Canon EF 16–35mm f/2.8L III USM vs Canon RF 16–28mm F2.8 IS STM
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| CanonEF 16–35mm f/2.8L III USM | CanonRF 16–28mm F2.8 IS STM | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | October 2016 | February 2025 |
| Optics | ||
| Lens type | Zoom | Zoom |
| Focal length | 16–35 mm | 16–28 mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/2.8 | f/2.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/22 |
| Optical construction | Sixteen elements in eleven groups | 16 elements in 13 groups |
| Special elements | Two large-diameter glass-moulded aspherical elements, one ground aspherical element and two UD elements | Four UD elements and two aspherical elements, including a large-diameter replica aspherical element |
| Coatings | Air Sphere Coating and Subwavelength Structure Coating; front and rear fluorine coatings according to The Digital Picture | – |
| Diaphragm | Nine circular blades | Nine blades |
| Angle of view | Horizontal 98°–54°; vertical 74°10′–38°; diagonal 108°10′–63° | Full-frame horizontal 98°–65°, vertical 74°10′–46° and diagonal 108°10′–75° |
| Mount and compatibility | ||
| Mounts | Canon EF | Canon RF |
| Image circle | Full frame | Full frame |
| Compatibility | Full-frame and APS-C Canon EF DSLRs | Canon EOS R cameras; full-frame image circle. Physical 16–28 mm focal length, distinct from RF16mm F2.8 STM prime |
| Teleconverter support | Extenders cannot be used; the manual also states that no compatible close-up lenses are available | – |
| Adaptor support | Canon UK lists EOS M use with the EF-EOS M mount adaptor | – |
| Focus and stabilisation | ||
| Autofocus | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum focus distance | 0.28 m | 0.2 m |
| Maximum magnification | 0.25× | 0.26× |
| Optical stabilisation | No | Yes |
| Autofocus detail | Ring USM with full-time manual override; keep the shutter half-pressed after autofocus when adjusting focus manually | Lead-screw STM autofocus and electronic full-time manual focus; inner focusing keeps lens length constant during focusing |
| Focus distance detail | – | Maker minimum focus distance 0.20 m at 28 mm; Digital Camera World reports 0.25 m at 16 mm. Maker AF/MF distinction absent and omitted |
| Magnification detail | At 35 mm, EF12 II gives 0.65×–0.36× and EF25 II gives 1.14×–0.80×; both tubes are incompatible at 16 mm | Maker maximum magnification 0.26× at 28 mm; no unpublished AF/MF distinction inferred |
| Stabilisation detail | – | Lens optical IS rated 5.5 stops at 28 mm with EOS R8, yaw/pitch under CIPA2024. Coordinated EOS R1 body/lens IS rated eight central and7.5 peripheral stops at28mm, yaw/pitch/roll. Digital Camera World measured about four stops on EOS R8 at16mm, a different test condition |
| Video features | – | Maker describes smooth quiet movie autofocus; Digital Camera World reports minimal focus breathing |
| Design | ||
| Dust and moisture resistant | Yes | Yes |
| Filter diameter | 82 mm | 67 mm |
| Maximum diameter | 88.5 mm | 76.5 mm |
| Length | 127.5 mm | 91 mm |
| Weight | 790 g | 445 g (better) |
| Controls | Separate zoom and focus rings, AF/MF switch and distance window | Shared focus/control ring and AF/control/MF selector; separate zoom ring and IS switch |
| Zoom design | Constant outer length with inner front-tube movement according to both reviews; the manual advises zooming before focusing | Retractable zoom must be extended for shooting; maker length91mm stored,112.8mm at16mm and102.1mm at28mm. Camera-side electronic distortion correction is part of the optical design according to Canon Camera Museum |
| Filter detail | One front filter may be fitted; the manual specifies the 82 mm Canon PL-C B polariser and removing the hood for adjustment | 67 mm front filter thread |
| Weather resistance | Sealed construction and rubber mount ring; the manual recommends an 82 mm Canon PROTECT filter for best dust and water resistance | Dust and moisture resistant construction requires attachment to a camera; cannot completely prevent dust or water ingress and is not waterproof |
| Dimensions detail | Length measured from the mount surface to the front; front and rear caps add 24 mm | Approximately76.5mm maximum diameter ×91mm stored;112.8mm long at16mm and102.1mm at28mm |
| Weight detail | Approximately 790 g for the lens alone, excluding accessories, in Canon's instruction manual | Approximately445g lens |
| Lens hood | Reversible EW-88D hood with release button | EW-73E, sold separately |
| In the box | Lens, EW-88D hood, LP1222 case, E-82 II front cap, rear cap E and user manual | UK maker store lists lens, E-67 II front cap, Lens Dust Cap RF and user manual |
| Release detail | Canon Camera Museum records October 2016 marketing; no first-sale day is stated | February2025 marketed month in Canon Camera Museum; original Japan maker announcement and FAQ specify lateFebruary. No exact international first retail day inferred. Co-sold ultra-wide zooms are alternatives, with no inferred successor link |
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