§ 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
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?
- 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
| Specification | Canon RF 14-35 mm f/4L IS USM | Canon RF-S 14-30 mm f/4-6.3 IS STM PZ |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 14–35mm | 14–30mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/4 ◆ | f/4 - 6.3 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/36 |
| Lens type | Zoom lens | Zoom lens |
| Format | Full frame | APS-C |
| Weight | 540 g | 181 g ◆ |
| Dimensions | 84.1 x 99.8 mm | 62 x 69.6 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.2 m | 0.15 m ◆ |
| Image stabilization | Yes | Yes |
| Weather sealing | Yes | — |
| Aperture ring | No | No |
| Aperture blades | 9 ◆ | 7 |
| Optical construction | 16 elements / 12 groups | 10 elements / 9 groups |
| Filter size | 77 mm | 58 mm ◆ |
| Lens mount | Canon RF | Canon RF |
| Released | 2021 | 2025 |
04
Size
- 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
Canon RF 14-35 mm f/4L IS USM
06
Video reviews
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.



