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Canon

RF 28mm F2.8 STM

Canon RF Mount

World's smallest RF lens — 120g pancake with STM AF and 0.23m close focus.

$299

Launch price

Released May 2023

vs
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

Sony

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

Sony E Mount

The ultimate standard zoom — incredibly sharp, exceptionally compact, and built for professionals.

$2,299

Launch price

Released Apr 2022

RF 28mm F2.8 STM is 1.1 years newer.

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Wins

3categories

RF 28mm F2.8 STM

TravelSports & Action

Wins

2categories

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

LandscapeSports & Action

3 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

RF 28mm F2.8 STM wins 3 categories·FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II wins 2 categories
  • ARF 28mm F2.8 STM has lower Weight (120 g vs 695 g)
  • ARF 28mm F2.8 STM has lower Length (24.7 mm vs 120 mm)
  • BFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has higher Max magnification (0.32 × vs 0.17 ×)
  • ARF 28mm F2.8 STM has lower Diameter (69.2 mm vs 88 mm)
  • BFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has lower Min focus distance (21 cm vs 23 cm)

Key specs at a glance

RF 28mm F2.8 STMFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Focal Length28 mm24-70 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/2.8
MountCanon RFSony E
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
StabilizationNoNo
Weight120 g695 g
Min Focus23 cm21 cm
Filter Size55 mm82 mm

Size and weight, to scale

RF 28mm F2.8 STM

69 × 25 mm

120 g (0.26 lb / 4.23 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 24-70mm F2.8 GM II shown to scale

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

88 × 120 mm

695 g (1.53 lb / 24.52 oz)

RF 28mm F2.8 STM is 95mm shorter and 19mm narrower than FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II.

RF 28mm F2.8 STM is 575 g lighter than FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II.

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 28mm F2.8 STMFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Portrait
3.0Limited
4.5Fair
Sports & Action
6.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
2.0Limited
5.0Fair
Landscape
1.0Limited
7.0Good
Travel
7.0Good
5.5Fair
Wildlife
0.0Limited
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
1.5Limited
3.5Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the RF 28mm F2.8 STM

  • Special elements

    Adds 3 PMo

  • Weight

    120 g vs 695 g — lower is better

  • Length

    24.7 mm vs 120 mm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    69.2 mm vs 88 mm — lower is better

Reasons to choose the FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

  • Special elements

    Adds 2 XA (extreme aspherical), 3 Aspherical, 2 ED…

  • Weather sealing

    Only FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II supports it

  • Control ring

    Only FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II supports it

  • Custom function button

    Only FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II supports it

  • Max magnification

    0.32 × vs 0.17 × — higher is better

  • Min focus distance

    21 cm vs 23 cm — lower is better

Shared specifications

Max aperture (Wide)

Both f/2.8

Max aperture (Tele)

Both f/2.8

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

RF 28mm F2.8 STM

Pros

  • Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
  • Lightweight design easy to carry all day
  • Native Canon RF mount compatibility

Cons

  • Third-party or older alternatives may offer better value

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

Pros

  • Outstanding sharpness across the entire zoom range
  • Remarkably small and lightweight for an f/2.8 zoom
  • Four XD Linear focus motors provide blazing-fast AF tracking
  • Excellent close-up magnification
  • De-clickable aperture ring and customized function buttons

Cons

  • No built-in optical image stabilization (relies on body IBIS)
  • High launch price
  • Aperture ring can be easily bumped if not locked

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the RF 28mm F2.8 STM and FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II at major authorized retailers.

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Full specifications

= category winner

RF 28mm F2.8 STM
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Focal length (Min)
28 mm
24 mm
Focal length (Max)
28 mm
70 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Elements
8
20
Groups
6
15
Special elements
3 PMo
2 XA (extreme aspherical), 3 Aspherical, 2 ED, 2 Super ED
RF 28mm F2.8 STM
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Min focus distance
23 cm
21 cm−2 cm less
Max magnification
0.17 ×
0.32 ×+88%
Autofocus motor
STM
4 XD Linear Motors
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
RF 28mm F2.8 STM
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Optical stabilization
No
No
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
0 stops
RF 28mm F2.8 STM
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Weight
120 g−575 g less
695 g
Length
24.7 mm−95 mm less
120 mm
Diameter
69.2 mm−19 mm less
88 mm
Filter thread size
55 mm
82 mm
Weather sealing
No
Yes
Diaphragm blades
7
11
RF 28mm F2.8 STM
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
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.