Canon EF 16–35mm f/2.8L USM vs Canon RF 15–35mm F2.8 L IS USM

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EF 16–35mm f/2.8L USM compared with RF 15–35mm F2.8 L IS USM

	CanonEF 16–35mm f/2.8L USM	CanonRF 15–35mm F2.8 L IS USM
Overview
Released
Released	December 2001	September 2019
Optics
Lens type
Lens type	Zoom	Zoom
Focal length
Focal length	16–35 mm	15–35 mm
Maximum aperture
Maximum aperture	f/2.8	f/2.8
Minimum aperture
Minimum aperture	f/22	f/22
Optical construction
Optical construction	Fourteen elements in ten groups	Sixteen elements in twelve groups
Special elements
Special elements	Three aspherical elements, comprising ground-and-polished, replica and glass-moulded types, plus two UD elements according to Photozone	Three glass-moulded aspherical elements and UD elements; SWC and ASC coatings; fluorine coatings on the front and rear elements
Diaphragm
Diaphragm	Seven blades; circular aperture according to both reviews	Nine blades with circular aperture
Mount and compatibility
Mounts
Mounts	Canon EF	Canon RF
Image circle
Image circle	Full frame	Full frame
Compatibility
Compatibility	Canon EF cameras with full-frame or APS-C sensors	Canon RF mount for full-frame and APS-C EOS R cameras; RF extenders not compatible
Focus and stabilisation
Autofocus
Autofocus	Yes	Yes
Minimum focus distance
Minimum focus distance	0.28 m	0.28 m
Maximum magnification
Maximum magnification	0.22×	0.21×
Optical stabilisation
Optical stabilisation	–	Yes
Autofocus detail
Autofocus detail	Ring USM autofocus with full-time manual focusing in One Shot AF according to Photozone	Nano USM motor; electronic manual focusing
Focus distance detail
Focus distance detail	Floating optical system according to Photozone; non-rotating filter thread according to both reviews	Minimum focus 0.28 m
Magnification detail
Magnification detail	–	Maximum 0.21× at 35 mm
Stabilisation detail
Stabilisation detail	–	Optical IS rated five stops with EOS R at 35 mm under CIPA standards
Design
Dust and moisture resistant
Dust and moisture resistant	Yes	Yes
Filter diameter
Filter diameter	77 mm	82 mm
Maximum diameter
Maximum diameter	83.5 mm	88.5 mm
Length
Length	103 mm	126.8 mm
Weight
Weight	600 g (better)	840 g
Controls
Controls	Separate focus and zoom rings, focus-mode switch and distance window	Zoom, electronic manual-focus and customisable control rings; AF/MF and stabiliser on/off switches
Zoom design
Zoom design	Constant outer length with some internal tube movement according to Photozone	Barrel extends as the lens zooms from 35 mm towards 15 mm (Cameralabs)
Weather resistance
Weather resistance	Canon identifies water and dust resistance at the lens mount, switch panel, zoom ring and focusing ring	Dust and water resistant construction; Canon states this cannot completely prevent dust or droplets entering
Dimensions detail
Dimensions detail	–	Approximately 88.5 mm maximum diameter × 126.8 mm length, retracted
Weight detail
Weight detail	–	Approximately 840 g lens
Lens hood
Lens hood	EW-83E hood and LP1319 soft pouch according to The Digital Picture	EW-88F petal hood included
In the box
In the box	Lens, hood and case according to Canon Camera Museum	Lens, E-82 II front cap, RF dust cap, EW-88F hood and LP1222 case
Release detail
Release detail	Canon Camera Museum records December 2001 marketing; no first-sale day is given	September 2019 marketed month in Canon Camera Museum