Canon RF 28mm f/2.8 STM 28mm
Weighing just 120g with a pancake design, this lens stands out as an ultra-portable full-frame 28mm f/2.8 prime that delivers edge-to-edge sharpness via three aspherical elements and Super Spectra Coating. Its budget-friendly price and 9-inch minimum focus distance make it a discreet, all-day companion for both full-frame and APS-C EOS R bodies. This lens is best for travel photographers and street shooters who prioritize a lightweight, low-profile setup without sacrificing wide-angle capability.
Snapshot
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong build (94th percentile) 94th
- Strong user sentiment (91st percentile) 91st
- Strong social proof (88th percentile) 88th
- Strong af (87th percentile) 87th
Cons
- Below average bokeh (15th percentile)
- Below average aperture (23rd percentile)
- Below average versatility (34th percentile)
What owners think
How owner sentiment changed over time
ExclusiveBased on when customers actually wrote their reviews - so you can see whether early praise held up.
Based on 55 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.
The proof
Performance
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Wide-angle |
| Focal Length Min | 28 |
| Focal Length Max | 28 |
| Elements | 8 |
| Groups | 6 |
| Aspherical Elements | 3 |
| Coating | Super Spectra Coating |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/22 |
| Min Aperture | f/2.8 |
| Constant | Yes |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 |
Build
| Mount | Canon RF |
| Format | full-frame |
| Weather Sealed | No |
| Weight | 0.1 kg / 0.3 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 55 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | STM |
| Stabilization | No |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 231 |
| Max Magnification | 0.17x |
vs Competition
| Spec | Canon RF 28mm f/2.8 STM 28mm | Tamron Di III 28-75mm f/2.8 VXD G2 | Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR | Panasonic LUMIX S S-R2060 | Viltrox WCL-X100VI | Altura Photo NIKKOR YZ0308 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 28mm | 28-75mm | 16-50mm | 20-60mm | 9mm | - |
| Max Aperture | f/22 | f/2.8 | f/3.5 | f/3.5 | f/2.8 | f/3.5 |
| Mount | Canon RF | Sony E | Nikon Z | L-Mount | Fujifilm X | Screw-on lens fits camera lenses with a 55mm front filter thread |
| Stabilization | false | false | true | false | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | false | true | false | true | false | false |
| Weight (g) | 120 | 540 | 135 | 350 | 130 | 320 |
| AF Type | STM | VXD | Stepping Motor | stepping motor | Autofocus | STM |
| Lens Type | wide-angle | zoom | zoom | zoom | wide-angle | wide-angle |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | AF | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | User Sentiment | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon RF 28mm f/2.8 STM 28mm | 86.9 | 14.5 | 94.3 | 39.6 | 59.7 | 22.6 | 90.8 | 33.6 | 87.9 | 37.9 |
| Tamron Di III 28-75mm f/2.8 VXD G2 Compare | 54.6 | 88.1 | 67.2 | 87.3 | 87.8 | 85.8 | 80.4 | 78.2 | 83.1 | 37.9 |
| Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR Compare | 86.9 | 77.8 | 91.8 | 42.4 | 71.5 | 79.8 | 0 | 82.9 | 73.7 | 94.9 |
| Panasonic LUMIX S S-R2060 Compare | 86.9 | 86.1 | 80.6 | 66.2 | 76.4 | 79.8 | 0 | 81.4 | 64.9 | 37.9 |
| Viltrox WCL-X100VI Compare | 54.6 | 83.5 | 92.7 | 99.2 | 3.6 | 85.8 | 63.3 | 33.6 | 87.9 | 83.2 |
| Altura Photo NIKKOR YZ0308 Compare | 86.9 | 77.8 | 71.2 | 96.6 | 40.3 | 79.8 | 0 | 33.6 | 67.7 | 83.2 |
Price
Usage Scores
A full written review is coming soon. The specs, scores, prices and charts above are always up to date.
