Head to head

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM vs Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2

A direct, no-fluff comparison: specs, pros and cons, pricing, and the scenarios where each one earns its keep.

Spec snapshot

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USMTamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2
Price (USD)$2299$899
Our rating4.7/54.6/5
Categorycamera-lensescamera-lenses
Pros43
Cons22

The case for each

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
Full review →

Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2

4.6

Pros

  • +Excellent sharpness
  • +Half the weight of the GM equivalent
  • +Great value

Cons

  • 28mm wide end (not 24)
  • Plastic build
Full review →

Winner by use case

Vlogging & videoCanon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM
Low-light photographyTie
Value for moneyTie
Pro & enterprise useTie
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 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM better than the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2?

It depends on what you shoot. Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM scores 4.7/5 in our review, while the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 scores 4.6/5. See the spec table and use-case breakdown above for our verdict.

Which is cheaper, the Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM or the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2?

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM sells around $2299, and Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 around $899. The Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 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 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM to the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2?

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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