Canon EF 16–35mm f/2.8L III USM vs Canon EF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS III USM

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

Only show differences

Better figure, where one is clearly better

Share comparison

EF 16–35mm f/2.8L III USM compared with EF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS III USM

	CanonEF 16–35mm f/2.8L III USM	CanonEF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS III USM
Overview
Released
Released	October 2016	September 2018
Optics
Lens type
Lens type	Zoom	Zoom
Focal length
Focal length	16–35 mm	70–200 mm
Maximum aperture
Maximum aperture	f/2.8	f/2.8
Minimum aperture
Minimum aperture	f/22	f/32
Optical construction
Optical construction	Sixteen elements in eleven groups	23 elements in 19 groups; retains the optical layout of the EF 70–200mm f/2.8L IS II USM
Special elements
Special elements	Two large-diameter glass-moulded aspherical elements, one ground aspherical element and two UD elements	One fluorite and five UD elements
Coatings
Coatings	Air Sphere Coating and Subwavelength Structure Coating; front and rear fluorine coatings according to The Digital Picture	Air Sphere Coating and revised optical coatings; fluorine coating on front and rear element surfaces
Diaphragm
Diaphragm	Nine circular blades	Eight blades with a circular aperture
Angle of view
Angle of view	Horizontal 98°–54°; vertical 74°10′–38°; diagonal 108°10′–63°	Diagonal 34°–12°; vertical 19°30′–7°; horizontal 29°–10°
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 mount full-frame and APS-C cameras
Teleconverter support
Teleconverter support	Extenders cannot be used; the manual also states that no compatible close-up lenses are available	EF1.4X III gives 98–280 mm f/4 and 0.30× maximum magnification; EF2X III gives 140–400 mm f/5.6 and 0.44×; autofocus remains available but is slower
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	1.2 m
Maximum magnification
Maximum magnification	0.25×	0.21×
Optical stabilisation
Optical stabilisation	No	Yes
Autofocus detail
Autofocus detail	Ring USM with full-time manual override; keep the shutter half-pressed after autofocus when adjusting focus manually	Ring-type USM; full-time manual override after One-Shot autofocus while holding the shutter button halfway
Focus distance detail
Focus distance detail	–	Internal focusing; maximum 0.21× magnification at 200 mm
Stabilisation detail
Stabilisation detail	–	Up to 3.5 stops under CIPA testing at 200 mm on an EOS-1D X Mark II; Mode 1 for still subjects and Mode 2 for panning; Canon notes tripod results depend on the tripod and shooting conditions
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	Yes
Filter diameter
Filter diameter	82 mm	77 mm
Maximum diameter
Maximum diameter	88.5 mm	88.8 mm
Length
Length	127.5 mm	199 mm
Weight
Weight	790 g (better)	1,480 g
Controls
Controls	Separate zoom and focus rings, AF/MF switch and distance window	AF/MF, IS on/off and IS mode switches; focus limiter selects 1.2 m–infinity or 2.5 m–infinity
Zoom design
Zoom design	Constant outer length with inner front-tube movement according to both reviews; the manual advises zooming before focusing	Internal zooming maintains physical length (Digital Camera World)
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	Dust- and moisture-resistant construction with a rubber gasket at the mount
Dimensions detail
Dimensions detail	Length measured from the mount surface to the front; front and rear caps add 24 mm	88.8 mm maximum diameter × 199 mm length, measured from the mount to the lens front; add 24.2 mm for front and rear caps
Weight detail
Weight detail	Approximately 790 g for the lens alone, excluding accessories, in Canon's instruction manual	Approximately 1,480 g lens only according to Canon's instruction manual, UK store and Camera Museum; a Canon USA one-page specification chart instead lists approximately 1,440 g
Tripod mount
Tripod mount	–	Included removable rotating B (W II) tripod mount ring; detach the lens from the camera before removing the collar
Lens hood
Lens hood	Reversible EW-88D hood with release button	ET-87, with release button and reversible mounting for storage
In the box
In the box	Lens, EW-88D hood, LP1222 case, E-82 II front cap, rear cap E and user manual	ET-87 hood and LZ1326 lens case according to the UK store; tripod mount ring included according to Canon's instruction manual
Release detail
Release detail	Canon Camera Museum records October 2016 marketing; no first-sale day is stated	Marketed in September 2018 according to Canon Camera Museum; Canon USA's 7 June announcement had scheduled US shipping for August 2018