Request a product
Photo 1 of 42

Canon RF 70–200mm F2.8 L IS USM · Canon Asia Photo Library; official press archive member RF70-200mm f2.8L IS USM.jpg; complete supplied canvas and white background retained.

Canon RF 70–200mm F2.8 L IS USM
Photo 1 of 42

Canon RF 70–200mm F2.8 L IS USM · Canon Asia Photo Library; official press archive member RF70-200mm f2.8L IS USM.jpg; complete supplied canvas and white background retained.

Canon · RF

RF 70–200mm F2.8 L IS USM

Released November 2019

A full-frame constant-f/2.8 telephoto zoom for EOS R cameras, with an extending barrel, dual Nano USM autofocus and optical stabilisation.

Mount
Canon RF
Focal length
70–200 mm
Max aperture
f/2.8
Stabilisation
Yes
Weight
1,070 g

What reviewers say

Both reviews praise its portability, confident autofocus, stabilisation and background rendering, while questioning the price and loss of extender support. Cameralabs finds sharp results comparable to the EF Mark III on EOS R. Dustin Abbott's EOS R5 test is less impressed by wide-open corners and close-focus detail, although he values the overall rendering and handling for events and portraits.

From cameralabs.com, cameralabs.com and dustinabbott.net

Specifications

Report a wrong or missing spec

Optics

Lens type
Zoom
Focal length
70–200 mm
Maximum aperture
f/2.8
Minimum aperture
f/32
Optical construction
Seventeen elements in thirteen groups
Special elements
Three UD, one Super UD, one aspherical UD and one glass-moulded aspherical element; fluorine coatings on front and rear elements
Diaphragm
Nine circular-aperture blades

Mount and compatibility

Mounts
Canon RF
Image circle
Full frame
Compatibility
Canon RF mount for full-frame and APS-C EOS R bodies; RF extenders not compatible

Focus and stabilisation

Autofocus
Yes
Minimum focus distance
0.7 m
Maximum magnification
0.23×
Optical stabilisation
Yes
Autofocus detail
Dual Nano USM drives focus and floating lens groups independently; electronic floating focus system
Focus distance detail
Minimum focus 0.7 m
Magnification detail
Maximum 0.23× at 200 mm
Stabilisation detail
Optical IS rated five stops under CIPA; three modes for general use, panning and exposure-only stabilisation

Design

Dust and moisture resistant
Yes
Filter diameter
77 mm
Maximum diameter
89.9 mm
Length
146 mm
Weight
1,070 g
Controls
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
Weather resistance
Dust and water resistant construction; Canon states this cannot completely prevent dust or droplets entering
Dimensions detail
Approximately 89.9 mm maximum diameter × 146 mm length, retracted
Weight detail
Approximately 1,070 g lens
Tripod mount
Removable Tripod Mount Ring E (WIII), included
Lens hood
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
November 2019 marketed month in Canon Camera Museum

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Constant f/2.8 maximum aperture
  • 146 mm retracted length
  • Dust and moisture resistant construction

Cons

  • RF extenders not compatible
  • Barrel extends when zooming
  • 1,070 g lens weight

Closest rivals

Model
MountFocal lengthMax apertureStabilisationWeightReleased
CanonRF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM Z
Canon RF70–200 mmf/2.8Yes1,115 gNov 2024
CanonRF 70–200mm F4 L IS USM
Canon RF70–200 mmf/4Yes695 gMar 2021
CanonRF 100–300mm F2.8L IS USM
Canon RF100–300 mmf/2.8Yes2,590 gMay 2023

Sources

  1. canon.co.uk/lenses/rf-70-200mm-f2-8l-is-usm-lens/specifications
  2. canon.co.uk/store/canon-rf-70-200mm-f2-8l-is-usm-lens/3792C005
  3. global.canon/en/c-museum/product/rf486.html
  4. cameralabs.com/canon-rf-70-200mm-f2-8l-is-usm-review
  5. cameralabs.com/canon-rf-70-200mm-f2-8l-is-usm-review/3
  6. dustinabbott.net/2020/11/canon-rf-70-200mm-f2-8l-is-review
  7. canon.com.cn/product/rf70200f28lis/index.html
  8. canon.com.cn/product/rf70200f28lis/accessory.html
  9. canon.com.cn/product/rf70200f28lis/interview.html
  10. canon.com.cn/product/rf70200f28lis/sample.html
  11. canon.com.cn/product/rf70200f28lis/spec.html
  12. personal.canon.jp/product/camera/rf/rf70-200-f28l/accessory
  13. sg.canon/en/pro-imaging/rf70-200mm-f-2-8l-is-usm/main/product

Photo: Canon Asia Photo Library; official press archive member RF70-200mm f2.8L IS USM.jpg; complete supplied canvas and white background retained.

Spot a mistake? Tell us