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RF-S 55-210mm F5-7.1 IS STM

Canon

RF-S 55-210mm F5-7.1 IS STM

Canon RF Mount

RF-S 55-210mm F5-7.1 IS STM — 55–210mm f/5-7.1 for Canon RF, a popular choice in the canon lineup.

$299

Launch price

Released May 2022

vs
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

Sony

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

Sony E Mount

The ultimate standard zoom — incredibly sharp, exceptionally compact, and built for professionals.

$2,299

Launch price

Released Apr 2022

Released within a month of each other.

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Wins

4categories

RF-S 55-210mm F5-7.1 IS STM

TravelSports & Action

Wins

4categories

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

LandscapeSports & Action

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

RF-S 55-210mm F5-7.1 IS STM wins 2 categories·FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II wins 3 categories
  • ARF-S 55-210mm F5-7.1 IS STM has higher OIS effectiveness (4.5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • BFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has lower Min focus distance (21 cm vs 70 cm)
  • ARF-S 55-210mm F5-7.1 IS STM has lower Weight (270 g vs 695 g)
  • BFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/2.8 vs f/7.1)
  • BFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/2.8 vs f/5)

Key specs at a glance

RF-S 55-210mm F5-7.1 IS STMFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Focal Length55-210 mm24-70 mm
Max Aperturef/5-7.1f/2.8
MountCanon RFSony E
CoverageAPS-CFull Frame
Stabilization4.5 stopsNo
Weight270 g695 g
Min Focus70 cm21 cm
Filter Size55 mm82 mm

Size and weight, to scale

RF-S 55-210mm F5-7.1 IS STM shown to scale

RF-S 55-210mm F5-7.1 IS STM

69 × 94 mm

270 g (0.60 lb / 9.52 oz)

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

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II shown to scale

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

88 × 120 mm

695 g (1.53 lb / 24.52 oz)

RF-S 55-210mm F5-7.1 IS STM is 26mm shorter and 19mm narrower than FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II.

RF-S 55-210mm F5-7.1 IS STM is 425 g lighter than FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II.

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-S 55-210mm F5-7.1 IS STMFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Portrait
4.0Fair
4.5Fair
Sports & Action
6.0Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
5.0Fair
5.0Fair
Landscape
1.0Limited
7.0Good
Travel
7.0Good
5.5Fair
Wildlife
2.5Limited
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
3.5Limited
3.5Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the RF-S 55-210mm F5-7.1 IS STM

  • Special elements

    Adds 1 UD

  • OIS effectiveness

    4.5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Weight

    270 g vs 695 g — lower is better

  • Optical stabilization

    Only RF-S 55-210mm F5-7.1 IS STM supports it

  • Length

    94 mm vs 120 mm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    69 mm vs 88 mm — lower is better

Reasons to choose the FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

  • Special elements

    Adds 2 XA (extreme aspherical), 3 Aspherical, 2 ED…

  • Min focus distance

    21 cm vs 70 cm — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/2.8 vs f/7.1 — lower is better

  • Weather sealing

    Only FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II supports it

  • Control ring

    Only FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II supports it

  • Custom function button

    Only FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II supports it

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/2.8 vs f/5 — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.32 × vs 0.28 × — higher is better

Shared specifications

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

RF-S 55-210mm F5-7.1 IS STM

Pros

  • Versatile zoom range covers multiple focal lengths in one lens
  • Built-in optical image stabilization
  • Lightweight design easy to carry all day

Cons

  • Slower maximum aperture limits low-light performance
  • Third-party or older alternatives may offer better value

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

Pros

  • Outstanding sharpness across the entire zoom range
  • Remarkably small and lightweight for an f/2.8 zoom
  • Four XD Linear focus motors provide blazing-fast AF tracking
  • Excellent close-up magnification
  • De-clickable aperture ring and customized function buttons

Cons

  • No built-in optical image stabilization (relies on body IBIS)
  • High launch price
  • Aperture ring can be easily bumped if not locked

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the RF-S 55-210mm F5-7.1 IS STM and FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II at major authorized retailers.

Canon RF-S 55-210mm F5-7.1 IS STM

Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

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Full specifications

= category winner

RF-S 55-210mm F5-7.1 IS STM
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Focal length (Min)
55 mm
24 mm
Focal length (Max)
210 mm
70 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/5
f/2.8+1.7 stops wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/7.1
f/2.8+2.7 stops wider
Elements
11
20
Groups
8
15
Special elements
1 UD
2 XA (extreme aspherical), 3 Aspherical, 2 ED, 2 Super ED
RF-S 55-210mm F5-7.1 IS STM
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Min focus distance
70 cm
21 cm−49 cm less
Max magnification
0.28 ×
0.32 ×+14%
Autofocus motor
STM
4 XD Linear Motors
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
RF-S 55-210mm F5-7.1 IS STM
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Optical stabilization
Yes
No
OIS effectiveness
4.5 stops
0 stops
RF-S 55-210mm F5-7.1 IS STM
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Weight
270 g−425 g less
695 g
Length
94 mm−26 mm less
120 mm
Diameter
69 mm−19 mm less
88 mm
Filter thread size
55 mm
82 mm
Weather sealing
No
Yes
Diaphragm blades
7
11
RF-S 55-210mm F5-7.1 IS STM
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Lens mount
Canon RF
Sony E
Format coverage
APS-C
Full Frame

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