Canon EF 16–35mm f/2.8L USM vs Canon EF 24–70mm f/2.8L USM

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

EF 16–35mm f/2.8L USM compared with EF 24–70mm f/2.8L USM
CanonEF 16–35mm f/2.8L USMCanonEF 24–70mm f/2.8L USM
Overview
ReleasedDecember 2001November 2002
Optics
Lens typeZoomZoom
Focal length16–35 mm24–70 mm
Maximum aperturef/2.8f/2.8
Minimum aperturef/22f/22
Optical constructionFourteen elements in ten groups16 elements in 13 groups
Special elementsThree aspherical elements, comprising ground-and-polished, replica and glass-moulded types, plus two UD elements according to PhotozoneTwo aspherical elements and one UD element
DiaphragmSeven blades; circular aperture according to both reviewsEight blades with a circular aperture
Angle of view–Diagonal 84°–34°; vertical 53°–19°30′; horizontal 74°–29°
Mount and compatibility
MountsCanon EFCanon EF
Image circleFull frameFull frame
CompatibilityCanon EF cameras with full-frame or APS-C sensorsCanon EF mount full-frame and APS-C cameras
Teleconverter support–Canon EF1.4X II and EF2X II extenders are incompatible
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance0.28 m0.38 m
Maximum magnification0.22×0.29×
Optical stabilisation–No
Autofocus detailRing USM autofocus with full-time manual focusing in One Shot AF according to PhotozoneRing-type USM (OpticalLimits); manual override after autofocus in One-Shot AF with the shutter button held halfway
Focus distance detailFloating optical system according to Photozone; non-rotating filter thread according to both reviews0.38 m minimum focus throughout the zoom range; maximum 0.29× magnification at 70 mm; non-rotating front filter thread (ePHOTOzine and OpticalLimits)
Stabilisation detail–No optical image stabilisation (ePHOTOzine)
Design
Dust and moisture resistantYesYes
Filter diameter77 mm77 mm
Maximum diameter83.5 mm83.2 mm
Length103 mm123.5 mm
Weight600 g (better)950 g
ControlsSeparate focus and zoom rings, focus-mode switch and distance windowFocus mode switch, focus ring, zoom ring, distance scale and infrared index
Zoom designConstant outer length with some internal tube movement according to PhotozoneReverse zoom mechanism; longest at 24 mm and shortest at 70 mm, with the hood enclosing the moving front section (OpticalLimits)
Weather resistanceCanon identifies water and dust resistance at the lens mount, switch panel, zoom ring and focusing ringDust- and drip-resistant seal structure; rubber ring around the lens mount
Dimensions detail–83.2 mm maximum diameter × 123.5 mm length; maker dimensions and weight are for the lens alone, excluding caps
Lens hoodEW-83E hood and LP1319 soft pouch according to The Digital PictureEW-83F; can be reversed for storage
In the boxLens, hood and case according to Canon Camera MuseumE-77U front cap, rear cap, EW-83F hood and LP1219 lens case (manual accessory names; ePHOTOzine box contents)
Release detailCanon Camera Museum records December 2001 marketing; no first-sale day is givenCanon Camera Museum's original-model table records November 2002; its later Mark II retrospective instead refers to September 2002

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