Canon EF 16–35mm f/2.8L III USM vs Canon EF 70–200mm f/4L IS USM
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| CanonEF 16–35mm f/2.8L III USM | CanonEF 70–200mm f/4L IS USM | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | October 2016 | November 2006 |
| Optics | ||
| Lens type | Zoom | Zoom |
| Focal length | 16–35 mm | 70–200 mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/2.8 | f/4 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/32 |
| Optical construction | Sixteen elements in eleven groups | 20 elements in 15 groups |
| Special elements | Two large-diameter glass-moulded aspherical elements, one ground aspherical element and two UD elements | One fluorite and two UD elements |
| Coatings | Air Sphere Coating and Subwavelength Structure Coating; front and rear fluorine coatings according to The Digital Picture | Super Spectra coatings |
| Diaphragm | Nine circular blades | Eight blades with a circular aperture |
| 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 | Canon EF | Canon EF |
| Image circle | Full frame | Full frame |
| Compatibility | Full-frame and APS-C Canon EF DSLRs | Canon EF mount full-frame and APS-C cameras |
| Teleconverter support | Extenders cannot be used; the manual also states that no compatible close-up lenses are available | EF1.4X II gives 98–280 mm f/5.6 and 0.31× maximum magnification with autofocus; EF2X II gives 140–400 mm f/8 and 0.45×, with autofocus limited to compatible bodies and slower operation |
| Adaptor support | Canon UK lists EOS M use with the EF-EOS M mount adaptor | – |
| Focus and stabilisation | ||
| Autofocus | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum focus distance | 0.28 m | 1.2 m |
| Maximum magnification | 0.25× | 0.21× |
| Optical stabilisation | No | Yes |
| 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 | – | Internal focusing with a non-rotating front; maximum 0.21× magnification at 200 mm |
| Stabilisation detail | – | Four-stop launch claim based on a shutter speed of 1/focal length; Mode 1 for still subjects and Mode 2 for panning; manual recommends switching off on a tripod to save battery power |
| 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 | Yes | Yes |
| Filter diameter | 82 mm | 67 mm |
| Maximum diameter | 88.5 mm | 76 mm |
| Length | 127.5 mm | 172 mm |
| Weight | 790 g | 760 g (better) |
| 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 3 m–infinity |
| 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 |
| 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 | 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 | Length measured from the mount surface to the front; front and rear caps add 24 mm | 76 mm maximum diameter × 172 mm length, measured from the mount to the lens front without caps |
| Weight detail | Approximately 790 g for the lens alone, excluding accessories, in Canon's instruction manual | 760 g lens only according to Canon's instruction manual |
| Tripod mount | – | Optional A II (W) tripod mount ring; collar can be removed while the lens remains attached to the camera |
| Lens hood | Reversible EW-88D hood with release button | ET-74, reversible for storage |
| In the box | Lens, EW-88D hood, LP1222 case, E-82 II front cap, rear cap E and user manual | Lens hood and pouch according to Canon's launch announcement; ET-74 and LP1224 models identified in the instruction manual |
| Release detail | Canon Camera Museum records October 2016 marketing; no first-sale day is stated | Marketed in November 2006 according to Canon Camera Museum; the stabilised model was sold alongside the non-stabilised f/4 version |
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