On 30 October 2024, Canon announced the RF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Z, a new hybrid professional grade telephoto zoom lens for stills and video shooters. With its versatile reach, large f/2.8 maximum aperture, compatibility with the Power Zoom Adapter PZ-E2, other video-centric features, and features that will also benefit still shooting such as extender (teleconverter) support, it is the new must-have for faraway scenes in a hybrid shooter’s bag.
1. Expanding the hybrid lens lineup
Expanding the hybrid lens lineup
The recent rise in the number of creators who seek to produce both photos and videos of high quality has also increased demand for gear that can do so. This includes professional-grade lenses that are also compact and lightweight, allowing better mobility for camera movements and getting unique angles.
Canon first addressed these needs by introducing its first hybrid lenses, the RF24-105mm f/2.8L IS USM Z and RF35mm f/1.4L VCM, which add video-centric features to cater to needs unique to video production. It is now expanding on that lineup with the RF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Z as well as the RF24mm f/1.4L VCM and RF50mm f/1.4L VCM, all released concurrently.
Photographers will be delighted with the RF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Z’s excellent resolution and clarity, with an optical layout that includes Super UD and aspherical UD lenses to correct chromatic aberrations and colour bleeding throughout its entire zoom range. Support for Extenders RF1.4x and RF2x further expand the lens’ zoom range, and a shorter zoom ring rotation angle enables quicker response to fast-moving action and their evolving framing needs.
Users shooting video will enjoy a smoother, more comfortable workflow with features incorporated with video needs in mind, such as the fixed barrel length, iris ring, and support for Power Zoom Adapter PZ-E2, which endows the lens with cinema-lens-like qualities. A unified exterior design with the RF24-105mm f/2.8L IS USM Z, which includes buttons and switches in the same positions, provides quick, seamless interchangeability when using the lenses on the same rig.
Two colour variations for different shooters
The RF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Z is available in two different colour variations to meet the needs of different scenes
Heat-reflecting white: ideal for outdoors
The classic white version is painted with heat-shield paint to prevent the lens from becoming too hot and uncomfortable to hold when shooting under the hot sun. Ideal for wildlife, sports, action, and landscape shooters.
Inconspicuous black: blending in on-location
A new black version is designed to blend in with other equipment on production sets so it won’t distract or cause reflections.
Works with both the EOS R series and Cinema EOS cameras
EOS R1 + RF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Z
EOS C80 + RF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Z
Versatile focal range
The RF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Z covers a mid-telephoto to telephoto focal range, ideal for outdoor portrait and fashion shoots, sports, and concert and event photography.
EOS R5 Mark II/RF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Z/FL:70mm/ Manual exposure (f/2.8, 1/800 sec)/ ISO 100/ WB: Auto
EOS R1/ RF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Z/ FL: 105mm/ Manual exposure (f/2.8, 1/3200 sec)/ ISO 160/ WB: Auto
EOS R1/RF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Z/FL:200mm/ Manual exposure (f/2.8, 1/1000 sec)/ ISO 6400/ WB: Auto
Improved video operability
Iris ring: Direct aperture control during video shooting
Like Canon’s other photo/video hybrid lenses such as the RF24-105mm f/2.8L IS USM Z and RF35mm f/1.4L VCM, the RF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Z features an iris ring for smoother, clickless manual aperture control during video shooting. Users who also use Canon’s Cinema EOS System cinema lenses will find operations intuitive as it has the same rotation direction.
On the EOS R1 and EOS R5 Mark II, the iris ring can also be used to control aperture during still shooting.
A: Zoom control switch
B: Zoom speed adjustment dial
C: Zoom mode switch
Supports Power Zoom Adapter PZ-E2/PZ-E2B
Like the RF24-105mm f/2.8L IS USM Z, the RF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Z supports advanced motorised zoom control via the Power Zoom Adapter PZ-E2/ PZ-E2B, which can be easily attached/detached without special tools. The Power Zoom Adapter utilises DC motors, which are also used in broadcast and cine-servo zoom lenses, to provide precise control over zoom motion, whether it is rapid or slow and smooth.
Fixed-length barrel ideal for gimbals and rigs
The RF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Z’s fixed-length barrel design ensures that the centre of gravity doesn’t change during zooming, making it more convenient for use on gimbals and rigs compared to similar lenses with an extending design.
Reach further with RF extenders, complete with excellent image quality and AF
For scenes where 200mm is not enough, the RF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Z is compatible with the Extender RF1.4x and Extender RF2x, which extend its reach to 98-280mm f/4 and 140-400mm f/5.6 respectively, with high-speed AF available throughout. Powerful image stabilisation (see below) combats the camera shake that becomes more prominent at longer telephoto lengths, making it a breeze to achieve beautiful, steady super telephoto images. Canon’s most advanced optical technologies ensure impeccable image quality by suppressing lens aberrations from the start, leaving little to be magnified by the extender.
Beautiful colours, impeccable images
The RF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Z adopts the latest optical design that takes full advantage of the RF mount’s large diameter and short back focus. It incorporates various special lens elements in an optimised layout that effectively corrects various lens aberrations, achieving clear images with minimal colour bleeding over the entire zoom range. The special elements are:
- One replica aspherical lens (also used in the RF24-105mm f/2.8 L IS USM Z)
- 2 Super UD lenses
- 1 UD aspherical lens
- 2 glass-molded (GMo) aspherical lenses
Performance in backlight is also improved. ASC (Air Sphere Coating), which has better anti-reflective capabilities than the previous vapour-deposit coatings, is applied to multiple lens surfaces, reducing ghosting and flaring more efficiently.
