Review
Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR II Review: APS-C's Best Standard Zoom
The redesigned 16-55 finally adds OIS and trims weight, making it the obvious choice for Fuji X shooters.
4.7
Head to head
Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM vs Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM
A direct, no-fluff comparison: specs, pros and cons, pricing, and the scenarios where each one earns its keep.
Spec snapshot
| Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM | Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM | |
|---|---|---|
| Price (USD) | $2899 | $2299 |
| Our rating | 4.7/5 | 4.7/5 |
| Category | camera-lenses | camera-lenses |
| Pros | 3 | 4 |
| Cons | 2 | 2 |
The case for each
Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM
4.7
Pros
- +500mm reach in a manageable size
- +Sharp throughout zoom
- +5-stop IS
Cons
- −Variable aperture
- −Slow at 500mm in low light
Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM
4.7
Pros
- +Built-in IS
- +Sharp across the zoom range
- +Rugged weather-sealed build
- +Excellent for hybrid shooters
Cons
- −Heavy
- −Expensive
Winner by use case
Vlogging & videoCanon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM
Low-light photographyTie
Value for moneyTie
Pro & enterprise useCanon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM
BeginnersTie
Inferred from each camera's pros and review focus. Treat as a starting point, then read the full reviews for nuance.
Common questions
Is the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM better than the Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM?
It depends on what you shoot. Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM scores 4.7/5 in our review, while the Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM scores 4.7/5. See the spec table and use-case breakdown above for our verdict.
Which is cheaper, the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM or the Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM?
Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM sells around $2899, and Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM around $2299. The Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM is the cheaper of the two.
Which one is better for beginners?
Both are capable, but beginners usually do better with whichever has the simpler interface and more forgiving autofocus. Read the "Winner by use case" section above for our specific call.
Should I upgrade from the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM to the Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM?
Only if the gap in features you actually use is wide. If you already own one, the marginal upgrade is rarely worth the cost unless a specific shortcoming is blocking your work.
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