Head-to-head

Canon - RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM vs Tamron - 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD

Last updated May 31, 2026 · How Mars Score works

Probe A

Canon

RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM

55.3/ 100D

Optics55· 55%

Build—· 35%

Mount—· 10%

Probe B

Tamron

150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD

83.2/ 100A

Optics83· 55%

Build—· 35%

Mount—· 10%

Quick verdict

Between the RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM and 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD, the RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM comes out ahead in weight, while the 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD wins on min focal and max focal. Overall, the RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM scores 55.3 and the 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD scores 83.2 on our Mars Score.

Buying advice

Which should you buy?

The 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 27.9 points on the Mars Score. The margin is wide enough that the underdog only makes sense if its individual strengths line up with what you specifically need.

Pick the RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM if you carry the device everywhere and weight or thickness has been the deciding factor before. The biggest gaps in its favor are weight.

Pick the 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD if you care most about min focal and max focal. Its strongest claims are min focal, max focal.

Both ship with comparable weather sealed, optical stabilization, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.

Bottom line: the 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.

Why Canon - RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM wins

▲Weight — 825.00 g less. 900 vs 1725.

Why Tamron - 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD wins

▲Min focal: 150 (vs 24).
▲Max focal: 500 (vs 70).

Full readout

Spec comparison

Optics

Spec	Canon - RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM	Tamron - 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD
Min focal	24 mm	150 mmlead
Max focal	70 mm	500 mmlead
Max aperture	f/2.8	f/5
Min aperture	f/22	f/32

Build

Spec	Canon - RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM	Tamron - 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD
Weight	900 glead	1725 g
Weather sealedⓘ	true	true
Optical stabilizationⓘ	true	true

Mount

Spec	Canon - RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM	Tamron - 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD
Lens mount	Canon RFlead	Sony E

Reader questions

Frequently asked

Drill down

Spec-level deep dives

Min focal→Max focal→Max aperture→Min aperture→Weight→Weather sealed→Optical stabilization→Lens mount→

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