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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

Tamron

35-150mm F2-2.8 Di III VXD

Sony E Mount

35-150mm F2-2.8 Di III VXD — 35–150mm f/2-2.8 for Sony E, a popular choice in the tamron lineup.

$1,899

Launch price

Released Sep 2022

35-150mm F2-2.8 Di III VXD is 2.9 years newer.

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Wins

3categories

RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM

Sports & ActionPortrait

Wins

4categories

35-150mm F2-2.8 Di III VXD

PortraitSports & Action

1 categories tied

TL;DR — Key differences

RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM wins 2 categories·35-150mm F2-2.8 Di III VXD wins 3 categories
  • ARF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM has higher OIS effectiveness (5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • B35-150mm F2-2.8 Di III VXD has lower Min focus distance (38 cm vs 70 cm)
  • ARF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM has lower Length (146 mm vs 213 mm)
  • B35-150mm F2-2.8 Di III VXD has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/2 vs f/2.8)
  • B35-150mm F2-2.8 Di III VXD has lower Diameter (70 mm vs 90 mm)

Key specs at a glance

RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM35-150mm F2-2.8 Di III VXD
Focal Length70-200 mm35-150 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/2-2.8
MountCanon RFSony E
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
Stabilization5 stopsNo
Weight1070 g1165 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 USM35-150mm F2-2.8 Di III VXD
Portrait
7.5Good
7.5Good
Sports & Action
9.5Excellent
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
7.0Good
3.0Limited
Landscape
4.0Fair
3.0Limited
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

  • Length

    146 mm vs 213 mm — lower is better

  • Weight

    1070 g vs 1165 g — lower is better

Reasons to choose the 35-150mm F2-2.8 Di III VXD

  • Special elements

    Adds Aspherical

  • Internal focus

    Only 35-150mm F2-2.8 Di III VXD supports it

  • Custom function button

    Only 35-150mm F2-2.8 Di III VXD supports it

  • Min focus distance

    38 cm vs 70 cm — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/2 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Diameter

    70 mm vs 90 mm — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.25 × vs 0.23 × — higher is better

Shared specifications

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

35-150mm F2-2.8 Di III VXD

Pros

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

Cons

  • Relatively heavy for extended handheld use
  • No optical stabilization — relies on body IBIS

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM and 35-150mm F2-2.8 Di III VXD at major authorized retailers.

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

Tamron 35-150mm F2-2.8 Di III VXD

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Full specifications

= category winner

RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM
35-150mm F2-2.8 Di III VXD
Focal length (Min)
70 mm
35 mm
Focal length (Max)
200 mm
150 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8
f/2+1 stop wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Elements
17
23
Groups
13
17
Special elements
1 Super UD, 1 UD, 2 Aspherical
Aspherical
RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM
35-150mm F2-2.8 Di III VXD
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
35-150mm F2-2.8 Di III VXD
Optical stabilization
Yes
No
OIS effectiveness
5 stops
0 stops
RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM
35-150mm F2-2.8 Di III VXD
Weight
1070 g−95 g less
1165 g
Length
146 mm−67 mm less
213 mm
Diameter
90 mm
70 mm−20 mm less
Filter thread size
77 mm
67 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
11
RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM
35-150mm F2-2.8 Di III VXD
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.