Today is a big lens announcement day for Canon with the arrival of the RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM Z, this new hybrid lens has been design for the EOS R system and offers a new take on the popular zoom range. While Canon already offer a 70-200mm in the RF fit this new option is design to complement Canon’s range of RF hybrid optics that have been design for the new generation of hybrid shooters looking for a lens that is equally at home shooting video or photography. The 70-200mm range is popular for sports and wildlife as well as journalism and filmmaking, with key characteristics for this new addition being the enhanced stabilisation and electronic parfocal performance that make this lens a great option for professionals in many disciplines.
Read more on Canon’s latest lens announcements:
Canon RF 24mm F1.4L VCM
Canon RF 50mm F1.4L VCM
Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM Z
Canon RF-S 7.8mm F4 STM DUAL
As with Canon’s other lenses in this focal range, the new RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM Z offers a handy focal length range and again offers a constant f/2.8 aperture, which is ideally suited for general shooting as well as low-light needs providing shallow depth-of-field options. The lense also integrates a 5.5-stop Optical Image Stabiliser, which is absolutely essential for maintaining stability, especially in fast paced shooting conditions where you may need to use a slower shutter speed that you would ordinarily want. This in lens stabilisation feature, combined with focus breathing suppression, is ideal for videographers aiming for smooth, cinematic shots, and is part of the design that differentiates this lens from the RF 70-200mm that is alreay availble. To ensure the best possible image quality for both stills and video the lens features an 11-blade circular aperture, this aperture design helps to boost the bokeh quality to create stunning background blur.
One of the big features of this lens is its compatibility with Canon’s Power Zoom Adapters, including the PZ-E2 and the PZ-E2B, this enables you to convert the lens in a few seconds from a standard stills lens into something more akin with Canon’s Broadcast lenses. These zoom adapters essentially bolt to the site of the lens and enable servo zoom control, either manually or remotely through Canon’s Camera Connect or EOS Utility applications. This enables you to use your EOS R camera either handheld or as part of a larger rig or studio setups, where remote control can be a huge advantage. As well as offering direct and remote control, the Power Zoom Adapters also support Canon’s Zoom Servo Grip, further enhancing the comfort of handling and precise zoom control.
As this new lens is aimed at professionals, the RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM Z is designed with weather-sealing, and an interesting option is that it will be available in both black and white heat-resistant finishes, ensuring durability in varied environments. Taking a quick look at the element configuration, it includes two Super UD lenses, one UD lens, and three aspherical lenses— and if it’s as good as the other RF 70-200mm, then it will be sure to deliver sharp, high-contrast images across the zoom range. As ever, the lens will feature Canon’s advanced coatings, like Super Spectra and Air Sphere Coating (ASC), which aid the light transmission to enhance image quality by minimising ghosting and flare.
Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM Z Specifications
- Focal Length: 70-200mm, compatible with RF 1.4x and RF 2x extenders
- Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
- Minimum Aperture: f/22
- Lens Construction: 18 elements in 15 groups
- Special Optics: 3 Aspherical elements (including 2 GMo and 1 replica aspherical element), 2 Super UD elements, 1 UD element
- Coatings: ASC, Super Spectra, front fluorine coating for dust and dirt resistance
- Angle of View: Horizontal 29° – 10°, Vertical 19° 30′ – 7°, Diagonal 34° – 12°
- Closest Focusing Distance: 0.49m at 70mm, 0.68m at 200mm
- Maximum Magnification: 0.3x (at 200mm)
- Aperture Blades: 11-blade circular diaphragm
- AF Actuator: Dual Nano USM
- Image Stabilisation: Optical IS with 5.5 stops (on EOS R8, centre), up to 7.5 stops with IBIS + OIS (on EOS R1, centre)
- Iris Ring: Smooth control for manual aperture adjustments
- Control Ring: Customisable for additional settings
- Dust/Moisture Resistance: Yes, with protective rubber ring on the lens mount
- Exterior Coating: White model with heat shield coating, Black model with standard coating
- Dimensions: 88.5mm max diameter x 199mm length (retracted state)
- Weight: 1115g for white model (excluding tripod mount), 1110g for black model (excluding tripod mount)
- Filter Diameter: 82mm
- Lens Cap: E-82 II
- Lens Hood: ET-88C (WIII for white model, B for black model)
- Lens Case/Pouch: LZ1328
- Rear Cap: Lens Dust Cap RF
- Power Zoom Adapter Compatibility: PZ-E2 / PZ-E2B
- Extender Compatibility: Compatible with RF extenders only
Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM Z price and availability
Priced at approximately £2,700 ($3,000)
For availability, check out URL: Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM Z
Price: £2,700 / $3,000
Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM Z sample images
