Canon RF 15–35mm F2.8 L IS USM vs Canon RF 20mm F1.4 L VCM

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

Only show differences

Better figure, where one is clearly better

Share comparison

RF 15–35mm F2.8 L IS USM compared with RF 20mm F1.4 L VCM

	CanonRF 15–35mm F2.8 L IS USM	CanonRF 20mm F1.4 L VCM
Overview
Released
Released	September 2019	April 2025
Optics
Lens type
Lens type	Zoom	Prime
Focal length
Focal length	15–35 mm	20 mm
Maximum aperture
Maximum aperture	f/2.8	f/1.4
Minimum aperture
Minimum aperture	f/22	f/16
Optical construction
Optical construction	Sixteen elements in twelve groups	Fifteen elements in eleven groups
Special elements
Special elements	Three glass-moulded aspherical elements and UD elements; SWC and ASC coatings; fluorine coatings on the front and rear elements	One Super UD, two UD, one BR and two glass-moulded aspherical elements; ASC, SWC and Super Spectra coatings; front fluorine coating
Diaphragm
Diaphragm	Nine blades with circular aperture	Eleven blades with circular aperture
Mount and compatibility
Mounts
Mounts	Canon RF	Canon RF
Image circle
Image circle	Full frame	Full frame
Compatibility
Compatibility	Canon RF mount for full-frame and APS-C EOS R cameras; RF extenders not compatible	Canon RF mount for full-frame and APS-C EOS R cameras; RF extenders not compatible. Iris ring provides movie aperture control; Canon lists EOS R, RP, Ra, R3, R5, R6, R6 Mark II, R7, R8, R10, R50, R100 and R5 C as unable to set still-photo aperture with this ring even with their latest firmware
Focus and stabilisation
Autofocus
Autofocus	Yes	Yes
Minimum focus distance
Minimum focus distance	0.28 m	0.2 m
Maximum magnification
Maximum magnification	0.21×	0.19×
Optical stabilisation
Optical stabilisation	Yes	No
Autofocus detail
Autofocus detail	Nano USM motor; electronic manual focusing	Rear focusing system driven by a VCM motor
Focus distance detail
Focus distance detail	Minimum focus 0.28 m	Minimum focus 0.2 m
Magnification detail
Magnification detail	Maximum 0.21× at 35 mm	Maximum 0.19×
Stabilisation detail
Stabilisation detail	Optical IS rated five stops with EOS R at 35 mm under CIPA standards	No optical stabiliser; Canon rates EOS R1 in-body stabilisation at 8 stops centrally and 5 stops in the corners under CIPA-2024 testing
Design
Dust and moisture resistant
Dust and moisture resistant	Yes	Yes
Filter diameter
Filter diameter	82 mm	67 mm
Maximum diameter
Maximum diameter	88.5 mm	76.5 mm
Length
Length	126.8 mm	99.3 mm
Weight
Weight	840 g	519 g (better)
Controls
Controls	Zoom, electronic manual-focus and customisable control rings; AF/MF and stabiliser on/off switches	Electronic manual-focus, customisable control and smooth-action iris rings; iris Auto-position lock; customisable lens function button; AF/MF switch
Filter detail
Filter detail	–	67 mm front thread and rear filter holder; Canon specifies a single rear filter no thicker than 0.2 mm and recommends removing the holder when unused to avoid possible ghosting
Zoom design
Zoom design	Barrel extends as the lens zooms from 35 mm towards 15 mm (Cameralabs)	–
Weather resistance
Weather resistance	Dust and water resistant construction; Canon states this cannot completely prevent dust or droplets entering	Dust and moisture resistant construction with mount rubber seal
Dimensions detail
Dimensions detail	Approximately 88.5 mm maximum diameter × 126.8 mm length, retracted	Approximately 76.5 mm maximum diameter × 99.3 mm length
Weight detail
Weight detail	Approximately 840 g lens	Approximately 519 g lens
Lens hood
Lens hood	EW-88F petal hood included	EW-73H hood included
In the box
In the box	Lens, E-82 II front cap, RF dust cap, EW-88F hood and LP1222 case	Lens, E-67 II front cap, RF dust cap, EW-73H hood, LP1219 case, rear filter holder and user manual
Release detail
Release detail	September 2019 marketed month in Canon Camera Museum	April 2025 marketed month in Canon Camera Museum