Canon RF 20mm F1.4 L VCM vs Canon RF 28–70mm F2.8 IS STM

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RF 20mm F1.4 L VCM compared with RF 28–70mm F2.8 IS STM

	CanonRF 20mm F1.4 L VCM	CanonRF 28–70mm F2.8 IS STM
Overview
Released
Released	April 2025	September 2024
Optics
Lens type
Lens type	Prime	Zoom
Focal length
Focal length	20 mm	28–70 mm
Maximum aperture
Maximum aperture	f/1.4	f/2.8
Minimum aperture
Minimum aperture	f/16	f/22
Optical construction
Optical construction	Fifteen elements in eleven groups	15 elements in 12 groups
Special elements
Special elements	One Super UD, two UD, one BR and two glass-moulded aspherical elements; ASC, SWC and Super Spectra coatings; front fluorine coating	Two UD elements and two GMo aspherical elements
Coatings
Coatings	–	Super Spectra; no fluorine coating, per UK maker specification
Diaphragm
Diaphragm	Eleven blades with circular aperture	Nine blades
Mount and compatibility
Mounts
Mounts	Canon RF	Canon RF
Image circle
Image circle	Full frame	Full frame
Compatibility
Compatibility	Canon RF mount for full-frame and APS-C EOS R cameras; RF extenders not compatible. Iris ring provides movie aperture control; Canon lists EOS R, RP, Ra, R3, R5, R6, R6 Mark II, R7, R8, R10, R50, R100 and R5 C as unable to set still-photo aperture with this ring even with their latest firmware	Full-frame image circle, Canon RF mount; incompatible with EF DSLRs and EOS M bodies. Canon RF extenders not compatible
Focus and stabilisation
Autofocus
Autofocus	Yes	Yes
Minimum focus distance
Minimum focus distance	0.2 m	0.24 m (manual focus)
Maximum magnification
Maximum magnification	0.19×	0.24×
Optical stabilisation
Optical stabilisation	No	Yes
Autofocus detail
Autofocus detail	Rear focusing system driven by a VCM motor	Lead-screw STM with magnetic motor-speed sensor and feedback control, electronic manual focus
Focus distance detail
Focus distance detail	Minimum focus 0.2 m	Minimum focus at 28 mm is 0.27 m in AF or 0.24 m in MF; main figure retains the closer MF mode
Magnification detail
Magnification detail	Maximum 0.19×	Maximum 0.24× at 70 mm in either AF or MF
Stabilisation detail
Stabilisation detail	No optical stabiliser; Canon rates EOS R1 in-body stabilisation at 8 stops centrally and 5 stops in the corners under CIPA-2024 testing	Lens optical IS rated 5.5 central stops at 70 mm with EOS R8, yaw/pitch under CIPA2024. Japan current feature page rates coordinated EOS R6 Mark II body/lens IS 7.5 central and 7.0 peripheral stops, yaw/pitch/roll; original press release gives the same coordinated rating with EOS R1
Video features
Video features	–	Smooth STM movie focusing; compatible camera breathing correction is digital. Cameralabs observes uncorrected focus breathing, more visible at 28 mm
Design
Dust and moisture resistant
Dust and moisture resistant	Yes	Yes
Filter diameter
Filter diameter	67 mm	67 mm
Maximum diameter
Maximum diameter	76.5 mm	76.5 mm
Length
Length	99.3 mm	92.2 mm
Weight
Weight	519 g	490 g (better)
Controls
Controls	Electronic manual-focus, customisable control and smooth-action iris rings; iris Auto-position lock; customisable lens function button; AF/MF switch	Shared focus/control ring with AF/control/MF selector; separate zoom ring and stabilisation switch
Zoom design
Zoom design	–	Retractable barrel must be extended to 28 mm before shooting; length 92.2 mm stored, 112.4 mm at 28 mm and 138.9 mm at 70 mm, per Japan maker table
Filter detail
Filter detail	67 mm front thread and rear filter holder; Canon specifies a single rear filter no thicker than 0.2 mm and recommends removing the holder when unused to avoid possible ghosting	–
Weather resistance
Weather resistance	Dust and moisture resistant construction with mount rubber seal	UK maker states dust/moisture resistance, including rubber mount seal; no waterproof rating published
Dimensions detail
Dimensions detail	Approximately 76.5 mm maximum diameter × 99.3 mm length	Maximum diameter 76.5 mm; 92.2 mm length when retracted
Weight detail
Weight detail	Approximately 519 g lens	UK current specification and store state 490 g; Japan current table, Camera Museum and original press release state 495 g. Main value follows UK specification; no undocumented regional variant inferred
Lens hood
Lens hood	EW-73H hood included	EW-73D, sold separately
In the box
In the box	Lens, E-67 II front cap, RF dust cap, EW-73H hood, LP1219 case, rear filter holder and user manual	UK maker store lists lens, E-67 II front cap, rear dust cap and user manual
Release detail
Release detail	April 2025 marketed month in Canon Camera Museum	September 2024 marketed month in Canon Camera Museum; original maker release specifies 27 September in Japan. No exact worldwide first-sale day inferred; no successor link inferred across co-sold standard zooms