On 12 September 2024, Canon announced the RF28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM, a groundbreaking new f/2.8 constant aperture standard zoom lens. Lightweight and compact with outstanding image quality, the new lens offers a new level of versatility at an affordable price, raising the bar for standard zoom lenses.
A whole new world of expressive possibilities, made accessible
The RF28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM represents one of the most versatile types of lenses a photographer or video creator can own.
As a standard zoom lens, it covers the wide to medium telephoto angles of view on a full-frame camera, allowing easy framing of diverse scenes from landscapes to street photos to portraits. On APS-C cameras like the EOS R7, it covers standard to mid-telephoto angles of view the full frame equivalent of 45mm to 112mm, ideal for everyday scenes, products, and portraits.
As a large aperture lens with a constant maximum aperture, the RF28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM lets you shoot at f/2.8 even when you zoom in, unlike most kit lenses which are variable aperture zoom lenses. You can enjoy the flexibility of the large maximum aperture regardless of whether you are shooting closeups with beautiful bokeh at the 70mm long end or wide urban landscapes in low light.
While constant aperture zoom lenses are traditionally the domain of professional-grade L-series lenses, associated with a price premium and weight, the RF28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM overturns this notion completely thanks to the RF mount's large mount diameter and short back focus. As Canon’s smallest, lightest f/2.8 constant aperture standard zoom lens and the first non-L lens of its kind, it gives easier access to a whole new world of expressive possibilities.
More flexibility shooting in low light
EOS R6 Mark II/ RF28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM/ FL: 70mm/ Manual exposure (f/2.8, 1/5 sec)/ ISO 160
The bright f/2.8 maximum aperture makes the RF28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM a pleasure to use at night. You’ll be able to keep the ISO speed low enough to ensure a high-quality, grain-free image out of the camera, and shoot with a shutter speed fast enough to prevent blurring.
Beautiful bokeh
EOS R6 Mark II/ RF28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM/ FL: 70mm/ Manual exposure (f/2.8, 1/40 sec)/ ISO 200
Bokeh at maximum aperture f/2.8
(RF28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM)
Bokeh at maximum aperture f/4
(RF24-105mm f/4L IS USM)
The f/2.8 maximum aperture is available all the way to the 70mm tele end, allowing you to blur out backgrounds and foregrounds even further by taking advantage of a longer focal length.
Canon’s lightest f/2.8 standard zoom lens: A worthy everyday companion
At approximately 92.2mm long when fully retracted and weighing just around 495g, the RF28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM is unprecedentedly small and light. It’s now possible to have portability, travel-friendly zoom flexibility, and the versatility of constant aperture f/2.8 all in one affordable lens body.
| Lens | Overall length (approx.) | Weight (approx.) |
| RF24-50mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM | 58mm | 210g |
| RF24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM | 88.8mm | 395g |
| RF28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM | 92.2mm | 495g |
| RF24-105mm f/4L IS USM | 107.3mm | 700g |
| RF24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM | 125.7mm | 900g |
| RF28-70mm f/2L USM | 139.8mm | 1430g |
| RF24-105mm f/2.8L IS USM Z | 199mm | 1430g |
EOS R6 Mark II/ RF28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM/ FL: 50mm/ Manual exposure (f/2.8, 1/2000 sec)/ ISO 100
An intriguing multi-layered composition given a unique twist with creamy foreground bokeh. With the small and light RF28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM and its arsenal of possibilities, you’ll be well-equipped to capture photo opportunities with your own flair.
Delight in the details: Outstanding optical quality
EOS R6 Mark II/ RF28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM/ FL: 50mm/ Manual exposure (f/6.3, 1/125 sec)/ ISO 200
Designed to achieve the best balance of optical performance, portability, and price, the RF28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM delivers impeccable sharpness and image quality. Chromatic aberration is corrected with two UD elements in a unique configuration usually found only in L-series lenses—it’s as close as a lens in its class can get to professional-grade optical quality.
RF28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM
RF24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM
At the same focal length and exposure settings, the corner details of the image shot on the RF28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM are sharper and better resolved than on the RF24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM.
A: UD lens elements
B: Glass-molded aspherical lens elements
The RF28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM’s extending barrel design enables it to be kept compact despite the constant bright f/2.8 aperture. Its first lens group contains just one large-diameter UD lens, which keeps the lens’ centre of gravity consistent even when zoomed to the tele end.
