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Canon EF 24–105mm f/3.5–5.6 IS STM vs Canon EF 24–70mm f/2.8L II USM

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

CanonEF 24–105mm f/3.5–5.6 IS STMCanonEF 24–70mm f/2.8L II USM
Overview
ReleasedDecember 2014September 2012
Optics
Lens typeZoomZoom
Focal length24–105 mm24–70 mm
Maximum aperturef/3.5–5.6f/2.8
Minimum aperturef/22–36f/22
Optical constructionSeventeen elements in thirteen groups18 elements in 13 groups
Special elementsAspherical and UD elementsThree aspherical elements, two UD elements and one Super UD element
Coatings–Fluorine on the front surface of the first element and rear surface of the last element
Aperture detailMinimum aperture f/22–36 with third-stop increments, or f/22–32 with half-stop increments, according to Canon's exact manual and Museum table–
DiaphragmSeven blades with a circular apertureNine blades with a circular aperture
Angle of view84°–23°20′ diagonal, 74°–19°20′ horizontal and 53°–13° verticalFull-frame horizontal 74°–29°; vertical 53°–19°30′; diagonal 84°–34°
Mount and compatibility
MountsCanon EFCanon EF
Image circleFull frameFull frame
CompatibilityCanon EF cameras with full-frame or APS-C sensorsCanon EF cameras, including full-frame and APS-C DSLRs
Teleconverter supportCanon's manual excludes extenders–
Adaptor supportEF12 II gives 0.61–0.50× at 24 mm and 0.46–0.12× at 105 mm; EF25 II is incompatible at 24 mm and gives 0.67–0.27× at 105 mmCanon UK supports EOS M cameras with an EF-EOS M mount adaptor
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance0.4 m0.38 m
Maximum magnification0.3×0.21×
Optical stabilisationYesNo
Autofocus detailLead-screw STM autofocus with electronic manual focusing. One Shot AF permits manual adjustment with the shutter half-pressed; manual focusing is unavailable when the camera is off or the lens is asleepRing-type USM with full-time manual override
Focus distance detailInternal focusing with a non-rotating filter thread according to ePHOTOzine. Canon instructs users to finish zooming before focusingInternal focusing; filter thread does not rotate during focusing (DPReview)
Magnification detail–Maximum 0.21× at 70 mm
Stabilisation detailFour-stop claim measured at 105 mm with the EOS-1D X under CIPA standards. The manual describes automatic correction for still subjects and panningNo optical image stabilisation (DPReview and OpticalLimits)
Video featuresSmooth Movie Servo AF with compatible cameras; the original manual lists EOS 70D, 700D, 100D and 650D, plus EOS M/M2 with an EF-EOS M adaptor–
Design
Dust and moisture resistant–Yes
Filter diameter77 mm82 mm
Maximum diameter83.4 mm88.5 mm
Length104 mm113 mm
Weight525 g805 g
ControlsAF/MF and stabilisation switches, separate focus and zoom rings, and a zoom lock at 24 mmSeparate focus and zoom rings; zoom lock lever
Zoom designExtending barrel with transport lock at the shortest positionLens extends when zoomed towards 70 mm; zoom lock holds the 24 mm position (DPReview)
Weather resistance–Dust and moisture resistant structure at the mount, switch panel and zoom ring
Dimensions detailMaximum diameter × length; size and 525 g weight are lens-only. Caps add 24.2 mm to length according to Canon's manual88.5 mm maximum diameter × 113 mm length in the retracted state
Lens hoodOptional EW-83M hood with release button; reversible for storageEW-88C
In the box–Lens, E-82 U front cap, Lens Dust Cap E, EW-88C hood, LP1219 case and user manual
Release detailCanon Camera Museum records December 2014 marketing; no first-sale day is givenMarketed in September 2012 according to Canon Camera Museum

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