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Canon RF 20-50mm F4L IS USM PZ vs Canon RF 28mm F2.8 STM

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

CanonRF 20-50mm F4L IS USM PZCanonRF 28mm F2.8 STM
Overview
ReleasedJune 2026July 2023
Optics
Lens typeZoomPrime
Focal length20–50 mm28 mm
Maximum aperturef/4f/2.8
Minimum aperturef/22f/22
Optical construction13 elements in 11 groupsEight elements in six groups
Special elementsTwo glass-moulded aspherical and three UD elementsThree plastic-moulded aspherical elements; Super Spectra coating; no fluorine coating
CoatingsASC and Super Spectra; fluorine coating on the front element–
Aperture detailConstant maximum f/4, minimum f/22 throughout the range–
DiaphragmNine aperture bladesSeven blades, circular aperture
Angle of viewHorizontal 84°–40°, vertical 62°–27° and diagonal 94°–46° on full frame–
Mount and compatibility
MountsCanon RFCanon RF
Image circleFull frameFull frame
CompatibilityCanon EOS R cameras; full-frame image circle; power-zoom control from camera body or remote devices depends on compatible model and firmwareCanon RF mount, full-frame image circle; RF extenders not compatible
Teleconverter supportCanon RF extenders not compatible–
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance0.24 m0.23 m
Maximum magnification0.33×0.17×
Optical stabilisationYesNo
Autofocus detailNano USM autofocus; full-time manual focus; maker rear-focus design retains length during focusingSTM autofocus and electronic manual focusing
Focus distance detail–Minimum focusing distance 0.23 m
Magnification detailMaker maximum magnification 0.14× at 20 mm or 0.33× at 50 mm; no AF/MF mode specified in the tableMaximum 0.17× reproduction
Stabilisation detailMaker 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 setupNo lens optical IS; compatible camera stabilisation is separate
Video featuresInternal multi-speed power zoom and optically suppressed focus breathing; zoom ring switches between powered and conventional manual operation–
Design
Dust and moisture resistantYesNo
Filter diameter67 mm55 mm
Maximum diameter79.9 mm69.2 mm
Length98.4 mm24.7 mm
Weight420 g120 g
ControlsCustomisable control ring, focus ring and zoom ring; PZ/MZ selector, custom button, AF/MF and stabiliser switches (Digital Camera World; ePHOTOzine)Combined focus/control ring with AF/Control/MF selector
Zoom designInternal 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–
Filter detail67 mm front screw-in filter thread–
Weather resistanceDust 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 inferredNo dust or moisture resistance
Dimensions detailApproximately 79.9 mm maximum diameter × 98.4 mm lengthApproximately 69.2 mm maximum diameter × 24.7 mm length, retracted
Weight detailApproximately 420 g lensApproximately 120 g lens
Lens hoodES-73B; maker lists E-67 II cap, Lens Dust Cap RF and LP1219 pouch as accessoriesEW-55, sold separately
In the box–Lens, E-55 front cap, RF lens dust cap and user manual
Release detailCanon Japan's 11 June 2026 notice confirms first sale from 26 June 2026, resolving the earlier late-June launch wordingJuly 2023 marketed month in Canon Camera Museum

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