Cameraegg Compare logoCameraegg

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 price

Released Oct 2019

vs

Fujifilm

GF 45mm F2.8 R WR

Fujifilm GFX Mount

GF 45mm F2.8 R WR — 45mm f/2.8 for Fujifilm GFX, a popular choice in the fujifilm lineup.

$1,699

Launch price

Released Jan 2017

RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM is 2.8 years newer.

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.

Wins

3categories

RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM

Sports & ActionPortrait

Wins

3categories

GF 45mm F2.8 R WR

Sports & Action

2 categories tied

TL;DR — Key differences

RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM wins 3 categories·GF 45mm F2.8 R WR wins 2 categories
  • ARF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM has higher OIS effectiveness (5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • BGF 45mm F2.8 R WR has lower Min focus distance (30 cm vs 70 cm)
  • ARF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM has higher Max magnification (0.23 × vs 0.15 ×)
  • ARF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM has lower Length (146 mm vs 179 mm)
  • BGF 45mm F2.8 R WR has lower Weight (920 g vs 1070 g)

Key specs at a glance

RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USMGF 45mm F2.8 R WR
Focal Length70-200 mm45 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/2.8
MountCanon RFFujifilm GFX
CoverageFull FrameMedium Format
Stabilization5 stopsNo
Weight1070 g920 g
Min Focus70 cm30 cm
Filter Size77 mm77 mm

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseRF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USMGF 45mm F2.8 R WR
Portrait
7.5Good
4.5Fair
Sports & Action
9.5Excellent
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
7.0Good
3.0Limited
Landscape
4.0Fair
3.0Limited
Travel
4.0Fair
2.0Limited
Wildlife
5.5Fair
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
1.5Limited
1.5Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM

  • Special elements

    Adds 1 Super UD, 1 UD, 2 Aspherical

  • OIS effectiveness

    5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Optical stabilization

    Only RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM supports it

  • Length

    146 mm vs 179 mm — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.23 × vs 0.15 × — higher is better

Reasons to choose the GF 45mm F2.8 R WR

  • Special elements

    Adds Aspherical

  • Min focus distance

    30 cm vs 70 cm — lower is better

  • Internal focus

    Only GF 45mm F2.8 R WR supports it

  • Custom function button

    Only GF 45mm F2.8 R WR supports it

  • Weight

    920 g vs 1070 g — lower is better

  • Diameter

    81 mm vs 90 mm — lower is better

Shared specifications

Max aperture (Wide)

Both f/2.8

Max aperture (Tele)

Both f/2.8

Weather sealing

Both support weather sealing

Control ring

Both support control ring

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

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

GF 45mm F2.8 R WR

Pros

  • Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting
  • Native Fujifilm GFX mount compatibility

Cons

  • Relatively heavy for extended handheld use
  • Third-party or older alternatives may offer better value

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM and GF 45mm F2.8 R WR at major authorized retailers.

Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM

Fujifilm GF 45mm F2.8 R WR

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.

Full specifications

= category winner

RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM
GF 45mm F2.8 R WR
Focal length (Min)
70 mm
45 mm
Focal length (Max)
200 mm
45 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Elements
17
14
Groups
13
11
Special elements
1 Super UD, 1 UD, 2 Aspherical
Aspherical
RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM
GF 45mm F2.8 R WR
Min focus distance
70 cm
30 cm−40 cm less
Max magnification
0.23 ×+53%
0.15 ×
Autofocus motor
Dual Nano USM
Linear / Stepping Motor
Internal focus
No
Yes
RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM
GF 45mm F2.8 R WR
Optical stabilization
Yes
No
OIS effectiveness
5 stops
0 stops
RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM
GF 45mm F2.8 R WR
Weight
1070 g
920 g−150 g less
Length
146 mm−33 mm less
179 mm
Diameter
90 mm
81 mm−9 mm less
Filter thread size
77 mm
77 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
9
RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM
GF 45mm F2.8 R WR
Lens mount
Canon RF
Fujifilm GFX
Format coverage
Full Frame
Medium Format

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