Canon
RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM
Canon RF Mount
A versatile wide-angle prime with 0.5x macro — perfect for street, travel, and close-up photography on a budget.
$499
Launch priceReleased Nov 2018
Canon
RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM
Canon RF Mount
An incredibly compact, extending telephoto zoom with L-series optics and 5 stops of stabilization.
$2,799
Launch priceReleased Oct 2019
RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM is 1 year newer.
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Wins
RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM
Wins
RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM
1 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- ARF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM has lower Min focus distance (17 cm vs 70 cm)
- ARF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM has lower Weight (305 g vs 1070 g)
- ARF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM has lower Length (63 mm vs 146 mm)
- ARF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM has higher Max magnification (0.5 × vs 0.23 ×)
- ARF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.8 vs f/2.8)
Key specs at a glance
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose the RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM
- ✓
Special elements
Adds 1 Aspherical
- ✓
Min focus distance
17 cm vs 70 cm — lower is better
- ✓
Weight
305 g vs 1070 g — lower is better
- ✓
Length
63 mm vs 146 mm — lower is better
- ✓
Internal focus
Only RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM supports it
- ✓
Max aperture (Wide)
f/1.8 vs f/2.8 — lower is better
- ✓
Max aperture (Tele)
f/1.8 vs f/2.8 — lower is better
- ✓
Max magnification
0.5 × vs 0.23 × — higher is better
Reasons to choose the RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM
- ✓
Special elements
Adds 1 Super UD, 1 UD, 2 Aspherical
- ✓
Weather sealing
Only RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM supports it
Shared specifications
Optical stabilization
Both support optical stabilization
OIS effectiveness
Both 5 stops
Control ring
Both support control ring
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM
Pros
- ✓Versatile 35mm focal length for street and travel
- ✓0.5x macro capability in a compact prime
- ✓5-stop optical image stabilization
- ✓Affordable entry into RF primes
Cons
- –f/1.8 not as impressive as f/1.4 alternatives
- –Some distortion and vignetting wide open
- –Plastic build, no weather sealing
RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM
Pros
- ✓Unbelievably compact storage size thanks to extending barrel
- ✓Very lightweight design (only 1070g)
- ✓Excellent center sharpness at all focal lengths
- ✓Dual Nano USM focus motors offer fast, silent AF
- ✓Exceptional 5-stop optical image stabilization
Cons
- –Extending barrel can draw in dust/moisture over time
- –Not compatible with RF teleconverters (due to rear element position)
- –Vignetting is quite heavy wide open
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM and RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM at major authorized retailers.
Canon RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM
Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.