Two glass-molded aspherical lenses are optimally placed to correct various other aberrations, ensuring corner-to-corner high resolution and clarity over the entire aperture range.
Fast in more ways than one: New AF motor technology
EOS R7/ RF28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM/ FL: 50mm (80mm equivalent)/ Manual exposure (f/2.8, 1/500 sec)/ ISO 100
With its large f/2.8 maximum aperture that lets you achieve a well-exposed image even when using faster shutter speeds, the RF28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM is considered a “fast” lens. But its speed goes beyond just that. It is Canon’s first lens with a leadscrew type stepping motor (STM) equipped with a magnetic sensor, which increases the motor speed and improves feedback control. This achieves faster, more precise focusing, so you can nail those shots of moving subjects in no time.
The new leadscrew type STM features a magnetic sensor that reads the motor’s rotational speed, improving autofocus speed and precision.
Powerful at night: Up to 5.5 stops’ built-in image stabilisation
In addition to the faster shutter speeds made possible by its f/2.8 maximum aperture, the RF28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM expands possibilities if you decide to go slow. It is equipped with a built-in Optical Image Stabilizer (Optical IS), keeping handheld shots steady by up to 5.5 shutter speed stops’ equivalent.
On cameras with In-Body IS such as the EOS R6 Mark II, Coordinated Control IS between the in-camera and in-lens IS systems enable an image stabilisation effect of up to 7.5 stops’ equivalent.
EOS R6 Mark II/ RF28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM/ FL: 70mm/ Manual exposure (f/2.8, 0.5 sec)/ ISO 200
Coordinated Control IS (On): up to 7.5 stops
Coordinated Control IS (Off)
Shot on the EOS R6 Mark II @ 70mm, 0.5 sec
Know this: How the new IS unit helped shrink the RF28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM
The IS units on previous lenses are larger and heavier due to the mechanical system used to keep the IS lens in place during movement. The RF28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM’s IS unit was meticulously reconfigured from scratch to optimise each component’s centre of gravity, achieving the perfect balance within a simpler, smaller, and lighter design.
Seamless videos
Your lens can help your video quality more than you imagine. Flipping your camera switch to video mode unlocks the RF28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM’s video-centric strengths.
Smooth autofocusing with minimal focus breathing
While it maintains tracking precision, the autofocusing becomes quiet and smooth. Focus breathing correction also kicks in, achieving the seamless focus transitions so important for the viewing experience.
Steady handheld videos with Movie Digital IS
If you get motion sickness whenever you watch your own out-of-camera handheld footage, you'll suffer no more. The RF28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM’s Optical IS works with your EOS R system camera’s Movie Digital IS mechanism to correct camera shake digitally, so your footage looks steady straight out of the camera even without a tripod or gimbal. Enjoy greater effectiveness on cameras with In-Body IS like the EOS R6 Mark II.
L-lens-like durability
The RF28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM features durability and shock-resistance at the same standard as L-series lenses, offering peace of mind as you explore the world with it and use it to shoot your exploits and adventures. It is also weather-sealed around the control ring, switch panel, and extending part of the lens barrel to protect these parts from dust and moisture.
RF28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM: Key specifications
Lens construction: 15 elements in 12 groups
Closest focusing distance: 0.27m (at 28mm with AF)
Maximum magnification: 0.24x (at 70mm)
No. of aperture blades: 9 (circular blade)
Filter diameter: 67m
Size: φ76.5 x 92.2mm (retracted)
Weight: approx. 495g
RF28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM: Sample images
EOS R7/ RF28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM/ FL: 50mm/ Manual exposure (f/2.8, 1/500 sec)/ ISO 100
EOS R6 Mark II/ RF28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM/ FL: 28mm/ Manual exposure (f/2.8, 1/125 sec)/ ISO 640
EOS R8/ RF28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM/ FL: 70mm/ Manual exposure (f/5.6, 1/800 sec)/ ISO 100
EOS R6 Mark II/ RF28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM/ FL: 61mm/ Manual exposure (f/4.5, 1/125 sec)/ ISO 200
EOS R6 Mark II/ RF28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM/ FL: 70mm/ Manual exposure (f/2.8, 1/200 sec)/ ISO 200
