Canon RF 20mm F1.4 L VCM vs Canon RF 70–200mm F2.8 L IS USM
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| CanonRF 20mm F1.4 L VCM | CanonRF 70–200mm F2.8 L IS USM | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | April 2025 | November 2019 |
| Optics | ||
| Lens type | Prime | Zoom |
| Focal length | 20 mm | 70–200 mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/1.4 | f/2.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/16 | f/32 |
| Optical construction | Fifteen elements in eleven groups | Seventeen elements in thirteen groups |
| Special elements | One Super UD, two UD, one BR and two glass-moulded aspherical elements; ASC, SWC and Super Spectra coatings; front fluorine coating | Three UD, one Super UD, one aspherical UD and one glass-moulded aspherical element; fluorine coatings on front and rear elements |
| Diaphragm | Eleven blades with circular aperture | Nine circular-aperture blades |
| Mount and compatibility | ||
| Mounts | Canon RF | Canon RF |
| Image circle | Full frame | Full frame |
| 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 | Canon RF mount for full-frame and APS-C EOS R bodies; RF extenders not compatible |
| Focus and stabilisation | ||
| Autofocus | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum focus distance | 0.2 m | 0.7 m |
| Maximum magnification | 0.19× | 0.23× |
| Optical stabilisation | No | Yes |
| Autofocus detail | Rear focusing system driven by a VCM motor | Dual Nano USM drives focus and floating lens groups independently; electronic floating focus system |
| Focus distance detail | Minimum focus 0.2 m | Minimum focus 0.7 m |
| Magnification detail | Maximum 0.19× | Maximum 0.23× at 200 mm |
| 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 | Optical IS rated five stops under CIPA; three modes for general use, panning and exposure-only stabilisation |
| Design | ||
| Dust and moisture resistant | Yes | Yes |
| Filter diameter | 67 mm | 77 mm |
| Maximum diameter | 76.5 mm | 89.9 mm |
| Length | 99.3 mm | 146 mm |
| Weight | 519 g (better) | 1,070 g |
| Controls | Electronic manual-focus, customisable control and smooth-action iris rings; iris Auto-position lock; customisable lens function button; AF/MF switch | 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 | – | Extending barrel with 146 mm retracted length at 70 mm |
| 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 | Dust and moisture resistant construction with mount rubber seal | Dust and water resistant construction; Canon states this cannot completely prevent dust or droplets entering |
| Dimensions detail | Approximately 76.5 mm maximum diameter × 99.3 mm length | Approximately 89.9 mm maximum diameter × 146 mm length, retracted |
| Weight detail | Approximately 519 g lens | Approximately 1,070 g lens |
| Tripod mount | – | Removable Tripod Mount Ring E (WIII), included |
| Lens hood | EW-73H hood included | ET-83F (WIII) hood included, with filter-adjustment window |
| In the box | Lens, E-67 II front cap, RF dust cap, EW-73H hood, LP1219 case, rear filter holder and user manual | 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 | April 2025 marketed month in Canon Camera Museum | November 2019 marketed month in Canon Camera Museum |
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