Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM
Announced August 28, 2019
PixelMeter The PixelMeter is our 1–100 aggregate of reviewer scores from trusted publications and creators. Weighted by source tier — not a raw average, and not PetaPixel’s own review.
Reviewer Consensus
Strong
The Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM is a versatile, high-performance ultra-wide zoom that excels in both photography and video applications. Although it carries a significant price tag and substantial physical bulk, the lens delivers impressive sharpness, effective image stabilization, and reliable weather sealing.
Weighted from 30 reviewer scores
Pros
- Excellent image quality with strong sharpness and contrast
- Fast, silent, and accurate autofocus performance
- Effective optical image stabilization for handheld shooting
- Robust, weather-sealed build quality suitable for professional use
- Useful ultra-wide focal range with minimal distortion
Cons
- High purchase price
- Heavy and bulky physical design
- Strong vignetting and edge softness at wide apertures
- Extending barrel mechanism
- Ergonomic issues with control ring placement
- Launch price $2,299 (USD)
- Focal length & aperture 15-35mm f/2.8
- Mount & coverage Canon RF Full-Frame
- Stabilization Optical IS, 5 stops (CIPA)
- Close focus 28 cm (0.21x)
- Filter thread 82mm
- Autofocus motor Nano ultrasonic
- Weight & size 840g (1 lb 13.6 oz) · 88.5 x 126.8 mm (3.48 x 4.99 in)
What the Reviewers Say
All 30 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
Is this product missing a reputable review? Share a link to a review article or YouTube video for consideration.
-
[...] Highly Recommended for EOS R owners.
- OpticalLimits 7.5/10
[I]f you are a professional photographer or pumped up financially, there'll be no need to look elsewhere anyway. Highly recommended!
-
If you can work around that one issue, this lens is a worthy addition to any camera bag. Some photographers won’t mind the vignetting after some modest corrections. It depends on your personal style and the type of photography you do.
-
Add the Canon RF 15-35mm F2.8 L IS USM Lens to a list of reasons to get a Canon EOS R-series mirrorless interchangeable lens camera.
-
The Canon RF 15-35mm F2.8L IS USM is a very important lens for Canon’s full frame mirrorless ecosystem.
-
Despite its huge price and huge size, it still comes highly recommended.
-
[I]s it one of the best wide-angle zooms on the market today? YES, it most certainly is.
-
This is a great lens to use that has a really useful focal length range and impeccable technical performance.
-
Image quality from this lens is fantastic and if you’re somebody who has a need for an ultra-wide-angle lens for the Canon full-frame mirrorless system, it’s hard to deny just how excellent it is. If you have the budget to spend on this lens, it comes very highly recommended.
-
Honestly, I love this lens. [I]f you are investing in mirrorless glass on Canon's side, you cannot go wrong with the 15-35mm f/2.8.
-
Canon wants to set high standards with its RF lenses, and the RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM largely meets our expectations.
-
The Canon RF 15-35mm F2.8 L IS USM is an ultra-wide zoom lens that's built to high standards, and includes both optical stabilization and an f/2.8 aperture—a rare combination among its peers.
-
The Canon RF 15-35mm F2.8L IS USM is undoubtedly an impressive lens offering a useful and versatile wide-angle focal range. [...] Still, images are sharp and features including optical image stabilization and weather sealing are highly useful.
- Photo Review 8.9/10
Its fast, constant f/2.8 maximum aperture will make it ideal for shooting in low-light interior conditions and for capturing atmospheric outdoor evening shots.
-
Fast, sharp, and versatile, the Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM lens is one of the best lenses for Canon RF cameras that money can buy.
-
While there is sticker shock involved, this thing is definitely worth it. For starters, it can be the only lens you have in your bag for a while.
-
The Canon 15-35mm f/2.8 is excellent. I really enjoyed using it, and despite it being quite heavy and having a big price tag, it delivers on all the other aspects I’m looking for in a lens.
-
The best thing for vlogging with this lens would have to be the fact that I'll be vlogging with a 16-35mm is awesome. It's always been awesome. It's my go-to lens for anytime anytime I'm filming myself holding the camera. But now the fact that it's image stabilized is awesome.
-
[A]s soon as the new 15-35mm lens was announced, I've been so excited and so far it has not let me down.
-
This is the best ultrawide zoom I've ever used. It's big, heavy and expensive, and worth it if you care about having the very best.
-
This is basically Canon’s mirrorless equivalent of the EF 16-35mm f/2.8 L USM III lens but is wider and has an image stabilizer that works very well.
- Darren Miles 47.5/50
To wrap up this review, we gave the Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM lens a 47.5 out of 50 and a highly recommended rating, just a half a point off the Editors Choice Award.
-
This thing's pretty good, so excellent image quality, super fast autofocus, and great stabilization.
- Photo Feaver 39/50
So I actually think it's a really good lens and definitely worth a spot in your camera bag if you're after a lens that can do both photography and also video.
-
A solid performer and if you can afford it, highly recommended.
-
So as a whole, it's a great lens, like if you have the money go for it. If you own the version 3 16-35mm, might not necessarily be worth it immediately, but in the end like I can still recommend this lens, right?
-
Let's summarize: a great super wide-angle all-rounder for 25 hundred dollars. Well, you need the money first, but you will get a super wide-angle zoom lens for the next decade.
-
I like everything about it. I love the focal length and this is probably my favorite RF mount lens right now, and compared to the EF mount lens it's better in a lot of ways.
-
In my opinion this is a wonderful investment and something that you should be thinking about if you're serious about making your content look more polished.
-
In my opinion, this piece of kit is about as close to perfect as it gets for a zoom lens. If you're thinking of investing in this lens, I strongly recommend it.
