Canon RF 28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM
A constant f/2 aperture across the entire 28-70mm zoom range delivers prime-like light gathering and depth of field control, eliminating the need for multiple fast lenses. The optical design incorporates Ultra-Low Dispersion glass and a fast, quiet ring-type Ultrasonic Motor, paired with a customizable control ring for direct exposure adjustments. This lens is best for portrait and event photographers who need extreme low-light performance and subject isolation without switching primes, despite its substantial 2068g weight.
Focal length 28-70mm
Aperture f/22
Mount Canon RF
stabilization Yes
Weight 2068 g
af type STM
lens type zoom
31 Overall Score
Price $1,310
Snapshot
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong af (86th percentile) 86th
- Strong stabilization (82nd percentile) 82nd
- Strong versatility (77th percentile) 77th
Cons
- Below average social proof (3rd percentile)
- Below average build (8th percentile)
- Below average macro (13th percentile)
- Below average aperture (22nd percentile)
The proof
Performance
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 28 |
| Focal Length Max | 70 |
| Aspherical Elements | 2 |
| ED Elements | 1 |
| Coating | Super Spectra Coating (SSC) |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/22 |
| Min Aperture | f/2.8 |
| Constant | Yes |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 |
Build
| Mount | Canon RF |
| Format | full-frame |
| Weight | 2.1 kg / 4.6 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 67 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | STM |
| Stabilization | Yes |
vs Competition
| Spec | Canon RF 28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM | Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN | Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD | Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 | Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR | Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 28-70mm | 18-50mm | 17-70mm | 12-35mm | 18-140mm | 18-135mm |
| Max Aperture | f/22 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/3.5 | f/3.5 |
| Mount | Canon RF | Sony E | Sony E | Micro Four Thirds | Nikon Z | Sony E |
| Stabilization | true | false | true | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | false | true | true | true | true | false |
| Weight (g) | 2068 | 290 | 544 | 306 | 312 | 326 |
| AF Type | STM | stepping motor | RXD | Autofocus | Stepping motor | Linear motor |
| Lens Type | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | AF | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon RF 28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM | 85.6 | 24.5 | 7.7 | 13.4 | 59.5 | 21.5 | 77.4 | 2.6 | 81.5 |
| Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Compare | 85.6 | 84.2 | 85.4 | 91.4 | 81.3 | 86.2 | 78.6 | 89.7 | 36.2 |
| Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD Compare | 53.8 | 88.9 | 67.5 | 85.4 | 90.5 | 86.2 | 89.6 | 85.4 | 81.5 |
| Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 Compare | 53.8 | 84.2 | 84.7 | 50.2 | 85.8 | 86.2 | 80.6 | 85.4 | 96.7 |
| Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR Compare | 85.6 | 78.2 | 84.4 | 90.3 | 89.6 | 79.9 | 96.3 | 33.8 | 96.7 |
| Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Compare | 97.7 | 78.2 | 71.6 | 39.4 | 77.7 | 79.9 | 95.9 | 89.7 | 81.5 |
Price
Value & Pricing
From $1,310
Best Buy 2 offers From $1,310
We started tracking prices for this product on Aug 13, 2026. The chart appears once we have more data.
Usage Scores
A full written review is coming soon. The specs, scores, prices and charts above are always up to date.
