Canon RF 28-70mm F2.0 L USM vs Tamron 16-50mm f/2.8 A
Both are Canon RF zoom lenses. Here is what actually differs.
Pick the Canon RF 28-70mm F2.0 L USM if
- You need 1 stop more light for low light or background blur (f/2 vs f/2.8)
- You need more reach: 70mm vs 50mm at the long end
- You care about the shape of out-of-focus highlights: 9 aperture blades vs 7
- Our notes say it suits: Weddings, portraits, low-light events
Pick the Tamron 16-50mm f/2.8 A if
- You want the lighter lens to carry: 1125 g lighter (305 g vs 1430 g)
- You want a wider view: 16mm vs 28mm at the wide end
- You shoot close-ups: it focuses down to 0.15 m vs 0.39 m
- You want bigger close-ups: 0.22× vs 0.18× maximum magnification
- You prefer a newer design: released 2026 vs 2018
Spec differences
15 differences| Canon RF 28-70mm F2.0 L USM | Tamron 16-50mm f/2.8 A | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand |
Canon
|
Tamron
|
| Format |
Full frame
|
not listed
|
| Focal length |
28-70mm
|
16-50mm
|
| Max aperture |
f/2
1 stop faster
|
f/2.8
|
| Weight |
1430 g
|
305 g
lighter
|
| Length |
139.8 mm
|
not listed
|
| Diameter |
103.8 mm
|
not listed
|
| Filter thread |
95 mm
|
55 mm
|
| Min focus distance |
0.39 m
|
0.15 m
closer
|
| Max magnification |
0.18×
|
0.22×
larger
|
| Aperture blades |
9
more blades
|
7
|
| Optical design |
19 elements / 13 groups
|
14 elements / 10 groups
|
| Autofocus motor |
USM
|
not listed
|
| Weather sealing |
not listed
|
Yes
|
| Released |
2018
|
2026
|
3 identical specs hidden: mount, type, image stabilization. Show all
- Mount
- Canon RF both
- Type
- Zoom both
- Image stabilization
- No both
Our notes
Canon RF 28-70mm F2.0 L USM
A large-aperture standard zoom for Canon RF full-frame cameras with a constant f/2 aperture. No image stabilization; large and heavy.
Pros
- f/2 across the zoom range
- Replaces several primes
- Weather-sealed L build
Cons
- No image stabilization
- Very heavy (1.43 kg)
- Large 95mm filter thread
Our notes
Tamron 16-50mm f/2.8 A
More comparisons
Canon RF 28-70mm F2.0 L USM vs Sigma 17-40mm f/1.8 DC
more reach (70mm) vs ⅓ stop faster
Canon RF 15-35mm F2.8 L IS USM vs Tamron 16-50mm f/2.8 A
wider (15mm) vs 535 g lighter
Canon RF 28-70mm F2.0 L USM vs Sigma 17-40mm F1.8 DC | Art 025
more reach (70mm) vs ⅓ stop faster
Canon RF 24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z vs Tamron 16-50mm f/2.8 A
more reach (105mm) vs 1025 g lighter
Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary vs Tamron 16-50mm f/2.8 A
0.36× magnification vs wider (16mm)
Canon RF 28-70mm F2.0 L USM vs Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD
1 stop faster vs wider (17mm)