Canon RF 20-50mm F4L IS USM PZ vs Canon RF 70–200mm F2.8 L IS USM
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| CanonRF 20-50mm F4L IS USM PZ | CanonRF 70–200mm F2.8 L IS USM | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | June 2026 | November 2019 |
| Optics | ||
| Lens type | Zoom | Zoom |
| Focal length | 20–50 mm | 70–200 mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/4 | f/2.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/32 |
| Optical construction | 13 elements in 11 groups | Seventeen elements in thirteen groups |
| Special elements | Two glass-moulded aspherical and three UD elements | Three UD, one Super UD, one aspherical UD and one glass-moulded aspherical element; fluorine coatings on front and rear elements |
| Coatings | ASC and Super Spectra; fluorine coating on the front element | – |
| Aperture detail | Constant maximum f/4, minimum f/22 throughout the range | – |
| Diaphragm | Nine aperture blades | Nine circular-aperture blades |
| Angle of view | Horizontal 84°–40°, vertical 62°–27° and diagonal 94°–46° 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; power-zoom control from camera body or remote devices depends on compatible model and firmware | Canon RF mount for full-frame and APS-C EOS R bodies; RF extenders not compatible |
| Teleconverter support | Canon RF extenders not compatible | – |
| Focus and stabilisation | ||
| Autofocus | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum focus distance | 0.24 m | 0.7 m |
| Maximum magnification | 0.33× | 0.23× |
| Optical stabilisation | Yes | Yes |
| Autofocus detail | Nano USM autofocus; full-time manual focus; maker rear-focus design retains length during focusing | Dual Nano USM drives focus and floating lens groups independently; electronic floating focus system |
| Focus distance detail | – | Minimum focus 0.7 m |
| Magnification detail | Maker maximum magnification 0.14× at 20 mm or 0.33× at 50 mm; no AF/MF mode specified in the table | Maximum 0.23× at 200 mm |
| 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 | Optical IS rated five stops under CIPA; three modes for general use, panning and exposure-only stabilisation |
| 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 | 77 mm |
| Maximum diameter | 79.9 mm | 89.9 mm |
| Length | 98.4 mm | 146 mm |
| Weight | 420 g (better) | 1,070 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, electronic manual-focus and customisable control rings; focus limiter with full or 2.5 m–infinity range; AF/MF, IS on/off and three IS mode switches; zoom lock at 70 mm |
| 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 barrel with 146 mm retracted length at 70 mm |
| Filter detail | 67 mm front screw-in 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 water resistant construction; Canon states this cannot completely prevent dust or droplets entering |
| Dimensions detail | Approximately 79.9 mm maximum diameter × 98.4 mm length | Approximately 89.9 mm maximum diameter × 146 mm length, retracted |
| Weight detail | Approximately 420 g lens | Approximately 1,070 g lens |
| Tripod mount | – | Removable Tripod Mount Ring E (WIII), included |
| Lens hood | ES-73B; maker lists E-67 II cap, Lens Dust Cap RF and LP1219 pouch as accessories | ET-83F (WIII) hood included, with filter-adjustment window |
| In the box | – | Lens, E-77 II front cap, RF dust cap, ET-83F hood, LP1424 drawstring case, Tripod Mount Ring E (WIII) and user manual |
| Release detail | Canon Japan's 11 June 2026 notice confirms first sale from 26 June 2026, resolving the earlier late-June launch wording | November 2019 marketed month in Canon Camera Museum |
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