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Canon EF 24–105mm f/3.5–5.6 IS STM vs Canon EF 70–200mm f/4L IS 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 70–200mm f/4L IS II USM
Overview
ReleasedDecember 2014June 2018
Optics
Lens typeZoomZoom
Focal length24–105 mm70–200 mm
Maximum aperturef/3.5–5.6f/4
Minimum aperturef/22–36f/32
Optical constructionSeventeen elements in thirteen groups20 elements in 15 groups
Special elementsAspherical and UD elementsOne fluorite and two UD elements
Coatings–Super Spectra coatings; fluorine coatings on the front and rear elements according to Canon's US launch announcement
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° vertical–
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 m1 m
Maximum magnification0.3×0.27×
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 focus override
Focus distance detailInternal focusing with a non-rotating filter thread according to ePHOTOzine. Canon instructs users to finish zooming before focusingMaximum 0.27× magnification at 200 mm; internal focusing according to Digital Camera World
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 panningFive-stop CIPA claim at 200 mm on an EOS-1D X Mark II; three modes including exposure-only stabilisation for tracking moving subjects
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 mm72 mm
Maximum diameter83.4 mm80 mm
Length104 mm176 mm
Weight525 g780 g
ControlsAF/MF and stabilisation switches, separate focus and zoom rings, and a zoom lock at 24 mmAF/MF, IS on/off and three IS mode switches; focus limiter excludes distances below 3 m according to Digital Camera World
Zoom designExtending barrel with transport lock at the shortest positionInternal zooming maintains physical length according to Digital Camera World
Weather resistance–Dust- and moisture-resistant construction
Dimensions detailMaximum diameter × length; size and 525 g weight are lens-only. Caps add 24.2 mm to length according to Canon's manual80 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
In the box–Lens, pouch, caps, hood and instruction manual according to Canon UK
Lens hoodOptional EW-83M hood with release button; reversible for storage–
Release detailCanon Camera Museum records December 2014 marketing; no first-sale day is givenCanon 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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