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Canon EF 200mm f/2.8L USM vs Canon EF 24–105mm f/4L IS II USM

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

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CanonEF 200mm f/2.8L USMCanonEF 24–105mm f/4L IS II USM
Overview
ReleasedDecember 19912016
Optics
Lens typePrimeZoom
Focal length200 mm24–105 mm
Maximum aperturef/2.8f/4
Minimum aperturef/32f/22
Optical constructionNine elements in seven groupsSeventeen elements in twelve groups
Special elements–Four aspherical elements
Coatings–Air Sphere Coating; front and rear fluorine coating according to The Digital Picture
DiaphragmEight blades according to Canon Camera MuseumTen blades with a circular aperture
Angle of view12° diagonal, 10° horizontal and 7° vertical according to Canon's original-model manual84°–23°20′ diagonal, 74°–19°20′ horizontal and 53°–13° vertical
Mount and compatibility
MountsCanon EFCanon EF
Image circleFull frameFull frame
CompatibilityCanon EF full-frame and APS-C camerasCanon EF full-frame and APS-C DSLRs; EOS M cameras require an EF-EOS M mount adaptor
Teleconverter support–Canon's manual excludes extenders
Adaptor support–EF12 II gives 0.60–0.50× at 24 mm and 0.41–0.12× at 105 mm; EF25 II is incompatible at 24 mm and gives 0.61–0.27× at 105 mm
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance1.5 m0.45 m
Maximum magnification0.16×0.24×
Optical stabilisation–Yes
Autofocus detailUSM; full-time manual focus after One Shot AF while holding the shutter button halfway according to Canon's manualUSM autofocus with full-time manual focusing. Canon's manual specifies turning the ring with the shutter half-pressed after One Shot AF
Focus distance detail–Internal focusing according to The Digital Picture; Canon instructs users to finish zooming before focusing
Stabilisation detail–Canon claims four-stop optical stabilisation. The exact manual describes automatic adjustment for still subjects and panning, with correction perpendicular to the panning direction
Design
Dust and moisture resistant–Yes
Filter diameter72 mm77 mm
Maximum diameter83 mm83.5 mm
Length136.2 mm118 mm
Weight790 g795 g
ControlsAF/MF switch, focusing ring, distance scale and infrared index according to Canon's manualAF/MF and stabilisation switches, separate focus and zoom rings, distance window, infrared index and transport lock at 24 mm
Zoom design–Extending barrel; zoom lock holds the shortest 24 mm position
Weather resistance–Canon UK describes dust and moisture sealing; the manual identifies a rubber mount ring. The Digital Picture recommends a protective filter to complete front sealing
Dimensions detail83 mm diameter × 136.2 mm length according to Canon Camera Museum; measured from the mount surface to the front, with caps adding 21.5 mm according to the manualMaximum diameter × retracted length; size and 795 g weight are lens-only. Caps add 24.2 mm to length according to Canon's manual
Weight detail790 g for the lens only according to Canon's original-model manual–
Lens hoodBuilt-in sliding hood; pull it out from the front of the lens according to Canon's manualEW-83M hood with release button; reversible for storage
In the box–Lens, E-77 II front cap, Dust Lens Cap E, EW-83M hood, LP1219 case and manual according to Canon UK
Release detailCanon Camera Museum records December 1991 marketing; this is the original version with a built-in hoodCanon Camera Museum's exact-model table records October 2016 marketing; its later RF 24–105mm page retrospectively says November 2016. The year is used because the maker gives conflicting months without explaining a regional difference

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