Canon RF 20-50mm F4L IS USM PZ vs Canon RF 24–70mm F2.8L IS USM
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| CanonRF 20-50mm F4L IS USM PZ | CanonRF 24–70mm F2.8L IS USM | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | June 2026 | September 2019 |
| Optics | ||
| Lens type | Zoom | Zoom |
| Focal length | 20–50 mm | 24–70 mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/4 | f/2.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/22 |
| Optical construction | 13 elements in 11 groups | 21 elements in 15 groups |
| Special elements | Two glass-moulded aspherical and three UD elements | Three glass-moulded aspherical elements and three UD elements |
| Coatings | ASC and Super Spectra; fluorine coating on the front element | ASC anti-reflection coating and fluorine coating |
| Aperture detail | Constant maximum f/4, minimum f/22 throughout the range | – |
| Diaphragm | Nine aperture blades | Nine blades with circular aperture |
| Angle of view | Horizontal 84°–40°, vertical 62°–27° and diagonal 94°–46° on full frame | Full-frame horizontal 74°–29°, vertical 53°–19°30′ and diagonal 84°–34° |
| Mount and compatibility | ||
| Mounts | Canon RF | Canon RF |
| Image circle | Full frame | Full frame |
| Compatibility | Canon EOS R cameras; full-frame image circle; power-zoom control from camera body or remote devices depends on compatible model and firmware | Canon EOS R cameras; full-frame image circle. RF optical model distinct from EF24–70mm F2.8L generations and RF28–70mm F2.8 IS STM |
| Teleconverter support | Canon RF extenders not compatible | – |
| Focus and stabilisation | ||
| Autofocus | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum focus distance | 0.24 m | 0.21 m |
| Maximum magnification | 0.33× | 0.3× |
| Optical stabilisation | Yes | Yes |
| Autofocus detail | Nano USM autofocus; full-time manual focus; maker rear-focus design retains length during focusing | Nano USM autofocus; electronic full-time manual focus. Maker rear-focusing design does not change lens length while focusing |
| Focus distance detail | – | Maker minimum focus distance 0.21 m at 24 mm; Photography Blog reports 0.38 m at 70 mm. AF/MF mode distinction unpublished and omitted |
| Magnification detail | Maker maximum magnification 0.14× at 20 mm or 0.33× at 50 mm; no AF/MF mode specified in the table | Maker maximum magnification 0.30× at 32 mm; no unpublished AF/MF distinction inferred |
| Stabilisation detail | Maker six-stop optical IS or combined camera/lens eight stops at centre and corners under CIPA-2024, at maximum focal length with its specified camera; not guaranteed in every shooting setup | Lens optical IS rated five stops under CIPA guidelines at 70 mm with EOS R; body stabilisation is separate |
| Video features | Internal multi-speed power zoom and optically suppressed focus breathing; zoom ring switches between powered and conventional manual operation | – |
| Design | ||
| Dust and moisture resistant | Yes | Yes |
| Filter diameter | 67 mm | 82 mm |
| Maximum diameter | 79.9 mm | 88.5 mm |
| Length | 98.4 mm | 125.7 mm |
| Weight | 420 g (better) | 900 g |
| Controls | Customisable control ring, focus ring and zoom ring; PZ/MZ selector, custom button, AF/MF and stabiliser switches (Digital Camera World; ePHOTOzine) | Zoom and focus rings, customisable lens control ring, AF/MF and IS switches; Japan maker offers a paid control-ring de-click service |
| Zoom design | Internal zoom/focus keeps barrel length fixed; ePHOTOzine describes conventional mechanical manual zoom, while Digital Camera World's prose calls it fly-by-wire; no silent choice between those reviewer descriptions | Extending zoom barrel; dimensions measured retracted |
| Filter detail | 67 mm front screw-in filter thread | 82 mm front filter thread |
| Weather resistance | Dust and moisture resistant with mount gasket; maker warns camera attachment is required and protection cannot prevent all dust or water ingress; no waterproof/IP rating inferred | Dust and moisture resistant construction requires attachment to a camera; cannot completely prevent dust or water ingress and is not waterproof |
| Dimensions detail | Approximately 79.9 mm maximum diameter × 98.4 mm length | Approximately 88.5 mm maximum diameter × 125.7 mm length, retracted |
| Weight detail | Approximately 420 g lens | Approximately 900 g lens |
| Lens hood | ES-73B; maker lists E-67 II cap, Lens Dust Cap RF and LP1219 pouch as accessories | EW-88E |
| In the box | – | UK maker store lists lens, EW-88E hood, LP1222 case, Lens Dust Cap RF and E-82 II front cap |
| Release detail | Canon Japan's 11 June 2026 notice confirms first sale from 26 June 2026, resolving the earlier late-June launch wording | September 2019 marketed month in Canon Camera Museum; original Japan maker announcement gives late September. Exact worldwide first retail day is not inferred. Co-sold standard zooms are alternatives, with no inferred successor link |
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