Canon RF 16–28mm F2.8 IS STM vs Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| CanonRF 16–28mm F2.8 IS STM | NikonNIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | February 2025 | October 2022 |
| Optics | ||
| Lens type | Zoom | Zoom |
| Focal length | 16–28 mm | 17–28 mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/2.8 | f/2.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/22 |
| Optical construction | 16 elements in 13 groups | Thirteen elements in eleven groups |
| Special elements | Four UD elements and two aspherical elements, including a large-diameter replica aspherical element | Two ED elements, one Super ED element and three aspherical elements |
| Coatings | – | Antifouling front coating; Nikon Japan's special-content page also identifies Super Integrated Coating |
| Diaphragm | Nine blades | Nine rounded blades; electromagnetic automatic aperture |
| Angle of view | Full-frame horizontal 98°–65°, vertical 74°10′–46° and diagonal 108°10′–75° | FX 104°–75°; DX 79°–53° |
| Mount and compatibility | ||
| Mounts | Canon RF | Nikon Z mount |
| 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 | Nikon Z mount; FX and DX cameras |
| Focus and stabilisation | ||
| Autofocus | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum focus distance | 0.2 m | 0.19 m |
| Maximum magnification | 0.26× | 0.19× |
| Optical stabilisation | Yes | No |
| Autofocus detail | Lead-screw STM autofocus and electronic full-time manual focus; inner focusing keeps lens length constant during focusing | Stepping-motor autofocus |
| 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 | Internal focusing; minimum focal-plane distances 0.19 m at 17 mm, 0.23 m at 20 mm and 0.26 m at 24 and 28 mm |
| Magnification detail | Maker maximum magnification 0.26× at 28 mm; no unpublished AF/MF distinction inferred | Maximum reproduction ratio 0.19× at 17 mm |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 optical VR; compatible camera-body stabilisation can be used |
| Video features | Maker describes smooth quiet movie autofocus; Digital Camera World reports minimal focus breathing | Nikon describes reduced focus breathing, quiet autofocus, clickless control-ring operation and smooth aperture adjustment. Overall barrel length stays fixed while zooming |
| Design | ||
| Dust and moisture resistant | Yes | Yes |
| Filter diameter | 67 mm | 67 mm |
| Maximum diameter | 76.5 mm | 75 mm |
| Length | 91 mm | 101 mm |
| Weight | 445 g (better) | 450 g |
| Controls | Shared focus/control ring and AF/control/MF selector; separate zoom ring and IS switch | Zoom ring and shared programmable focus/control ring; Nikon Japan describes linear manual-focus response with compatible cameras. Digital Camera World identifies aperture, ISO and exposure-compensation assignments and absence of a separate third ring, function buttons or display |
| 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 | Rotating zoom ring; inner optical section moves within the outer barrel, without changing overall lens length |
| Filter detail | 67 mm front filter thread | 67 mm screw-on filters, 0.75 mm pitch |
| 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 drip protection and antifouling front coating; Nikon does not guarantee complete resistance in all conditions |
| Dimensions detail | Approximately76.5mm maximum diameter ×91mm stored;112.8mm long at16mm and102.1mm at28mm | Approximately 75 × 101 mm; length from lens mount flange |
| Weight detail | Approximately445g lens | Approximately 450 g |
| Lens hood | EW-73E, sold separately | HB-107 bayonet hood included |
| In the box | UK maker store lists lens, E-67 II front cap, Lens Dust Cap RF and user manual | Nikon Japan lists LC-67B front cap, LF-N1 rear cap, HB-107 hood and CL-C1 case; Photography Blog's review reported no case in its sample |
| 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 | Nikon Japan gives 28 October 2022 as the on-sale date; the US announcement stated late October 2022 |
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