Cameras Ranked

16–28 Canon RF 16-28mm F2.8 IS STM

The Canon RF 16-28mm F2.8 IS STM is a zoom lens for Canon RF (Full frame) that covers 16-28 mm at f/2.8, weighs 445 g and focuses as close as 0.25 m at 16 mm, 0.2 m at 28 mm. Next to 3 other full frame Canon RF zoom lenses in its focal range, it suits you if you carry it all day or travel light, or you shoot in low light or want a blurrier background. If you want more reach at the long end, every other one that does better on reach gives up weight.

  • f/2.8widest aperture
  • 445 gweight
  • 17bodies it fits
To one scale. Canon RF 16-28mm F2.8 IS STM: length 91 mm, diameter 76.5 mm, filter thread 67 mm.91 mmø76.5
To scale from the maker's length and diameter, the mount on the left and the filter thread in yellow at the front. The rings are drawn, not measured.

Compare it with the Canon RF 15-35mm F2.8 L IS USMAll Canon RF lenses

To one scale. Canon RF 16-28mm F2.8 IS STM: length 91 mm, diameter 76.5 mm, filter thread 67 mm.91 mmø76.5
To scale from the maker's length and diameter, the mount on the left and the filter thread in yellow at the front. The rings are drawn, not measured.

Where it sits

4 lenses

Full frame Canon RF zoom lenses in its focal range that state each value, this one included. Each tick is one; the thick one is this one.

Bodies it fits

17 bodies

All cameras, by maker and mount

Compared with

2 comparisons

Specifications

Focal length
16-28 mm1
Widest aperture
f/2.82
Closest focus
0.25 m at 16 mm, 0.2 m at 28 mm3
Maximum magnification
0.11x at 16 mm, 0.26x at 28 mm3
Stabilization
5.5 stops (lens only)3
Mount
Canon RF3
Covers
Full frame
Type
Zoom
Weight
445 g3
Length
91 mm (retracted)3
Diameter
76.5 mm3
Filter thread
67 mm3
Elements
163
Groups
133
Aperture blades
93
Weather sealed
Yes3
Focus motor
Leadscrew-type STM3
Hood
EW-73E (sold separately)3

Sources

  1. Wikidata, checked Oct 9, 2026 (CC0 1.0)
  2. www.canon.de, cited by Wikidata for Widest aperture (Wikidata checked Oct 9, 2026; we didn't read this page)
  3. Canon product specifications, checked Oct 6, 2026

Worked out by code, not stated by a source

  • Read from the lens name: each maker marks the sensor size a lens covers (Sony FE/E, Canon RF/RF-S, Nikon DX, Tamron Di III/Di III-A, Sigma DG/DC); every Fujifilm X lens is APS-C and every Micro Four Thirds lens is Four Thirds.
  • Prime or zoom, read from the focal length in the lens name.

Each value is checked automatically against the source it links, on the date shown. How we build these pages

† The makers' own tables, row by row, with labels in our plain words (translated where the maker's page isn't in English); each row's numbers are checked against the page it links.

More

Full specifications†

Show all 18 rows
Full specificationsCanon RF 16-28mm F2.8 IS STM3
Diagonal angle of view108°10′ to 75°00′ (Diagonal)
Horizontal angle of view98°00′ to 65°00′ (Horizontal)
Vertical angle of view74°10′ to 46°00′ (Vertical)
Closest focusing distance0.25/0.82 (f=16mm)
Closest focusing distance0.2/0.66 (f=28mm)
Lens construction13, 16
Diameter and length76.5 × 91.0 (Retracted)
Drive systemLeadscrew-type STM
Filter size67
Max magnification0.11x (f=16mm)
Max magnification0.26x (f=28mm)
Minimum aperture22
Diaphragm blades9
Anti-dust and moistureAvailable
Weight445
Included lens capLens Cap E-67II & Lens Dust Cap RF (included)
Lens hoodEW-73E (sold separately)
Lens bagLP1116 (sold separately)

How the pick works

  1. Widest aperture3

    Lower wins once they are 0.3 apart.

  2. Weight2

    Lower wins from a 12% gap.

  3. Focal length (longest)2

    Higher wins from a 15% gap.

  4. Focal length (widest)2

    Lower wins once they are 2 mm apart.

  5. Optical stabilization1

    Having it wins.

  6. Closest focus, wide end1

    Lower wins from a 15% gap. Compared only between lenses of the same focal length (widest).

  7. Filter thread0.5

    Lower wins once they are 5 mm apart.

  8. Lead for a pick1

Our pick or our take adds up the importance of each real difference, with these importances and thresholds: a gap smaller than its row's threshold is too close to call and counts as the same. They are our editorial choice, not a measurement, the same on every page, and they never read prices, sales or who sells it.

Paid placements0

How we rank, in full