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Canon EF 24–105mm f/3.5–5.6 IS STM vs Canon EF 24–70mm f/4L IS USM

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

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CanonEF 24–105mm f/3.5–5.6 IS STMCanonEF 24–70mm f/4L IS USM
Overview
ReleasedDecember 2014December 2012
Optics
Lens typeZoomZoom
Focal length24–105 mm24–70 mm
Maximum aperturef/3.5–5.6f/4
Minimum aperturef/22–36f/22
Optical constructionSeventeen elements in thirteen groups15 elements in 12 groups
Special elementsAspherical and UD elementsTwo aspherical and two UD elements
Coatings–Super Spectra coatings; Canon also specifies easy-clean lens-element coatings
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° verticalHorizontal 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 mount full-frame and APS-C cameras
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 mm–
Focus and stabilisation
AutofocusYesYes
Minimum focus distance0.4 m0.2 m
Maximum magnification0.3×0.7×
Optical stabilisationYesYes
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 focusingNormal minimum focus 0.38 m; dedicated macro mode reaches 0.2 m according to Canon Camera Museum; approximately 3 cm working distance at maximum magnification (Bob Atkins)
Magnification detail–Maximum 0.21× in normal operation and 0.7× in the separate macro position beyond the telephoto end
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 panningFour-stop optical IS claim; automatic panning detection; Hybrid IS compensates angular and shift movements in macro mode
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 mm77 mm
Maximum diameter83.4 mm83.4 mm
Length104 mm93 mm
Weight525 g600 g
ControlsAF/MF and stabilisation switches, separate focus and zoom rings, and a zoom lock at 24 mmMacro/zoom-lock switch; AF/MF and IS switches; focus ring, zoom ring and distance scale
Zoom designExtending barrel with transport lock at the shortest positionBarrel extends towards 70 mm; zoom lock operates at 24 mm (Bob Atkins)
Weather resistance–Sealed against dust and moisture
Dimensions detailMaximum diameter × length; size and 525 g weight are lens-only. Caps add 24.2 mm to length according to Canon's manual83.4 mm maximum diameter × 93 mm length in the retracted state
Lens hoodOptional EW-83M hood with release button; reversible for storageEW-83L hood; Canon lists LP1219 pouch as an accessory
Release detailCanon Camera Museum records December 2014 marketing; no first-sale day is givenMarketed in December 2012 according to Canon Camera Museum

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