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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

Tamron

28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2

Sony E Mount

An incredibly popular third-party zoom updated with vastly improved sharpness and autofocus.

$899

Launch price

Released Aug 2021

28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 is 2.8 years newer.

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Wins

2categories

RF 28-70mm F2L USM

Sports & Action

Wins

5categories

28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2

Sports & Action

1 categories tied

TL;DR — Key differences

RF 28-70mm F2L USM wins 2 categories·28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 wins 3 categories
  • B28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 has lower Weight (540 g vs 1430 g)
  • B28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 has lower Min focus distance (18 cm vs 39 cm)
  • B28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 has higher Max magnification (0.37 × vs 0.21 ×)
  • ARF 28-70mm F2L USM has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/2 vs f/2.8)
  • ARF 28-70mm F2L USM has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/2 vs f/2.8)

Key specs at a glance

RF 28-70mm F2L USM28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
Focal Length28-70 mm28-75 mm
Max Aperturef/2f/2.8
MountCanon RFSony E
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
StabilizationNoNo
Weight1430 g540 g
Min Focus39 cm18 cm
Filter Size95 mm67 mm

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseRF 28-70mm F2L USM28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
Portrait
4.5Fair
4.5Fair
Sports & Action
6.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
5.0Fair
4.0Fair
Landscape
4.0Fair
4.0Fair
Travel
2.0Limited
3.5Limited
Wildlife
3.0Limited
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
0.0Limited
4.5Fair

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the RF 28-70mm F2L USM

  • Special elements

    Adds 1 Super UD, 2 UD, 1 Aspherical

  • Control ring

    Only RF 28-70mm F2L USM supports it

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/2 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/2 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

Reasons to choose the 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2

  • Special elements

    Adds 2 LD, 2 GM

  • Weight

    540 g vs 1430 g — lower is better

  • Min focus distance

    18 cm vs 39 cm — lower is better

  • Custom function button

    Only 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 supports it

  • Diameter

    76 mm vs 104 mm — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.37 × vs 0.21 × — higher is better

  • Length

    118 mm vs 140 mm — lower is better

Shared specifications

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Weather sealing

Both support weather sealing

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

28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2

Pros

  • Superb value for money compared to first-party options
  • Excellent sharpness throughout the range, even at f/2.8
  • Very lightweight and compact (only 540g)
  • Fast VXD linear motor focus drive
  • Customizable lens functions via Tamron Lens Utility software

Cons

  • Starts at 28mm instead of the wider 24mm standard
  • Slightly weaker corner sharpness at 75mm wide open
  • Weather sealing is basic compared to Sony GM lenses

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the RF 28-70mm F2L USM and 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 at major authorized retailers.

Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2

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Full specifications

= category winner

RF 28-70mm F2L USM
28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
Focal length (Min)
28 mm
28 mm
Focal length (Max)
70 mm
75 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2+1 stop wider
f/2.8
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2+1 stop wider
f/2.8
Elements
19
17
Groups
13
15
Special elements
1 Super UD, 2 UD, 1 Aspherical
2 LD, 2 GM
RF 28-70mm F2L USM
28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
Min focus distance
39 cm
18 cm−21 cm less
Max magnification
0.21 ×
0.37 ×+76%
Autofocus motor
Ring USM
VXD Linear Motor
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
RF 28-70mm F2L USM
28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
Optical stabilization
No
No
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
0 stops
RF 28-70mm F2L USM
28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
Weight
1430 g
540 g−890 g less
Length
140 mm
118 mm−22 mm less
Diameter
104 mm
76 mm−28 mm less
Filter thread size
95 mm
67 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
9
RF 28-70mm F2L USM
28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
Lens mount
Canon RF
Sony E
Format coverage
Full Frame
Full Frame

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