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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
M.Zuiko Digital ED 45mm F1.2 PRO

OM System

M.Zuiko Digital ED 45mm F1.2 PRO

Micro Four Thirds Mount

90mm-equiv. F1.2 portrait prime with 50 cm close focus, 62 mm filter thread, and IPX1 weather sealing.

$1,199

Launch price

Released Nov 2017

RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM is 1.9 years newer.

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Wins

2categories

RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM

Sports & ActionPortrait

Wins

6categories

M.Zuiko Digital ED 45mm F1.2 PRO

Portrait

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM wins 2 categories·M.Zuiko Digital ED 45mm F1.2 PRO wins 3 categories
  • ARF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM has higher OIS effectiveness (5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • BM.Zuiko Digital ED 45mm F1.2 PRO has lower Weight (410 g vs 1070 g)
  • BM.Zuiko Digital ED 45mm F1.2 PRO has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.2 vs f/2.8)
  • BM.Zuiko Digital ED 45mm F1.2 PRO has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.2 vs f/2.8)
  • ARF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM has higher Max magnification (0.23 × vs 0.1 ×)

Key specs at a glance

RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USMM.Zuiko Digital ED 45mm F1.2 PRO
Focal Length70-200 mm45 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/1.2
MountCanon RFMicro Four Thirds
CoverageFull FrameMicro Four Thirds
Stabilization5 stopsNo
Weight1070 g410 g
Min Focus70 cm50 cm
Filter Size77 mm62 mm

Size and weight, to scale

RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM

90 × 146 mm

1070 g (2.36 lb / 37.74 oz)

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

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

M.Zuiko Digital ED 45mm F1.2 PRO shown to scale

M.Zuiko Digital ED 45mm F1.2 PRO

70 × 85 mm

410 g (0.90 lb / 14.46 oz)

RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM is 61mm longer and 20mm wider than M.Zuiko Digital ED 45mm F1.2 PRO.

RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM is 660 g heavier than M.Zuiko Digital ED 45mm F1.2 PRO.

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 70-200mm F2.8L IS USMM.Zuiko Digital ED 45mm F1.2 PRO
Portrait
7.5Good
7.0Good
Sports & Action
9.5Excellent
4.5Fair
Video & Hybrid
7.0Good
4.5Fair
Landscape
4.0Fair
5.0Fair
Travel
4.0Fair
5.0Fair
Wildlife
5.5Fair
2.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
1.5Limited
0.0Limited

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

  • Max magnification

    0.23 × vs 0.1 × — higher is better

Reasons to choose the M.Zuiko Digital ED 45mm F1.2 PRO

  • Special elements

    Adds 1 Aspherical, 1 DSA, 3 ED…

  • Weight

    410 g vs 1070 g — lower is better

  • 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

  • Internal focus

    Only M.Zuiko Digital ED 45mm F1.2 PRO supports it

  • Length

    84.9 mm vs 146 mm — lower is better

  • Min focus distance

    50 cm vs 70 cm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    70 mm vs 90 mm — lower is better

Shared specifications

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

M.Zuiko Digital ED 45mm F1.2 PRO

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

  • 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 M.Zuiko Digital ED 45mm F1.2 PRO at major authorized retailers.

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

OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 45mm F1.2 PRO

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Full specifications

= category winner

RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM
M.Zuiko Digital ED 45mm F1.2 PRO
Focal length (Min)
70 mm
45 mm
Focal length (Max)
200 mm
45 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8
f/1.2+2.4 stops wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8
f/1.2+2.4 stops wider
Elements
17
14
Groups
13
10
Special elements
1 Super UD, 1 UD, 2 Aspherical
1 Aspherical, 1 DSA, 3 ED, 1 Super ED
RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM
M.Zuiko Digital ED 45mm F1.2 PRO
Min focus distance
70 cm
50 cm−20 cm less
Max magnification
0.23 ×2.3× more
0.1 ×
Autofocus motor
Dual Nano USM
MSC (stepping motor)
Internal focus
No
Yes
RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM
M.Zuiko Digital ED 45mm F1.2 PRO
Optical stabilization
Yes
No
OIS effectiveness
5 stops
0 stops
RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM
M.Zuiko Digital ED 45mm F1.2 PRO
Weight
1070 g
410 g−660 g less
Length
146 mm
84.9 mm−61 mm less
Diameter
90 mm
70 mm−20 mm less
Filter thread size
77 mm
62 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
9
RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM
M.Zuiko Digital ED 45mm F1.2 PRO
Lens mount
Canon RF
Micro Four Thirds
Format coverage
Full Frame
Micro Four Thirds

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