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Canon EF 16–35mm f/2.8L II 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 16–35mm f/2.8L II USMCanonEF 24–105mm f/4L IS II USM
Overview
Released20072016
Optics
Lens typeZoomZoom
Focal length16–35 mm24–105 mm
Maximum aperturef/2.8f/4
Minimum aperturef/22f/22
Optical constructionSixteen elements in twelve groupsSeventeen elements in twelve groups
Special elementsThree aspherical elements of different types and two UD elementsFour aspherical elements
CoatingsSuper Spectra coatingAir Sphere Coating; front and rear fluorine coating according to The Digital Picture
DiaphragmSeven circular bladesTen blades with a circular aperture
Angle of viewHorizontal 98°–54°; vertical 74°10′–38°; diagonal 108°10′–63°84°–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 EF1.4× II and EF2× II are incompatible; the manual also excludes 250D and 500D close-up lensesCanon'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 distance0.28 m0.45 m
Maximum magnification0.22×0.24×
Optical stabilisationNoYes
Autofocus detailRing USM with mechanical full-time manual focusing; after One Shot AF, keep the shutter half-pressed while turning the focus ringUSM autofocus with full-time manual focusing. Canon's manual specifies turning the ring with the shutter half-pressed after One Shot AF
Focus distance detail–Internal focusing according to The Digital Picture; Canon instructs users to finish zooming before focusing
Stabilisation detail–Canon claims four-stop optical stabilisation. The exact manual describes automatic adjustment for still subjects and panning, with correction perpendicular to the panning direction
Magnification detailAt 35 mm, EF12 II gives 0.62×–0.36× and EF25 II gives 1.11×–0.80×; both tubes are incompatible at 16 mm–
Design
Dust and moisture resistantYesYes
Filter diameter82 mm77 mm
Maximum diameter88.5 mm83.5 mm
Length111.6 mm118 mm
Weight640 g795 g
ControlsSeparate zoom and focus rings, AF/MF switch and distance windowAF/MF and stabilisation switches, separate focus and zoom rings, distance window, infrared index and transport lock at 24 mm
Zoom designConstant exterior length with movement of the inner front tube according to both reviewsExtending barrel; zoom lock holds the shortest 24 mm position
Filter detail82 mm front thread; the manual permits one filter and specifies an 82 mm Canon circular polarising filter–
Weather resistanceThe manual requires a separately sold Canon PROTECT filter for dust and water resistance because the front element moves during zooming; without it the lens is not dust or water resistant. Rubber mount sealCanon 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 detailLength measured from the mount to the front; caps add 21.5 mm with E-82U or 24 mm with E-82 IIMaximum diameter × retracted length; size and 795 g weight are lens-only. Caps add 24.2 mm to length according to Canon's manual
Weight detailUK specifications and Camera Museum publish 640 g; Canon's version 1.2 instruction manual publishes 635 g for the lens alone, without explaining the difference–
Lens hoodReversible EW-88 hoodEW-83M hood with release button; reversible for storage
In the boxLens, hood and soft case according to Canon UKLens, E-77 II front cap, Dust Lens Cap E, EW-83M hood, LP1219 case and manual according to Canon UK
Release detailCamera Museum's exact-model table records April 2007 marketing, whereas its III-generation history calls the II a March 2007 release; neither identifies a regional distinction, so the headline retains the yearCanon 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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