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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
LUMIX S 16-35mm F4

Panasonic

LUMIX S 16-35mm F4

Leica L Mount

LUMIX S 16-35mm F4 — 16–35mm f/4 for Leica L, a popular choice in the panasonic lineup.

$1,299

Launch price

Released Jan 2023

LUMIX S 16-35mm F4 is 3.2 years newer.

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Wins

3categories

RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM

Sports & ActionPortrait

Wins

5categories

LUMIX S 16-35mm F4

Landscape

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM wins 3 categories·LUMIX S 16-35mm F4 wins 2 categories
  • ARF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM has higher OIS effectiveness (5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • BLUMIX S 16-35mm F4 has lower Min focus distance (25 cm vs 70 cm)
  • BLUMIX S 16-35mm F4 has lower Weight (493 g vs 1070 g)
  • ARF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/2.8 vs f/4)
  • ARF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/2.8 vs f/4)

Key specs at a glance

RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USMLUMIX S 16-35mm F4
Focal Length70-200 mm16-35 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/4
MountCanon RFLeica L
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
Stabilization5 stopsNo
Weight1070 g493 g
Min Focus70 cm25 cm
Filter Size77 mm77 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

LUMIX S 16-35mm F4 shown to scale

LUMIX S 16-35mm F4

74 × 105 mm

493 g (1.09 lb / 17.39 oz)

RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM is 41mm longer and 16mm wider than LUMIX S 16-35mm F4.

RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM is 577 g heavier than LUMIX S 16-35mm F4.

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 USMLUMIX S 16-35mm F4
Portrait
7.5Good
2.5Limited
Sports & Action
9.5Excellent
5.5Fair
Video & Hybrid
7.0Good
5.0Fair
Landscape
4.0Fair
9.0Excellent
Travel
4.0Fair
5.0Fair
Wildlife
5.5Fair
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
1.5Limited
3.5Limited

Why pick one over the other

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

  • OIS effectiveness

    5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Special elements

    Adds 1 Super UD, 1 UD

  • Optical stabilization

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

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/2.8 vs f/4 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/2.8 vs f/4 — lower is better

Reasons to choose the LUMIX S 16-35mm F4

  • Min focus distance

    25 cm vs 70 cm — lower is better

  • Weight

    493 g vs 1070 g — lower is better

  • Special elements

    Adds 1 ED

  • Internal focus

    Only LUMIX S 16-35mm F4 supports it

  • Custom function button

    Only LUMIX S 16-35mm F4 supports it

  • Length

    105.4 mm vs 146 mm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    73.6 mm vs 90 mm — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.25 × vs 0.23 × — higher 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

LUMIX S 16-35mm F4

Pros

  • Versatile zoom range covers multiple focal lengths in one lens
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting
  • Native Leica L mount compatibility

Cons

  • Slower maximum aperture limits low-light performance
  • 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 LUMIX S 16-35mm F4 at major authorized retailers.

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

Panasonic LUMIX S 16-35mm F4

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Full specifications

= category winner

RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM
LUMIX S 16-35mm F4
Focal length (Min)
70 mm
16 mm
Focal length (Max)
200 mm
35 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8+1 stop wider
f/4
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8+1 stop wider
f/4
Elements
17
12
Groups
13
9
Special elements
1 Super UD, 1 UD, 2 Aspherical
2 Aspherical, 1 ED
RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM
LUMIX S 16-35mm F4
Min focus distance
70 cm
25 cm−45 cm less
Max magnification
0.23 ×
0.25 ×+9%
Autofocus motor
Dual Nano USM
Linear motor
Internal focus
No
Yes
RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM
LUMIX S 16-35mm F4
Optical stabilization
Yes
No
OIS effectiveness
5 stops
0 stops
RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM
LUMIX S 16-35mm F4
Weight
1070 g
493 g−577 g less
Length
146 mm
105.4 mm−41 mm less
Diameter
90 mm
73.6 mm−16 mm less
Filter thread size
77 mm
77 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
9
RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM
LUMIX S 16-35mm F4
Lens mount
Canon RF
Leica L
Format coverage
Full Frame
Full Frame

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