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Canon

RF 35mm F1.2 L USM

Canon RF Mount

RF 35mm F1.2 L USM — 35mm f/1.2 for Canon RF, a popular choice in the canon lineup.

$2,999

Launch price

Released Dec 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 2.7 years newer.

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Wins

3categories

RF 35mm F1.2 L USM

PortraitSports & Action

Wins

4categories

28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2

Sports & Action

1 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

RF 35mm F1.2 L 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 Min focus distance (18 cm vs 50 cm)
  • ARF 35mm F1.2 L USM has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.2 vs f/2.8)
  • ARF 35mm F1.2 L USM has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.2 vs f/2.8)
  • B28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 has higher Max magnification (0.37 × vs 0.17 ×)
  • B28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 has lower Weight (540 g vs 950 g)

Key specs at a glance

RF 35mm F1.2 L USM28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
Focal Length35 mm28-75 mm
Max Aperturef/1.2f/2.8
MountCanon RFSony E
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
StabilizationNoNo
Weight950 g540 g
Min Focus50 cm18 cm
Filter Size82 mm67 mm

Size and weight, to scale

RF 35mm F1.2 L USM

89 × 112 mm

950 g (2.09 lb / 33.51 oz)

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

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2

76 × 118 mm

540 g (1.19 lb / 19.05 oz)

RF 35mm F1.2 L USM is 7mm shorter and 13mm wider than 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2.

RF 35mm F1.2 L USM is 410 g heavier than 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2.

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 35mm F1.2 L USM28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
Portrait
7.0Good
4.5Fair
Sports & Action
6.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
4.5Fair
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 35mm F1.2 L USM

  • Special elements

    Adds 3 Aspherical, 1 UD

  • 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

  • Control ring

    Only RF 35mm F1.2 L USM supports it

  • Length

    111.5 mm vs 118 mm — lower is better

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

  • Special elements

    Adds 2 LD, 2 GM

  • Min focus distance

    18 cm vs 50 cm — lower is better

  • Weight

    540 g vs 950 g — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.37 × vs 0.17 × — higher is better

  • Diameter

    76 mm vs 89 mm — lower is better

Shared specifications

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Weather sealing

Both support weather sealing

Custom function button

Both support custom function button

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

RF 35mm F1.2 L USM

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

  • Premium price point
  • Relatively heavy for extended handheld use

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 35mm F1.2 L 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 35mm F1.2 L USM
28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
Focal length (Min)
35 mm
28 mm
Focal length (Max)
35 mm
75 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/1.2+2.4 stops wider
f/2.8
Max aperture (Tele)
f/1.2+2.4 stops wider
f/2.8
Elements
13
17
Groups
9
15
Special elements
3 Aspherical, 1 UD
2 LD, 2 GM
RF 35mm F1.2 L USM
28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
Min focus distance
50 cm
18 cm−32 cm less
Max magnification
0.17 ×
0.37 ×2.2× more
Autofocus motor
Dual Nano USM
VXD Linear Motor
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
RF 35mm F1.2 L USM
28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
Optical stabilization
No
No
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
0 stops
RF 35mm F1.2 L USM
28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
Weight
950 g
540 g−410 g less
Length
111.5 mm−7 mm less
118 mm
Diameter
89 mm
76 mm−13 mm less
Filter thread size
82 mm
67 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
9
RF 35mm F1.2 L 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 June 2026.