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Canon EF 135mm f/2L 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 135mm f/2L USMCanonEF 24–105mm f/4L IS II USM
Overview
ReleasedApril 19962016
Optics
Lens typePrimeZoom
Focal length135 mm24–105 mm
Maximum aperturef/2f/4
Minimum aperturef/32f/22
Optical constructionTen elements in eight groupsSeventeen elements in twelve groups
Special elementsTwo UD glass elements according to Canon Camera MuseumFour aspherical elements
CoatingsSuper Spectra coating according to Canon UKAir Sphere Coating; front and rear fluorine coating according to The Digital Picture
DiaphragmEight bladesTen blades with a circular aperture
Angle of view15° horizontal, 10° vertical and 18° diagonal according to Canon UK84°–23°20′ diagonal, 74°–19°20′ horizontal and 53°–13° vertical
Mount and compatibility
MountsCanon EFCanon EF
Image circleFull frameFull frame
CompatibilityCanon EF full-frame and APS-C camerasCanon EF full-frame and APS-C DSLRs; EOS M cameras require an EF-EOS M mount adaptor
Teleconverter supportCanon's manual confirms EF1.4X II gives 189 mm f/2.8 and EF2X II gives 270 mm f/4Canon's manual excludes extenders
Adaptor supportCanon UK confirms EOS M use with the EF-EOS M Mount AdapterEF12 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 distance0.9 m0.45 m
Maximum magnification0.19×0.24×
Optical stabilisationNoYes
Autofocus detailRing USM; mechanical full-time manual focus after One Shot AF while holding the shutter halfway 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 with constant length and a non-rotating filter thread according to Photozone and ePHOTOzineInternal focusing according to The Digital Picture; Canon instructs users to finish zooming before focusing
Magnification detailEF12 II provides 0.09–0.29× and EF25 II 0.20–0.41× according to Canon UK–
Stabilisation detailNo optical stabilisation according to ePHOTOzine's exact-model specificationCanon 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 diameter72 mm77 mm
Maximum diameter82.5 mm83.5 mm
Length112 mm118 mm
Weight750 g795 g
ControlsFocus ring, AF/MF switch, distance window and 0.9 m–infinity or 1.6 m–infinity limiter according to Canon's manualAF/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 ePHOTOzine's exact-model testCanon 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 detail82.5 mm diameter × 112 mm length, excluding caps according to Canon's manualMaximum diameter × retracted length; size and 795 g weight are lens-only. Caps add 24.2 mm to length according to Canon's manual
Weight detail750 g for the lens only according to Canon's manual–
Lens hoodSupplied reversible ET-78II hoodEW-83M hood with release button; reversible for storage
In the boxLens, E-72U front cap, Lens Dust Cap E, LP1219 case, ET-78II hood and user manual according to Canon UK's box listLens, 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 April 1996 marketingCanon 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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