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

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

Main Features

  • 70-200mm Focal Range
  • F2.8 Max Aperture
  • Image Stabilization
  • Weather-sealed
  • Filter Thread: 77mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Canon RF Mount
  • Weight: 1070g.
  • Diameter: 90mm
  • Length: 146mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 0.7m
  • Max Magnification: 0.23x
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Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM Overview


Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM is a Fixed aperture Auto Focus (AF) Telephoto Zoom lens with Optical Image stabilization and 35mm FF max sensor coverage, and it is designed to be used with RF Mount cameras.

What type of photography is the Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM lens good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use the Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated its suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Suitability
Bird/WildlifeGood
SportsGood
PortraitAverage
TravelFair
StreetFair
WeddingAverage
Walk AroundAverage
VloggingPoor
LandscapeAverage
MacroFair

Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM is a member of Canon's RF L series of lenses. Below you can see the latest lenses in this series.

RF L Series Lenses in Canon RF Mount
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Canon RF 100-300mm f2.8 L IS USM Lens Canon RF 100-300mm f2.8 L IS USM
Compare
35mm FF 2590gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon RF 1200mm F8L IS USM Lens Canon RF 1200mm F8L IS USM
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35mm FF 3340gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon RF 800mm F5.6L IS USM Lens Canon RF 800mm F5.6L IS USM
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35mm FF 3140gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon RF 14-35mm F4L IS USM Lens Canon RF 14-35mm F4L IS USM
Compare
35mm FF 540gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM Lens Canon RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM
Compare
35mm FF 730gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon RF 400mm F2.8L IS USM Lens Canon RF 400mm F2.8L IS USM
Compare
35mm FF 2890gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon RF 600mm F4L IS USM Lens Canon RF 600mm F4L IS USM
Compare
35mm FF 3090gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon RF 70-200 F4L IS USM Lens Canon RF 70-200 F4L IS USM
Compare
35mm FF 695gr AF Amazon B&H Photo

Reasons to Buy Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM Lens

Here we've included a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of the Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM lens in a list form to help you determine whether it offers the features you need.

PROs
Optical Image Stabilization (up to 5.0 stops)
Weather-sealed
Autofocus
Breathing Correction with Supported Cameras
Hood supplied
Tripod Collar
Full-time Manual Focusing
Focus Distance Limiter
Zoom Lock
Fast Aperture at Wide end
Fast Aperture at Tele end
Constant f2.8 aperture throughout the range
Covers Full-Frame Sensor
9 Diaphragm Blades
Report a correction

Buy Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM from Amazon or B&H PHOTO


CONs
Lens Extents while zooming
Heavy
Pricey


Lens Mount

Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM is compatible with cameras that have a Canon RF lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Canon RF lenses are Canon R100, Canon R8 and Canon R50.

Canon R100 with Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM Lens Size
Canon R100 with the Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM Lens
Canon R8 with Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM Lens Size
Canon R8 with the Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM Lens
Canon R50 with Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM Lens Size
Canon R50 with the Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM Lens

Size, Weight and Filter Thread

Size and weight is a very important decision factor when searching for your next lens. Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM has a maximum diameter of 90mm and total length of 146mm when not extended. It weighs 1070g / 37.7 oz.

Below you can find a scaled side-by-side image of Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM and Canon RF 70-200 F4L IS USM (Canon RF mount) to get a better idea of how their sizes compare in real life. Check the detailed comparison of these two lenses here.

Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM vs Canon RF 70-200 F4L IS USM Lens Size Comparison
Comparison image of the Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM and the Canon RF 70-200 F4L IS USM Size and Weight

Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM has a filter thread of 77mm. Below are links to the filters that we recommend you to consider for your Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM:

  • 77mm Variable ND Lens Filters
  • 77mm Circular Polarizer Lens Filters
  • 77mm Clear Protection Lens Filters

https://cameradecision.com/lenses/img/other/Canon-RF-70-200mm-F2.8L-IS-USM-topview.jpg
Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM Lens Top View




Focal Range

Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM has a focal range of 70-200mm and 2.9X zoom ratio. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.6x crop, it provides an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 112 - 320mm.


Weather Sealings

https://cameradecision.com/lenses/img/other/Canon-RF-70-200mm-F2.8L-IS-USM-sealing.jpg
Weather Sealings of the Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM

The Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM is a weather-sealed lens, which provides extra protection to prevent water and dust get inside the lens and camera body under light rain, snow and wind. In order to have effective protection, you have to pair the Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM with a weather-sealed camera body such as the Canon R8, Canon R6 II and Canon R7.

Optical Image Stabilization

The Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM features an optical image stabilization system which helps to reduce the blur that occurs due to shaking during hand-held shooting. Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM's stabilization system is effective up to 5.0 stops.

Lens Breathing Correction Compatibility

The Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM is compatible with Canon cameras that features Breathing Compensation/Correction. This feature adjusts the size of the frame dynamically in-camera during video recording by applying a certain percentage of crop in order to minimize change in framing.

