is better

  • ✓

    Max magnification

    0.21 × vs 0.19 × — higher is better

Reasons to choose the RF 50mm F1.2L USM

  • ✓

    Special elements

    Adds 1 UD

  • ✓

    Max aperture (Wide)

    f/1.2 vs f/2 — lower is better

  • ✓

    Max aperture (Tele)

    f/1.2 vs f/2 — lower is better

  • ✓

    Weight

    950 g vs 1430 g — lower is better

  • ✓

    Length

    108 mm vs 140 mm — lower is better

  • ✓

    Diameter

    89.8 mm vs 104 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 28-70mm F2L USM

Pros

  • ✓Constant f/2 aperture — unique among standard zooms
  • ✓Exceptional low-light and indoor event performance
  • ✓Outstanding build quality and weather sealing
  • ✓Fast Ring USM autofocus

Cons

  • –Extremely heavy (1430g) — not for casual carry
  • –Highest price in the standard zoom category
  • –No optical image stabilization

RF 50mm F1.2L USM

Pros

  • ✓Stunning sharpness even wide open at f/1.2
  • ✓Beautiful, smooth bokeh with 10 rounded aperture blades
  • ✓Fast and accurate Dual Pixel AF with Ring USM
  • ✓Weather-sealed L-series construction

Cons

  • –Heavy for a 50mm prime (950g)
  • –Premium price for a single focal length
  • –No optical image stabilization

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the RF 28-70mm F2L USM and RF 50mm F1.2L USM at major authorized retailers.

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.

Full specifications

✓ = category winner

RF 28-70mm F2L USM
RF 50mm F1.2L USM
Focal length (Min)
28 mm
50 mm
Focal length (Max)
70 mm
50 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2
f/1.2✓+1.5 stops wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2
f/1.2✓+1.5 stops wider
Elements
19
15
Groups
13
9
Special elements
1 Super UD, 2 UD, 1 Aspherical
1 UD, 1 Aspherical
RF 28-70mm F2L USM
RF 50mm F1.2L USM
Min focus distance
39 cm✓−1 cm less
40 cm
Max magnification
0.21 ×✓+11%
0.19 ×
Autofocus motor
Ring USM
Ring USM
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
RF 28-70mm F2L USM
RF 50mm F1.2L USM
Optical stabilization
No
No
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
0 stops
RF 28-70mm F2L USM
RF 50mm F1.2L USM
Weight
1430 g
950 g✓−480 g less
Length
140 mm
108 mm✓−32 mm less
Diameter
104 mm
89.8 mm✓−14 mm less
Filter thread size
95 mm
77 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
10
RF 28-70mm F2L USM
RF 50mm F1.2L USM
Lens mount
Canon RF
Canon RF
Format coverage
Full Frame
Full Frame

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