Canon RF 24-105mm f/2.8 L IS USM Z
Announced November 2, 2023
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 24-105mm f/2.8 L IS USM Z is a versatile, high-performance hybrid lens that combines a broad focal range with a constant f/2.8 aperture. While it offers exceptional image quality and professional features for video and photo shooters, its significant size, weight, and high price point may limit its appeal for some users.
Weighted from 19 reviewer scores
Pros
- Fast, silent, and accurate autofocus performance
- Excellent sharpness and image quality across the zoom range
- Robust build quality with weather sealing
- Advanced video features including de-clicked aperture and minimal focus breathing
- Versatile focal range with a constant f/2.8 aperture
Cons
- Large, heavy, and bulky physical design
- High price point
- Aperture ring functionality restricted to video mode
- Ergonomic issues with tripod foot and lens handling
- Heavy reliance on digital corrections for distortion and vignetting
- Launch price $2,999 (USD)
- Focal length & aperture 24-105mm f/2.8
- Mount & coverage Canon RF Full-Frame
- Stabilization Optical IS, 5.5 stops (CIPA)
- Close focus 45 cm (0.29x)
- Filter thread 82mm
- Autofocus motor Dual nano USM
- Weight & size 1430g · 89 x 199 mm (3.50 x 7.83 in)
What the Reviewers Say
All 19 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.
- PetaPixel 8.5/10
If you are a working professional or hybrid photo and video shooter who needs speed and versatility, you have an expensive but functional answer to your problems.
-
The Canon RF 24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z Lens's 24-105mm focal length range and f/2.8 aperture combination are game-changing. This full-featured lens produces excellent image quality and is an outstanding choice for general-purpose uses, including for low-light scenarios.
-
It’s the kind of lens that can do pretty much anything, and while it isn’t small or light, it makes up for it with extremely versatility and strong performance.
-
[T]he test results are good despite the extreme nature of this lens, and the Canon RF 24-105mm f/2.8 L IS USM Z is quite frankly destined to become one of those truly legendary optics, just like the RF 28-70mm F2 or the old EF 50mm f/1.0 from 1989.
-
It's a great lens and Highly Recommended. It goes a long way towards totally fulfilling its objective as laid down at the start of this review.
-
This is an incredible lens, so I think if you can afford it, a 24-105mm is better in my opinion than a 24-70mm f/2.8.
-
The Canon RF 24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z lens covers more angles than most bright standard zooms, but its oversized ergonomics make it better for rolling video from a tripod than taking handheld photos.
-
Make no mistake—this 24-105 f2.8 is a fantastic lens. It is super sharp throughout the zoom range and has very little noticeable variation across the apertures.
-
All in all, I have been hugely impressed with this lens. It is effectively that 24-70 which we're all used to, but with these video features to make it this hybrid lens style which Canon talk about, and that alone is very, very interesting.
-
It far outclasses the old 24-105 f/4 in almost every way.
-
This is the first lens in a very long time that I'm truly really excited about, just because it's kind of a sign of perhaps what's to come with Canon.
-
With all that said, the things about this lens that do it for me are the zoom range at f/2.8, the great image quality you get from it, as well as the de-clicked aperture.
-
So this lens, I was surprised. I didn't think I was going to like it.
-
[T]his lens is going to be a great lens for the people it's targeted to, and that is primarily video/photography hybrid shooters who need that fast aperture and want to be able to shoot wide and long without making that lens change.
-
I definitely wasn't expecting you to pull this out the van today, so yeah, I think this is definitely a game changer, this one.
-
If you are looking for that go-to lens, for that all-rounder lens that you can just rely on for pretty much everything, I think you're going to be hard-pressed to beat this, to be honest.
- Sam Hurd Photography 6.3/10
After shooting 10,000+ images, I can’t recommend this lens for pure photographers. While the specs are a dream, the reality feels like walking through a doorway holding a ladder.
-
Yes, I really, really liked this lens. I thought it's by far one of the best lenses I've ever tested, but annoyingly it's not going to be in my camera bag anytime soon just due to the price point.
-
This lens really truly is as versatile as it gets, and it's one of the few true real one and done lenses if it happens to work for you.
