Canon EF 16–35mm f/2.8L USM vs Canon EF 70–200mm f/4L IS II USM
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| CanonEF 16–35mm f/2.8L USM | CanonEF 70–200mm f/4L IS II USM | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | December 2001 | June 2018 |
| 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 | Fourteen elements in ten groups | 20 elements in 15 groups |
| Special elements | Three aspherical elements, comprising ground-and-polished, replica and glass-moulded types, plus two UD elements according to Photozone | One fluorite and two UD elements |
| Coatings | – | Super Spectra coatings; fluorine coatings on the front and rear elements according to Canon's US launch announcement |
| Diaphragm | Seven blades; circular aperture according to both reviews | Nine blades with a circular aperture |
| Mount and compatibility | ||
| Mounts | Canon EF | Canon EF |
| Image circle | Full frame | Full frame |
| Compatibility | Canon EF cameras with full-frame or APS-C sensors | Canon EF mount full-frame and APS-C cameras |
| Focus and stabilisation | ||
| Autofocus | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum focus distance | 0.28 m | 1 m |
| Maximum magnification | 0.22× | 0.27× |
| Optical stabilisation | – | Yes |
| Autofocus detail | Ring USM autofocus with full-time manual focusing in One Shot AF according to Photozone | Ring-type USM with full-time manual focus override |
| Focus distance detail | Floating optical system according to Photozone; non-rotating filter thread according to both reviews | Maximum 0.27× magnification at 200 mm; internal focusing according to Digital Camera World |
| Stabilisation detail | – | Five-stop CIPA claim at 200 mm on an EOS-1D X Mark II; three modes including exposure-only stabilisation for tracking moving subjects |
| Design | ||
| Dust and moisture resistant | Yes | Yes |
| Filter diameter | 77 mm | 72 mm |
| Maximum diameter | 83.5 mm | 80 mm |
| Length | 103 mm | 176 mm |
| Weight | 600 g (better) | 780 g |
| Controls | Separate focus and zoom rings, focus-mode switch and distance window | AF/MF, IS on/off and three IS mode switches; focus limiter excludes distances below 3 m according to Digital Camera World |
| Zoom design | Constant outer length with some internal tube movement according to Photozone | Internal zooming maintains physical length according to Digital Camera World |
| Weather resistance | Canon identifies water and dust resistance at the lens mount, switch panel, zoom ring and focusing ring | Dust- and moisture-resistant construction |
| Dimensions detail | – | 80 mm maximum diameter × 176 mm length |
| Weight detail | – | Approximate 780 g maker figure; Digital Camera World specifies this excludes the optional tripod mount |
| Tripod mount | – | Optional A II (W II) tripod mounting ring according to Digital Camera World; the maker photograph shows this separately sold accessory |
| Lens hood | EW-83E hood and LP1319 soft pouch according to The Digital Picture | – |
| In the box | Lens, hood and case according to Canon Camera Museum | Lens, pouch, caps, hood and instruction manual according to Canon UK |
| Release detail | Canon Camera Museum records December 2001 marketing; no first-sale day is given | Canon Japan announced first sale on 28 June 2018; Canon Camera Museum gives June 2018 and the US launch announcement states late June. The day is the Japanese sale date, not a separately confirmed UK date. |
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