Canon has announced a new multi-purpose standard zoom lens for its full-frame mirrorless cameras, the RF 28-70mm F2.8 IS STM.
At just 490g, the 28-70mm F2.8 looks like the perfect match for Canon’s enthusiast-level cameras such as the EOS R8 and EOS R6 Mark II. And with its constant f/2.8 aperture throughout the zoom range, it’s a compelling upgrade from Canon’s kit lens for such cameras, the RF 24-50mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM, with the added benefit of slightly longer reach.
The new standard zoom costs £1,249.99 (bear with us while we track down US and Australian pricing), which is almost the same as the retail price of an EOS R8. It’s not cheap, but it’s not the most expensive lens Canon offers for its mirrorless cameras either.
Is this Canon's best-looking standard zoom lens yet?
Canon already has other standard zoom lenses in its RF range, but the RF 28-70mm F2.8 seems to strike a perfect balance between portability, a consistently wide aperture and decent value.
The significantly cheaper 24-105mm F4-7.1 is another of Canon's kit lenses. It's even lighter and has a longer reach, but it doesn't offer the constant f/2.8 aperture of this new lens and is an entry-level model in optical terms.
Then there are Canon's professional L-series lenses, which are a totally different proposition, all of them considerably larger, heavier and, for the most part, much more expensive.
Other L-series options, recognizable by a distinctive red ring that other standard Canon lenses lack, include the RF 24-105mm F4L IS USM, arguably the closest alternative to the RF 28-70mm F2.8, with greater reach but a smaller constant f/4 aperture, and it's 50% heavier.
Canon's RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM and the mammoth Canon RF 28-70mm F2L USM are in a different league in terms of price and features than the RF 28-70mm F2.8 IS SM, and are designed for professionals who want the best performance and are willing to pay for it (and carry it around).
Still, the RF 28-70mm F2.8 has 5.5 stops of optical image stabilization and is also weather-resistant, so it can take a beating. It also has a customizable focus/control ring that changes its function depending on the focus mode you've selected.
This new lens is clearly positioned as a step forward for enthusiasts who want a multi-purpose zoom without having to lug it around, and is a worthy addition to Canon's full-frame lens line-up. It could be the only upgrade lens you ever need.
