Photo: GodeNehler (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Quick answer
Canon's wide-angle prime with image stabilization and USM focusing, introduced in 2012. It takes 58mm filters and is lighter than the f/1.8 USM.
Pros
- Image stabilization
- Quiet USM focus
- Compact
- Close focusing
Cons
- f/2.8 is modest
- Some distortion
- Corners soften wide open
Verdict
A useful stabilized wide prime. The 24mm and 35mm IS siblings give a matching set.
About this lens
Canon EF 28mm f/2.8 IS USM: a wide-angle prime lens with a 28mm focal length and a maximum aperture of f/2.8, made for Canon EF mount cameras, with Image Stabilizer and ultrasonic-motor autofocus. The wide view suits landscapes, architecture and environmental shots.
Canon EF 28mm f/2.8 IS USM specifications
- Brand
- Canon
- Mount
- Canon EF
- Focal length
- 28mm
- Maximum aperture
- f/2.8
- Lens type
- Prime
- Format coverage
- full-frame
- Released
- 2012
- Optical construction
- 9 elements in 7 groups
- Aperture blades
- 7
- Image stabilization
- Yes
- Autofocus motor
- USM
- Minimum focus distance
- 0.23 m
- Maximum magnification
- 0.2x
- Filter thread
- 58 mm
- Weight
- 260 g
- Length
- 51.5 mm
- Diameter
- 68.4 mm
Specification source: global.canon
What can you shoot with the Canon EF 28mm f/2.8 IS USM?
- Handheld video
- Travel
- Street and documentary
Its bright maximum aperture handles indoor and evening light reasonably well.
Full-frame equivalent and field of view
Calculated from the focal length and crop factor. Not measured.
| Sensor | Crop | Equivalent | Horizontal FOV | Diagonal FOV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full frame | 1.0x | 28mm | 65.5° | 75.4° |
| APS-C | 1.6x | 45mm | 43.8° | 51.6° |
Frequently asked questions
Does the Canon EF 28mm f/2.8 IS USM have image stabilization?
Yes, Canon rates its optical stabilizer at four stops. That helps with video and slow shutter speeds.
What filter size does the EF 28mm f/2.8 IS USM take?
58mm, the same as the EF 24mm f/2.8 IS USM, so polarizers can be shared between the two.
Is the EF 28mm f/2.8 IS USM better than the f/1.8 USM?
It is more compact and stabilized, but the f/1.8 gains over a stop of light. Choose by whether stabilization or aperture matters more.
Alternatives for Canon EF from other brands
All Canon EF lensesSame mount, overlapping focal range, closest maximum aperture first.