Canon cameras that has the Breathing Compensation/Correction feature are:

  • Canon EOS R8
  • Canon EOS R50
  • Canon EOS R6 Mark II

Tripod Collar

With a total length of 146mm and a weight of 1070g, the Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM is a large lens. Fortunately, it comes with a tripod collar which you can use to attach the lens directly to a tripod or monopod instead of attaching the camera. This connection helps to better balance the lens/kit combination.
https://cameradecision.com/lenses/img/other/Canon-RF-70-200mm-F2.8L-IS-USM-tripod-collar.jpg
Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM Tripod Collar

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

Below you can find the MTF chart of Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM which would give an idea of the its contrast and resolution from the center to its edges.


https://cameradecision.com/lenses/img/other/Canon-RF-70-200mm-F2.8L-IS-USM-mtf-chart-1.jpg
MTF Chart of the Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM

Zoom Method

Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM features Rotary (extending) zoom method where the length of the lens changes as you zoom in or out. This makes it possible to design the lens with a smaller minimum length ( generally when it is zoomed out) compared to internal zoom lenses. The disadvantages of this design are being harder to seal against dust and moisture, weight balance shifting while zooming and zoom creep in certain lenses.

https://cameradecision.com/lenses/img/other/Canon-RF-70-200mm-F2.8L-IS-USM-extended.jpg
Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM Extended State

Zoom Lock

Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM has a Zoom lock feature which eliminates Zoom creep where focal length of the lens changes with gravity when it's held downwards or upwards.

Maximum Magnification Ratio

Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM has a Max Magnification Ratio of 0.23x and has a minimum focusing distance of 0.7m.

Below are the 2 Telephoto Zoom type Canon RF mount lens alternatives with highest max magnification ratios:

  • Canon RF-S 55-210mm F5.0-7.1 IS STM: 0.28x - (Compare)
  • Canon RF 70-200 F4L IS USM: 0.28x - (Compare)

Aperture

Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM is a fixed aperture lens with a constant max aperture of f2.8 from 70mm all the way to the 200mm .

Focal Length Max Aperture Min Aperture
70mm F2.8 F32
200mm F2.8 F32

Optical Formula

Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM's optical formula consists of 17 elements in 13 groups . Following special elements are used in this design:

  • Two glass-molded aspherical
  • one super UD
  • four UD

Lens Hood

Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM comes with a removable lens hood which is handy to reduce lens flare and glare in your photos.

https://cameradecision.com/lenses/img/other/Canon-RF-70-200mm-F2.8L-IS-USM-hood.jpg
Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM Lens Hood


Body Colour

Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM is available in White color.

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

Here are the eight most popular comparisons of the Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM amongst Camera Decision readers.

Top Alternatives of Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM Lens
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Canon RF 70-200 F4L IS USM Lens Canon RF 70-200 F4L IS USM
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35mm FF 695gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II Lens Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
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35mm FF 1045gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon Nikkor Z 70-200 F2.8 VR S Lens Nikon Nikkor Z 70-200 F2.8 VR S
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35mm FF 1440gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 70-200mm f2.8L IS II USM Lens Canon EF 70-200mm f2.8L IS II USM
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35mm FF 1490gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon RF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM Lens Canon RF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM
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35mm FF 935gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon RF 28-70mm F2L USM Lens Canon RF 28-70mm F2L USM
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35mm FF 1430gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM Lens Canon RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
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35mm FF 900gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM Lens Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM
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35mm FF 1365gr AF Amazon B&H Photo

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**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM Alternatives in Canon RF Mount
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Canon RF 70-200 F4L IS USM Lens Canon RF 70-200 F4L IS USM
Compare
35mm FF 695gr AF Amazon B&H Photo

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


General
Brand Canon
Lens Type Zoom
Lens Type Telephoto Zoom
Lens Mount Canon RF
Max Format 35mm FF
Focal Range 70-200mm
Image Stabilization Yes
Colour White
Zoom Method Rotary (extending)
Power Zoom No
Zoom Lock Yes
Zoom Ratio 2.9X
APERTURE
Max Aperture F2.8
Min Aperture
Aperture Ring No
Diaphragm Blades 9
Optics
Optical Elements 17
Optical Groups 13
Special Elements Two glass-molded aspherical, one super UD, four UD (One of which is UD Aspherical)

FOCUSING
Min Focus Distance 0.7m
Max Magnification 0.23X
Autofocus Yes
AF Motor Type Ultrasonic
Full Time Manual Yes
Focus Method Internal
Focus Distance Limiter Yes
DoF Scale No
PHYSICAL SPECS
Weight 1070g
Diameter 90mm
Length 146mm
Weather Sealing Yes
Filter Thread 77mm
Filter Notes -
Hood Supplied Yes
Tripod Collar Yes
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Frequently Asked Questions about Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM
is the Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM a Weather-sealed lens?
What is the Minimum Focusing Distance of Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM
is the Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM an Autofocus (AF) lens?
What is the Filter Thread Size of Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM
Does Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM have Image Stabilization?
Does Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM have Aperture Ring?
What is the Maximum Magnification Ratio of Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM


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