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Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM vs Canon EF 24–105mm f/4L IS II USM

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

CanonEF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USMCanonEF 24–105mm f/4L IS II USM
Overview
ReleasedMarch 20002016
Optics
Lens typePrimeZoom
Focal length100 mm24–105 mm
Maximum aperturef/2.8f/4
Minimum aperturef/32f/22
Macro lensYes–
Optical constructionTwelve elements in eight groups with three-group floating focusingSeventeen elements in twelve groups
Special elements–Four aspherical elements
Coatings–Air Sphere Coating; front and rear fluorine coating according to The Digital Picture
DiaphragmEight blades; Canon UK's store describes a circular apertureTen blades with a circular aperture
Angle of view24° diagonal, 20° horizontal and 14° vertical according to Canon's manual84°–23°20′ diagonal, 74°–19°20′ horizontal and 53°–13° vertical
Mount and compatibility
MountsCanon EFCanon EF
Image circleFull frameFull frame
CompatibilityCanon EF cameras with full-frame or APS-C sensorsCanon EF full-frame and APS-C DSLRs; EOS M cameras require an EF-EOS M mount adaptor
Teleconverter supportCanon's manual excludes Extender EF1.4X II and EF2X IICanon's manual excludes extenders
Adaptor support–EF12 II gives 0.60–0.50× at 24 mm and 0.41–0.12× at 105 mm; EF25 II is incompatible at 24 mm and gives 0.61–0.27× at 105 mm
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance0.31 m0.45 m
Maximum magnification1×0.24×
Optical stabilisationNoYes
Autofocus detailRing USM; full-time manual adjustment after One Shot AF while holding the shutter half-pressed according to Canon's manualUSM autofocus with full-time manual focusing. Canon's manual specifies turning the ring with the shutter half-pressed after One Shot AF
Focus distance detailInternal focusing keeps the length constant and the front ring stationary; focus limiter selects 0.31 m to infinity or 0.48 m to infinityInternal focusing according to The Digital Picture; Canon instructs users to finish zooming before focusing
Magnification detailLife-size 1× reproduction without attachments; Canon Camera Museum gives 149 mm working distance at life-size, distinct from 0.31 m image-plane focusing distance–
Stabilisation detailNo optical stabilisation according to The Digital Picture's exact-model specification tableCanon claims four-stop optical stabilisation. The exact manual describes automatic adjustment for still subjects and panning, with correction perpendicular to the panning direction
Design
Dust and moisture resistantNoYes
Filter diameter58 mm77 mm
Maximum diameter79 mm83.5 mm
Length119 mm118 mm
Weight600 g795 g
ControlsAF/MF switch, focus-range switch, focus ring, distance window and reproduction-ratio scaleAF/MF and stabilisation switches, separate focus and zoom rings, distance window, infrared index and transport lock at 24 mm
Zoom design–Extending barrel; zoom lock holds the shortest 24 mm position
Weather resistanceNo weather sealing according to The Digital Picture's exact-model specification tableCanon UK describes dust and moisture sealing; the manual identifies a rubber mount ring. The Digital Picture recommends a protective filter to complete front sealing
Dimensions detailCanon Camera Museum gives 79 mm diameter × 119 mm length and 600 g; Canon's Japanese manual instead lists 78.6 × 118.6 mm and 580 g. Both describe the same model; no separately marketed revision is identifiedMaximum diameter × retracted length; size and 795 g weight are lens-only. Caps add 24.2 mm to length according to Canon's manual
Weight detailHeadline weight follows Canon Camera Museum's historical specification; the manual's 580 g figure is lens-only, excluding caps and optional tripod ring–
Tripod mountOptional Ring-type Tripod Mount B (B), with the adaptor specifically for this lens, according to Canon's manual–
Lens hoodET-67; optional according to the two reviewsEW-83M hood with release button; reversible for storage
In the box–Lens, E-77 II front cap, Dust Lens Cap E, EW-83M hood, LP1219 case and manual according to Canon UK
Release detailCanon Camera Museum records March 2000 marketing and explicitly says this replaces the earlier EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro. Its predecessor year of 1991 conflicts with the original lens's own Museum table, which gives April 1990Canon Camera Museum's exact-model table records October 2016 marketing; its later RF 24–105mm page retrospectively says November 2016. The year is used because the maker gives conflicting months without explaining a regional difference

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