A: Super UD lenses
B: UD aspherical lens
C: Aspherical lenses
Get closer to nearby objects, too
Besides its telephoto ability to zoom in on faraway subjects, the RF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Z has improved capabilities for focusing on objects that are nearer, thanks to the use of a floating focus system where two Nano USMs (Ultrasonic Motors) move two different focusing groups independently. At 200mm, it achieves a closest focusing distance of 0.68m and a maximum magnification of 0.3x. The high-precision electronic floating focus control system maintains the focus position even with nearby subjects, maintaining amazing image quality from closeups to infinity.
EOS R5 Mark II/ RF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Z/ FL:200mm/ Manual exposure (f/22, 0.4 sec)/ ISO 500/ WB:5000K
EOS R5 Mark II/ EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM/ FL:200mm/ Manual exposure (f/22, 0.4 sec)/ ISO 500/ WB: 5000K
Up to 5.5 stops* Optical IS; up to 7.5 stops** with Coordinated Control IS
The RF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Z is equipped with built-in optical image stabilisation (Optical IS) that corrects camera shake by up to 5.5 stops’ equivalent in the centre. When used with a camera with In-Body IS such as the EOS R5 Mark II, the in-lens and in-camera IS systems work together to perform Coordinated Control IS, which achieves image stabilisation of up to 7.5 stops in the centre and 7.0 stops in the peripheries. This ensures sharp, steady images even when taking slow shutter shots handheld especially combined with the fast, precise AF; it is also what keeps handheld video footage seamless and steady.
Both images: EOS R1/ RF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Z/ FL: 200mm/ Manual exposure (f/8, 0.8 sec)/ ISO 2000/ WB: 3800K
Like Canon’s existing professional lenses and the RF24-105mm f/2.8L IS USM Z, the RF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Z has three IS modes that cater to different situations.
- Mode 1: For stationary subjects
- Mode 2 (Panning): For moving subjects. The lens detects horizontal or vertical panning movement and corrects only the blurring that occurs perpendicular to the panning direction.
- Mode 3 (Subjects with erratic movement): In this mode, the lens does not perform stabilisation until the shutter button is fully pressed although it detects camera shake and calculates corrections from shutter button half-press. This makes it easier to follow an erratically moving subject through the viewfinder.
* CIPA 2024 standards. At focal length 200mm, with EOS R8, Yaw/Pitch directions.
** 7.5 stops at centre, 7.0 stops at the peripheries. CIPA 2024 standards. At focal length, with EOS R1. Yaw/Pitch/Roll directions.
8. Optics designed to minimise focus breathing
Optics designed for focus breathing control
The changes in framing that occur due to focus breathing can be distracting. While electronic focus breathing correction is effective, it also crops the image slightly in the process. With its electronic floating focus control system that mechanically reduces focus breathing at every focus position, the RF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Z ensures that the framing you expect is closer to what you get. Focusing breathing correction is enhanced when combined with Focus Breathing Correction on camera bodies with the feature like the EOS R5 Mark II and EOS R1.
Focus Breathing Correction
Dust- and moisture-resistant sealing for peace of mind while shooting
In red: areas with weather-sealing.
(Image is for illustration purposes only)
The RF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Z features a dust- and moisture-resistant construction with sealing around the operation rings and switch panels that prevent dust and water droplets from entering.
Like the RF24-105mm f/2.8L IS USM Z, the RF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Z has visible contacts and screw holes (in the red box) to allow accessories like the Power Zoom Adapter PZ-E2/E2B and Lens Holder LH-E1 (sold separately) to be quickly attached. Measures have been taken to ensure L-series standard weather sealing regardless of whether these are attached.
RF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Z: Key specifications
Lens construction: 18 elements in 15 groups
Closest focusing distance: 0.49m (at 70mm), 0.68m (at 200mm)
Maximum magnification: 0.2x (at 70mm), 0.3x (at 200mm)
No. of aperture blades: 11 (circular blade)
Filter diameter: φ 82mm
Size (approx.): φ 88.5mm x 199mm
Weight (approx.):
1,115g (white, without tripod mount)
1,110g (black, without tripod mount)
Bundled accessories
ET-88C (WIII)
*White only
ET-88C(B)
*Black only
RF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Z: Sample images
EOS R1/ RF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Z/ FL: 150mm/ Manual exposure (f/2.8, 1/2000 sec)/ ISO 125/ WB: Auto (Ambience-priority)
EOS R5 Mark II/ RF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Z/ FL: 200mm/ Manual exposure (f/2.8, 1/5 sec)/ ISO 1600/ WB: Daylight
EOS R5 Mark II/ RF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Z/ FL: 200mm/ Aperture-priority AE (f/2.8, 1/1600 sec)/ ISO 100/ WB: Daylight
EOS R5 Mark II/ RF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Z/ FL: 85mm/ Aperture-priority AE (f/2.8, 1/1000 sec, EV-1.3)/ ISO 100/ WB: Auto (Ambience-priority)
EOS R1/ RF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Z/ FL: 70mm/ Manual exposure (f/16, 1/400 sec)/ ISO 12800/ WB: Auto (Ambience-priority)
