What is the RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM best used for?

Wedding & Events, Architecture, Landscape.

How much does the RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM cost in the UK?

The RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM starts from £2499 in the UK, available new at 2 retailers. Prices are tracked live on GearFrame.

Canon

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM

Name: RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM
Brand: Canon
Availability: InStock

Canon's flagship standard zoom for the RF system — covering the most versatile everyday range at a constant f/2.8 aperture with the rare addition of built-in image stabilisation. Weather-sealed and built to L-series standards, it delivers exceptional sharpness from corner to corner and is the definitive choice for professional events, weddings, and documentary work on any Canon RF body.

GearFrame's Take

The standard zoom most Canon RF shooters eventually land on — optically superb, IS-equipped, and built to last a decade of professional use.

Starting from

£2499 new

Used from £1331 (eBay)

Available at 2 retailers

Check price at Clifton Cameras

✓ Available at 2 retailers 🔒 No signup needed 📦 UK stock only

RetailerPrice

New

eBay

Lowest Buy It Now · marketplace

£1611

Search eBay →

Clifton Cameras

£2499

Check on Clifton Cameras →

Wex Photo Video

£2499

Check on Wex Photo Video →

Amazon

—

Check on Amazon →

Used

eBay used

Lowest Buy It Now · marketplace

£1331

Search eBay →

Prices are synced live from UK retailers. Not every product will be stocked by every retailer; older models may only be available second hand.

Value & Depreciation

£2330

Launch price

→

£2299

Today

Value drop

Over ~7 years, this lens has cost roughly £4/year to own (buy at launch price, sell today). That's one of the lower cost-per-year lenses in its class.

Core

Released

2019

Focal Length

24–70mm

Aperture

f/2.8

Compatible Mount

Canon RF

Dimensions

88.5mm diameter × 125.7mm length

Weight

900g

Weather Sealed

Yes

Optics & Focus

AF Motor

Dual Nano USM — fast, quiet, and responsive across the zoom range

Optical IS

5-stop IS (up to 8 stops combined with IBIS on compatible bodies)

Min. Focus Distance

21cm minimum focus distance

Select up to 2 cameras to compare against the RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM. It's always pinned as the baseline.

Select 1–3 cameras to compare

4 cameras compatible with the Canon RF mount.

GearScore™ — Suitability by Genre

Base score — computed from verified specs for an enthusiast shooting photo and video. Camera Match adjusts it for your skill level and priorities.

Portrait

7.7

Street

6.1

Travel

7.0

Wedding & Events

9.5

Vlogging & Video

6.0

Filmmaking

6.9

Documentary

7.6

Landscape

8.1

Casual

6.9

Food

7.1

Macro

6.2

Architecture

8.1

Astrophotography

7.1

Underwater

8.0

✅ Great For

💍

Wedding & Events 9.5 Strong on focal length, autofocus and optical quality. The constant f/2.8 and IS combination makes this the defining wedding zoom — covers ceremony to reception without a lens swap.

🏛️

Architecture 8.1 Strong on optical quality, focal length and filter compatibility.

🌄

Landscape 8.1 Strong on optical quality, focal length and weather sealing.

⚠️ Not Ideal For

No significant weak spots: every genre it can shoot scores 6 or more.

📝 How suitability scores are calculated GearScore™ genre scores are calculated from this camera's verified specifications — autofocus, sensor, weight, weather sealing and more — weighted by what matters for each type of photography. Where a spec sheet misses something (e.g. a manual-focus rangefinder for street), we apply a documented editorial adjustment. Scores are not based on customer reviews. See our full methodology →