Canon RF 28-70mm F/2.8 IS STM Lens

The Canon RF 28‑70mm f/2.8 IS STM is a versatile, fast‑aperture standard zoom lens designed for Canon RF‑mount full‑frame mirrorless cameras. It delivers a constant f/2.8 maximum aperture across the entire 28–70mm zoom range, allowing consistent exposure control, enhanced low‑light performance, and the ability to achieve shallow depth‑of‑field effects from wide to short telephoto. This blend of speed and flexibility makes it suitable for a wide range of photographic and video applications.

Optically, the lens uses 15 elements in 12 groups, incorporating Ultra‑Low Dispersion (UD) glass to suppress chromatic aberration and improve sharpness, contrast, and overall image quality throughout the frame. A rounded 9‑blade diaphragm contributes to smooth and pleasing background rendering, enhancing subject isolation whether shooting portraits or creative visuals.

The built‑in Optical Image Stabilization (IS) system provides approximately 5.5 stops of shake correction on its own, helping ensure sharp handheld images in low‑light conditions. When paired with a Canon camera body that features In‑Body Image Stabilization (IBIS), coordinated IS can deliver up to about 7.5 stops of combined stabilization, greatly enhancing handheld performance for both stills and video.

Autofocus is driven by a lead‑screw‑type Stepping Motor (STM) with a built‑in magnetic sensor, providing fast, smooth, and near‑silent focusing — a benefit for shooting both still photography and video with minimal noise and quick subject acquisition. The lens’s autofocus performance is precise and responsive, even in dynamic shooting scenarios.

The lens’s focal range covers classic everyday perspectives: at 28mm, it’s wide enough for landscapes, environmental portraits, and street photography; at 50mm, it approximates the classic normal view; and at 70mm, it excels at tighter portraits and short‑telephoto compositions. With a minimum focusing distance of approximately 0.27 m (27 cm) and a maximum magnification of 0.24×, the lens also allows for detailed close‑up capture beyond typical zoom capabilities.

Canon designed this zoom to be compact and lightweight relative to most fast‑aperture lenses: when retracted, its length is approximately 92.2 mm, and it weighs about 495 g — making it one of the more portable constant‑f/2.8 zooms in its class. Its collapsible structure and optimized IS unit contribute to the compact form factor without compromising optical performance or functionality.

In terms of handling, the lens features a configurable control ring that can be assigned to key exposure functions such as aperture, ISO, or exposure compensation, giving photographers tactile control at their fingertips. A weather‑resistant design with dust and moisture sealing enhances reliability for outdoor shooting in less‑than‑ideal conditions.

The Canon RF 28‑70mm f/2.8 IS STM excels as an all‑around standard zoom, delivering a blend of bright constant aperture performance, effective stabilization, responsive autofocus, and high‑quality optics in a compact and travel‑friendly package. It is well‑suited to portraiture, street and documentary photography, landscapes, events, everyday shooting, and hybrid photo/video workflows — making it an ideal choice for enthusiasts and creators seeking performance and flexibility in a single lens.