Should I Get the Canon RF 70-200mm F4 or F2.8 L IS USM Lens?

The short answer is "Get both." Otherwise, read on.

In this comparison, we look at a pair of stand-out professional-grade lenses in the ultra-popular 70-200mm focal length range, frequently used for photographing people and people participating in events, including sports. Landscape and product photography are two additional popular uses for these lenses. In addition to being so useful, lenses in this class also represent some of the longest focal length and widest aperture combinations available in an affordable, easily carryable lens.

Canon has long had a pair of 70-200mm image stabilized lens options in their lineup, and while their sizes and weights were reasonable, these were relatively long, heavy, fixed-size lenses that commanded a significant chunk of space in the case, requiring a horizontal position in most backpacks. Canon's first mirrorless 70-200mm lens option, the retracting RF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM Lens amazed us with its dramatically reduced size and weight, and the image quality produced by this lens was just as impressive.

Announced just over 1 year later, Canon RF 70-200mm F4 L IS USM Lens provided the second mirrorless option, featuring the same relative advantages as the F2.8 version.

The primary difference between these lenses from a use perspective is the maximum aperture opening. An f/2.8 aperture provides twice as much light to the imaging sensor as f/4, allowing it to do the same work in far darker conditions.

A wider aperture creates a shallower depth of field that results in a stronger background blur, and that is another big advantage of the f/2.8 lens.

While those two differences are tied directly to the required build specifications, the f/2.8 lens's modest image quality advantage is the result of optical design quality. The RF 70-200mm F2.8 vs. F4 lens image quality comparison shows the F2.8 lens as sharp (resolution and contrast) or sharper at f/2.8 as the f/4 lens at f/4. Equalized at f/4, the F2.8 lens has an advantage, and the two lenses perform more similarly at f/5.6.

The F2.8 lens has less lateral and spherical CA overall, shows modestly fewer flare effects at narrow apertures, and stopped down 1 stop, has less peripheral shading at 200mm f/4. The F2.8 lens has slightly better bokeh, creates better sunstars, and has less pincushion distortion at 200mm. The F4 lens has slight focus shift at narrow apertures and close focus distances.

Thanks primarily to the smaller lens elements required to create an f/4 aperture vs. an f/2.8 aperture, the F4 lens's big advantages are a considerably smaller size, lighter weight (about 2/3 as much), and lower price (about 43% less).

The Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM Lens vs. Canon RF 70-200mm F4 L IS USM Lens comparison shows the just-mentioned size and weight benefits of the f/4 aperture.

The F2.8 lens has a tripod mount ring, an advantage for rotating a camera mounted on a tripod or monopod, but the F4 lens isn't heavy enough to require such for balance purposes. The F4 lens has a modest maximum magnification advantage (0.28x vs. 0.23x). The F4 lens's zoom ring is located behind the focus ring and closer to the rear of the lens (an advantage), and its control ring positioned at the front of the lens is easier to use vs. the F2.8 lens's rear position. The F2.8 lens's hood has a filter adjustment window (that I don't like).

If the size, weight, and price differences are not an issue, get the F2.8 lens. I choose the F2.8 version most frequently, including for freezing low light action such as sports on a cloudy day, after the sun sets, or indoors, creating a stronger background blur, and creating starburst effects. This lens version is also the best option for portraits, weddings, and stage events. I also use this lens version for product photography and other close work where focus shift is not tolerable.

Otherwise, the F4 lens has your name on it. If hiking and traveling are on the agenda, small and light are likely more important than the f/2.8 aperture, and I likely have the F4 lens in my pack.

As hinted in the short answer, the ideal kit will include both lenses.

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