Curious to know if anyone here has used both the Canon RF 24-105mm f4.0L (not the older EF, but the newer RF version) and the Sony 24-105mm f4.0. If so, how do they compare? I've researched both lenses, but there are no sources anywhere online that compare them directly side by side. So, I'm hoping some of you here have used both and can share your experiences.
Maybe I shouldn't chime in as I have not used the Sony lens, and so I have no direct basis of comparison.
However, I can say the RF 24-105 f/4L IS is quite a competent lens, at least as good if not better than the Canon EF 24-105 f/4L IS II I used to own, while being 95g lighter. I took it to Argentina a couple of years ago. Many of the photos I posted on here are made with this lens:
If you are after a "prime like" look, none of these f/4 zooms will do that for you. But as a general-purpose all-rounder, it's solid, I feel.
I have since acquired the 24-105 f/2.8Z, and it is on another level (quality of bokeh and microcontrast). But it's also far more expensive and far less portable. I probably would not use it in a similar travel situation.
They are very comparable lenses. The Sony might be a tiny bit sharper, but really too close to call. Canon has better image stabilization, by a wide margin.
All of them are sharp enough to take high megapixel professional images and have great autofocus and handling. Not sure it's worth worrying about minute differences. (Excluding a faulty copy of course)
Especially when comparing across mounts, you'd just buy the one in your mount and it would serve you well.
If you're willing to spend just a bit more, the Sigma 28-105 f/2.8 is worth serious consideration. It's a fantastic lens and for most people it's probably worth giving up the 4mm on the wide end for a constant f/2.8
tkbslc wrote:
All of them are sharp enough to take high megapixel professional images and have great autofocus and handling. Not sure it's worth worrying about minute differences. (Excluding a faulty copy of course)
Especially when comparing across mounts, you'd just buy the one in your mount and it would serve you well.
I currently own both a Canon R6II and a Sony a7iv, so I'm trying to decide which 24-105mm f4.0 to get.
thedruid wrote:
Having used both and the z 24-120mm my Canon was ahead of the Sony copy I had...The Nikon is a step above.
Having owned and used all three, I would clearly rank them
1) Nikon Z 24-120/4
2) Canon RF 24-105/4
3) Sony FE 24-105/4
The Sony was released in 2017, which isn't that old, but while it is an OK lens it doesn't really play at the same level as the more modern G and GM lenses, I suspect Sony will update it soon enough, or even make it a 24-120 as Nikon really has set the bar high in this segment.
Between the two, I'd pick up a used minty RF lens to go with your kit.
May 13, 2026 at 05:53 AM
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MMP wrote:
If you're willing to spend just a bit more, the Sigma 28-105 f/2.8 is worth serious consideration. It's a fantastic lens and for most people it's probably worth giving up the 4mm on the wide end for a constant f/2.8
If you have a Canon camera, however, can afford it, and can live with the the weight, the Canon 24-105 f/2.8 Z is a great lens and you don't have to give up the 4mm on the wide end to get the constant f/2.8 aperture.
So, I ended up buying the Canon RF 24-105mm f4.0L, and it arrived yesterday.
I really wanted/needed to get the Sony version, but my concern was the lack of quality control on non-GM Sony lenses. In the past I have had to return several Sony lenses because of decentering issues (on both primes and zooms). I really didn't want to take the risk and go through the hassle of returning the Sony 24-105mm f4.0 again and again until I got a good copy.
I won't be buying any more lenses for my Sony bodies until I can afford to buy a GM series lens. As for Canon, I'm covered for now.
snegron7 wrote:
So, I ended up buying the Canon RF 24-105mm f4.0L, and it arrived yesterday.
I really wanted/needed to get the Sony version, but my concern was the lack of quality control on non-GM Sony lenses. In the past I have had to return several Sony lenses because of decentering issues (on both primes and zooms). I really didn't want to take the risk and go through the hassle of returning the Sony 24-105mm f4.0 again and again until I got a good copy.
I won't be buying any more lenses for my Sony bodies until I can afford to buy a GM series lens. As for Canon, I'm covered for now. ...Show more →
Sounds like you made the best choice for your needs.
snegron7 wrote:
So, I ended up buying the Canon RF 24-105mm f4.0L, and it arrived yesterday.
I really wanted/needed to get the Sony version, but my concern was the lack of quality control on non-GM Sony lenses. In the past I have had to return several Sony lenses because of decentering issues (on both primes and zooms). I really didn't want to take the risk and go through the hassle of returning the Sony 24-105mm f4.0 again and again until I got a good copy.
I won't be buying any more lenses for my Sony bodies until I can afford to buy a GM series lens. As for Canon, I'm covered for now. ...Show more →
Congratulations!!
I'm a Sony-Canon user myself. I did consider the RF 24-105/4 L IS for my R6MKII but I ended up with the RF 24-70/2.8 L IS. Superb lens. But I'm equally as ecstatic using my Sigma 28-105/2.8 DG DN ART for A7V. We're so fortunate with these outstanding standard zoom lenses nowadays!!!
Ross Martin wrote:
Sounds like you made the best choice for your needs.
Did the new Canon pass your decentering tests?
