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Canon EF 16–35mm f/2.8L III 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 III USMCanonEF 24–105mm f/4L IS II USM
Overview
ReleasedOctober 20162016
Optics
Lens typeZoomZoom
Focal length16–35 mm24–105 mm
Maximum aperturef/2.8f/4
Minimum aperturef/22f/22
Optical constructionSixteen elements in eleven groupsSeventeen elements in twelve groups
Special elementsTwo large-diameter glass-moulded aspherical elements, one ground aspherical element and two UD elementsFour aspherical elements
CoatingsAir Sphere Coating and Subwavelength Structure Coating; front and rear fluorine coatings according to The Digital PictureAir Sphere Coating; front and rear fluorine coating according to The Digital Picture
DiaphragmNine 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
CompatibilityFull-frame and APS-C Canon EF DSLRsCanon EF full-frame and APS-C DSLRs; EOS M cameras require an EF-EOS M mount adaptor
Teleconverter supportExtenders cannot be used; the manual also states that no compatible close-up lenses are availableCanon's manual excludes extenders
Adaptor supportCanon UK lists EOS M use with the EF-EOS M mount adaptorEF12 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 magnification0.25×0.24×
Optical stabilisationNoYes
Autofocus detailRing USM with full-time manual override; keep the shutter half-pressed after autofocus when adjusting focus manuallyUSM 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 0.65×–0.36× and EF25 II gives 1.14×–0.80×; both tubes are incompatible at 16 mm–
Design
Dust and moisture resistantYesYes
Filter diameter82 mm77 mm
Maximum diameter88.5 mm83.5 mm
Length127.5 mm118 mm
Weight790 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 outer length with inner front-tube movement according to both reviews; the manual advises zooming before focusingExtending barrel; zoom lock holds the shortest 24 mm position
Filter detailOne front filter may be fitted; the manual specifies the 82 mm Canon PL-C B polariser and removing the hood for adjustment–
Weather resistanceSealed construction and rubber mount ring; the manual recommends an 82 mm Canon PROTECT filter for best dust and water resistanceCanon 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 surface to the front; front and rear caps add 24 mmMaximum diameter × retracted length; size and 795 g weight are lens-only. Caps add 24.2 mm to length according to Canon's manual
Weight detailApproximately 790 g for the lens alone, excluding accessories, in Canon's instruction manual–
Lens hoodReversible EW-88D hood with release buttonEW-83M hood with release button; reversible for storage
In the boxLens, EW-88D hood, LP1222 case, E-82 II front cap, rear cap E and user manualLens, 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 October 2016 marketing; no first-sale day is statedCanon 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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