Canon RF 16–28mm F2.8 IS STM vs Canon RF 75–300mm F4–5.6
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| CanonRF 16–28mm F2.8 IS STM | CanonRF 75–300mm F4–5.6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | February 2025 | May 2025 |
| Optics | ||
| Lens type | Zoom | Zoom |
| Focal length | 16–28 mm | 75–300 mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/2.8 | f/4–5.6 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/32–45 |
| Optical construction | 16 elements in 13 groups | Thirteen elements in nine groups; Canon states the optical design is adapted from the EF 75–300mm F4–5.6 III |
| Coatings | – | Super Spectra; no fluorine coating |
| Aperture detail | – | Maximum f/4 at 75 mm and f/5.6 at 300 mm; minimum f/32 and f/45 respectively |
| Special elements | Four UD elements and two aspherical elements, including a large-diameter replica aspherical element | – |
| Diaphragm | Nine blades | Seven blades |
| Angle of view | Full-frame horizontal 98°–65°, vertical 74°10′–46° and diagonal 108°10′–75° | Full-frame diagonal 32°11′–8°15′; horizontal 27°–6°50′; vertical 18°11′–4°35′ |
| Mount and compatibility | ||
| Mounts | Canon RF | Canon RF |
| Image circle | Full frame | Full frame |
| Compatibility | Canon EOS R cameras; full-frame image circle. Physical 16–28 mm focal length, distinct from RF16mm F2.8 STM prime | Canon RF mount for full-frame and APS-C EOS R cameras; 120–480 mm equivalent field of view on Canon APS-C |
| Teleconverter support | – | Not compatible with RF extenders (The-Digital-Picture) |
| Focus and stabilisation | ||
| Autofocus | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum focus distance | 0.2 m | 1.5 m |
| Maximum magnification | 0.26× | 0.25× |
| Optical stabilisation | Yes | No |
| Autofocus detail | Lead-screw STM autofocus and electronic full-time manual focus; inner focusing keeps lens length constant during focusing | DC motor autofocus; no full-time manual focus override (Digital Camera World) |
| 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 | 1.5 m minimum focus; front element and focus ring rotate during focusing (Digital Camera World and The-Digital-Picture) |
| Magnification detail | Maker maximum magnification 0.26× at 28 mm; no unpublished AF/MF distinction inferred | 0.06× at 75 mm and 0.25× at 300 mm |
| 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 | No lens optical stabilisation |
| Video features | Maker describes smooth quiet movie autofocus; Digital Camera World reports minimal focus breathing | Substantial focus breathing in The-Digital-Picture's test |
| Design | ||
| Dust and moisture resistant | Yes | – |
| Filter diameter | 67 mm | 58 mm |
| Maximum diameter | 76.5 mm | 71.2 mm |
| Length | 91 mm | 146.1 mm |
| Weight | 445 g (better) | 507 g |
| Controls | Shared focus/control ring and AF/control/MF selector; separate zoom ring and IS switch | Manual focus and zoom rings, AF/MF switch; no custom control ring (The-Digital-Picture) |
| Zoom design | 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 | Extending zoom barrel; further extension and front rotation during focusing (Digital Camera World) |
| Filter detail | 67 mm front filter thread | 58 mm front thread rotates during focusing |
| Weather resistance | Dust and moisture resistant construction requires attachment to a camera; cannot completely prevent dust or water ingress and is not waterproof | Canon UK's table lists dust/moisture resistance, but Digital Camera World and The-Digital-Picture both report no weather sealing |
| Dimensions detail | Approximately76.5mm maximum diameter ×91mm stored;112.8mm long at16mm and102.1mm at28mm | 71.2 mm maximum diameter × 146.1 mm retracted length |
| Weight detail | Approximately445g lens | Approximately 507 g lens |
| Lens hood | EW-73E, sold separately | Optional ET-60 hood, not included |
| In the box | UK maker store lists lens, E-67 II front cap, Lens Dust Cap RF and user manual | Lens, E-58 II lens cap, RF dust cap and user manual |
| Release detail | 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 | May 2025 release confirmed retrospectively by Canon's February 2026 press release and Canon Camera Museum |
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