Canon RF 16–28mm F2.8 IS STM vs Canon RF 85mm F1.4L VCM
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| CanonRF 16–28mm F2.8 IS STM | CanonRF 85mm F1.4L VCM | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | February 2025 | September 2025 |
| Optics | ||
| Lens type | Zoom | Prime |
| Focal length | 16–28 mm | 85 mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/2.8 | f/1.4 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/16 |
| Optical construction | 16 elements in 13 groups | 14 elements in 10 groups |
| Special elements | Four UD elements and two aspherical elements, including a large-diameter replica aspherical element | One UD and one glass-moulded aspherical element |
| Coatings | – | ASC and Super Spectra; fluorine coating on the front element |
| Aperture detail | – | f/1.4–16 with stepless iris ring; no click-stop option (Amateur Photographer) |
| Diaphragm | Nine blades | 11 circular aperture blades |
| Angle of view | Full-frame horizontal 98°–65°, vertical 74°10′–46° and diagonal 108°10′–75° | 24° horizontal, 16° vertical and 28°30′ diagonal on full frame |
| 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 EOS R cameras; full-frame image circle; stills iris-ring support is body/firmware dependent |
| Teleconverter support | – | Canon RF extenders not compatible |
| Focus and stabilisation | ||
| Autofocus | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum focus distance | 0.2 m | 0.75 m |
| Maximum magnification | 0.26× | 0.12× |
| Optical stabilisation | Yes | No |
| Autofocus detail | Lead-screw STM autofocus and electronic full-time manual focus; inner focusing keeps lens length constant during focusing | Voice Coil Motor autofocus; electronic manual focus; maker notes movement/noise in unpowered internal VCM components is normal |
| 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| Magnification detail | Maker maximum magnification 0.26× at 28 mm; no unpublished AF/MF distinction inferred | – |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 | No lens optical IS; maker separately lists camera IBIS CIPA-2024 performance of eight stops at the centre and seven at the corners under its camera/test conditions |
| Video features | Maker describes smooth quiet movie autofocus; Digital Camera World reports minimal focus breathing | Optically suppressed focus breathing and stepless iris control; UK maker footnote excludes stills iris-ring operation on EOS R/RP/Ra/R3/R5/R6/R6 Mark II/R7/R8/R10/R50/R100/R5 C even with current firmware |
| Design | ||
| Dust and moisture resistant | Yes | Yes |
| Filter diameter | 67 mm | 67 mm |
| Maximum diameter | 76.5 mm | 76.5 mm |
| Length | 91 mm | 99.3 mm |
| Weight | 445 g (better) | 636 g |
| Controls | Shared focus/control ring and AF/control/MF selector; separate zoom ring and IS switch | Customisable control ring, focus ring, iris ring with Auto-position lock, function button and AF/MF switch (Amateur Photographer) |
| 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 | – |
| Filter detail | 67 mm front filter thread | 67 mm front screw-in filter thread; compatible Canon 67 mm Protect and PL-C B circular polarising filters |
| Weather resistance | Dust and moisture resistant construction requires attachment to a camera; cannot completely prevent dust or water ingress and is not waterproof | Dust and moisture resistant with mount gasket; Canon states protection requires attachment to a camera and cannot prevent all dust or water ingress; no waterproof/IP rating inferred |
| Dimensions detail | Approximately76.5mm maximum diameter ×91mm stored;112.8mm long at16mm and102.1mm at28mm | Approximately 76.5 mm maximum diameter × 99.3 mm length |
| Weight detail | Approximately445g lens | Approximately 636 g lens |
| Lens hood | EW-73E, sold separately | ET-73C; maker lists E-67 II cap, Lens Dust Cap RF and LP1219 pouch as accessories |
| In the box | UK maker store lists lens, E-67 II front cap, Lens Dust Cap RF 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 | Canon Japan specifies first sale on 27 September 2025; no UK first-sale day inferred |
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