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

Sigma

28-70mm F2.8 DG DN

Sony E Mount

28-70mm F2.8 DG DN — 28–70mm f/2.8 for Sony E, a popular choice in the sigma lineup.

$899

Launch price

Released Mar 2021

28-70mm F2.8 DG DN is 1.4 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

1categories

RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM

Sports & ActionPortrait

Wins

5categories

28-70mm F2.8 DG DN

Sports & Action

2 categories tied

TL;DR — Key differences

RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM wins 1 categories·28-70mm F2.8 DG DN wins 4 categories
  • ARF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM has higher OIS effectiveness (5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • B28-70mm F2.8 DG DN has lower Weight (470 g vs 1070 g)
  • B28-70mm F2.8 DG DN has lower Min focus distance (38 cm vs 70 cm)
  • B28-70mm F2.8 DG DN has lower Diameter (70 mm vs 90 mm)
  • B28-70mm F2.8 DG DN has lower Length (116 mm vs 146 mm)

Key specs at a glance

RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM28-70mm F2.8 DG DN
Focal Length70-200 mm28-70 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/2.8
MountCanon RFSony E
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
Stabilization5 stopsNo
Weight1070 g470 g
Min Focus70 cm38 cm
Filter Size77 mm67 mm

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseRF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM28-70mm F2.8 DG DN
Portrait
7.5Good
4.5Fair
Sports & Action
9.5Excellent
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
7.0Good
4.0Fair
Landscape
4.0Fair
4.0Fair
Travel
4.0Fair
5.0Fair
Wildlife
5.5Fair
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
1.5Limited
2.0Limited

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

  • Control ring

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

Reasons to choose the 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN

  • Special elements

    Adds Aspherical

  • Weight

    470 g vs 1070 g — lower is better

  • Internal focus

    Only 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN supports it

  • Min focus distance

    38 cm vs 70 cm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    70 mm vs 90 mm — lower is better

  • Length

    116 mm vs 146 mm — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.25 × vs 0.23 × — higher is better

Shared specifications

Max aperture (Wide)

Both f/2.8

Max aperture (Tele)

Both f/2.8

Weather sealing

Both support weather sealing

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

28-70mm F2.8 DG DN

Pros

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

Cons

  • No optical stabilization — relies on body IBIS
  • 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 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN at major authorized retailers.

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

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
28-70mm F2.8 DG DN
Focal length (Min)
70 mm
28 mm
Focal length (Max)
200 mm
70 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Elements
17
16
Groups
13
12
Special elements
1 Super UD, 1 UD, 2 Aspherical
Aspherical
RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM
28-70mm F2.8 DG DN
Min focus distance
70 cm
38 cm−32 cm less
Max magnification
0.23 ×
0.25 ×+9%
Autofocus motor
Dual Nano USM
Linear / Stepping Motor
Internal focus
No
Yes
RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM
28-70mm F2.8 DG DN
Optical stabilization
Yes
No
OIS effectiveness
5 stops
0 stops
RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM
28-70mm F2.8 DG DN
Weight
1070 g
470 g−600 g less
Length
146 mm
116 mm−30 mm less
Diameter
90 mm
70 mm−20 mm less
Filter thread size
77 mm
67 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
9
RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM
28-70mm F2.8 DG DN
Lens mount
Canon RF
Sony E
Format coverage
Full Frame
Full Frame

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