The Canon RF 28-70mm f/2.8 IS STM Lens (Canon RF) blends a fast constant aperture, compact design, and a versatile wide-to-short telephoto range to serve as a true everyday workhorse for modern content creators. Covering everything from landscapes to portraits, the 28-70mm zoom range paired with a bright f/2.8 aperture delivers strong low-light performance and pleasing depth of field control.
Offering L-series–inspired optical quality in a smaller, lighter, and more accessible package, this lens balances performance and portability for hybrid shooters. Reliable image stabilization and smooth STM autofocus make it a practical, do-it-all option for photo, video, and run-and-gun production.
Fast and Small
The RF 28-70mm differs from its L-series counterpart (the RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L) by maintaining a much smaller and lighter form factor. It does this through an advanced optical design and a more conservative, but still very capable, 28mm wide-angle starting point. When not in use, the lens can collapse into itself, resulting in an even greater space savings in a bag or when slung over a shoulder.
The relatively fast f/2.8 constant maximum aperture allows this lens key advantages over similarly sized options that opt for a more conventional f/4 aperture by enabling the creation of images with a shallower depth of field. Portraiture and low-light shooting will benefit from the more pleasing bokeh and increased light-gathering capabilities, respectively.
L-Series Quality Optics
Canon has placed the optical performance of the RF 28-70mm at the same level as their famed L-series lenses. This is no small feat, especially for a lens that also manages to maintain a relatively small form factor. The advanced optical design of the lens helps ensure detailed imagery is captured throughout the zoom range and even when shooting wide open.
- Two Ultra-low Dispersion (UD) elements are located at the front of the lens design, a configuration previously found only on L-series lenses, which correct chromatic aberration and reduce the weight of the front lens group.
- Two glass-molded aspherical elements suppress aberrations and help maintain a compact overall lens size.
- Super Spectra Coating (SSC) reduces backlit flaring and ghosting for maintained light transmission and high contrast in strong lighting condition.
Fast Autofocus and Built-In Stabilization
Make the most of your lens' high-quality optics by using the RF 28-70mm's fast stepper (STM) autofocus system and Optical Image Stabilizer to ensure tack-sharp imagery. These two features will help lock onto your subjects and make sure that camera shake is controlled.
- Stepper (STM) autofocus motor is fast and silent for optimal operation during both still and video capture.
- Focus breathing is well controlled, resulting in smooth rack focuses during video recording.
- Optical Image Stabilizer is rated for up to 5.5 stops on its own or up to 7.5 stops when used in coordination with a compatible camera's built-in stabilization system.
- This system will help reduce blur from camera shake when shooting handheld, even in dark shooting situations and with longer shutter speeds.
Lightweight and Compact Design
Key to the RF 28-70mm's success is the physical construction. It is small, lightweight, and durable. A weather-sealed construction, like L-series glass, helps ensure this lens is capable of being used rain or shine. This makes it a reliable choice for photographers and videographers.
- Collapsible design keeps lens size even more compact when not in use.
- Customizable Control Ring and smooth manual focus ring allow for tactile operation of the lens.
- Weather-sealed construction enables operation in less-than-ideal weather conditions.
