§ 03 Head to head

Canon RF 14-35 mm f/4L IS USM vs Canon RF-S 14-30 mm f/4-6.3 IS STM PZ

Canon 14–35mm f/4 has a brighter maximum aperture. Canon 14–30mm f/4 - 6.3 is 359 g lighter.

Both lenses are made for the Canon RF mount: the Canon RF 14-35 mm f/4L IS USM is a 14–35mm f/4 zoom, and the Canon RF-S 14-30 mm f/4-6.3 IS STM PZ is a 14–30mm f/4 - 6.3 zoom. On paper the Canon RF-S 14-30 mm f/4-6.3 IS STM PZ comes out ahead, 5 advantages to 4, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.

01

Key differences

From manufacturer specifications

Why is the Canon RF 14-35 mm f/4L IS USM better than the Canon RF-S 14-30 mm f/4-6.3 IS STM PZ?

  • Brighter maximum aperture (f/4 vs f/4 - 6.3)
  • Longer reach (35mm vs 30mm)
  • More aperture blades (9 vs 7)
  • Covers a larger sensor format (full-frame vs APS-C)

Why is the Canon RF-S 14-30 mm f/4-6.3 IS STM PZ better than the Canon RF 14-35 mm f/4L IS USM?

  • 359 g lighter (181 g vs 540 g)
  • 30 mm shorter (69.6 mm vs 99.8 mm long)
  • Focuses 5 cm closer (0.15 m vs 0.2 m)
  • Smaller filter thread (58 mm vs 77 mm)
  • Newer design (2025 vs 2021)
02

Which should you buy?

By use
  • landscape For landscape photography, the Canon RF-S 14-30 mm f/4-6.3 IS STM PZ has the edge: it is 359 g lighter to carry.
  • architecture For architecture, the Canon RF-S 14-30 mm f/4-6.3 IS STM PZ has the edge: it is 359 g lighter to carry.
03

Specification

16 rows · better value flagged ◆
SpecificationCanon RF 14-35 mm f/4L IS USMCanon RF-S 14-30 mm f/4-6.3 IS STM PZ
Focal length14–35mm 14–30mm
Maximum aperturef/4 ◆f/4 - 6.3
Minimum aperturef/22 f/36
Lens typeZoom lens Zoom lens
FormatFull frame APS-C
Weight540 g 181 g ◆
Dimensions84.1 x 99.8 mm 62 x 69.6 mm
Minimum focusing distance0.2 m 0.15 m ◆
Image stabilizationYes Yes
Weather sealingYes —
Aperture ringNo No
Aperture blades9 ◆7
Optical construction16 elements / 12 groups 10 elements / 9 groups
Filter size77 mm 58 mm ◆
Lens mountCanon RF Canon RF
Released2021 2025
04

Size

Drawn to relative scale
  • A · Canon
  • B · Canon
  • 99.8 × 84.1 mm
  • 69.6 × 62 mm

The Canon RF 14-35 mm f/4L IS USM is 30 mm longer and 359 g heavier than the Canon RF-S 14-30 mm f/4-6.3 IS STM PZ.

05

Sample frames

Shot on each lens

Canon RF 14-35 mm f/4L IS USM

Luna llena sobre la ciudad de Ávila
Luna llena sobre la ciudad de Ávila by Julassan
Forrest Gump Ran This Curve
Forrest Gump Ran This Curve by Mark Howard Stock Images
Portland Waterfront IR
Portland Waterfront IR by mitch2k1
Summer Monsoon, Colorado
Summer Monsoon, Colorado by rwbaldwin
06

Video reviews

4 on YouTube
Video thumbnail for Canon RF 14-35 mm f/4L IS USM review 1
Video thumbnail for Canon RF 14-35 mm f/4L IS USM review 2
Video thumbnail for Canon RF-S 14-30 mm f/4-6.3 IS STM PZ review 1
Video thumbnail for Canon RF-S 14-30 mm f/4-6.3 IS STM PZ review 2
07

Questions

Which lens has the brighter aperture, the Canon RF 14-35 mm f/4L IS USM or the Canon RF-S 14-30 mm f/4-6.3 IS STM PZ?
The Canon RF 14-35 mm f/4L IS USM opens to f/4, against f/4 - 6.3 on the Canon RF-S 14-30 mm f/4-6.3 IS STM PZ.
Which is lighter, the Canon RF 14-35 mm f/4L IS USM or the Canon RF-S 14-30 mm f/4-6.3 IS STM PZ?
The Canon RF-S 14-30 mm f/4-6.3 IS STM PZ weighs 181 g, 359 g less than the Canon RF 14-35 mm f/4L IS USM (540 g).
Which focuses closer, the Canon RF 14-35 mm f/4L IS USM or the Canon RF-S 14-30 mm f/4-6.3 IS STM PZ?
The Canon RF-S 14-30 mm f/4-6.3 IS STM PZ focuses down to 0.15 m, against 0.2 m for the Canon RF 14-35 mm f/4L IS USM.
Do the Canon RF 14-35 mm f/4L IS USM and the Canon RF-S 14-30 mm f/4-6.3 IS STM PZ have image stabilization?
Yes, both lenses have optical image stabilization.
Is the Canon RF 14-35 mm f/4L IS USM or the Canon RF-S 14-30 mm f/4-6.3 IS STM PZ better for landscape photography?
For landscape photography, the Canon RF-S 14-30 mm f/4-6.3 IS STM PZ has the edge: it is 359 g lighter to carry.
Is the Canon RF 14-35 mm f/4L IS USM or the Canon RF-S 14-30 mm f/4-6.3 IS STM PZ better for architecture?
For architecture, the Canon RF-S 14-30 mm f/4-6.3 IS STM PZ has the edge: it is 359 g lighter to carry.