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Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM — Prime/Zoom
Canon

Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM

Prime/Zoom

96
/ 100
From $2,999
VS
Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM wins by 5
Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S — Prime/Zoom
Nikon

Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S

Prime/Zoom

91
/ 100
From $2,699
Specdex verdict

Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM lands at 96 and Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S at 91. That puts Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM ahead by 5 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM if…

  • ✓Fast autofocus
  • ✓Weather-sealed
  • ✓Premium optics

Pick Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S if…

  • ✓Fast aperture
  • ✓Quiet autofocus
  • ✓Weather-sealed (most)
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Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Sharpness

Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM

Compared on the sharpness sub-score

Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM leads on sharpness (96 vs 91).

Autofocus

Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM

Compared on the autofocus sub-score

Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM leads on af (95 vs 89).

Build

Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM

Compared on the build sub-score

Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM leads on build (94 vs 88).

Value for money

Tie

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Effectively tied — similar score-per-dollar at MSRP.

Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM 96
vs
91 Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S

Score breakdown

Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM
96
sharpness 96
af 95
build 94
value 84
Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S
91
sharpness 91
af 89
build 88
value 85

Specs side-by-side

Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM versus Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S — full spec comparison
Spec Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S

Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM

Pros
  • +Fast autofocus
  • +Weather-sealed
  • +Premium optics
Cons
  • −Heavy
  • −Expensive
  • −Focus breathing varies

Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S

Pros
  • +Fast aperture
  • +Quiet autofocus
  • +Weather-sealed (most)
Cons
  • −Mount-specific
  • −Weight varies
  • −Price scales with quality

FAQ: Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM vs Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S

Which is better, Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM or Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S? +

Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM scores 96 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 5. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM worth the price? +

At $2,999, Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM delivers a Specdex score of 96 — strongest in sharpness.

Is Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S worth the price? +

At $2,699, Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S delivers a Specdex score of 91 — strongest in sharpness.

Does Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM or Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S last longer? +

Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.

Which is better for sharpness, Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM or Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S? +

Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM — leads on sharpness (96 vs 91). Compared on the sharpness sub-score.

Which is better for autofocus, Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM or Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S? +

Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM — leads on af (95 vs 89). Compared on the autofocus sub-score.