Canon EF 16–35mm f/2.8L III USM vs Canon EF 50mm f/1.8

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EF 16–35mm f/2.8L III USM compared with EF 50mm f/1.8

	CanonEF 16–35mm f/2.8L III USM	CanonEF 50mm f/1.8
Overview
Released
Released	October 2016	March 1987
Optics
Lens type
Lens type	Zoom	Prime
Focal length
Focal length	16–35 mm	50 mm
Maximum aperture
Maximum aperture	f/2.8	f/1.8
Minimum aperture
Minimum aperture	f/22	f/22
Optical construction
Optical construction	Sixteen elements in eleven groups	Six elements in five groups
Special elements
Special elements	Two large-diameter glass-moulded aspherical elements, one ground aspherical element and two UD elements	–
Coatings
Coatings	Air Sphere Coating and Subwavelength Structure Coating; front and rear fluorine coatings according to The Digital Picture	–
Diaphragm
Diaphragm	Nine circular blades	Five blades
Angle of view
Angle of view	Horizontal 98°–54°; vertical 74°10′–38°; diagonal 108°10′–63°	–
Mount and compatibility
Mounts
Mounts	Canon EF	Canon EF
Image circle
Image circle	Full frame	Full frame
Compatibility
Compatibility	Full-frame and APS-C Canon EF DSLRs	Canon EF lens for full-frame and APS-C cameras (Bob Atkins Photography)
Teleconverter support
Teleconverter support	Extenders cannot be used; the manual also states that no compatible close-up lenses are available	–
Adaptor support
Adaptor support	Canon UK lists EOS M use with the EF-EOS M mount adaptor	–
Focus and stabilisation
Autofocus
Autofocus	Yes	Yes
Minimum focus distance
Minimum focus distance	0.28 m	0.45 m
Maximum magnification
Maximum magnification	0.25×	0.15×
Optical stabilisation
Optical stabilisation	No	–
Autofocus detail
Autofocus detail	Ring USM with full-time manual override; keep the shutter half-pressed after autofocus when adjusting focus manually	Micromotor autofocus
Magnification detail
Magnification detail	At 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 resistant
Dust and moisture resistant	Yes	–
Filter diameter
Filter diameter	82 mm	52 mm
Maximum diameter
Maximum diameter	88.5 mm	67.4 mm
Length
Length	127.5 mm	42.5 mm
Weight
Weight	790 g	190 g (better)
Controls
Controls	Separate zoom and focus rings, AF/MF switch and distance window	Focusing-distance window and separate manual-focus ring; metal lens mount and infrared focus index (Bob Atkins Photography)
Zoom design
Zoom design	Constant outer length with inner front-tube movement according to both reviews; the manual advises zooming before focusing	–
Filter detail
Filter detail	One front filter may be fitted; the manual specifies the 82 mm Canon PL-C B polariser and removing the hood for adjustment	–
Weather resistance
Weather resistance	Sealed construction and rubber mount ring; the manual recommends an 82 mm Canon PROTECT filter for best dust and water resistance	–
Dimensions detail
Dimensions detail	Length measured from the mount surface to the front; front and rear caps add 24 mm	67.4 mm maximum diameter × 42.5 mm length
Weight detail
Weight detail	Approximately 790 g for the lens alone, excluding accessories, in Canon's instruction manual	–
Lens hood
Lens hood	Reversible EW-88D hood with release button	–
In the box
In the box	Lens, EW-88D hood, LP1222 case, E-82 II front cap, rear cap E and user manual	–
Release detail
Release detail	Canon Camera Museum records October 2016 marketing; no first-sale day is stated	Released alongside the EOS 650 in March 1987, confirmed by Canon's retrospective EOS anniversary release