The new Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM Z lens is designed specifically for Canon’s mirrorless EOS R cameras, promising improved optics and advanced video features. Here’s a look at just how special it is.

Coming to you from Christopher Frost, this practical video walks you through how the Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM Z performs in real-world scenarios. Frost emphasizes that the lens, while fairly hefty at 2.4 pounds, aligns well with other internal zoom lenses in its class. It includes robust weather-sealing, essential for outdoor photographers, and compatibility with Canon’s teleconverters to extend focal length. Frost also demonstrates the impressive image stabilization—5.5 stops, increasing to 7.5 when paired with a camera body featuring built-in stabilization. He highlights minor quirks, like a smoothly turning aperture ring restricted to video mode on older cameras, and hints at future firmware updates that could expand functionality.

Key Specs

• Focal Length: 70 to 200mm

• Aperture: f/2.8 to f/22

• Image Stabilization: 5.5 stops

• Minimum Focus Distance: 1.6′

• Optical Design: 18 Elements in 15 Groups

• Diaphragm Blades: 11

• Filter Size: 82mm

• Dimensions: 3.5 x 7.8″

• Weight: 2.4 lbs

According to Frost, sharpness across the zoom range is outstanding. At the widest end (70mm), center sharpness is excellent wide open at f/2.8, though corner sharpness peaks when stopped down slightly to f/4. At mid-range focal lengths (around 120mm), corner sharpness is razor-sharp even at maximum aperture, maintaining this level up to 200mm. Frost specifically notes that this new lens outperforms Canon’s previous RF 70-200mm f/2.8, making it the sharpest telephoto zoom Canon has ever produced.

When it comes to APS-C sensors, the lens continues to perform impressively, maintaining strong center and corner sharpness throughout the zoom range, even wide open. Frost notes slight corner softness at 200mm on APS-C sensors, but it’s negligible enough that stopping down doesn’t notably improve the result.

Frost also checks distortion and vignetting performance. At 70mm, distortion is minimal, but there’s noticeable vignetting wide open, clearing up around f/4. At 200mm, moderate pincushion distortion and pronounced vignetting appear, but again, stopping down reduces these effects significantly. Close-up image quality is another standout, with sharp results even at the minimum focus distance of just under two feet.

In practical tests against harsh lighting conditions, Frost points out minimal lens flare, solidifying this lens as a reliable performer in challenging scenarios. Out-of-focus backgrounds appear smooth and attractive, although highlights occasionally exhibit subtle onion-ring patterns—minor enough to rarely cause distraction. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Frost.