RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM Z

Released November 2024

A full-frame RF f/2.8 telephoto zoom with an internal zoom barrel, optical stabilisation, iris ring and optional power zoom adapters.

Mount: Canon RF
Focal length: 70–200 mm
Max aperture: f/2.8
Stabilisation: Yes
Weight: 1,115 g

What reviewers say

Both field tests praise sharp images, responsive autofocus and useful extender performance. PetaPixel finds excellent video behaviour but dislikes harsh highlights, limited stills iris support and the cost for photographers. Web Cameraman finds consistent rendering, strong stabilisation and little practical extender penalty, judging the high price justified. The smaller extending RF model remains easier to pack.

From petapixel.com and cameraman.motormagazine.co.jp

Specifications

Report a wrong or missing spec

Optics

Lens type: Zoom
Focal length: 70–200 mm
Maximum aperture: f/2.8
Minimum aperture: f/22
Optical construction: 18 elements in 15 groups
Special elements: Three aspherical elements including two glass-moulded and one replica; two Super UD elements and one UD element, with the UD glass-moulded aspherical element also counted among the asphericals
Coatings: ASC and Super Spectra; fluorine coating on front element
Aperture detail: Constant f/2.8 maximum and f/22 minimum; smooth electronic iris ring
Diaphragm: 11 circular aperture blades
Angle of view: 29°–10° horizontal, 19°30′–7° vertical and 34°–12° diagonal on full frame

Mount and compatibility

Mounts: Canon RF
Image circle: Full frame
Compatibility: Canon EOS R cameras; full-frame image circle; stills iris-ring operation depends on camera support
Teleconverter support: RF 1.4x gives 98–280 mm f/4 with 0.42× maximum magnification; RF 2x gives 140–400 mm f/5.6 with 0.6×; autofocus and stabilisation retained

Focus and stabilisation

Autofocus: Yes
Minimum focus distance: 0.49 m
Maximum magnification: 0.3×
Optical stabilisation: Yes
Autofocus detail: Dual Nano USM motors independently drive two focusing groups for electronic floating focus control; full-time manual focus
Focus distance detail: Closest focus 0.49 m at 70 mm and 0.68 m at 200 mm; separate AF/MF distance modes not published
Magnification detail: 0.2× at 70 mm and 0.3× at 200 mm (Canon Japan)
Stabilisation detail: Lens OIS 5.5 stops at centre with EOS R8 at 200 mm; combined OIS/IBIS 7.5 centre and seven corner stops with EOS R1 at 200 mm under Canon's CIPA-2024 conditions
Video features: Optically suppressed focus breathing and electronic floating focus control; optional PZ-E2/PZ-E2B adapters provide motorised zoom; iris operation in stills depends on camera and firmware

Design

Dust and moisture resistant: Yes
Filter diameter: 82 mm
Maximum diameter: 88.5 mm
Length: 199 mm
Weight: 1,115 g
Controls: Control, focus, zoom and iris rings; iris Auto lock; lens function buttons
Zoom design: Internal zoom with 70° rotation; barrel length remains constant
Filter detail: 82 mm front screw-in filter thread
Weather resistance: Dust and moisture resistant construction with mount gasket; maker states it cannot completely prevent ingress and requires attachment to a camera
Dimensions detail: Approximately 88.5 mm maximum diameter × 199 mm length; same barrel size for white and black versions
Weight detail: White 1115 g and black 1110 g, excluding tripod mount; headline uses photographed white model
Tripod mount: Tripod foot removable; PetaPixel notes no Arca-Swiss profile or 90° collar click stops
Lens hood: White ET-88C (WIII) or black ET-88C (B); LZ1328 case and E-82 II/Lens Dust Cap RF listed as accessories
In the box: ET-88C lens hood (Web Cameraman)
Release detail: Canon Camera Museum confirms marketed November 2024; Photography Blog preview reports 14 November UK/Europe/US, while Web Cameraman reports 29 November Japan; precise regional retail days are secondary and headline retains maker-confirmed month

Versions

Version	Mount	Weight	Dimensions
White	Canon RF	1,115 g	–
Black	Canon RF	1,110 g	–

Pros and cons

Pros

Internal zoom keeps barrel length constant
Compatible with RF 1.4x and 2x extenders
Optical stabilisation and stepless iris control

Cons

Longer when stored than extending RF alternative
Power zoom adapter sold separately
Stills iris-ring support depends on camera

Closest rivals

Model	Mount	Focal length	Max aperture	Stabilisation	Weight	Released
CanonRF 70–200mm F2.8 L IS USM	Canon RF	70–200 mm	f/2.8	Yes	1,070 g	Nov 2019
CanonRF 70–200mm F4 L IS USM	Canon RF	70–200 mm	f/4	Yes	695 g	Mar 2021
CanonRF 100–300mm F2.8L IS USM	Canon RF	100–300 mm	f/2.8	Yes	2,590 g	May 2023