Mirrorless cameras provide us with the opportunity to piece together a kit that best suits our style and skill set — from helpful camera accessories to lenses that help us capture more pleasing photographs. This level of choice can be a little overwhelming for beginners, so we thought we would take a look at two lenses that many photographers have difficulty choosing between.
The two lenses being compared here are the Canon RF 24-70mm f2.8L IS USM and the Canon RF 24-105mm f4L IS USM. Both are compatible with Canon EOS R mirrorless cameras, and as standard zooms, photographers buy these with the intention of keeping them on their camera for much of their daily shooting. With such an important role, which one do you choose? Let’s find out.
Last updated: June 2026
First Contender: Canon RF 24-70mm f2.8L IS USM
- Maximum aperture: f2.8
- Fast USM AF motor
- Dust and moisture-sealing with protective fluorine coating
- High-quality optical design: three aspherical, three special LD, and three glass-moulded lens elements
- Image Stabilisation
The Canon RF 24-70mm f2.8L IS USM covers a very usable wide-to-short-telephoto focal range. It can be left on the front of your EOS R camera and trusted to frame most of the things you’ll encounter on a daily basis — including street scenes, landscapes, and portraits. Being an L-series lens, it features excellent optics, including a range of high-end elements to ensure images are sharp and detailed throughout the entire zoom range. It is also ruggedly built, with dust and moisture-sealing as well as a protective fluorine coating applied to the front element.
The standout advantage of this lens is its constant f2.8 maximum aperture — a full stop faster than the 24-105mm. This makes it significantly better for low-light shooting and for producing shallower depths of field with beautiful background separation (bokeh). For portrait, event, and wedding photographers, this extra light-gathering ability is often worth the trade-off in zoom range.
Second Contender: Canon RF 24-105mm f4L IS USM
- Maximum aperture: f4
- Fast USM AF motor
- Dust and moisture-sealing with protective fluorine coating
- Image Stabilisation
- Lighter and more compact than the 24-70mm
As the name suggests, the Canon RF 24-105mm f4L IS USM ventures further into telephoto territory. While it might not sound like much, the extra 35mm of reach is a considerable difference in practice — you’re far less likely to encounter subjects you can’t frame without reaching for a second lens. This makes it an excellent travel and all-purpose lens for photographers who want to carry less.
Despite having a slower maximum aperture of f4, this lens is still quite suitable for low-light shooting thanks to its built-in Image Stabilisation. It also weighs approximately 200 grams less than the 24-70mm, making it noticeably more comfortable for extended shooting sessions.
So, which one should you choose?
Both lenses have a purpose and will be more suited to different photographers — there’s no universally right or wrong answer.
Choose the Canon RF 24-70mm f2.8L if: you shoot in challenging light conditions, prioritise subject separation and background blur, or work in portrait, event, or wedding photography where a fast aperture makes a real difference. Canon enthusiasts also note that due to its narrower zoom range, this lens performs consistently well with minimal distortion across the focal range.
Choose the Canon RF 24-105mm f4L if: you want maximum versatility in a single lens, shoot a wide variety of subjects, or travel frequently and want to minimise the number of lenses in your bag. Its extra reach and lighter weight make it an excellent everyday companion for landscape, travel, and documentary photographers.
In conclusion, both lenses are capable of excellent images and will please Canon EOS R shooters with different goals in mind. If image quality and low-light performance are paramount, the 24-70mm is the stronger performer. If versatility and portability are your priorities, the 24-105mm is the smarter choice.
Browse our full range of Canon RF lenses at Ted’s Cameras, or visit your nearest store for hands-on advice from our team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Canon RF 24-70mm f2.8L worth the extra cost over the 24-105mm f4L?
For photographers who regularly shoot in low light or need shallow depth of field — such as portrait, wedding, or event photographers — the f2.8 aperture of the 24-70mm is a meaningful advantage that justifies the price premium. For general-purpose or travel photography, the 24-105mm’s extra reach and lighter weight often make it the better value proposition.
Can I use these lenses on a Canon DSLR?
No — both the RF 24-70mm and RF 24-105mm are designed exclusively for Canon’s RF mount, which is used on Canon EOS R mirrorless cameras. They are not compatible with Canon EF-mount DSLRs without an adapter, and even then, the adapter only works in the other direction (EF lenses on RF bodies).
Which lens is better for video?
Both lenses are excellent for video on Canon EOS R cameras, with fast and quiet USM autofocus and Image Stabilisation. The 24-70mm f2.8 offers better low-light video performance and more cinematic background separation, while the 24-105mm f4 provides more flexibility in framing without changing position — useful for documentary or run-and-gun video work.
Do these lenses work with Canon’s in-body image stabilisation (IBIS)?
Yes — on Canon EOS R bodies that feature IBIS (such as the EOS R5 and R6 series), both lenses will work in conjunction with the camera’s IBIS system for enhanced stabilisation, known as Coordinated IS. This provides significantly better stabilisation than either the lens or body alone.
What is the weight difference between the two lenses?
The Canon RF 24-70mm f2.8L IS USM weighs approximately 900g, while the Canon RF 24-105mm f4L IS USM weighs approximately 700g — a difference of around 200g. Over a long day of shooting, this difference is noticeable, particularly when combined with a heavier camera body.