Canon EF 200mm f/2.8L USM vs Canon RF 70–200mm F2.8 L IS USM

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Only show differences

Better figure, where one is clearly better

Share comparison

EF 200mm f/2.8L USM compared with RF 70–200mm F2.8 L IS USM

	CanonEF 200mm f/2.8L USM	CanonRF 70–200mm F2.8 L IS USM
Overview
Released
Released	December 1991	November 2019
Optics
Lens type
Lens type	Prime	Zoom
Focal length
Focal length	200 mm	70–200 mm
Maximum aperture
Maximum aperture	f/2.8	f/2.8
Minimum aperture
Minimum aperture	f/32	f/32
Optical construction
Optical construction	Nine elements in seven groups	Seventeen elements in thirteen groups
Special elements
Special elements	–	Three UD, one Super UD, one aspherical UD and one glass-moulded aspherical element; fluorine coatings on front and rear elements
Diaphragm
Diaphragm	Eight blades according to Canon Camera Museum	Nine circular-aperture blades
Angle of view
Angle of view	12° diagonal, 10° horizontal and 7° vertical according to Canon's original-model manual	–
Mount and compatibility
Mounts
Mounts	Canon EF	Canon RF
Image circle
Image circle	Full frame	Full frame
Compatibility
Compatibility	Canon EF full-frame and APS-C cameras	Canon RF mount for full-frame and APS-C EOS R bodies; RF extenders not compatible
Focus and stabilisation
Autofocus
Autofocus	Yes	Yes
Minimum focus distance
Minimum focus distance	1.5 m	0.7 m
Maximum magnification
Maximum magnification	0.16×	0.23×
Optical stabilisation
Optical stabilisation	–	Yes
Autofocus detail
Autofocus detail	USM; full-time manual focus after One Shot AF while holding the shutter button halfway according to Canon's manual	Dual Nano USM drives focus and floating lens groups independently; electronic floating focus system
Focus distance detail
Focus distance detail	–	Minimum focus 0.7 m
Magnification detail
Magnification detail	–	Maximum 0.23× at 200 mm
Stabilisation detail
Stabilisation detail	–	Optical IS rated five stops under CIPA; three modes for general use, panning and exposure-only stabilisation
Design
Dust and moisture resistant
Dust and moisture resistant	–	Yes
Filter diameter
Filter diameter	72 mm	77 mm
Maximum diameter
Maximum diameter	83 mm	89.9 mm
Length
Length	136.2 mm	146 mm
Weight
Weight	790 g (better)	1,070 g
Controls
Controls	AF/MF switch, focusing ring, distance scale and infrared index according to Canon's manual	Zoom, electronic manual-focus and customisable control rings; focus limiter with full or 2.5 m–infinity range; AF/MF, IS on/off and three IS mode switches; zoom lock at 70 mm
Zoom design
Zoom design	–	Extending barrel with 146 mm retracted length at 70 mm
Weather resistance
Weather resistance	–	Dust and water resistant construction; Canon states this cannot completely prevent dust or droplets entering
Dimensions detail
Dimensions detail	83 mm diameter × 136.2 mm length according to Canon Camera Museum; measured from the mount surface to the front, with caps adding 21.5 mm according to the manual	Approximately 89.9 mm maximum diameter × 146 mm length, retracted
Weight detail
Weight detail	790 g for the lens only according to Canon's original-model manual	Approximately 1,070 g lens
Tripod mount
Tripod mount	–	Removable Tripod Mount Ring E (WIII), included
Lens hood
Lens hood	Built-in sliding hood; pull it out from the front of the lens according to Canon's manual	ET-83F (WIII) hood included, with filter-adjustment window
In the box
In the box	–	Lens, E-77 II front cap, RF dust cap, ET-83F hood, LP1424 drawstring case, Tripod Mount Ring E (WIII) and user manual
Release detail
Release detail	Canon Camera Museum records December 1991 marketing; this is the original version with a built-in hood	November 2019 marketed month in Canon Camera Museum