Canon RF 15-35mm F2.8 L IS USM vs Tamron 16-50mm f/2.8 A
Both are Canon RF lenses. Here is what actually differs.
Pick the Canon RF 15-35mm F2.8 L IS USM if
- You want a wider view: 15mm vs 16mm at the wide 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: Landscapes and astro, events and interiors, video
Pick the Tamron 16-50mm f/2.8 A if
- You want the lighter lens to carry: 535 g lighter (305 g vs 840 g)
- You need more reach: 50mm vs 35mm at the long end
- You shoot close-ups: it focuses down to 0.15 m vs 0.28 m
- You prefer a newer design: released 2026 vs 2019
Spec differences
16 differences| Canon RF 15-35mm F2.8 L IS USM | Tamron 16-50mm f/2.8 A | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand |
Canon
|
Tamron
|
| Type |
Wide Zoom
|
Zoom
|
| Format |
Full frame
|
not listed
|
| Focal length |
15-35mm
|
16-50mm
|
| Weight |
840 g
|
305 g
lighter
|
| Length |
126.8 mm
|
not listed
|
| Diameter |
88.5 mm
|
not listed
|
| Filter thread |
82 mm
|
55 mm
|
| Min focus distance |
0.28 m
|
0.15 m
closer
|
| Max magnification |
0.21×
|
0.22×
larger
|
| Aperture blades |
9
more blades
|
7
|
| Optical design |
16 elements / 12 groups
|
14 elements / 10 groups
|
| Autofocus motor |
USM
|
not listed
|
| Image stabilization |
Yes
stabilized
|
No
|
| Weather sealing |
not listed
|
Yes
|
| Released |
2019
|
2026
|
2 identical specs hidden: mount, max aperture. Show all
- Mount
- Canon RF both
- Max aperture
- f/2.8 both
Our notes
Canon RF 15-35mm F2.8 L IS USM
A wide-angle zoom for Canon RF full-frame cameras with a constant f/2.8 aperture and image stabilization, for landscape, event and video work.
Pros
- Constant f/2.8
- Image stabilization
- Weather-sealed L build
- Sharp across the frame
Cons
- Heavy for a wide zoom (840 g)
- 82mm filter thread
- Relies on in-camera correction
Our notes
Tamron 16-50mm f/2.8 A
More comparisons
Canon RF 15-35mm F2.8 L IS USM vs Laowa 8-15mm f/2.8 FF Zoom Fisheye
more reach (35mm) vs wider (8mm)
Canon RF 15-35mm F2.8 L IS USM vs Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary
wider (15mm) vs 540 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
Canon RF 15-35mm F2.8 L IS USM vs Sigma 10-18mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary
more reach (35mm) vs 570 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 15-35mm F2.8 L IS USM vs Tamron 11-20mm f/2.8 Di III-A RXD
more reach (35mm) vs wider (11mm)