Yes, and it passed! I also compared it side by side with my RF 35mm f1.8 Macro at 35mm f4, f5.6, and f8. The RF 24-105 f4.0L is pretty close (but not quite) to the 35mm prime in terms of sharpness/contrast at f4.0. I know that my primes will always be sharper, but they are my standard lenses by wich I measure all other lenses.
Next test will be against my RF 24-240mm f4-6.3 to see how much of a true difference there is in terms of IQ.
I'm a Sony-Canon user myself. I did consider the RF 24-105/4 L IS for my R6MKII but I ended up with the RF 24-70/2.8 L IS. Superb lens. But I'm equally as ecstatic using my Sigma 28-105/2.8 DG DN ART for A7V. We're so fortunate with these outstanding standard zoom lenses nowadays!!!
Thanks!! My goal is to buy the RF 24-70mm f2.8L someday!
I was actually looking at the Sigma 28-105mm f2.8 for my Sony's! It was in my shopping cart together with the Canon RF 24-105mm f4.0L at the same time waiting for me to decide which of the two to get. I ended up deciding in favor of the Canon because of the weight difference.
Another lens I was looking at was the Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 for Sony. Chances are it might be the next purchase (as soon as I recover from biying the Canon RF 24-105mm f4.0L)!
snegron7 wrote:
Thanks!! My goal is to buy the RF 24-70mm f2.8L someday!
I was actually looking at the Sigma 28-105mm f2.8 for my Sony's! It was in my shopping cart together with the Canon RF 24-105mm f4.0L at the same time waiting for me to decide which of the two to get. I ended up deciding in favor of the Canon because of the weight difference.
Another lens I was looking at was the Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 for Sony. Chances are it might be the next purchase (as soon as I recover from biying the Canon RF 24-105mm f4.0L)!
I can't figure out which one of the two is sharper. But are we on the Sony forum? Ok so the Sigma is sharpen then :-) Seriously the only deciding factor for me is the model. If I wanted headshots of her, then I take the A7V and the Sigma.
I still have the EF 24-105/4 L IS which I got brand new way back when. But I am not sure if you knew---there was a big hoopla with this lens----the infamous 'heavenly rays' phenomenon! I couldn't produce it on my lens but Canon Canada still insisted that I bring it in for replacement---so they did.
jojib wrote:
I can't figure out which one of the two is sharper. But are we on the Sony forum? Ok so the Sigma is sharpen then :-) Seriously the only deciding factor for me is the model. If I wanted headshots of her, then I take the A7V and the Sigma.
I still have the EF 24-105/4 L IS which I got brand new way back when. But I am not sure if you knew---there was a big hoopla with this lens----the infamous 'heavenly rays' phenomenon! I couldn't produce it on my lens but Canon Canada still insisted that I bring it in for replacement---so they did. ...Show more →
snegron7 wrote:
Thanks!! My goal is to buy the RF 24-70mm f2.8L someday!
I was actually looking at the Sigma 28-105mm f2.8 for my Sony's! It was in my shopping cart together with the Canon RF 24-105mm f4.0L at the same time waiting for me to decide which of the two to get. I ended up deciding in favor of the Canon because of the weight difference.
Another lens I was looking at was the Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 for Sony. Chances are it might be the next purchase (as soon as I recover from biying the Canon RF 24-105mm f4.0L)!
If you have budget constraints (I surely do and factor that in with every purchase) wouldn't be better to focus on either the Canon or Sony system, and sink you money into the best possible glass for whatever system you pick?
patotts wrote:
If you have budget constraints (I surely do and factor that in with every purchase) wouldn't be better to focus on either the Canon or Sony system, and sink you money into the best possible glass for whatever system you pick?
Yes, that would be the most logical/sensible thing to do. However, there are a couple of reasons I have for sticking with both systems.
A few years ago I had a similar dilemma and sold my then Sony A7c with several Sony + Tamron lenses to stick with Canon only. Within 2 months I regretted that decision and repurchased a Sony A7c with just 3 Tamron lenses. Reason was travel photography. The R6II was too big, heavy and attracted more unwanted attention than the Sony A7c outfit.
So, I divided my camera outfits in case-based scenarios; the Canon gear would be used for everything I shoot locally, or if I'm going to a very safe country/city like Japan or most of Spain (except Barcelona which is the pickpocket capital of Europe). If I'm visiting a nice place but not as safe as Japan, Spain or Iceland, then I'd take my Sony gear. If the place is questionable and I want to be as discreet as possible, then I'd take my OM-5 setup.
Only reason I purchased the A7iv was because I sold a Ricoh GRIII Street Edition plus a couple of other Point and shoots I wasn't using at the time. It was on sale and I wanted to know what it was like shooting with a bigger Sony body than my A7c.
After several detailed tests on my part, I've concluded that the images I get from my A7iv capture better detail than my R6II. However, I still love the way my R6II feels in my hand , and I love the colors and rendering I get straight out of the camera.
I don't want to be "stuck only with" my R6II for all my shooting situations (local wildlife, travel, etc). So, I'd like to hold on to both systems (plus my OM-5 as backup) as long as possible.
If I were to get my dream lens (24-70mm f2.8) some day, it will most likely be for the Sony outfit, and it would most likely be the Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 because it would be a great all-around outfit for travel. The Canon RF 24-70mm f2.8L is a far off dream for me,and I would be way too afraid to take it with me for traveling in general.
