Canon RF 28-70mm F2.8 IS STM 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 F2.8 IS STM if
- You need more reach: 70mm vs 50mm at the long end
- You shoot handheld in dim light or video: it has optical image stabilization and the Tamron 16-50mm f/2.8 A does not
- You care about the shape of out-of-focus highlights: 9 aperture blades vs 7
- Our notes say it suits: Everyday photography, travel, video
Pick the Tamron 16-50mm f/2.8 A if
- You want the lighter lens to carry: 190 g lighter (305 g vs 495 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 0.27 m
- You prefer a newer design: released 2026 vs 2024
Spec differences
15 differences| Canon RF 28-70mm F2.8 IS STM | Tamron 16-50mm f/2.8 A | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand |
Canon
|
Tamron
|
| Format |
Full frame
|
not listed
|
| Focal length |
28-70mm
|
16-50mm
|
| Weight |
495 g
|
305 g
lighter
|
| Length |
92.2 mm
|
not listed
|
| Diameter |
76.5 mm
|
not listed
|
| Filter thread |
67 mm
|
55 mm
|
| Min focus distance |
0.27 m
|
0.15 m
closer
|
| Max magnification |
0.24×
larger
|
0.22×
|
| Aperture blades |
9
more blades
|
7
|
| Optical design |
15 elements / 12 groups
|
14 elements / 10 groups
|
| Autofocus motor |
STM
|
not listed
|
| Image stabilization |
Yes
stabilized
|
No
|
| Weather sealing |
not listed
|
Yes
|
| Released |
2024
|
2026
|
3 identical specs hidden: mount, type, max aperture. Show all
- Mount
- Canon RF both
- Type
- Zoom both
- Max aperture
- f/2.8 both
Our notes
Canon RF 28-70mm F2.8 IS STM
A compact f/2.8 standard zoom for Canon RF full-frame cameras with stabilization and stepping-motor autofocus.
Pros
- Constant f/2.8
- Small and light (495 g)
- Image stabilization
Cons
- Starts at 28mm
- Narrower range than a 24-70
- Relies on digital corrections
Our notes
Tamron 16-50mm f/2.8 A
More comparisons
Canon RF 28-70mm F2.8 IS STM vs Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary
more reach (70mm) vs 195 g lighter
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 F2.8 IS STM vs Sigma 50-120mm f/2.8 DC OS Contemporary
wider (28mm) vs 85 g lighter
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 F2.8 IS STM vs Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD
0.24× magnification vs wider (17mm)