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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

Sony

FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

Sony E Mount

The standard telephoto zoom, completely redesigned to be 29% lighter and significantly sharper.

$2,799

Launch price

Released Oct 2021

RF 28mm F2.8 STM is 1.6 years newer.

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Wins

4categories

RF 28mm F2.8 STM

TravelSports & Action

Wins

2categories

FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

Sports & ActionPortrait

2 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

RF 28mm F2.8 STM wins 3 categories·FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II wins 2 categories
  • BFE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II has higher OIS effectiveness (4.5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • ARF 28mm F2.8 STM has lower Weight (120 g vs 1045 g)
  • ARF 28mm F2.8 STM has lower Length (24.7 mm vs 200 mm)
  • BFE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II has higher Max magnification (0.3 × vs 0.17 ×)
  • ARF 28mm F2.8 STM has lower Min focus distance (23 cm vs 40 cm)

Key specs at a glance

RF 28mm F2.8 STMFE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Focal Length28 mm70-200 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/2.8
MountCanon RFSony E
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
StabilizationNo4.5 stops
Weight120 g1045 g
Min Focus23 cm40 cm
Filter Size55 mm77 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 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

88 × 200 mm

1045 g (2.30 lb / 36.86 oz)

RF 28mm F2.8 STM is 175mm shorter and 19mm narrower than FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II.

RF 28mm F2.8 STM is 925 g lighter than FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS 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 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Portrait
3.0Limited
7.5Good
Sports & Action
6.5Good
9.5Excellent
Video & Hybrid
2.0Limited
7.0Good
Landscape
1.0Limited
4.0Fair
Travel
7.0Good
4.0Fair
Wildlife
0.0Limited
5.5Fair
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 1045 g — lower is better

  • Length

    24.7 mm vs 200 mm — lower is better

  • Min focus distance

    23 cm vs 40 cm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    69.2 mm vs 88 mm — lower is better

Reasons to choose the FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

  • Special elements

    Adds 1 XA, 1 Aspherical, 1 Super ED…

  • OIS effectiveness

    4.5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Optical stabilization

    Only FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II supports it

  • Weather sealing

    Only FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II supports it

  • Custom function button

    Only FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II supports it

  • Max magnification

    0.3 × vs 0.17 × — higher 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 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

Pros

  • Extremely lightweight for an f/2.8 telephoto zoom (only 1045g)
  • Virtually instantaneous and silent autofocus with 4 XD Linear motors
  • Stunning optical performance and contrast across entire range
  • Outstanding built-in Optical SteadyShot stabilization
  • Dedicated physical aperture ring with click and lock switches

Cons

  • Very high price tag
  • Lens hood is bulky and can block storage space easily

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the RF 28mm F2.8 STM and FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II at major authorized retailers.

Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II

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Full specifications

= category winner

RF 28mm F2.8 STM
FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Focal length (Min)
28 mm
70 mm
Focal length (Max)
28 mm
200 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Elements
8
17
Groups
6
14
Special elements
3 PMo
1 XA, 1 Aspherical, 1 Super ED, 2 ED
RF 28mm F2.8 STM
FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Min focus distance
23 cm−17 cm less
40 cm
Max magnification
0.17 ×
0.3 ×+76%
Autofocus motor
STM
4 XD Linear Motors
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
RF 28mm F2.8 STM
FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Optical stabilization
No
Yes
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
4.5 stops
RF 28mm F2.8 STM
FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Weight
120 g−925 g less
1045 g
Length
24.7 mm−175 mm less
200 mm
Diameter
69.2 mm−19 mm less
88 mm
Filter thread size
55 mm
77 mm
Weather sealing
No
Yes
Diaphragm blades
7
11
RF 28mm F2.8 STM
FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS 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.