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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

Viltrox

AF 13mm F1.4 Z

Nikon Z Mount

AF 13mm F1.4 Z — 13mm f/1.4 for Nikon Z, a popular choice in the viltrox lineup.

$479

Launch price

Released Aug 2023

AF 13mm F1.4 Z is 3.8 years newer.

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Wins

2categories

RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM

Sports & ActionPortrait

Wins

6categories

AF 13mm F1.4 Z

PortraitSports & Action

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM wins 2 categories·AF 13mm F1.4 Z wins 3 categories
  • ARF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM has higher OIS effectiveness (5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • BAF 13mm F1.4 Z has lower Min focus distance (14 cm vs 70 cm)
  • BAF 13mm F1.4 Z has lower Weight (420 g vs 1070 g)
  • ARF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM has higher Max magnification (0.23 × vs 0.11 ×)
  • BAF 13mm F1.4 Z has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.4 vs f/2.8)

Key specs at a glance

RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USMAF 13mm F1.4 Z
Focal Length70-200 mm13 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/1.4
MountCanon RFNikon Z
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
Stabilization5 stopsNo
Weight1070 g420 g
Min Focus70 cm14 cm
Filter Size77 mm72 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

AF 13mm F1.4 Z

82 × 90 mm

420 g (0.93 lb / 14.82 oz)

RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM is 56mm longer and 8mm wider than AF 13mm F1.4 Z.

RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM is 650 g heavier than AF 13mm F1.4 Z.

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 USMAF 13mm F1.4 Z
Portrait
7.5Good
6.5Good
Sports & Action
9.5Excellent
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
7.0Good
3.5Limited
Landscape
4.0Fair
6.0Good
Travel
4.0Fair
4.0Fair
Wildlife
5.5Fair
0.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
1.5Limited
2.5Limited

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

  • Weather sealing

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

  • Control ring

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

  • Max magnification

    0.23 × vs 0.11 × — higher is better

Reasons to choose the AF 13mm F1.4 Z

  • Min focus distance

    14 cm vs 70 cm — lower is better

  • Special elements

    Adds 4 ED, 2 HR

  • Weight

    420 g vs 1070 g — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/1.4 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/1.4 vs f/2.8 — lower is better

  • Internal focus

    Only AF 13mm F1.4 Z supports it

  • Length

    90 mm vs 146 mm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    82 mm vs 90 mm — lower is better

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

AF 13mm F1.4 Z

Pros

  • Bright f/1.4 aperture for low light and subject separation
  • Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
  • Native Nikon Z mount compatibility

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 AF 13mm F1.4 Z at major authorized retailers.

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

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Full specifications

= category winner

RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM
AF 13mm F1.4 Z
Focal length (Min)
70 mm
13 mm
Focal length (Max)
200 mm
13 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8
f/1.4+2 stops wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8
f/1.4+2 stops wider
Elements
17
12
Groups
13
9
Special elements
1 Super UD, 1 UD, 2 Aspherical
2 Aspherical, 4 ED, 2 HR
RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM
AF 13mm F1.4 Z
Min focus distance
70 cm
14 cm−56 cm less
Max magnification
0.23 ×2.1× more
0.11 ×
Autofocus motor
Dual Nano USM
STM
Internal focus
No
Yes
RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM
AF 13mm F1.4 Z
Optical stabilization
Yes
No
OIS effectiveness
5 stops
0 stops
RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM
AF 13mm F1.4 Z
Weight
1070 g
420 g−650 g less
Length
146 mm
90 mm−56 mm less
Diameter
90 mm
82 mm−8 mm less
Filter thread size
77 mm
72 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
No
Diaphragm blades
9
9
RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM
AF 13mm F1.4 Z
Lens mount
Canon RF
Nikon Z
Format coverage
Full Frame
Full Frame

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